Chapter 27: Come Home Soon

Having done a lot of walking while in town yesterday, Liu Duo had no problem sleeping.

Getting up the following morning, she washed up and began eating breakfast.

“What are you up to, eldest brother?” she asked, watching him get his things together.

“Preparing to go hunt,” he replied without a glance.

With her now part of the household, along with Ye Ling’s ever-growing medical bills, they needed more income. Especially if they were going to treat her to things like fine rice.

“Oh.” She absent-mindedly continued eating.

“Where are second and fourth brother?” Liu Duo inquired.

“Washing clothes by the river.”

Hmm. She quickly finished and washed the dishes.

“Come, I’ll take you.” He looked at Liu Duo, not wanting to leave her alone.

“Sure.” She followed him out, shutting the door behind her.

***

There were seven to eight others out washing clothes in addition to Ye Liu and Ye Ling. Other than a 14-15 year old boy running around, the rest were single or married women.

“Ah, Duo’er. Have you had a chance to eat?” Ye Ling asked, walking to her side.

“I did,” Liu Duo she returned with a smile.

“I’m off.” Ye Yang started to turn and head for the mountains.

“Be careful out there, eldest brother,” Ye Ling said worriedly. He worried for Ye Yang everytime he went out.

Ye Liu stood up and said, “Take care, eldest brother.”

“Mm.” He Nodded and walked away.

Liu Duo was a bit reluctant to see him go. They rarely got a chance to converse with him gone so much of the time.

She couldn’t help but chase after him: “Eldest brother…”

Hearing her call, Ye Yang turned around and stopped, “What’s wrong?”

She stopped on his opposite side and pulled his hand : “Eldest brother, come home soon.”

Whenever the other brothers would send him off, he generally didn’t feel much. In front of Liu Duo, however, he suddenly felt a hint of apprehension.

“Be careful out there; don’t get yourself hurt!” Liu Duo was very worried.

“Mm.” He caressed her cheek, then turned and headed off.

Liu Duo watched until he disappeared from sight, then made her way back to Ye Ling’s side

Seeing Liu Duo reluctant to part, Ye Liu laughed: “Don’t be sad, Xiao Duo. Eldest Brother might be gone, but your second brother will always be here.”

“Duoer, he’ll be back after three or four days. It’ll be alright, ” Ye Ling said, trying to comfort her.

“Okay, let’s get these clothes washed.” Liu Duo squatted down and joined in doing laundry.

A few of the married women nearby whispered to themselves: “That bride of the Ye family’s a pretty one.”

The single ladies weren’t quite as impressed: “How is that pretty?”

Unrelenting, they kept on: “I don’t get it. She tried to run, what does she look so attached for?”

“Maybe she’s pretending. Then, when they let their guards down, she makes a break for it!”

***

Liu Duo paid no mind to the women’s gossip. Ye Ling was irritated, but kept himself from saying anything. He sped up his washing so they could hurry and get home.

Ye Liu turned to Liu Duo: “Xiao Duo, can you smell that?” he asked, waving around his hand.

“Huh?” Liu Duo and Ye Ling didn’t smell a thing.