Seeing Xie Zhinuan emerge with charm, her jet-black hair, her delicate white and tender face, her ruddy lips, she looked appealing no matter how one looked at her, "Girl, come here!"
"Mhm!"
Xie Zhinuan also quite enjoyed spending time with Old Lady Ni.
Old Lady Ni worked on needlework, and she helped as an assistant.
"Where's grandpa?"
"He's gone to the back mountain. Now that spring has arrived, quite a few fruit trees have started to blossom and bear fruit. He has to keep an eye on them, lest they get completely eaten by insects!"
As Old Lady Ni spoke, she saw Xie Zhinuan take a piece of silk to embroider. Her stitches were fine and close, and the flowers she embroidered were very attractive; Old Lady Ni liked them very much, "Once you finish this pouch, have someone take it to the county town and let your eldest uncle help sell it. It will definitely fetch a good price!"
"Actually, I'd rather make food!" Xie Zhinuan said with a light laugh.
The original body's needlework was truly good, and she only understood a bit of it, knowing how to embroider when she picked up the needle.
"Never mind what you like, let's take it one step at a time; the most important thing is to regain your health!" said Old Lady Ni affectionately.
Xie Zhinuan was sensible and well-behaved, beautiful, skilled at needlework, and also diligent. Although she was recuperating and wasn't allowed to do heavy work, she would help sweep the yard, feed the chickens, and could even pick vegetables from the vegetable garden. Old Lady Ni felt extremely heart-warmed.
"Auntie!"
Old Lady Ni said warmly.
Seeing that it was Liuwang from the neighboring house, a tall and sturdy man filled with muscles due to his years as a courier, his face marked with several frostbite scars. Now at the end of February, his constitution was strong; he wore little clothing and carried a skinned rabbit in his hand, its meat red and robust, making him appear even more rugged.
"Liuwang has arrived!" Old Lady Ni said with a smile.
Xie Zhinuan stood up and went into the house to pour some water.
"Auntie, I went to the mountains today and was very lucky, caught several rabbits. I've brought one for you!" said Liuwang, his eyes, however, fixed on Xie Zhinuan as she entered the house.
That infatuated look.
A modest maiden, a noble suitor -- Old Lady Ni understood it all too well.
Since the day he returned and started seeing Xie Zhinuan, those eyes of his seemed as if they wanted to stick to her.
Old Lady Ni took it, laughing, "You're quite thoughtful, young man!"
She carried it to the kitchen.
Xie Zhinuan came out with a cup of tea, handing it to Liuwang, "Here's your tea!"
"Thank you!" Liuwang quickly took it, feeling exceedingly happy inside.
He had been traveling around with a security escort since he was ten, and in the blink of an eye, ten years had passed. He had seen many girls and also experienced their delightful flavors, but he had never seen such a beautiful young girl before, with her water-tender and lovely appearance, precisely what he liked the most.
Xie Zhinuan was unaware of his thoughts and continued to embroider while sitting on the stool.
"The flowers you've embroidered really look beautiful!" said Liuwang quietly, holding his bowl.
His eyes were fixed on Xie Zhinuan's swiftly moving hands.
Those hands were so white and tender, with slender fingers. The thought of them caressing his body was a tantalizing notion...
Fearing that he would make a fool of himself in front of Xie Zhinuan, Liuwang dared not let his mind wander further.
"Not bad, I suppose. I heard you work as a courier?" Xie Zhinuan asked nonchalantly.
"Yep, sometimes I go out six or seven times a year, sometimes more than a dozen. Each trip can earn me seven or eight taels of silver. I'm usually around the county town. I've also bought a small residence with a courtyard in the county town," said Liuwang, earnestly watching Xie Zhinuan.
He hoped to see some sign of happiness or excitement in her eyes.
But there was none.
Xie Zhinuan was very calm.
"That's pretty good!" she said quietly, glancing toward the kitchen, thinking why hasn't grandma come out yet?
Liuwang thought that perhaps maidens were just more reserved.
He continued, "I've also saved up over a hundred taels. There are already two courier trips scheduled for this year. In a few days, I'll set out to the provincial city. The round trip will probably take about ten days. By the way, if there's anything you want to buy, let me bring it back for you!"
"I don't have anything I want, but thank you for the offer!" Xie Zhinuan replied indifferently, finishing off her needlework and cutting the thread.