Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 153 Xia Lanyue's Wavering

Xia Huifang left Xia Yao's house in a huff.

Xia Yao knocked on Xia Lanyue's door, "A-Yue?"

Xia Lanyue came out, looked around the courtyard, and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't see Xia Huifang.

Xia Yao looked at Xia Lanyue in front of him. Her fair face and full lips, stained with wine, shone brightly and redly in the sunlight, making him stare in a daze.

Xia Lanyue noticed the unusual look in his eyes and quickly lowered her head shyly.

Xia Yao snapped out of her daze. "Did she make things difficult for you just now?"

“No,” Xia Lanyue said.

“She went back to prepare for A Niu’s wedding and hasn’t been back for a while,” Xia Yao said.

Xia Lanyue nodded, then suddenly remembered why Xia Yao had appeared at this moment. "Weren't you on duty? Why are you back?"

“I was out running errands and saw this cold drink, so I brought it back for you. Who would have thought it would happen so coincidentally?” Xia Yao smiled.

Xia Lanyue nodded. She was in a bad mood and didn't want to say anything.

"Then I'm going to see Village Chief Zhao. Are you alright at home by yourself?" Xia Yao glanced back at the kitchen.

"It's alright," Xia Lanyue said.

"No, I'm worried. You should come with me," Xia Yao said, pulling Xia Lanyue out the door.

Reaching the alley entrance, Xia Lanyue silently withdrew her hand.

Xia Yao stopped in his tracks. "What's wrong?"

"I...it's nothing. I'll only keep you waiting. I'll go look around by myself and come back later," Xia Lanyue said.

"Alright then, I'm leaving," Xia Yao said without saying anything more, and then left.

Xia Lanyue wandered aimlessly through the market. When she passed a teahouse, the waiter called out to her, "Miss, would you like to try some? Our new fruit tea."

Tea drinks specially prepared for the festival were displayed at the entrance of the shop.

Xia Lanyue tried a cup, and it tasted really good, so she decided to buy a whole can.

At that moment, they unexpectedly ran into Lin Xiu, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

Lin Xiu looked like she had just come out of the pharmacy, carrying a packet of medicine in her hand.

Xia Lanyue stepped forward to greet her, "Lin Xiu?"

"Ah Yue, it's been so long! You've lost so much weight! You look so good when you're thinner," Lin Xiu said with a smile. "How have you been lately?"

“It’s fine,” Xia Lanyue said.

"Hey, look at what I'm saying, it must be great. You're about to marry Xia Yao, how could it not be good?"

Xia Lanyue didn't say anything, she just smiled.

"You really have a knack for making Xia Yao, that blockhead, see the light," Lin Xiu laughed. "When are you and Xia Yao getting married?"

Xia Lanyue was taken aback. "I... I'll talk about it later."

Lin Xiu paused for a moment, seemingly sensing the other meaning behind those words, "You didn't have a fight, did you?"

Xia Lanyue quickly shook her head.

Lin Xiu leaned closer and said, "He's a very straightforward person, but he's not good at social niceties and doesn't know how to be flexible. However, he's become much better since he met you. We all think he's like a completely different person."

"Was he more stubborn before?"

"Of course, otherwise, if something happens to the neighbor, would you be willing to let him handle it through notarization? He's always been stubborn and won't listen to anyone. The other day, you got thirty lashes, and that was the same thing."

Xia Lanyue had forgotten about it if it hadn't been brought up, but Lin Xiu's mention of it made her uncomfortable. She remembered that when she was beaten, "Xia Yao" was no longer the "Xia Yao" she used to be, but Kong Yao. Even if "Xia Yao" treated her like that, Kong Yao shouldn't have done it.

Seeing that Xia Lanyue's expression had turned sour, Lin Xiu comforted her, "But now that he's better, you're also benefiting from his good fortune, so it's not a loss."

Xia Lanyue didn't say anything, just gave a fake smile.

"Ah Yue, I want to eat your rice cakes," Lin Xiu said coquettishly.

“The shop is just ahead, come with me,” Xia Lanyue said to Lin Xiu.

The two went to Wang Xiang's shop together. Xia Lanyue gave Lin Xiu five packets of rice cakes, and she happily left with the gifts.

"Sister Dai," Abei said, watching Lin Xiu walk away, "Do you know this person?"

“Yes, I used to live at the Tian family’s house,” Xia Lanyue said. “What’s wrong? You know her too?”

"I only know her; she's notorious for taking advantage of others," Abei said with disdain.

Xia Lanyue had already sensed this, but she didn't care, since they rarely interacted. "Abei, what kind of person do you think Xia Yao is?"

Abei paused for a moment, avoiding Xia Lanyue's gaze.

"Has he changed a lot since then?" Xia Lanyue asked.

Abei thought for a moment, then gave an irrelevant answer, "Well... anyway, I think Manager Jiang is good."

Xia Lanyue smiled, "Then tell me, what's wrong with Xia Yao?"

“Well…it’s not that he’s bad, it’s just that he cares more about reputation and status, unlike Manager Jiang, who would put you first,” Abei said.

Xia Lanyue fell silent after hearing this.

"Sister Dai, are you really going to marry Xia Yao?" Abei asked.

Xia Lanyue smiled and then changed the subject, "Abei, I see that tea shops have launched new products. Will our shop have any new products too?"

"No, the candied fruits in our shop are all pre-cured and made according to the season. Manager Wang doesn't make these," Abei said.

"Okay, I understand. I'll head back now," Xia Lanyue said.

"Alright then, you can come play again," Abei said dejectedly.

Xia Lanyue gave the tea she bought to Abei and then turned to leave. She wondered if she should introduce some new products to the shop.

Xia Lanyue returned home, where the bricklayer was still laying bricks. He said it would be finished soon.

Xia Lanyue moved a stool and sat in the yard watching him work. She couldn't help but think of the conversation that had taken place earlier that day, especially what Abei had said, which touched her deeply. Upon reflection, she realized that Xia Yao seemed to care more about his reputation.

This made her realize that Xia Yao's repeated insistence on her marrying him was merely for the sake of his reputation.

Xia Lanyue's mood gradually sank.

After the construction workers finished building, Xia Lanyue paid them their wages, and the workers happily pushed their carts away.

After cleaning the floor, Xia Lanyue began preparing dinner and also tested the chimney's performance. Sure enough, the construction work was quite professional; it was well done, and the house was no longer stuffy.

After dinner was ready, Xia Yao came back first.

As soon as he entered, Xia Yao asked, "How is it, Yue? Is the chimney repaired well?"

"Hmm," Xia Lanyue replied absentmindedly.

Xia Yao noticed that she was in low spirits, so he went over and asked cautiously, "What's wrong, Yue? Did something happen?"

"No," Xia Lanyue said, avoiding Xia Yao's gaze.

Seeing her insincere expression, Xia Yao felt uneasy. "That porter, is he...?"

Xia Lanyue shook her head. "No, what are you thinking about!"

Just then, Dai You returned, interrupting their conversation, "I'm back."

Xia Lanyue greeted him with a smile, "You're back," and took the tools from Dai You's hands.

During the meal, Xia Yao took the initiative to serve Xia Lanyue some food, saying, "Ayue, eat more."

Xia Lanyue stared at the food in her bowl, hesitant to pick up her chopsticks.

Dai You seemed to have noticed something, his eyes constantly scanning Xia Lanyue and Xia Yao.

Xia Lanyue hesitated for a moment, then picked up some vegetables from her bowl and gave them to Dai You. "Here, these are your favorite green vegetables. Eat more."

"Mmm," Dai You stuffed a piece into his mouth and then picked up a piece of egg for Xia Lanyue, "Eat this."

Xia Lanyue stuffed a mouthful into her mouth and said with a smile, "It's so delicious."

Seeing the change in Xia Lanyue's attitude, Xia Yao knew that he had done something to offend her.

After the meal, while Dai You went out to fetch water, Xia Yao pulled Xia Lanyue aside and asked, "What's wrong with you? You were fine just now, what did I do to upset you?"

“No,” Xia Lanyue said.

"Why are you angry with me?" Xia Yao asked.

“I’m not angry,” Xia Lanyue said calmly.

Xia Yao frowned. "A-Yue, you must tell me what I did wrong. Don't make me guess. I can't guess. If you get angry because I did something wrong, and something bad happens to you, I won't even know why."

Xia Lanyue sneered, "It's nothing, I'm just making trouble for myself," and then turned and walked into the house.

Xia Yao grabbed Xia Lanyue and pulled her back. "Ayue, why don't you hit me?" he said, grabbing Xia Lanyue's hand and pounding it against his chest.

Xia Lanyue quickly withdrew her hand, but couldn't break free. "What are you doing?"

"I don't know why I made you angry, but I can let you vent your anger," Xia Yao said, grabbing her hand and pounding it against his chest.

Xia Lanyue pulled her hand away forcefully, "Don't do this."

"Are you still angry?" Xia Yao asked.

Xia Lanyue did not answer.

Xia Yao continued.

"Sigh, don't be angry anymore, don't be angry anymore, let go," Xia Lanyue said helplessly.

"Really?" Xia Yao didn't believe it.

"real".

“If it’s because of Xia Huifang, I told her not to come over unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Xia Yao said.

It seems he really doesn't know, Xia Lanyue thought, and nodded accordingly.

At this moment, Dai You returned.

Upon noticing Dai You, Xia Lanyue quickly took a step back, but Xia Yao did not let go of her hand. She hurriedly broke free of his grasp and pretended to be nonchalant as she returned to her room.

Dai You paused for a moment, said nothing, and then carried the water toward the kitchen. As he passed Xia Yao, the buckets on the back of his carrying pole bumped into him, splashing water onto Xia Yao's robe.

I don't know if it was intentional or not.