Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 23

Ying Su didn’t resist and let Liu Chuncao pull her into the backyard. The shop assistants who saw them didn’t say anything.

The backyard was very spacious, piled high with all kinds of lumber. Several apprentices were working, and when they saw Liu Chuncao bring someone in, they only glanced up once before lowering their heads and continuing their tasks.

Li Dalang and a few carpenters were gathered around, studying a sheet of paper and occasionally discussing it.

Liu Chuncao brought Ying Su over to Li Dalang. Li Dalang gave her a faint greeting, and the other carpenters, seeing that it was just a woman, didn’t pay her much attention and went back to discussing the blueprint.

Ying Su glanced casually at the paper in their hands, but her bright eyes suddenly changed, was that a wheelchair?

She couldn’t help but feel astonished. Though the design was simpler than a modern wheelchair, this blueprint clearly wasn’t something that should exist in this era!

Could it be that there was someone else here who had also transmigrated from the modern world?

Thinking this over, Ying Su asked aloud, “Where did this blueprint come from?”

Li Dalang glanced back at her. At first, he hadn’t intended to answer, but remembering her woodworking skills, his eyes flashed briefly and he said, “This drawing was brought by Master Zhao from the city. He obtained it from a merchant of the northwest tribes. Cuihua, do you recognize it?”

Ying Su’s dark eyes moved slightly, and she asked in puzzlement, “A merchant from the northwest tribes?”

Li Dalang explained, “On the northwest border there’s a small country called Xialiu. A few years ago, Xialiu began trading with our nation. Their merchants are called ‘tribal merchants,’ and they often have rare and curious items.” 

“But in recent years, the Xialiu people have been harassing the border and plundering wealth. It looks like war may break out. The emperor has already sent generals to guard the frontier and has forbidden the tribal merchants from entering Daqing again.”

“Old Master Zhao is over ninety, and his body is paralyzed. Master Zhao spent much effort to obtain this drawing, hoping to make a cart for the old man. Our shopkeeper accepted his deposit, but we’ve been studying this blueprint for quite some time and still can’t make sense of it. We don’t know how to even begin!”

Ying Su nodded and said nothing more, though her eyes held a trace of thought. Right now, she urgently needed silver, but she didn’t want to reveal too much of her ability and draw unwanted attention or trouble. Besides, she had already bought nylon thread, so once she went home she could weave fishing nets, making it easier to catch fish in the future.

After thinking it over, she curved her lips into a faint smile, her gaze calm, and simply said, “Master Zhao is truly a filial son.”

Disappointment clearly flashed across Li Dalang’s face. But on second thought, it made sense. He had studied woodworking since childhood, and the carpenters here all had decades of experience. If even they couldn’t figure it out, how could Shen Cuihua, a mere woman, glance at it once and suddenly understand? That would be far too strange.

Since Li Dalang and Liu Chuncao still had work to do, Ying Su waited quietly at the side. Not until the sun had set did the three of them head home together on the ox cart.

As soon as the cart arrived at Li Dalang’s house, Huzi and Dazhuang came running out at the sound. The children’s excited shouts instantly filled the air with liveliness.

“Mommy!” The little bun leapt straight into Ying Su’s arms. Ying Su rubbed his cheeks and looked into his dark eyes with a smile. “Did you miss me?”

The little bun’s face flushed red. He nodded shyly and buried his head into her embrace.

Off to the side, Dazhuang laughed and said to Ying Su, “Auntie, Huzi kept running to the gate today. Whenever he heard a sound, he’d run out to check!”

Hearing how much her son had been missing her made Ying Su’s heart grow soft and tender. She pinched the little bun’s flushed ears, her lips carrying a gentle smile.

Just then, Madam Li came out with a smile and said to Ying Su, “Cuihua, why don’t you and Huzi stay and eat with us before going home?”

Liu Chuncao chimed in with a smile, “Cuihua, stay for dinner!”

Even Li Dalang didn’t object, leading the ox cart into the yard.

Ying Su curved her lips politely and declined, “No, the food I made this morning is still plenty. I’ll just go home, warm it up, and we can eat.”

“That’s too troublesome, you should just eat here with Huzi! I’ve already prepared dinner,” Madam Li said sincerely and warmly.

Ying Su took out a slab of pork belly from the wooden bucket and pushed it into Madam Li’s hands. “I bought two pieces of meat at the market today. One for each family. As for the leftovers at home, if I don’t reheat them they’ll spoil. I’ll take Huzi back now. You should hurry and eat too.”

Before Madam Li could react, Ying Su was already carrying the bucket in one hand and holding Huzi with the other as she walked away.

Behind her, Madam Li called out, “Cuihua, Cuihua, this meat—”

Without turning back, Ying Su replied, “This is my filial gift to you!”

Huzi’s little legs struggled to keep up, and he had to half-run. Realizing this, Ying Su gradually slowed her pace. Feeling the small, soft hand in her palm, her mood suddenly lifted.

“Baby, guess what Mommy bought for you?”

The little bun’s delicate face lit up with surprise. His lips curved, and his dark eyes shone like water. “Is it something tasty? Did you buy meat, Mommy?”

Ying Su shook her head and looked at the mountains in the distance. The golden afterglow of the sunset bathed the forest, the whole mountain draped in a veil of soft yellow, hazy and beautiful.

“Guess again.”

“What is it? Mommy, I can’t guess.” His sweet, childish voice carried far.

“It’s the thing you’ve been wanting the most…” she reminded him.

The little bun scratched his head, his big dark eyes turning quickly. Suddenly, as though a thought struck him, his eyes lit up, though he seemed almost afraid to believe it. “Did you… buy me paper and brushes?”

Ying Su snapped her fingers and smiled. “Correct!”

The little bun froze for a moment, then his mouth spread wide into a brilliant smile, showing neat little teeth. His delicate face brimmed with joy as he leapt into Ying Su’s arms, unable to hold back a shout, “Mommy, you’re the best!”

Seeing her son so ecstatic filled Ying Su with a sense of fulfillment she had never felt before. In her past life, no amount of wealth could fill the emptiness in her heart. But in this life, with her hand holding that small, soft one, and her eyes on the little bun’s sweet, joyful smile, she felt her heart so full it was nearly overflowing.

On the little path home, the air rang with the mother and son’s laughter, echoing endlessly.

But before they reached their home, Ying Su’s face suddenly changed drastically. She let go of the little bun’s hand, grabbed the bucket, and rushed toward the thatched hut.

Inside, what she saw made her usually calm face twist into something bloodthirsty and ruthless.

The little bun ran in behind her, panting. When he saw the mess inside the hut, his face changed drastically, and his dark eyes flashed with a wolf-like light as he let out a furious roar, “Ah!”