With a loud bang, the courtyard gate slammed shut and was barred from the inside.
Inside the house, everyone finally let out a breath of relief, yet no one spoke. The atmosphere remained heavy.
Leaning against Lu Qingshan’s chest, Ye Mengyi’s breathing was still uneven. At last, tears she had been holding back rolled down her cheeks.
Since transmigrating here, this was the first time she had openly voiced the suffering she endured all those years.
And it was also the first time someone had fought for her so fiercely.
Lu Qingshan gently patted her back.
“Don’t be afraid. From now on, as long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you.”
Grandma Lu walked over and wiped at the corner of her eyes with her rough hand before sighing softly.
“Good child, you’ve suffered too much. From now on, the Lu family is your home.”
Ye Mengyi sniffed and nodded lightly.
“Thank you… all of you.”
Old Madam Ye and her two daughters-in-law cursed all the way as they walked off into the distance.
At the courtyard gate, Lu Erhe spat hard onto the ground.
“What shameless people. Don’t they know whose territory this is?”
Lu Sanhe frowned as well.
“Exactly. Coming to our Lu family to cause trouble as if nobody would stop them.”
Xu Ru dusted off her apron and snorted sharply.
“I think they’re sick in the head. Aren’t they afraid their tongues will rot from all that nonsense?”
Sun Yanfen chimed in too.
“Right? Just looking at their sour faces is irritating. We should never let them in again.”
After venting their anger, they all turned back toward Ye Mengyi, their expressions immediately softening.
Lu Erhe stepped forward and said gruffly:
“Girl, don’t take their words to heart. That’s just how they are. If they ever dare come here causing trouble again, call your Second Uncle. I’ll make sure they regret it.”
Lu Sanhe nodded firmly.
“That’s right. You’ve got your Third Uncle too. No need to be afraid.”
Xu Ru took Ye Mengyi’s hand warmly into her own.
“Yiyi, if you ever have any troubles at home or feel wronged, tell your Second Aunt. We’re family now. We can’t let outsiders bully our own.”
Sun Yanfen hurried over as well.
“Exactly. Your Second Aunt’s right. I may not have many talents, but I can still help speak up for you or lend a hand.”
At that moment, a tiny figure shuffled over to Ye Mengyi’s side.
It was eight-year-old Lu Qingshuang from Third Uncle’s family.
She tilted up her rosy little face, her braids crooked and uneven, and spoke with complete seriousness:
“Big Sister-in-law, my name is Qingshuang. If you need help, you can ask me too. I can dig wild vegetables and feed the chickens!”
Beside her stood ten-year-old Lu Qingyu, more composed than her younger sister.
She tugged at Qingshuang’s braid before speaking to Ye Mengyi.
“Big Sister-in-law, Qingshuang’s right. We can all help. If anyone bullies you, I… I can go call my father.”
Fifteen-year-old Lu Qinghai from Second Uncle’s family straightened his neck proudly.
“Sister-in-law, if anyone dares cause trouble, I’ll stand up for you! I’ve learned a few moves from my older brother!”
Moonlight streamed through the broken window, falling gently across the room and wrapping everyone in a faint silver glow.
Grandma Lu and Father Lu exchanged a glance and smiled quietly, their eyes full of relief.
Lu Qinglian and Lu Qingsong also squeezed closer, leaning against the two of them as they whispered softly:
“Sister-in-law, we’ll protect you too.”
Looking at the family before her, Ye Mengyi’s eyes reddened once more.
The Lu family might be poor.
But this place was filled with warmth.
This was her new home.
Her only support in this unfamiliar era.
At dawn, pale morning light filtered through the broken windows of the thatched cottage, scattering across the straw-covered floor while tiny dust particles drifted lazily in the air.
Ye Mengyi slowly woke.
The wound on the back of her head still throbbed faintly, but her mind was much clearer.
The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was Lu Qingshan’s sleeping profile.
He leaned against the straw pile beside the bed, brows slightly furrowed as though he hadn’t slept peacefully.
He still wore the washed-out coarse cloth shirt from yesterday, the sleeves stained with dirt and bits of grass.
Nearby, Lu Qinglian and Lu Qingsong curled up together in the straw, sleeping soundly with innocent expressions unique to children.
Grandma Lu and Father Lu had already gotten up.
Outside came the sounds of Grandma Lu, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt preparing breakfast over the stove, along with the rustling noise of Father Lu weaving bamboo baskets.
A faint aroma of porridge drifted into the room.
Warmth spread through Ye Mengyi’s chest.
This was her new home.
Simple and shabby, yet full of life.
She carefully shifted, trying to sit up.
The moment Lu Qingshan heard movement, he woke immediately.
Opening his eyes and seeing Ye Mengyi awake, joy flashed across his face.
“You’re awake? How do you feel? Does your head still hurt?”
Ye Mengyi nodded, then shook her head.
“It still hurts a little, but much better now.”
Lu Qingshan quickly stood and carefully helped her sit upright before tucking the blanket around her.
“Don’t move. I’ll bring you some porridge. Second Aunt specially made millet porridge for you—it’s good for your stomach.”
With that, he turned and left the room.
Not long afterward, he returned carrying a steaming bowl of thick millet porridge fragrant with the scent of rice.
He sat beside the bed, scooped up a spoonful, blew gently on it, and brought it carefully to her lips.
“Drink slowly. It’s hot.”
Looking at him, Ye Mengyi’s eyes grew red again.
In all her life—the original owner’s life—aside from her deceased parents, no one had ever cared for her like this.
She opened her mouth and slowly sipped the porridge.
The temperature was perfect, warm and comforting as it slid down her throat and soothed her cold stomach.
At that moment, Grandma Lu entered carrying a freshly washed egg.
“Mengyi girl, here. Eat an egg and nourish your body.”
Ye Mengyi quickly waved her hands.
“Grandma, there’s no need. The porridge is enough.”
But Grandma Lu firmly stuffed the egg into her hands.
“Silly child. Your injuries are serious. How can you recover without proper nourishment? This egg was laid by our old hen. We normally can’t bear to eat them. We specifically saved it for you.”
Holding the warm egg, Ye Mengyi felt her heart grow soft, tears nearly falling again.
She peeled the shell and took a bite.
The rich fragrance spread through her mouth.
It was the most delicious egg she had ever eaten.
After finishing the porridge and egg, Ye Mengyi felt much better.
Looking seriously at Lu Qingshan, she said:
“Lu Qingshan, thank you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for taking me in.”
Lu Qingshan grinned broadly, revealing bright white teeth.
“No need to thank me. I already said—you’re my wife now. Taking care of you is what I should do.”
After a pause, he added:
“Today I’ll take you to the village head to settle the marriage officially. We may not have a bride price or wedding clothes, but I’ll still ask the village head to witness it properly. I’ll marry you honorably.”
Ye Mengyi nodded, anticipation flickering in her eyes.
Just then, the village head’s voice came from outside the door.
“Is Lu boy home?”
Lu Qingshan quickly stood and opened the door.
The village head stood outside holding the severance document.
Looking at Lu Qingshan solemnly, he said:
“Qingshan, I came today because there’s something I need to tell you and Mengyi girl. After returning home yesterday, the Ye family caused another scene. Old Madam Ye says severing ties is fine—but you must give the Ye family a sum of ‘upbringing money.’ Otherwise… she says she’ll report you to the county magistrate.”