Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and opened the courtyard gate, and Liu Rumei stood at the entrance like a flower.
"Why are you here so late?"
Chen Xiaobei ushered her in while speaking, and then closed the courtyard gate. "Let's talk inside, it's cold outside." He led Liu Rumei into the north room, added two pieces of charcoal to the stove, and then closed the lid. Soon, the stove began to roar, and red light flickered, a sign that the charcoal was burning well.
Liu Rumei held her hands over the stove lid to warm them, rubbed them together, and then smiled at Chen Xiaobei, saying, "You came all the way here without a word, making me search so hard." Su Dan Novels
Hearing her words, Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "Alas, I didn't deliberately hide. I just happened to have some free time and came to take a look."
"By the way, when we went to Hulu Valley a few days ago, I still wanted to find a chance to give those medicinal herbs that Huzhi gave us to those fierce tigers to try. Do you want to go with me?"
Liu Rumei smiled, "Okay, let's find a chance to try. But honestly, whether the medicine works or not, it's all fine. If not, Sister Hongyu also has a way..."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand, "This matter is just a starting point. Speaking of Huzhi, I actually have something to tell you."
"A couple of days ago, I ran into an old hunter from Maojia Village named Mao Laoda. He reportedly also went to Hulu Valley and met Qin Gang and his group."
"I'm thinking, maybe we're not the only ones who have met Qin Gang."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei naturally understood what he meant. "Are you saying that the secret of Hulu Valley will be revealed sooner or later?"
"Yes, Hulu Valley isn't somewhere anyone can go just because they want to. Mao Laoda could go, and there are many hunters in the surrounding villages."
"Also, I think by next spring, it's hard to say if someone from the village might quietly go up the mountain."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei gently nodded. Yes, that's very possible.
Since they knew they weren't the only ones aware of Qin Gang's existence, there was no longer any secret. It was just a matter of time.
"Then Brother Xiaobei, what do you plan to do?"
"In a couple of days, you were planning to send them supplies. I think you should inform them in advance and ideally persuade them to move down the mountain."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei looked troubled. "They've been up there for so long. After coming down, they probably won't be able to communicate with us. I think it's better for them to stay there."
"No, no. Don't you know? Mao Laoda once told me that if they all get too old to move, Huzhi alone won't be able to take care of them. Moreover, how can Huzhi start a family and build a career if he stays in that mountain valley?"
Liu Rumei was clearly surprised. She couldn't understand why Chen Xiaobei was suddenly so interested in Qin Gang and his group.
In fact, this wasn't a sudden thought for Chen Xiaobei. Ever since he met Mao Laoda, he had been considering this. Although Mao Laoda had revealed the secret of the cave to him, it was clear that as a hunter who frequented Qingniu Mountain, he knew far more secrets than Chen Xiaobei. To gain his trust, it was undoubtedly a good choice to start with Qin Gang.
After listening to Chen Xiaobei's explanation, Liu Rumei nodded.
"What you're saying makes sense. I was planning to go to Hulu Valley these two days anyway. I might be busy afterwards."
Chen Xiaobei understood what she meant by "busy." Liu Rumei was preparing to go to the front lines.
But truthfully, Liu Rumei going to the front lines was not what he wanted. He shook his head at the thought. "You've already drawn the formation for Zhou Quan. There's not much point in you going there again."
Liu Rumei shook her head gently. "Brother Xiaobei, you can't say that. Sometimes, we are not in control of ourselves, you know!"
Chen Xiaobei understood that Liu Rumei's words "not in control of ourselves" could have multiple meanings, but he didn't want to speculate too much at the moment.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward and gently embraced Liu Rumei. He pecked her forehead lightly.
"Rumei, you are my wife now, and I am your husband. To be honest, I don't want you to take risks. I just hope you can live a peaceful life with me in Hetou Village."
Liu Rumei looked up at Chen Xiaobei with her bright, blinking eyes and leaned in, giving him a deep kiss.
The kiss was tender and passionate, igniting a moment of impulse in Chen Xiaobei. He held her tightly in his arms, his hands beginning to move further.
Liu Rumei gently reached out and stopped his restless hands.
"Brother Xiaobei, it's not appropriate here. I'll spend every day with you later."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei became excited but tried to maintain his composure. He simply nodded gently and withdrew his "claws."
"Let's go to the new house in a moment."
As they were speaking, they heard the sounds of gongs and drums from outside. It was Chen Xiaowen returning with his bride. Chen Xiaobei quickly led Liu Rumei out.
Not far down the main street, they saw a noisy crowd gathered ahead, making a commotion.
In the crowd, a drum and gong team led the way, followed by a sedan chair. Beside the sedan chair walked Chen Xiaowen, dressed in celebratory red, waving to the people on both sides of the road as he went.
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment and stayed behind the crowd, not going forward. Based on his memory, weddings in this era were simple. After the groom brought the bride home, he would entertain guests until the evening. Only after the guests had eaten their fill and dispersed could he enter the bridal chamber. So, the bride basically had no role at this point.
Some villagers couldn't wait. As soon as they entered Chen Xiaowen's courtyard, they shouted loudly, "Xiaowen, lift the veil and let us see the bride!"
Chen Xiaowen smiled and waved his hand, "Go, go. Peony comes to our village often, don't you all recognize her?"
Hearing Chen Xiaowen's words, Chen Xiaobei's heart trembled.
In his impression, Chen Xiaowen was still a child, immature and frail.
But the words he had just spoken sounded domineering, clearly protective of his wife. He never expected Chen Xiaowen to have grown up and matured overnight.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Chen Xiaobei saw Chen Dachun standing in the crowd. Chen Dachun looked at Chen Xiaowen with a hint of envy in his eyes. Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei shook his head helplessly. Chen Dachun's wishful thinking was likely to come to nothing. Chen Xiaowen, as the head of transportation, would probably not give it up to others.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei gently shook his head and turned to leave.
He went ahead towards Si Mu Di, planning to find Chen Dayong.
There were some things he needed to discuss with Chen Dayong.