After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter
Chapter 132: It’s All Up to You

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: It’s All Up to You

Meng Yuanyou’s excuse that night and the vast contrast with his true identity were like ripples unexpectedly appearing on a calm lake surface, surprising and inspiring reflections.

The sun filtered through the sparse clouds, dappled across the two busy figures, adding a touch of warmth to this ordinary scene.

Su Yu noticed that Sister-in-law He’s hands, though slightly rough, were skilled and vigorous. With every piece of bamboo fencing she tied, it seemed as if she was inscribing an annotation of diligence and perseverance onto the land.

Sister-in-law He’s husband—the butcher by day, the "frail patient" by night—didn’t say a word as he focused intently on assisting. Now and then, he exchanged a knowing look with Sister-in-law He, the inadvertently revealed tenderness conveying a simple yet pure happiness.

The fence gradually took shape, like a protective boundary drawn around this patch of land, isolating it from the outside world’s disturbances while safeguarding the peace within.

Su Yu felt an inexplicable touch of emotion as she watched this scene.

In this small village, everyone was striving to live in their own way, their mutual support and care forming the most solid foundation of this community.

"Sister-in-law He, I really can’t thank you enough," Su Yu once again expressed her gratitude sincerely. Her voice was gentle and genuine, "Once the fence is up, I insist on inviting you over for a meal, as a small token of my appreciation."

Xie Qifen laughed heartily, like the warmest breeze of spring, "That’s great, us villagers, isn’t that what we value, helping each other! Just don’t forget to pick some fresh vegetables from your garden when the time comes!"

As she spoke, Xie Qifen bent down again to continue her work, occasionally exchanging tools with her husband or whispering a few words in a harmonious and understanding manner that filled Su Yu’s heart with warmth.

In that moment, she felt as though she had touched the essence of life—simple, unadorned, yet filled with boundless warmth and strength.

Xixi observed everything curiously from the side, now and then picking up small twigs from the ground, imitating the adults as they worked on the fence. Her childlike smile, especially radiant under the sunlight, added life and hope to this picture of labor.

So it was, time quietly passed with the growing height of the fence, and those stories about misunderstandings and comprehension, toil and help, silently woven into the village’s daily fabric, becoming an unforgettable memory in Su Yu’s heart.

Su Yu tactfully evaded Meng Yuanyou’s secret of seeking medical advice in private; after all, it was a matter between husband and wife. As an outsider, it was naturally inappropriate for her to say too much.

Yet in her eyes, there was more pity and understanding shown towards Xie Qifen.

Recalling the day she had silently observed Director Liu’s treatment process, Director Liu hadn’t even needed to take a careful pulse to deduce the hidden ailment in Meng Yuanyou’s body simply from experience.

The diagnosis of spermatorrhea paired with a lack of vitality meant that Sister Wang had never truly experienced the sweetness and joy of marital life, which caused Su Yu to sigh inwardly, wondering how Sister Wang had managed all these years.

Although Sister Wang readily agreed to help with fixing the fence and tending the vegetable garden, Su Yu was very aware that after all, these were others’ affairs. Since she was here, she could not just stand by and watch.

Thus, as soon as she set down her basket, she quickly became involved in the work.

Without hands-on involvement, one cannot understand—building a fence was far from as simple as imagined. It required the willow branches to be intertwined tightly to form an enclosed barrier that prevented wild chickens from swooping in and also stood guard against cunning rabbits squeezing through; it was an activity that tested both skill and consumed physical strength.

Without the strength of a man, this task was indeed difficult to complete.

Little Xixi didn’t want to be left behind, constantly handing over willow branches with her small hands. Though clumsy, she was also enjoying herself.

Everyone was bustling about until the sunset, and finally, with everyone’s combined efforts, the fence was completed.

Su Yu looked at the sturdy fence before her and couldn’t help feeling a flood of emotions. She thought to herself that if she had to rely solely on her own strength, there was no telling when she could have finished the task, let alone achieve such sturdy quality.

Grateful for Sister Wang and her husband’s genuine help, Su Yu felt a bit ashamed. She sincerely invited them, "Why don’t you come to my house for dinner tonight? It’ll give you a chance to taste my cooking skills."

Upon hearing this, Xie Qifen quickly waved her hand, repeatedly saying, "There’s no need, no need," with an embarrassed expression on her face.

However, Su Yu stubbornly grabbed her hand and said with a smile, "Why stand on ceremony between us?"

This simple phrase seemed to instantly remove the awkwardness between the two and brought them closer.

Under Su Yu’s enthusiastic persistence, Xie Qifen found it difficult to refuse any longer, her only concern being Brother Meng at home who might not be too keen on going out.

She turned her head toward Meng Yuanyou, her eyes full of questions.

Having been through his wife’s "loving discipline," Meng Yuanyou seemed to have gotten much wiser and casually replied, "I’ll follow your lead."

With that, Xie Qifen felt quite honored in front of others, and her heart felt a sense of comfort.

She agreed with a smile, "Alright, I’ll be your assistant today, and taste your cooking as well."

The two families hit it off and set off for home.

When passing by Xie Qifen’s house, she made the excuse of going back to tidy up the tools. In reality, she thought it improper to go to a feast empty-handed, so she hurried into the vegetable garden, personally picked some fresh vegetables, and at the same time instructed Meng Yuanyou to bring his cherished medicinal wine, as their contribution to the dinner.

Seeing this, Su Yu also felt that her home didn’t have much in the way of decent dishes, so she took Xixi and made a detour to the riverbank.

With every fat and delicious fish captured, Xixi would excitedly clap her hands on the side, her laughter as clear and pleasant as a silver bell.

Today’s haul was quite bountiful; not only were the fish plump, but their meat was also tender, making one look forward to the delicious meal in the evening.

On the way home, they passed by a lotus pond, and Su Yu casually picked a few soft green lotus leaf tips, planning to use them to decorate the table. At the same time, she picked several broad, round lotus leaves for Xixi, lifting them above the child’s head to shield her from the sun, casting a cool shade.

Watching Xixi holding the lotus leaves, jumping and playing joyfully, Su Yu couldn’t help but reminisce about her own carefree, happy childhood at her master’s side.

However, in an unguarded moment, Xixi slipped, almost tumbling headlong into the pond. Fortunately, she was quick to react and stabilize herself.

Even so, Su Yu was frightened by the scene, and she quickly reminded, "Be careful!" Xixi turned around, playfully sticking out her tongue with an innocent smile on her face, looking especially adorable and amusing.

Returning to that familiar and cosy home, Xie Qifen and her husband were already in view. They were sitting on the old wooden chairs in the hall, eyes filled with anticipation and slight unease, as if time had stopped at this moment, waiting for someone’s arrival.

The light gently spread over their faces, outlining traces of the years, yet adding a touch of the warmth of home.