The surroundings were very quiet.
Suddenly, a cell phone ringtone broke the silence.
"only you, can take me to Journey to the West..."
A sound rushed from behind. Qin Piao was startled and quickly turned around, just to see half a head suddenly retract behind a small mound.
Luo Yang's heart was pounding fiercely, almost surging into his throat. He cursed inwardly at whatever demon had the nerve to call at such a crucial moment, causing considerable trouble.
Seeing that it was Xiao Daniu's call, he had no choice but to cancel the call; his heartbeat was so rapid, it seemed to resound in his ears. Hearing footsteps approaching made him even more uneasy.
It's over! It's over! I saw her, what if she will...
With that thought, his heart rate increased, and his face grew hot. In his desperation, he stiffened like a corpse and closed his eyes to pretend to sleep.
The footsteps coming through the grass were light and slow, yet they were indeed getting closer. With each step he heard, his tension increased.
Qin Piao was also on edge, tiptoeing closer to the small mound. Her anxiety eased when she saw who was hiding behind it, and she took a detour to Luo Yang's side.
Seeing Luo Yang slanting on the small mound, looking like he was really asleep.
If she hadn't seen half of his head just a moment before, Qin Piao might have thought it was all unintentional. Now Luo Yang's face was red and his eyelids twitched; it was obvious he was feigning sleep.
After a moment of silence, the corners of Qin Piao's mouth turned up. She thought to herself, "He saw but pretends he saw nothing? That's enough." Then with a smile, she said, "Hey, Niu Zai, what a coincidence."
Luo Yang slowly opened his eyes, feigning surprise, and greeted, "Sister Piao, what brings you here?"
As he spoke, he sneaked a few glances at her.
"You saw, you saw, I'm not accusing you of anything, why be embarrassed?" Qin Piao teased with a laugh.
Seeing her smile with pursed lips, much of Luo Yang's tension dissipated.
He grinned and laughed as well, thinking to himself, "Why did all three husbands she married die? Could she be ill? Maybe I should look into getting a medical diagnosis to check her out."
He couldn't help but take a few more glances at Qin Piao.
Seeing Luo Yang looking her way, Qin Piao chuckled, "Niu Zai, what are you up to here?"
Snapping back to reality, Luo Yang replied, "I need to cut grass to feed the fish."
Qin Piao then bent down to pick up a sickle, offering warmly, "Let me help you with that, you have a smoke first."
As she spoke, she indeed went to the grass a few steps away and started cutting efficiently.
"Thanks, Sister Piao."
"Call me Sister Piao."
"Alright, Sister Piao."
"Giggle, that's right."
As they conversed, Luo Yang lit up a cigarette.
"Sister Piao, don't you need to go home and make dinner?" Luo Yang asked.
"Yes, I was planning to plant a few rows of sweet potatoes before going back," Qin Piao replied.
"Then go plant your sweet potatoes, let me cut the grass," said Luo Yang, standing up and walking towards her.
"It's okay, I have time, I'll cut the grass for you first," Qin Piao said, standing straight and sweeping a strand of hair that had fallen behind her ear.
Such a beautiful person who helps others so enthusiastically is really rare.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and put the grass in the bag," Qin Piao said with a toothy smile.
Luo Yang then squatted down, opened the snake-skin bag, held the bag with his right hand, and stuffed handfuls of grass into it with his left. He knew Qin Piao was still watching him, so he dared not look up at her.
A pretty woman, but a Husband Cursing demon?
This question lingered in Luo Yang's mind, elusive and unresolved.
Qin Piao glanced over with a sideways look and saw Luo Yang with his head lowered as if guilty. The smile on her lips grew deeper, while in her heart, she felt sad, "In the village, apart from a few toughs who always want to take advantage of me, normal men are afraid to even speak to me, as if I were Death itself, their lives at risk if they get too close. Niu Zai is much better than they are; at least he doesn't dislike me."
With that thought, she cast a favoring glance at Luo Yang.