Lin Yue didn’t even need to turn his head to know it was his mother making the noise. Accepting gifts seemed to be her absolute limit. To avoid triggering her sensitive nerves, Lin Yue silently took a step back, smiling as he looked at Shen Huaizhi and said, “Is there anything else you need to say? If not, I’ll head back to my room.”

Shen Huaizhi shook his head, a flush of embarrassment spreading across his face. Today had been too abrupt—they really shouldn’t have met.

Lin Yue blinked reassuringly, then turned toward the side room.

“Wait… wait for me to come marry you.”

Hearing the low whisper behind him, Lin Yue’s footsteps halted. An inexplicable flush crept over his face. Without turning back, he gave a slight nod and strode purposefully into the house.

Shen Huaizhi remained rooted to the spot until Lin Yue disappeared inside. Only then did he exhale a long breath and step into the main hall.

Inside, the parents of both families sat composedly at the front of the hall, conversing at a measured pace, showing no sign of having just peered through the window.

As soon as Shen Huaizhi entered, he bowed respectfully to Lin Yue’s parents, then replied courteously before taking his place behind his own parents.

Their visit today had been solely to set the wedding date and allow the two children to meet once more. With the matter settled, it would be inappropriate to linger at the Lin residence. Song Xunchun lifted her teacup, took a sip, and offered their farewells: “It’s getting late. We shan’t stay much longer today. Soon we’ll be family. If you have time, in-laws, please visit us often.”

Zhou Wenlan rose with them. “Lin Yang has already started cooking. It’ll be ready soon. Please stay for a meal before leaving.”

Song Xunchun declined: “No need, no need. Lingzhi must have prepared dinner at home by now. We can’t leave him waiting. We’ll have plenty of time together; one meal won’t make a difference.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhou Wenlan escorted the Shen family to the door, walking them all the way to the riverside before turning back.

In the Lin household’s kitchen, Lin Yang was frantically preparing dinner. His culinary skills were mediocre at best—merely capable of cooking things until edible. Lin Yue had intended to help, but Lin Yang confidently declined. “Bro, just sit and relax. I’ll definitely get this cooked. I’ve got it all planned out—two dishes and a soup. Simple.”

Lin Yue thought to himself: That confident? Who was it last time who oversalted the cabbage stir-fry? Too stingy to throw it out, we ended up reheating it with a whole pot of water just to make it edible.

Ah, well, better not crush his confidence. What if his skills suddenly improve today and he actually cooks three dishes that look, smell, and taste amazing?

“Then I really won’t help at all—not even with the stove.”

Lin Yang frowned. “Bro, you always have me tend the stove when you cook. How can you not help me when I’m cooking?”

Lin Yue sighed dramatically. “Oh, I thought I could finally relax and wait for my meal today. Looks like I’ll have to get my hands dirty after all.”

Lin Yang felt that line sounded familiar, like he’d heard it recently, but he couldn’t quite place it. Scratching the back of his head, he changed his tune. “Fine then. I’ll tend the fire myself. You just sit down, bro.”

Lin Yue looked satisfied but asked again for confirmation, “Really? Are you sure you can handle it?”

“I can, I can! I’m not chatting with you anymore. I need to focus on cooking.”

Lin Yue could barely suppress the smile tugging at his lips. He quickly raised his cup to cover his mouth—if he laughed out loud now, Lin Yang would definitely catch on, and that would be a loss.

With Zhou Wenlan and Lin Yuan both absent, Lin Yue found himself sitting alone, bored. He reached into his robe and pulled out the face cream Shen Huaizhi had given him earlier, setting it on the table. Staring at the jar, he began to space out.

The little jar was quite pretty. Though made of pottery, it looked exquisitely crafted, adorned with patterns. Lin Yue thought it could easily serve as a decorative piece. Who knew this guy had such good taste?

Lost in thought, Lin Yue suddenly let out a long, drawn-out sigh. Startled by the sound, Lin Yang, who was chopping vegetables nearby, raised his voice to ask, “Bro, what’s up?”

Lin Yue answered slowly, enunciating each syllable: “I’m troubled.”

“Troubled by what?”

“The return gift.”

Lin Yang couldn’t fathom what was so troubling about it—sending food, clothing, or household items should suffice, right? But he knew better than to voice that thought aloud; his brother would beat him if he did.

After racking his brain for a long time, he finally suggested, “Bro, you could embroider a handkerchief or a pouch. Last time we went chopping wood, we ran into Brother Lin Qiao. He was bragging about how his fiancée sent him a handkerchief—he looked so happy. That Shen Huaizhi guy would probably like it too.”

“That’s rude. How can you call someone by their first name? Call him ‘Brother’.”

Lin Yang: “I know, I know! I wouldn’t call him that to his face. I’d definitely address him as ‘Brother’ when we’re together.”

“That’s more like it. Otherwise, he’d think you’re rude.”

Lin Yue paused after speaking, then asked doubtfully, “Will this really work? My embroidery skills are mediocre. What if he dislikes it? I’d be so embarrassed.”

Lin Yang shook his head emphatically: “Bro, you just don’t get it. It’s not about the craftsmanship—it’s the sentiment!”

Lin Yue suddenly grew serious. “How old are you to understand sentiment? You haven’t gotten into trouble, have you? Or learned bad habits from those hooligans like Lin Yan?”

Lin Yang hadn’t expected his brother’s wild imagination and quickly shook his head. “Bro, what are you thinking? I never hang out with them. Brother Lin Qiao told me.”

Lin Yue finally relaxed, though he still teased, “Why does Brother Lin Qiao tell you everything? Doesn’t he know how old you are?”

Lin Yang always felt his brother mentally stuck him at age ten, even though he was already a thirteen-and-a-half-year-old young man. Oh well, he was the older brother, so he got to decide.

“If not a handkerchief or a pouch, what do you want to give him? Or should we go buy something in town another day?”

Lin Yue remained troubled. “I haven’t decided. I feel like making something myself would be more appropriate. If I buy something and it’s not right, it’s a waste. But if I make it myself, it doesn’t matter. I won’t feel bad if I throw it away.”

Lin Yang silently rolled his eyes. His brother sounded so noble, but if Shen Huaizhi ever dared throw it away, his brother would hold a grudge forever. Remember last birthday? His brother embroidered a pouch for him, but he accidentally dropped it while playing outside. They searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. His brother was furious for ages, and it took Lin Yang days of coaxing to finally get his forgiveness.

Huh? What’s that smell?

Lin Yang looked down and saw that the food in the pot had burned…

He stole a glance at Lin Yue. Seeing his brother still lost in thought, he quickly scooped the burnt food out of the pot. Phew, his brother hadn’t noticed. This meant he’d only get scolded during dinner today. He felt relieved.

Lin Yue pondered for a long time before slapping his thigh. “I’ve decided—I’ll just give the pouch. If I embroider it slowly, no one will notice my poor needlework.”

Lin Yang nodded wildly. “Bro, that’s a great idea. It’ll definitely work.”

“Oh, when do you plan to give it to him?”

Lin Yue had already considered this. “Depends on the situation. If I get the chance, I’ll give it before the wedding. If not, then on the wedding day itself.”

Lin Yang agreed. It was just a gift—no need to overthink it.

“Brother, go call Father and Mother for dinner. I’ll bring the dishes.”

“Alright.”

Lin Yue took the small jar of face cream in his hand, first running back to the side room to set it down before heading to the main hall to call everyone.

During the meal, Lin Yang was constantly on edge. To his surprise, by the time they finished eating, no one mentioned that he’d overcooked the vegetables. It was a family eating absentmindedly.

After the meal, the family split into two groups to head out to the fields. The Lin brothers, Lin Yue and Lin Yang, carried seeds and hoisted hoes as they went to the cornfield on the east side. The corn had been planted only a few days ago and was just beginning to sprout. They needed to check for any missed spots and replant any that hadn’t emerged. The empty corners of the field also needed to be promptly planted with soybeans and pumpkins.

Zhou Wenlan and Lin Yuan, meanwhile, took their sickles and bamboo baskets to the western fields. There, they had planted an acre of wheat and half an acre of buckwheat. The wheat was now ready for harvest.

Replanting was one of the less demanding tasks. Upon reaching the field, Lin Yue didn’t rush to work. He scanned the area and exclaimed happily, “Looks like everything’s sprouted! We might have plenty of seeds left over.”

Lin Yang was equally pleased. “And our seedlings look bigger. This year’s harvest is bound to be good.”

“Let’s work quickly. It’d be best to finish replanting today so we don’t have to come back tomorrow.”

”Got it, brother. You take this side, and I’ll cover the opposite.”

Farm work waits for no one. The Lin family had been delayed lately by wedding preparations. To finish the farm tasks on time, the family of four worked from dawn till dusk every day for over ten consecutive days.

Finally, after threshing the wheat, drying it, and storing it in the granary, the Lin family breathed a sigh of relief. Those days of drying the wheat had been nerve-wracking, fearing sudden rain might catch them unprepared. Now, at last, their worries were over.

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, too. With the work finally done, he could turn his attention to embroidering the pouch as a return gift. He hadn’t expected the wedding preparations to take so many days, leaving him no time for it. Now he could finally begin. If he didn’t start soon, he feared he might not finish it in time for the wedding day.

After finishing the fieldwork, though other tasks still awaited, none were urgent. Zhou Wenlan decided to rest at home for a day.

That morning, all four family members slept in, rising only when the sun was high in the sky. The previous days of labor had meant hurried meals, and Lin Yang had long looked forward to a proper feast once the work was done.

The moment Lin Yue got up, Lin Yang followed him around, serving tea and fetching water, his face beaming with eager attentiveness. Lin Yue couldn’t take it anymore. “I already agreed yesterday! Stop trailing after me—you’re making my eyes spin! Go tidy up the kitchen first. I’ll start cooking soon.”

Lin Yang chuckled. “Brother, can we have two different kinds of pastries today?”

“Sure.”

“Can we have meat?”

“Sure.”

“Then can we have two kinds of meat?”

“Get lost.”

“Got it.”