Chapter 52: End of the article

Snowflakes the size of mung beans fell onto the thatched roof, their dense pattering sound dispersing the violent thudding inside the room.

The snowy silence remained undisturbed.

There is a saying: a timely snow promises a bountiful year.

Such rare snow in Fengyuan Town continued relentlessly, as if fulfilling some hidden blessing.

Flake after flake fell until the fresh bamboo, weighed down by snow, responded with crisp cracking sounds as if struggling under the burden.

At some point, the window facing the inner room was pushed open, and all fell silent.

Tiny snowflakes swirled softly in the small windowpane.

“I told you, once the wind picks up and the flakes stop, heavy snow will follow. Thick snow protects the soil—a good omen. Next year will surely bring a good harvest. Our land was bought at the right time.”

Cao Wen gazed at the falling snow, his eyes full of hope.

After a long moment of silence, hearing no reply, he lowered his head to look at the person lying beside him.

A hand suddenly covered his face, darkening his view.

Yet through the fingers, Cao Wen still caught sight of Xu Duoyan’s flushed face, sweat-dampened stray hairs on her forehead, and her distant gaze.

“Go away.”

Cao Wen was somewhat satisfied.

He rubbed the palm of Xu Duoyan’s hand, lowering his voice: “Why aren’t you looking at the snow?”

Xu Duoyan’s voice was hoarse: “I am.”

Cao Wen smiled and lay back down, placing his hand on Xu Duoyan’s waist, pressing close against her back.

“How is it?”

Xu Duoyan felt a kiss on the hollow of her neck from behind and pressed her lips together.

“It hurts.”

“Hm?”

Cao Wen’s eyes widened as he propped himself up on the bed.

Xu Duoyan exhaled slowly, watching the confused expression turn into understanding on his face.

Slightly apologetic but unapologetic, she curled back into him.

She was still a bit dazed; she hadn’t expected him to be serious this time.

Since they got together, they had often been close but never to this extent.

The earlier times were pleasant enough, and over time she had forgotten that things could get real like this.

He raised an eyebrow, dragging his heavy legs to turn over: “How can you last so long?”

“You’re almost going to break my waist. I wasn’t wrong—it’s definitely strong.”

Cao Wen felt heat rush to his ears and cleared his throat: “What’s wrong?”

“First times usually go quickly, right?”

Cao Wen smirked: “Must be a natural talent.”

“Is that so? I thought it was experience that made the difference.”

Xu Duoyan squinted, staring at Cao Wen carefully.

Cao Wen suddenly got nervous: “Everyone’s body is different. It’s not always like this.”

“I’m not lying to you; I just wanted to make you happier.”

Seeing this, Xu Duoyan couldn’t help but laugh softly.

He was only teasing; given his nature, he wouldn’t be so serious.

He kicked Cao Wen gently with his toe: “It’s late, get up.”

But Cao Wen clung to her, unwilling to move.

It was cold outside, but the person in his arms was warm: “Getting up won’t do much. No need to go to the tavern every day.”

Xu Duoyan felt the person holding him beginning to stir again.

Though he was reluctant to part, his aching waist and sore legs wouldn’t endure much longer.

If they pushed on, he might really faint.

Besides, he usually woke late.

If they kept this up for another hour or so, his mother would come back to find them still in bed.

“Don’t be lazy, come see the snow.”

After a bit of urging, Cao Wen finally agreed.

The two got dressed and stood up.

The snow outside had grown heavier.

A thin layer of snow covered the courtyard, where a mother hen scratched at the snow alongside her chicks, searching for insects to eat.

Suddenly, a series of firecrackers burst forth.

The autumn harvest had been decent this year, and the tenants in Xianqin had reserved forty percent of their grain while trading their wheat for more rice at better prices.

They had some rare financial breathing room and could finally relax.

Opening the Jinjiang app for reading.

This year, not only would they celebrate a good New Year, but by the end of the year, people were starting to host events again.

It was a good sign.

The once gloomy Xianqin began to feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year and grew lively.

Life was headed in a good direction, and the locals welcomed this change happily.

“You two must be hungry. It’s snowing today, so I got held up coming back.”

Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan stood side by side, mesmerized by the snow.

Lu Lingbi’s voice calling from a distance brought them back.

Far off on the village path, they saw an oil-paper umbrella drifting over.

Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan walked forward to meet Lu Lingbi and took the things she had bought from her.

“You said if Mother didn’t come back, we would hitch a donkey cart to fetch her.”

“No problem. It’s been a long time since it snowed, so I was just enjoying the view.”

“The house in town will be ready soon. It’ll be more convenient when we move there.”

Mid-December, several plum blossoms in the alley gave off a faint fragrance beneath the snow.

A donkey cart loaded with light luggage entered Peppers Mouth Alley, turning into a courtyard gate amid the biting winter wind.

The wooden-and-iron gate closed behind them, shutting out the cold breeze and the memories of former poverty as if locking them away outside.

“This yard feels so bright and spacious after cleaning. It even seems larger than the first time I saw it.”

Lu Lingbi, clutching her bundle, passed the Yingbi and saw the vast garden ahead.

The former owners had planted sweet osmanthus, green bamboo, and plum trees.

The snow still lay thick on the ground, unmelted, giving the garden a special charm.

Such a grand house suddenly brought back memories of her childhood living in a grand house surrounded by servants.

Since her husband’s passing, she had raised her child alone and rarely thought of those days.

She hadn’t imagined she would one day live in this new home.

She felt a wave of emotions but mostly looked forward to the future.

With family nearby, she felt more at ease than before.

“When it’s all settled, we can take a proper stroll. Mother, you can choose whichever room you like.”

Lu Lingbi preferred peace and quiet, so she chose the west wing.

The main house was left to Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan.

Though their luggage wasn’t much, Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan still carried several bundles.

Entering the main house, the first room was the reception hall.

To the left was the bedroom with a tea room and a clean room, almost like a private suite.

The rooms were spacious; any one of them was larger than their previous bedroom.

But with few people, the house felt somewhat empty and desolate, especially with occasional firecrackers and loud celebrations drifting from the alley entrance.

Cao Wen said, “We’ll need to bring in a couple of people after the New Year. Otherwise, cleaning such a big house will be a huge chore.”

Xu Duoyan sat down and glanced around.

Though they had managed well in their humble hut, the difference with this large house was undeniable.

Without comparison, one wouldn’t realize what they were missing.

In a good mood, he told Cao Wen, “Let’s go buy some red paper and red lanterns to hang on the doors and windows. It’ll make the place less empty.”

After tidying up a bit, they really went out to buy Chunlian and Red Lanterns. Lu Lingbi cut some Window Flowers, while Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan carried wooden ladders to hang them in the porch from one end to the other.

After all the fuss, the house was adorned with Window Flowers and lanterns.

In daylight, the red decorations brightened every corner; at night, the glowing lanterns matched the festive season, making the house cheerful and lively.

On New Year’s Eve, firecrackers popped endlessly, and the activity never ceased.

Used to the countryside’s quiet nights, the sudden noise took some getting used to.

But they had ways to pass the time.

Since Lu Lingbi’s room was far away, Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan had no more reservations.

After dinner, they entered the room and freely indulged in each other’s company.

At midnight, a tremendous explosion rang out in the sky.

It was said that a wealthy family from Fucheng had brought back many fireworks to light up the New Year’s Eve.

Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan pressed against the window, watching the fireworks paint half the sky bright. Against the desolate night, the display was dazzling.

They leaned on each other, the fireworks flickering in their eyes.

Cao Wen looked at the person before him, a smile barely hidden in his gaze, then shifted his view back to the fireworks.

Not seeking wealth or grandeur, only peace and mutual care;

Day after day, year after year…

The End.