12 This is Shanxiu Village (Bug Fix)

Lin Jiangshan had once again helped his hosts, so Liu Xiufeng and Ye Grandpa naturally insisted he stay for dinner. Though he tried to decline, he was persuaded to stay and have a simple meal.

At dinner, Ye Grandpa sighed with worry, “It’s the busy season for farming, but my son injured his foot chopping wood. I don’t know if we can find anyone to harvest the rice these days.”

Liu Xiufeng heaved a deep breath. “Still, Shan’er needs to heal first. The pay can be a bit higher if necessary—it’s not like we have many acres left anyway.”

Ye Xi fiddled with a grain of rice on his chopsticks. “I’ll go with Father to harvest the rice tomorrow. I’ve farmed since I was little and I’m just as capable as my elder brother.”

Liu Xiufeng and Ye Grandpa both felt protective of their younger son, who had recently burned his face and they didn’t want him out in the sun.

After dinner, Lin Jiangshan took his leave. Ye Xi accompanied him to the gate of the fenced yard and handed him a small earthenware jar.

Lin Jiangshan looked up at him, his dark eyes seeming even deeper in the night.

Ye Xi smiled. “This is some spicy dried eggplant I just made, pickled with chili peppers. It’s got a strong, spicy flavor and goes well with rice or bread. I figured the pickled cucumbers I gave you last time might be running low, so take some of this seasonal side dish. It’s all homemade.”

Ye Xi was right; the jar of pickled cucumbers Lin Jiangshan had received before was almost empty. He wasn’t skilled in cooking—he could only manage simple steamed rice, which he often burnt, and the side dishes he made were barely edible. These days, he mostly relied on pickled cucumbers to go with his meals. Tonight’s dinner at Ye’s was one of the few meals with some fat and meat in recent days.

Lin Jiangshan replied solemnly, “Thank you very much.”

Ye Xi kindly advised, “You can’t keep eating like this, no fat, no meat—it’s not sustainable. Since you know how to hunt, and there’s plenty of meat at home, you should learn to cook some dishes to improve your diet.”

Lin Jiangshan scratched his nose awkwardly. “I’ve been trying, but…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Ye Xi understood—this man simply couldn’t learn to cook.

Lin Jiangshan didn’t linger. After exchanging a few words with Ye Xi, he vanished into the night.

Ye Xi returned inside, boiled water, helped his elder brother Ye Shan wash up, then went to the kitchen to prepare medicine. Once everything was tidied, he lay down.

On this summer night, the stars twinkled and the moon shone brightly, its light filtering through the papered window. Ye Xi lay in bed, listening to the occasional barking dogs from the village and the chirping crickets outside in the grass, his mind restless. One moment he was thinking of his brother’s injury, the next about the unfinished rice harvest at home.

His thoughts finally settled on the image of bumping into Lin Jiangshan earlier. He unconsciously touched his nose, as if still feeling the pain there.

Ye Xi turned over in bed. That man was truly strong—his chest was hard and solid, and not just his chest; his entire body was covered in firm muscles, looking much sturdier than others. Otherwise, how could he carry his brother on his back and run so fast?

But he really couldn’t cook—a big man eating pickled vegetables every day would ruin his health.

If he couldn’t cook, he should find a wife or a husband soon, someone to manage the housework, cook, and wash clothes. Life would be better that way.

Lying on his side with his head resting on his palm, Ye Xi unconsciously started thinking of potential matches for Lin Jiangshan. There weren’t many young women left in the village. The girl from the tavern, Miss Shen, was probably not suitable; others wanted to marry into good families, so how could Lin Jiangshan marry into theirs?

What about Lige’er, who played with him often? Ye Xi shook his head—Lige’er’s temperament was unstable, and he wasn’t a good cook either.

After much thought, Ye Xi found no suitable match. Suddenly, he thought of himself and shamelessly felt they might be a good match.

Though no one saw, Ye Xi blushed deeply—he wasn’t even looking for a spouse for himself.

But touching his uneven left cheek, Ye Xi’s budding hope quickly faded. Lin Jiangshan was so kind and straightforward—how could he possibly be suitable for someone as ugly as him?

The next morning, Ye Xi got up, prepared his sickle, and planned to go to the fields with his parents. In a rush, he only managed to make a few pancakes, and the family had a simple breakfast of pancakes and cold water before hurrying out.

Just as they were about to leave, Lin Jiangshan arrived, carrying a sickle at his waist, pushing open the yard gate.

Ye Grandpa asked, “Lin boy, where are you off to so early?”

Lin Jiangshan stepped inside. “I’m here to help you harvest the rice.”

Liu Xiufeng and Ye Grandpa exchanged surprised glances. Ye Grandpa stepped forward, “You want to help us harvest? That’s a tough job. Even if we pay less, no one’s eager to do it.”

Lin Jiangshan laughed heartily. “That’s perfect—I’ll help you save that labor cost.”

Liu Xiufeng quickly said, “If you really want to help, you must take the pay. We can’t just use your help for nothing!”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “No need for pay. Just feed me—that’s all I ask.”

Hearing this, Ye Xi’s heart trembled slightly—did this man want to eat the food he cooked?

Ye Grandpa chuckled, “Alright, good boy, you’ll have all the food you want!”

“Have you eaten breakfast yet?” Ye Xi asked softly.

Lin Jiangshan didn’t hide anything. “I had two steamed potatoes this morning, so I’m not hungry.”

Ye Xi pursed his lips. “Harvesting rice is hard work. Potatoes only fill you for a short while. You’ll get hungry quickly once you start working. Come to the kitchen for some pancakes I made this morning.”

Liu Xiufeng urged, “Yes, yes, have some pancakes. Wheat flour keeps you full longer.”

Lin Jiangshan couldn’t refuse, so he followed Ye Xi into the kitchen.

Ye Xi reheated the cold pancakes in a pan, then took an egg from the cupboard, sprinkled some fine salt, beat it, and evenly poured the mixture over the pancakes. He cooked the egg and pancake together, then sprinkled chopped scallions on top.

“Be careful, it’s hot,” Ye Xi said, handing the bowl to Lin Jiangshan.

Lin Jiangshan smelled the aroma of wheat and fried egg, his appetite instantly awakened. Though he had felt full before, his stomach now growled with hunger.

He bit into the pancake, the warm, freshly cooked food melting in his mouth.

Ye Xi brought over some homemade chopped chili paste and scooped a generous spoonful. “Plain pancakes are bland. Eat them with some chili paste—it adds flavor.”

Lin Jiangshan spread the colorful chili on the pancake, which made it look even more appetizing.

He took another big bite, the fragrant pancake mixed with the mild heat and saltiness of the chili, creating a unique taste.

Before he knew it, Lin Jiangshan had finished two pancakes. Ye Xi quietly waited beside him.

After the last bite, Ye Xi handed him a bowl of tea. Lin Jiangshan drank it all at once, then let out a satisfied sigh.

Realizing he had eaten more than usual, Lin Jiangshan coughed lightly in embarrassment. “You make excellent pancakes.”

Ye Xi’s eyes curved in a smile. “I’m glad you like them. You need to fill your stomach before helping with the rice.”

Lin Jiangshan smiled. “Alright then, I’ll give it my all today, just for those two pancakes.”

Hearing this, Ye Xi’s lips lifted to reveal a shallow dimple. “Okay, I’ll prepare something delicious for you at noon.”

Lin Jiangshan nodded. A strange tension settled between them, thickening the atmosphere.

Fortunately, Ye Grandpa called from outside, prompting Lin Jiangshan to pick up his sickle and head out.

The morning sun still hid behind the hills of Shanshow Village. Dewdrops clung to daisy petals. Egrets flew from the woods, flapping their wings and splashing the river. A long, resonant call echoed through the valley, waking the small village.

Villagers pushed carts, drove water buffaloes, and carried hoes on their shoulders as they set off for work.

Lin Jiangshan walked along the country path with Ye Grandpa and Liu Xiufeng, passing many villagers heading to the fields.

“Is that Ye Grandpa going to harvest rice?”

Ye Grandpa nodded while replying, “The rice at home isn’t all harvested yet. We have to hurry.”

Others greeted them but kept glancing at Lin Jiangshan, puzzled by the Ye family’s association with this outsider.

Liu Xiufeng carried a basket on her arm, smiling brightly. “This is our village’s new young man, Lin Jiangshan. He’s a good person and gets along well with our Ye Shan—they’ve become brothers. We consider him family. See? He’s even helping us harvest rice.”

Upon hearing this, villagers’ expressions softened. Maybe he wasn’t as they had imagined—perhaps a decent young man after all.

In the fields, Ye Grandpa and Lin Jiangshan harvested the rice while Liu Xiufeng tied the rice stalks behind them. Ye Xi, having tended to the poultry and household chores, arrived later to collect loose grains.

The family toiled under the scorching sun. Sweat from Ye Xi’s brow dripped into his eyes. As he wiped them, his gaze unintentionally fell on Lin Jiangshan, who swung his sickle with precision and speed, moving deftly. Even Ye Grandpa couldn’t keep up.

Liu Xiufeng remarked, “This Lin boy is capable and doesn’t slack off.”

Ye Xi teased, “So you guys called him a wild barbarian before, telling me to keep my distance, and now you’re singing his praises.”

Liu Xiufeng laughed and scolded playfully, “We’re not clairvoyants who can see through people at a glance. We just didn’t know before. After spending some time together, we feel this man is genuinely good.”

Ye Xi nodded, “Exactly. He’s more hardworking than many men in the village and skilled at fishing and hunting.”

Liu Xiufeng winked and quietly teased Ye Xi, “Why don’t we ask him to be our brother-in-law?”

Ye Xi’s cheeks flushed red from the sun as he wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve. “Mother, I’m going to pick these grains and head back to cook.”

“Alright, go on. Put some meat in the dishes and make the meal hearty!” Liu Xiufeng laughed as she reminded him.

“I know, Mother,” Ye Xi replied. He definitely wasn’t going to let himself go without meat.

Besides, whether Lin Jiangshan wanted to or not was still uncertain.