Chapter 71: Chapter 71: An Unexpected Path to Fame

Chatting and laughing, bustling around, Ling Chengyan found that just a little bit of family belongings had kept them busy for a whole day. By evening, the grains were dried and brought back, clothes were packed, and the cousins bought several jars, big and small…

Aunt gave Ling Chengyan detailed instructions: “These two smaller ones are good for pickling eggs and shrimp paste; one medium-sized jar for pickling vegetables, another for sauce-making. Don’t worry, I’ll send your brother to bring you sauce and vegetables when needed…”

Speaking in a gentle, instructive manner, Ling Chengyan listened patiently and noted everything down.

In her past life, as the legitimate daughter of the Ling Family, she had followed her father and brothers since childhood, honing her physique, learning military tactics, practicing equestrianism and archery, always dreaming of galloping on horseback and guarding the battlefield, never paying attention to needlework or household management.

Since coming here, she had been focused on surviving, raising her two children, without thinking much about anything else… But now, listening to Aunt’s endless instructions, Ling Chengyan suddenly felt that daily trivialities and the mundane life are the true essence of life?!

The two cousins brought half a jar of pickled vegetables, a pot of thick sauce, and a basket of freshly steamed corn cakes. Ling Chengyan took out two pieces of beef jerky and a wild rabbit, asking the two cousins to help prepare dinner, and both families gathered together for a meal, akin to a farewell gathering!

The next day, Ling Chengyan and Xiaoyu packed bedding, pots, bowls, and pans into baskets. Cousins, Zhang Wanxiang, and Wu Qingyun all came over to help move them outside. Ling Chengyan sat on the edge of the kang feeding Shi Tou, watching the room empty out, leaving only two desolate earthen rooms, suddenly feeling somewhat forlorn.

Early in the morning, many villagers came to watch the happening, some to bid farewell.

Wu Qingyun and Zhang Wanxiang’s mothers both came, one bringing ten boiled eggs, the other four white flour buns. Others also brought items, such as a few eggs, a package of dried vegetables. The gifts weren’t expensive but heightened Ling Chengyan’s feelings of departure.

Unbeknownst to her, Nanli Team already felt different in her heart.

The work bell rang twice, most people slowly dispersed, only Uncle’s family and the two of Wu Qingyun and Zhang Wanxiang remained.

The cart arrived, with Xiao Liu coming along, greeted everyone, then promptly started loading. Everyone at home lent a hand, quickly finishing the loading.

Big Cousin handed over a basket last, covered with a damp old jacket, and Ling Chengyan took it, opened it to find a basket of vegetable and melon seedlings. Dug along with the soil, they remained green and vibrant.

The two cousins didn’t discuss but got on the cart directly, Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun exchanged glances and climbed into the back. Ling Chengyan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but didn’t speak in the end.

Hong Zhi went to school early, Hong Ling stood beside Big Cousin’s wife, watching the cart slowly move away, unable to stop her eyes from tearing.

March’s weather was still cool, Ling Chengyan held Shi Tou in the driver’s seat, Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing all got into the truck bed. Shi Tou fed and changed, slept soundly all the way into the town.

The vehicle stopped outside a small courtyard, several people came over, including five or six young soldiers to help unload the truck, and two middle-aged women came up to greet Ling Chengyan.

“My surname is Liu, Liu Caixia, in charge of the family compound here.” The short-haired woman introduced herself briskly, carrying a bamboo cradle into the courtyard, placed it in a sunny, wind-protected spot, called to Ling Chengyan, “Put the child down for a bit, you and the child can both rest.”

She continued: “This is something I brought from my hometown, it’s sturdy. My three kids used it, and I lent it out to watch two more. When Old He mentioned it last night, I went to dig it out from the storeroom. I’m always busy every day, didn’t look closely, take a good look later, watch for any splinters that might hurt the child’s hands.”

Another named Xie Yuhui was also from the family compound office. She wore two small braids and appeared slightly younger, around thirty.

Xie Yuhui presented a large slab of tofu, saying it was a gift to celebrate the new home. Ling Chengyan thanked them one by one, and the two didn’t stay long and left.

Little Liu and the crew left after unloading the truck, only a clothing box and table entered the room, other items were piled in the yard.

Wang Lianqi brought some people from home, putting items in place. Xiao Xing watched Shi Tou, Ling Chengyan and Xiaoyu made the beds.

Ling Chengyan came out holding Shi Tou, Xiaoyu joyfully called Xiao Xing: “Come quickly, we can share a room!”

Two rooms, one as the master bedroom, the outer room divided into two small ones, inside with a single bed, adding a wooden plank, enough for Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing to sleep.

The two girls were overjoyed, touching everything here and there.

Suddenly, a head popped out from the rear window glass, smiling at them: “Are you the new movers? My name is Xing Fei, my dad is Xing Shubin, what’s your name?”

Xiaoyu, newly to the city, somewhat hesitant about city kids, wasn’t expecting a self-introducing little rascal to arrive as soon as they moved.

No, there were three of them.

When Xing Fei came around from the house back, Xiaoyu and Xiao Xing found two tails following him.

Xing Fei looked seven or eight years old, a boy around his age, slightly taller, with a stout head; a little girl with two pigtails, only four or five years old.

The trio got scared by Ah Huang upon entering, Xiao Xing went over to reassure them seriously: “Ah Huang is very sensible, doesn’t bite.”

Xiao Xing took the three to see her little rabbit. Too many rabbits in a nest, Ling Chengyan only brought two small ones, leaving other rabbits and chickens with Aunt.

Seeing the two little rabbits, the kids liked them immensely, Xing Fei immediately suggested feeding them carrots, proclaiming his home had some, turned to run outside planning to fetch carrots.

Ling Chengyan settled Shi Tou, came out to tidy things, seeing Xiao Xing playing with the kids, she divided some attention to them, thus when Xing Fei ran out, she stopped him.

“We have some here, no need to go back!”

Xing Fei and his friends rushed into the kitchen to grab carrots but were stunned by the meat hanging inside — wild rabbit, wild chickens, beef jerky.

The children played for a while until called home by adults.

Xing Fei entered home finding food already laid out, his father Xing Shubin wore an apron, smilingly bringing out a bowl of soup: “You brat, where have you been, wash your hands and eat!”

Xing Fei dashed to the basin, hastily swiped his hands through the water, then dashed to sit at the table, looked at the cold vermicelli and spinach egg soup, couldn’t help but sigh: “Dad, can’t you get us some meat for an upgrade?”

Xing Shubin tapped him with chopsticks, cursing humorously: “Your sister and mom aren’t home, what meat are you eating?!”

“Oh! Boring!” Xing Fei grumbled, biting a bun, taking a sip of soup, mumbling, “Xiao Xing’s dad isn’t home, Xiao Xing’s mom made meat stew… Dad, you don’t know, their kitchen’s stuffed with meat, Da Lin and Xiao Shuang were stunned. Haha, rabbits hung skinned are pretty scary.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep