Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Survive Before You Love

Wen Ran looked at his nervous appearance and laughed, “I get it, I get it. So, this afternoon in the cornfield, you were stammering because of this?”

“Yeah,” Xiao Chenye scratched his head, “that’s the thing.”

“Alright,” Wen Ran wasn’t really that angry to begin with, and now that the misunderstanding was cleared up, she felt relieved and smiled more, “If you must apologize for this, then I forgive you.”

“Really?”

Xiao Chenye’s eyes lit up, “You’re not mad at me anymore?”

About this, Wen Ran felt she needed to make a sly remark, “I wasn’t mad at you in the first place, okay!”

“Yeah, yeah, not mad, not mad!”

Mom said, as long as things are right, a bit of gossip isn’t a big deal.

He took a hard little box out of his pocket and shoved it into Wen Ran’s hand, “Take it, this is a thank-you gift from my niece.

The milk powder, I can’t repay right away, but when I get some, I’ll give it to you.”

“No problem,” Wen Ran wanted to say more, but Xiao Chenye stepped back on his own, “It’s late, I won’t keep you from resting, go to sleep.”

With that said, he turned and ran off.

His steps were messy, a bit urgent.

It felt like he was being chased by a dog.

Wen Ran: “…”

She blinked, bewildered, clutching the small tin box in her palm, somewhat confused.

No, she hadn’t even finished speaking!

Going back into the house, Wen Ran closed the door behind her.

~

Next door.

The elderly couple at the window exchanged glances and chuckled.

Mr. Xiao excitedly remarked, “This kid is something! Just like his father in his youth, good, good, finding a girl he likes without any hesitation.”

Mrs. Xiao snorted, “Even if he doesn’t hesitate, he still has to be good-looking! You know, Chenye may not be straightforward like you, but his looks are completely like mine!”

“You’re right!”

His sincere tone almost choked Mrs. Xiao, who raised her hand and hit Mr. Xiao before heading to bed.

Mr. Xiao: “?”

Why did he get hit again? Did he say something wrong?

Shouldn’t be!

Mrs. Xiao was just worried about her third son, who was a stubborn mule.

If possible, she genuinely wished to find a good wife for him and tie him up for a wedding!

Sigh~

The more she thought, the more annoyed she became. Mrs. Xiao kicked out again, blaming her husband for having sons who are difficult to handle.

Mr. Xiao: “…”

Forget it, it doesn’t hurt, just like scratching an itch.

On the other side, Wen Ran had already lit the candle. In the flickering light, she discovered that the tin box contained snow cream.

No, she hadn’t asked for this.

Leaning in to smell it, it was quite fragrant.

She lightly dabbed some with her finger and applied it to the back of her hand, feeling it was quite moisturizing.

With an unsuspecting smile on her face, though the small misunderstanding that gnawed at her during the day was clarified, she raised the issue of finding a house.

The next morning, after freshening up, Wen Ran applied some snow cream and sought out Mrs. Xiao for a chat, “Auntie.”

Mrs. Xiao was cooking, “What’s up?”

“Is there any unoccupied house nearby?”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao paused stirring the porridge, maintaining a calm demeanor despite feeling quite flustered.

No, what’s wrong with that silly boy?

She thought she had appeased her.

“Oh, a house,” Mrs. Xiao swallowed, probing, “You’re planning to move out?”

“Yeah,” Wen Ran’s eyes were clear, “It’s always bothersome to stay at your place, I feel uneasy about it!”

Mrs. Xiao anxiously said, “There’s nothing to feel uneasy about. Auntie really cherishes having you here, chatting with me, and sometimes even keeping my second daughter company. Seeing you makes me happy.”

“Auntie,” Wen Ran smiled, “Even if I move out, I’ll still be around often. I’m not moving far.

Just the distance from village head to village end, it only takes a few minutes to walk.”

Mrs. Xiao: “… Even a fast runner can’t cover a few minutes back and forth.”

Wen Ran laughed, “I meant it’s very close.”

Mrs. Xiao explained earnestly, “Child, you don’t feel yesterday’s words from Chenye hurt you, do you? Auntie promises you.

Chenye really didn’t mean anything else; he’s just straightforward, worried about you, but clumsy with words.”

“I know!” Wen Ran wasn’t foolish; she could perceive Xiao Chenye’s different treatment towards her compared to others.

Not mentioning other instances, just take the day joining the Silly Deer Team.

During the halfway break, when others approached him, he was full of caution, warning them not to eye his chickens, yet he shared a chicken leg with her.

Then there’s the snow cream from last night…

Wen Ran took a deep breath, reluctantly admitting that she already cared about Xiao Chenye, who she had just met a few days ago, more than usual.

Mainly, this man had a face and frame that could disturb one’s mind, and her resistance was average. Can she be blamed?

No.

So, what she needs to do next is to let things unfold naturally.

This world is as real as can be for the original owner, but it’s different for her.

Having just arrived, she’s afraid of developing that so-called bridge effect with Xiao Chenye.

It’s better to settle her own life first and then gradually think about other things.

First, survival; then, love.

Thinking of this, Wen Ran grew more resolute.

Seriously, “I thought about it; moving out seems better. Auntie, I’ll count on you for this!”

She chuckled, “If you miss me, then help me find a place close by, so we can visit each other often!”

Well, having said this much, Mrs. Xiao had nothing else to say.

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you…”

After she was full and satisfied, Bao Wenxuan cheerfully came to find Wen Ran to head to work together.

They were intercepted halfway by the team leader, “Hey! You two came just at the right time, come, come, Xiao Wen, come here.”

Wen Ran: “?”

She curiously asked, “What’s up?”

The team leader handed over paper and pen to Wen Ran, “Don’t go harvesting corn, help out with the statistics instead.”

Wen Ran: “?” She was even more puzzled.

“What does this mean?”

The team leader was busy, seemingly with his pants on fire, “For specifics, ask that kid Xiao Chenye, you’re helping him today, whatever he asks you to do, you do it.”

With that, he hurried off, leaving Bao Wenxuan and Wen Ran staring at each other.

Bao Wenxuan looked at Wen Ran longingly, “So, since you won’t go to the fields, can we swap hats?”

Crying, she had been eyeing that hat for a long time.

Wen Ran: “…Alright.”

Wearing the hat, clutching paper and pen, she trotted to the edge of the field.

Xiao Chenye’s truck was parked there.

“Here?”

Seeing Wen Ran, Xiao Chenye was quite relaxed, handing over a small stool, “Sit and take a break.”

“Why am I doing this today?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep