Chapter 21: Prowler

The night quietly disappeared and morning came. The village gradually became lively.

Liu Duo woke up full of smiles, like a spring breeze in the early morning. She put on her slippers, picked up a wooden comb and brushed her long, black hair. Humming, she pushed the door and walked out.

“Eldest brother, good morning!” she greeted with her dimply smile, seeing Ye Yang sweeping leaves in the yard.

Ye Yang looked up at her and nodded: “It’s early, did you sleep well?”

It’s about six o’clock, usually Liu Duo’s still sawing logs*.

“Sure did,” Liu Duo sat on a wood bench and continued combing her hair.

“Mm,” Ye Yang bowed down and continued sweeping.

After combing her hair, she went back to her room and looked at the bronze mirror. After checking her left and right sides, she nodded with satisfaction: “Beautiful.”

She set down the comb and made her usual trip to the outhouse.

Meanwhile, the brothers got dressed and made their way out. Ye Ling started working on breakfast while Ye Mo got the fire going.

Ye Liu was sitting under the eaves, legs crossed.

Slightly tapping the table with his finger, he asked with a sneer: “Eldest brother, did you get any rest last night?”

“…” Ye Yang glanced at Ye Liu.

Ugh! Can’t say nothin’ give how young she is! Ye Yang thought.

“Seems things were kinda rough, eh?” Ye Liu touched his chin, seeming to be having fun.

While it’s true they knew Liu Dio was on her period, Ye Yang still wouldn’t have done anything.

Ye Yang twitched, his face sullen.

Outside the cottage, Liu Duo was at the well washing her menstrual cloth. Ye Liu saw her and fixed his gaze on his new prey.

“Xiao Duo, you’re up early today,” he said, worming his way to her side

Prowler!

“Come Xiao Duo, let me help you with that,” he seductively whispered in her ears.

“Get lost! I don’t need your help,” she snarled at him.

She washed it and hung it up to dry before also washing her face and brushing her teeth.

Ye Liu laughed and pinched her nose, thinking her sass was rather cute.

***

The family sat around the table eating dumplings. Ye Ling specially made it for Liu Duo, her not being a fan of gruel.

Before Liu Duo arrived, all they ate was gruel or porridge to cut down on costs.

Liu Duo happily took a bite: “Fourth brother, this dumpling is delicious!”

“Good, and there’s more in the pot if you’d like,” he was happy to see her happy.

Stuffing fifteen dumplings, she was finally full. She leaned back in the chair, satisfied.

“Eldest brother, we’re starting to get short on flour,” Ye Ling looking at Ye Yang.

After eating his last dumpling, Ye Yang said: “Go and buy some more.”

Liu Duo stared at Ye Yang. He may not be the most handsome of the four, but his mature personality was slowly winning her over. He may be a stump, but he was a manly stump.

Ye Yang felt Liu Duo’s hawk-like gaze, yet didn’t bat an eye. But only he knew his heart was actually starting to race.

“Does that mean we need to head to town? I’d like to go,” Liu Duo was particularly excited. The town’s an indispensable place to becoming wealthy. She had to see it for herself.

*Expression for sleeping