Pan Yue repeated her doubts, and Yao Jian snapped back to attention. He glanced at Qiao Yushan, who was playfully wrestling with An An, and understood. "Oh, you mean the stones on the snowman?"
"Qiao Yushan makes those. They must all be his stones."
Hearing his nonchalant tone, Pan Yue felt an inexpressible shock.
Were these mere stones? This was money!
So the man her father had chosen for her to get close to wasn't just outwardly simple; his family was secretly wealthy?
"Xiao Yao," Huo Rou greeted him with a smile.
Yao Jian was a rather introverted person, and one needed to be enthusiastic when interacting with him. Huo Rou’s pretense radar activated automatically as she called out to Yao Jian and Pan Yue.
Upon hearing it was Yao Jian, a fleeting glint flashed in Qiao Yushan’s eyes. When he turned back, his face was full of feigned enthusiasm. "Yao Jian, why are you back so soon?"
"Mm, well…" Yao Jian glanced at Huo Rou, his face blushing even more. He didn't know how to explain, so he just offered a silly smile. "I finished early!"
Hearing the commotion, Grandma Yao came out. "Xiao Yao! Come inside quickly."
Her eyes darted to Pan Yue. "Girl, come in and sit down!"
Pan Yue smiled demurely. "Thank you, Grandma!"
Huo Rou watched Yao Jian struggle to hoist the sack of rice onto his shoulder. This was presumably for Grandpa Nong.
It was understandable that carrying such a large sack would be difficult after a long journey, but it couldn't be dropped. With that thought, Huo Rou quickened her steps. "Let me have it."
Everything else could be managed, but Grandpa Nong would be heartbroken if the rice spilled.
Yao Jian was so captivated by her smile that he froze, his mind going blank.
After all these years, he still blushed whenever he saw Huo Rou.
Qiao Yushan and An An also stopped their playful tussle and walked over.
"Mom, you're a girl!" An An said to Huo Rou with righteous indignation. He hadn't forgotten about Huo Rou needing medication every few days. "Take care of yourself and don't overexert!"
Qiao Yushan also looked at Huo Rou with strong disapproval. "Master, you rest. I'll do it."
Pan Yue finally got a clear look at Huo Rou's appearance.
Her skin was as pure as snow, her eyes as alluring as silk.
"Brother Yao is very capable. Sister, don't push yourself and get hurt," Pan Yue said with a harmless smile, her eyes twinkling.
Huo Rou glanced at Pan Yue with a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Qiao Yushan walked over and took the sack of rice from Yao Jian. "Let's go, I'll help you take it in."
Grandma Yao chimed in, "Yes, yes, it's fine for Xiao Shan to help. You, girl, don't exert yourself."
Huo Rou looked at Qiao Yushan's retreating back, then at Yao Jian, whose face was flushed. She smiled knowingly. "Hurry along. An An and I will finish up here and join you."
The snowman still needed a few buttons.
She led An An to rummage through the bag for suitable materials for buttons.
As Pan Yue walked inside with Yao Jian, she glanced back. She only saw Huo Rou and An An taking out a few amber beads and a few duck-egg green beads from the bag and comparing them.
Were they really an ordinary family?
Grandma Yao, who was leading the way, met Grandpa Nong, who had heard the noise, as soon as she entered the house. She looked back and gestured. "Xiao Yao brought a girl back."
"What?" Grandpa Nong exclaimed. "He's dating? Then why is he back?"
He had intended for Xiao Yao to return because he liked Huo Rou, which was why he had asked Grandma Yao to contact him quickly. And now, this boy had brought a girlfriend?
"Dad," Yao Jian walked in, and Grandpa Nong and Grandma Yao stopped their conversation.
Yao Jian had regained some strength. He took the sack from Qiao Yushan's shoulder. "These are from the seeds planted last time. I brought them back specifically for you to see."
Grandpa Nong's eyes lit up when he heard they were from the seeds planted last time. He put everything else aside and strode over. "Let me see! Let's eat this rice today!"
"Okay, I'll cook today," Yao Jian said with a simple, honest laugh.
Seeing that Grandpa Nong had forgotten everything else, Grandma Yao picked up the conversation. "Xiao Yao, who is this young lady? Aren't you going to introduce her?"