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In the Chu Village.

A hazy moon was emerging from the transparent, cicada-wing-like clouds, casting a silver radiance.

Chu Qingzhi and Ge Lihua each held a jug of wine, sitting side by side on the roof. The moonlight draped over them, adding a touch of serene beauty.

Ge Lihua raised her jug towards Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi smiled and clinked her jug with Ge Lihua’s. Without much fuss, the two ladies drank directly from the jugs, freely and unrestrained.

Suddenly, Ge Lihua spoke, “Qingzhi, thankyou for saving me back then.” That day at the foot of the mountain, if it weren’t for Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong’s timely arrival, Ge Lihua might have already reunited with her family in the afterlife.

Chu Qingzhi simply replied, “Live well.”

Ge Lihua solemnly said, “I will.”

After clinking their jugs again, they each took another sip. The wine stained their rosy lips, making them look like night-blooming cereus, exceptionally beautiful.

Chu Xuyuan, Chu Qingyan, and Chu Xuyao one after another joined them on the roof.

For flying across roofs and vaulting over walls, the three little ones were already proficient.

Chu Xuyao sat next to Chu Qingzhi, curious about the taste of the wine, “Fifth Sister, can I have a sip?”

“Here.” Chu Qingzhi happily passed the wine to Chu Xuyao. Chu Xuyao smacked his lips and hugged the wine jug with his two small hands. He pondered for a while and took a sip as if he was drinking water…

The next second, he sprayed out the wine in a coughing fit.

Coughing uncontrollably, Chu Qingzhi quickly patted his back until he calmed down.

Chu Xuyao returned the jug to Chu Qingzhi, puzzled, “Fifth Sister, the wine is so harsh and spicy. What’s so good about it?”

Chu Qingzhi explained, “It’s not about the wine, but the emotions or something else you place into it. You’ll understand later.”

Chu Xuyao half understood, “Then why do you drink, Fifth Sister?”

Chu Qingzhi pointed at Ge Lihua, “To accompany her.”

All three kids turned to look at Ge Lihua.

Seeing the earnest gazes of her three disciples, Ge Lihua smiled slightly, “I’m getting married soon, and I’m a bit emotional.”

Chu Xuyuan comforted, “Third Brother will treat you well, Master, don’t worry.”

Ge Lihua had no doubts about that; she just hadn’t mentally adjusted yet, “It’ll be fine after some time.”

Chu Qingzhi patted Ge Lihua on the shoulder, “Want me to ask Third Brother to keep you company?”

“No.” Ge Lihua quickly refused, her delicate brows furrowing at the thought of Chu Xuyuan, which seemed to make her more anxious.

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, Lihua must be experiencing pre-wedding jitters.

“Tomorrow the kids don’t have lessons. I plan to buy some calves. Wiry don’t you come out with me to relax?”

“Alright, when are we going?” Ge Lihua agreed immediately. She felt as if there was a suffocating breath in her heart, and she urgently needed to relax.

Chu Qingzhi said, “Tomorrow morning. If there’s nothing else, we’ll go after breakfast.”

Ge Lihua nodded, “Okay.”

A parrot flew into the room, perching on the headboard, and crisply chirped, “Wake up, wake up, the sun’s shining on your butt, the sun’s shining on your butt…”

Chu Qingzhi opened her eyes and caught the parrot in one swoop, “Ever since I got you, it’s like I’ve gained an alarm clock. How do you tell the time, chirping exactly at this moment every day?”

The parrot meekly let Chu Qingzhi hold it, “Hungry, hungry…”

Chu Qingzhi stroked the parrot’s head, “All you do is eat and sleep, aside from sleeping you eat, and still demand food on time, who gave you such audacity?”

The parrot excitedly chirped, “I’m the nanny, I’m the nanny…’

Chu Qingzhi laughed, “Meaning, you’re not entirely useless, right?”

The parrot confidently chirped, “Of course, of course…”

“Alright, considering how dedicated you are, I’ll get up and get you something to eat.” Chu Qingzhi released the parrot and got out of bed.

She had stored some of the parrot’s feed in a bottle in the room to avoid the inconvenience of fetching it from the storeroom every time, including millet, rice, wheat, soybeans, and several other grains.

After shattering it, she placed it on a plate for Shuang’er to eat.

Shuang’er was extremely satisfied with her current life. As it ate the luxurious food, its heart was filled with gratitude towards Chu Qingzhi.

After watching the parrot eat for a while, Chu Qingzhi went downstairs to wash up, then headed to the workshop.

Yesterday, after everyone left work, she took the walnuts to the stove room for roasting. This morning, as everyone would start working soon, she needed to get the walnuts out early.

Upon entering the stove room, she was greeted by the rich aroma of walnuts. Chu Qingzhi randomly picked a walnut from the winnowing basket, cracked it open, and found the walnut meat mostly dried up. Another round of roasting tonight should be sufficient.

At that moment, a delightful nursery rhyme was heard, “Big moon, second moon, brother wakes up to learn carpentry, mother gets up to sew shoe soles, sister-in-law gets up to steam glutinous rice, baby smells the fragrance of the rice, beats the gong to meet the maiden…”

Chu Qingzhi, about to carry the winnowing basket outside, turned her head and saw Chu Lan’er.

Chu Lan’er hadn’t expected Chu Qingzhi to be there, paused for a moment, then ran over joyfully, “Sister Qingzhi, let me help you carry the winnowing basket.” Chu Qingzhi asked, “Why are you here so early?”

Chu Lan’er responsively said, “I came to check if any place is dirty, to clean it up early. After everyone gets to work, we can’t clean it anymore. Otherwise, the dust will dirty things.”

Shen Ruyue taught well. Chu Qingzhi said, “Then you go check, I can manage here.”

Chu Lan’er nodded, “Then I’ll go check and come back to help you.”

“Okay.”

Chu Lan’er had cleaned the workshop before leaving yesterday. After inspecting around, finding it very clean, she hurried back to assist Chu Qingzhi, Sister Qingzhi, I thought of planting some flowers under those trees, okay?” Chu Qingzhi said, “That’s fine, but where do you plan to dig them up?” Chu Lan’er said, “I’ll just look around to see what I can find and transplant them here.”

Chu Qingzhi said, “I’ll get Ruyue to give you some money later. Why don’t you buy some flower seeds to plant?” She also wanted to build the workshop more beautifully.

Chu Lan’er immediately felt like she had been entrusted with a heavy responsibility. “I promise to do a good job.”

“I believe you.”

The two of them moved the dustpan to the empty space. After that, they went home.

On the way, Chu Lan’er looked at Chu Qingzhi from time to time, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Chu Qingzhi asked, “What’s the matter?”

Chu Lan’er took a deep breath and mustered her courage to ask, “Sister Qingzhi, I want to be literate. Can I listen in? I don’t eat. Just let me listen.” Chu Qingzhi liked smart children. A child like Chu Lan’er was the type she admired. “I’ll tell Lihua later. You can go to class.”

Chu Lan’er was overjoyed. “Thankyou, Sister Qingzhi. I’ll work hard. I’ll repay you.”

Chu Qingzhi encouraged, “Learn well. If you can, make up for what you missed previously.”

Chu Lan’er nodded heavily. “I will.”