Chapter 18: Heirloom (1) [Revised]

Chapter 18: Heirloom (1) [Revised]

The porridge for breakfast had soft, powdery sweet potato that perfectly smoothed out the coarseness of the corn grits. Its mild sweetness neutralized the bitterness of the wild vegetables. Shuyue, whose standards were already exceptionally low, actually found the meal quite decent.

After finishing the meal, Shuyue was about seventy or eighty percent full and had successfully saved a reserve ration: one sweet potato.

Er'ya finished eating in a rush and dragged her basket outside.

She had a daily task of digging for wild vegetables, and she always did it with her little friends. Shuyue was too young, and having only arrived at the Bai household recently, no one had assigned her any tasks. Her time was entirely her own to manage.

Shuyue found a kitchen knife, sliced the sweet potato, took it back to her room, and spread it out in a spot where the sunlight could reach it. She then filled a kettle with water and returned to her room.

Having finished all this, Shuyue let out a yawn.

However, she didn't go straight to sleep. Instead, she curiously leaned over to the window where Bai Lie had climbed in to take a look.

The room Shuyue lived in was in the east wing. Outside the fence of the Bai family's east wall was a row of bamboo. A thick layer of bamboo leaves had fallen in the grove, covering the ground, so no footprints were visible.

From the angle of that window, one could see the north-south central road of the village, and the somewhat desolate large courtyard on the east side of the road...

And she also saw...

Bai Lie.

Bai Lie had just walked out of that dilapidated courtyard.

For a man like him, if someone’s gaze landed on him and lingered for even a moment, he could feel it. His eyes swept over, and at this look...

Bai Lie’s footsteps faltered, and he instinctively flashed a smile.

Immediately, he scanned his surroundings vigilantly. Confirming no one was there, he crossed the road with lightning speed and ducked into the bamboo grove.

Separated by the window, with the wall between them, Bai Lie and Shuyue stared at each other wide-eyed.

Finally, Bai Lie was the first to speak, "What’s the matter? Did you miss Dad after only being apart for a little while?"

Shuyue: "..."

Shuyue pulled her head back, "I was just looking."

She really hadn't expected that she might have discovered an incredible secret.

Bai Lie pulled a carved rosewood jewelry box from his bosom.

"I originally intended to give this to you when I came back at noon, but now is just as good."

Shuyue’s eyes widened. Yesterday, she had helped Bai Lie take off his coat before he went to sleep; he hadn't had this on him then.

So, where did he take it out from?

She remembered Er'ya telling her yesterday that there were unclean things in that large courtyard, and anyone who went near it would catch a foul disease. Now, she couldn't help but think there was something...

Fishy going on!

"Take it and see if you like it." He said with some emotion, "When your mother was pregnant with you, Dad was so excited he couldn't sleep for days. I secretly found an old craftsman to make these for you. It’s taken until now for them to finally be in your hands."

The box was opened. Inside were layers upon layers of items: a gold and a silver longevity lock, quite a few exquisite gold and silver bracelets and anklets of various styles, several bracelets strung on red cords, as well as jade peace buckles and pendants.

Shuyue was dumbfounded. Bai Lie patted her head, "Keep them well. Dad sees you hoarding food, so I know you’re very smart. You understand what Dad means, right?"

Shuyue made a few "ah" sounds, "I understand... I think?" This meant she should hide them and not tell anyone else.

Bai Lie laughed, "Nowadays, simplicity is advocated, and the average person doesn't dare to wear gold or silver, but good things will always be good things. You are the little princess of our family; even if you can't wear them out, Dad has to make sure you have a complete set."

As for whether Shuyue was too young and might be tricked into giving them away or losing them, Bai Lie truly didn't care. If she lost them, he would just replace them. His daughter deserved the best. If she had been born a few decades earlier, these items would have been nothing more than trinkets he’d casually toss to servants.

It was just that what made him feel helpless was that, for now, this was the best he could give her.