Chapter 66: Farewell
“They eat well and grow fast. Next year, on the road and after arriving in Jingcheng, we might not have the time or energy to make new clothes. Being able to wear these next year is already very good.” Leng Xiao comforted her in a low voice.
Wen Nuan Nuan understood—this was just how things were in this era. Having what they had now could already be considered very fortunate.
If they didn’t have a refrigerator, if she didn’t have her dowry silver, if Leng Xiao and the others hadn’t risked their lives to venture into the mountains—not only would life after arriving in the capital be stretched thin, but their current life would also be worlds apart from what it was now.
It would have been unimaginably difficult.
In their home now, they had stored enough firewood for the entire winter, fired three kilns of durable, long-burning charcoal, gathered over a dozen large baskets of walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, hawthorns, pears, and wild vegetables, raised two sturdy horses in the stable, and saved over eight hundred taels of silver. Though it couldn’t compare to the wealthy families or the nobility in Jingcheng,
compared to their previous home, it was already as good as it could get!
Moreover, they still had a steady supply of food and a ginseng worth a thousand taels.
In times of chaos or famine, being able to secure food and warmth was already a blessing—how could it compare to life in Huaguo?
Besides, their current life far exceeded mere food and warmth.
Wen Nuan Nuan understood all these reasons, but thinking of her childhood self still brought a tinge of regret and sadness.
Leng Xiao gazed at the despondent expression on her small face, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “Whatever you want to give them, I can make it happen in the future.”
Wen Nuan Nuan absolutely agreed with this point.
Who was Leng Xiao? Not only could he give the three little ones what she wanted to give them, but he could also give her things she didn’t even dare to imagine!
“What you want, I can also give you.” Leng Xiao’s eyes grew darker and darker, the flickering candlelight masking the burning greed within them.
As long as she stayed, never leaving again.
He would give anything.
Wen Nuan Nuan gasped, all her regret and sadness instantly thrown to the back of her mind. Her heart pounded wildly.
Was this a promise meant just for her?
Had she already maxed out his favorability?
The fourth and fifth storage areas had shown no changes for a long time, and she had always thought it was because she hadn’t raised his favorability enough. But if his favorability wasn’t high enough, how could Leng Xiao already be making such a grand promise to her?
Did this mean her dream of a peaceful retirement life in the countryside was about to come true ahead of schedule?!
The big boss was truly wonderful!
“Thank you!” Wen Nuan Nuan smiled like a blooming flower, her bright eyes sparkling like stars.
She was already planning how big a courtyard to buy and how to decorate and furnish it.
Indeed, good deeds were rewarded. Moreover, she had learned another lesson: being good to the three little ones could raise Leng Xiao’s favorability even more and expand the storage room.
This was the conclusion she had drawn the day she discovered the third area of the storage room had expanded—the day she answered that life-or-death question!
That day, she had done only two things. One was answering the question—her performance was already good enough not to anger Leng Xiao, let alone raise his favorability.
The other was chatting with the three little ones about making money, life, and ideals.
Even without thinking, she knew it was the second thing that had expanded the storage room.
She realized that favorability was relatively easy to raise at first, but it became harder and harder later on, often staying stagnant for long periods.
But that made sense—she had already done everything to raise favorability, like providing food and showing care. What else was left?
She couldn’t think of anything else she could do to make Leng Xiao happy.
Fortunately, what she had now was enough, so she didn’t need to worry too much about the storage space.
“Leng Xiao, you’re so good to me! Don’t worry, I’ll be good to you too—absolutely no trouble. After all, we’re family.”
Wen Nuannuan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. Today was truly a day of abundant harvest.
She had originally thought it would take Leng Xiao a very, very long time to accept her. After all, Leng Xiao was different from the three little ones. He didn’t care much about food and drink, nor did he pay much attention to his quality of life. He had the ability and skills to support himself and the three little ones—the only difference being that their food and lodging would be worse. Such a person wouldn’t accept her just because she made a few tasty dishes and drinks or said a few caring words.
Unexpectedly, it went much more smoothly than she had anticipated.
From childhood to adulthood, her luck had never been particularly good. But after meeting them, her luck seemed to have taken a turn for the better!
Perhaps in the near future, she could live the leisurely, comfortable, solitary life she desired.
“Mm, one family.” Leng Xiao pursed his thin lips, carefully restraining himself as a faint curve lifted at the corners of his mouth.
Due to the constraints of the terrain, the households at the foot of the mountain were distributed in a long, narrow strip, all located to the right of the Leng Family. The distance from one end to the other was quite far.
The Leng Family had only settled here a few years ago. The better locations had long been taken, leaving only the area closest to the mountain range, which was prone to attacks from wild animals that might wander down by mistake.
But the Leng Family didn’t mind, and Wen Nuannuan minded even less.
On the contrary, she thought it was quite good—peaceful and secluded. Once the courtyard gate was closed, it formed a quiet, unique little world of its own.
Moreover, they weren’t close to any other households, so there were very few visitors dropping by to chat.
Now, the entire family was gathered in the courtyard, near the carriage.
After a night of heavy snow, thick snow had accumulated on the roof, the walls, and the ground, reaching up to their ankles. It sparkled like white sugar, a truly beautiful sight.
Wen Nuannuan, wearing cotton shoes, stepped onto the snow with a sense of novelty, stomping here and there.
As she stomped, she marveled at how wonderful the texture felt!
“Sister-in-law, it’s only the first day. It’ll get even thicker later. Come see Eldest Brother off first,” Leng Yun reminded her anxiously. Eldest Brother had been eagerly waiting for Sister-in-law to come over.
Wen Nuannuan hurriedly scurried over to the carriage. “Leaving so early?”
“Mm, I need to go to the city first to pick up some things.” Leng Xiao’s tense, icy expression softened, as if the snow and ice were beginning to thaw.
Thinking of food, Wen Nuannuan quickly reached out and handed him some silver. “The prepared cooked food is enough for six or seven days. It won’t keep well for too long. Take more silver with you. If the rain or snow is heavy and Eldest Brother can’t deliver supplies in time, buy food to eat. Don’t be reluctant to spend.”
Leng Xiao pressed down on the small hand before him. The softness of her touch made his heart tremble slightly, but he managed to restrain himself without showing it. “There’s still plenty of silver from the last delivery. No need to give more.”
Wen Nuannuan thought incredulously, How could anyone think they have too much silver?
Wasn’t it always better to have as much silver on hand as possible?
The more than four hundred taels from the last purchase of goods—Leng Xiao hadn’t kept a single tael, letting her save it all.
Was the mindset of someone destined for great things already so broad that they didn’t care about such amounts of silver?
“Eldest Brother,” the two little ones called out reluctantly.
Leng Xiao gave a faint reminder: “Remember to get up early and heat the kang.”
“We know! We’ll make sure Sister-in-law sleeps warm and cozy!” the two little ones replied, their voices crisp and loud.
Wen Nuannuan just wanted to find a hole to crawl into!
Great, now everyone thought she loved sleeping in.
Leng Xiao nodded with considerable satisfaction.
His phoenix eyes, fixed on Wen Nuannuan, were deep and profound, as if shimmering with rippling light. He gently reminded her, still somewhat uneasy: “Don’t play in the snow in the morning. Wait until the afternoon when Eldest Brother brings back clothes for you to change into before playing.”
What was so beautiful about a sky full of snow?
However, as long as she liked it, there was no harm in waiting until the deerskin boots, snow hat, and heavy cloak arrived.