My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 29 Part 2

"A-Shu, it’s cold today. Wear an extra layer if you’re going out."  

Yuan Huiru had risen early, bundled in thick clothes, preparing to visit the temple with some villagers. As she dressed, she reminded Huo Shu.  

"They say the Bodhisattva at Jinlong Temple is very effective for marriage blessings. Now that the Ji and You families’ troubles are settled, I should hurry and pray for you."  

Huo Shu, as usual, had been up at dawn practicing martial arts in the yard. In the past, he would’ve also split two baskets of firewood, but the family's stock couldn’t keep up with his daily chopping—now, all the logs were neatly stacked under the eaves at the back.  

He didn’t believe in gods or spirits, but seeing Yuan Huiru’s enthusiasm, he humored her.  

"Thanks, foster mother. If it works, I’ll donate some incense money."  

Yuan Huiru laughed. "You’re usually so stern, but when it comes to Tao ger, you’re willing to say a few extra words."  

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to explain your wishes clearly to the Bodhisattva. Let me grab the incense, the temple’s prices are outrageous."  

"Mm."  

Huo Shu acknowledged her and turned to prepare for the day.  

A villager was slaughtering pigs today, and Qiao Butcher had asked him to assist. Once he finished in the village, he wouldn’t need to go to town, Fang He would mind the shop instead.  

"Brother Huo."  

Just as he reached the eaves, a familiar voice called out.  

Turning, he saw a round figure emerging from the gray mist, bundled in a cloak with only a pair of eyes visible.  

There was no need to guess who it was. Before the person even reached him, Huo Shu stepped forward to open the gate.  

"So early. What brings you here?"  

Ji Taoyu sniffled, looking at Huo Shu standing firm as a mountain in the cold wind, wearing only a thin inner robe and seemingly even sweating a little.  

Shrinking further into his cloak, he couldn’t help but envy, "Aren’t you cold, Brother Huo?"  

Huo Shu glanced down at his fluttering sleeves. "Come inside first."  

Ji Taoyu shook his head. "I won’t stay. Father sent me to invite you for dinner."  

"Your father sent you?"  

Huo Shu raised an eyebrow, noting Ji Taoyu’s dutiful but unenthusiastic demeanor. "I have to slaughter pigs later."  

"Is it for a village family or somewhere else?"  

"The village."

Ji Taoyu blinked his eyes: "Which family slaughtered a pig? I haven’t heard about it, and they didn’t invite my father to the pig-slaughtering feast either."  

Huo Shu said, "It’s not for keeping as New Year’s livestock, it’s for direct sale."  

"Oh."  

Ji Taoyu responded. If it was for sale, then not hosting a pig-slaughtering feast wasn’t strange.  

He had told his father that Huo Shu had things to do, but his father didn’t believe him.  

Yet, for some reason, he also felt a little disappointed.  

"Then, are you coming to my house?"  

Ji Taoyu’s voice softened, carrying a hint of hesitation.  

"It depends. If there’s enough time, I’ll come."  

Ji Taoyu pursed his lips at this. After a moment of hesitation, he said:  

"Actually, why not come earlier? I’m cooking today, to thank you for helping me before."  

Huo Shu raised his brows at this: "Alright then. I’ll come after finishing my work."  

Seeing that Huo Shu agreed, Ji Taoyu’s eyes visibly brightened with excitement: "What would you like to eat?"  

"Anything you make is fine."  

Noticing Ji Taoyu’s slight surprise, Huo Shu added: "What I mean is, your cooking skills are decent. Whatever you make should be good."  

Ji Taoyu laughed happily: "Mhm, okay."  

"Tao ger is here! A-Shu, why are you keeping Tao ger standing outside in such cold weather instead of inviting him in?"  

Yuan Huiru, having finished tidying up, saw Huo Shu standing at the courtyard gate, his figure completely blocking Ji Taoyu from view. From a distance, it looked like he was talking to himself.  

Only when she got closer did she notice someone else in front of him. Recognizing Ji Taoyu, Yuan Huiru smiled warmly.  

"Yuan niangzi, at noon, you and Brother Huo should come to our house for a simple meal."  

Hearing that Huo Shu was also invited, Yuan Huiru was even more delighted. Before even praying to the Bodhisattva, there was already a good omen!  

She glanced at Huo Shu and said, "What a shame, I’m going to the temple today to burn incense and fulfill a vow. I’ll be having vegetarian meals there. Please apologize on my behalf to the village head and Huang niangzi."  

Ji Taoyu nodded: "Alright, next time, then."  

Yuan Huiru: "Tao ger, you should come over here for a meal next time too, alright?"  

Ji Taoyu nodded: "Mhm."  

Not wanting to intrude on the two, Yuan Huiru picked up her basket and made to leave:  

"You two keep talking, I’ll head out first. Otherwise, Xu niangzi might have to wait too long. We’re taking the ox-cart together from the village entrance, and it’ll leave if we’re late."  

"Ah."  

Watching Yuan Huiru walk away, Ji Taoyu suddenly felt too shy to keep talking to Huo Shu alone: "Then I’ll go back first. You… finish your work and come over soon."  

With that, Huo Shu watched as the young ger hurried off in small steps.  

A faint smile lingered in Huo Shu’s eyes as he waited until the figure disappeared before heading inside.  

When Ji Taoyu returned home, he found the courtyard unusually lively. Upon entering, he realized Huang Yinsheng had actually come to the village.  

Overjoyed, he exclaimed: "Grandfather! You’re here? Weren’t you supposed to be traveling to another prefecture these days? When did you arrive?"  

"I just got here."  

Huang Yinsheng pulled his grandson, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, close and examined him carefully: "You’ve gotten thinner again."  

Ji Taoyu realized his grandfather must have heard about the family’s troubles. He said, "I’m fine."