Xue Niang and Xiao Shan began sleeping in separate rooms. On the first night, Xue Niang found it difficult to adjust. Although they had always slept under separate blankets, never crossing the boundary, she had felt a sense of security knowing someone was lying beside her. Now, the vast bed felt empty, not even half of it occupied.
As she drifted off, she would suddenly open her eyes, glancing at the door, then at the canopy, fearing another snake might drop down.
Even though Xiao Shan had sprinkled a circle of medicinal powder before they slept, she still felt uneasy.
In the杂物房 (zázhù fáng - utility room), Xiao Shan also tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The small bed creaked under his weight, and not only was the space cramped, but the familiar scent was gone, replaced by the musty smell of the utility room.
It is difficult to go from luxury to frugality.
Before, he didn't feel lonely or empty when he was alone, and he would snore loudly once he lay down.
Now, he felt truly miserable, solitary, and could only sigh at the moon.
He couldn't hold her or embrace her while she slept to satisfy his cravings. His arm resting on the edge of the bed felt superfluous.
Alas—
The night ended with a deep sigh.
When dawn broke, Xiao Shan continued to hunt on the mountain to save money.
Xue Niang tidied up the house and even checked the utility room. Fortunately, summer had arrived, so she wouldn't be cold in the drafty, dilapidated room.
She swept the floor again and picked up the dirty clothes thrown on the ground. Her health had improved considerably, and it was time for her to fulfill her duty of washing clothes.
Xue Niang returned to the bedroom and gathered her own clothes to be washed. However, after searching everywhere, she couldn't find the mandarin duck肚兜 (dùdōu - a type of traditional Chinese undergarment) she had changed out of yesterday. She distinctly remembered placing it at the foot of the bed and covering it with a thin blanket. How could it have disappeared?
Xue Niang lifted the bedding and even searched under the bed, but it was nowhere to be found.
Could a mouse have taken it?
Xiao Shan hadn't washed any clothes yesterday either, and there were no clothes hanging on the line outside.
Once Xue Niang confirmed it was missing, she concluded there must still be mice in the house and decided to ask Xiao Shan to search again when he returned.
She truly detested such creatures.
Carrying a basin of clothes, Xue Niang closed the gate of the fenced yard and walked towards the water bay north of the village.
Not wanting to interact with the villagers, she deliberately chose to go near noon. Indeed, she didn't encounter anyone along the way and soon reached the riverbank, where she found a stone beach with shade from the trees.
There weren't many clothes, mainly Xiao Shan's. Most of his clothes were made of coarse, durable fabric. He was tall, so his clothes were large, and when soaked, they were very heavy. Xue Niang found it a bit strenuous to drag them.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
In the shade of the trees, Liu Donghuai, who had intended to study in the cool spot during the midday heat, frowned upon hearing the sound.
Which wife would be washing clothes at this time of day? Weren't they all rushing home to cook for their husbands?
He peered through the gaps in the foliage.
There was a woman squatting, wearing a light pink cloth skirt. Her slender figure was graceful and well-proportioned. Unlike other women washing clothes, her movements were elegant and subtle, exuding a delicate charm.
As she wiped the sweat from her brow, her exquisitely perfect profile was revealed.
Liu Donghuai's heart quickened. He had never seen such a beautiful maiden.
Who was she?
Her hair was unbound, and her attire suggested she was unmarried.
Xue Niang had washed two of Xiao Shan's clothes and was exhausted. She couldn't help but mutter, "He's so tall, I wonder what he ate to grow like that."
She had seen Xiao Shan wash his own clothes, placing them in a large wooden basin and stomping on them vigorously with his feet.
One of Xiao Shan's clothes remained. Seeing that no one was around, Xue Niang quickly took off her shoes and socks, stood up, and began to stomp, imitating Xiao Shan.
Her fair toes were round and delicate, each toe like a freshly made soup dumpling.
How could a farmer's daughter have such exquisite feet? They seemed to glow with whiteness.
Liu Donghuai's book fell to the ground.
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...
"I will make you regret it! You forced me to my death!"
A cry came from behind her. As Xue Niang turned, a figure swiftly passed by and leaped into the water with a splash, sending up a meter-high wave.
Someone jumped into the river!
Xue Niang stared in shock at the struggling figure in the water. As it bobbed up and down, she could only make out two thick braids.
"Help... me!"
Xu Da Niu's head was submerged, and her chest felt like it would burst. Suddenly, she regretted her actions. Driven by anger, she had leaped in. Now, the terror of her feet not touching the bottom made her flail her arms wildly, a primal instinct for survival.
Her mind was a blank; she couldn't comprehend that it was the middle of a scorching hot day, and no one would be around.
"Help..."
The more she struggled, the heavier she felt. As soon as she opened her mouth, water rushed in.
She was going to die, truly die. She didn't want to die. Who could save her? She hadn't even married yet. She didn't want to die!
"Quick, grab her clothes!"
A heavenly voice descended. Closing her eyes, Xu Da Niu indeed grabbed a strap and held on tightly. With a sudden pull, Xue Niang stumbled, her upper body plunging into the water.
Her elbow hit the stone edge, stinging sharply.
Xu Da Niu desperately tugged at the clothes. Before Xue Niang could react, she was pulled further into the water.
Fortunately, Liu Donghuai had already circled around from the side of the woods and lunged forward, grabbing Xue Niang's legs.
"Xu Da Niu, don't pull!"
Liu Donghuai shouted, holding Xue Niang's legs and pulling back.
Xue Niang was light. Although Liu Donghuai was thin, he was still a man. He slowly pulled Xue Niang's body back from the shallow water.
Her fair feet dangled before his eyes. Liu Donghuai's gaze was inevitably drawn to them, and a faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils.
She smelled so good, so soft.
Xue Niang choked on some water, wiped her face, and began to cough.
Liu Donghuai took the clothes from her hands, pulling them as he looked at Xue Niang.
The dark markings on her left cheek were striking. He then realized she was the woman from that hunter's family, the one named Xiao.
Distracted for a moment, he almost let Xu Da Niu pull Xue Niang back into the water. He dared not look at Xue Niang again and exerted all his strength to drag Xu Da Niu ashore in one go.
Xu Da Niu was drenched, Xue Niang was half-submerged, and Liu Donghuai was not much better, his scholar's robe wet and dirty.
"Xu Da Niu, you're something else, almost pulled that person..." He glanced at Xue Niang, suddenly unsure how to address her, and awkwardly fell silent.
Xu Da Niu panted, her body trembling, unable to speak.
Liu Donghuai looked at Xue Niang. "Go back quickly. Someone might come soon."
He worried about what the village gossips would say.
The two girls were both wet, especially the one from Xiao Shan's house. Her figure, with its curves clearly outlined, was particularly noticeable.
He blushed and averted his gaze.
Without him needing to say anything, Xue Niang had already put on her shoes and socks. After resting for a moment, she placed the clothes into the wooden bucket and prepared to leave. However, when she tried to lift it, she couldn't.
Soaked with water, the clothes were incredibly heavy, nothing like the dry clothes she had brought.
She was stunned.