You Rong frowned upon hearing this, his expression unreadable. His mother, about to speak, was preempted by You Rong. "Mother, let me help you back to the front room to rest. I'll make dinner for you."
You Mu considered it for a moment, then nodded without comment, allowing You Rong to help her to the front room.
You Rong efficiently prepared dinner, which was merely boiled sweet potatoes. As he carried the food out of the kitchen, he paused, gazing at the rows of crops in the yard for a moment before quickly regaining his composure and entering the house.
He set down the boiled sweet potatoes and called out, "Mother, dinner is ready."
You Mu responded and sat down to eat. Throughout the meal, she frequently glanced outside, a worried look on her aged face.
After they finished eating, You Rong cleared the bowls and chopsticks. You Mu could no longer hold back her concern. "You Rong, it's gotten dark, and Qinghe still hasn't returned. Shouldn't you go look for her?"
You Rong's gaze fell. "Mother, there's no need to worry about her. She has her hands and feet; she can go wherever she pleases."
"But..."
"Mother, don't overthink it. Drink your medicine and rest early." You Rong's tone was flat, but he emphasized, "Lin Qinghe and I are divorced. She has no connection to our family anymore."
Besides, he had always wished for her to leave. Now that she was gone and not returning, it suited his intentions perfectly.
You Mu's brow furrowed. She wanted to say more but chose to remain silent. After drinking her medicine, she got up and returned to her room.
Naturally, she hoped Lin Qinghe and You Rong would live happily together in the future. But if Lin Qinghe never returned, she could do nothing but let fate take its course.
After a simple wash, You Rong extinguished the oil lamp and went to bed.
Lying on the bed, he, who usually fell asleep as soon as he lay down, tossed and turned restlessly that night. In the darkness, he stared at the hole in the roof, lost in thought.
The faint scent of Lin Qinghe still lingered on the bed, making him increasingly agitated.
After a long while, You Rong closed his eyes heavily, telling himself he had to sleep. Then, he heard the sound of ox cart wheels outside the door, followed by someone calling his name.
"You Rong, come out quickly, You Rong..."
You Rong's brow furrowed slightly. He got up and went out. In the front room, You Mu had also emerged from her room. Seeing him, she said, "I think that's Uncle Li from the village. Has Qinghe returned?"
You Rong shook his head. "I don't know. It's late, and there's wind outside. Mother, please don't go out. Wait here. I'll go see."
You Mu: "Ah! Alright, go quickly and check!"
You Rong opened the door and went outside. He saw Uncle Li's ox cart parked outside the yard. As soon as Uncle Li saw him, he anxiously said, "You Rong, your wife hurt her foot and can't walk. Hurry and help her back!"
You Rong's brow furrowed. He quickened his pace to the ox cart and saw Lin Qinghe sitting on it, her face pale. His brow furrowed even tighter. "What happened?"
Before Lin Qinghe could speak, Uncle Li explained, "Your wife bought a lot of things at the market and was supposed to ride my ox cart back. But I had a job to do, picking up things in the next village, so she had to carry her purchases and walk back herself. She fell on the way and couldn't walk. She sat there for a long time with no one passing by, until I returned to the village and met her. I quickly helped her onto the ox cart and brought her back. This is also my fault... If only I had..."
Lin Qinghe quickly smiled. "Uncle Li, how can this be your fault? It was my own carelessness. Besides, you rescued me on your way back. I should be thanking you, not blaming you!"
"Ah... no need for thanks. Go home with You Rong quickly. Rub your injured foot with medicated wine. If it's serious, see a doctor tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe smiled and agreed. "Alright. I've troubled you this late. I'll have You Rong take down the things. You should go home and rest."
Lin Qinghe then turned to You Rong. "I bought rice and flour on the ox cart. Please take them down."
As she spoke, Lin Qinghe attempted to slowly get down from the ox cart herself, seemingly not expecting You Rong to help her.
You Rong's eyes darkened slightly. He stepped forward and scooped her up into his arms. Lin Qinghe, startled, looked up at You Rong in bewilderment.
You Rong said, "Uncle Li, please put the things on the ground. I'll take her inside first and come out for them later."
"Ah, alright! Hurry and take your wife inside!"
You Rong carried Lin Qinghe into the house. After setting her down in the front room, he turned to go back outside.
Lin Qinghe finally regained her senses. The first thing she did was check the progress bar, but she was disappointed. The progress bar had not increased from You Rong holding her; it remained at zero.
Seeing Lin Qinghe being carried in, You Mu anxiously asked, "Qinghe, why are you back so late? Did something happen?"
Lin Qinghe subtly hid her disappointment and smiled at You Mu. "Mother, it's nothing. I just fell on the road and sprained my ankle. I couldn't walk, and fortunately, I met Uncle Li on his way back to the village, so he gave me a ride."
"What? Sprained your ankle? Is it serious?"
"It's not serious. It should be fine by tomorrow. Mother, don't worry."
"You can't walk, so it must be quite serious. Come, which foot? Let me see..."
"Mother, it's really not necessary..."
You Mu insisted on examining it. Lin Qinghe had no choice but to pull up her skirt slightly. You Mu, by the dim light of the oil lamp, saw her bruised and swollen ankle and exclaimed, "This... how can you say it's not serious! What if a bone is fractured?"
"Mother, it's alright. I moved my ankle just now, and it can move, which means no bones are injured. After applying the medicated oil, it will be fine tomorrow."
Just then, You Rong entered and, upon seeing Lin Qinghe's bruised and swollen ankle, his expression changed slightly.
You Mu said, "You Rong, I'll go get the medicated oil. You can massage Qinghe's foot."
You Mu went to get the medicated oil and was about to hand it to You Rong when Lin Qinghe took it first. "I can go into the room and apply it myself. You Rong, please put away the rice and flour I bought first. The pork needs to be marinated, or it will spoil by tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe forced herself to stand up, dragging her injured right foot to enter the room. You Rong's lips tightened, and he stepped forward to support her.
Lin Qinghe was startled and looked at You Rong with a hint of confusion. "You Rong?"
You Rong: "I'll help you inside first. I'll deal with those things later."
You Rong also added to You Mu, reminding her that it was late and she should go back to her room to rest so she wouldn't catch a cold, and that he would handle everything here.
You Mu instructed You Rong to take good care of Lin Qinghe and then returned to her room.
You Rong helped Lin Qinghe back to the bed in the room. She didn't expect You Rong to apply the medicine and said self-consciously, "I'm fine. I can apply it myself. Hurry and deal with the pork. It would be bad if it spoiled."
The food she had bought with almost all her savings and brought back through so much trouble. If it spoiled, she would be heartbroken enough to vomit a mouthful of blood.