Huo Luan, however, extended both hands toward her. Chu Lingzhi saw that there was still dirt on his hands that hadn't been washed off, and his sleeves were very dirty. She immediately understood—Huo Luan was doing hard labor while Nangong Yehen was giving orders. Listening to Fu Chunyan's endless praise, she had wondered how such a noble young master like Nangong could have climbed up onto the roof.
"Mommy, Daddy's performance today was really adorable. He's won the people's hearts," Chu Junyu said cheerfully as he approached.
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow, the smile in his eyes deepening. Won the people's hearts? Those four words carried profound meaning.
"A ruler who wins the people's hearts is a good emperor, and a daddy who wins his precious child's heart is a good father," Chu Lingzhi said, pinching Chu Junyu's little cheek.
"So, is a man who wins your heart a good man?" Nangong Yehen curled his lips, his gaze shimmering with light.
Chu Lingzhi felt her cheeks flush under his stare. Before she could speak, Fu Chunyan's voice rang in her ears.
"Of course he's a good man! For Lingzhi to find such a wonderful husband is the blessing of eight lifetimes!"
After a couple of laughs, Fu Chunyan added, "Lingzhi is also a good woman. For Young Master Nangong to marry such a fine woman, he must have saved the planet."
Chu Lingzhi's mouth opened slightly, clearly startled by Fu Chunyan's words. Saving the planet? She glanced at Nangong Yehen, who was looking at her with a warm, gentle smile in his eyes. In that instant, Chu Lingzhi's heart gave a sudden jolt. It was as if someone had lightly tapped on the door of her heart, stirring a strange sensation deep within.
Nangong Yehen noticed her shyness—the slight redness at her ears and cheeks, incredibly charming.
Fu Chunyan had to go harvest the crops, so Nangong Yehen and Chu Lingzhi stayed in her yard, watching Chu Junyu teach Zhong Xibing to write and draw. The two little treasures treated Zhong Xibing like their own little sister, with immense care, tolerance, and affection. In reality, Zhong Xibing was two years older than them...
Nangong Yehen and Chu Lingzhi sat on wooden benches, smiling as they watched them. Suddenly, a group of villagers came walking along the path toward them. They moved quickly and roughly, laughing and talking loudly. Seeing the crowd, Huo Luan warily moved closer to Nangong Yehen and the others.
"Are they here for lunch?" Chu Lingzhi asked, looking at them with confusion.
"It's still early for lunch," Nangong Yehen said, narrowing his eyes as he gazed at them deeply. There were about thirty people, mostly elderly men and women.
"Lingzhi, please treat me—my knees hurt every rainy day, and I can't even take care of my grandson."
"Lingzhi, look at me—why has my period lasted twenty days and still hasn't stopped?"
"Check out my son—why has he had fungal nails since birth?"
...
As soon as they entered the yard, they clamored for Chu Lingzhi to treat them. It turned out that the loudmouth Fu Chunyan had spread the news of Chu Lingzhi's medical skills throughout the entire village. The village was small, and word spread quickly from person to person until everyone knew. They all knew that Fu Chunyan's health had declined since her husband died. According to her, she was tormented by illness every night and couldn't sleep, and everyone thought she would soon die of sickness. But unexpectedly, after taking two doses of the medicine Chu Lingzhi prescribed, she slept soundly that very night, her abdomen no longer bloated, and she felt completely revitalized. Hearing this, those with ailments rushed over to find Chu Lingzhi.