Chapter 864: Chapter 866: You Like Xu Nianhua
The Xu Family, harmonious and prosperous, lives a vibrant life. These days, whenever people in the village mention the Xu Qinghe family, everyone gives them a thumbs up.
The furniture factory and the chili sauce factory have given everyone work to do, allowing them to earn money and greatly improving their lives. Villages nearby all envy them. In the past, finding a match for sons and nephews was not easy, but now, as soon as people hear they are from Shuanghe Village, they are particularly fond of them.
Xu Nianhua made three tables of dishes, like going to war. After finishing lunch, she tirelessly cleaned up the dishes, breaking into a sweat.
"Little sister, let me help." Zhou He, taking advantage of the time when Zhuangzhuang was asleep, wanted to help, but Xu Nianhua stopped her, saying, "Big sister-in-law, don’t move, be careful with your belly."
"It’s fine," Zhou He said nonchalantly. "Little sister, I’m not that fragile. I’ll be careful."
Zhou He was aware of her own body. It was only washing dishes; it wasn’t tiring. She had seen many women with big bellies still working in the fields.
Now, she could comfortably nurture her pregnancy because the Xu Family treated her well. But if she truly did nothing, she would feel uncomfortable.
...
South City.
Gu Mingzhu, to make up for past issues, enthusiastically sought a doctor for Zhao Xiu to treat her leg. She did her utmost to make amends, and finally, Jiang Jing was no longer as cold as before.
She believed that, given some more time, her relationship with Jiang Jing would certainly return to how it was before.
Gu Mingzhu thought of the items left at home and prepared to go back early to retrieve them. They were photos she had organized, preserved well from the time of their first acquaintance to their wedding, each pasted in a notebook, with some words written below each photo.
When she saw them, she felt very happy. These photos seemed to capture the bits and pieces of their love story.
Gu Mingzhu deliberately went home to get them, but there was no one at home. Fang Yue was not there. There was no need to wonder—she must have gone to play mahjong. Fang Yue loved playing mahjong; if you wanted to see her during the day without prior notice, you’d probably miss her.
Gu Mingzhu headed straight for her room, but suddenly, her steps halted.
Gu Mingcheng was in the room, seriously focusing on a painting.
This wasn’t surprising. From a young age, Gu Mingcheng loved to paint, from flowers and plants in his childhood to portraits now. Whenever he had free time, he liked to carry a drawing board and paint everywhere.
Gu Mingcheng’s room, except for the essential bed and wardrobe, was filled with his artworks everywhere.
What stopped Gu Mingzhu in her tracks was a painting in Gu Mingcheng’s room.
The lights on the lake and mountain scenery, the touch of white standing on the bow of the boat—even from the side, Gu Mingzhu recognized it at once.
It was Xu Nianhua.
The painted Xu Nianhua looked like an ethereal spirit fallen into the mundane world, her long hair flowing. She slightly closed her eyes, seeming to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Gu Mingcheng, her biological brother who grew up with her, had never painted such a beautiful painting for her.
Gu Mingzhu slowed her steps, entered the room without disturbing Gu Mingcheng, and as she drew closer, the painting in Gu Mingcheng’s hand was revealed before her eyes. It was still the same person.
"You like Xu Nianhua?" Gu Mingzhu blurted out, looking at Gu Mingcheng in disbelief. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she probably wouldn’t have dared to imagine it.
Gu Mingcheng was engrossed in painting, and suddenly hearing Gu Mingzhu’s words, he instinctively tried to hide the painting behind him. He said, "She’s my second sister. What’s wrong with me liking her?"