Ti spent with the children always flies by quickly. As soon as noon arrives, the children scatter to return to their hos for lunch. In the afternoon, not all of them co back, because the good weather ans they are often up in the mountains collecting herbs. The older kids help with work in the fields, leaving only the younger ones to continue playing with He Zhilan at the Niu Family’s place.
At noon, He Zhilan ate with the Niu Family. als in the village were just as simple as the ones back in He Zhilan’s hotown—very plain. Like ordinary farrs, at was only seen during holidays, celebrations, or when guests visited. However, river fish was common on every household’s dining table, much like how cicada larvae would occasionally show up during the sumr.
Niu’s father was just saying how it felt like soone was missing in the house ever since He Teng left, when suddenly a shadow appeared outside the courtyard gate and pushed it open.
"Zhilan! Uncle, Aunt!"
The person entering was none other than He Teng, who had gone out earlier in the morning! As soon as he spoke, he startled everyone!
He Zhilan imdiately put down her bowl and walked over, asking repeatedly, "Why did you suddenly co back?"
He Teng was about to speak, but when he saw everyone in the room staring at him curiously, waiting for an answer, his ears flushed red. He said, "I’m forgetful. I left sothing back in the house and ca back specifically to get it. Zhilan, co help find it. I can’t rember where I put it."
Though He Zhilan was puzzled—knowing full well that He Teng was not the forgetful type—she followed him without questioning further. After all, he was much better at organizing things than she was, and there didn’t seem to be anything he could have left behind in the house. However, when she noticed his slightly reddened ears, she chose not to expose him and followed him back to their shared room.
Once inside the room and away from others, He Zhilan didn’t hold back anymore. "Brother, just what is it you left behind here that made you co all the way back without worrying about the trouble? You didn’t even leave a single pair of socks here."
"There’s nothing," He Teng admitted, shaking his head. Then he pulled out a velvet box from his luggage bag. The mont He Zhilan saw its exquisite packaging, she froze for a mont.
"Wife, this is for you! I saw this pendant the last ti I went to the county and thought it suited you well, but I didn’t buy it back then. So, I made sure to get it this ti and ca all the way back just to deliver it to you," He Teng said as he opened the velvet box and took out the Red Tourmaline necklace inside. "Do you like it? Want to put it on for you?"
"You specially bought this for ? And braved all this way down the mountain just to put it on yourself?" Tears welled up in He Zhilan’s eyes despite her best efforts to hold them back. "You idiot! He Teng, you big idiot! Couldn’t you have just waited until you ca to pick up? Coming back like this, making an unnecessary trip—aren’t you tired?"
"How is this an unnecessary trip? I bought it and couldn’t wait to see how it looked on you," He Teng said with a smile. "Co a bit closer. I’ll put it on for you. It’s already bought, so even if you don’t like it, there’s nothing I can do. , being just an old-fashioned man, I don’t even know if my taste matches that of won like you. I’ll be heading back to the capital soon, so if it looks bad or isn’t to your liking, just don’t tell , okay?"
He Teng was genuinely nervous. This was the first ti he had ever given He Zhilan a gift, and he had done so entirely on his own, without discussing it with her beforehand.
He Teng truly lacked confidence in his taste. But from the mont he first laid eyes on this pendant, a thought had crossed his mind: buy it, give it to He Zhilan—she would look beautiful wearing it.
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