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墨書 Inktalez
At Liu Qingxi's home, the engagement of the two children was finally settled, and the two parents were chatting happily together.
"Elder Ying, from now on we will be in-laws. Don't worry, I live nearby and will keep an eye on Qingxi for you."
"Yes, I only took on a disciple at this age. I treat him like my own child, so you will have to take good care of him."
"This is what I should do. Elder Ying, please don't be polite. Now that the engagement is settled, I can rest easy. Otherwise, such a good child like Qingxi might be taken away by someone else."
To leave a good impression of Liu Qingxi, Elder Ying praised Yang Yichen extensively. However, since he was his own disciple, he was protective and knew that in the future, Qingxi would be his support.
"Oh dear, Elder Ying, you must be tired from coming all this way. It's all because Yichen is too impatient."
Honestly, the Wen family never expected their son to be so eager as to directly invite Elder Ying to Lingjiang Provincial City. However, being able to settle the engagement of the two children before the New Year fulfilled a long-held wish.
The next day, news about the engagement of Yang Scholar and Miss Liu spread quickly: "They are truly a perfect match with their talents and looks."
"Indeed! Both of them have helped us through many difficulties during earthquakes and ordinary times. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have been able to relax at home during this cold season."
Everyone thought this made perfect sense. In previous years, even when it was cold and rivers froze over, people still had to brave the chill to chop wood or search for the little food that remained for winter supplies.
But this year? With Liu Qingxi around, every family earned at least twenty taels; food and warm clothing were prepared well in advance.
Thus, they sincerely sent their best wishes to Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen from the bottom of their hearts.
Even if in the future the two faced numerous obstacles and powerful forces, the villagers would steadfastly stand by their side through thick and thin. But that is a story for another time.
Time flew by as Elder Ying completed his mission and hurried back to Lingjiang Province.
Just as he left, a snowstorm suddenly arrived, bringing back the same scene as last year. However, this time the heavy snow fell in a different environment and with a different mindset.
Last year, the thatched cottage was bent under the weight of the snow, teetering on the brink of collapse. But this year, every household lived in new homes that were warm in winter and cool in summer. A pot of charcoal fire was lit, filling the room with a cozy warmth.
Families gathered together, chatting about daily life while working on various tasks.
The women were busy with needlework, while the men hung autumn produce on tree branches. Under the eaves, bright yellow corn cobs were brought inside to be slowly shelled.
This was not only a source of food but also a way to select some good seeds for next year's planting.
Children surrounded the adults, sometimes tugging at the thread or grabbing a piece of corn. Even when they caused mischief, the adults would not scold them; at most, they would laugh and chide lightly, allowing the children to play freely.
At Liu Qingxi's home, when he opened the door in the morning, thick snow blocked the entrance to Crimson's room. The cold air rushed in, carrying both the chill of the snow and the refreshing feel of winter.
The yard was blanketed in white, with Big White's vegetables covered under a thick layer of snow.
In the yard stood an Old Huai Tree, resembling an elderly man with its white beard-like branches. It trembled slightly, causing snowflakes to fall with a soft thud—cold and crisp—some even landing in his palm.
"It's snowing!" he sighed lightly. Even though he had grown accustomed to the snowy winters over three seasons—spring, summer, and autumn—seeing this scene again still brought a sense of awe.
In the backyard, there was a commotion from the trainees. Six burly men continued their training despite the snow. They paired off into groups of two, practicing close combat—throwing punches and kicks with strength that sent clouds of snow flying around them.
Before long, in the Cave, several people were covered in white snow, but they felt warm and full of energy.
Indeed, the training over the past half month had not been in vain. "Alright, let's take a break," Liu Yi instructed the brothers below.
Under his leadership, their skills had undergone a qualitative leap; they were no longer just showpieces, but every move targeted vital points.
"Liu Yi, come eat!" Aunt Xu and Ye Aunty shouted from the backyard after preparing the meal, to which the men responded with loud voices like ringing bells.
Soon, the Front Yard and Dining Room were filled with people. Liu Qingxi sat at a table with Liu Qingyan and two women, while the other six men gathered at another table.
There were no formalities; being with these people felt more like being with family.
Time continued to pass, flowing through their fingers.
Every few days, Liu Qingxi taught the girls to read and write, while Aunt Xu and Ye Aunty prepared various strange yet delicious dishes according to Liu Qingxi's instructions.
Liu Yi and the others primarily focused on training, taking turns to keep watch and ensure the safety of the home.
Days passed quietly. Occasionally at night, Yang Yichen would come by to cause some trouble. Liu Qingxi had grown accustomed to it; their interactions resembled those of an old couple, with a subtle warmth shared between them that needed no explicit acknowledgment.
With just a glance, they could understand each other's intentions.
And so, the New Year arrived.
This was Liu Qingxi's second New Year spent here, marking a fruitful year.
This year, she successfully formed the Construction Team, earning the admiration of thousands and receiving a decree from the capital, even gaining a master who treated her as his own.
With such achievements, it has been a fruitful year filled with joy and laughter.
Starting from the twenty-third day of the Lunar New Year, they followed traditional customs to worship the Stove God, clean their homes, steam buns, make dumplings, and even slaughter chickens and fish. The aroma filled the air of every household.
In stark contrast, in a dilapidated house on the verge of collapse outside the village, two figures sat motionless, watching the lively scene in the village while reflecting on their own misery.
Their cotton clothes had been worn for a long time, cold and stiff against their bodies. The painful ordeal made their eyelids droop, lips chapped, and frostbite covered their hands and feet.
The two were none other than Wang and Liu Eldest, who had been punished and expelled from the village.
Since the day the villagers executed their punishment, they had moved here, a distance of about half a mile from Ten Li Pu—neither far nor near.
"Aren't you going to hurry up and cook?" the man said impatiently, shoving his hands into his sleeves.
Wang was not easy to deal with, especially after experiencing Liu Eldest's betrayal. Her heart was filled with hatred towards him; she was just a young woman suffering alongside him, only to end up with him being involved with a shameless woman.
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