Chapter 122 Two-in-One

Chapter 122 Two-in-One

After a pleasant chat, Lin Dashan patted his full belly, grabbed his farming tools, and headed to the fields. Old Man Liao and Zhou Ye continued mixing mud for the thatched roof.

Lin Shu, too, was busy. Noticing Lin Yushu hadn't come over again today, she decided to visit her third aunt's house.

"Mother, Third Aunt must be worried I haven't fully recovered, which is why she told Cousin Yushu not to disturb me. But as you can see, I'm bursting with energy, and my appetite has returned to normal today. Since A Ye and Old Man Liao are making quite a racket in the yard while working, it's fine if Cousin Yushu doesn't come over—I can just go to Third Aunt's instead."

He Guixiang nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you."

Lin Xiaopu didn't join them; she had made plans with Wang Yingen to compete with slingshots today.

Wang Yingen was the ringleader of the village children. Though the kids still grumbled under their breaths, they'd stopped calling Lin Xiaopu "sickly" after Wang Yingen gave the order.

Within a few days, even without Wang Yingen's lead, the mischievous children started enjoying playing with Lin Xiaopu—all because she had a bamboo water gun and a bamboo slingshot!

As long as they apologized sincerely, Lin Xiaopu was willing to lend them her bamboo water gun and bamboo slingshot. She was generous, unlike Wang Yingen, who was reluctant to share his toys.

Later, they discovered that Lin Xiaopu was remarkably skilled with the bamboo slingshot—even Wang Yingen was no match for her. The children, admiring strength, began to regard Lin Xiaopu with newfound respect.

Now, when Wang Yingen called out loudly, the children knew Lin Xiaopu had recovered and was no longer frail. They no longer held any prejudices against her.

Most importantly, Lin Xiaopu had already half-forgiven them. Once she fully forgave them for the past, they could ask Brother Zhou Ye to make bamboo water guns and bamboo slingshots for them too. Then, like Lin Xiaopu and Wang Yingen, they could play with them every day!

Unbeknownst to Lin Shu, her seemingly delicate younger sister had already won over a group of rowdy children led by Wang Yingen with her slingshot skills.

Lin Shu and He Guixiang went to Third Aunt's house together. When they arrived, Third Aunt was embroidering a handkerchief, while Lin Yushu sat in the yard reading aloud and practicing writing with a brush dipped in water on bamboo strips.

Neither mother nor son had expected Lin Shu and He Guixiang to visit.

"A Shu, you're still recovering! You should rest at home. Why come all the way here?" Though she said this, Zhang Qiaohua had already guessed Lin Shu's intention and couldn't hide her smile.

"Third Aunt, I'm fine now. Cousin Yushu's studies shouldn't be delayed any longer. Since A Ye is replacing the roof these days and it's quite noisy, I'll come to your house to teach instead."

"Oh, alright, alright! A Shu, Sister-in-law, please come on in and have a seat. Let me get you some water." Zhang Qiaohua hurriedly invited them inside.

"Thank you, Third Aunt! I am a bit thirsty," Lin Shu replied with a smile before turning to Lin Yushu. "Cousin, come here. I'm going to test you and see if you've been slacking off these past few days."

Hearing this, Zhang Qiaohua's smile widened. A Shu still cared deeply about her Yu Shu.

After testing him, Lin Shu discovered that not only had Lin Yushu remembered everything she had taught him, but he had also read through the beginner books on his own, skipping the parts he didn't understand and saving them to ask her later.

But what truly astonished Lin Shu was that Lin Yushu had not only memorized the entire *Three Character Classic* but could also write it out! She had guessed he might recognize characters by comparing them to the book, but she hadn't expected him to learn to write them in such a short time—though his stroke order was often incorrect and needed correction.

After taking a deep breath, Lin Shu decided not to teach anything new that day. Instead, she had Lin Yushu prepare ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. She asked him to recite the text line by line while she wrote each line down in front of him. She skimmed quickly over characters she had already taught but wrote the new ones slowly, stroke by stroke. "Having a good memory is great, but writing requires correct stroke order. Watch me write and try to remember as much as you can."

Lin Yushu hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say something.

"If you have something to say, just say it. We're not just teacher and student—we're also cousins. No need to be formal with me."

Lin Yushu finally spoke up. "Sister A Shu, I thought you would scold me for being too eager."

Lin Shu glanced at him. "Before, I was worried you'd strain your eyes or overwork yourself. But if you can balance study and rest, why would I scold you? With your talent, it's a shame you were delayed for years. Now, doubling your efforts will help you catch up to those who started earlier."

Lin Yushu nodded in agreement. "Sister A Shu, please write. I'll follow along in my mind."

Zhang Qiaohua and He Guixiang sat in the yard, chatting quietly and occasionally glancing into the main room with smiles.

"Is A Ye managing the work alone? Should his third uncle go help?" Zhang Qiaohua asked.

He Guixiang replied, "Third Brother is already busy enough with the fieldwork. We didn't want to trouble him. Since we owe Old Man Liao a favor for helping when A Shu was sick, A Ye asked him to lend a hand and invited him for a few meals."

Zhang Qiaohua knew about this and nodded. "That's the right thing to do."

During a break, Zhang Qiaohua took the opportunity to measure Lin Shu with a bamboo ruler. "I was planning to visit you today to take your measurements anyway."

Lin Shu replied, "I told you there's no hurry. Focus on your own tasks first—I have clothes to wear."

When measuring Lin Shu's waist, Zhang Qiaohua couldn't help but exclaim, "A Shu, your waist is so slender!"

And it wasn't the bony kind of thin—it was soft and pleasant to hold.

Recalling the measurements she had taken earlier, Zhang Qiaohua noted that while Lin Shu's bust couldn't compare to that of a woman who had given birth, it still had a pleasing fullness and firmness.

With such a slender waist, a well-proportioned bust, and a rounded, perky rear… Zhang Qiaohua couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration.

Though it was clear even in loose clothing that A Shu had a good figure, Zhang Qiaohua hadn't realized just how exceptional it was until she measured her.

She wondered which lucky young man would eventually win A Shu's heart—hopefully not some rough fellow who wouldn't appreciate her.

The thought made Zhang Qiaohua chuckle at her own foolishness. A Shu was surely going to marry Zhou Ye.

Zhou Ye might look tall and sturdy, but he was honest and kind. She just hoped he wouldn't be like that "bull trampling peonies." Still, given how he had carried A Shu to find the old itinerant doctor in the middle of the night, he was clearly a good match.

Zhang Qiaohua kept these thoughts to herself, not daring to let Lin Shu catch wind of them. Young unmarried women were easily embarrassed by such topics, and she didn't want to risk offending A Shu.

After the measurements were taken and Lin Shu had rested awhile, she returned to teaching. Gradually, Lin Yushu grasped the principles of stroke order, allowing Lin Shu to write faster. By the end, she was writing at an impressive speed.

She had initially thought it would take two sessions to copy the entire *Three Character Classic*, but to her surprise, she finished it in just one hour.

Lin Yushu picked out some characters and practiced writing them from memory in front of Lin Shu. "Sister A Shu, is my stroke order correct?"

"Perfect, every one of them. You really do have an incredible memory!"

Lin Yushu modestly replied, "There are many characters, but many share the same radicals or have similar structures. Once I memorize a few, the rest follow naturally."

There's nothing more satisfying for a teacher than encountering a prodigious student. Though inwardly thrilled, Lin Shu maintained a calm demeanor and reminded him, "Yu Shu, remember to stay humble and diligent. There are many clever people in the world, but few achieve great things. If you study earnestly, you'll go far."

Lin Yushu nodded. "I understand. I'll remember your words, Sister A Shu."

Lin Shu spent over an hour at her third aunt's house. Since Lin Yushu needed time to digest what he had learned, she didn't stay longer.

While Lin Shu was teaching, Zhang Qiaohua had gone to the field to pick two taro leaves. "Since you probably aren't interested in chatting with your mother and me, I won't keep you. The sun is strong outside—put these taro leaves on your head to shade yourself."

Lin Shu thanked her and pulled her aside, lowering her voice. "Third Aunt, I originally said Yu Shu should study with me for half a year while you prepare, but I have to tell you—he's even more talented than I thought. He might fully grasp these beginner books in just over a month, not half a year. I can continue teaching him the Four Books and Five Classics, but if he wants to go far in his studies, he should start at a proper school sooner. Schoolteachers are better at guiding students through the imperial exams, especially in essay writing and analysis."

Zhang Qiaohua felt both joy and worry upon hearing this.

Her son was so promising—she couldn't hold him back!

"Alright, I understand. I have enough for a year or two of school fees. Just tell me when he should go, and I'll send him. I'll figure out the rest later."

Lin Shu suddenly added, "Third Aunt, I might have good news for you in a couple of days. I'll keep it a secret for now."

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Zhang Qiaohua smiled. "Keeping secrets from your third aunt, are you? Fine, I'll wait for your good news."

Lin Shu waved her hand to signal no need for her to see her off, then walked away holding two taro leaves.

Upon returning, Zhou Ye and Old Man Liao had already applied mud to all the thatch, spreading it out in the courtyard to dry under the sun, while the two of them were cleaning up the mess in the yard.

The unused yellow mud and river sand needed to be shoveled away, and the scattered straw fragments had to be swept clean.

"You finished so quickly?" Lin Shu said, surprised.

Old Man Liao glanced at Zhou Ye and snorted, "A Ye said you nap at midday, so we had to hurry. That lad was swinging his shovel with such flourish it looked like he was painting flowers with it."

Lin Shu quickly replied, "Don't listen to him. I only nap when I'm tired. I didn't do much today, so I'm not sleepy at all right now."

Old Man Liao chuckled, "The girl might not be sleepy, but this old timer is! My Ping'er also takes a nap at noon. By finishing early with A Ye, I can go back and rest properly. After I go back today, I won't come again until tomorrow. Tomorrow, A Ye and I will go to the mountains to strip some bark."

"That won't do. You still have to come to my place for supper. The work was finished early only because A Ye rushed it. Otherwise, this task would have taken the whole day, so our family should definitely provide Old Man Liao with two meals."

Old Man Liao waved his hand, "Ah, never mind. Working with A Ye today made me realize he can handle this job on his own, just a bit slower. Let's settle it like this: I'll come again tomorrow, and I won't stay for supper. Don't prepare a portion for me."

He had eaten so much at Lin Laoer's place for breakfast that he was still full by now and didn't feel like eating much for supper. He figured he'd just go to a neighbor's house and ask for a bowl of rice water.

Seeing that Old Man Liao was determined not to come, Lin Shu had no choice but to compromise, "Alright then, but you must come tomorrow. Without your help, A Ye will work too hard, and I don't want him to work too hard."

Old Man Liao chuckled at her words, "Lin Shu girl, you dare say that right in front of me? Aren't you even a little embarrassed?"

Lin Shu showed no hesitation, "Embarrassed about what? Everyone in the village knows A Ye is going to be my man someday."

Old Man Liao was amused by her response. He glanced at Zhou Ye and saw the young man trying to hide a smile.

He never knew Zhou Ye could smile like that!

But the moment he looked over, Zhou Ye's smile disappeared.

Old Man Liao: ...

If you feel like smiling, then smile! Why hold back? Doesn't that bother you?

If it were him, he'd be grinning from ear to ear too.

Other men's wives were like shrewish and loud,

but Zhou Ye's was a sweet, attentive beauty who spoke softly—no wonder he's so pleased with himself.

The courtyard was soon tidied up. Old Man Liao washed his hands using the bamboo water pipe in the yard, called out, and left.

As soon as Old Man Liao stepped out of the courtyard gate, Lin Shu threw herself at Zhou Ye, "A Ye, I want a hug!"

Though it was broad daylight and Zhou Ye felt it was improper, his arms instinctively wrapped around Lin Shu, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

But the moment they embraced, a sudden "Oh my!" from the courtyard gate startled them, and they jumped apart as if burned.

It was Old Man Liao, who had turned back.

Old Man Liao immediately covered his eyes, "This old man didn't see a thing, didn't see a thing!"

"I just wanted to tell A Ye not to come get me tomorrow. I'll come on my own, and after breakfast, we can go to the mountains together to strip bark. That's all—I'm really leaving now!"

This time, Old Man Liao truly left, but Lin Shu didn't dare mess around anymore.

She edged away, putting some distance between herself and Zhou Ye. But just as she sneakily moved two steps away, Zhou Ye suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house.

Lin Shu pretended to resist slightly, saying, "What are you doing? What are you doing? Zhou Ye, you're actually pulling me into a room in broad daylight? Have you no shame? You—ah!"

Lin Shu let out a short gasp.

Zhou Ye had gripped her waist and lifted her up as if she were a doll, effortlessly raising her until her feet left the ground, her waist level with his.

Then he hurried through the main room, moving quickly, and entered his own room.

Lin Shu was startled by his haste.

Once inside, his movements slowed. He gently set Lin Shu down on the ground and even smoothed out the wrinkles in her clothes caused by his lifting. But his words were the complete opposite—full of impatience.

"A Shu, after you left last night, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I thought it would get better after a night's sleep, but it didn't. Whether I was picking wildflowers in the mountains, gathering Grass Jelly Plant, eating breakfast, or even working, there wasn't a moment when you weren't on my mind."

As he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Shu, moving slowly over her face before settling on her slightly dry lips. Almost instantly, his eyes heated up.

"A Shu, I want to..." His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Lin Shu's heartbeat quickened under his intense stare.

Glancing around the room, which contained nothing but a wooden bed, she mumbled randomly, "It's broad daylight. I don't want it there. It would be nice if there were a small table by the wooden window. I prefer it higher."

Zhou Ye understood immediately, his voice deepening as he asked, "A Shu, if you like it higher, why bother with a small table? What if I lift you up?"

Lin Shu's face grew hot as she thought of something, mumbling, "Wouldn't that tire you out?"

"I'm not tired."

Lin Shu let out a soft "Mm" in response.

Hearing that, Zhou Ye eagerly gripped her waist and lifted her up.

Though Lin Shu had been prepared, his swift movement still made her let out a soft gasp. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging tightly.

Zhou Ye had intended to support her after lifting her, but she held on so firmly that even if he freed both hands, she wouldn't slip down.

Still, when Lin Shu gave him a sharp look, he quickly wrapped one arm around her, his large hand gripping her slender waist.

He had never imagined a woman's waist could be so slender—so delicate he feared using too much strength, worried he might break it.

"Silly you, you can lean against the wall. It'll be easier for you that way," Lin Shu whispered, her cheeks flushing even redder after she spoke.

But Zhou Ye shook his head, "I don't need to."

He was worried the earthen wall would dirty A Shu's clothes.

So Lin Shu remained suspended in the air, entirely dependent on him for support.

Then, before Lin Shu could say another word, as if he had reached his limit, Zhou Ye fiercely covered her mouth with his, kissing her passionately.

Lin Shu arched backward under his fervent kiss, bending like a bow, and Zhou Ye followed, bending forward too.

Eventually, the scorching hand on her waist moved to cup the back of her head, controlling her, shifting angles and positions as he pleased, allowing himself to kiss her thoroughly.

Zhou Ye's breath enveloped Lin Shu, so intense she felt overwhelmed, making her almost drown in its heat.

...

Lin Shu's clothes were wrinkled again, especially around her waist and back, where they had been creased and crumpled.

She gazed at Zhou Ye, her already dewy eyes looking even more watery, and her lips were kiss-swollen and rosy.

Zhou Ye couldn't resist, leaning in and sucking on them twice, his breathing growing heavy and ragged.

...

It wasn't until half an hour later that Lin Shu finally emerged from the room, her clothes neatly arranged, but her face was flushed and glowing, dewy and alluring.

Zhou Ye followed behind, drenched in sweat as if he had just trekked twenty or thirty miles under the scorching sun.

He, on his own initiative, washed his face with the mountain spring water in the courtyard and took off his shirt, rinsing his chest and back.

Lin Shu stole a glance, but this time she didn't stop to admire Zhou Ye's physique. Instead, she noticed his bronze skin was covered in a layer of red, making him appear dark reddish.

Ahem... this time... it couldn't be blamed on her, right?

At first, she had only wanted a hug—it was A Ye who swept her into the room.