TSWPF -Chapter 305 Change

Seeing how happy Li Qingning was, Li Qingling smiled. It seemed that after being away in the capital for so long, the children really missed Ah Huang and Ah Bai.

Thinking about how she would be able to see Ah Bai that evening made her very happy, but then another worry surfaced—Ah Bai was pregnant. Would it still be able to travel such a long distance with them to Ninghua County?

With that thought, a trace of concern crept into Li Qingling’s heart.

She reminded herself to ask Ah Huang tonight. If Ah Bai’s condition didn’t allow for long-distance travel, then they could always come back for them next time—there was no need to rush.

“What are you thinking about?” Liu Zhimou waved a hand in front of Li Qingling, a little curious. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t even noticed him coming over.

Coming back to her senses, Li Qingling saw him and instinctively smiled, asking why he was here.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, turned her around, and gently pushed her into the room. “I came to see if you were up yet, to get you to eat breakfast. You must’ve been really tired—I didn’t even wake you when I got up.” He paused, then asked, “What were you thinking about just now? You were completely distracted.”

“I was thinking about Ah Huang and Ah Bai. Isn’t Ah Bai pregnant? I’m worried it won’t be able to travel far.”

So that was it. He’d thought she was pondering something serious. “Isn’t Ah Bai coming over tonight? We can just ask then.”

Li Qingling hummed in agreement, then glanced at him sideways, raised an eyebrow, and said she was about to change clothes—wasn’t he going to leave?

Liu Zhimou calmly sat down on a chair and said leisurely, “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. Go ahead and change.”

“…Who is this rogue in front of me?” Li Qingling ground her teeth, walked over, and pulled him up. “Go, go, go—go do your own things. I’ll change and come out to eat.”

Even though they were only one step away from the end, she was still thin-skinned and couldn’t bring herself to change clothes in front of him.

Liu Zhimou smiled faintly, suddenly pulled her into his arms, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her hard.

He didn’t let go until she was nearly out of breath, then slowly released her.

His thumb brushed over the corner of her lips. His eyes darkened as he said in a hoarse voice, “It’s been so long and you still haven’t learned how to breathe properly. Looks like we need more practice.”

“…”

Leaning against his chest, Li Qingling took deep breaths.

He had the upper hand now—she had no way to retort.

After a while, her breathing finally steadied. She touched her lips—they were definitely swollen. She couldn’t help but glare at him. “How am I supposed to go out and see people like this? Anyone who sees my lips will know what we’ve been up to.”

Her coquettish glare only darkened his gaze further. Without another word, he kissed her again.

Even when Li Qingling tried to block him, she was slower than he was.

By the time he mercifully let her go again, Li Qingling didn’t even want to speak anymore.

This man was really…

Looking at her slightly swollen lips, Liu Zhimou cleared his throat guiltily, his eyes drifting away. “How about you go back to sleep for a bit? I’ll come wake you when it’s time for lunch.” She really wasn’t suitable to go out like this—he didn’t want other men seeing her like this.

This side of her was for his eyes alone.

“Go, go, go. Stop bothering me.” Li Qingling gently pushed him away, shoved him out the door, and slammed it shut with a bang.

She strode over to the mirror. Seeing her red, swollen lips, she rolled her eyes helplessly. If she dared walk out like this, the whole village would know by today, let alone tomorrow.

For the sake of her reputation, it was better not to go out at all.

Outside, Liu Zhimou looked at the closed door, rubbed his nose guiltily, and called out a few reminders through the door before finally leaving.

When he reached the courtyard, Master Luo glanced up at him. “Is Xiao Ling still not up?”

Liu Zhimou answered calmly, saying she was too tired and he’d let her sleep more.

Hearing that, Master Luo said nothing more and lowered his head again to watch Li Qingning making a slingshot. He planned to follow Ningning up the mountain to play later.

“Great-Grandmaster, how about I take you around the village?” Liu Zhimou offered.

Master Luo waved his hand dismissively. “No need. I’ll just go up the mountain with Ningning.”

“…”

He felt that his great-grandmaster was becoming more and more like a child—at such an advanced age, yet still so eager to play with kids. “Then I’ll go up the mountain with you.” He couldn’t quite let his great-grandmaster go with a bunch of children—what if something happened?

Without even lifting his head, Master Luo said, “Go do whatever you need to do. Someone’s coming with me—no need to worry about my safety.”

Seeing that his great-grandmaster truly didn’t want him along, Liu Zhimou gave up. As long as someone was accompanying him, it was fine.

“Ningning, just play around the outer area of the mountain, okay? Don’t go deep inside, understand?”

Who knew if there were dangerous animals lurking? It was better to be cautious.

Li Qingning nodded vigorously, saying she understood. She would take good care of her great-grandmaster and wouldn’t let him get hurt.

“Alright then, I’m leaving him in your care.”

After seeing her nod again, Liu Zhimou finally turned and went off to attend to other matters.

“All done.” Li Qingning picked up the slingshot she’d made and held it up for Master Luo to see. “Great-Grandmaster, is it nice?”

“It’s very nice.” Master Luo smiled and nodded encouragingly. For such a small child to make a slingshot like this was indeed impressive.

Without hesitation, Li Qingning stuffed the slingshot into Master Luo’s hands and said cheerfully, “It’s for you.”

Master Luo looked at her in surprise. “For me?” He’d thought she made it for herself. “If you give it to me, what will you use?”

Li Qingning chuckled, pulled out a slightly old slingshot from her clothes, shook it, and said this one was fine for her.

This child…

Touched, Master Luo thanked her. Such a sweet and considerate child—how could he not dote on her?

“No need to be polite.” Li Qingning patted his shoulder, striking the pose of a little big sister. “Come on, I’ll take you hunting.”

If Li Qingling saw Li Qingning acting like this, she’d probably lose a few more strands of hair worrying.

Not ladylike at all—what would she do in the future?

But Master Luo, whose shoulder had just been patted, actually laughed. If this child were a boy, her achievements would surely not be inferior to Liu Zhimou’s.

Unfortunately, as a girl, she would have to endure many constraints of this world. He only hoped that one day someone would see her goodness, grant her joy, and spare her sorrow.

Such a good child deserved to be treated well.

“Alright—today, Great-Grandmaster will follow Ningning.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

When Li Qingling finally came out of the room, only Liu Zhirou was left at home. Everyone else was gone.

“Rou Rou, where did everyone go?”

Liu Zhirou stopped weaving the cord in her hands, looked up at Li Qingling, and smiled. “They went out to play.”

Li Qingling sat down beside her, gently patted her head, and asked why she didn’t go out to play as well.

Liu Zhirou was too quiet by nature. Li Qingling would rather she go out more, see more people.

“I don’t want to go out.” Liu Zhirou shook her head. She didn’t really have playmates in the village and didn’t know who to look for, so she might as well stay home weaving cords to pass the time.

Li Qingling sighed inwardly. She worried about Liu Zhirou far more than about Ningning. Ningning was the type who would retaliate immediately—anyone who provoked her would be paid back in full. She’d never let herself be bullied or wronged.

Rou Rou was the exact opposite. She bottled everything up inside and never took the initiative to talk about her troubles. With such a temperament, she’d easily suffer losses after marriage.

Besides, keeping too many worries bottled up wasn’t good for one’s health either.

It seemed she would have to take Rou Rou out more in the future and help her change this temperament a bit.

She didn’t expect a complete transformation—just that Rou Rou would be willing to go out, to socialize and talk with others. That would be enough to put her at ease.

“I’ll go eat something. After that, will you come out for a walk with me?”

Hearing this, Liu Zhirou tugged at the colored cord in her hand. After a moment, she nodded softly.

Li Qingling, who had been waiting for her answer, finally let out a gentle sigh of relief. Smiling, she rubbed her head again before getting up to eat.

After filling her stomach, she took Liu Zhirou out.

Instead of heading toward the fish pond, she led Liu Zhirou on a slow walk around the village.

Looking at the familiar trees and scenery, a smile appeared on Li Qingling’s face.

After they left this time, who knew when they’d be able to return?

When they passed Old Li’s house, they ran into Li Baozhu and Li Qingfu carrying baskets on their backs. Seeing how the siblings were no longer as chubby and fair as before, Li Qingling froze for a moment.

They actually worked now—this was… truly unbelievable.

Li Baozhu and Li Qingfu also saw Li Qingling. Unlike before, they didn’t glare angrily at her. They simply stood there silently, lips pressed together.

Their grandfather had long warned them not to cause trouble. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be allowed to go home.

With no money to their names, where could they go if they didn’t go home?

Afraid of being kicked out, they’d obediently worked and dared not be lazy anymore.

When they drew closer, Li Qingling nodded at them and greeted them.

She would greet when she should—she wouldn’t give anyone an excuse to criticize her for being rude or arrogant.

Before Li Baozhu and Li Qingfu could respond, Old Li’s voice sounded from inside the house. “Xiao Ling?”

“Grandpa.” Turning her head and seeing Old Li come out, she called out again.

“Y-you… would you like to come in and sit for a bit?” Old Li looked at her hesitantly.

As soon as he said that, Liu Zhirou scratched Li Qingling’s palm lightly. Li Qingling looked down and saw the worry in her eyes.

She squeezed Liu Zhirou’s hand firmly, signaling her not to worry.

“No, Grandpa. Another day.” Li Qingling declined directly. Old Li’s eyes dimmed, and he murmured a soft “Alright.”

Li Qingling pretended not to notice. Smiling again, she said, “Grandpa, don’t forget to bring Grandma and the others to my place for dinner tonight.”

Hearing this, Old Li’s eyes lit up again. He rubbed his hands together happily and said, “Alright, alright.”

His granddaughter still had them, her family, in her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have personally invited them to dinner.