Chapter 178: Dreamer

Yang Cunxu and Lu Shuang.

These two seemingly unrelated individuals unexpectedly crossed paths, and… could it be love at first sight on one side?

When Lu Chengxiao learned this news, he was speechless for a while.

He and Liu Yanping’s group returned to Anyi County on the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month. Liu Yanping was overseeing the reconstruction of the weaving and dyeing workshop, while Lu Chengxiao headed to Yuanzhou City, partly to thank Yang Cunxu and to repay the 600 taels of silver notes he had lent Liu Yu, and partly to check on the progress of the shop’s renovation.

As it turned out, the shop had been sold for 2,200 taels. Liu Yu still borrowed 600 taels from Yang Cunxu, with the extra 100 taels going toward the shop’s renovation. Since renovating two shops was no small task, Lu Xun stayed behind in Yuanzhou City to oversee it. Liu Yu and Lu Shuang stayed for two more days, discussing renovation details with Lu Xun, leaving behind the silver before returning to Anyi County.

Upon Lu Chengxiao’s arrival, Yang Cunxu casually asked him if Lu Shuang had been betrothed yet. The two had been classmates for years, so Yang Cunxu did not hide his feelings from Lu Chengxiao, admitting his affection for Lu Shuang.

“It’s like love at first sight, you know? From the moment I saw her, I knew she was different from everyone else.”

How could he not understand? Of course, Lu Chengxiao understood it too well.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Jwv alyzkgkdt vbyv bkp sod pkpvla oyp vbl scflnv sq pwnb qllzkdtp tyhl bkx y pvaydtl yde wdnsxqsavyczl qllzkdt. Tl cltyd vs wdelapvyde bso vbl Nkw casvblap xwpv byhl qlzv cynj vbld.

Fllkdt Nw Ubldtmkys’p alynvksd, Zydt Uwdmw clnyxl dlahswp. “Typ pbl yzalyeu clld ldtytle?”

“Ls, dsv ulv,” Nw Ubldtmkys pbssj bkp blye. “Pslp Fbwydt’la jdso vbyv usw zkjl bla?”

“R’x dsv vbyv alnjzlpp, clpkelp, ol’hl cyalzu xlv y qlo vkxlp.” Zydt Uwdmw, wpwyzzu nyalqall, dso pbsole y ayal xsxldv sq vbswtbvqwzdlpp. Tl kdiwkale qwavbla, “Ubldtmkys, es usw jdso obyv jkde sq xyd uswa pkpvla zkjlp?”

Nw Ubldtmkys bye dlhla alyzzu ryke yvvldvksd vs obyv jkde sq xyd Nw Fbwydt zkjle. Tl zssjle yv bkp qaklde, cwv bl oyp xsal nsdnladle ycswv ydsvbla iwlpvksd: “Uyd usw xyjl uswa sod elnkpksd ycswv uswa xyaakytl?”

Rd y qyxkzu zkjl Zydt’p, xyvnbkdt psnkyz pvyvwp pbswze cl xsal kxrsavydv.

Zydt Uwdmw aykple yd lulcaso. “Psd’v osaau, R’zz bydezl xu qyxkzu. Jlqsal vbyv, R rasxkpl R osd’v xyjl ydu yehydnlp vsoyae uswa pkpvla, yzaktbv? Jwv nswze usw blzr xl qkde swv y zkvvzl? R dsvknle pbl tlvp yzsdt olzz okvb uswa okql. Uswze usw ypj bla qsa xl?”

Nw Ubldtmkys nbwnjzle. “Rp vblal y pbsavnwv qsa vbkp? Fbswzed’v usw qktwal kv swv uswaplzq? Jwv vblal’p y ckt ekqqlaldnl clvolld swa vos qyxkzklp. Zsw pbswze qkapv nzlya vbkdtp wr okvb uswap. R esd’v oydv Fbwydt’la vs qynl ydu vaswczlp zyvla.”

Despite saying this, Lu Chengxiao still kept this matter in mind. After returning to Anyi County, he began paying extra attention to Lu Shuang. Neither Lu Shuang nor Chen Shi noticed, but Liu Yu did.

One night, while the couple was alone, Liu Yu laughed, “Why have you been so attentive to Shuang’er since you got back?”

Lu Chengxiao marveled at her sharpness. He quietly shared Yang Cunxu’s feelings with her, leaving Liu Yu wide-eyed. Thinking back to the beginning of the month in Yuanzhou City, she recalled that Yang Cunxu had been extremely polite. Apart from the first time he took them to see the shop, he only accompanied them to the government office for the transaction. While they were staying at the Yang residence, he hardly ever entered the inner courtyard due to her and Lu Shuang’s presence. All in all, they had only gone out together twice, and both times were in a large group, with no direct interaction between Lu Shuang and Yang Cunxu.

She recounted the events in Yuanzhou City to Lu Chengxiao in detail, then chuckled to herself, “I don’t think Shuang’er even noticed him. She seemed more interested in the shop than in Yang Cunxu.”

Lu Chengxiao also laughed, feeling relieved. He said, “Cunxu is a good person, but the gap between our two families is too great. We’ll see what the future holds. It all depends on him. For now, let’s keep this from Shuang’er.”

Protecting Lu Shuang was one thing, but Lu Chengxiao also had a good friendship with Yang Cunxu. Thinking about how Lu Shuang would turn sixteen after the new year, he added, “She’s close to you, and it’s easier for her to open up when you’re together. Why don’t you try asking her what she thinks about her own marriage?”

~

The next day at the embroidery shop, Liu Yu brought up the topic of marriage with Lu Shuang.

The engagement of Liu Yanqing and Zhang Xiaofu had taken place on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, and the Wei family and the Liu brothers had returned to Yangshan Village. As a result, Liu Yu was managing the business at the front of the embroidery shop herself.

With the year-end approaching, both the embroidery workshop and shop had stocked enough inventory. Any custom orders that still needed to be made were for customers with special size requirements, and new designs wouldn’t be released until the spring. Most of the embroiderers and workers had already received red envelopes and were given the rest of the year off. Lu Shuang had little to do, so she stayed with Liu Yu to help manage the shop.

Many people were buying new clothes for the New Year, but there were still quiet moments. During one of those times, Liu Yu casually asked Lu Shuang about her thoughts on marriage. The two had a close relationship, more like sisters, and Lu Shuang was completely at ease around Liu Yu. When asked about her expectations for marriage, she responded openly and confidently.

“The kind of person I’d want to marry? He should be like my third brother is with you—love is the most basic requirement.”

“And he should probably be a businessman. Matching social status is important.”

With her hand resting on her chin, Lu Shuang thought aloud, “He should also be open-minded. Since I came to the county and started helping you at the shop, I’ve realized that I enjoy business. If I were to be confined to the inner courtyard again, never stepping outside, I don’t think I could adjust. My future husband should be like my third brother—someone who supports and encourages his wife to engage in business, right? That way, I can live freely.”

“Hmm, one more important thing—his family should be like mine, where my parents don’t mind their daughter-in-law being involved in business. If only my husband agrees, but his elders don’t, then life could be chaotic.”

The more Liu Yu listened, the more she realized how difficult it would be for Yang Cunxu to meet these conditions. But Lu Shuang’s expectations were admirable—having her own interests and career was much better than being confined to the inner chambers.

When Lu Chengxiao learned about his sister’s criteria for a spouse, he couldn’t stop grinning. There was a certain mischievous joy in his expression.

“Cunxu can’t blame me for not helping him. I’ve done all the investigation, but unfortunately, he hardly fits any of the criteria.”

A businessman, matching family status, and supporting his wife’s business—given the situation of the Yang family, it seemed difficult.

It appeared that all fathers and brothers were the same in this regard—they never wanted their daughters or sisters to be easily wooed, even if the suitor was a good friend.

While Lu Chengxiao didn’t fully believe in strict social status matching, he was pleased to see that his sister had such a clear and thoughtful view of marriage. He did hope that his friend and sister could form a good marriage, but only if Yang Cunxu could prove his sincerity and ability to provide Lu Shuang with happiness.

For now, the situation was just fine.

~

The engagement gifts that the Liu family sent to the Zhang family were lively and grand. With Chen Shi serving as an advisor, the Ruyi Embroidery Workshop had made a significant profit, and Wei Shi was fully capable of helping her son arrange a proper wedding. The betrothal gifts followed the same list Lu Chengxiao had used when marrying Liu Yu, including gold and silver jewelry, and the bride price was symbolically set at ninety-nine taels, signifying long-lasting happiness. On the day of the betrothal ceremony, the event was quite festive, and the news that the Ruyi Embroidery Workshop was becoming in-laws with the county magistrate’s family spread quickly among the wealthy and merchant families in the county.

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, both the Lufeng Cloth Emporium and the Ruyi Cloth Workshop closed for the year. Wen Shi, who had worked until the last day, received her wages for 23 days of work at the Ruyi Embroidery Workshop—three taels of silver—and a red envelope containing five strings of coins from Liu Yu.

The red envelopes were distributed based on the length of service at the workshop, and Wen Shi, along with several new workers, received the smallest amount. Yet holding the three taels and five strings of coins, Wen Shi felt a sense of fulfillment so overwhelming that it almost brought her to tears.

Liu Sanlang had sent word earlier, saying he would come to pick up Wen Shi that morning. Wen Shi packed her belongings, left her room, and was about to leave when Liu Yu called her over, handing her a bulging bundle. She smiled and said, “This is a New Year’s gift for your daughters, Erya and Siya.”

Wen Shi held the bundle and was about to say something when Liu Sanlang arrived.

Liu Yu smiled, “You can open it when you get home.”

The couple bid farewell to Liu Yu, carrying their bundle to the dock and boarding a boat bound for Changfeng Town. Upon opening the bundle, they found two brand new sets of cotton clothes—one large and one small—perfect for Erya and Siya. The cuffs and hems were folded, fitting them just right now, and as they grew, the folded edges could be let out, making the clothes last another year.

Wen Shi’s eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly pressed her palms to her face to hold them back, smiling as she did so.

Life now had a glimmer of hope, and it would only get better day by day.

~

In the afternoon, both Lu Feng Cloth Workshop and Ruyi Embroidery Workshop closed for the year, and the workers headed home. Lu Chengxiao came to help Liu Yu and Wei Shi clean up, shut the embroidery shop’s doors, and put up a sign announcing the New Year’s break.

Wei Shi and Liu Yanping returned to Yangshan Village, while Liu Yu waited with the Lu family for Lu Chengzhang and his wife, who were coming from Xifeng Town, to join them and bring Ge An and his sister back to the old house in Changfeng Town for the New Year.

Chen Shi, along with Lu Shuang and Qin Shi, had already returned to town earlier with the two children. By the time Liu Yu and the others arrived, the house had been tidied up, and all the New Year’s provisions were ready.

Since the family had split and started running their own businesses, it was rare for everyone to gather in one place. With Liu Yu, the new daughter-in-law, and the addition of Ge An and Ge Zhu’er, this year felt livelier than previous ones.

Liu Yu hadn’t just made new clothes for Wen Shi’s children. She had prepared outfits for Yuge’er, Ruige’er, Ge An, and Ge Zhu’er, as well as for her sister-in-law, Lu Shuang. Even Lu Xun and his wife, along with Aunt Wei, each received a set. Of course, since the embroidery shop had been busy, these were made from fabrics in her dowry, cut and sewn by the embroiderers and workers who had returned home early for the holiday.

As a child, Liu Yu had always envied Liu Yan for occasionally getting to wear new clothes during the New Year, so this time, she prepared a surprise for the family, taking out the gifts as soon as they got home. The excitement and joy that followed were heartwarming.

That evening, Chen Shi, along with her daughters-in-law and daughter, prepared a grand feast in the kitchen.

The family gathered around a lively table, and Lu Chengzhang served a piece of fish to Zhou Qiongying. This led to the joyful announcement that the Lu family would soon welcome a new member—Zhou Qiongying was finally pregnant after a year of marriage into the family.

Lu Chengzhang was overjoyed, and Lu Xun and Chen Shi couldn’t stop smiling. The rest of the family also showered the couple with congratulations. For the Lu family, this marked the beginning of a prosperous new year.

That night, Lu Chengxiao repeatedly placed his hand on Liu Yu’s belly, tracing her eyebrows and eyes. “What do you think? In a couple of years, will we have a child too? Maybe a little daughter who looks just like you?”

Liu Yu laughed, “Why not a son who looks just like you? A big brother first, and then a little sister. Wouldn’t it be nice for the brother to protect the sister?”

Lu Chengxiao imagined the scene and couldn’t help but smile, his eyes curving with delight. “Then let’s have two!”

As if they could really control what kind of children they would have, Liu Yu couldn’t stop laughing at him. Under the warm, red canopy, their laughter filled the room, and before long, the cold winter night gave way to warmth.

~

At the same time, on a secret island far overseas, Liu Yanzheng was once again startled awake from a nightmare—he had lost count of how many times this had happened.

The maid on night duty heard the slight movement and asked softly, “Young Master?”

Liu Yanzheng rubbed his temples and grunted in response.

“Shall I fetch you some calming tea?”

He hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

The maid brought the pre-prepared warm tea and left the room. Only when she was far enough away did she dare whisper to another maid, “Why has the Young Master been waking up in the middle of the night so often lately?”

The other maid shook her head. “I don’t know. But that calming tea is from Doctor Mo’s prescription for calming the heart and soothing the mind, isn’t it?”

Over half a month ago, Doctor Mo had instructed them to keep the warm tea ready during their night shifts.

However, in the room, Liu Yanzheng stared at the cup of tea, steam still rising from it, feeling hesitant for the first time. He didn’t touch it. By the time the tea had cooled completely, he still hadn’t taken a sip.

Tonight’s dream was different from all the previous ones. For over a month, his dreams had been dark, violent, and filled with despair, as if he were seeking revenge—against four or five people he didn’t even recognize. But tonight was different. He had been listening to music, feeling joy, even a flutter in his heart, though he suppressed it.

The singer seemed to hold a special place in his heart, though he didn’t know why. He even wished he could dream of more, hoping to finally see the singer’s face clearly. Yet, he couldn’t.

---

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here