Chapter 6

Li Linxi wasn't unfamiliar with working in the fields. After all, there were summer and winter breaks at school, and there were quite a few young people working on this piece of land.

"Hey, isn't that Jiang Zhiqing (educated youth)? Why is she here?"

"Who did she come to see? Yuan Zhiqing?"

"Why is she carrying a water bottle? Is she delivering water to someone?"

This piece of land had relatively lighter tasks, specifically arranged by the brigade leader for the young educated youth, so when people saw Jiang Manzhu passing by with a water bottle, many familiar with her couldn't help but start gossiping.

Jiang Manzhu found the water bottle quite heavy, and with the heat, she was both tired and hot. She didn't feel like talking when she encountered the other youths.

"Isn't that the third son of the Li family? She's delivering water to her little brother-in-law?"

"Linxi, I brought you some sour plum soup. It's been chilled." Jiang Manzhu walked towards the field and called out to him when she was still a short distance away.

Li Linxi instinctively looked over when someone called him and saw that it was Jiang Manzhu delivering water to him.

Under the sunlight, her beautiful face was striking, her fair skin seemingly glowing, paired with a sweet smile that naturally drew attention.

However, Li Linxi's eyes focused solely on the water bottle—sour plum soup?

"No need. Take it back." Li Linxi had no intention of drinking the water she brought. His mother was the one who worked in the fields, so this so-called sour plum soup definitely wasn't something his younger brother had in mind. It must have been made by Jiang Manzhu herself.

He disdained drinking it.

"It won't taste good once the sun heats it up." Jiang Manzhu glanced at Li Linxi, who was drenched in sweat. In this weather, how could he not want to drink water? Did he bring any with him?

Her eyes drifted toward the edge of the field. It seemed Li Linxi hadn't thought to bring water this morning, but Liu Jumei, his mother, would certainly remember to bring some for her son.

Li Linxi didn't want to engage with Jiang Manzhu, keeping his head down and continuing his work. His cold, disdainful expression brought a phrase to Jiang Manzhu's mind: "Today, you're indifferent to me; tomorrow, I'll be out of your league!"

"I'll leave it here. Make sure to drink it. Also, bring the bottle back at noon, or else the sun will melt it." Jiang Manzhu placed the water bottle beside him, not wanting to say much more in the heat.

"I'll head back now. I need to make lunch for you all, and I'm worried about Xiaobei being alone." Jiang Manzhu casually gave a couple of reasons, waved goodbye to Li Linxi, and left.

On her way back, she took a different path. Though it was longer, it was shaded by trees!

This road happened to pass by the field Yuan Fengxin was working in. When he saw Jiang Manzhu coming this way from a distance, he knew she must be coming to see him.

He deliberately moved his work spot closer to the road, not focusing much on his task anymore, frequently glancing over to see when she'd pass by.

Finally…

"Manzhu, Manzhu… Jiang Zhiqing! Jiang Manzhu!!!" Yuan Fengxin, furious that she walked by without even glancing at him, blocked her path.

Jiang Manzhu frowned slightly at Yuan Fengxin blocking her. Why was he here? So annoying.

"What do you want?" Jiang Manzhu had no fondness for scumbags, and her attitude reflected that.

Seeing her attitude, Yuan Fengxin was a bit upset. How could Jiang Manzhu treat him like this?

"Manzhu, you've changed. You weren't like this before. How did you become so sharp and harsh?" Yuan Fengxin was heartbroken. Had she forgotten their past relationship?

Or had she realized that he had deceived her?

Realizing this, Yuan Fengxin quickly tried to use his manipulative skills to reel back this fish that had slipped out of his pond.

Jiang Manzhu looked at him coldly, feeling disgusted by every word he said. Wasn't this just the classic playbook of a scumbag?

"Yes, I am this kind of person, Yuan Zhiqing. Don't come looking for me anymore. Just seeing you is irritating." Jiang Manzhu brushed past Yuan Fengxin, not wanting to waste words on him.

However, her words reminded Yuan Fengxin that he was still working in the fields…

No wonder Manzhu treated him like this. She must be worried that someone would see them and suspect something.

"Manzhu, let's meet at our old spot this evening." Yuan Fengxin quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his voice to say this to Jiang Manzhu.

After speaking, he swiftly retreated, pretending nothing had happened, and returned to his work.

From a distance, Li Linxi, who had been watching the scene, smirked coldly. He glanced at the water bottle she had left behind and sneered.

Not bothering with the water bottle, he continued his work but couldn't stop thinking about what she had said about it melting in the sun.

After all, it was still a family item. Times were tough, and Li Linxi wasn't wasteful enough to let it melt.

In the end, he picked up the water bottle and placed it under some straw. It was still their family's possession, and if it melted, they'd have to spend money on a new one.

…

Jiang Manzhu walked quickly. It wasn't just working in the field that made her sweat; even just walking back and forth from home to the fields left her drenched.

It almost took half of her strength, but finally, she made it to the bamboo grove by the side of the path, only to find Xiao Bei waiting for her. "Xiao Bei? Didn't I tell you to head back first?"

"Mom told me to wait for you," Xiao Bei said earnestly, scratching the back of his head in a straightforward manner.

"Alright, let's go back and cook. That way, when Mom and Lin Xi return, they can eat right away. I also took some sour plum soup to your third brother, not sure if he likes it."

Jiang Manzhu took off her straw hat. Oh dear, her hair was so wet it was sticking to her head.

"Xiao Bei loves it!" Xiao Bei said cheerfully, clearly a fan of the sour plum soup his sister-in-law made. It was cool and flavorful, unlike plain well water, which had no taste.

"That's right. Lin Xi will definitely like it when he finds out it was made by our Xiao Bei. Even if he doesn't know, I'm sure he'll enjoy it."

Jiang Manzhu teased Xiao Bei, as gaining favor wasn't something only she could do; Xiao Bei and her mother-in-law had to help as well!

How could she not know that, given the male protagonist's personality, he likely wouldn't drink the sour plum soup she sent?

Xiao Bei's eyes sparkled as he nodded. He was eager to receive praise, especially after putting in some effort.

Back at the house, Jiang Manzhu cleaned herself up and began preparing lunch with Xiao Bei. She pulled out some fresh eggs, intending to make an egg soup.

"Our Xiao Bei is amazing."

"Xiao Bei is the smartest and most capable."

"Xiao Bei is so diligent that your third brother will definitely praise you."

Xiao Bei's face flushed with pride, and he shyly said, "No, Sister-in-law is also really great."

"Yes, we're both great. We've both worked hard and contributed to this family. We're a team." Jiang Manzhu smiled, clasping her hands together, reinforcing the concept of "we're a family" in Xiao Bei's mind.

Xiao Bei nodded in agreement. The food was almost ready, and since it was hot, they avoided making the dishes too steaming. The chilled sour plum soup was prepared as well.

After washing their hands, they sat at the table just as they heard the sound of villagers finishing work and walking past.

Xiao Bei, excited, rushed out to greet them, eager to share how diligent he had been with his mom and third brother.

"Mom, I helped Sister-in-law pick vegetables, cook, and stir-fry at noon," he said proudly, puffing out his chest, clearly expecting to be praised. His big, bright eyes were fixed on Liu Jumei and Li Lin Xi.

Liu Jumei quickly nodded, praising him with a few words, and Xiao Bei's tail practically wagged with happiness.

When his third brother said nothing, Xiao Bei turned to look at him, noticing the water flask in his brother's hand. He hurried over to take it.

But…

"Brother, you didn't drink it?" Xiao Bei felt the weight of the flask and immediately forgot about not being praised. He was disappointed, thinking his efforts had been ignored.

With Li Lin Xi's intelligence and emotional sensitivity, he quickly realized that Xiao Bei's disappointment was linked to something he had overlooked.

"Why do you say that?" Li Lin Xi didn't answer directly but asked, "Is there something wrong with the sour plum soup?"

"Nonsense! Sister-in-law and I made that sour plum soup together. How could there be something wrong with it? Mom, Sister-in-law, and I all drank it—it's really good. Why doesn't third brother like it?"

Xiao Bei furrowed his brow, feeling that his third brother just didn't like it. Forget it, he wouldn't send any more to him next time.

"I was too focused on work and forgot to drink it. Xiao Bei's sour plum soup must taste great." Li Lin Xi casually found an excuse. He was still very protective of his younger brother, always viewing him with a lens of affection.

Seeing his naive, well-behaved brother being so eager for praise, Li Lin Xi couldn't bear to reject him.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bei proudly puffed up his chest again. If his brother had just forgotten, then it wasn't a problem at all.

"Brother, let me pour some for you." Xiao Bei dashed off to get his brother a cup of the cold sour plum soup, still concerned for him.

"Mom and Lin Xi, wash your hands. Lunch is ready," Jiang Manzhu called out from the door, having overheard their conversation but choosing not to intervene until they were done.

When they returned with clean hands and faces, lunch was already laid out on the table, along with a bowl and cup of sour plum soup.

As soon as Li Lin Xi sat down, Xiao Bei urged him to try the soup. "Brother, have a taste. See if you like it?"

Looking at Xiao Bei's bright, expectant eyes, Li Lin Xi couldn't refuse. He took a large gulp from the bowl. The cool, sweet-and-sour flavor was indeed refreshing. "It's not bad at all. Who would've thought our Xiao Bei has such skills? Very impressive."

Seeing his silly, good-hearted little brother being so obedient and earnest, Li Lin Xi resolved to protect him at all costs! No one would ever bully him again!

Xiao Bei, thrilled by the praise, beamed from ear to ear. "Of course, the sour plum soup Sister-in-law made is the best. I already drank two big bowls myself!"

Li Lin Xi: It tastes awful!

…

By evening, after a long day, Yuan Fengxin arrived at the place where he used to meet with Jiang Zhiqing in secret.

He glanced at the sky. It was getting late, so why hadn't Jiang Manzhu shown up yet?

Could she not have heard him? Impossible! He had spoken to her directly, so why hadn't she come?

He had skipped dinner to wait here, and now his stomach was growling. Irritation bubbled up inside him.

"Why hasn't she come yet?" Yuan Fengxin paced back and forth, craning his neck to look around. Bamboo groves were full of mosquitoes, and soon enough, his hands and feet were covered in bites.

Slap! He swatted one with precision.

By the time night fell, Jiang Manzhu still hadn't shown up. The anticipation Yuan Fengxin had felt turned into fury!

Damn that Jiang Manzhu! She had played him like a fool!