Chapter 1271 - 1267: If Love Is Meant to Last (Part 1)

In the blink of an eye, it was the day for Lu Yuanfeng and Xing Beichen to head to the Northwest.

Cheng Dagang and Mrs. Bai also packed their bags, planning to return to Yulin County on the same day.

However, they did not leave early; they didn’t have to set out at dawn and could stay to have lunch at the third branch.

Yet, despite this, when the time came to part ways with friends or elder relatives with whom she had spent so much time, Mu Shuangshuang still felt a bitterness in her heart.

The day before they left, Mu Shuangshuang talked with Lu Yuanfeng all day, mostly discussing her own experiences; she didn’t care much about whether Lu Yuanfeng would overthink it.

She revealed all her past experience from her previous life’s special work to Lu Yuanfeng.

Including her own insights on discerning people, which, though not absolutely accurate, were at least a reminder that not everyone was a good person!

The need to guard against others is ever-present!

Only as dusk approached did they reluctantly end the conversation, but both felt it wasn’t nearly enough.

Mu Shuangshuang truly wanted to tell Lu Yuanfeng to stay.

Yet she knew the decision had already been made, and there was no room for regret.

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t tell anyone about Lu Yuanfeng’s departure, not even Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang.

They only knew that one morning, their daughter rose at the first light and busily worked in the kitchen until daylight.

Mu Shuangshuang was making pancakes and flatbreads.

This journey alone would take a month or two.

She didn’t know if Fengzi would have enough to eat along the way, so she tried to make as many pancakes as possible.

Dry food lasts a long time; there’s also dried meat and fermented black bean sauce.

Since Lu Yuanfeng announced his departure, Mu Shuangshuang had been preparing dried meat and fermented black bean sauce.

These aren’t items you can easily buy with money outside.

By the time Lu Yuanfeng came to see Mu Shuangshuang, she had already made a full basket of pancakes, dried meat wrapped tightly in oil paper, resting on cloth, along with fermented black bean sauce.

These were packed in wooden boxes crafted by Lu Yuanfeng himself, similar to modern glass jars, especially with the rotating lid at the mouth.

Of course, this required considerable effort from Lu Yuanfeng.

"Did you make all this?" Lu Yuanfeng looked at the neatly arranged items on the square table in the courtyard, his voice trembling slightly.

"Yes! The pancakes were made this morning, for you and Beichen to eat on the road!

The dried meat and fermented black bean sauce were made some time ago; I packed them all, even if it rains, there’s no need to worry!"

Mu Shuangshuang kept talking without realizing the emotional turmoil before her.

He reached out and pulled Mu Shuangshuang into his embrace.

"Shuangshuang... what am I supposed to say?! Didn’t you already give me so many silver notes? Are you still afraid I’ll go hungry?"

For this journey, Mu Shuangshuang provided Lu Yuanfeng with silver notes worth three hundred taels.

That’s more money than many farming families earn in a lifetime; Lu Yuanfeng didn’t want to accept it, but couldn’t withstand Mu Shuangshuang’s insistence.

Mu Shuangshuang thought that going to the Northwest would require more money than she could provide, and given its harsh, desolate nature, earning money would be difficult.

Instead, it was better to give more silver at once, saving him much trouble.

"Silver notes are silver notes, food is food, you can’t compare the two!

By the way, the new clothes were made with Ah Ru’s help; they’re made from modest-colored, but good-quality materials so you’ll be comfortable and won’t draw undue attention!"

Mu Shuangshuang considered many things; this trip meant no one would be buying clothes or other items for the naive young man, so she prepared in advance.

Both summer and winter clothes were prepared, but only for Lu Yuanfeng.

She and Xing Beichen were not yet close enough to exchange clothes or money!

Moreover, in ancient times, the boundaries between men and women needed to be respected.

It can be said that Mu Shuangshuang rarely spent time alone with Xing Beichen; most of the time, Lu Yuanfeng was present, and she only exchanged a few words with Xing Beichen occasionally.

Of course, this was to avoid suspicion!

Lu Yuanfeng looked at Mu Shuangshuang, his eyes somewhat sore.

He feared he might break down and cry on such an occasion.

So Lu Yuanfeng tried to control his emotions, and his strategy was to simply say nothing!

But he couldn’t help himself in the end!

"Shuangshuang... I kind of don’t want to leave!" Lu Yuanfeng said.

Mu Shuangshuang was momentarily stunned, then reached out to gently tap Lu Yuanfeng’s arm.

"Who was it that once confidently told me a man should aspire beyond his home, to make a name on the battlefield?" Mu Shuangshuang asked with deliberate sternness.

Lu Yuanfeng blushed and took a moment to reply: "Then as I go, you... you better not see me off, I’m afraid I’ll miss you!"

Mu Shuangshuang chuckled lightheartedly, "You say that as if if I don’t see you off, you’ll be willing to go!

Fengzi, there’s a saying I really like, and now I give it to you: ’If the love between us is long-lasting, why worry about the days and nights together!’

When you miss me, recall this saying, and you’ll feel better!"

[If the love between us is long-lasting, why worry about the days and nights together]

Lu Yuanfeng silently repeated this sentence in his mind and felt a renewed strength.

Mu Shuangshuang glanced outside, realizing it wasn’t early anymore.

He was about to depart...

"Fengzi, I’ll accompany you to the village entrance, and the remaining road, you’ll travel alone!" Mu Shuangshuang said while helping Lu Yuanfeng gather his things.

Lu Yuanfeng and Xing Beichen planned to travel by horseback.

A few days prior, Mu Shuangshuang accompanied them to the town to purchase two horses.

Everything they were taking was strapped to the horses’ backs, making it quite convenient.

But while Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng arrived at the village entrance early, Xing Beichen was nowhere to be seen for a long time.

"Hasn’t the agreed time already passed?" Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but ask.

"I think she’s gone to find Fu Xiaonan! Ultimately, Beichen can’t let go of Fu Xiaonan!" Lu Yuanfeng said.

Mu Shuangshuang gave it some thought and realized it was true.

Xing Beichen appeared uncaring, but in reality, he was deeply compassionate and loyal!

But regarding his relationship with Fu Xiaonan, Mu Shuangshuang could only think, sometimes the stars don’t align.

The words Fu Xiaonan said to Mu Shuangshuang had stuck with her!

[I don’t want to wait anymore; I’ve already waited for one person for over ten years, and if I have to invest feelings and wait indefinitely now, I can’t do it!]

"Fengzi, since Beichen hasn’t arrived yet, should we take another walk around the village?" Mu Shuangshuang suggested.

"Sure..."

Autumn was approaching, and there was dew on the grass.

Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng walked on the narrow path through Er Gui Village, with their feet soon soaked.

Neither suggested going back or stopping.

In fact, both wished this path would never end!

...

Outside Fu Xiaonan’s courtyard, an unusually serious and earnest Xing Beichen stood dressed in white.

Beside him was a distracted Fu Xiaonan.