There was only one main residence on the Zhuangzi, originally built for the Dongjia, so it was constructed with greater refinement.
Around the main house were neatly arranged brick and tile buildings—not as exquisite as the main residence, but fully functional and far better than the houses up on the mountain.
After wandering around the Zhuangzi, seeing the clean and bright new houses, some couldn’t quite believe it. A few eagerly ran up to ask Chu Xiangtian, “Boss, are these for us to live in?”
Chu Xiangtian nodded and urged them to quickly go pick their rooms. Once everyone in the village was settled, he still had to rush back, leaving the rest of the arrangements to Zhou Chuanqing.
His mind was already calculating the benefits, but he hadn’t expected that by noon, Fu Tian would come running over himself.
Chu Xiangtian came out upon hearing the news and watched the horse carriage slowly approach, pinching the bridge of his nose in rare frustration. The young master was truly incorrigible.
Fu Tian sat inside the carriage, leaning on the window and gazing out. It was his first time at this Zhuangzi; its location was indeed rather remote, almost right at the foot of West Mountain.
No wonder such a large expanse of farmland was still vacant—no one wanted to come here.
He had come mainly for the rice seeds, and behind the carriage followed a niunche loaded with seeds he had bought from Laonong. Fu Tian planned to have the people in the village test this new batch.
If it really was as good as Laonong claimed, they could switch to these new rice seeds later, producing more grain would only be better.
“Wasn’t I supposed to stay in the Zhuangzi?” Chu Xiangtian helped him down, his tone tinged with helplessness.
“I just sprained my ankle.” Not broken.
Fu Tian muttered. His foot was actually mostly healed, just still a little limp when walking, so he had to move slowly.
Besides, he was thinking about testing the new rice seeds—if he could stay put obediently, that would be the real surprise.
The people in the village, seeing their boss gently supporting him like this, almost couldn’t believe their eyes.
Especially since Fu Tian tried to push him away and walk on his own, yet their boss didn’t get angry but instead spoke to him kindly.
If it were anyone else, they’d have kicked him away long ago.
“Truly, when under someone’s roof, one must bow the head…” someone murmured.
“After all, we still have to rely on Fu Shaoye to pay the wages…”
Everyone sighed in agreement. Once Chu Xiangtian helped Fu Tian inside, the crowd followed in a swarm.
Most of the villagers were familiar faces. Fu Tian had stayed on the mountain for nearly ten days and had met most of them.
The villagers felt a bit guilty—after all, they had once taken people captive. Now under Fu Tian’s watchful gaze, they instinctively shrank back.
In truth, Fu Tian was just planning in his heart. He wanted to persuade the villagers to try his new seeds.
After a moment’s careful thought, he spoke gently, trying not to sound too forceful, “There are still over a hundred, almost two hundred acres of land on the Zhuangzi. Does everyone plan to cultivate it this year?”
The villagers hadn’t thought that far ahead. Fu Tian’s reminder made them recall that the boss had indeed mentioned there was still land to be divided.
They exchanged glances—if there was land, of course they wanted to farm it. It was the perfect time to cultivate, and naturally, no one wanted to waste a season.
“Once we settle down, we’ll start farming.”
Receiving confirmation, Fu Tian smiled even brighter. “I have a batch of new rice seeds I want everyone to try planting. They’re said to be more drought-resistant than regular seeds and produce more grain per acre.”
Everyone eagerly agreed. Such good news was rare.
Fu Tian listed the benefits, and seeing their cheerful response, he continued to mention possible risks.
After all, these seeds were originally grown by Laonong himself, but planting them elsewhere without his experience might not yield the same results.
In the best case, they might get a decent harvest. In the worst, if the seeds were bad, they might harvest nothing.
“But if such a problem really occurs, I will compensate everyone for their losses.”
Yet, contrary to expectations, no one hesitated or worried. Instead, they boldly agreed. Having land and seeds, if they still couldn’t produce rice, that would be their own fault.
They had no face to ask for compensation.
“Don’t worry, Fu Shaoye, we’ll definitely do a good job planting!”
It was much easier than Fu Tian had imagined. His eyes widened slightly before relaxing into a gentle arc as he smiled.
Chu Xiangtian stood behind him all along. Whether it was the slight furrow of his brows in thought or the soft smile after hearing the answer, it was undeniably handsome.
The longer they spent together, the deeper his understanding of the young master grew—as if even his shadow had seeped into Fu Tian’s very organs.
Every movement of the young master tugged at his heart, sweet and aching, utterly lovable.
If it weren’t for the timing, Chu Xiangtian, the great general, would have wanted to tuck him into his arms and carry him everywhere.
But he held back. It was the first time Chu Xiangtian liked someone so much, and he felt uncharacteristically restless.
***
Finally, after Fu Tian finished discussing business, Chu Xiangtian half-wrapped an arm around him and started walking out, “All done? I’ll take you back now.”
Fu Tian shook his arm off enthusiastically, “No, I want to go explore outside.”
Chu Xiangtian pinched the bridge of his nose, “What’s so interesting out here to explore?”
Fu Tian’s eyes sparkled as he glanced at the nearby stream, “How about we go fish with forks?”
Chu Xiangtian:
The young master tilted his head back, his eyes shining bright, the fine fuzz on his face bathed in sunlight, giving him an almost translucent, flawless whiteness—utterly beautiful.
No matter what Chu Xiangtian said, he couldn’t refuse him, especially since it was just fishing.
Swallowing the surge of overwhelming emotion in his throat, Chu Xiangtian’s voice deepened slightly, “Alright.”
Fu Tian refused his help, so Chu Xiangtian accompanied him, walking slowly.
Along the way, the big trees cast shade, and where branches crossed, a cool shadow spread. Slivers of sunlight filtered through the gaps, warming them gently.
By the stream, Chu Xiangtian found a shaded spot for Fu Tian to wait, then took off his shoes, rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, and casually snapped off a tree branch, sharpening its tip downward before stepping into the stream.
The water wasn’t deep, reaching only to the bend of his calves. The bottom was smooth stones polished by the current.
Black-backed fish, about the size of a palm, hovered motionless above the stones, hard to spot when still.
The ripple of the current startled the fish briefly; their silver scales shimmered before settling again as the water calmed.
Chu Xiangtian stood still, eyes fixed on several large fish. His forked branch stabbed swiftly and accurately into the water, spearing the fattest fish.
The impaled fish struggled, its tail splashing water droplets. Chu Xiangtian tossed it onto the shore and focused on the others.
Fu Tian had been waiting in the shade, but seeing Chu Xiangtian catch another fish, he eagerly ran up and tried to grab the wriggling catch.
The fish’s slippery body made it hard to hold, so Fu Tian took off his outer robe and used it to trap the fish.
While he was fussing, Chu Xiangtian caught two more fish.
Turning around to see Fu Tian cradling the fish wrapped in the robe, he couldn’t help but laugh and handed him the branch with the rest of the fish, “You don’t mind getting dirty? Wait here, I’ll find you some lotus leaves to wrap them.”
Fu Tian’s eyes and eyebrows curved with joy. When Chu Xiangtian went to pick lotus leaves, Fu Tian slyly put down the fish he held and laid the other two on the robe.
He took off his shoes, rolled up his pant legs, and mimicked Chu Xiangtian by wading into the water with the branch.
The stones underfoot were sharp, making him curl his toes. Moving carefully and quietly, he approached the fish.
Startled by the water’s movement, the fish quickly darted away. Fu Tian’s fork plunged but only hit air. He didn’t get discouraged, continuing to bend down and cautiously aim for the fish…
Chu Xiangtian returned, lotus leaves and lotus seed pods in hand, only to see the young master who should have been waiting obediently by the shore now standing in the water.
His brow twitched as he sighed deeply, placing the lotus leaves down and stepping forward, “Why are you so disobedient?”
Fu Tian was startled by his sudden appearance but then blinked guiltily before standing his ground, “I never agreed to that. Besides, I want to fish.”
Chu Xiangtian looked at his blinking eyes and helplessly ruffled his hair, “Caught any fish yet?”
Fu Tian pursed his lips, gazing at him meaningfully. “Can’t you count? There are only three fish on shore, yet you ask me that!”
“Then should I teach you?” Chu Xiangtian suppressed a laugh and offered the young master a graceful exit.
Fu Tian brightened and handed over the fork, his eyes sparkling with delight.
“Follow me.”
Chu Xiangtian took his hand and led him to a slightly deeper spot. He told Fu Tian to stand still, then circled behind him, slipping the fork into his hand and holding his hand firmly.
Fu Tian’s hand, wet and cool from the water, quickly warmed in Chu Xiangtian’s grip. Even his heart began to race a little faster.
He glanced sideways at Chu Xiangtian. The general’s profile was resolute—strong, angular features, sharp brows, a straight nose with a slight hook at the tip.
His lips pressed firmly, looking stern. But Fu Tian, already familiar with him, didn’t feel the harshness. Instead, this former bandit leader was gently teaching him how to fish.
He was the kindest person Fu Tian had ever known.
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