Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 216 - 215: Here It Comes Again

Chapter 216: Chapter 215: Here It Comes Again

The next day, as dawn was just breaking and the sound of chirping birds outside was beginning to aggravate her, Chen Afu looked over and saw Dabao still sound asleep. She quietly got dressed and slipped out of the room.

Once outside, she noticed that it had rained during the night. The rain, light and silent, had gone unnoticed. The birds were all huddled together under the eaves, a dense, fluttering mass. Unafraid of Chen Afu, they chirped continuously at her presence.

So, Chen Afu went to the kitchen, brought out two handfuls of brown rice, and scattered it under the eaves of the West Wing. The birds, seeing the food, madly fluttered over and squabbled for a bite, behaving exactly like domestic chickens.

Since Dabao didn’t have school that day, he got up later. Chen Afu waited for him to get up, and then they ate breakfast together.

After the meal, Chen Afu wanted to go to Lu Garden, but Dabao stubbornly refused, insisting that Yan’er must’ve been upset the day before and that he needed to go appease her.

Chen Afu agreed, thinking that Chu Lingxuan should be a gentleman who wouldn’t blame a child for the adults’ issues. The adults should keep their distance, but the children should continue as they had before.

However, she wondered, could she really control things when she felt insignificant in Chu Lingxuan’s eyes?

She left for Lu Garden alone, carrying her oiled paper umbrella.

Chen Ming and Mr. Zeng went together to Laohuai Village in Zhongning County yesterday and planned to stay there a few days with tenant farmers. The two hundred acres of rapeseed there were about to be harvested, and they wanted to oversee it. Although it wasn’t necessary, Chen Ming wished to learn more, so Mr. Zeng accompanied him.

Mrs. Wang was sitting on the bed making a jacket for Chen Ming. After seeing her daughter coming, she happily pulled her onto the bed to sit beside her.

Chen Afu then told Mrs. Wang about Wang Cheng. His name was not listed in the roll of the deceased, so they took it as good news.

Wiping her tears, Mrs. Wang said, "Let’s hope that your young uncle is still alive. Even if we can’t find him, knowing he’s alive is enough."

Looking at Mrs. Wang’s somewhat aged face, Chen Afu felt a pang of guilt. She had thought about making some skincare products containing agarwood for Mrs. Wang last year, but got sidetracked and forgot. She decided to discuss with Jin Yanzi later, to see if anything from the agarwood was suitable for skincare.

The mother and daughter chatted some more. Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu still had not fully recovered. Chen Ye was mobile, but he felt out of breath whenever attempting heavy-labor tasks. Mrs. Hu oftentimes couldn’t sleep at night, feeling as if someone was searing her with a red-hot iron. During the day, she spent half her time lying in bed, unable to do any housework. Because of this, Chen Aju had to step in, helping Mrs. Gao cater to the large family’s needs. The Chens’ twenty-some acres couldn’t be managed by Chen Agu alone, so they hired a long-term worker for help. When the rapeseed was sold, Chen Ming would buy a sturdy young bull for the family, and so on.

Mrs. Wang wanted Chen Afu to stay for lunch in Lu Garden and asked to have someone fetching Dabao. Chen Afu declined and returned to Fu Garden.

By the time she got home, the rain had stopped and the house was quiet. All the birdcages were empty. Qiu Yue mentioned that Jin Yanzi took the birds out to play, and even Zhui Feng had gone with them.

Chen Afu nodded. If even Zhui Feng had gone, they were probably at Honglin Mountain and might not return until late in the evening.

Chen Afu then went to the storage room to find some fabric.

She pulled out cloth with a deep gold floral brocade pattern and sat in the West Room cutting out patterns for Chu Lingxuan’s clothes. Ancient clothing wasn’t as fitted as modern clothing, and a general idea of height and build was sufficient, especially for men. A jade belt could be adjusted for slightly larger or smaller waists. Since there was no appropriate cloth for a monk’s robe at home, she decided to ask Auntie Zeng to buy it in the county town the next day.

But with her many worries, and her fluctuating peace of mind, she kept pricking herself. Her yelps startled Xia Yue and Qiu Yue who worked by her side.

Qiu Yue said, "If you can’t calm your mind, Miss, perhaps you should take a break. Every time you yelp, it hurts us too."

Shaking her head, Chen Afu bent down and continue working.

Auntie Zeng came to ask what they should have for lunch, Chen Afu only said without looking up, "You decide, Auntie Zeng."

Just then, Shan Zi came to announce, "Miss, we have visitors."

"Who?" Chen Afu said without raising her head, guessing that it must be somebody from the village.

"It’s Mr. Chen," Shan Zi replied in a whisper, "He’s in the courtyard."

Startled, Chen Afu looked out the window to see Chen Shiying standing in the center of the yard, his gaze fixed on the direction of Lu Garden. He was wearing an ice-blue robe with a bamboo pattern in silk brocade.

With sleek height and an outstanding presence, he appeared especially exquisite with the gentle breeze fluttering his robe, lifting a strand of long hair by his ears. He looked much like a celestial being exiled from heaven, deeply gazing with affection.

Why had he come again?

Thinking of Mrs. Wang who was busy making clothes for Chen Ming, Chen Afu didn’t want her just calmed mood to be disturbed again, which led her to instruct Qiu Yue, "Inform everyone at home that Mr. Chen’s visit is not to be discussed. Then, have someone usher his carriage into the courtyard."

She then walked out the door of the main room, saying, "Mr. Chen, didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t disturb our peace without a good reason?"

Chen Shiying looked at Chen Afu, noticing that his daughter seemed to have grown taller, and her radiant face was even more dazzling. Even though she was only wearing a semi-worn, pink thin-cloth dress with no makeup on her face, she embodied a refreshing, unique elegance reminiscent of a dewy lotus flower. This daughter, who didn’t grow up by his side, bore the most resemblance to him.

A hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes, and his face broke into a smile, "Fuer, your father missed you and came to see you."

His voice was warm and gentle, carrying a charming elegance.

This place was close to Lu Garden, and their conversation could easily be heard if spoken too loudly. Chen Afu said, "Mr. Chen, please come in. Let’s talk inside."

Chen Shiying entered the main room first, followed by Chen Afu. An attendant of Chen Shiying’s entered with two large brocade boxes, placing them on the table before retreating.

The other servants took the initiative not to enter.

Chen Shiying sat on the Luohan bed and Chen Afu prepared tea for him, bringing sugar and dried fruits as well. She didn’t feel inclined to take a seat, as she didn’t know what to say to her "real father." Being the replacement for the original occupant of this body, she found it difficult to accept this unaccustomed paternal affection.

Watching Chen Afu bustling around, Chen Shiying beckoned her, "Fuer, stop busying yourself. Come sit with your father."

Helplessly, Chen Afu took a seat on a chair beside him, but kept a distance with two chairs between them.

Chen Shiying spoke to Chen Afu, "Fuer, you’re turning sixteen at the end of next month. Oh, I have been negligent and caused you and your mother a lot of suffering..."

Chen Afu cut him off, "Mr. Chen, we have already been through this. I’m aware of and have accepted the ’compensation’ you’ve given to my mother and me. Therefore, there’s no need to bring it up again."