Chapter 263: Front Waves, Back Waves

He Jinglan had already given up, not hesitating to expose her past.

"I even got my brother to bring me lots of calligraphy practice sheets, secretly practicing behind your back. The result is, every time, yes, every single time, whenever I take out my confident work and try to compare it with yours, I find you're still stronger than me!"

He Jinglan wore a smile, but her voice was through gritted teeth.

Gu Xixi and Shitou nodded in sudden realization.

So that's how He Jinglan (Mr. He) cultivated such superb calligraphy!

"It's all in the past, don't dwell on it." Mu Nan Zhao gave He Jinglan a smile, saying, "Compared to He Jinghui's handwriting that crawls like a turtle, yours now flows like clouds and water, already showing your own style."

He Jinglan weakly forced a laugh, "Heh!"

"I've never beaten you once; anyone can praise me, but I won't accept your praise!"

Mu Nan Zhao nodded, "Not bad, very backbone."

Shitou clenched his fist and said, "From today on I'll double my efforts practicing calligraphy; someday I'll surpass both of you!"

Gu Xixi felt relieved, "Not bad, very backbone."

"As the saying goes, 'The waves behind push forward those ahead; the front waves die on the shallows.' Shitou, I have high hopes for you!"

The two front waves instantly became unhappy.

Mu Nan Zhao: "Have you been able to recite the texts Master Liu taught recently? How's your understanding? Have you learned to write essays?"

He Jinglan: "Exactly! Studies, studies—just practicing calligraphy is far from enough!"

Gu Xixi felt in her heart that indeed only a shared crisis could turn enemies into friends.

When preparing dinner, Zhou's madam again brought over two bowls of pickled vegetables.

She said with a smile, "Hearing that Mr. Chen is coming back today truly makes me happy for you, so I wanted to bring some pickled vegetables to celebrate."

"Both kinds are freshly made; the wild garlic has been pickled for six days, and I just opened the jar today for your continued freshness."

"The ginger‑juice tender fern salad is just tossed; it might taste even better if left until tomorrow morning."

Zhang Shen took the two bowls, glanced at them, and smiled, "Just smelling them whets the appetite."

"The fern salad is just tossed; it looks like our pickled‑vegetable Xishi will be heading to town again tomorrow to make a fortune."

Zhou's madam laughed, "Just a small business to get by—where would it count as striking it rich?"

Other villagers have to pay out of pocket when they eat her family's pickled vegetables.

So Zhou's madam came to Gu Xixi's house to deliver the vegetables, not wanting anyone to see, and thus arrived under cover of night.

After exchanging a few jokes, she then inquired about planting millet.

"Xixi ah, my two mu of millet will definitely follow your lead. We'll buy whatever pesticides and fertilizers you say."

"But is that workshop you mentioned trustworthy?"

"After all, he's an outsider—will his products cut corners?"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "I can guarantee it won't happen; I'm too lazy to do it myself, so from now on we'll use the same as everyone else."

Zhou's madam relaxed a bit and asked, "Everyone's millet has been sown; the workshop will deliver in two days—can it supply everyone?"

"Besides our village, there are also many relatives of the Gu clan; if there isn't enough to go around, who gets first, who gets second…"

Gu Xixi understood Zhou's madam's intention—nothing more than wanting to pull strings to get the pesticides and fertilizers first.

She said gently, "I understand; everyone fears missing the farming season."

"You can rest assured; the first batch will surely be enough."

"I also mentioned today that pesticide and fertilizer use for millet should be applied in stages, and the amount is actually not large."

Zhou's madam felt a little embarrassed, "If that's the case, then I can relax."

He Jinglan deliberately lightened the mood, "Sister‑in‑law, you know An Qinghe too; he handles things—aren't you still uneasy?"

Zhou's madam laughed, "Right, right, we're all our own people."

With the moon atop the treetops, Mu Nan Zhao walked out of the west room carrying a set of clean inner garments.

He has always loved cleanliness; he didn't expect that this time, upon returning, a bathhouse had been built in the courtyard—just fill the big tub inside with water beforehand, and he can shower anytime.

Summer naturally makes one sweat; a few days ago Mu Nan Zhao rode on horseback, rushing along, and ended up covered in dust and grime, which he could no longer tolerate.

Thinking about being able to take a refreshing cold shower soon, Mu Nan Zhao's icy face also gained a touch of pleasure.

However, as he approached, he saw two people blocking the bathhouse door.

He Jinglan said, "Taking a shower is Xixi's clever idea; if you want to use this bathhouse, you ought to give something in return."

Mu Nan Zhao frowned, "Three boxes of exotic Western Region seeds aren't enough?"

Gu Xixi said, "One thing at a time—the seeds weren't sent to me by Chen Fang via Chen Yuan, so what do they have to do with you, Mu Nan Zhao?"

Mu Nan Zhao fell silent.

It's deliberate; this woman is clearly settling scores after the fact.

He Jinglan strained to hold back laughter, "Just because of those seeds, Xixi acknowledging Chen Yuan in front of so many people already settles the score."

Mu Nan Zhao lifted his eyelids, "Speak up—what else do you want?"

He Jinglan said, "The art of disguise."

Mu Nan Zhao pondered a moment, then readily agreed, "Making you two masks would be fine."

"But it won't be that easy right away; this mask of mine was given to me years ago by a friend from the Southern Border, made of human skin, extremely thin and snug to the face."

"Later I tried others, but they all had minor flaws and couldn't match this lifelike adherence."

"'Human skin?' Gu Xixi exclaimed, suddenly feeling a bit nauseous."

He Jinglan said, "I've heard of human‑skin masks and human‑skin drums before, but I've never seen the genuine article."

She reached out to Mu Nan Zhao, "Quickly take it out so we can have a look."

Mu Nan Zhao produced an object from his sleeve pouch—thin, supple, and semi‑transparent.

Gu Xixi's scalp went numb.

Although I know that besides burying the living with the dead, ancient times also had practices such as making musical instruments from human bones and skin, etc.

But as a soul from modern times, she is still unable to accept human-made products.

"Never mind the trouble; after thinking it over, I feel I'm not suited to wear a human-skin mask."

"If there is really a need, I can do makeup and adornment."

Mu Nan Zhao saw through at a glance, "Are you afraid?"

Gu Xixi didn't want to show weakness in front of him, "Still, still okay."

In the night, Mu Nan Zhao seemed to chuckle lightly.

"Don't worry, where would there be so much suitable human skin; normally they just melt deer sinew, mix it with a special secret medicine, and after solidifying it becomes flexible but not hard."

"Made by a professional mask maker according to each person's different face shape, air-dried and stored; before use, soak in cold water for half an hour, and it can be reused up to five times."

He Jinglan sighed, "Such a complicated thing, usable only five times, the cost is high."

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Human-skin ones are even rarer to encounter; for your ordinary needs, deer sinew is sufficient."

"Afterwards, go find Master Liu; he will naturally help you arrange things."

Gu Xixi secretly let out a sigh of relief.

He Jinglan laughed, "Great, Xixi; actually I also don't really want to stick someone else's skin on my face."

Gu Xixi said with a bitter face, "Don't say it."

Since the deal was settled, He Jinglan voluntarily made space.

He turned his head to look at Gu Xixi again, but she still stood there motionless.

"I have one more request; it won't harm your interests, you just need to simply agree."