Chapter 80: You, you, you... Let go of me!

Watching Zhao Chujie head up the mountain, jubilant and eager to hunt, Jiang Chengyan refrained from telling his burly friend that rain was imminent. Of course, even if he had mentioned it, few would have believed him, for the sky was radiant and clear, promising nothing but good weather.

Jiang Chengyan carried Bai Yan’s small hoe, while Bai Yan herself trotted ahead, panting cheerfully. Her clothes, though lovely, had been sullied and were now dull and dusty from her adventures.

Upon returning home, Bai Yan darted inside to drink water. Jiang Chengyan set down the hoe and began gathering the sundried goods scattered about the courtyard: dried radish, dried vegetables, tofu, and some yellow peach slices—all prepared for her to enjoy.

Once everything was tidied, Jiang Chengyan surveyed his spacious courtyard. Apart from a small patch for vegetables, the rest was open and bare, stretching wide and empty. Turning around, he caught sight of Bai Yan, cradling a large bamboo tube and drinking milk. He beckoned, and Bai Yan ambled over.

“Do you like chicken drumsticks?” Jiang Chengyan asked, his hand gently kneading the soft nape of her neck.

“Mm-hmm.” Bai Yan nodded, burping as she hugged her bamboo tube.

“There’s plenty of space here. Should we raise a few more chickens?” Currently, they only had two old hens that laid eggs.

Bai Yan didn’t reply. Instead, she presented the back of her head to Jiang Chengyan—a silent answer, needing no words.

“Let’s use some space to plant flowers, then.” As a man, flowers and greenery held little appeal for him, but he had a woman he loved. If she cherished flowers, he could only follow her heart.

The moment she heard about planting flowers, Bai Yan’s eyes sparkled, and she turned to Jiang Chengyan, flashing a bright, toothy smile.

Just then, a sudden clap of thunder split the sky, and torrents of rain began to pour. With the downpour, the temperature plummeted. Bai Yan cozied herself under the covers, while Jiang Chengyan stoked the fire beside the bed, warming her.

“How long will this rain last?” Jiang Chengyan asked, glancing at the pair of small feet peeking out from beneath the blanket.

Hearing his question, Bai Yan immediately rolled over, her little head resting on the edge of the bed, and declared with pride, “It’ll rain all day, for sure.”

“Jiang Chengyan! I want dumpling soup for lunch today!” Bai Yan suddenly shouted.

Jiang Chengyan was baffled. That loud tone and way of speaking sounded so familiar. She’d even learned to call him by his full name!

He rose, dusted off his hands, walked to the bed, and pinched Bai Yan’s ear. “Stop copying her, you hear?”

Bai Yan reached up to scratch him. “Let… let go of me!”

Jiang Chengyan looked down—his hand now bore a bright red scratch.

Outside, rain continued to fall. For lunch, Jiang Chengyan made a steaming pot of dumpling soup, just as Bai Yan wished, and mixed in a small radish for her.

After eating her fill, Bai Yan sprawled contentedly on the warm bed and fell fast asleep. Jiang Chengyan sat beside her, reading a book.

The rain, just as Bai Yan had predicted, lasted through the night. Early the next morning, many villagers headed to the river to catch fish; the swollen waters made it the perfect opportunity.

When Jiang Chengyan opened the door, he saw Bai Yan, dressed in her underclothes, furtively fiddling with her little coin pouch, her back to him.

“Little one, would you like some fish?” His voice was deep and resonant.