Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Cui Hua, who was lying on the bed. He took out a needle and pricked her.
“Hiss…”
Zhang Cui Hua let out a hiss.
Although Zhang Cui Hua suffered from dysmenorrhea, curing this condition required addressing other meridians in her body, and it would also involve acupuncture points that caused pain, hence Zhang Cui Hua’s discomfort.
Once the needles in her back were mostly in place, Lin Xiao Tian motioned for Zhang Cui Hua to sit up.
“Sister Cui Hua, there are a few acupuncture points in the front. Could you sit up?”
Zhang Cui Hua gritted her teeth, thinking that sitting up would mean Lin Xiao Tian would see her completely.
However, upon further consideration, she realized Lin Xiao Tian had already examined her thoroughly, so this one act wouldn’t make much difference.
Besides, Lin Xiao Tian was handsome and tall. What was the harm for a lonely widow like her to be seen by him? Would Lin Xiao Tian dare to misbehave?
If he did misbehave, she wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage!
With this thought, Zhang Cui Hua sat up from the bed.
Lin Xiao Tian was also professional. Although Zhang Cui Hua was now unclothed, Lin Xiao Tian’s mind was focused solely on treating her.
His silver needles danced, and his movements were as fluid as flowing clouds, each time accurately delivering the needle to the correct acupuncture point.
Little did he know, Zhang Cui Hua’s face was flushed crimson.
Since she had been widowed, she hadn’t been intimate with a man for seven or eight years. Now, being touched by Lin Xiao Tian, a sense of pleasure surged through her body. Unconsciously, her gaze towards Lin Xiao Tian grew hazy, her breathing deepened, and her body, in particular, involuntarily revealed a hint of a blush.
Lin Xiao Tian, who was pricking her, quickly noticed Zhang Cui Hua’s change. The moment he looked up, he met Zhang Cui Hua’s alluring gaze.
“Sister Cui Hua?” Lin Xiao Tian called out.
Zhang Cui Hua startled and suddenly came back to her senses. Seeing Lin Xiao Tian looking into her eyes, her small face turned red.
“Xiao Tian, I’m sorry. I lost my composure just now.”
Lin Xiao Tian smiled, not probing further. This made Zhang Cui Hua even more impressed with Lin Xiao Tian’s character.
Because Zhang Cui Hua had delayed her treatment for so long, she had missed the best opportunity for recovery. This acupuncture session with Lin Xiao Tian lasted half an hour, longer than Er Guai’s treatment.
By the time he finished needling Zhang Cui Hua, it was already one in the morning.
Lin Xiao Tian collected the needles and then urged Zhang Cui Hua to get a good rest.
“Sister Cui Hua, your constitution is rather special. For now, we will control it with acupuncture and medication. Your recovery will be slower, and you will need to cooperate somewhat yourself.”
“What do I need to do?” Zhang Cui Hua asked, putting on her clothes, curiously.
“Sister Cui Hua, have you been abstinent?”
Upon hearing Lin Xiao Tian’s words, Zhang Cui Hua’s face, which had just regained its composure, turned red again.
“Mhm!” Zhang Cui Hua shyly nodded.
“Excessive indulgence is harmful to the body, and so is abstinence. Everything should be done in moderation. Sister Cui Hua, you should find a boyfriend. Once you have a regular sex life, your dysmenorrhea will naturally get better.”
Listening to Lin Xiao Tian’s words, Zhang Cui Hua’s face turned even redder.
“Can I find one just because you say so? Who would be interested in a widow like me!”
“What’s wrong with being a widow? What era is this? Still clinging to such notions? It’s just that people in our village are superstitious! Sister Cui Hua, you are so beautiful, are you afraid you won’t find a boyfriend? If you can’t find one here, surely you can find one in the city?”
Listening to Lin Xiao Tian’s righteous words, Zhang Cui Hua giggled.
“You rascal, if you want to be a good person, be one all the way. Why don’t you be my boyfriend? I don’t need a title.” Zhang Cui Hua teased Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian’s face immediately turned red upon hearing this.
“You rascal, I was just joking!” Zhang Cui Hua burst out laughing. “Alright, you rascal, it’s getting late. I won’t see you out. Come back tomorrow, and I’ll leave the door open for you.”
“Or… why don’t you stay over at my place tonight?”
“Thank you for your kind offer, Sister Cui Hua. There’s no need for that trouble…”
Lin Xiao Tian fled Zhang Cui Hua’s home as if he were escaping, leaving Zhang Cui Hua behind with a mix of tears and laughter.
After Lin Xiao Tian left, Zhang Cui Hua was alone in the room.
Recalling Lin Xiao Tian’s words, a warmth welled up in Zhang Cui Hua’s heart.
For so many years, people around her had spoken ill of her status as a widow, and Lin Xiao Tian was the only one who had encouraged her.
With this thought, Zhang Cui Hua couldn’t help but smile foolishly.
“You rascal, telling me to stop abstaining! Where am I supposed to find a man!”
“Forget it… Since you suggested it, I’ll have to trouble you tonight then!”
Zhang Cui Hua said, undoing her clothes.
Not long after, a sweet and delicate voice echoed from her bedroom…
The next day, Lin Xiao Tian woke up naturally.
As usual, he was about to head to the pond.
But as he was about to leave, he ran into several people.
“Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wang, Brother Er Niu, is there something you need?” Lin Xiao Tian asked curiously, looking at the three people in front of him.
They were all poor households in the village. Lin Xiao Tian remembered he didn’t owe them any money, so why were they gathered at his door so early in the morning?
“Xiao Tian… We won’t beat around the bush. I heard from Huang Mao and the others that the work you have pays five to six hundred a day. Is that true?”
Lin Xiao Tian finally understood.
So they had come to him early in the morning to find work.
This was understandable. They were all struggling households in the village and did not own land. Previously, they had relied on renting land from others to grow vegetables and then sharing the produce, which was barely enough to support themselves for the year.
Now that they had learned of the high-paying jobs with Lin Xiao Tian, they were naturally attracted.
“It’s about five to six hundred,” Lin Xiao Tian replied.
Upon hearing Lin Xiao Tian’s answer, they exchanged glances, seeing the excitement in each other’s eyes.
“Xiao Tian, do you still need more hands? How do you think we would do?”
Lin Xiao Tian thought for a moment and finally shook his head.
He already had over a dozen employees, and the fishing speed was just right. If he hired more people, it would easily lead to overfishing. To sustainably utilize Bingshui Lake, Lin Xiao Tian decided to refuse.
“Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wang, and Brother Er Niu, I truly do not need any more hands at the moment.”
Lin Xiao Tian politely refused and was about to leave.
When the three men heard this, they became anxious.
“Xiao Tian, wait a moment, won’t you reconsider?”
“It’s not that I won’t reconsider, it’s just that I really don’t need anyone right now.”
Seeing the high-paying job slipping away, Li Er Niu became anxious. He pondered for a moment and then suddenly approached Lin Xiao Tian.
“Xiao Tian, I have a secret to tell you.”
Lin Xiao Tian was surprised. “What secret?”
“I’ll tell you this secret, and then you’ll agree to let us work for you, okay?” Li Er Niu said again.
“Brother Er Niu, are you treating me like a three-year-old child?” Lin Xiao Tian smiled, not taking Li Er Niu’s bait.
“Xiao Tian, I won’t let you lose out. I’ll tell you this first. If you think this secret is not important, then we’ll leave immediately,” Li Er Niu said earnestly.
Hearing Li Er Niu’s words, Lin Xiao Tian was slightly surprised.
“Alright, I’ll listen then. What secret is it?”
Li Er Niu took a deep breath and slowly began to speak:
“Xiao Tian, the other day, when you weren’t here, someone sneaked into your house. Can you guess who it was?”
Lin Xiao Tian frowned. “Who was it?”
“Zhang Xue Fen!” Li Er Niu softly uttered the three words…