Chapter 674: Would You Stay?

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi prepared a dish of fermented black bean pork, which filled the kitchen with a tantalizing aroma, drawing everyone in.

She also made a dish of red-braised pork using fermented bean curd, which left everyone drooling in anticipation.

In comparison, Li Qingyu felt her own cooking paled in comparison.

During the meal, the dishes of fermented black bean pork and red-braised pork were quickly devoured, leaving everyone wanting more.

Xu Songnian praised, “Fifth Cousin, your dishes are the best I’ve ever eaten.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Xu Wenlin nodded vigorously in agreement, “Me too, Fifth Cousin. Can I learn to cook from you?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Sure, but I don’t cook often. You’ll have to catch me when I do.”

“Got it,” Wenlin acknowledged.

Wu Yaqing and Ge Lihua exchanged glances, realizing that after tasting Chu Qingzhi’s cooking, everything else seemed less appealing.

Before Chu Qingzhi went upstairs, she stopped the two of them. “Xuyuan, Xuyao, when you go to the school tomorrow, tell Yan Yixian that he can come for his leg treatment.”

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao immediately responded, “Understood, Fifth Sister.”

Chu Xuhua, along with Xu Songnian and Xu Wenlin, approached the old house and beckoned them onto the carriage, “Come on up.”

Songnian and Wenlin, their eyes gleaming with excitement, examined the spacious and beautiful carriage before climbing aboard, taking a seat.

The smallest of the three wolves jumped onto the carriage, snuggling into Songnian’s lap, accompanying Songnian and Wenlin home.

Songnian looked around, even patting the horse’s behind, joyfully asking, “Big Cousin, what made you decide to send us home in a carriage?”

“It’s faster by carriage,” Chu Xuhua explained, checking on the children, “Hold tight.”

“Ok.”

Chu Xuhua drove the carriage towards Xu Village.

Songnian, cradling the little wolf, felt an instant bond, “From now on, you’re part of my family. I’ll treat you well.”

Chu Xuhua glanced back at the little wolf, “Have you named it yet?”

“Can wolves have names too?”

“Sure, Da Bai is a tiger’s name, isn’t it?”

“Oh, right. Let me think…” Songnian pondered for a while, unable to decide, “Big Cousin, you help me think of one.”

After a moment, Chu Xuhua suggested, “You brought it home at night. How about calling it Xiao Ye (Little Night)?”

“Xiao Ye?” Songnian asked the wolf, “How about that for your name?”

The wolf howled softly, as if in agreement.

“Alright, your name is Xiao Ye from now on.” Songnian wrapped his arms around Xiao Ye’s neck, nuzzling its head with affection.

Wenlin petted Xiao Ye’s head, “When we get home, we’ll make you a cozy bed so you can sleep well.”

With such love and care, Xiao Ye’s initial reluctance to part from its siblings gradually faded.

Chu Qingzhi returned to her room and used a cleaning spell to tidy up a bit.

The room was already spotless, but she preferred to clean it herself, considering it was just a matter of a simple spell.

The flowers Tang Jinghong had given her were still vibrant in the vase, filling the room with a subtle floral scent.

Sitting down, Chu Qingzhi took a piece of candy Tang Jinghong had given her and then continued writing her story.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Wu Yaqing entered, placing a thick stack of papers in front of Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, take a look at this and give me your feedback.”

Chu Qingzhi was initially puzzled but quickly understood.

The papers contained a novel written by Wu Yaqing, her first volume. Yaqing had been writing for a while and was unsure about the quality, hence she sought Chu Qingzhi’s opinion.

Curious, Chu Qingzhi asked, “What made you think of writing a story?”

Wu Yaqing explained somewhat helplessly, “I enjoy reading stories. I’ve always been a fan of others’ works, but often found aspects that didn’t suit my taste or updates too slow, so I decided to write my own.”

“I’ll take a look and let you know.”

“Okay.” Wu Yaqing picked up a book from Chu Qingzhi’s desk and started browsing through it.

Chu Qingzhi read quickly, taking only a short time to finish Wu Yaqing’s story about a princess forced into a political marriage.

She escapes and encounters various interesting people and events along her journey…

Yaqing’s writing was engaging, earning a score of eighty-five in Chu Qingzhi’s heart, “Yaqing, your story is quite good.”

Wu Yaqing, excited, asked, “Really? It’s good?”

Chu Qingzhi said pertinently, “It’s true. Besides, no one has written something like this before. If you sell it in a bookstore, you should be able to sell it for a good price.”

Wu Yaqing was even more excited. “Really? Really?”

“Try it tomorrow. Believe in yourself.”

“I’ll go tomorrow morning.” Wu Yaqingwas overjoyed. “Qingzhi, I’m going back to my room and tell Lihua the good news.”

However, Ge Lihua hadn’t returned to her room yet; Chu Xujin had taken her for a walk by the river.

They walked side by side under the starry sky, a cool breeze from the river and the sound of insects making for a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Chu Xujin’s hand tightened and loosened; he wanted to hold Ge Lihua’s hand but retracted nervously every time he reached out.

Attempting to distract from his nervousness, he spoke, “Lihua, my mother likes you a lot.”

Ge Lihua was puzzled.

Feeling the conversation turn awkward, Chu Xujin blurted out, “Lihua, do you like fish? I can catch some for you from the river.”

Embarrassed by his own words, Chu Xujin regretted it immediately.

Ge Lihua was even more puzzled.

She stopped walking and turned to Chu Xujin, noticing his unusual behavior, “Xujin, if you have something to say, just say it. It’s okay.”

Chu Xujin struggled to speak, “Give me a moment to collect my thoughts.” He turned to face the river, taking deep breaths.

Ge Lihua was stunned.

After composing himself, Chu Xujin finally faced Ge Lihua again, “What I meant was, do you like it here in Chu Village?”

At last, he managed to articulate his thoughts. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ge Lihua paused before answering sincerely, “Ido. The beauty and kindness of Chu Village have healed my heart.”

Initially heartbroken upon arriving in the capital, Ge Lihua found renewal in the village, feeling alive once more.

Chu Xujin, lips twitching nervously, asked, “Would you like to stay in Chu Village?”

Ge Lihua understood what Chu Xujin meant. She smiled faintly and said, “This is not my home. I can’t stay here just because I want to.”