Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Xia Lanyue woke up early in the morning and leaned against the headboard in a daze.

Yesterday's experience left her with terrifying dreams; she ran through them all night, leaving her feeling even more exhausted.

Xia Lanyue looked at the wound on her foot, which had already scabbed over. Shallow wounds heal quickly. She just wondered how Xia Yao next door was recovering.

Xia Lanyue got up, gently opened the door, and glanced around the courtyard. Everyone was still asleep.

She tiptoed to Xia Yao's door, torn between calling his name or knocking. After thinking for a while, she pressed her ear against the door, wanting to know first whether Xia Yao was awake or not.

Just then, Xia Huifang's door opened!

Xia Lanyue immediately stood up straight and smiled at Xia Huifang, "Good morning, Aunt Xia."

Xia Huifang was taken aback. She looked at Xia Lanyue, then at Xia Yao's room, and said with a meaningful smile, "A-Yue, you're up early too." Xia Huifang walked over and looked down at Xia Lanyue's feet. "Are your feet feeling better?"

Xia Lanyue nodded quickly.

Seeing that she was in good spirits, Xia Huifang didn't say much and went to the kitchen to cook.

Xia Lanyue hadn't done anything wrong, but she felt guilty, as if she'd been caught red-handed, and turned to slip back into the house.

Then, the door beside him was opened, and Xia Yao walked out of the house.

"What are you doing sneaking around my door so early in the morning?!"

Xia Yao still maintained a cold demeanor.

"I...I just wanted to care about you, afraid that your injuries were too severe and you might die again."

"Ha, with your strength and these superficial wounds?"

"Hmm...hmm?" Xia Lanyue asked in surprise, "It's just a minor scratch, right?"

Xia Yao nodded.

Xia Lanyue breathed a sigh of relief, "Why didn't you say so earlier? You made me worry."

Hearing her say that, Xia Yao's expression seemed to soften a bit. "You haven't told anyone about my injury, have you?"

Xia Lanyue shook her head, looking troubled. "I haven't figured out how to tell Aunt Xia yet."

"It's right that you didn't say anything. Remember, don't tell anyone."

Although Xia Lanyue didn't understand why he did this, she vaguely felt that he was protecting her, and thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel happy.

She nodded in response to Xia Yao.

After breakfast, Xia Lanyue and Dai You went to Heguo Village.

Dai You had an axe tucked into his waistband, which made Xia Lanyue a little scared.

"What are your plans to do with that person?" Xia Lanyue asked tentatively.

"Give him a beating."

"Do we need an axe?" Xia Lanyue asked, still worried.

"This is what I used to chop firewood when I came back."

Xia Lanyue didn't know if what he said was true or false, but she decided to believe him for the time being.

"Did Aunt Xia give you these shoes?" Dai You asked.

“Yes, my feet are the same size as Aunt Xia’s. She said it’s a sign that we have a deep connection,” Xia Lanyue said.

How's the injury on your foot?

"It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious, Aunt Xia told you that?"

“Yes, you should have told me,” Dai You glanced at Xia Lanyue, then changed the subject, “Do you remember the characteristics of that bad guy from yesterday?”

"I only remember that he was this tall, very strong, wearing straw sandals and a headscarf. That's all I can remember," Xia Lanyue said.

"If you see that person again, will you recognize them?"

"More or less," Xia Lanyue said confidently.

Upon arriving at the village, Dai You followed Xia Lanyue around the village, but they didn't see the person they were looking for, or even any adults.

At this time of year, most people are busy farming in the fields, and few are idle enough to wander around. They wanted to find someone to ask, but they couldn't find anyone.

They felt there was no point in waiting any longer, so they decided to come back in the evening.

The streets were bustling with people at midday.

The people in the shop were busy but orderly.

Xia Lanyue was selling her rice cakes at the end of the street, just like always.

Xia Lanyue wasn't in the mood to come, but Dai You was worried about leaving her alone at home, so he insisted on bringing her to town.

Although she was there, she had no interest in selling anything and responded to customers absentmindedly.

At that moment, a familiar figure appeared in the crowd in the distance, attracting Xia Lanyue's attention.

Xia Yao actually came to town.

Xia Yao's temperament stands out even more in the crowd. Every gesture he makes exudes a unique charm, like a star fallen to earth, shining brightly and attracting people's attention.

Even the gardenia in his hand was merely an accompaniment.

People around him kept greeting him warmly, and he responded with a smile.

Xia Lanyue was surprised that Xia Yao was so popular, but then she thought that someone as outstanding as him would be the center of attention wherever he went.

She squatted there, watching him walk towards her step by step, a glimmer of hope gradually rising in her heart. She wondered what he would say to her, and whether the flowers in his hand were for her.

As Xia Yao walked in, Xia Lanyue became increasingly nervous. She stood up and looked at him with a smile.

Xia Yao walked up to her and then walked away, as if they were strangers, without saying a word or even giving Xia Lanyue a glance.

Xia Lanyue's smile froze on her lips. What was wrong with him?!

She watched his retreating figure with disappointment as he continued to greet the people around him warmly and walked forward until his figure disappeared into the crowd.

"Hehe, they've all disappeared. Come sit down," said the aunt selling kites next to her with a smile. "This Mr. Xia is a cultured man with very high standards. He wouldn't look down on people like us."

"People like us?!" Xia Lanyue was a little confused. What kind of person was she?

She glanced at her soiled skirt and cuffs, then at the basket of rice cakes in front of her, and at the vendors around her busy selling their wares. Like everyone else, she was someone who made a living with her skills. Perhaps it wasn't respectable, but she relied on herself, and that wasn't shameful.

Xia Yao's indifference will make her sad, but it won't make her feel inferior!

Xia Lanyue raised her head and sat back down on the ground, just as casually as before.

She turned to her aunt and said, "Auntie, I have a name now. Everyone calls me Rice Flower Girl. Isn't that nice?"

"It sounds beautiful, it sounds beautiful," the aunt said with a smile.

Having lost interest in setting up a stall, Xia Lanyue carried her load back to Wang Xiang's shop.

She gave the unsold rice cakes to the young men, and they were all very happy.

"Isn't there one for me?"

Behind me, I heard Jiang Di's familiar voice.

Xia Lanyue glanced at the empty basket and forced an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I'm out of hands. I'll make some more."

Jiang Di had only meant it as a joke, but she hadn't expected the other woman to take it so seriously, and she felt a little anxious. "Why are you apologizing? You're acting strange today. It's the same if you eat with me tomorrow."

Xia Lanyue lowered her head, remained silent, and looked dejected.

Jiang Di wanted to know the reason, so she looked around. The young men seemed to be avoiding suspicion and dispersed, afraid of offending them.

Jiang Di knew she wouldn't get any information, so she stepped forward and tugged at Xia Lanyue's sleeve, gesturing for her to go upstairs.