A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Ignoring the fact that the steamed bun was scalding hot, Shi Tou hissed as he broke it open and stuffed several pieces of lean meat inside.

He didn't eat any himself, but handed some to Gu Xixi first, saying, "Sister Xixi, are you hungry too?"

"I washed my hands twice, they're clean, go ahead and eat."

Gu Xixi thanked him and took the food. Under Shi Tou's expectant gaze, she took a bite, nodded, and smiled, "Mmm! As expected of you picking it up yourself, it's delicious!"

Stone beamed with joy, even happier than if he had eaten meat himself.

Aunt Zhang also took the opportunity to praise Shi Tou, saying, "This child is capable and sensible. When you're not home, he helps me with the fire, fetching water, and sweeping the yard every day."

“Oh, the mule shed and horse shed are empty now, so Stone has to clean them inside and out, and wipe the fences and posts clean.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xixi couldn't help but shower Shi Tou with praise, until his little face turned rosy.

When the stable was mentioned, Stone missed Fengchi a little.

"Sister Xixi, when you went out to find General Meng, did you go to see Fengchi? How is it?"

Gu Xixi said apologetically, "I didn't get to see Feng Chi during this busy trip, but I asked General Meng and he said Feng Chi is doing well and has grown even stronger after training."

Fengchi was, after all, a warhorse. Gu Xixi had only borrowed it initially, and despite her reluctance, she returned it before the New Year.

Stone lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected. "Fengchi and Laifu, they're both my friends. Gouwa was just saying this morning, 'What if Fengchi misses us?'"

Gu Xixi understood Shi Tou's feelings and comforted him, "I'm just as reluctant to part with Feng Chi as you are. Anyway, we're not far apart, and we'll have a chance to meet again in the future."

Shi Tou looked at Gu Xixi with bright eyes, nodded, and his worry turned to joy.

"I'll listen to Sister Xixi."

Turning his gaze to the opposite side, Mu Nanzhao had just finished eating a steamed bun when Shi Tou immediately and solicitously handed him another one.

"Would you like another one, sir? With vegetables or meat? Or just like this?"

Mu Nanzhao glanced at it without showing any emotion, "No need, I'm afraid I won't sleep well if I eat too much at night."

This kid is being unusually attentive; there must be something fishy about him.

Stone munched on his steamed bun, his little eyes darting back and forth towards the other side, his mind racing with every trick in the book.

Aunt Zhang saw this and said, "Why can't you even eat in peace? It's like you have thorns growing under your butt!"

When Shi Tou saw Mu Nanzhao looking over, he quickly sat up straight and began to eat his porridge and pick up his food properly.

Mu Nanzhao had observed the boy's expression and behavior and already knew the reason in his heart.

He deliberately ate more politely, taking a third longer than usual.

Only after the elders have finished eating and formally put down their chopsticks can the younger generation rise and leave the table; this is a rule taught in school.

The stone, having eaten its fill, patiently waited and waited.

Finally seeing Mu Nanzhao put down his chopsticks, he couldn't wait to jump off the kang (a heated brick bed), but then he heard a voice say "Wait."

A thunderclap seemed to strike Shi Tou's head. He stiffened, turned his head, and forced a dry laugh. "What is it, sir?"

Mu Nanzhao raised an eyebrow. "Pretending to be stupid, huh?"

He said calmly, "Before I left, I was touched by your farewell, so I added a little extra homework."

"You should have finished everything by now, here you go..."

Before Mu Nanzhao could utter the words "Give it to me," Shi Tou suddenly gritted his teeth and closed his eyes in a desperate move, "Brother-in-law!"

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The kang (heated brick bed) was warm, and Gu Xixi, who had been feeling sleepy leaning against the wall after eating, was startled awake by this "brother-in-law".

Mu Nanzhao's eyes flickered, and he cleared his throat as if somewhat uneasy.

"What did you call me?"

In the blink of an eye, Stone's thoughts had already turned a hundred times.

The gentleman never listens to nonsense, but now he's asking him to repeat himself.

Therefore, the gentleman enjoys listening!

Stone mustered his courage and reiterated, "Brother-in-law!"

This time, he spoke with even greater conviction, emotion, and sincerity.

"Sister Xixi is like my own sister, so of course you're my brother-in-law!"

Gu Xixi: "..."

She turned to look at Mu Nanzhao, as if to say, "What do you mean? Quickly, give me a rebuttal!"

However, Mu Nanzhao acted as if he hadn't seen the wink Gu Xixi gave him, and calmly put on his shoes and got off the kang (heated brick bed).

"I'm tired, I don't have time to look at your studies tonight."

Stone's scheme succeeded, and it silently grinned and wagged its tail in celebration of escaping disaster.

Mu Nanzhao paused slightly at the door and said, "If you can't hand in your homework by tomorrow morning, you'll receive ten strokes of the cane and stand outside the school as punishment."

"Oh, and your friends are the same."

After Mu Nanzhao finished speaking, he left.

Seeing Shi Tou's elated face quickly fall to one of utter despair, Gu Xixi felt no sympathy whatsoever.

"Should!"

"Who told you to try to take shortcuts and curry favor with him? In the end, you still didn't miss a single word of your homework."

Stone looked pitiful with a mournful face, "Sister Xixi..."

Gu Xixi was still soft-hearted. "I advise you to take advantage of the fact that it's not too late now and go tell Gouwa and the others what the consequences will be if they don't finish their homework tomorrow."

"Then come back and work late into the night."

Gu Xixi patted Shitou's little shoulder and went to the backyard to find the old doctor.

Five days, ten days, twenty days passed.

Since obtaining the Firefly Bone Flower, the old doctor has almost always locked himself in his room.

At the same time, Mu Nanzhao received acupuncture, herbal decoctions, and medicinal baths every day, at a high frequency.

In the old doctor's words, we must do everything in our power to improve his health as much as possible, and live one more day until the antidote is successfully prepared.

Spring has arrived in the blink of an eye.

The village will hold a Spring Festival ceremony at the local land temple, and all villagers will participate to pray that the fields will not fail the farmers' hard work and that the crops will yield a bountiful harvest every season.

Since the school was located inside the local temple, it was natural for the school to take a day off.

When the auspicious time arrived in the morning, the temple was packed with people inside and out.

Gu Xixi and her family were also standing in the crowd, only the old doctor who was engrossed in dispensing medicine was not there.

Thanks to the old doctor's efforts, although Mu Nanzhao was slightly weak, his movements and sitting were still no different from those of an ordinary person.

Gu Xixi glanced at Mu Nanzhao and whispered, "If you can't stand up later, go back first. The few of us are enough to represent the family, and no one will say anything."

Mu Nanzhao gazed at the ongoing ceremony ahead, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear him.

"Don't worry, I know you can't carry me, I won't fall here and become a spectacle for others to watch."

Gu Xixi choked.

Mu Nanzhao continued, "At this point, instead of worrying about problems that don't exist, we should worry about what to do next."

Gu Xixi glared at her. She shouldn't have bothered with his life or death!

But he wasn't wrong.

Gu Xixi looked around at the crowd. The Beginning of Spring announced the arrival of spring.

This also meant that the plan to plant fruit trees could no longer be delayed, and the moment had finally come for her to face everyone directly.

At most, in another half month, when the local temperature stabilizes, the pre-ordered Pinpo fruit saplings should be transported to Huachidu Village.

Today, with everyone gathered here, is the perfect opportunity.