OFTLHFRO C159

Chapter 159: A Date and a Sunset

Under the pre-built wooden shed stood six dairy cows grazing.

The cows ate not only grass but also barley and corn, making them relatively easy to raise.

Huo Yan watched the cows and said, “The herders who let livestock loose haven’t raised this kind of dairy cow before. So I only bought six. If they thrive, we’ll raise more next year.”

Luo Mingchen had a question, “Is there anyone who knows how to milk them?”

Huo Yan wasn’t sure, “Probably similar to milking sheep.”

“Is that so?”

Luo Mingchen had never milked a cow but was still excited. “When there’s milk, I want to make yogurt.”

Huo Yan had tried yogurt but disliked the taste. “You can use sheep’s milk too.”

“Cow’s milk isn’t gamey… Never mind, I’ll let you taste it when I make it to tell the difference.”

They finished visiting the cows and then checked the chickens, ducks, and geese.

After touring, Luo Mingchen asked, “What about fish?”

“Dig a pond?”

The two exchanged looks and acted immediately, retrieving a map of Hancheng from the study, finding a good location, and having people encircle it to dig a large pond.

Extra workers would receive wage bonuses, which were sizable.

For soldiers from poor families, this was a great earning opportunity.

Luo Mingchen used water tendrils to dig most of it, leaving some for the workers. He then happily told Huo Yan, “Let’s plant some lotus roots this year; maybe they’ll flower.”

Li Yunde silently sighed behind them.

It was July; planting lotus roots now wouldn’t yield flowers this year—not like planting them in March or April.

Huo Yan pondered and asked, “Will fish eat lotus roots?”

This brought Luo Mingchen back to reason.

Koi probably wouldn’t eat them, but since they were digging ponds for fish, they wouldn’t just raise koi but mostly big grass carp.

Grass carp might eat lotus leaves and roots, breaking stems and preventing flowering.

Thinking this, Luo Mingchen resigned, “Then no lotus roots.”

Huo Yan pursed his lips, looking at the pond. “How about we make a smaller pond inside for lotus roots only as ornamental plants?”

“Alright.”

Li Yunde sighed inwardly. The couple acted on whims.

Many tasks weren’t so simple, yet they pursued ideas—like purchasing expensive cows from Liuli City. If they were easy to raise, why hadn’t others done so?

In Huo Yan’s words, “How would we know if we don’t try?”

More importantly, Luo Mingchen agreed; they didn’t retreat after hitting the wall but found alternate routes and pressed on.

Li Yunde anxiously feared trouble daily.

Advisors’ advice was one thing; their execution another.

Fortunately, luck favored them, and their ventures mostly succeeded.

Now, granaries were full, cotton harvest abundant, winter clothes underway, and others—Li Yunde and Ruan Feng barely minded, letting them do as they pleased.

Fixing walls and roads kept them busy for months.

At sunset, on the way back, Huo Yan took Luo Mingchen to the city wall via a detour.

“Why did you bring me here?”

Luo Mingchen asked, though obedient feet followed.

“Later, it’s important.”

Huo Yan’s emphasis made Luo Mingchen alert, carefully observing surroundings.

Once on the wall, Huo Yan had sent the patrolling soldiers away.

Luo Mingchen looked cautiously and asked, “Did you bring me here because there’s an enemy spy?”

Laughing at his caution, Huo Yan pinched his cheek.

Luo Mingchen, confused, said, “Huh?”

“Look there.”

“What?”

Following the point, Luo Mingchen looked and saw a brilliant scene in the sky.

Moved by the beauty, he scanned for anything unusual but saw none and tilted his head, “What’s there?”

Huo Yan sighed, “Sunset.”

Luo Mingchen was slow to realize. “Sunset? Then?”

The two shared a look. Luo Mingchen suddenly understood, “You brought me here on a date… Why not say so?”

Huo Yan asked, “Isn’t this an important matter?”

Luo Mingchen laughed, leaning on him, “Very important.”

They sat closely together watching the sunset.

From above, the mountains rolled endlessly, with a gentle evening breeze—truly a rare view.

After a while, Luo Mingchen said, “Next time, bring Xiao Hui and the others to see.”

Huo Yan pinched his face, making a duck bill.

Luo Mingchen, puzzled, asked, “What are you doing?”

“No mentioning others at such moments.”

“That’s not ‘others’.”

Huo Yan narrowed his eyes. “When we date, they are others.”

Luo Mingchen blinked, “Alright then.”

Hearing approval, Huo Yan smiled and kissed his duck bill.

Warm sunlight fell on Luo Mingchen’s handsome face. Entranced by his lover, he wrapped an arm around Huo Yan’s neck and kissed him.

After sunset, hand in hand, they returned.

At the mansion gate, Luo Mingchen paused, pupils narrowing, “Oh no!”

Huo Yan looked confused, “What?”

“I promised Xiao Xiang I’d make roasted duck for him tonight!”

But he forgot as soon as they left.

He’d remembered them earlier while descending the city wall but forgot entirely.

Feeling guilty, Luo Mingchen pulled Huo Yan inside, specifically searching for Huo Xiang. At the window, he awkwardly asked, “Xiao Xiang, have you eaten dinner?”

Seeing them, Huo Xiang smiled, “We ate and left food in the kitchen. Little Daddy and Daddy should eat soon too.”

“Oh…”

Seeing Luo Mingchen’s seeming forgetfulness about the duck, yet no tantrum, he was somewhat at a loss.

“You’re not angry?”

“Why get angry? You two are so busy; resting is good. I’ll live long and have many chances to eat roasted duck.”

For Huo Xiang, having food was good; if none, there was always more than cornmeal.

Luo Mingchen nearly teared up.

This kid was well raised.