Chapter 7: Comforting Tangtang

The young gentleman sighed lightly and took a big bite of the steamed bun in his hand.

He felt somewhat melancholic.

However, since it was what Li Ruantang liked, to each their own. He might as well act as a matchmaker and help them get together.

Those beautiful phoenix eyes turned and landed on the potato in her hand that was already mostly peeled.

Since sitting down at the table to drink some porridge, Li Ruantang had been busy battling with the potato skin. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, her expression one of intense concentration, as if the thin skin pinched between her fingertips was not mere peel but gold leaf.

Three people sat at the table.

Hu Sanniang and Zhou Fulang had finished eating early and gone to work in the fields, leaving only Hu Youning to keep Li Ruantang and Meng Jun company.

He had truly never seen anyone take so much trouble to peel a potato.

Hu Youning looked at Li Ruantang rather boredly, then turned to chat quietly with Meng Jun.

“Li Fulang, when you eat at home, does your lady also… um.”

The word “slow” that was about to come out was forcibly swallowed back by Hu Youning. He pondered for a moment, then very elegantly changed his wording, “Is she also this meticulous?”

Li Fulang???

Meng Jun was stunned, feeling somewhat bewildered. He instinctively glanced at Li Ruantang sitting beside him, suddenly realizing, “I…”

It had been several years since he’d seen Li Ruantang, and his childhood memories were already quite hazy. How would he know what she looked like while eating?

But the words “I don’t know” absolutely could not be uttered.

Noble families had strict rules for dining, emphasizing chewing slowly and swallowing carefully.

Moreover, Li Ruantang usually didn’t need to do things like peeling potatoes herself in daily life. It was natural for her to be slow since this was her first time doing it.

The young gentleman smiled slightly, “My wife-master is a meticulous person, so she’s also careful when doing things.”

“Oh.” Hu Youning nodded slowly. He had made plans with a friend from the village to go pick wild mushrooms in Changshan Gully today.

Although it wasn’t the rainy season yet, the mountains were shady and damp, and with some luck they might still be able to find a few. Additionally, his mother had set some traps in Changshan Gully earlier, so it was time to check if there were any catches.

Otherwise, in another day or two, there really wouldn’t be much food left at home to serve to their noble guests.

He was getting restless, but didn’t want to speak up.

Meng Jun had noticed early on that Hu Youning was starting to become distracted. The young gentleman’s eyes were gentle, containing a faint smile as he lowered his voice to ask, “Does Young Master Hu have other matters to attend to?”

Although Li Ruantang’s taste in men wasn’t very good, there was one thing she had said that was extremely accurate.

Hu Youning was indeed a simple person, and there was no need for roundabout ways when interacting with him.

So Meng Jun’s question was also straightforward.

Hu Youning’s brows lifted in joy, and he quickly nodded, “Please excuse me, Li Fulang. Father originally wanted me to eat with you, but I do have some things…”

He hesitated slightly, and Meng Jun immediately smiled and said, “Then Young Master Hu should go ahead and take care of your business. If there’s anything about the house we need to pay attention to, feel free to let me know.”

Today the sunlight outside was not very bright, with the sky a gloomy gray.

Apart from these few tiled houses that were somewhat valuable, the Hu family didn’t have much of worth. However, Zhou Fulang had also instructed Hu Youning that the noble guests probably wouldn’t know how to start a fire, so there must always be hot water in the kettle.

“Well…” Hu Youning pondered for a moment and said softly, “Does Li Fulang know how to start a fire?”

“Start a fire?” Meng Jun was troubled.

“Young Master Hu can go about his business,” said Li Ruantang, who had been silently peeling potatoes until now. She looked up with a smile, “As for starting a fire, I’ve done it a few times in the army. Young Master Hu need not worry.”

“Ah?”

Hu Youning was slightly shocked, truly not expecting Li Ruantang to dote on her husband so much. She was even willing to take on the task of lighting the stove fire, something the women in the village would never do.

He had originally thought that yesterday’s clothes washing was just Li Ruantang acting on a whim, but now it seemed she was truly and seriously taking care of her clueless husband.

Thinking this, Hu Youning’s appraising gaze fell on Meng Jun once again.

The young gentleman’s appearance was as ethereal as an immortal. Even sitting at a simple wooden table, his back remained straight, his every gesture and movement of his sleeves naturally elegant.

Those usually gentle phoenix eyes were now carefully examining the potato Li Ruantang had handed over.

“Wife-master peeled this for me?” The young gentleman’s voice was clear and cool, with barely detectable joy in the trailing tone.

Li Ruantang sprinkled some salt on the potato, “Mm, try it. I used to eat like this often when I was in the army.”

However, back then she had never peeled potato skins as meticulously as she had today.

The young gentleman took a bite, and Li Ruantang’s smile deepened.

Hu Youning watched quietly for a moment, and suddenly tasted a hint of sweetness, even more vivid than reading a romance novel.

So there really were women in this world whose gazes could be both gentle and focused.

His thoughts turned, but he was no longer in a hurry to leave. The flames danced in the stove, and Hu Youning suddenly understood what his father had said that morning.

“Young Master Hu?”

When Meng Jun came over with the kettle, what he saw was Hu Youning’s pensive profile, faintly reddened in the warm firelight.

“Li, Li Fulang.” Hu Youning had just been lost in his thoughts, and being startled by Meng Jun, he inexplicably felt a bit guilty.

He glanced at the kettle in Meng Jun’s hand and said apologetically, “The water isn’t boiling yet. Why don’t Li Fulang go back to rest in the room, and I’ll bring it to you when it’s ready.”

“How could I trouble Young Master Hu so?”

Meng Jun still had some questions he wanted to ask him. The young gentleman glanced at the tightly closed door behind him and smiled, “If Young Master Hu doesn’t mind, could you teach me how to start a fire?”

“Li Fulang wants to learn how to start a fire?!” Hu Youning was stunned.

Meng Jun nodded, “Yes.”

Those beautiful phoenix eyes showed a hint of dejection, “In this world, there are many paths one must walk alone.”

His words were melancholic, and Hu Youning grew increasingly curious.

When Li Ruantang came out of the room to change the water, she immediately saw the two men crouched by the stove, huddled together whispering.

She didn’t intentionally try to listen, but simply curved her lips in a smile and gently closed the door.

Li Ruantang was truly exhausted. Now that someone was keeping Meng Jun company, her anxious heart relaxed a bit. She had originally planned to just rest her eyes for a moment, but unknowingly fell into a deeper and deeper sleep.

In the kitchen, Hu Youning had long been stunned speechless by the story Meng Jun had woven.

“Aning, my wife-master is a good person.” The young gentleman forced out some tears with effort, “But unfortunately, we met too late. Although I’ve married her now, still…”

He sighed sadly, “My wife-master, she deserves a husband who can devote himself to her wholeheartedly.”

“I had no idea you two had such a complicated story.” Hu Youning also sighed deeply. The young men got along well, and had grown much closer.

But remembering Li Ruantang’s expression earlier, Hu Youning truly felt reluctant, “Jiujiu, I think it’s better not to reveal this to Madam Li right now.”

“Youning!” A man’s voice called loudly from outside the courtyard.

Hu Youning responded, then very comfortingly patted Meng Jun’s arm, “Wait a bit longer, at least until Madam Li’s injury is healed. I have to go out now, but when I return at noon, we can talk more.”

“Mm.”

Meng Jun lowered his eyes dejectedly as he saw Hu Youning off. The young gentleman who had just been listless suddenly raised his brows as he turned, the corners of his mouth lifting proudly.

There was definitely hope, absolutely.

Li Ruantang was sound asleep in the room. The young gentleman tiptoed in, originally intending to bring the kettle. But seeing her tightly furrowed brows,

Meng Jun’s steps halted. He leaned in closer, his fingers gently smoothing her brow, “I hope you’re not having a nightmare.”

He murmured to himself, when his wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by the sleeping Li Ruantang.

“Jiujiu.” She called out to him hazily.

“Mm.” The young gentleman’s low response was enough for Li Ruantang’s tightly knit brows to relax slightly.

Meng Jun found it fascinating and spoke again, “Li Ruantang, the potato today was very delicious.”

He had never known that simply sprinkling some salt on a boiled potato could bring out such a lingering sweetness.

“And you know, the clothes you washed for me yesterday were very clean, and the soapberry scent was very nice too.”

The young gentleman smiled and said many more things. Li Ruantang lying on the kang gradually relaxed her brows, her grip on his hand also loosening.

“Li Ruan- ahem.”

Meng Jun was about to tell her more about Hu Youning when his throat itched, causing him to cough a few times as he called her name. Her full name was cut off, leaving only the unintentionally repeated “Tangtang”.

“Oh!” The young gentleman had just caught his breath when he turned his head to find that the sleeping Li Ruantang’s complexion had suddenly become much rosier.

Could she be running a fever?

Meng Jun worried, reaching out to feel her forehead. He was even more puzzled – she had been fine just moments ago.

However, this situation was somewhat similar to when she was awake yesterday.

The young gentleman instantly had a guess. Since there was no one else around at the moment, Meng Jun took a breath. Those beautiful phoenix eyes fixed intently on the sleeping Li Ruantang, his long fingers tightening as he spoke softly and quietly, “…Tangtang?”

As soon as the words fell, he watched with his own eyes as Li Ruantang’s complexion reddened even more, like spring breezes bringing mountain flowers into bloom, enchantingly beautiful.

The young gentleman was stunned at first, then his eyes and brows were suffused with a smile. It was as if he had discovered something extraordinary. He sat on the edge of the kang, quietly calling out every so often.

Only when the neck of the sleeping woman had turned pink did Meng Jun stop with great reluctance. He used a handkerchief dampened with warm water to gently dab Li Ruantang’s reddened face.

He did this carefully and meticulously, only startling when the courtyard gate creaked open. The young gentleman suddenly realized it was already near noon.

Changshan Gully was densely forested. A few years ago, due to land subsidence, the mountain was no longer as majestic as before, with jagged rocks everywhere. The river channels were destroyed and scattered, but the water flow was not small.

When Hu Youning returned, his pant legs were soaked halfway up.

Hearing the commotion, Meng Jun entered the kitchen and was shocked by the plump fish in the bamboo basket.

“Did you catch all of these?!”

“Mm.” Hu Youning nodded rather proudly, then after a pause added, “But I didn’t find any mushrooms today, and there was nothing in the traps either.”

He had boasted before leaving that he would let Meng Jun taste some wild game, and now Hu Youning felt a bit dejected.

“But you caught so many fish. Aning, you’re really amazing.”

Meng Jun’s praise was sincere, and Hu Youning felt a bit better. As he cleaned the fish scales, he said, “There are many good things in the mountains. Today I also discovered-”

He deliberately built up suspense, waiting until Meng Jun had asked several times before lowering his voice mysteriously, “I found a ginseng flower!”

The young gentleman’s eyes lit up when he heard this. Ginseng flowers were rare, but excellent for nourishing qi and blood. With this, Li Ruantang might recover even faster.

Hu Youning let out a long sigh, “It’s a pity that the terrain there is so treacherous, and the river water today is much higher than before.”

The rest of what Hu Youning wanted to say, he didn’t. It was inauspicious.

Li Ruantang was still asleep, so it had only been Meng Jun alone all morning.

Just thinking about it made Hu Youning feel lonely.

He said with some regret, “Jiujiu, if I had known Madam Li would sleep so deeply, I should have taken you along to play in Changshan Gully.”

“You must have been very bored.”

Meng Jun shook his head instinctively, the curve of his brow and eyes making Hu Youning even more curious, “Then what did you do to pass the time?”

***

I Regained My Memory the Day Before Marrying My Arch-enemy

Here I am again, introducing another novel from my reread list! Ya!!!

The female lead is a fierce and powerful demon king. The male lead is a once-in-a-millennium celestial lord, admired by the entire cultivation world.

They are equally matched, legendary rivals who have battled for centuries.

In the final duel, the female lead is gravely injured. The male lead saves her, seals her memories, and hides her true identity. He tells her that he is her fiancé. His entire life has been flawless—except for the one thing he never expected, never controlled, and never wanted to control: falling for his greatest enemy. She is his inner demon, his obsession.

When the female lead regains her memories, she is furious at his deception.

She makes his life a living hell.

And somehow, the male lead—possibly a total masochist—doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he’s happy she’s paying attention to him.

Yep, we’re back to my favorite trope: male lead suffering. If you love this kind of story, jump into the pit with me now!!!

Intro

Dong Xia lost her memory.

Her handsome and extremely powerful fiancé Li Qing comforted her: “It’s okay if you can’t remember. I’ll always be with you.”

Everyone thought Dong Xia’s ancestors must have burned incense to get such a perfect fiancé. He was the number one person in the immortal realm, yet he remained chaste and only loved her.

…

The day before marrying her fiancé, Dong Xia finally remembered everything.

She wasn’t suffering from memory loss at all.

Her arch-enemy had made her fake her death, destroyed her cultivation, replaced her memories, and pretended to be her deeply in love fiancé.

No wonder he said, “It’s okay if you can’t remember”!

Dong Xia laughed coldly as she pulled out her long knife: Li Qing, prepare to die 🙂

*

Li Qing, as the supreme being of the immortal realm, was the people’s shining beacon.

The only unknown stain in his life was his affection for Dong Xia, the ruler of the demon realm.

In the final battle of the war between immortals and demons, the sky collapsed and the earth shattered. The ruler of the demon realm was finally slain under the sword of the supreme being of the immortal realm, and everyone in the immortal realm applauded.

The cultivation world lost a ruler of the demon realm.

And in the back mountain of Li Qing’s cave dwelling, he secretly hid away a fiancée.

Notes:

1. The female lead is white on the outside, black on the inside, and the queen of flattery; the male lead repeatedly tests the edge of darkness, a VIP guest at the crematorium.

2. Fantasy cultivation world setting.

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