Chapter 1982

Very quickly.

Shangguan Wan'er and Chu Qingluan also crowded forward, both applying camouflage.

Gao Yang could not help but glance over, a wave of emotion rising within him.

Gao Changwen had painted himself like a savage coming down from the mountains, which was an eyesore, but the greasepaint on Shangguan Wan'er and Chu Qingluan added a touch of exotic flair, possessing a unique charm.

"Young Master, we can begin!"

Steward Zhou said in a low voice.

Gao Yang picked up a newly sharpened sickle that flashed with a cold glint and strode toward the golden wheat field waiting to be harvested.

The farmhands held their breath.

Every pair of eyes was filled with irrepressible excitement.

Gao Yang stepped into the field, bowed slightly, and then swung his right arm, the sickle carving a graceful silver arc through the air.

"Crack!"

Accompanied by a crisp, clean sound of cutting, the first batch of heavy, golden wheat ears fell in response!

"The harvest begins—!"

Seeing this, Steward Zhou roared with almost all his strength, his aged voice piercing through the fields.

"The harvest begins!!!"

In an instant, the long-accumulated enthusiasm of the villagers erupted; they brandished their sickles, let out excited shouts, and charged into the wheat field.

Gao Yang stood among them, watching this scene, and the corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily, revealing a smile.

The autumn breeze blew in, carrying the scent of wheat; compared to the treacherous court, this vibrant vitality and the tangible joy of a harvest were much more reassuring.

For a time.

Sickles flashed.

Before they knew it, the sun slanted to the west.

Gao Yang straightened his aching back, feeling as if his whole body were falling apart.

"Whew... so tired!" He let out a long breath.

"Young Master, Lady, please drink some water to quench your thirst."

Steward Zhou approached with several servants and handed over a bowl of water.

Gao Yang was truly exhausted, sweat seeping from his forehead and his clothes already soaked through; he took the bowl and drank it down in one gulp.

Gulp!

Gao Yang finished a large bowl in one breath.

"Steward Zhou, this harvesting is quite tiring! Is Grandfather's body really so robust that he can work all day?"

Gao Yang was full of curiosity.

The Duke's Prefecture had more than just Ping'an Manor; this time, Gao Tianlong had gone to another large estate, and he was quite worried about that.

Steward Zhou was stunned, then smiled, "Young Master, you can rest assured; the old Duke only needs to cut the first batch to set an example, so he won't get tired."

"If we are both starting the harvest, and Grandfather only needs to cut one batch, then why have I been working all day? Just because I am strong and healthy?" Gao Yang looked dissatisfied.

"No, Young Master, you only needed to cut one batch as well!"

Steward Zhou replied instinctively.

"What?"

Gao Yang was shocked, his voice rising, "Then why didn't you say so earlier, letting me huff and puff here, swinging the sickle and cutting batch after batch all afternoon?"

Steward Zhou was also bewildered: "Young Master, you didn't ask."

"This old servant saw you swinging the sickle like a pro, full of high spirits, and thought that since you live in Changancheng, you found this farming work novel and particularly enjoyable, so I didn't send anyone to help and specifically left the hardest part of the field for you..."

Gao Yang: "..."

A sense of frustration welled up in his chest.

He had been careless and failed to dodge!

Gao Yang felt his aching back and waist, gritting his teeth as he said, "Steward Zhou, do I look like someone who enjoys suffering for no reason?"

"Young Master, this old servant was wrong."

Steward Zhou panicked, his legs turning to jelly, and he quickly lowered his head.

If this were Gao Changwen, he would have kicked him, but he truly couldn't bring himself to do that to an old man like Steward Zhou.

"Pfft!"

Nearby, Shangguan Wan'er and Chu Qingluan could no longer hold it in and covered their mouths to laugh; it was rare for them to see Gao Yang so deflated.

"Alright, Gao Yang," Shangguan Wan'er walked up, the sweat on her temples reflecting the sunset, her smile beneath the greasepaint exceptionally bright, "It's good to move around; you are physically weak, so strengthening your body is a good thing."

Her tone was gentle, but her eyes held a hint of mischief.

Gao Yang: "..."

These words carried a hidden meaning!

The damage was minimal, but the insult was extreme!

"I'm done cutting, going back to rest."

Gao Yang dropped the sickle with a face full of resentment and walked away.

Seeing this.

Shangguan Wan'er and Chu Qingluan quickly followed.

Seeing that Gao Yang was genuinely annoyed, Shangguan Wan'er felt a pang of panic, knowing she had taken the joke too far.

What man doesn't have pride?

She took a few quick steps, reached out to gently tug on Gao Yang's sleeve, her cheeks slightly flushed, her voice as thin as a mosquito's, "I was wrong, wait until tonight... after I wash off this greasepaint, I'll properly compensate you, okay?"

In an instant.

Gao Yang's footsteps came to a sudden halt.

He turned back, staring intently at Shangguan Wan'er.

The golden glow of the sunset spilled onto her face, and the ochre greasepaint did not diminish her beauty but instead added a primitive, wild allure.

Gao Yang blurted out, "No, this camouflage is exactly what I want!"

"Huh?"

In a flash.

Shangguan Wan'er instantly turned to stone, her cheeks flushing deep red as if on fire.

"Gao Yang! You... you pervert!"

Once these bold words were out, Shangguan Wan'er hurriedly ran toward the manor.

"Wan'er, wait! This camouflage is so unique!" Gao Yang called out, his tone playful.

Shangguan Wan'er didn't even look back and ran even faster.

Gao Yang looked at Chu Qingluan, who was standing to the side, just about to speak.

But as their eyes met.

Alarm bells rang in Chu Qingluan's heart, and she also greased her heels and slipped away.

The afterglow spilled down.

On the small path of Ping'an Manor, Gao Yang stared at the two women running away without looking back, the corners of his mouth curling up bit by bit.

"Qingluan, Wan'er, wait for me!"

As he spoke, Gao Yang slowly gave chase.

Gao Changwen watched this scene, rubbing his chin with a look of profound realization, and sighed: "Tsk tsk, Brother really knows how to play."