Chapter 154
Having spent a long time with Guaizi in the mountains before, Lu Gu naturally recognized his barking. Besides, who else but Shen Xuanqing would bring several dogs back from the mountains?
"It’s Second Brother." Shen Yan also heard the dogs barking.
"Mm." Lu Gu was filled with joy and eagerness, but it was time to feed the rabbits. He glanced at Shen Yan and said, "Let’s hurry and stuff the rabbits into their hutches so we can go back and see."
Having not seen Shen Xuanqing for nearly half a month, he sometimes couldn’t help but miss him, though he didn’t yet realize this was what longing felt like.
The two of them, who had seemed leisurely just moments ago, suddenly moved much faster. After feeding the rabbits, before they even reached home, they ran into Guaizi, who had dashed out to meet them.
The mountain road was long, and usually, after a long journey, Guaizi would lie on the ground to rest. But now, it was clear he had come out specifically to find Lu Gu.
Guaizi wagged his tail incessantly, whining softly in his throat. Lu Gu rubbed the dog’s head to soothe him, and only after much affectionate fussing could he take a step forward amid Guaizi’s frantic demands for attention.
Guaizi didn’t just pounce on Lu Gu, he also jumped on Shen Yan, placing his front paws on her and wagging his tail rapidly.
Once inside, Lu Gu immediately spotted Shen Xuanqing washing his face. After days of yearning, he had finally seen him again.
The delight in his eyes was impossible to hide, and the corners of his lips curled up, unable to settle back down. Softly, he said, "You’re back."
Shen Xuanqing hadn’t finished washing his face yet, water still dripping down. The sharp, imposing air between his brows melted entirely into tenderness upon hearing his fulang’s gentle, soft voice. Nodding, he smiled and said, "I’m back."
When he lifted his head, Lu Gu noticed a long scratch on his cheek. It wasn’t broken, but the mark was very visible.
"Got scraped by a tree branch again?" Lu Gu stepped closer, tilting his head for a careful look. Only after confirming there were no other injuries did he relax.
Shen Xuanqing chuckled. "Exactly. Yesterday, I was chasing a black-hoofed goat and ran too fast. A stiff branch swiped me."
When Lu Gu entered, he had already glimpsed the wild goat and a small deer tied up in the yard, but he hadn’t had the focus to examine them earlier. Now, hearing this, he turned to look.
Shen Xuanqing took a wild soapberry from the kitchen windowsill, wet it, and rubbed it between his hands to create a lather, washing both his face and hands thoroughly.
Ji Qiuyue came out of the kitchen, handing a bowl of hot water to Shen Xuanqing after he dried his hands. Freeing up her hands, she then joined Lu Gu and Shen Yan in happily examining the goat and deer.
Shen Yaoqing and Wei Lanxiang were busy in the fields, so only they were home.
After drinking a few mouthfuls of water, Shen Xuanqing felt much more at ease. Smiling, he said, "The female goat has a better temper than the male goat, so it was easier to lead on the road. If it had been all male goats and male deers, the journey would’ve been miserable."
With so many people in the front yard, the goat and deer were clearly nervous, eyeing everyone warily. Ji Qiuyue said, "Yan Yan, come on, let’s take them to the back and tie them up."
Live prey was always kept in the backyard. Shen Yan knew this well, so she untied the female goat’s rope from the post. Both she and Ji Qiuyue were used to this kind of work, and with Guaizi and Dahui watching intently, growling low at the goat and deer, the transfer went smoothly.
Once they disappeared into the back passageway, Lu Gu turned his gaze back to Shen Xuanqing.
"You’re not going back this time?" His eyes brimmed with happiness. Seeing Shen Xuanqing finish the last sip of water, he stepped forward to take the bowl. The clay stove in the kitchen had an earthenware pot warming water.
"No. Early this morning, I packed up the bedding into the chest and locked the house before coming down. Won’t go back until spring." Shen Xuanqing instinctively followed him into the kitchen, shadowing him closely.
"Do you want tea or honey water?" Lu Gu spotted the small honey jar under the cutting board and asked.
Shen Xuanqing smiled. "Neither. After walking all this way, I’m parched. A couple more bowls of hot water to warm up will do."
Lu Gu ladled water for him and asked, "Then what would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you."
Shen Xuanqing glanced at the kitchen door. Seeing no one there except Dahei lying on the ground panting, he leaned down toward Lu Gu and effortlessly stole a kiss. When he straightened up, his handsome face was all smiles.
After having his lips kissed, Lu Gu pressed them together without a word, but the smile on his upturned face never faded, his eyes bright. Only his ears turned slightly red.
"Then… should I fry you some eggs?" He grasped at the excuse of cooking to steady himself, pretending the kiss hadn’t affected him.
"Sure." Shen Xuanqing loved scrambled eggs most of all, how could he refuse?
Lu Gu took four white steamed buns from the steamer, set up a small rack in the wok, and lit the fire to boil water. After covering the pot, he stood up and fetched five eggs from the basket.
"Starved?" As he beat the eggs, he chatted with Shen Xuanqing. "Scrambled eggs are the quickest. I’ll also pick some sour cowpeas, this’ll tide you over for now. At dinner, we’ll fry meat and vegetables so you can eat properly."
Shen Xuanqing sat by the stove, adding firewood as his way of helping. After not seeing each other for over ten days, just hearing Lu Gu talk to him filled him with joy. He’d eat anything.
When Ji Qiuyue and Shen Yan returned, they saw Lu Gu busy frying eggs. Thinking scrambled eggs alone weren’t enough of a meal, and knowing Shen Xuanqing had likely eaten poorly in the mountains, they quickly peeled a few large leaves of napa cabbage, washed and chopped them. Once Lu Gu plated the eggs, they stir-fried the napa cabbage.
The water in the pot soon boiled, and the reheated steamed buns were soft and fluffy. Shen Xuanqing ate until he was full, even wiping the egg plate clean with the last bun
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