Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 213 - 212: Faint Fragrance

Chapter 213: Chapter 212: Faint Fragrance

Chen Afu knew that little Miss Chu would be upset today, so he didn’t let Jin Yanzi go out. Jin Yanzi hung on Chen Afu’s arm, singing a song in her gentlest voice.

The singing drew Chu Hanyan out of her melancholy. Through her tear-veiled vision, she saw Jin Yanzi’s smile and received a blink from her tiny green bean eyes, she couldn’t help but smile through her tears, "The bird is laughing, Jin Bao is laughing."

Chen Afu kissed her pretty little face again and laughed, "Yes. Sister, don’t worry, Jin Bao is here with you. Time will fly and Dabao will be home in the late afternoon."

Although he only had one regular student now, there were a few auditing students. With the Animal House also there for company, Chen Afu’s course schedule didn’t decrease.

However, the girl’s mood was often low. It wasn’t until late in the afternoon when Dabao returned that she genuinely cheered up.

Starting tonight, Alu should return to rest in the Lu Garden, while Dabao returned to sleep on the Luohan Bed in the upper room. According to Chen Afu, such a small child should have a small bed in the bedroom specially for him. However, ancient people believed otherwise since they were not real siblings, it was appropriate to sleep separately.

Before going to bed, Chen Afu sat on the bed. With one hand around each of them, he told them a story. Yan’er would fall asleep first, then the servant would take the sleepy Dabao to sleep.

Chen Afu got up to go to the small study to work, she needed to draw several "picture storybooks".

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed, Chen Afu and Mr. Zeng had successfully grown watermelon seedlings. Long-term workers were asked to plant the seedlings in the five-acre watermelon field on the north side of the garden, the shared piece of land between Lu Garden and Fu Garden, and half of the land inside Lu Garden. As for the other eighty acres of watermelon in Wangshan Village, Chen Afu only supplied the soaked seeds. Xue Dagui took over the sowing, as the necessary volume was too large, and handed it over to Mr. Lin, so that local tenants could grow sprouts.

Chen Afu and Chen Ming hired two long-term workers to care for the watermelon field and the three acres of wheat in Chen Ming’s household. Due to the affair caused by Mrs. Hu, Chen Ye was too scared to perform well, and his physical condition had been poor. Therefore it wasn’t appropriate to ask the big room to plant those three acres of land for Chen Ming. However, the harvest season was soon to arrive, although the long-term workers were brought in late, the promised grain would still be delivered to the big room after the wheat was harvested.

On the evening of March 29, the spring breeze was gentle, the sky filled with gorgeous clouds, and the fiery clouds rang with brilliance.

Chen Afu sat in front of the potted flowers, carefully cutting flowers for arrangements. They had planted more than ten pots of roses at home. Because Chen Afu had watered them with "Yan poop", they grew into large and fragrant blossoms.

She cut a few branches of pink, red and yellow flowers. The buds had just opened, ideal for arrangements. There were no baby’s breaths in this world, instead she left many leaves on the branches to make them look good in the vase.

Yan’er sat aside, watching the process. She wanted to hold the flowers but was afraid of being pricked, which left her somewhat conflicted.

Dabao was in the courtyard playing with Zhui Feng, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Jin’er. Jin’er was a Ten Brocade Sparrow. Since Jin Yanzi was present, he was let out frequently and kept in a cage at night.

It was particularly lively in the yard today. Jin Yanzi had invited his younger brothers and sisters, many of which were perched on the roof and branches, chirping loudly.

Chu Lingxuan knocked on the gate and was greeted by this beautiful, warm, and lively scene.

Upon her father’s return, Chu Hanchu, with a delighted face, got up and rushed towards him, shouting, "Daddy, Daddy, it’s been so long since you came home, Sister missed you so much she wanted to cry."

She was wearing a suit of spring flowers colored court dress, like a vibrant and chirpy kingfisher, diving into Chu Lingxuan’s arms.

The joy made Chu Lingxuan’s laughter a bit louder. He picked her up and said, "Don’t cry, dear. As soon as I finished my work, I rushed back to see you."

Chu Hanyan hugged his neck and kissed him twice. Chu Lingxuan, used to his girl’s warmth, laughed and kissed her twice in return.

Dabao saw him and also came over to greet him, saying, "Hello, Uncle Chu."

Chu Lingxuan was holding Chu Hanyan with one hand and extended his other hand towards Dabao. Quickly, Dabao placed his little hand into the warm, robust hand of Chu Lingxuan. It was an entirely different feeling. He liked it.

Qi Qi and Hui Hui also greeted Chu Lingxuan, however, one was calling him "Daddy," the other "Uncle," which got him laughing once again.

Chen Afu stood and saluted with a bent knee, saying, "Mr. Chu is back."

Chu Lingxuan stood in front of her. He was wearing a long pale moon-white robe, his jet-black hair was wet and hanging loose, the scent of his freshly washed hair was particularly strong. Together with the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips, he was bathed in the glow of the setting sun, appearing gentle and warm.

He said with a smile, "I’ve been out for a while, Ms. Afu must have been working hard." He paused before adding, "Er, I haven’t had dinner yet, I’m hungry."

"Ah...oh, what would Mr. Chu like to eat? I’ll go make it right now," Chen Afu responded.

Before Chu Lingxuan could reply, Dabao interjected, "We had chicken broth wontons for dinner, they were very good."

This remark was seconded by the little Ms. Chu, who nodded and said, "Daddy, the wontons Auntie made are really fragrant."

Chu Lingxuan smiled and said, "Okay, then I’ll have wontons."

Chen Afu called Auntie Zeng to the kitchen to help. Fortunately, there was still a small piece of meat left, which was reserved for making steamed buns the next day. In this world without a refrigerator, apart from cured meat, people usually wouldn’t buy much extra meat.

There was still chicken broth in the pot. She also asked Chunyue to go to the back of Lu Garden to pick some small spring onions.

There was no space to grow vegetables in Fu Garden. Almost all the vegetable space in the backyard of Lu Garden was used to grow watermelons, with only a small furrow left to grow small spring onions. They had to go to the vegetable field at the entrance of the village to pick other vegetables.

In no time at all, a large bowl of chicken broiled wontons was ready, sprinkled with a few chopped green onions. The fragrance pervaded the entire house.

Chu Lingxuan had already taken his seat at the dining table, and the two children were sitting with him.

Chen Afu walked to Chu Lingxuan’s side, placed the tray of wontons in front of him, and said with a smile, "Please enjoy, Mr. Chu."

Despite the rich aroma of the wontons, Chu Lingxuan still discerned that special, mild scent from Chen Afu, a fragrance he only noticed after many encounters with her. Although the scent was faint, it was beautiful and serene, more pleasing than the most fragrant flower or perfume in the world. He hadn’t smelled this scent for over twenty days and missed it deeply. He had just taken a deep breath, and she left as soon as she put down the bowl, and that subtle fragrance disappeared with her.

The graceful figure in faint purple had taken off her heavy cotton robe, and she appeared more elegant and light. She went to the courtyard and continued to trim the rose branches. The sunset was even more intense now, and it added a layer of rouge to her beautiful, pure face, making her appear as beautiful as a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace.

Chu Lingxuan was stunned by the sight.

Dabao, sitting nearby, said, "Uncle Chu, didn’t you say you were hungry? Why aren’t you eating your wontons?"