The two elders chattered incessantly in front, while Shen Xuan and his wife followed behind, feeling extremely uncomfortable, their steps even a little awkward.
Lu Yu felt her little husband's unease and found it quite amusing. Not wanting to break the quiet atmosphere, she focused solely on watching how her little husband would react.
Sensing her wife's intense gaze, Shen Xuan grew more nervous. He pretended to be nonchalant and continued walking forward, his neck stiff and unable to move freely. He only dared to glance sideways in Lu Yu's direction.
Their eyes met perfectly. It was as if his eyeballs were scalded by the light from that direction, and he immediately retracted his gaze, secretly parting his lips slightly, trying to exhale the rapid breaths within him. He dared not look anywhere else.
Seeing her little husband's adorable reaction, Lu Yu couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, then quickly stifled it. As if nothing had happened, she turned her head and smiled at Shen Xuan.
Shen Xuan naturally heard the sound. His ears instantly flushed red. Even though he knew his wife was teasing him, he didn't know what to do. He truly had no experience interacting with other women, so he lowered his head even further.
Although she greatly enjoyed seeing her little husband in such a state, her conscience ultimately prevailed. Unable to bear seeing him so embarrassed, she spoke first, "Don't walk with your head down, you might fall."
Shen Xuan nodded frantically, wishing they could reach the dining hall quickly, otherwise he would be utterly embarrassed on this path.
Lu Yu didn't mind that her little husband wasn't speaking. She chatted on her own, "I'll accompany you for your return visit tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, I'll be at the clinic. I'll be back late at night. If you're hungry, you don't have to wait for me to get home."
"Home?" Yes, that would be his home from now on. After all, the word "home" hadn't appeared in his mind for a long time.
When he was young, although Zhao Liu would cause trouble for his mother, his mother would still come to see him from time to time.
But as he grew older, his appearance was not as beautiful as Shen Jia's, nor was his posture as graceful as Shen Jia's willow-like demeanor. He was never like the delicate and charming young masters from wealthy families. His mother stopped visiting him.
From then on, he was an outsider there.
Sensing her husband's sudden low mood, Lu Yu stopped speaking, afraid that her other words might stir up painful memories for him. She walked quietly beside him, reflecting silently.
Were there still some rules here? Would there be any punishment if her husband ate without waiting for his wife? Or was it a sign of the wife's disregard for her husband?
Lu Yu kept thinking to herself, and by the time they reached the dining hall, she still hadn't figured out what she had said incorrectly. She sat obediently at the table, no longer daring to tease her little husband.
The segregation between men and women here was too severe. According to etiquette, a screen should have been placed in between. Since they were all family, there weren't so many rules.
Madam Li and Lu Yu drank and chatted heartily, discussing current affairs. Lu Yu chimed in, occasionally expressing her own opinions.
Madam Li genuinely liked her grandson's wife. Although she had only met her twice, yesterday and today, she could feel her character and believed she would not mistreat her grandson.
Mr. Li chatted softly with Shen Xuan, ensuring his voice wouldn't disturb them. He occasionally got up to refill Madam Li's wine.
Lu Yu only echoed their sentiments and didn't drink much, which was convenient for Shen Xuan, saving him the embarrassment of refilling her wine.
The four of them sat around a table, eating their favorite dishes, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
After the meal, Lu Yu and Shen Xuan bid farewell to the two elders.
Lu Yu specifically informed them that she and Shen Xuan would be returning home the next day and wouldn't be able to visit. She also reminded Mr. Li to take his medicine on time, and then took Shen Xuan home.
When they returned home, Afu had already tidied up the house and was washing dishes.
Seeing them return, Afu hurried to greet them, wiped his wet hands on his apron, took the pastries they bought in town, and accompanied his young master into the house.
Lu Yu greeted Shen Xuan, then turned and went out, preparing to go to Sister Li's house.
Lu Yu wanted to lease out her land. She didn't understand farming well herself, let alone planting it. If she could rent out the land, she would have another source of rental income.
Her neighbor, Sister Li, was a skilled farmer, and her harvest was the best in the entire village.
They had a good relationship, so Lu Yu thought she would ask Sister Li first. If Sister Li was willing, she could rent it to her at a lower price.
Sister Li was indeed interested. As soon as Lu Yu asked, Sister Li readily agreed.
"If Sister Li is willing to take over my land, I will give you a reasonable price."
"Sister Lu, you came to my house first. How can I haggle with you? Just rent it to me at the normal price."
Li Yan knew that this was Lu Yu doing her a favor. If Lu Yu had gone to someone else's house first, the land would have been rented out to others, and it wouldn't have been her turn.
In this village, each family didn't have much land. If they relied solely on farming, their lives would be very difficult. She raised some livestock every year, and most families lived this way. No one was willing to rent out their land.
She had free time every year. If she had a piece of land like this, her finances would be more comfortable.
The two of them hit it off immediately. When they discussed the price, Lu Yu still gave her a considerable discount. After all, they were neighbors, and Sister Li had always been very helpful to her.
The day after tomorrow, she would start working at the clinic, and she couldn't help but worry about leaving her husband alone at home. She needed Sister Li's husband to look after him from time to time.
Li Yan naturally agreed. After all, it saved her family money, and she wasn't eager to spend more than necessary. She also understood Lu Yu's intentions. After returning home, she would tell her husband to talk to Lu Yu's husband more often and to take care of them more in the future.
In the evening, Shen Xuan lay on the bed, holding a package from his maternal grandfather, his mind replaying his grandfather's words from that day.
"Your grandfather didn't have time to tell you about the precautions for newlyweds yesterday. How are you feeling today? Is that area any better?"
"It's always painful for a man the first time. Don't be afraid, it will get better later."
"I have some ointment prepared for you here. Applying some when you get back will relieve the pain."
"There are also some small booklets here. Your father didn't have time to prepare them for you, so I, as your maternal grandfather, will do it for you. Take them back and read them, it's also a way to understand."
He didn't know how to respond. He just sat there with his head lowered, listening to his grandfather speak. Even though he hadn't done anything, he didn't dare let his grandfather know, fearing he would worry and be sad.
"Young master, dinner is ready. The family head hasn't returned yet. I've kept the dinner warm in the pot." Afu untied his apron and came in from outside.
"Come and sit," Shen Xuan beckoned Afu over, signaling him to sit beside him.
"Don't call me 'young master' anymore. Call me 'husband.' Since I'm married to my wife, I should change my address. It's not good if your wife hears you call me that."
"Yes." Afu nodded solemnly. His gaze fell on the package on the bed, and he reached out to put it away, but Shen Xuan held his hands down.
"I'll pack this package. You go and serve the food, and I'll go call my wife for dinner."
Afu said "yes" and went out to serve the food.
Seeing Afu leave, Shen Xuan picked up the package and sneakily tucked it into the gap between the bed and the cabinet. Then he got up and went out.
At the main gate, Shen Xuan stood there and only then realized he didn't know where to find his wife. His wife hadn't told him where she was going before she left. He was unfamiliar with the village and didn't dare to wander around, so he could only stand at the entrance and look around.
Lu Yu and Li Yan finished their conversation and only then noticed that it was already dark outside. She thought of her stubborn little husband, who was inflexible and wouldn't eat first. He must be hungry, waiting for her to come home.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu smiled a subtle smile and quickly bid farewell to Li Yan.