Chapter 258

Chapter 258

The withered leaves on the branches were blown about, falling silently and gently.

The sky was clear and blue, with the sun overhead, making the autumn day warm and bright.

As mealtime approached, the number of diners in the restaurant gradually increased. Gu Lanshi picked up Xingxing, who had been playing beside the table, while Pei Yan handed over the counted silver pieces and copper coins to the waiter and got up to carry the bamboo basket.

The waiter busily cleared the dishes, repeatedly saying goodbye as they left. No sooner had he wiped the table clean than another diner took their seat.

This meal had been excellent, and they had seen quite a bit of the world. Gu Lanshi was very happy, and the pain of spending money was offset by the delightful taste of the buttery abalone.

The three of them—Gu Lanshi, Pei Yan, and little Xingxing, the glutton—shared the meal, making the long journey to the city worthwhile.

It was only around noon, and it was still early to head back. Pei Yan took Xingxing and said, "Let's walk a bit more. If we get tired or thirsty, we can find a teahouse to rest."

"Alright," Gu Lanshi agreed, not in a hurry to return home. The chickens, ducks, pigs, and cattle at home would be taken care of by Liu Dagé and Zhou Dalang, so there was no need for them to worry. He was just a bit concerned about whether Xingxing might get cranky.

He turned to look at his son. Sometimes when they took Xingxing to the ancestral home, if they stayed too long, the little one would become restless, tugging at his arm to go home or to play with his brother.

The city was much busier and noisier than Ning Shui Town. In Pei Yan's arms, Xingxing looked around with wide, curious eyes, taking everything in, showing no signs of sleepiness.

The three of them walked and stopped, exploring everywhere, buying things or just looking, until they had their fill of fun. By the beginning of the seventh hour, seeing that it was getting late, they headed towards the city gate.

The donkey cart sped along the official road, the wind whistling past their ears.

Gu Lanshi sat in the cart, holding Xingxing, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Just after leaving the city gate, Xingxing, sitting in his lap, rubbed his eyes and yawned, resting his little head on Gu Lanshi’s leg. Without any coaxing, he fell fast asleep in no time.

Gu Lanshi put the tiger-head cap on Xingxing to protect his head and ears. Dressed warmly, and with the sun still high, there was no need to wrap him up in clothes yet.

Pei Yan sat in front, driving the cart. The donkey, accustomed to this route, pulled the cart with vigor.

Because of the wind, Gu Lanshi did not speak, knowing that swallowing wind could cause an upset stomach.

The sounds of the wind and the hooves of the donkey filled his ears, along with the occasional crack of Pei Yan’s whip in the air.

After spending most of the day in the city, Gu Lanshi also felt tired and weary. Watching the trees recede behind them, his expression showed signs of fatigue.

Suddenly, his face froze, and an unsettling feeling surged through him like a wave.

He remembered the profile he had seen at the restaurant entrance—it was Lin Jinping!

Gu Lanshi felt a tightening in his chest. Before seeing him, it was bearable, but now, all those terrible memories came flooding back, bringing disgust and revulsion. His brows furrowed tightly.

The city was so far away and vast, yet they happened to bump into Lin Jinping at a random restaurant.

Filled with resentment, he couldn’t forget the day Lin Jinping and Yu Qingqing engaged in their filthy deeds. The memory made him grind his teeth in anger, and if Lin Jinping were here, he would almost want to tear him apart.

It was fortunate that the Lin family had been driven away. They hadn't seen each other in these few years; otherwise, bumping into them every day in the village would have stirred up resentment and anger.

Beast!

Son of a turtle!

Thieving dog!

Deserves to be struck by lightning!

Gu Lanshi cursed inwardly with great hatred. Because Pei Yan was ahead, he couldn’t voice his anger and could only stew in silence. At the same time, he felt relieved that Pei Yan hadn’t recognized Lin Jinping.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t know how to explain it to Pei Yan, given that he had once discussed marriage with Lin Jinping.

Fortunately, in the end, he married Pei Yan.

Gu Lanshi stared blankly at Pei Yan’s back, those dreams from recent years almost forgotten until they resurfaced today.

People say dreams don’t come true and are often the opposite. But his were different—one dream came true, and another, where after his death, Pei Yan dug a pit to bury him.

Thinking about it now still sent chills down his spine. If the engagement with Lin Jinping hadn’t fallen through, wouldn’t the second dream have come true?

Perhaps going through that experience in his dreams, or perhaps because dying in a dream doesn’t feel real, Gu Lanshi stared blankly at the back of Pei Yan’s head. If he had died, wouldn’t he have met Pei Yan only after death?

The anger and hatred in his heart suddenly vanished, replaced by confusion that lingered and wouldn’t dissipate.

What would life be like without Pei Yan? How would he live?

He had grown accustomed to their life on the mountain, and just thinking about living alone seemed unbearable.

If he hadn’t discovered Lin Jinping’s despicable deeds, if his parents hadn’t agreed to his marriage with Pei Yan, any small mistake back then would have prevented the present life he shared with Pei Yan.

The child in his arms moved, bringing Gu Lanshi back to reality. He patted Xingxing for a while.

There wouldn’t be Xingxing either.

Thankfully, thankfully.

None of the distressing things from his dreams came true. As for Lin Jinping, he only encountered him once in the capital city, and it was clear that he wasn’t doing well. Back then, he could afford new clothes, but now he could only wear old ones without patches, indicating a decline in his family’s fortune.

Gu Lanshi felt more at ease.

The road was bumpy, and he held Xingxing in one hand while steadying two jars of wine tied with hemp rope with the other.

On their way out of the city, they passed by a winery, and the scent of clear liquor wafted over. Pei Yan bought two jars, intending to keep them at home for guests or for leisurely sipping when he felt like it.

Since there is good wine, I’ll prepare a couple of dishes tomorrow and open one jar for Pei Yan to taste. Brother Liu and Brother Zhou have worked hard for half a year, diligently and attentively managing everything. They’ve done a great job, so I’ll pour them a few cups too, and let them enjoy a meal.

Everything at home is promising—earning money, adding to the family, not worrying about food and clothing, and even being able to indulge in a luxurious meal of dripping-sweet abalone in the capital city.

Such days were already the best he could imagine.

With Xingxing sleeping soundly in his arms and Pei Yan driving the carriage ahead, these were tangible and peaceful days, and he couldn't find any flaws.

Gu Lanshi gradually came to understand. The refreshing wind blew away his troubles and worries, bringing him a sense of ease.

*

The next day.

In the evening, before the sun had set, a wisp of smoke rose from the back hill.

The water buffalo leisurely swung its tail as it entered the courtyard. Seeing Xingxing playing there, it blinked its gentle big eyes and passed by the child, then walked along the path into the backyard.

Liu Dagé and Zhou Dalang returned one after another. The autumn rice had been harvested; with two more days of drying, the soybeans in the dry fields would be ready to pull.

After smelling the aroma of meat, the two no longer reacted as they used to; they calmly tidied up the courtyard first. Hearing the call for dinner, they washed their hands and waited outside.

Since it was still light outside, they placed their table and chairs in the courtyard as usual. However, they didn’t expect that besides the two hearty meat dishes, Pei Yan also poured them each half a bowl of wine.

Unlike the turbid liquor commonly drunk in the countryside, this wine was clear and fragrant, clearly a fine one.

Gu Lanshi and Pei Yan sat at the entrance of the main room, while Xingxing held a wooden bowl and sat on a small stool beside Gu Lanshi, eating with a small spoon.

Although his clothes would get stained with rice grains and oil, he ate well without running around or being picky. He ate whatever his parents gave him, cheeks puffed up. When he saw the dog come over after finishing its meal, he twisted his little body to hide his bowl inside, afraid the dog might try to take his food.

Dahai was steady and most observant of Pei Yan’s expressions. Huīhuī and Huīzǎi, having been disciplined once, did not nudge or push Xingxing during mealtimes; they either circled around once and left or lay down nearby.

Gu Lanshi usually didn’t drink much, so when he drank half a bowl today, Pei Yan was a bit surprised but said nothing.

After dinner, they cleaned up and washed. As dusk fell, the day's bustle and noise gradually subsided.

Xingxing, who had played all day, was already sleepy when washing his feet. Once he climbed onto the bed, he burrowed into his small quilt at the far end and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Pei Yan slept on the outermost side. Hearing Gu Lanshi’s breathing, he knew he wasn’t asleep. Sure enough, a moment later, someone nestled into his arms.

He adjusted his posture, holding Gu Lanshi close and whispered, "What’s wrong?"

From the half bowl of wine at dinner, he sensed Gu Lanshi had something on his mind. With Liu Dagé and Zhou Dalang present earlier, he hadn’t asked. Now, he finally had the chance.

Gu Lanshi remained silent for a long time, an arm draped over Pei Yan, and his leg unconsciously followed suit. Finally, he spoke, "Yesterday, the person at the entrance of the restaurant was Lin Jinping."

"Mm," Pei Yan replied, "I know."

Gu Lanshi was surprised, "You knew?"

Pei Yan paused, tightened his embrace, and whispered, "I didn’t mention it because I thought you might dislike him. Bringing it up would only make things worse."

Initially hesitant about whether to bring up the matter, even though he had resolved it yesterday, he still harbored some unease. Hearing this, Gu Lanshi felt a weight lifted.

Pei Yan continued, "Now that we’re married and have Xingxing, he’s just a stranger. We might bump into him in the city, but he has no connection to us anymore."

These words were not only meant to reassure Gu Lanshi but also to comfort himself.

After returning yesterday, he had pondered a lot and realized they were all pointless worries. But until this moment, when Gu Lanshi brought it up, his heart finally eased, no longer feeling so tormented.

"Right!" Gu Lanshi couldn’t help raising his voice slightly, then quickly lowered it upon hearing Xingxing’s mumble.

Once the child fell back asleep, he didn’t know why he was laughing, but he nudged Pei Yan and whispered near his ear, "We won’t have anything to do with him. He’s just a bastard, not worth our time."

Hearing Gu Lanshi curse for the first time, Pei Yan felt inexplicably happy and echoed, "That Lin guy is indeed a bastard."

This made Pei Yan realize Gu Lanshi’s anger towards Lin Jinping, which brought him great relief, dispelling his worries and torment swiftly.

They hugged tightly, whispering curses together, united in their disdain.

Gu Lanshi suddenly felt elated, finding it incredibly cathartic. Indeed, talking things out relieved his mind, especially with Pei Yan joining him in cursing Lin Jinping.

He turned his head, smiling and giving Pei Yan a few kisses on his face and lips.

Pei Yan, initially immersed in joy, suddenly kissed back, their lips entwining passionately in the darkness.

Moved by emotion, they wanted to undress, but tonight Xingxing was sleeping lightly, whimpering at any noise. Afraid of waking their son, Gu Lanshi and Pei Yan stopped simultaneously, calming down and putting aside their amorous thoughts. They simply held each other, exchanging intimate words, growing even closer.

As night deepened, Gu Lanshi peacefully ended their conversation and went to sleep, knowing they had work to do tomorrow.

His thoughts drifted into darkness, then suddenly into a bright expanse.

Gu Lanshi stood at the foot of a mountain, facing a low slope where a household resided halfway up.