Chapter 107: What's wrong

At night, Lu Yuan held Su Liyan while they bathed in a large wooden tub filled with steaming hot water.

Leaning in Lu Yuan's embrace, Su Liyan turned her head to look at her husband and asked curiously:

"Brother~ why did you assign me to the Threshing Machine Factory? I was doing just fine at the Arms Factory."

Seeing his wife's skin, flushed red from the hot bath and looking even more rosy and beautiful, Lu Yuan smiled and said:

"The Threshing Machine Factory is nearby—just go out the East City Gate and cross the bridge."

"It's just over twenty minutes to the Threshing Machine Factory; from now on, when it's windy and snowy, won't you have to endure some hardship?"

"Besides, you'll save time in the morning, so you can sleep a little longer."

Hearing Lu Yuan's words, Su Liyan, her face full of emotion, came to her senses and embraced Lu Yuan, speaking in a tender voice:

"Brother~ you're so good to me~"

Her husband dotes on her too much, thinking of her in everything, even considering this small matter.

Su Liyan's nose tingled, and she felt like crying from emotion.

And Lu Yuan, also embracing his wife, smiled narrowly and said:

"What's this? You're my wife, so I'll definitely let you enjoy blessings."

"It's only right for you to serve me, and it's only right for me to let you enjoy blessings."

Su Liyan, pressed against Lu Yuan's chest, nodded repeatedly, her face full of emotion.

And Lu Yuan, still smiling, continued:

"Also, you won't need to clean the ashes from the Kang heating ducts in the morning; Gao Xushi will come help us with that."

Ah??

Su Liyan was a bit dazed, "This??"

Pang Kaige coming to help clean our stables and shovel horse manure—I can understand that.

After all, my husband said so.

Everyone likes my husband so much, they're willing to help out~

But this Gao Xushi…

The other day, when they were hosting a feast…

Su Liyan rose from Lu Yuan's embrace, gazing at him as she was about to say something.

Lu Yuan, looking at his wife bathing in the water, her alluring, gorgeous, charming self, couldn't help but lean in and kiss her.

Su Liyan, who had been about to ask something, was kissed and her heart fluttered in confusion.

Two arms, skin like congealed fat, snow-white jade arms emerged from the water and wrapped around her husband's neck.

For a moment, the temperature in Lu Yuan's household rose gradually, everything turning pink~

……

The next morning.

Lu Yuan was snoring loudly asleep.

At this moment, Su Liyan was fetching some cool water at the pool to wash up.

Today, Pang Kaige also rose early, having just cleaned out the stables and shoveled the horse manure into a bamboo basket to take out and dump.

After finishing, he then came to the pool to wash up.

Thank you, Brother Kaige.

They've been helping clean our stables and shovel horse manure all winter; although my husband says Pang Kaige is willing, we should still say thank you, right?

So, Su Liyan imitated her husband's tone and greeted Pang Kaige.

At this moment, Pang Kaige felt bitter inside, but couldn't bring himself to say it.

He's already done all this work; saying anything now would be too late, so it's better to pretend to be magnanimous and leave a good reputation.

Immediately, Pang Kaige forced a smile and said:

It's nothing, Sister Su; we're from the same courtyard, it's only proper……

Su Liyan smiled and nodded; indeed, her husband was right.

This Brother Kaige is truly a warm-hearted person.

My husband is also very popular in the courtyard~

That's only natural~

My husband is so capable~

I'm almost loving him to death; surely others also welcome my husband~

While brushing her teeth and preparing to wash her face, Su Liyan also chatted about everyday matters:

Brother Kaige, what tasty thing did Jade Lan's little sister make for you? I can already smell the aroma……

Pfft—

Pang Kaige felt as if his chest had been stabbed.

Cooking……

Um…… my wife can't cook……

My wife is a young lady from the city……

Moreover, my wife is the youngest in the family; she has an older sister and an older brother above her.

She's been pampered since childhood.

Her hands never touch spring water—that's describing my wife.

So……

Whether it's this morning's meal or this evening's meal……

It's all me who came……

And…… in the morning…… even my wife can't wake up……

Instantly, Pang Kaige, feeling a bit embarrassed, gave an awkward grin and said:

"Sister Su, that might not be from my place; my wife hasn't gotten up yet."

Su Liyan blinked and asked, "At this time, you're still not getting up?"

But, it's actually normal.

After all, Pang Kaige and Wang Yulan are newlyweds.

Not to mention those two; even though I've been married to my husband for almost a month, we're still basically like newlyweds at night.

Wang Yulan is different from me; she's human, so naturally she needs to sleep more.

Just like my husband right now.

Su Liyan smiled and nodded, but didn't say anything.

And at that moment, someone came into the back courtyard.

No one else, it was Gao Xushi.

After Gao Xushi arrived, she walked toward Lu Yuan's kang heating ducts while saying:

"Liyan, I've come to clean the stove ashes for you, eh; later remember to tell your husband, don't say I'm slacking."

Having said that, Gao Xushi, familiar with the task, came to the stove opening, picked up an iron hook, and began vigorously shaking the iron box that holds the coal chunks in the kang heating ducts.

Then a puff of smoke and dust came out.

After the ashes in the iron box holding the coal chunks had all fallen to the lower layer, Gao Xushi then used the iron hook to lift the lower iron box that holds the ashes.

She placed it into a nearby bamboo basket.

Amid Pang Kaige's stunned stare, Gao Xushi walked away carrying the bamboo basket.

Pang Kaige's head was full of question marks.

"No…… not…… Sister Su…… what…… what's going on??"

Pang Kaige stared at Su Liyan, looking bewildered.

Could it be that I got up early to work and am now seeing things from exhaustion??

Ah?

That's Gao Xushi, right?

She, Gao Xushi, came to clean Lu Yuan's stove??

No……

This……

For a moment, not knowing why, Pang Kaige suddenly felt a bit better in his heart.

After all…… it seems I'm not the only one Lu Yuan has screwed over.

Even Gao Xushi has been roped into doing work by Lu Yuan.

My situation…… seems not so hard to accept either.

And Su Liyan also didn't know what to say……

I even asked my husband about this yesterday……

The result……

Um…… result…… before I could say anything, my husband kissed me, and after that…… I didn't know anything else.

Su Liyan merely said softly:

"Um…… I'm not entirely clear either; it was something you, Brother Yuan, discussed; I don't really know the details……"

At that moment, Su Liyan had finished washing her face, poured out the water from the basin, and then looked at Pang Kaige beside her and said:

"Brother Kaige, I'm heading back now; I need to make breakfast for Brother Yuan; you should hurry home and make breakfast for your wife too."

With a puff sound.

Pang Kaige felt…… as if his chest had been stabbed again with a knife.

Why……

Why does Lu Yuan marry a wife, and that wife waits on him every day……

While I, after marrying a wife…… come home each night and can't even get a bite to eat, and still have to cook myself……

Wuu wuu wuu wuu……

Lu Yuan…… you really damn well deserve to die!!

…………

Lu Yuan fell asleep again and slept until nine-thirty.

However, this time he didn't wake naturally; someone was knocking on the window outside.

From outside came Chen Taohua's voice, saying:

"Brother Lu, Brother Lu, are you still asleep?"

After Lu Yuan got up in a daze, he went to the window, pulled back the curtain, and looked at Chen Taohua.

Then Lu Yuan went to the door, opened it, and facing Chen Taohua outside, said:

"Come in and wait for a moment; I just got up and still need to tidy up a bit, have something to eat, it's cold outside."

Chen Taohua nodded and walked in.

Chen Taohua really likes staying at Lu Yuan's place.

How warm it is.

It's really much warmer than my own home.

After coming in, Chen Taohua casually shut the door to keep the heat from escaping.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan sat on the edge of the bed, putting on his clothes while looking at Chen Taohua and said:

"Taohua, pull open all the curtains; make the room brighter."

Chen Taohua nodded repeatedly and said:

"All right, Elder Brother Lu."

By then, the aunties in the courtyard had already gathered together.

Seeing Chen Taohua enter Lu Yuan's home and close the door, they didn't think much of it.

It wasn't that serious.

First, Chen Taohua is ordinary-looking; second, they've already opened the curtains, after all.

Lu Yuan's home doesn't have sealed windows, so everyone can see what's inside.

Everyone was just a little curious about…

How come Chen Taohua came looking for Lu Yuan?

Yesterday Gao Xushi came, today Chen Taohua comes.

What a bunch…

Aside from Gao Tingyu, the Gao family has completely fallen!

What's going on with these two families!!

Just a few days ago they were enemies, and now they're like this??

Everyone couldn't figure it out.

After Lu Yuan got dressed, he poured some hot water from the thermos into a basin, then took it to the water tank to fetch cool water for washing up.

Upon arriving at the water tank, Lu Yuan saw a group of aunties sitting nearby and greeted them with a smile:

"Morning."

The aunties pursed their lips, "Morning my ass," not even bothering to check the time.

They were about to head back to prepare lunch.

Just as Lu Yuan turned on the faucet to get cool water, the door of Pang Kaige's house opened as well.

Wang Yulan walked over to Lu Yuan, smiling as she greeted him:

"Elder Brother Lu, you're up already."

Wang Yulan had been hoping Lu Yuan would get up.

She really had no other thoughts.

Wang Yulan is still very pure; although she's from the city, her purity is not much different from Su Liyan's.

After all, her family is well-off, she's the youngest, raised in comfort since childhood, and has older siblings looking after her.

In some ways, her pure mind makes her seem like a little child.

Wang Yulan hoped Lu Yuan would wake up so she could chat with him.

After all, although the courtyard is crowded every day with many aunties sitting here,

but Wang Yulan can't really converse with those aunties.

The other day she came out and sat for a while, but she just couldn't get into the conversation.

It was really boring.

So, not long after, Wang Yulan went back home and stayed there all day.

That night, Wang Yulan finally learned that there was a Lu Yuan of similar age living in her backyard.

Moreover, Lu Yuan doesn't go to work every day, so Wang Yulan thought, since we're about the same age, maybe we could chat.

Besides, Elder Brother Lu's home is especially warm.

After returning from Elder Brother Lu's house that night, she felt her own home was really cold.

So Wang Yulan hoped Lu Yuan would get up earlier, so she could go to his house to warm up.

After all, if Lu Yuan's family sleeps with the curtains drawn, Wang Yulan would really feel a bit embarrassed to knock on the door.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan get up, Wang Yulan hurried out.

Lu Yuan looked at Wang Yulan and also smiled, saying:

"Oh my, Little Sister Yulan, you're up too?"

Wang Yulan pursed her lips and smiled, saying:

"I've been up already; I got up at eight~"

Lu Yuan blinked…

"Hmm…"

Actually, that's not that early.

But they're newlyweds, so it's normal; besides, Wang Yulan doesn't work, so what's wrong with sleeping a bit longer at home?

Before Lu Yuan could say anything, Wang Yulan smiled and looked at him, saying:

"Elder Brother Lu, may I stay at your place for a while? My home is cold, and that stove isn't cutting it."

Actually, it's fine; Pang Kaige's family just has one room.

One stove is enough.

However, since Wang Yulan experienced the warmth of Lu Yuan's home yesterday, she naturally feels her own home is too cold.

As for Wang Yulan wanting to come over to my place for a while, what's wrong with that?

Wang Yulan's father is on such close terms with Director Xu.

Moreover, after last night's contact, Lu Yuan could see that Wang Yulan's thoughts are pure and simple, just like his beautiful wife.

This kind of guileless person, unlike the aunties in the courtyard, Lu Yuan naturally was willing.

Of course……

Actually, the aunties in the courtyard were also very pure when they first came here.

But it was time, it was the years, that changed their original appearance.

Lu Yuan felt it would be great if there were more guileless, less calculating people in the courtyard.

If everyone were as pure as me, we'd all live more comfortably.

Alas, a pity—I had my heart set on the bright moon, but the moon shines on the ditch.

Immediately, Lu Yuan smiled and looked at Wang Yulan, saying:

「Sure, it's nothing—go on ahead, and coincidentally, Little Taohua is in my room as well. 」

「You two are both newlywed brides who just came here—chat more, and you'll become friends later. 」

「There are still new brides in the courtyard? 」

Wang Yulan truly didn't know—after all, she had just arrived and didn't want to mingle with those aunties.

Upon learning there was a woman around her age, Wang Yulan immediately nodded with a smile, saying:

「Got it, Brother Lu. 」

After watching Wang Yulan push the door and enter the room, Lu Yuan turned his head and exclaimed, "Damn!"

Too much cold water was put in.

It's icy cold.

Lu Yuan pursed his lips, poured out most of the water in the basin, then looked at the newly entered Wang Yulan and said:

「Little Yulan, please bring me a warm kettle. 」

Having just entered the room, Wang Yulan hadn't yet greeted Chen Taohua when she quickly replied:

「Eh, okay, bro. 」

Wang Yulan looked around, not knowing where the warm kettle was, while Chen Taohua spotted it, quickly took it and handed it to Wang Yulan.

Wang Yulan also smiled and said:

「Thank you……older sister. 」

Wang Yulan didn't know how old Chen Taohua was; from her appearance she seemed about the same age, but calling her 'sister' felt better.

It's a matter of respecting people.

That's how my family has always taught me.

Chen Taohua also smiled and nodded repeatedly.

This Chen Taohua, aside from Su Liyan, was seeing for the first time that there were other new brides in the courtyard.

After all, Chen Taohua usually doesn't come out to chat with the aunties; she's always busy at home.

Thinking that she'd now have companions in the courtyard, she naturally felt happy.

Wang Yulan brought the warm kettle over to Lu Yuan's side and then handed it to him.

After Lu Yuan poured out the water, he returned the warm kettle to Wang Yulan with a smile, saying:

「Thanks, Little Yulan. 」

Wang Yulan then smiled and said:

「No problem~」

Having said that, Wang Yulan turned and left.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan thought of something, stirring the water while loudly calling to Chen Taohua in the room:

「Taohua, help me take the rice out of the pot. 」

After I wash my face and quickly finish eating, couldn't I spend a little more time teaching Chen Taohua?

So, I'm really not ordering others to work for me; I'm doing this for their benefit~

Chen Taohua immediately replied:

「Got it, Brother Lu. 」

Meanwhile, the aunties in the courtyard saw this scene and were dumbfounded.

This……

This isn't right!!

Isn't Wang Yulan Pang Kaige's wife??

Isn't Chen Taohua Gao Tingyu's wife??

How come the wives of both families are rushing into Lu Yuan's house??

Moreover, why are the new brides of both families running over to serve Lu Yuan?!!

What's going on?!!

Are Pang Kaige and Gao Tingyu getting wives for Lu Yuan??

Thanks to Old Brother Cherishing a Lifetime for 200 book coins, thank you very much~

Thanks to 'May the Estimated Matter Be Beautiful, the End Still Goodbye' and Old Brother Dongfang Fei for 100 book coins, thank you very much~

Mwah, see you tomorrow~

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(End of chapter)