“Getting closer”
Early the next morning, Cheng Bao’er arrived at Cheng Yun’s house. The surroundings were quiet, and it seemed that the couple had not yet woken up. Cheng Bao’er waited quietly outside the door, reciting the recipe for making sour plum soup in his mind.
After about a quarter of an hour, rustling sounds could be heard nearby. Cheng Bao’er checked the sky and saw that the sun had not yet risen completely, and the surroundings were still shrouded in darkness. He looked towards the source of the sound and subconsciously adjusted his clothes.
Cheng Bao’er squinted his eyes and tried to distinguish who it was. After a while, he looked at the incoming person in surprise and asked, “Why are you here?”
The person was Wang Liang. He quickened his pace when he saw Bao’er and grinned, scratching his head. “I was thinking that you guys were going to the town today. It’s your first time, so I thought I could help in any way I can.”
Cheng Bao’er didn’t expect that they had only met for the first time yesterday, yet Wang Liang was already thinking about this. He felt a warmth in his heart and smiled at him, saying, “Thank you. You’re really a good person.”
Wang Liang was pleased to receive the “good person” card and grinned from ear to ear, saying, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome.” Then he immediately asked, “Have you been here for a while? Have you had breakfast?”
“Not long, just standing here for a while,” Cheng Bao’er felt a little embarrassed that he had come to bother them so early in the morning, and the person he was bothering had not even woken up yet. He rubbed his nose and said, “I ate a little at home. How about you? Have you eaten?”
“Not yet,” Wang Liang took out two buns and handed one to Cheng Bao’er, “I just heated these up and brought them with me. Have some more, or you might get hungry on the road later.”
Cheng Bao’er quickly waved his hand and declined, “No, no need. I already ate. You can have it.”
In this day and age, everyone was struggling to get enough to eat. Not only did they refrain from giving food to others casually, they even felt guilty about eating food from someone else’s plate. Although Cheng Bao’er and Wang Liang had only known each other for two days, Cheng Bao’er did not dare to eat his food without permission.
However, Wang Liang was not deterred by the refusal and forcefully put a bun in Cheng Bao’er’s hand. “You’re too skinny, eat a little more. I also ate at home before coming here, this one is specially for you.”
He turned around and started eating his own bun silently.
Cheng Bao’er held the bun in his hand and hesitated. He remembered that Wang Liang had just said he hadn’t eaten yet, but now he claimed to have eaten at home.
A somewhat unclear thought flashed through his mind. Cheng Bao’er blushed a little, wanting to give the bun back to Wang Liang, but whenever he moved, Wang Liang would dodge, pretending not to want it. Cheng Bao’er felt helpless. In fact, he had come out early today and hadn’t eaten anything at home. After standing here for a while, he felt cold and hungry.
The bun in his hand was warm and fragrant. Cheng Bao’er swallowed his saliva and looked up at Wang Liang, coincidentally catching his gaze. Wang Liang quickly turned his head away, leaving only his red ears.
Cheng Bao’er paused for a moment, then smiled, revealing two small dimples. He whispered a “thank you” and began to eat the bun obediently.
As he took a bite, the savory meat filling of the bun spread in his mouth, mixed with minced mushrooms. It was warm and juicy, and made Cheng Bao’er feel warm all over after just one bite.
He ate quietly and took a glance at Wang Liang after each bite. He didn’t know if he had been caught earlier, but Wang Liang didn’t dare to look back this time.
Wang Liang ate quickly, and because of the tense atmosphere, he finished the big bun in just three or four bites. But even after finishing, he still stood there like a wooden stake, not daring to turn his head.
Cheng Bao’er didn’t want to finish the bun so quickly, but when he saw that Wang Liang was still standing there, he decided to eat faster. He clapped his hands, hesitated for a moment, and gently tapped Wang Liang’s shoulder with his index finger. “Have you finished eating?”
Only then did Wang Liang turn his head, seeing that Cheng Bao’er had also finished. He smiled slightly and said, “I have, are you finished?”
Cheng Bao’er nodded, and then heard him ask, “Is it delicious?”
He nodded again, thought for a moment, and whispered, “It’s delicious, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Wang Liang smiled and scratched his head. He wanted to say something to Cheng Bao’er, but he was naturally clumsy and didn’t know what to say. The good atmosphere that was finally created became awkward again.
Wang Liang sighed and felt annoyed at himself for being so dumb. Even Brother Yang was better than him at making Cheng-Ge’er happy and amused. Compared to himself, he became the stupid one.
Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere didn’t last long, and the door of Cheng Yun’s house was opened.
When Cheng Yun saw the two outside the door, he was surprised and hurriedly invited them in. “Why didn’t you knock on the door? Have you been standing outside for a long time?”
Cheng Bao’er was less nervous when he saw his big brother. He answered all of Cheng Yun’s questions one by one.
At first, Wang Liang didn’t think there was anything wrong with their conversation. But as he listened more, he felt that something was off. When he heard Bao’er and Cheng-Ge’er talking about eating buns outside, Wang Liang wanted to speak up, but it was too late.
He felt a tingling sensation on his scalp as he faced Cheng Yun’s curious gaze.
Cheng Yun wore a meaningful expression and said, “Thank you so much Xia’er, for taking care of our Bao’er.”
Even though it was a compliment, Wang Liang somehow sensed a hint of teasing in it, as if his inner thoughts had already been seen through.
Wang Liang blushed and frantically waved his hands. “It’s just a small favor, it’s nothing.”
Cheng Yun didn’t continue to tease him. He heated up some rice porridge that he had soaked the night before and added some ground meat to it. It would be ready to eat soon.
Yang Hongjin finished washing up and came out to see so many people in the house early in the morning. He frowned but didn’t say anything. He went straight to the kitchen and acted as a competent follower. He helped wash the dishes and brought out the pickled radishes they had prepared last night from the cellar, placing everything neatly on the table before going back to the kitchen to help with the big pot of porridge.
“In the morning, I just made some casual food. We will have to be busy for a while today. You guys should eat a little more, or else you’ll be hungry before noon,” Cheng Yun said while serving them porridge.
Cheng Yun first handed a bowl to Cheng Bao’er, who then immediately passed it to Wang Liang sitting next to him.
Wang Liang instinctively reached out to take it, but after taking it, he felt it was not right and quickly passed it back. “You go ahead and eat, I’m not hungry.”
“You go first,” Bao’er pushed the bowl towards him. “You just gave me a bun, you must not have eaten enough. Hurry up and eat, it won’t taste good when it’s cold.”
Wang Liang felt touched by Cheng Bao’er’s kindness, but still worried that he was eating too little. He pushed the bowl back again.
Cheng Yun rolled his eyes at the side and scooped up another bowl and placed it directly in front of Bao’er. “Stop fighting, there’s still a big pot here. Sit down and eat breakfast, learn from your elder brother Yang. When you eat, you should eat like you mean it. Sit down and be good.”
Yang Hongjin, who was called out, looked up at Cheng Yun. Cheng Yun handed him a bowl of porridge, and Yang Hongjin graciously put it in front of Cheng Yun, smiling sweetly. “Wife first!”
Cheng Yun, who was slapped in the face as soon as he finished speaking: “…”
The meal was eaten in silence and awkwardness. After the meal, Cheng Yun quickly packed up their things and asked Yang Hongjin and Wang Liang to put all the finished sour plum soup on the donkey cart they borrowed a few days ago. He also packed some newly made sour and crispy radish in a small earthenware pot. After a brief tidy up, they set off towards the town.
Wang Liang thought that with Cheng Yun’s words this morning, he might be able to go to the town with them and work hard. But just before they left, Cheng Yun just patted his shoulder and said, “Thank you for your hard work, Xia’er. You can rest today and wait for our good news.”
Then the three of them left, leaving him standing there alone, watching them go.
Cheng Bao’er, sitting on the cart, saw his pitiful expression and even though he was usually shy, couldn’t help but wave goodbye to him.
Cheng Yun, as an observer, witnessed everything. Yesterday, he thought Wang Liang was singing a solo, but today the progress had moved forward quite a bit. It seems that this marriage may have some hope.
Then he turned to look at Yang Hongjin next to him and couldn’t help but sigh.
If this fool could be as proactive as Wang Liang, they might already have a child by now.
