Chapter 8

The roads in the village were difficult to navigate, especially the section leading to Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao's house, which was full of potholes and could easily trap a cart's wheels.

The mule cart stopped at the village entrance.

"Brother Xiao." A classmate jumped off the cart first, reaching out to help Xiao Liulang down and then handed him his bag.

After standing still, Xiao Liulang turned to look at Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao nimbly jumped off the cart and slung the basket over her back.

Xiao Liulang withdrew his gaze and said to his classmate, "You can go back now, no need to see me off any further."

It was indeed getting late, and the driver was becoming impatient.

The classmate then said, "Alright, I'll go. Don't forget the exam in three days. The academy won't be on break that day, so I won't come to pick you up. Remember to go yourself."

"Okay." Xiao Liulang nodded faintly and took the bag.

The night road was hard to navigate, and they had no lanterns. Gu Jiao thus didn't move, waiting silently for Xiao Liulang.

The classmate gave her a cold glance, pulling Xiao Liulang a bit further away and whispered, "Brother Xiao, do well in the exam in three days. If you pass, you can live in the academy and won't be bullied by this wicked woman anymore! Don't worry about your leg; I'll continue to look for Doctor Zhang. Oh, and eat the osmanthus cake yourself; don't let that wicked woman have it!"

Gu Jiao had broken a sweat carrying the basket back from the market, but it had dried on the mule cart. Her rosy face was now pale from the cold, standing out under the moonlight.

Xiao Liulang glanced at her, and the classmate wanted to say more but was interrupted by Xiao Liulang: "I understand, go back."

The classmate opened his mouth, but Xiao Liulang ignored him, grabbed his bag with one hand and leaned on his cane with the other, turning to head home.

Gu Jiao followed closely.

Gu Jiao kept a perfect distance from him, not too close to be intrusive, but close enough to help if he stumbled.

However, Xiao Liulang was very familiar with the road, and they made it home without any issues.

By now, it was completely dark, and all the doors were closed. Only Xue Ningshen was outside, pouring out bathwater, and she paused at the door.

"Why aren't you coming in, Axiang? What are you looking at?"

Inside, Xue Ningshen's mother-in-law, lying on the sickbed, asked in a hoarse voice.

Xue Ningshen blinked in a daze and replied, "Nothing, nothing."

She must have been mistaken; how could Xiao Liulang be walking with that little fool? They were a couple, but they hated each other more than enemies.

At the Gu family's old house.

Today, the eldest son's family was in charge of cooking. Zhou Shi and her daughter, Gu Yue'e, brought the steaming hot dishes to the dining room and set the table.

In the Gu family, women did not eat at the table. Only Grandfather Gu, his eldest son Gu Changhai, his second son Gu Changlu, and the three grandsons sat at the table.

Grandmother Wu ate with her two daughters-in-law and granddaughter Gu Yue'e in the kitchen.

Grandfather Gu was the village head, more accomplished than most villagers who only knew how to farm. Most villagers rarely saw meat, but the Gu family could have it twice a month.

Today happened to be one of those days.

Braised pork belly with cabbage, the broth itself was rich with the aroma of meat.

But there wasn't much pork, and each person could only have a couple of bites.

After Gu Changhai and Gu Changlu each took a piece, they dared not touch the bowl of meat again under their father's stern gaze and turned to the pickled vegetables.

Grandfather Gu himself didn't eat much either, only taking a small piece and giving Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Ershun a medium-sized piece each, leaving the rest for Gu Dashun.

Gu Xiaoshun counted carefully, and there were five large pieces!

"Why does he get all of it?" Gu Xiaoshun grumbled while eating his rice.

Gu Ershun said softly, "It's because Big Brother is a scholar, and our family relies on him to make a name for us."

As he said this, he couldn't help but glance at the meat in Gu Dashun's bowl.

He was hungry.

Truly hungry.

But he was used to this differential treatment.

There were so many men in the family, but only Big Brother had the talent for studying. This year, Big Brother even passed the county examination, surpassing Grandfather's achievements.

"Pfft." Gu Xiaoshun rolled his eyes, "My brother-in-law is also a scholar, why don't you call him to eat the meat?"

"How can they be the same? Big Brother has passed the county examination, how can he compare?"

"My brother-in-law just didn't take the exam."

The two brothers were about to argue when Grandfather Gu slapped the table, and they instantly shut up.

When Grandfather Gu was angry, even Gu Changhai and Gu Changlu felt intimidated.

The room was eerily quiet.

"Second Brother, have you read the book I gave you? There are annotations I made. Read it carefully, and if you have any questions, come to me."

It was Gu Dashun speaking.

Only he dared to speak up against Grandfather Gu's anger.

His voice was clear and gentle, his tone calm and unhurried, truly embodying the demeanor of a scholar.

Grandfather Gu found his golden grandson increasingly pleasing, and his anger quickly subsided.

Gu Ershun, flattered, smiled and said, "Thank you, Big Brother!"

Grandfather Gu had taught all three grandsons, but only Gu Dashun passed the examination. Later, he sent Gu Dashun to the town's private school.

The private school was expensive, and the Gu family could only afford to send the best.

Gu Ershun dreamed of being like Gu Dashun.

Grandfather Gu said sternly, "Don't disturb your Big Brother these few days; he has an exam."

Gu Ershun nodded respectfully, "I understand, Grandfather."

Gu Xiaoshun, unwilling to stay longer, finished his meal in a few bites and left.

He wanted to go out, but he couldn't leave through the front door of the dining room or the back door of the kitchen. Grandmother Wu was no easier to deal with than Grandfather Gu.

Gu Xiaoshun decided to climb over the wall.

But he was caught halfway by Liu Shi: "Gu Xiaoshun! Get down here!"

Gu Xiaoshun was pulled down by Liu Shi.

Liu Shi slapped his head and scolded, "Your grandparents are here. Do you want to die?"

"Don't hit my head!" Gu Xiaoshun complained.

"It's so late, where are you going?"

"My sister hasn't come to eat for a whole day, I'm going to check on her."

Liu Shi huffed, "It's better that she doesn't come. Why are you going to check on her? She's married; it's not proper for her to run back to her parents' house every day!"

Gu Xiaoshun pouted, "Uncle and Aunt didn't say that before they passed away. Grandparents promised Aunt that my sister would stay in our family as a daughter-in-law. Xiao Liulang is a son-in-law who lives in, so my sister is still part of our family."

Liu Shi couldn't argue with him and pinched him hard!

Gu Ershun was obedient but useless, and Gu Xiaoshun was neither obedient nor useful, making her regret having two sons.

---

Gu Jiao bought rice and flour at the market. She didn't expect Xiao Liulang to buy them too, and he even bought a few steamed buns.

Gu Jiao heated the buns in the kitchen.

Xiao Liulang had started the fire.

Gu Jiao didn't make a fuss.

When she left, her wrist wasn't badly injured, but she had done some work at the market, and the wound had torn open. Fortunately, she always carried a first-aid kit, and she bandaged it on the spot.

Neither of them mentioned the three cornmeal buns from the morning. Xiao Liulang didn't explain, and Gu Jiao didn't question.

"Let's eat here, it's warm." Gu Jiao said. She was freezing and was still shivering.

Xiao Liulang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and sat down on a small stool next to Gu Jiao.

It was the first time they were so close, close enough for him to clearly see the birthmark on her left cheek.

Gu Jiao usually covered it with thick powder, but now she was bare-faced, unashamed and unhidden.

Xiao Liulang's handsome lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

Just as she wouldn't pry into his affairs, he wouldn't pry into hers.

They were two unrelated people, and there was no need for deeper involvement.

The steamed buns had no flavor, but Gu Jiao was hungry all day and didn't mind.

Gu Jiao choked a bit while eating and went back to the room to drink some water. When she returned to the kitchen, Xiao Liulang was gone, and a package was left on the small stool.

Gu Jiao opened it to find osmanthus cake.