OFTLHFRO C33

Noticing the basket of apples, the couple too were taken aback.

But with a smile, both sides exchanged their gifts and happily accepted the goodwill.

The couple even told him they could sell their bean pulp to the pig farm—people came to collect it every morning, so they could schedule a pickup.

If they managed that, it would save them a lot of trouble. On the way back, they would only need to notify the pig farm along the road.

And since the farm was nearby, it might even be the same one anyway.

The house itself had been tidied up and was fairly clean, with little left to do.

After a bit of minor organizing, Luo Mingchen smiled, “Then today we can just make the tofu here before heading back. That’ll save us a lot of time.”

Huo Yan gave a slight nod. “Alright.”

Here in town, firewood had to be purchased, especially since they weren’t living deep in the mountains where they could simply collect it.

Fortunately, the couple had left them plenty—enough to last at least half a month.

Pulling the soaked soybeans out of his space, Luo Mingchen tested the stone mill here. It worked well enough.

They made tofu and plenty of puddings, just in time to pick up the boys from school.

But waiting outside, no one came out.

“Why are they so late today?” Luo Mingchen muttered.

Normally by this time, copying punishment texts should have been finished.

“I’ll ask.”

Carrying the baby, Huo Yan asked the guard, who knew them by now, and directly led them inside.

There, the brothers were helping the very boys who had once fought them, cleaning the courtyard. Seeing Huo Xiang grinning like an idiot, it was obvious this was voluntary, not forced.

With a sigh, Huo Yuhui tapped his silly brother’s head. “Stop fooling around. Let’s hurry. Our daddies are waiting.”

“Okay.”

The boys cleaned diligently.

One of the others said, “You can go on. We don’t live far, just here in town. But you still have a long mountain road.”

With his usual calm, Huo Yuhui replied, “It’s alright. Just a little more. We’ll finish quickly.”

He turned and spotted their two fathers and little sister.

Luo Mingchen waved, thanking the guard before asking, “Xiaohui, what’s left to do?”

“Not much, Little Daddy. Just sweep the last leaves, and wipe down the pillars and stone table.”

When the two men came over, the three who had once been so disdainful now stood obediently, greeting them with, “Uncles, good evening.”

“Good evening,” the men replied.

One of the students urged them again, “Yuhui, your dads are here—you’d better go home first.”

“Yeah, you have tofu and puddings to prepare, don’t waste time on this. We can handle it.”

But Luo Mingchen smiled, “It’s fine. We’re not busy today. Take your time.”

Thus they all kept working until it was quickly finished.

When they parted, it was with smiles and small talk.

On the road leaving Taohua Town, Luo Mingchen asked with amusement, “So, you’re friends now?”

Honest Huo Xiang explained, “Today, some boys tried to make trouble for them. They scattered sunflower shells, leaves, and dust all over the classroom corners. When brother saw them crying, he said we’d clean together. Then they said we were good people, and they apologized to us.”

Sweet satisfaction filled him at being praised.

And this time, he could feel they were sincerely apologizing—not only out of forced shame.

So, Huo Xiang thought, if they were truly sorry, there’d be no need to beat them up anymore.

“Not bad,” Luo Mingchen said warmly. He was pleased. Now the boys wouldn’t be alone at the academy; they’d have friends.

Back home, as the evening light waned, he checked the fields.

The vegetables were growing splendidly—he could sell them in a few days.

The rice would come a day or two later, but the ripening green stalks were heavy and full. Not quite as fine as his space-grown rice, but close enough.

Watering them with his water ability, Luo Mingchen happily returned to cook.

Huo Yan was already making rice. Seeing how cheerful he was, he asked, “Were the seeds from… that place?” (the space).

Luo Mingchen nodded. “I didn’t think they’d grow so well outside, with so little care. Tomorrow when we go to the restaurant, let’s bring some early bok choy and see if the innkeeper will buy.”

“Alright.”

At night, Luo Mingchen finally had time to deal with the duck he had bought.

The offal he stir-fried with green peppers and ginger, while the meat he coated in rice flour before steaming.

Seeing Little Daddy busy steaming rice-flour duck, Huo Xiang asked doubtfully, “Little Daddy, don’t we need to make tofu today?”

“No. From now on, we’ll always make it in town. Once the new house is done, we’ll just live there.”

He paused. Unsure if moving into a new home required a banquet here, he kept the thought aside.

After washing, he counted the coins, then lay in bed relaxed.

Though he hadn’t earned as much as Huo Yan, counting it still felt secure and satisfying.

“By the way,” he said suddenly, “I don’t think I’ve paid you any wages.”

From the edge of the bed, Huo Yan replied, “You cook every day. I haven’t paid you wages either.”

“…Didn’t you give me some money before?”

Meeting his eyes, Huo Yan thought a moment, then said calmly, “Alright then. You can pay me instead.”

“…I was only being polite.”

“Oh.”

That level of calmness left Luo Mingchen oddly frustrated. “So how much do you want?”

Huo Yan said, “Hold onto it for me for now. We’ll tally it later.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen suddenly recalled something. “Then why did you suddenly ask earlier if I wanted a child of my own? Do you actually want to marry a wife and have children?”

“Even if you can’t bear children, you really are my wife. Why would I marry anyone else?”

The earnest tone left Luo Mingchen unable to brush it off. “…You’re serious?”

“Mm.”

After a pause, Luo Mingchen said suspiciously, “You don’t seem like the kind of person who would like men.”

Huo Yan was still for a moment, then answered, “I don’t like men. I don’t like women either. But… it seems I like you.”

“…Huh?”

The sudden confession left Luo Mingchen stunned.

The culprit simply smiled faintly, reaching out to pinch his cheek. “You’re cute.”

Suddenly, Luo Mingchen remembered—someone had once confessed to him in the past, saying the same thing: “You’re cute.” It was only later he learned they just couldn’t think of any other compliments.

So regaining his composure, he asked: “And? What else?”

Huo Yan tilted his head, pondered, then said seriously: “Your voice is pleasant. Your eyes are big. And I think you’d look beautiful when crying.”

“…???”

What on earth was this man thinking every day?!

Footnotes:

• Rice-flour duck (米粉鴨, mǐ fěn yā) – A classic Chinese dish, duck marinated, coated with rice flour and spices, then steamed until tender.