Chapter 81: Caring for the Womb
That afternoon, Lin Si Yao grilled a crucian carp with scallion. However, before he could present it on the table, he saw Su Shuilian who had just put away the sewing needle to come into the kitchen covering her mouth, as if wanting to vomit.
"Shuilian..." Seeing this scene, Lin Si Yao stepped forward to help her. "Are you alright?"
"I don't know. I just find the smell of fish very disgusting..." Su Shuilian vomited out a few mouthfuls of saliva. It was only after drinking a cup of warm water from Lin Si Yao, did she feel better.
"Disgusting?" Lin Si Yao frowned as he went and felt the pulse on her wrist.
After a long time, he gently let go of Su Shuilian's wrist and smiled joyfully at her. "Shuilian, we have a child."
"Ah?" Hearing this, Su Shuilian was stunned, before happily embracing his strong waist. "You say I'm pregnant? Really?" Then the goddess, Guan Yin, in Qing Yu Temple really make a miracle? She was so taken off guard by the sudden surge of happiness that she could only think of this explanation in her busy mind.
"Yup." Lin Si Yao laughed as he pinched Su Shuilian's nose. "Now that you're a mother, are you happy?"
"But of course." Su Shuilian couldn't help but to glare at him. He is a man, he wouldn't understand the pressure of being born as a woman. But this is good as she had really wanted to be pregnant. Not even a year later, she will give birth to a child that is both their biological child. How could she not be happy?"
"Okay. Then, O' great mother, please be careful. Let this husband carry you to your room for you to rest. As for lunch, let this husband prepare you fragrant chicken egg millet porridge?" When Lin Si Yao saw Su Shuilian's happiness, he couldn't suppress the throbbing of his heart and carried her into the bedroom for her to rest. Even the teasing tone that he would only use at night leaked out in his voice. He, Lin Si Yao, was also a father now. In this world, he now has his second closest family; his own child.
"Be good, drink more water."
"Take a break, but don't just sit...."
"Are you hungry, eat some snacks?"
"You're pregnant yet you're still so careless!"
Since that day when they received the good news, what could be often heard was the constant hen-like nagging of Lin Si Yao.
Su Shuilian didn't know whether to laugh of to cry as she adhered to Lin Si Yao's instructions to drink water (Since tea was also banned by him as he was unsure if it would have negative effects on the unborn child), eat snacks (3 meals a day along with a snack in the later afternoon as he was scared that Su Shuilian was not strong enough to give birth to child) and rest ( Lin Si Yao confiscated her work on " picture of goddess of mercy blesses with a child" to stop her from working on it. Luckily she had 3 months to finish it.)
As such, Su Shuilian's days of caring for the womb went by peacefully under Lin Si Yao's careful supervision.
As now an experienced mother, Xiao Xue would lead her puppies to various locations to play. Xiao Xue also took up the role of watching over Su Shuilian during this period of caring for the womb. If ever she saw Su Shuilian become tired from embroidery, the Xiao Xue would lead her wolf cubs into the room and force her to stop.
In order to prevent the three playful cubs who only cared about having fun from destroying anything in her embroidery room, Su Shuilian had no choice but to keep track of the time. Once she hits the allocated time that Lin Si Yao had set for her, she would get up and move around, getting food, water, and sometimes even taking a tour of the kitchen to confirm what she wanted to eat for dinner.
Ever since she got pregnant, she would be very sensitive to oil and smoke. As of recently, the foods that she had previously enjoyed caused her to become nauseous even before putting it into her mouth.
For example, there are some dishes that require to be stir-fried with oil. Those dishes are dishes she cannot consume and even a whiff of the smell of the oil will cause her to nauseate. If it's serious, she could even vomit out everything that's in her stomach because of it.
Especially fried fish, the smell of fish alongside the smell of oil is very effective in making her nauseous.
Therefore, over these past few days, other than conducting the daily examinations of Dabao's homework in the morning, removing grass, catching insects and the occasional adding of fertilizer and other farming related work in the afternoon, the remainder of his time was spent on comparing the different recipes to develop meals which were light, nutritious, refreshing and appetizing, as well as a few desserts that were suitable for Su Shuilian. These snacks were to be enjoyed while she's resting and drinking tea, like sesame biscuits and jujube paste stuffed rice cakes.... It can't be said that he didn't do all this with her in mind.
This continued for a month or so and Lin Si Yao's culinary skills have increased quite a bit, especially in his stewing. It was so good that even the number one cook, Shui House's poniang*, would show a thumbs up in approval. She had come to their house with Aunt Lao the other day and had tasted a bowl of fresh mushroom chicken stew that Lin Si Yao made for Su Shuilian.
(婆娘/Poniang - peasant woman that is married // a wife)
"Girl, you really are very lucky." Shui House's poniang gently patted the back of Su Shuilian's hand and smiled in approval: "Take a quick look at everyone in Fan Hua Town. Tell me which man in one of the families would treat the wife with this level of care? Looks like even if you took the entire nation into consideration, a good man like A Yao can be considered very rare."
"I told them this the moment they got married!" Aunt Lao chuckled as she added praise to Lin Si Yao's actions.
"That's why when you're choosing to marry in, the most important part is the husband. No matter how good their family is, if matched with a husband that is insensitive, everything would be wasted." Aunt Lao said as she with an unexplained conviction.
When originally negotiating a marriage for Xi Cui, there were 2 families that came over to the Lao family to discuss about the matchmaking. One family is a farmer from Luo Shui town, while the other is a distant relative of the Fang Family, who after settling in the city, opened a tofu store.
At the start, Uncle Lao instantly thought the family settled in the city would be the best choice. This is because after suffering through the pains of being a farmer, he believed that life in the city must be absolute bliss. However, after a few negotiations, alongside Aunt Lao who secretly went to speak with the neighbors of the candidate families, eventually she settled with the boy from Luo Shui Town.
Even though that rascal is a farmer, Aunt Lao liked him after meeting him a couple of times. She especially took into consideration how he is the pillar of support for his family, and the care and concern he showed to her daughter. There was also a time when she had seen them go out together; he would walk by her side and was conscious of her surroundings. This kind of man, even if he has a mediocre background, he still wouldn't treat her Xi Cui badly in any way, so she would not suffer much with him.
Whereas as expected, that rascal from the family that started a tofu business was actually married earlier this year. But half a year later, his now ex-wife had run back to her immediate family. The mother-in-law was harsh and her husband wasn't sensible at the least. Not only did he not help her, but also ganged up with his mother in beating and berating her.
If Xi Cui had married to him, would there be happiness for her to enjoy? Aunt Lao couldn't stop thanking her lucky stars for this outcome. On the other hand, taking a look at Xi Cui who had married to the man from Luo Shui Town for two months already, Xi Cui had only returned home twice. Whenever she returned, although Aunt Lao wouldn't ask her if she was doing well or if the son-in-law had been nice to her or not, she already knew the answer from the intimate actions of the two of them and the emotions conveyed from Xi Cui's eyes. With this, the worries that she had in her were now settled.
Su Shuilian finally rushed to the Embroidery Floor to hand in the <Guanyin Blessing with a Child> peice right before the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. In addition, under the pressuring gaze of Lin Si Yao, she had notified Jiang Yingyue and Jiang Yingyun that for a short amount of time, she would be taking a break from taking anymore embroidery work.
This is because she started to have a series of strong vomiting as it was her first trimester.
Feeling lethargic when sitting and aches when lying down, Su Shuilian would be hit with morning sickness everyday. This went on for a full month, causing her already petite stature to become even more thin. Seeing this caused Lin Si Yao to feel distress and self blame. He already knew her body was delicate, but he still wished for her to bear his child as soon as possible.
However, since the matter has already reached this point, other than doing his best to make whatever Su Shuilian wants to eat, accompanying her for more walks to improve her body strength, Lin Si Yao can't really do anything else. Could he not as a man replace and go through this process for her?
"Are you tired of eating bean paste and jujube paste?" Lin Si Yao picked out the ingredients to make , which were entailed with red beans, red dates, and other stuffing materials.
(粽子/zongzi - a traditional Chinese rice dish made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves.)
"A Yao, why don't we make a meat stuffed one." Having the sudden urge to eat savory zòngzi, Su Shuilian unexpectedly recalled back to her previous Su House's big kitchen, where during the Dragon Boat Festival would have on the tables, the smell of which was incredibly fragrant and delicious..
"Meat stuffed? Zongzi can be made with a salty taste?" Coming across Lin Si Yao who basically spent most of his time studying the recipe book, his eyes were full of suspicion towards the idea of zòngzi having a savory stuffing.
"Mhm, I roughly know the method. Let's buy back some meat and give it a try, is that okay?" Su Shuilian smiled sweetly as she suggested.
"Ok." Lin Si Yao himself couldn't have refused. On the contrary, as of now, she is pregnant. For any of her requests, he would happily oblige.
"Tired?" Su Shuilian, who hadn't entered the city for a long time strongly wanted to take a walk through the various streets and shops, while Lin Si Yao had no choice but to follow her. Of course, Lin Si Yao would support her, infusing her with some of his Qi from time to time, to add to her physical strength.
"I'm still good. Aren't you the one who's always helping me?" Su Shuilian smiled sweetly as she raised her head to look at him. Even though she doesn't know any martial arts, everytime when she would feel very lethargic, she would feel a continuous surge of strength enter her body, she could feel it herself.
"Mhm. If you can't take it anymore, why don't we go home." He still was anxious. However, looking at her elated expression, he did not want to dampen her enthusiasm. What's more, there wasn't even a chance for her to come back to visit the shops anymore until after their baby's first month. Better to let her enjoy everything to her heart's content now
"A Yao, let's go to the cloth shop to choose a few thick cotton cloths. I'm thinking of taking advantage of not doing any embroidery work to prepare some clothes for our baby." Su Shuilian caressed her not very obvious abdomen and proposed in a soft voice.
"Okay. But you must promise me, the time spent everyday sewing cannot be too long." Lin Si Yao was really scared that she would harm her eyes and exhausted herself. However, if he suggested that they buy a few pieces of children's clothing straight from the clothing store, Su Shuilian definitely will not approve. As such, he gave up on this suggestion. He could only once again stress for her not to spend too long sewing from today onwards.
"I understand" Su Shuilian had no choice but to nod her head. Ever since she got pregnant, Lin Si Yao with an icy demeanor who would only say a few words over half a day, was nowhere to be found. As for the earliest version of Lin Si Yao back in the wolf cave with that extremely cold and unfriendly attitude, has all but slowly vanished away.
This must be the power of family. Su Shuilian silently guessed in her heart. Once we have children, will he act more like a loving father? The only issue was, she couldn't fathom how Lin Si Yao will be when the word "benevolent" will be used to describe him.
Chapter 82: Pre-Delivery Preparations
At the oft-visited "Feng Ya Drapery", two bolts of fine white cotton cloth were cut. They planned to sew all of the baby's clothing using this cotton textile, the most expensive of its kind.
Furthermore, the summer days were approaching. Ah Yao and her both needed two new sets of tunics to change into. Considering that, Su Shuilian, surrounded from all sides with envious gazes, without a worry in her heart, ordered the shopkeeper to cut* another three bolts.
(TL NOTES: It's actually pull, but cut makes more sense for those who don't sew. Basically, rather than cutting all the way across a piece of fabric to divide it, one would cut a small slit at one side and rip the fabric from the whole bolt, which is a)
She had just turned in her embroidery works and received five silvers in return. She intended to use it to prepare some items for the child. Before she came, she even specially asked for Auntie Lao's guidance about the bits and scraps of things she'd need during and after the birth.
"Madame, have a look at this, this is the newest style of fabric that just came into our shop, they say it originated from overseas. And the cost, if madame takes a fancy to it, I'll definitely give you the best price."
The shopkeeper from the drapery was already familiar with Shu Shuilian. He knows that she favors choosing exquisite fabrics, those that are at the same time comfortable, flowy, and very breathable. Predicting this, he had instructed the errand boy to fetch a few bolts of newly arrived fabric for her, to be on call.
"Fine linen?" Without even laying a hand on them, Shu Shuilian distinguished the make of the bolts of cloth.
"Madame recognises it?" The shopkeeper was amazed. This fine linen, his drapery was one of the first to receive it, and the other stores shouldn't have even started selling it yet.
"I saw it in a book before," explained Shu Shuilian hurriedly, smiling. A lot of her clothing from the past was constructed from this linen fabric. The only difference was, hers had silk and cotton threads woven throughout, this factor making it slightly finer and more delicate than this pure linen textile in front of her.
"Hehe, madame really has a good eye, it is in fact fine linen. Feel this texture, though it's not as soft as thin cotton, it provides good ventilation. Seeing that the weather's starting to warm up, would madame like to cut a few yards to go home and try out?" The shopkeeper advised Shu Shuilian, looking at her with a smile on his face, eyes pushed up into a crinkle.
The lady standing before him, though she was a wife from an unknown gentleman's house, has been visiting this drapery every once in a while, ever since she brought some cloth a year ago. Her heavy purchases, like the one a year back, involves selective shopping for bundles on bundles of textiles. Even when it's a small shopping spree, she would buy some couple yards of fine cotton cloth.
The shopkeeper paid much respect to this madam. Though she looks young, her ability in choosing fabrics was still superior to other women's daughters; dragging their feet, wasting one hour on top of another. The fabrics she chose were often the most comfortable, as well as expensive in price.
And as such, upon seeing her enter the shop to select more fabrics this time, the shopkeeper had his assistant retrieve their newest bolts of fine linen from the backroom. These new bolts of fabric had been delivered to the shop last night, but had yet to be properly arranged and put on display.
"Alright. Then, shopkeeper, I'd like to trouble you to cut five feet from each bolt of these colors for me..." Su Shuilian smiled and nodded.
She had selected a navy blue, lilac and pale yellow cloth bolt. 'The dark navy color ought to be very suitable for A Yao', she thought. Summer was approaching and she planned to make him an outer jacket with it.
The lilac cloth would be for herself; if this fine linen was used to make a broad sleeved, high collared upper garment along with a long lightweight skirt, that set of clothes would surely be light and airy. Besides that, the voluminous skirt would be more than enough to conceal her gradually swelling stomach.
As for the soft and delicate pale yellow color, naturally it would be used to make clothes of varying sizes for the baby.
She also selected some lengths of lively, brightly coloured thick cotton fabric. For these, she planned to make a few swaddle blankets of different thickness for use during her month of postpartum confinement.
All in all, Su Shuilian bought over ten lengths of cloth.
The shopkeeper was all smiles as he totaled up the bill.
"Madame, I've rounded down the bill for you. That'll be three taels."
The shopkeeper clicked and clacked away on his abacus before looking up with a wide smile, stating a figure that Su Shuilian, who had been pushed into a chair by Lin Si Yao, that was within the expected range.
Without a second word, Lin Si Yao reached into his sleeve, dug out three taels and tossed them onto the counter by the shopkeeper's hand. The shop assistant then handed him the huge stack of fabric secured tightly with cotton cord. He held that in one hand and with his other, he helped Su Shuilian to her feet. She looked rather exhausted, so he carefully guided her out of the shop.
"Tsk tsk, to which family does that young man belong? His wife has trained him well in the art of caring for others! It seems that she is with a child? No wonder..."
"Which family in this city has just secured such a beautiful daughter-in-law? I've not heard any news at all."
"Right? And one so skilled at spending money too. Three taels at once, tsk tsk, that covers a year of my whole family's expenses."
"Isn't that right? Fine linen is so expensive, and to think she purchased enough for three sets of clothing!"
"Shopkeeper, do you know which family they are from?"
"I do not."
"Ah? If you don't then why do you seem to be familiar with her?"
"Ah ha... well, that Madame always comes to our shop for cloth, that is how she gradually became a regular."
"Oh nevermind that! Who cares which family they're from. Shopkeeper, is fine linen really that good? I'll have five feet as well; I want to try making a set of clothes..."
"Coming up! I guarantee that after trying it on, Madame, you'll never want any other material again!"
"Is it really as marvelous as you claim? Then I'll have five feet too..."
"Shopkeeper, I want four feet... I'll come again if it's as good as you describe..."
"Hahaha, alright, alright, we've got enough for everyone. Rest assured, Madames..."
Thanks to Su Shuilian, all thirty bolts of Feng Ya Drapery's newly imported fine linen were sold out on the first day. The shopkeeper was so delighted, he decided he would give Su Shuilian the biggest discount he could the next time she patronized his shop. But that is a story that we shall save for another day.
In the blink of an eye, another month flashed past; Summer had finally descended upon Fan Hua Town.
Now at the end of her first trimester, three months into Su Shuilian's pregnancy, her issue with morning sickness finally improved. Although she still did not have much of an appetite during meals, at least she no longer got nauseous or suffered from acid reflux as often. The only problem was that ever since her pregnancy began, Su Shuilian no longer slept as well as she had before.
Every day, at about five to ten minutes past yin-shi (3am to 5am), she would wake. That was how she realized that Lin Si Yao actually got up extremely early every day. After settling the chores in the North Courtyard, he would go to the South, and then head to the kitchen after that. He never stopped for a moment, buzzing around the house all the way till mao-shi (5am to 7am) in the morning.
"A Yao..."
After she had gotten up, Su Shuilian pinned her hair up in a simple manner before making her way to the kitchen. When Su Shuilian arrived at the south yard, as expected, Lin Si Yao was there taking care of the chicken coop.
"Why don't you sleep for a little longer?" The heartache and concern that Lin Si Yao felt for her was clear; Su Shuilian was dressed for spring in an airy green color, but the thin material of her dress did nothing to conceal her diminishing figure. What would happen if she continued to lose weight like this? What if it caused complications during childbirth?
He decided he would retrieve the calabash bottle containing Divine Jade Essence from the bottom of their dresser case and have her consume it. If she were to remain so thin, what would happen when she goes into labor? What good were such material possessions to him, if left unused, there would be no value in having it.
"I've slept enough..." Su Shuilian wiped the sweat trickling down his face, smiling slightly, "I've not done a proper job of being your wife. I never even knew that you wake so early every day."
"That's nonsense," Lin Si Yao shot her a frown, "I'm doing this of my own accord, and glad for it too. It has nothing to do with you being a good wife. Don't say that ever again."
"Alright then..." Su Shuilian saw that he was very serious about this, so she nodded and agreed. "Oh and... A Yao, Aunt Tian told me yesterday that Uncle Tian has finished the baby's cradle. He'll be bringing it over later today."
For the past few days, she and A Yao had been busy getting everything ready for the baby's birth, from clothing to underwear, to swaddle blankets. They were now almost done.
Lin Si Yao had asked Tian Dafu to make the cradle based on Su Shuilian's hand drawn illustration, using the wood he had chopped himself. The wood was top quality Wenge/Wengue from the trees on Da Shi Mountain, and the design was based on Su Shuilian memory of the most popular style in Suzhou City. There would be a cradle and a crib which could be used either together or separately, and the crib itself would be half a meter wide by one meter long. Normally, a newborn baby would need a cradle for the first six months of its life, after that, they could be free of it forever and sleep directly in the crib. Based on the dimensions of this crib, it would probably last till their child was three years old.
And as for after that...
Oh, Lin Si Yao was planning to buy the unused land to the north and west of his home. Their current house was getting old and its structural integrity would deteriorate over time, so they might as well build a larger residence, a spacious two-hall-three-courtyard. And the old house? Well of course, they would knock it down. As for what would rise in its place... Lin Si Yao already knew what he wanted. He had known it for a long time.
"Ok, let's go and have our breakfast first. I prepared your favorite white fungus soup with red dates, so you must drink more of it."
Lin Si Yao finished cleaning up the chicken coop, collecting the chicken manure, then went to wash his hands. After that, he gently steered Su Shuilian, whose stomach had just started showing, into the kitchen.
After chen-shi (7am to 9am), Lin Si Yao plans to head out.
"You, be careful on your own, I'll be back before early afternoon..." Lin Si Yao ordered Xiao Chun to keep an eye on her from a few feet beyond the shade of the cherry blossom tree. Su Shuilian was sitting on a long bench beneath that tree, working on the finer details of his new Summer jacket.
"Oh relax, it'll be barely two hours, what could possibly happen to me in that time..." She teased him. "Fine, I promise I'll be very carefully sitting here awaiting your return, alright?" Anyway, he had left a few plates of snacks and a flask of water on the small stone table. All she had to do was reach over to grab them.
"I didn't mean that," said Lin Si Yao, frowning slightly.
"I know. I'm not as delicate as you think. Besides, I've been consuming that Divine Jade Essence for the past few days, so there's no need for you to be so worried." Su Shuilian knew he was just concerned for her, but his overprotectiveness was becoming excessive especially when compared to her, the real expecting mother!
"Right, then I'll be leaving now. Don't open the door no matter who knocks..." He could not emphasize the importance of her safety enough.
Now that Xiao Xue had brought the three wolf pups onto Da Shi Mountain to live with the Wolf King. Now they only have Xiao Chun. How could Lin Si Yao relax?
To be fair, the past few callers who had knocked at their door consisted of romantic fools, robbers, and even those ruthless killers from his own organization, so his worry was not unfounded.
If it weren't for the hidden signal left by Si Tao, he would certainly not take a single step out of the house.
Something was wrong... As he rushed, Lin Si Yao narrowed his eyes. From the secret code Si Tao was using, he could tell that at least one of the three was seriously injured. Otherwise, with Si Lao's busybody nature, there was no way they would miss 'dropping in for a visit' if their mission was accomplished with nary a scratch on them all.
Once he arrived at this conclusion. Lin Si Yao's speed increased exponentially. If someone were nearby at the time, they would be sure to feel the eerily cool and cutting wind blowing past, and see an accompanying figure in green flashing by...
Chapter 83: Buying Land to Expand the House
"You three joined hands but you couldn't withstand the enemy? I dare say, the longer you've lived, the worse you've become," Lin Si Yao sat by the table not far from the large bed. He poured himself a cup of water, mocking indifferently. He didn't even care to be polite to Si Luo who was sitting cross-legged on the bed to heal himself.
"We were careless..." Si Shan said, his voice a little distressed, "We didn't expect the Deadly Duet of the West Corridor to be that fierce and bold. No wonder..."
"Feng Qingya seems strange..." Si Tuo, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly gave a cold, unclear comment, but it somehow shook the people present in this room.
"Ha..." Lin Si Yao sneered coldly, "The enemy is out there and we have internal issues to solve too... I think you guys should follow me and become a hermetic farmer then..."
"Si Ling..." Si Tuo was speechless, looking at him. "You are... a dead man. That's why Feng Qingya doesn't come to you. But us..." Of course, needless to say, as they wanted to leave the Feng Yao Court, Feng Qingya wouldn't let them go. No matter where they hid, they wouldn't stay safe and sound.
"I think we can consider Si Ling's suggestion..." Si Shan pondered for a while then continued, "Today, the Feng Yao Court has already abolished the rules our Old Master had established that year. Harrumph, if we still work for Feng Qingya, we ain't no assassins anymore. We're the devils."
"I agree..." Si Luo opened his eyes as he had finished healing his wounds. He continued Si Ling's words, his eyes sharp and cold, "Think about it. Among around six hundred fellows of the Feng Yao Court, there are many people who got better kungfu than the three of us. Why did they insist on us to go to the West Corridor? If they didn't want to bury our dead bodies there, what do you think they want?"
He had soon found Feng Qingya's malicious intention toward them, especially after Si Ling's incident. The number of fellows in their Si Department, which were directed by Si Tuo's team, wasn't small. If he weren't wrong, Feng Qingya wanted to change the blood completely. Didn't he? It was Si Ling a year ago. And now, it was the three of them... The members of the Si Department who used to follow the former Master would be swept away within the next three years and a half!
Lin Si Yao felt speechless as the other three had actually considered his joke-like suggestion a possibility.
"Okay, just make it our decision. After Si Luo's relatively recovered, we will return to the Court to solve the other matters. Then, we will discuss this..." Si Tuo glugged down the strong liquor in his cup and casually decided.
"Right. We've earned quite a lot. Even if we're gluttonous, we won't be starving. Moreover, we still have the money Si Ling's going to give us. Oh hey Si Ling, would you keep your words?" Si Luo smirked, his face regaining colors which hid the fact that he was wounded severely. "We will become Si Ling's neighbors at that time. Even though someone will treat us coldly, we don't know how to cook rice or stir-fry the veggies without him. Haha..." Si Shan fearlessly added.
"Okay, Si Ling, we count our housing things on you. If we can finish it fast, we'll be back after three months. If we take it slow, it'll be one year. We will be neighbors then..."
If Si Tuo's face weren't as cold and calm as usual, Lin Siyao would doubt that he had already changed. Do those words look like they could come out from the mouth of a merciless assassin?
"Don't forget what I've asked you to do..." Reluctantly, Lin Si Yao looked at the three who had made up their minds on their future within fifteen minutes. His current self couldn't come to the Feng Yao Court, which was thousands of miles away from here. Thus, if he wanted to take the properties he had earned during the first half of his life, which he had hidden there, he had to ask these three to do that. Although it would be only one-fourth that would return to him, it was enough for him to do many things in this little Fan Hua Town.
As he wanted to expand his home and Si Tuo and the other two had asked him to help them with their housing, as soon as he returned to Fan Hua Town, he immediately made a plan to buy more land and build houses.
----
"What? You want to buy six acres of the wasteland in the West?" Wang Geng Fa, the village elder of the little town, stared at Lin Si Yao in surprise.
Although the wasteland in the West of the town was unowned, it would take dozens of silvers to buy six mu's of it. Why did he have to spend a lot to buy the wasteland?
Build more houses? There were just two of them. Why would they need a big house? Cultivate the paddy fields? Why would they need so many pieces of land? The two paddy fields and the house were enough for them to survive.
Wang Geng Fa thought it over and over, but he couldn't figure out why Lin Si Yao wanted to buy the six mu's of wasteland.
"I got some friends who wanted to relocate to the Fan Hua Town. They asked me to help them with the houses. Well, no one in the town wanted to sell their house. Moreover, Shuilian is pregnant now. We need to enlarge our house. So, I want to buy more land and build it myself..." Lin Siyao rarely said sincere words like that.
Actually, he wanted to buy all the land from his two pieces of paddy field toward the West. It was around ten acres of land.
However, he was afraid that the other villagers would voice their disapproval, so Lin Si Yao decided to buy six acres first. He would take two for his own home and the other four would be used to build a big house for the other three. And, later if they got their own families and wanted to build more, it would be none of his business. He wasn't their parents. Why would he have to care about them marrying, right?
To be honest, he was doubtful that he wasn't himself, the one he used to be anymore. At least, not the previous Si Ling.
Think about it, one year ago, Si Tuo and the other two had still been after him under the order. One year later, he had to care about their houses like an old mum. He felt wronged! However, every time he thought that because of them, he had had the chance to meet up with Shuilian and build his warm, leisurely little family, he calmed down. Every change ends with a solution. Causes and results, it was the way of life.
----
"So, was he okay with that?" Su Shuilian giggled as she squeezed the water out of a damp cloth for her husband.
It was mid-June, and the sun at noon was so dazzling.
Lin Si Yao had practiced martial arts and the route to the president's house didn't make him sweat. However, Su Shuilian had formed a routine of giving him a damp cloth to wipe and cool down his face after he entered the house.
"Yes, he didn't have a reason to not agree. The wasteland will still be a wasteland no matter how long they let it be. It's better to sell the land to us." Lin Si Yao wiped his face, then casually placed the cloth on the hanger. Then, he hugged Su Shuilian, bringing her to the living room.
"How are you today?" he asked gently.
"Pretty good," Su Shuilian lovingly rubbed her a-little-round belly.
As Aunt Lao had told her, the belly that carried twins was much bigger than the normal pregnant one. Although she hadn't reached the fourth month, her belly had already protruded. She wondered how big it would be until her due date.
And, think about it, the Fan Hua Town and the two adjacent, Qing Tian Town and Luo Shui Town, had never had twins. Thus, even the women that Shuilian didn't know had tried to find excuses to follow Aunt Lao and Aunt Tian to visit her. Su Shuilian did not know whether to laugh or cry; it was like she was a bird in a cage for people to behold.
Today, Lin Si Yao had finally received the certificate of ownership for his six acres of wasteland from Sun Yumao. Then, he went to see Tian Dafu to talk about the construction works.
Of course, he decided to build the house for Si Tuo's team first.
Firstly, Su Shuilian was in her time of nurturing their babies. She was due soon. It was really hard to take care of her. If she lived near the noisy construction site, she would be disturbed a lot.
Secondly, Si Tuo said that after three months, they would finish the stuff in Feng Yao Court and come here to settle down. Thus, he should finish their houses first, which would eliminate the case in which they would come to trouble him at his own house everyday!
Then, Tian Dafu took him to see the most famous contractors of the three towns and some workers and carpenters, including Fang Da Sheng's team, who used to make his furniture.
They gathered at Tian Dafu's, discussing the construction method to build up a massive house over the four acres of land in the West. When they heard that the entire big house would lodge only three people, they were dumbfounded. Immediately, they guessed that some rich people wanted to move in. Otherwise, why would they need the entire four mu's of land to build the house?
"It's better to have the bedrooms and the offices separate. They will share the living room and the kitchen. Hmm, about the available extra areas, just plant some bamboo trees," Lin Si Yao gave them his general requirements.
After giving the bare minimum of a request, Lin Si Yao got up with the intention of heading home.
As for the rest of the design, it was handed over to Tian Dafu. "Once the initial design is complete, calculate all the materials needed, and give me an approximate price. I will pay half of that amount before you start. The remaining half will be settled after completion."
After he finished his words, Lin Si Yao nodded his head at Tian Dafu indicating he will be in charge of the decision making. And with that, Lin Si Yao exited the Tian House and made his way home to prepare lunch.
"Da... Dafu. Was Lin House's intention to give us all authority on deciding the price and be paying us half before starting the work?" Unable to suppress their inner doubts, the masons all gather and discuss among themselves.
"Oh yes, Dafu, you and his family are well acquitted, is that what he really meant?" Rubbing their hands together, several individuals gleefully calculate their profits.
"Enough guys. Remember he is my son's Shifu. His business is also my business. Now hurry and calculate the amount that is needed so I can let him know. Just an estimate is fine and do not try to swindle him. You all know that he is a skilled martial artist, do not bring trouble to yourselves."
Tian Dafu glanced at the crowd and gave a light warning.
"Aiyo, we are just talking, do not take this to heart. Yes yes yes, Dafu, let us calculate how much this will cost. We won't overcharge him, but we can not undercharge either, right?"
"Dafu, there is one more important matter... you should also ask him if the cost was underestimated, would we be compensated for the loss? "
Within this crowd of people, Tian Dafu did not need to explain, as for the others, other than Fāng Dasheng, Wang Shuifa, and Feng Lao Liu who had already helped Lin Si Yao with his previous projects, they knew that he would not slight them.
There were a few masons, who had heard of Lin Si Yao's generosity, who tried to squeeze out a little more earning.
Summer and winter had the least amount of requests for this kind of labor. It was lucky for them to land on such a big project, so trying to earn a little bit more by opening up the lion's mouth was definitely not worth it.
And so, the estimated price in the end was still fair in Tian Dafu's eyes.
Chapter 84: Situ Yun
"I heard that you've lost a lot of weight since you got pregnant. I thought that..." Xi Cui came back to visit her maternal family, she knew Su Shuilian was pregnant so she decided to pay her a visit.
"You thought what?" Su Shuilian beamed, throwing her a glance. She was lying comfortably on a soft couch under the shade of a cherry tree. She also picked the cherries to eat. This year, the wild cherry tree had grown well. It began to bear fruit from the fifth lunar month. Today was the summer solstice and her cherries were still a mass of beautiful red hue. Thanks to the tree, she could have several sweet and sour cherries every day. She couldn't say that she wasn't satisfied.
"Nah, no pregnant woman could look as soft and white as you!" Xi Cui exclaimed in admiration.
Although Su Shuilian looked much thinner than she had been lately, her face was still chubby and creamy. Even though she was a woman herself, Xi Cui had the urge to touch it, let alone the men!
"Tell me honestly, how do you do skincare?" After she asked that, Xi Cui suddenly realized.
No house chores, no touching water. If she lived like that, she could be like this woman. Even if she got pregnant, her skin would still glow and be soft, her bearings elegant as if she was a noble woman.
Anyway, sigh, when you compare yourself to someone else, you'll be angry to death.
Although her husband was considered a good husband in this Luo Shui Town as he had cared and helped her thoughtfully, he would never give her a hand in domestic, women-should-do chores like cooking directly. At most, he would assist her a little bit when he was free. She also had to watch out for her in-law's. They would nag at her and claim that she was instigating her husband to help her.
According to her parents, her husband was the typical husband. And, the man who had embraced all the tough and easy work so his wife didn't have to work, Lin Si Yao, was unique in this world.
So, they couldn't be compared! Xi Cui comforted herself inwardly. At least, she didn't need to compare herself with Su Shulian, she couldn't do that anyways.
"A Yao told me to drink more warm water and have more fruits and vegetables." Su Shuilian wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief. She shaded her eyes with one hand, squinting as she tried to look through the leaves to see the dazzling sunlight, which was making some shades on the ground. "It should be noon now." Sitting under the shade of the cherry tree in the Northern courtyard, she was able to sunbathe too.
"You should get inside." Indeed, Lin Si Yao walked out of the kitchen and asked her to leave the battlefield. Ah, no, it should be her resting place.
"Xi Cui, join us for lunch before you leave," Su Shuilian stood up with Lin Si Yao assisting her side. He carefully embraced her heavy pregnant body and guided her toward the main house.
"Ah, no, my mother said that my future second sister-in-law would join our lunch today. I have to go back," Xi Cui rejected with a broad smile.
The second son of the Lao family, Yong Qiang, was matched with the daughter of a vendor in Qing Tian Town. She had been going from the North to the South to do business with her father since she was young. She hadn't been home much. The Lao family had asked the matchmaker to propose that vendor's family because they cared about Yong Qiang's future.
It turned out Lao Yong Qiang had planned to open a grocery store in Fan Luo City. Since the vendor had been in the business for around ten years, he would have his own sources of cheap and stable goods. If Yong Qiang opened a shop, with his father-in-law's help, he wouldn't meet much trouble.
Thus, the marriage of the Lao family's second son was determined. They had chosen the wedding day to be by the end of the year. After the New Year's celebration, Lao Yong Qiang would take his wife to the city to build his business.
"So, Uncle Lao and Aunt Lao have to live alone soon?"
Their oldest son had taken his wife and moved to the blacksmith shop. Although they were in the same town, they didn't live under the same roof anymore. It would be difficult to take care of the elders. And now, their second son wanted to get married and then move to the city to open a grocery store, leaving only the old couple at home. Since they hadn't had any grandchildren to take care of, they would feel really lonely.
"After your labor, we will ask Aunt Lao to come and help us." Lin Si Yao pondered for a while then confirmed since his voice didn't sound like he just wanted to give an idea.
"What?" Su Shuilian turned to him, a little surprised. But she got his idea shortly. After giving birth, both she and the baby needed care. Lin Si Yao couldn't handle all of this. Moreover, he didn't know what to pay attention to during her puerperium. Thus, it was the best option to invite Aunt Lao to come and help them.
"Sure. I will ask her when she comes tomorrow," nodded Su Shuilian.
Aunt Lao agreed immediately. Even if Su Shuilian didn't mention that, she already had a plan to come and take care of her after she gave birth. However, with a frown, she denied the payment of one hundred bronzes each day that Lin Si Yao offered her. "If you consider me your aunty, don't talk about money."
Su Shuilian knew that the relationship between the two families would last long, and she would have plenty of chances to thank her later, the New Year's celebration, for example. Thus, she didn't insist much.
As Su Shuilian was leisurely taking care of her body, waiting for her delivery, Lin Si Yao was busy building the big house. Luckily, he had estimated all of this. He had handed all the communication works to Tian Da Fu.
Tian Da Fu was a carpenter, but now he has more jobs to do. He was Lin Si Yao's spokesman; he was the presenter who explained the matters to the workers. Therefore, naturally, he was the team leader of the group of carpenters. Soon, when they began to build the house, he was so busy his feet didn't touch the ground.
Quite the contrary, except for going to the construction site to check twice a day, Lin Si Yao stayed at home with Su Shuilian to cook good food for her.
This made Aunt Tian both happy and angry.
She hated it because when her husband got home, after dining and washing, he went straight to bed. He had skipped their husband and wife intimate, romantic time. It'd been more than fifteen days where he hadn't shown her his masculine power, entangling with her as he used to do. If she didn't know that he had put all of his strength into the building in the wasteland in the West, she would think that he had cheated on her.
And she was also happy, because his salary now was much more since he had been promoted to be the team leader. Or it could be said that Lin Si Yao wasn't stingy when paying for the construction of the new house.
Thus, Aunty Tian regarded the shining silvers and restrained her anger. She could only seize her free time to cook Tian Da Fu some good broth to cool down and supplement more energy.
Today, as Lin Si Yao had finished cleaning the kitchen, usually, he would take the time during Su Shulian's afternoon nap to visit the construction in the West side. He would check the progress and the arrivals of new batches of materials.
But someone knocked on his door.
"Uncle Si Ling?" Standing at his door was a teenager around twelve or thirteen years old. He looked really cute with white teeth and red lips. "Situ Yun* Greets Senior Uncle. My teacher asked me to send you a message..."
(TL Note: The 'Si' in Situ Yun, Si Ling, and all the other Si's are the same character.)
Si Shan? Lin Si Yao slightly furrowed his brows. What did he do? Sending one of his disciples here, wasn't he afraid of Feng Qing Ya?
Situ Yun carefully hauled a thick envelope from his chest, respectfully handed it to Lin Si Yao.
"My teacher told me that after I gave you the package, I should stay and wait for him here. I shouldn't go anywhere else..." Situ Yun told the man what Si Shan had advised him with an embarrassed smile when he saw Lin Si Yao did not want to open the letter in front of him and was wearing a 'leave-now' face.
"No extra room..." Lin Si Yao replied indifferently.
Is that Si Shan crazy? It's okay that he sent the paper money because they needed to use the money for the three of them now. But why did he send a teenager here? To supervise the construction or what? Protecting it? Really unable to make head or tail of it.
"No problem, I can sleep on the tree..."
Situ Yun pointed at the cherry tree with large branches and the shade in the yard, smiling as if he didn't mind at all.
Being Si Shan's disciple for six years, what kind of odd things has he not done? It's just sleeping on the tree. On these hot summer days, it'll be cooler than sleeping in the bedroom!
Lin Si Yao rolled his eyes internally. He now truly believed that this young man was Si Shan's disciple. They're a bunch of shameless people.
Even though it would be like throwing an egg to a rock when talking about code of ethics to an assassin - it's useless. Since being with Shuilian, he'd gotten used to moral and mannered things, But he couldn't ask Si Shan and co. to follow him that way immediately.
"Up to you..." Lin Si Yao said, then turned around to head to his bedroom. Halfway, he paused, asking in a neither cold nor warm tone, "If your teacher's sent you here, before the house is completed, you'll be in charge of watching this house..."
Lately, Da Bao had followed Da Fu to travel back and forth to choose and buy constructing materials, leaving only Xiao Chun at home. He was worried more as Shuilian's body was getting heavier. What if something happened while he wasn't home and nobody knew that? This Situ Yun was Si Shan's student. It would be a waste if he didn't use the kid.
Situ Yun was bewildered as he watched Lin Si Yao disappear into the main house. Then, with an awkward face, he glanced at Xiao Yun, who was lying on the yard, looking at him lazily. My uncle... actually agreed to let me stay... though he gave me the same job with that big dog: To watch the house?
Oh, teacher, this time, your betted money would go away and never return to you. His uncle didn't shoo him away but made him a free guard to watch his house.
When Lin Si Yao, supporting Su Shuilian, walked out of the main house, Situ Yan's baffled face looked more exaggerated. His dropping jaw was big enough to hold an egg in his mouth.
Oh, teacher, you didn't tell me that Uncle had a beautiful wife. And, the key point is... heavens! ...She's pregnant! She isn't due soon, is she?
"What are you dazing around for? Move the soft couch to the porch..." Lin Si Yao threw the stunned Situ Yun an unhappy glance. After that, he turned to explain to Su Shuilian. "He's Si Shan's student, Situ Yun. He had purposely come to help us."
"Si Shan's very thoughtful..." Su Shuilian nodded, smiling.
As they were building the big house,there would be a lot of things to take care of. Lin Si Yao had to take care of her and the construction over there. He couldn't make a clone to do both. Although Si Shan's disciple was a little young, it wouldn't be hard for him to watch and urge the workers.
Su Shuilian's words baffled the other two.
They wanted to face the sky and sigh.
How could Si Shan be so nice? He just wanted to send someone here to watch the fun and be his eyes and ears. Lin Si Yao cursed in his head.
My teacher, thoughtful? Muahahaha... That's the biggest joke in the world! It would already be nice if his teacher didn't trouble the others. Come here to help? Not unless he was put back into his mother's womb to be born again. Oh, how could he think about his teacher like that? Bah! Disgraceful! Even if it's true, I shouldn't be so resentful! Situ Yun laughed crazily in his head.
Chapter 085: The Guests from Imperial City
After Situ Yun moved in, Su Shuilian's life of nurturing her unborn baby had become more interesting. It could also be said that her quiet time of nurturing her unborn baby had turned livelier. Although there were only two people, she and Situ Yun, and a dog in the house, he was so enlivening that she had to clutch her fast-growing belly while laughing hard. That scene pleased Lin Si Yao.
Of course, Situ Yun was quiet sometimes. For example, this morning, as the sun hadn't risen high at noon, he was resting comfortably on a cherry tree branch, occasionally picking some cherries, tossing them upwards, and catching it with his mouth.
Casually throwing some cherries into the fruit tray next to Su Shuilian's soft couch, he'd say, "They're fresh and clean. You don't need to wash them again. Beautiful sister, you don't need to thank me."
After taking a walk around the South courtyard to help her digestion and also sunbath, Su Shuilian now sat on the couch to rest. Hearing him, she didn't know whether she should cry or laugh. She lifted her head to look at him. "Don't you need to go to the new house to check on it?"
Well, he was sent here by Si Shan to supervise the construction, however, except for taking Xiao Chun around the mountain's foot in the early morning to pick some fresh wild fruits for her breakfast, she didn't see the boy step out of this house even once.
"In here, I have to listen to Senior Uncle's orders," Situ Yun answered dispiritedly. Si Shan and Si Ling. Since he had become Si Shan's disciple, he had known the tricks between these two: If he didn't listen to Si Shan, he would receive some slaps, at most, with some words of lecture like, "it's hard to teach the youngsters" in his ears. But, if he didn't listen to Si Ling's order, he wouldn't need to show his face in front of him anymore.
Are you kidding? Life here's so unhurried and relaxing. I got the big dog to walk; I got the beautiful sister to admire; and I got the fresh fruits around the mountain to enjoy. And the key point is, I have to stick to Uncle Si Ling to make him spare a room in the new house for me. And then, in the near future, I can construct a house of my own here. Everytime I finish a mission, I can come here to rest. So how can I go against Uncle Si Ling's commands?! So, protecting the beautiful sister is the job I must obliged to!
As Su Shilian saw the boy not worried at all, she just let him do whatever he wanted. Anyway, A Yao and Tian Dafu were at the new house's construction site to watch. They didn't need a teenager who had just celebrated his thirteenth birthday.
Talking about that, the other day, Situ Yan suddenly announced that it was his thirteenth birthday. Then, he occupied the kitchen and cooked himself a big bowl of longevity noodles, whose taste wasn't less delicious than what Lin Si Yao could cook. That's how Lin Si Yao discovered his cooking talent even though he had tried every excuse he could use to not get into the kitchen.
With that thought in her head, Su Shuilian leaned on her side on the soft couch and dozed off.
After the third month, her morning sickness had improved, but she felt that she wanted to sleep more. Everyday, she had to take several naps.
"Ah? She's sleeping?" As Situ Yun hadn't heard from her for a while, he turned to check. She had soon drifted away in her sleep.
Jumping off the cherry tree, he went to the main house to take a thin blanket and cover her.
As he was about to jump up onto the cherry tree branch to enjoy the mouth watering cherries, he halted. Situ Yun immediately signaled Xiao Chun to guard Su Shuilian as he leaped to the thick-branched cherry tree, crouching there. From a distance, he observed two luxurious four-horse drawn carriages dozens of meters away from the house. One leading the other, they were approaching.
He frowned, pondering for a while. He jumped off the tree, ordering Xiao Chun to go through the backyard and find Lin Si Yao at the new house. He stayed by Su Shuilian, waiting for someone to knock at their front doors.
If he weren't wrong, from the crest he saw on the carriages, those two belonged to Prince Jing's Mansion in the Imperial City where his teacher had asked him to investigate several days ago.
It's strange. Why did the carriages from Prince Jing's Mansion in the Imperial City had to come to this rural village? Moreover, as they were moving straight ahead, it seemed this house was their target.
Situ Yun thought for a while then carefully lifted the soft couch, moving it into the main house. Afterward, he immediately returned to the door, crossing his arms, balling his fists. He was ready. His ears turned to listen to the sounds that were coming closer until he heard the horse whining as they halted right outside their gates.
"Are you sure this is it?" The voice of a slightly old sounding man arose inside the carriage.
"Yes, chief," answered the servant outside the carriage respectfully.
Immediately, the curtain of the carriage was lifted. Two servants in their twenties supported an old man around sixty years old to get off the carriage.
In the next moment, a woman around fifty years old stepped out of the spacious, luxurious carriage behind. Although she didn't dress like an upper-class woman, she was helped by several maids. It could be seen that her position and status weren't low.
The two of them came to the door of the courtyard with the help of their servants. As one of the servants was about to knock on the door, Situ Yun opened the door from inside.
Situ Yun crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaning against the door. He observed the two elders who looked exhausted after the in-haste journey.
"Who are you looking for?" Situ Yun asked coldly. In this moment, he didn't look mischievous as when he played with Su Shuilian or Xiao Chun. He looked cold and bold with the unique aura of an assassin like Si Shan.
As the doors had sprung open all of a sudden, the servant who was about to knock on the door was startled. He immediately turned around to look at the two elders and found that the two elders were also astounded.
"Little friend, please tell me if there's a girl whose maiden name is Liang Si Xu..." asked the old woman after exchanging looks with the old man, her voice polite.
"No..." Situ Yun gazed at them for a while before slowly spitting out his word.
He wanted to close the doors but the two servants by the old man stepped forward to hold the doors.
"Little friend, please wait..." The old man with a staff called Situ Yan to stop him from closing the doors.
"What?" Situ Yun arched his sword-like brows. Although he was just thirteen years old, he had already got the domineering aura of a fighter on his face.
"Little friend, I don't want to lie. We're here to find a person. We've traveled from Feng Cheng. We've crossed several thousand miles from the Imperial City. Could you let us in to rest for a while?" The old woman gave the old man, who was asking the young fellow with a smile, a look to stop him from explaining.
"Sorry, this isn't an inn..." Situ Yan pouted and then turned around to get into the courtyard. He didn't mind rejecting the two elders' request. He wasn't stupid. If he let the two chief managers of Prince Jing's mansion get into the house, it would be okay if nothing bad happened. But if something happened, Uncle Si Ling wouldn't show him mercy!
"Little friend! Little friend!"
"Little friend!" As the old woman saw Situ Yun close the gates impolitely, she hurried to call after him like the old man was doing.
However, Situ Yun didn't bat an eye. From Imperial City? Pst, aren't you sent from Prince Jing's mansion? But, why have they come here to find someone? Liang Si Xu? Who is that? Could it be...
"What happened?"
When he got to the door of the main house, he saw Lin Si Yao and Xiao Chun inaudibly fly toward from the backyard.
"Senior Uncle, they said they came from Imperial City to find a lady called Liang Si Xu. I think they went to the wrong place..." Situ Yun shrugged, briefing the situation. Then, he added, "Their carriages look like they're from Prince Jing's mansion."
Lin Si Yao was stiff for a while when he heard that. He frowned with a stooping head. After a moment, he lifted his head and shot Situ Yun a look. "After lunch, you go to supervise the construction of the new house."
As they came from Prince Jing's mansion in the Imperial City, even though they didn't ask for the name Shuilian, he had to keep an eye on them. He should watch her personally to make sure everything is okay.
"Senior Uncle?" Listening to him, Situ Yun's shoulders slumped. He bitterly gazed at Lin Si Yao for a long time, but the other didn't bat an eye on him. Lin Si Yao carried Su Shuilian from the couch and brought her into the bedroom to rest. He left one last order though, "You cook lunch today."
"Senior Uncle!" This time, Situ Yun kicked his leg and exclaimed.
He hated cooking the most. This pure white robe of his, which he had just put on this morning, was about to be stained with soot and smoke.
Think about it, such an elegant and graceful young man like him, how could he stay in the smoky sooty kitchen?! If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have let his mood make him cook those longevity noodles on his birthday! Uncle Si Ling had made use of him completely!
Wuwuwu! Teacher, you should come here fast. Your student is being mistreated, he's about to become the second Lin Si Yao. How could I be an assassin later! I will change my occupation. I should just be a farmer's cook!
"Hmm... A Yao, you're back? I dozed off again..." When Su Shuilian woke up, she saw Lin Si Yao sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her silently.
"You need to rest more. If you're up, we should have lunch first..." Lin Si Yao let her lean against the headboard. He waited for her to sip some warm water before pulling her up. Then, they went to the kitchen for lunch.
"Is there something wrong with the new house?" Su Shulian stroked the wrinkle between his eyes when she saw him frowning.
Previously, she was about to give him all the money she had saved to build the house. However, Situ Yun had come to give them the needed money.
It was a stack of paper money, each of them valued at five hundred silvers. A Yao told her that it was his savings that he asked Si Shan to deliver to him.
He took one check to the private bank to exchange it for smaller silver in different values and asked her to keep the rest. It was six thousand silvers in total. She put them in the bottom of their big chest. Money, sufficient is enough. If it were one year ago, she would be so thrilled for a long time. But now, she thought the small family life was enough for her. Facing a big amount like that, she was calm.
"The house's okay..." The problem is related to you. Lin Si Yao tried to suppress his worries. Recalling the two stubborn old people waiting at his door, he couldn't help but feel a headache. He did want to fan his hand and blow them out of Fan Hua Town. But he knew if he did that, the Fan Hua Town wouldn't live in peace. He couldn't do anything but try to press his anger to the bottom of his heart.
However, he knew that those two would continue to wait at his door and Su Shuilian would know about them sooner or later. Although Situ Yun told him that they didn't come for Su Shuilian, it wouldn't guarantee what they would do after they saw Su Shuilian, who looked extremely alike to the fourth lady of Prince Jing's mansion.
"A Yao? You..." Su Shuilian looked at frowning Lin Si Yao as she didn't get heads or tails of it. She wanted to ask but their door was knocked on at that moment.
"Damnit!" Lin Si Yao gritted his teeth and cursed. After a brush of wind, there was no one standing next to Su Shuilian.