Chapter 46: Leng Xiao Returns, Preparing to Enter the Mountains

Wen Nuan Nuan planned to make some egg pancakes after dinner—some to roll with pickled vegetables, others to roll with beef sauce, wrapped in oiled paper to eat during the first two days in the mountains.

She would also boil some tea eggs and let them steep in the iron pot to absorb the flavor, taking them along when they set out.

Would these provisions be enough?

She knew Eldest Brother had a big appetite and ate well, so she had prepared enough for two people based on his portion.

What about Leng Xiao?

How was his appetite?

Would what she prepared be enough for him?

“What are you thinking about?” a low, gentle voice asked.

“Wondering if the food will be enough,” Wen Nuan Nuan instinctively replied.

Then, she suddenly looked up at the tall, slender figure standing before her!

Wen Nuan Nuan abruptly stood up, stammering in shock, “L-Leng Xiao, h-how did you get back?”

His handsome phoenix eyes gradually filled with a smile that reached their depths.

The originally cold, distant aura around him, like the bright moon in the far-off sky, seemed to thaw like melting snow, the chill dissipating considerably.

“We set off tomorrow morning, so naturally I should return today to rest.”

Rest? Wen Nuan Nuan’s mouth fell open in surprise.

Realizing this expression was unbecoming, she quickly closed her mouth and lowered her head.

Stay calm, don’t panic—this really isn’t a big problem.

“Where will you rest?” she asked, not waiting for Leng Xiao to answer before hastily adding, “I don’t sleep well, so you should squeeze in with Eldest Brother and the others tonight.”

Leng Xiao silently glanced at her. Wen Nuan Nuan felt her eyesight must be quite sharp, as she could actually detect a hint of grievance in his expression from that one look?

Impossible—this was the male lead.

How could he easily feel aggrieved?

After a long pause, Leng Xiao nodded lightly and softly replied, “Mm.”

He and Eldest Brother would set off at dawn tomorrow, and disturbing her sleep wouldn’t be good.

Wen Nuan Nuan breathed a sigh of relief—she really had overthought things.

She quickly corrected her thoughts. What was she thinking?

She had clearly agreed with Leng Xiao that she was just clinging to his coattails, relying on his power to protect her, and had promised she wouldn’t cause trouble, wouldn’t cling to him, and absolutely wouldn’t act out!

How could she imagine Leng Xiao feeling aggrieved?

She really was shallow, capable of imagining anything.

Sitting back down on the edge of the bed, she began taking out the food from the bamboo basket while explaining, “Check this—I’ve prepared one set of clothes and shoes, seventy crispy pancakes in total, over ten catties of braised beef, and some biscuits—just dry little cakes. After dinner, I’ll make some egg pancakes and boil a pot of tea eggs for you to take tomorrow morning. Will that be enough?”

The evening glow of the setting sun shone through the thin, auspicious cloud-patterned window gauze, casting a soft golden light over the gentle figure sitting on the edge of the bed.

Leng Xiao listened quietly, his gaze fixed on the gentle person by the bedside, his expression momentarily dazed.

Wen Nuan Nuan, having waited a long time for a response, looked up and saw Leng Xiao somewhat lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?”

Leng Xiao snapped back to reality and shook his head gently. “Nothing.”

It was just that this scene felt so beautiful it seemed unreal.

So beautiful it felt like something that could only appear in a dream.

“It’s enough. For entering the mountains, we need to bring salt and an iron kettle. When we catch pheasants or hares, we’ll clean them and roast them to eat, and use the iron kettle to boil water.”

Hearing they would use the iron kettle to boil water for drinking, Wen Nuan Nuan felt relieved. She had been worried earlier about the safety of drinking unboiled water.

She hadn’t expected those entering the mountains to pay attention to such details.

“The weather is getting colder. No matter the harvest, come back early. I still have… over three hundred taels of silver. If we’re frugal, it should be enough to settle in the capital.” The two little ones were still waiting at home.

Wen Nuan Nuan had initially thought that stepping into the role of “family” would feel awkward and uncomfortable. But ever since learning that Leng Xiao had kept his promise and prioritized her safety, she naturally began to care for him in return.

People, after all, truly are reciprocal beings.

She was the type who, when treated well by others, felt compelled to repay them twofold or even more. She could never accept kindness from others with a clear conscience.

Leng Xiao’s usually cool voice warmed slightly: “Mm, I’ll come home early.”

He had wanted to tell her to keep her silver—that he would make up for whatever was spent. But after a moment’s hesitation, he held back.

From now on, everything he earned would be hers. What was there to make up for?

It was a rare family reunion. Since Leng Xiao and Eldest Brother would be heading into the mountains early the next morning, Wen Nuan Nuan prepared an exceptionally lavish dinner.

She stewed a large clay pot of old hen and Chinese yam soup, reheated Red-Braised Pork Trotters, beer duck, and Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, pan-fried green pepper and egg pancakes, made eggplant with minced meat and vermicelli casserole, mapo tofu, and stir-fried cabbage hearts.

In addition to white rice, she also tossed a large bowl of Scallion Oil Noodles.

Every dish was prepared in generous portions!

So much so that when Leng Xiao came to the table and saw this feast, his typically aloof expression cracked slightly. “Do you all… eat like this at home normally?”

“Not just that! We also have Braised Pork, twice-cooked pork, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and all sorts of dishes in rotation. And Sister-in-law says a balanced diet with meat and vegetables is nutritious and helps us grow taller. Basically, every meal has meat, vegetables, eggs, and soup—and it’s always white rice or fine flour! Even when we have coarse grain porridge for breakfast, Sister-in-law makes it taste way better than anything we could cook. Big Brother, it’s really so delicious! You’ll get to eat like this every day once you’re back on leave!” Leng Yun stood before his eldest brother, recounting everything in detail.

Wen Nuan Nuan felt a little embarrassed by the praise. “Not really, we couldn’t possibly finish this much every meal.”

As a modern person, the idea of a balanced diet with meat and vegetables was practically common sense—something everyone knew.

If they had no means, that would be one thing. But with so many ingredients available, failing to combine them properly would just be foolish.

And as a food lover passionate about cuisine, she naturally enjoyed researching how to eat well.

“Let’s eat while it’s hot.”

Once Eldest Brother returned from the mountain and lit the charcoal, they could use the red clay small stove and a small iron pot to keep the dishes warm, enjoying hot food throughout the meal.

Wen Nuan Nuan tore off the fragrantly stewed chicken legs—one for Eldest Brother and one into Leng Xiao’s bowl. “You two have these. The three of us at home can eat them anytime.”

Leng Xiao looked up, his phoenix eyes deep and intense as they fixed on the petite face glowing with a sweet smile…

With worries weighing on her mind, Wen Nuan Nuan slept restlessly. Hearing faint sounds from the main hall, she got up immediately.

Opening her door, she saw Leng Xiao helping Eldest Brother tightly wrap three-finger-wide cloth strips around his wrists and ankles.

The two little ones were also awake, watching quietly nearby, their youthful faces unable to hide their concern.

Wen Nuan Nuan understood that for a family to thrive, it couldn’t rely on just one person. Each had their own responsibilities, and each contributed to the best of their abilities.

Their future power and status would not have been possible without everyone’s proactive and resilient character.

Wen Nuan Nuan turned and went into the kitchen to cook a large pot of dumplings.

After they ate the warm meal, she saw them off outside the courtyard gate. Leng Xiao turned and solemnly instructed the two little ones: “No matter what happens, never leave her alone.”

“Big Brother, don’t worry, we understand!” Leng Chen and Leng Yun promised in unison, their expressions earnest.

Wen Nuan Nuan, who had hurried over with the tea eggs, saw the four of them looking grave. Had something happened?

“You all go back first,” Leng Xiao said, his expression returning to normal as if the earlier gravity had been nothing but Nuan Nuan’s illusion.

The three understood that Eldest Brother had something to say to his sister-in-law. The two younger ones said their goodbyes and left for home without delay, while Leng Tian turned and headed up the mountain first.

Nuan Nuan stood there in a daze for a moment before stepping forward and handing over the wrapped tea eggs, her voice soft as she said, “Eldest Brother said you liked these.”

The youth, as radiant as the moon in the sky, replied in a low voice tinged with an almost imperceptible tenderness:

“Mm, wait for me to come back.”