In the evening, Cheng Duo went to Yong Ge's house and indeed saw a group of chirping little chicks in the courtyard.
These little chicks were the size of a child's palm, covered in fluffy feathers, following behind the hen that Yong Ge had brought back. The hen didn't chase them away, and it seemed quite fitting.
Cheng Duo raised an eyebrow. "How did you come up with the idea of raising chickens?"
Yong Ge chopped up some vegetable leaves, mixed in some bean residue, stirred it evenly, and sprinkled it on the ground. The big and small chickens rushed over to peck at it.
"You like to eat eggs, right? Raise a few more chickens, and you'll be able to pick eggs every day in the future." Yong Ge didn't dare to look at Cheng Duo and turned to the water tank to wash his hands. Then he went to the kitchen and brought out a pot of braised chicken that had been simmering for two hours.
This pot of braised chicken was steamed over water, preserving the original flavor of the chicken meat. The skin, meat, and bones were all tender and succulent, and when the lid was lifted, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
Afraid that Cheng Duo would find the chicken meat too greasy, Yong Ge also cooked a bowl of radishes in soy sauce, a plate of fresh wild vegetables blanched in hot water and seasoned with sesame oil, and a small dish of pickles.
"You haven't eaten yet?" Cheng Duo looked at the spread and knew that Yong Ge hadn't had dinner, so he was waiting for him.
"It's okay, I had a bun in the afternoon, so I didn't feel hungry till now." Yong Ge helplessly looked at Cheng Duo. "You left so much food for me, are you afraid I'll go hungry?"
Compared to before, Yong Ge's life was like night and day. Cheng Duo's buns and steamed buns were made from wheat flour that was processed very cleanly, resulting in white, soft, and chewy bread.
Yong Ge would already feel full after eating two, but because Cheng Duo had a big appetite, he always worried that Cheng Duo wouldn't have enough to eat.
While having dinner, Cheng Duo shared his plan with Yong Ge. At present, he only had two normal rooms, one for sleeping and one as a main hall that also served as a storage room for tools, hunted game, and processed skins.
If they were to get married, these two rooms would not be enough.
Cheng Duo planned to keep the current rooms as the front courtyard, used for receiving guests and dealing with hunted game. Yong Ge could pick vegetables and cook in the front courtyard.
In the backyard, besides the house they lived in and a guest room, he planned to build a clean flush toilet and, if it was big enough, a bathroom as well.
As for the yard, they could set up a trellis and plant climbing vines such as loofahs and cucumbers according to the different seasons, which would be both practical and beautiful.
Yong Ge was stunned by Cheng Duo's vision and couldn't help but show an eager expression. However, after thinking for a moment, he also had some concerns. "Do you have enough money for that?"
"It's enough. I still have around twenty taels, and selling the wolf skins will add another seven or eight taels." Cheng Duo was meticulous and accounted for every bit of money he had to Yong Ge.
After some calculations, Yong Ge realized that it was indeed sufficient. After all, he had witnessed Cheng Duo's capabilities. With the money they had, they would be able to complete the construction and still have a significant amount left.
At this moment, Yong Ge didn't know that Cheng Duo's plan was not as simple as building walls with straw and tamping the earth. He was also tired of thatched roofs made of wheat stalks that required him to pick them up again after every rain. He thought it would be better to go straight for a brick and tile house.
After discussing the construction plans, Yong Ge hesitated for a moment and decided to tell Cheng Duo about Sha Yang bothering him again.
Cheng Duo didn't mind if it was just a random comment, but taking the initiative to mention it was another matter. In case Cheng Duo heard about it from elsewhere, who knew if the story would be exaggerated.
When Cheng Duo heard about this Sha Yang guy bothering him, he frowned. "Has he tried anything with you?"
"No, he hasn't."
"You've made it clear to him, right? If he keeps bothering you, I'll find an opportunity to teach him a lesson."
"How would you teach him a lesson, like what you did to Wu Guihua?" Yong Ge was curious.
"Of course not. Wu Guihua is a woman, and it's not appropriate for me to lay hands on her. But he's a grown man, I'll just tie him up in a sack."
There was no need to make it so complicated.
"But, what if he… what if he guesses it's you?" Yong Ge didn't want to say the rest of the sentence and just mumbled, "Will he find out it's you?"
"If he guesses, he guesses. Would he dare to retaliate?" Cheng Duo wasn't being arrogant, but now that he had recovered most of his strength, even if all of Sha Yang's uncles and cousins joined forces, it wouldn't be enough for him to beat up.
Cheng Duo didn't think he was being domineering. It was only natural for any man to get angry if someone bothered his significant other. Moreover, Yong Ge had made his refusal very clear. If Sha Yang couldn't understand that and got beaten up, it would be his own fault.
He wanted Yong Ge to give birth to a big and chubby son for him. Why not aim high?
After finishing their meal, Cheng Duo insisted on washing the dishes together with Yong Ge.
By this time, it was completely dark outside. Yong Ge quickly herded the chickens back into their coop. Listening to the crisp chirping of the little chicks huddled together, Yong Ge's mood improved, and he smiled as he headed back inside.
Cheng Duo savored the moment, and before Yong Ge could get close, he pulled him into his arms. "Are you scared?"
Yong Ge shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. He wanted to say that he wasn't afraid of Cheng Duo, but the intimate moment from earlier in the day had been too thrilling, and he still felt a bit frightened…
"In that case, what if I let you kiss me instead?" Cheng Duo whispered in Yong Ge's ear, teasing him affectionately.
Yong Ge, despite being a young man, was eager to learn. After hesitating for a moment, his cheeks blushed as he asked in return, "How… do I kiss?"
"However you want to kiss," Cheng Duo smiled and closed his eyes in a very generous manner, presenting his face to Yong Ge, as if to say, "Do as you please."
Yong Ge didn't disappoint him. Soon, he felt a tentative touch on his lips. Yong Ge first gently pressed his lips against Cheng Duo's face, and feeling that it wasn't enough, he followed Cheng Duo's example and slipped his tongue inside. With the initiative in his hands, his eyes showed a hint of excitement, and he kissed Cheng Duo earnestly.
Cheng Duo's hands tightened and then loosened. He had been trying hard not to disturb Yong Ge and only took the lead after a long time. He held Yong Ge tightly around the waist, quickly making him lose his senses with his passionate and dominant kiss…
It took Yong Ge a long time to come back to his senses. His lips felt hot and seemed slightly swollen.And he belatedly realized what Cheng Duo had done while he was lost in thought. He exclaimed and his cheeks instantly turned red.
He hurriedly straightened his clothes and grabbed his sleeves, burying his head as he helped Cheng Duo wipe his hands. "How… how could you do that…"
(T/N: This translator wanted more details… ( ͡❛ ﹏ ͡❛) but censorship does not allow the author. ಥ_ಥ)
His first concern was surprisingly that Cheng Duo's hands might get dirty. The sound of his voice wasn't entirely filled with grievance; instead, it was mostly embarrassment.
Cheng Duo's throat rolled, and his voice became low and hoarse. "If you feel like you've been taken advantage of, why don't you help me too?"
He affectionately buried his face in the crook of Yong Ge's neck and rubbed against it. Originally, it was just to alleviate his discomfort, but he found that Yong Ge was really going to reach out, so he quickly held him back. "No, I was just teasing you."
But Yong Ge was determined, his cheeks blushing as he nestled in Cheng Duo's embrace, feeling his increasingly hot breath against his ear. He only felt his heartbeat racing faster than climbing two mountains, and his mind was blank, unable to distinguish between dreaming and reality…
From that day on, their interactions became awkward yet intimate. If there was an accurate adjective to describe it, it would be reaching a state of bliss.
However, Cheng Duo no longer dared to embrace Yong Ge intimately. After all, everyone's boundaries gradually lowered step by step, and Yong Ge's guard against him was too weak, or rather, he had no guard at all.
He didn't want to engage in a relationship without proper consent while Li Wang hadn't returned yet.
Cheng Duo didn't care much for social norms, but he respected Yong Ge. Therefore, starting from that evening, he actively restrained himself.
(T/N: And made the translator's motivation to work further fly away (╥﹏╥))
After another ten days, with Yong Ge's careful care, Cheng Duo's body had recovered by more than half. Although he still appeared slightly thin, he had come a long way from being emaciated.
Now that he could show his face, he immediately went to Niujia Village to order a pot and arrowheads for Yong Ge. Taking advantage of these items not being ready yet, Cheng Duo planned to sell the wolf skins in the Twenty-Li Slope.
Because he was going out, during dinner that evening, Cheng Duo casually mentioned it to Yong Ge.
"I know, go ahead, don't worry about me." Yong Ge also knew that it wouldn't be convenient for him to accompany Cheng Duo. Fortunately, Cheng Duo was only going for one or two days, and there was nothing he couldn't bear to part with.
Cheng Duo nodded. What he didn't tell Yong Ge was that he planned to sell two of the glass jars containing the fruit preserves they had eaten. He hadn't mentioned it yet because he didn't know how much they could sell for. He wanted to surprise Yong Ge.
When Cheng Duo was preparing to leave, the famous matchmaker, Hua Meipo, took the initiative to visit Li Mancang's house.
"Oh, what wind blew Hua Meipo here?" Wu Guihua laughed heartily as soon as she saw her.
Why else would a matchmaker come knocking on the door? There must be someone interested in their Feng Ge, looking to propose!
Initially, she had thought of postponing the marriage proposal due to the previous incident of fake marriage. But if someone actively proposed at this time, regardless of whether the marriage would happen or not, it would still bring face to their Feng Ge!
"So, someone asked me to come and propose." Hua Meipo was a little hesitant to say. Although she wasn't from Yang Village, she had still heard about Li Wang cutting off ties with his brothers.
However, that Sha Yang guy was very anxious, saying that no matter how they quarreled, they were still family, and he insisted on her coming to Li Mancang's house to discuss the marriage.
"Who is it? Which village are they from, and what's their family background like?" Wu Guihua grew anxious when she saw Hua Meipo hesitating. "Just tell me, what's so difficult about speaking up? Could it be that the man is poor, or does he not look that good?"
"Neither. The proposer is Sha Yang from your village. You know their family background better than I do, so I won't say anything else."
"Sha Yang? No need, no need." Wu Guihua was both surprised and happy. "He has his eye on our Feng Ge? He has good taste. How much betrothal gifts is their family planning to give…"
Hua Meipo had to interrupt her, "It's not Feng Ge, it's Yong Ge."
If it weren't for Wu Guihua's aggressive nature, Hua Meipo would have rolled her eyes. Didn't she have any idea about the worth of their Feng Ge? Everyone knew about the fake marriage incident, and it was well known that he didn't have a dowry.
That would have been fine, but he also bragged about the fake hairpin and bracelet he got from the scammer, exposing his secret interactions with the scammer. Any man with some wealth wouldn't want to marry such a disreputable young man.
Oh, and Wu Guihua had even thought about marrying him off to the newcomer hunter… His reputation was almost as bad as being covered in mud, yet she still dreamed such dreams!
(T/N: The audacity of Wu Guihua…ᕙ( ︡'︡益'︠)ง. The superiority complex that this person has can make them climb mount everest…)