MQSP - Chapter 62
Chapter 62
A wooden fence enclosed the front and back of the wooden house, creating a small yard that the previous owner had likely used for a vegetable garden. But now that it was cold, the soil was frozen solid, making it impossible to plant anything for the time being.
The two of them tidied up the front and back yards and did a bit of cleaning.
In the middle of the front yard was a pile of stones. They had been so busy repairing the house lately that they hadn't paid it any mind, assuming it was just a random heap of rocks. Only now, as they cleaned up, did they realize it was a deliberately constructed fire pit.
You had to hand it to them—the previous owner of this little wooden house really knew how to live!
Gazing at the fire pit, Baiye's mind raced. They needed two small stools! Then she and Auntie Lin could sit here at night and watch the stars. The very thought made her giddy with delight.
There had been a small wooden stool in the house, but it was too badly damaged to be used. They could go down the mountain to buy a couple, but she felt it wouldn't be as heartwarming as making them herself.
With that, Baiye decided: she would make the stools herself!
"Auntie Lin."
"Coming." Lin Yuqing was there in an instant, always at her beck and call.
"I want to make two stools. What style do you think would be best?" Baiye propped her chin on her hand, looking troubled as she mentally reviewed all the different kinds of stools she had ever seen. Which kind would be the most comfortable…?
Lin Yuqing paused, skeptical of her handiwork. "Well… as long as it can hold a person, it'll be fine."
"…" Baiye shot her a look. You have so little faith in me!
"Okay, let's go find a bamboo stalk first. You can patch the cracks in the door while I make the stools."
"Okay." Lin Yuqing nodded, agreeing instantly. She had perfectly transformed into a wife-doting maniac.
Carrying an axe, Lin Yuqing strolled leisurely down the mountain path with the little one. The bamboo they had used for repairs before had mostly been fallen stalks they'd found in the grove; they hadn't actually had to chop any down. But if their luck ran out and there were no fallen stalks to be found, they would have to cut one themselves.
The bamboo grove wasn't far from the house. They walked hand in hand, their pace exceptionally relaxed.
They arrived in about ten minutes. Gazing at the dense forest of bamboo, Baiye took a deep breath, filling her lungs with its fresh, clean scent.
Gentle sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling the ground with light and shadow. The grove was tranquil, the silence broken only by the occasional birdsong. It was utterly idyllic.
Baiye glanced back at Lin Yuqing and gave her a sweet smile. Lin Yuqing reached out and tapped the tip of her nose, her eyes overflowing with affection.
They didn't linger long. As they entered the grove, they found many overgrown branches. Afraid Baiye might get scratched, Lin Yuqing walked ahead, pushing the branches out of the way for her.
"Be careful you don't get scratched, Auntie Lin."
"Mm."
Their luck was good. They hadn't gone far before they spotted a complete bamboo stalk that had fallen at an angle. Lin Yuqing went over and dug out the root. She sized it up: it had a dozen or so sections, each nearly as thick and long as a forearm, growing perfectly straight. It looked ideal for making furniture. Lin Yuqing gathered a few more scattered sections from nearby, and together, they dragged the stalk all the way home.
As soon as they got home, they set to work, dividing the labor as they'd agreed.
Lin Yuqing held the bamboo sections she'd collected up to the cracks in the door. After a moment's thought, she trimmed them into small wedges and fit them into the gaps between the wooden planks. It only needed to block the cold wind. Come summer, when the house grew hot, she could remove the wedges to let the breeze in again. She was thinking far ahead.
"Baiye, be careful with that knife. Don't cut yourself." Lin Yuqing was about to start her own task when she glanced back and saw the little one holding a hatchet, eager to get started. Her eyelid twitched, and she quickly called out a warning.
"Hmph, I'm not that clumsy!"
Lin Yuqing pursed her lips, deciding she'd better finish her own task quickly so she could go help the little one.
The hatchet was a bit dull. Baiye held it against a joint, sizing it up, but she didn't dare bring it down. If her aim was off, she'd waste this perfectly good bamboo!
With that thought, she went to the storage room behind the kitchen to rummage for other tools.
Lin Yuqing glanced over just in time to see her emerge, brandishing a saw with a menacing air. Lin Yuqing slapped a hand to her forehead. "Let me do it." She quickly snatched the dangerous tool from Baiye's hands.
"I can do it!"
Lin Yuqing shot her a look, her face a mask of disbelief.
Together, they propped the bamboo stalk on the steps. Lin Yuqing lined up the saw with a joint and began to cut, slowly and carefully.
Baiye held the stalk steady, and when she looked up, she saw Auntie Lin's intensely focused expression. Mm, a serious Auntie Lin is just so beautiful!
Baiye was so busy swooning that she was startled by a cry of pain. She looked over to see Auntie Lin with a pained expression, clutching her hand to her stomach.
"What's wrong?!" Baiye panicked. Did she cut her hand?!
"Let me see!" She rushed to grab Lin Yuqing's hand, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Ssss…" Lin Yuqing turned away, her face contorted in agony.
"Let me see!" Baiye was on the verge of tears. She grabbed Lin Yuqing's hand and tugged. This time, Lin Yuqing didn't resist, allowing her to pull it forward.
Baiye quickly pried her fingers open and frantically inspected her hand.
Huh… five fingers, all present and accounted for.
She examined each finger, turning the hand over and over for a long time, completely baffled.
Huh, there didn't seem to be any injury. Had she miscounted?
She counted again. Still five fingers…
She held up her own hand for comparison. It was right. So where was Auntie Lin hurt?
Lin Yuqing couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. Watching Baiye count her fingers over and over was so funny she could have died laughing.
"You… you tricked me!!!" Baiye finally realized, fuming. She slapped her forehead in frustration. I'm such an idiot!
Lin Yuqing couldn't stop laughing. What a cutie.
Seeing Lin Yuqing still laughing, Baiye was both annoyed and amused. She stomped her foot petulantly and turned back to the house.
Lin Yuqing leaned against the doorframe to compose herself before following her inside. The little one was sitting cross-legged on the bed with her back to her, clearly sulking.
Well, time to make amends, she thought. It's my own fault for being a tease.
Lin Yuqing sat on the edge of the bed and hugged Baiye from behind. The little one shrugged her off. Yep, she's really mad.
"Baiye? I wasn't lying, I really am hurt. Am I the kind of person who would lie to you?"
Baiye frowned, turning to look at her with a stony expression. "Hmph. As if I'd believe you."
"Look." Lin Yuqing slipped her left hand under Baiye's arm, her body pressing naturally against her back.
"Where?" Baiye's tone was still stiff, but she had already unconsciously leaned back into Auntie Lin's embrace.
Lin Yuqing pointed to the nail on her left index finger. "See? I wasn't lying."
Baiye peered closer and saw a very faint white scratch. "…It's just a scratch on your nail. Did that really hurt so much?! You were tricking me on purpose!"
Lin Yuqing looked perfectly innocent. "Of course not. I was just brushing up on my acting skills."
"…" Baiye shot her a helpless look. Alright, alright, I get it. Your acting is superb. Can we drop it now?
"Hmph." She huffed and turned her head away.
"Alright, don't be angry. I won't tease you again."
"I don't believe you. You say that every time."
Lin Yuqing paused. That seemed to be true. Strange. She was always a woman of her word, so why had she started breaking her promises?
Probably because… teasing the little one is so much fun!
"Then what do you want me to do about it?" She gave a gentle tug with her arm, pulling the little one back against her shoulder.
Baiye shot her a look, her eyes darting mischievously. Lin Yuqing caught the subtle movement and immediately sensed she was up to no good.
"I want to plant a little strawberry right here!" Baiye pointed a finger to the spot just below Lin Yuqing's ear, where her neck met her jaw.
"Absolutely not!" It was too close to her face. What would people think if they saw it?
"Then I'll just stay angry!" She turned her head away, putting on a very serious show of being angry.
Lin Yuqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. No amount of coaxing would make her relent. Left with no other choice, Lin Yuqing had to agree.
Baiye giggled, delighted that Auntie Lin was obediently letting her have her way.
She wrapped her arms around Lin Yuqing's neck, pulling her down. She traced the line of her jaw with the tip of her tongue, then suddenly nipped her gently.
"Tsk!"
"Hehe." Baiye shifted lower, pressing her lips to the upper curve of Lin Yuqing's neck. She began to suck gently on the tender skin, savoring the act.
Lin Yuqing closed her eyes, finding herself enjoying it. The warm breath ghosting across her neck was exceptionally tantalizing.
The room was silent except for the soft sound of Baiye's suckling.
After a moment, she let go and licked her lips. Gazing at the 'little strawberry' she had successfully planted, she flicked her tongue out to taste it.
Lin Yuqing unconsciously tilted her head back, allowing the soft, warm tongue to work its mischief on her neck.
"There!"
Feeling a little unsatisfied, Lin Yuqing glanced down at Baiye's slightly reddened lips and gave them a light, resentful bite.
"Heehee, go on and keep teasing me, Auntie Lin. Next time you make me mad, I'll plant my little strawberry right here," she cooed, tracing circles on Lin Yuqing's cheek, her eyes dancing with laughter.
Seeing how happy she was, Lin Yuqing silently swallowed her indignation. "You little rascal!"
"Hehe~"
They got off the bed, and Lin Yuqing picked up a mirror. There, just below her right jaw, was a red mark. She'd need a very high collar to hide that! Wait a minute, she hadn't brought any high-collared clothes…
A scarf should cover it.
Tsk, that little brat!
Lin Yuqing helped Baiye saw the bamboo into sections along the joints. Seeing that the rest of the process didn't involve any dangerous tools, she went back to patching the cracks in the door.
Baiye arranged the bamboo sections in a neat row, carefully comparing their lengths and grouping similar ones together. She used sandpaper to lightly smooth the edges.
She selected four sections of roughly equal length and arranged them in a rectangle to serve as the legs. After admiring her work for a moment, she rolled up her sleeves, full of motivation.
Next, she chose four slightly longer sections. Using a nail, she made a hole on either side of the center point of one section, about five centimeters apart, and then did the same to the other three.
The holes were just big enough to thread a thin hemp rope through. With some effort, she strung the four sections together horizontally and tied them securely.
There, the seat was done!
She placed the seat on top of the four legs. It looked quite sturdy. Just as she was about to continue, she paused. She glanced over at Lin Yuqing, who was busy working nearby, and a cunning glint flashed in her eyes.
"Auntie Lin!"
"Yes, coming!" Lin Yuqing called back. She clapped the dust from her hands, set down the wood block, and walked right over.
"Look at the stool I made~" the little one showed off proudly.
Lin Yuqing crouched down to take a look. It actually looked the part. "Not bad," she praised. She's so clever with her hands.
"Sit on it and see if it's sturdy."
"Okay." Lin Yuqing nodded and, without a second thought, plopped right down.
"It's quite… ah!" The moment she turned her head, the legs gave way, and she landed on the ground with a thump.
Lin Yuqing froze. Hearing the little one cackling beside her, she instantly understood. She grabbed Baiye, pulled her onto her lap, picked up a piece of bamboo, and tapped her lightly on the bottom. "You dare to prank me now, huh? Getting bold, are you?"
"Haha, it's your own fault for tricking me earlier!"
"Hey, didn't I already let you get your revenge?" Lin Yuqing craned her neck, showing off the evidence of Baiye's handiwork.
"Er… um… hehe~" Baiye giggled, scrambled off Lin Yuqing's lap, and made a run for it.
Lin Yuqing shot her a helpless look. "Little brat," she muttered.
She got up, dusted herself off, and glanced at the little one, who had run off to the side and was now making faces at her. Neither angry nor annoyed, Lin Yuqing simply placed the stool seat on the ground, sat on it, and waited patiently for her prey to return.
If you want to finish your stool, you'll have to come over here and take your punishment!
Seeing that Auntie Lin wasn't chasing her, Baiye felt a flicker of glee. But when she saw her sitting there, as immovable as a mountain, Baiye's shoulders slumped in defeat. She trudged back over to Lin Yuqing's side.
"Auntie Lin~ I was wrong~ I'll never prank you again~" she pleaded, hoping for a lenient sentence.
"Auntie Lin~"
"Auntie Lin, don't sit on the ground. It's cold, you'll catch a chill. Please get up~"
"Auntie Lin~~"
Baiye leaned over, wrapping her arms around Lin Yuqing's neck until her whole body was practically draped over her.
Lin Yuqing reached back, hooked her arms under Baiye's knees, and stood up, hoisting the little one onto her back in one smooth motion.
"Ah—" Baiye cried out, quickly tightening her arms around Lin Yuqing's neck.
"Auntie Lin, put me down! You'll throw out your back."
"Done running?"
"Mhm, no more running, no more running."
Lin Yuqing carried her for another moment before setting her down.
As she set Baiye down, Lin Yuqing swayed slightly. The moment Baiye's feet touched the ground, she wrapped her arms around Lin Yuqing's waist. "Are you okay?" she asked, worried she might be hurt.
"You think I'm as delicate and fragile as you are?" Lin Yuqing tapped her lightly on the forehead.
"Hmph~"
"You dared to prank me. Don't you deserve to be punished?" Lin Yuqing put on a stern face, feigning anger.
Baiye raised both hands in surrender, obediently accepting her fate.
"Close your eyes," Lin Yuqing said.
Baiye looked at her apprehensively, then uneasily closed her eyes, secretly cracking one open to peek.
"Tsk!" Lin Yuqing tapped her again, and this time she obediently shut both eyes.
Seeing the nervous look on her face, Lin Yuqing chuckled. She cupped Baiye's cheeks, gently tilting her head up. Then she leaned in and brushed her lips against Baiye's soft ones. The kiss was light and gentle, asking for nothing, and over in an instant.
Baiye opened her eyes. Seeing the deep affection in Auntie Lin's gaze, she smiled. She rose onto her tiptoes and gave Lin Yuqing's lips a light peck in return. "Love you," she whispered.
"Oh? You love me even when I'm teasing you?" Lin Yuqing asked with a smile.
Baiye pressed closer, wrapping her arms around her and resting her head in the crook of her neck. "I love you no matter what," she confessed, her voice thick with emotion.
Lin Yuqing felt a deep sense of contentment. She smiled and ruffled the little one's hair.
That afternoon, Baiye became engrossed in stool-making. She had already successfully finished one; the second just required repeating the process, so it was only a matter of time.
Night fell early in the mountains. The sun had already set by a little after five.
Lin Yuqing went inside to light the candles, filling the small wooden house with a bright, warm glow.
Then she added some kindling to the stone fire pit and got a blaze going. The fire illuminated the space between the pit and the house and radiated a pleasant warmth. Even though the evenings were chilly, neither of them felt cold.
This fire pit was incredibly convenient!
In a single afternoon, she had finished both stools and even used a spare section of bamboo to make two cups. They had been drinking water from bowls lately, which was rather inconvenient.
She had simply split a bamboo section in half, sanded the rims smooth, and then boiled the pieces in hot water to sterilize them. Once they were dry, they would be ready to use.
To tell the cups apart, Baiye had deliberately cut them to different heights. Auntie Lin's was slightly taller. When placed side by side, the cups looked just like the two of them standing together—one tall, one short.
Baiye was so absorbed in her work, eagerly anticipating the moment when night fell and she and Auntie Lin could sit by the fire watching the stars, that she completely forgot about dinner.
Seeing how focused she was, Lin Yuqing didn't disturb her. She went to the kitchen to see what they had, and upon spotting the corn they'd bought earlier, she had an idea.
Baiye stood up and stretched. Her back was a bit sore from squatting for so long. She kneaded it with her fist and looked around, but Auntie Lin was nowhere to be seen.
"Auntie Lin!" she called out to the night sky.
No matter where Auntie Lin was, as long as she could hear her, she would always appear in an instant.
Sure enough, the words had barely left her lips when Lin Yuqing answered.
"Coming."
Baiye grinned and looked toward the voice. She saw Auntie Lin emerging from the kitchen, carrying a pile of things on a pot lid she was using as a tray.
"Oh no, I forgot to make dinner!" Baiye slapped her forehead. Did I starve Auntie Lin so much that she learned to fend for herself?
She hurried over to help hold the lid. A quick glance revealed corn on the cob, garlic scapes, potato slices, and green beans, all threaded onto bamboo skewers, along with some seasonings.
Huh, are they having a barbecue?
Baiye didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed her vision of watching the stars by the fire was about to get an upgrade…
Lin Yuqing set everything aside and built a simple rack out of bamboo sticks and firewood. She brushed the skewered corn with a layer of oil and placed it on the rack to roast.
"Sit, Auntie Lin~" Baiye brought over the small stool she had made and placed it beside her.
Lin Yuqing glanced at her.
"It won't be a problem this time, I promise! Sit down!"
Lin Yuqing smiled, sat down, and gave it a little wiggle. "Not bad. It's quite sturdy."
"Of course it is~" Baiye beamed, then brought the other stool over and sat down right next to Auntie Lin, helping her roast the food.
Lin Yuqing watched the potato slice in her hand intently, turning it periodically, determined not to let it burn. When she thought it was about done, she blew on it, then touched it to her own lips to test the temperature. Once it had cooled enough, she held it out to Baiye. Baiye, who had been watching her the whole time with a smile, her chin propped in her hands, opened her mouth and took a bite. She was just about to praise Auntie Lin for her vast improvement when she heard her ask…
"Is it cooked?"
…Are you using me as a guinea pig?!
"It's cooked, and it's delicious! My Auntie Lin is getting more and more amazing!"
That made Lin Yuqing very happy. Spurred on by the praise, she grilled with even more enthusiasm.
Before long, they had finished their dinner. Baiye stretched lazily, and Lin Yuqing reached out to pat her round little belly. "Full?"
Baiye glanced up at the sky, which was filled with countless stars, big and bright. They seemed so close she could reach out and pluck them from the heavens.
"Look, Auntie Lin."
Lin Yuqing looked up and was also captivated by the sight. You could sometimes see a sky full of stars in the city, but they always seemed so distant, like tiny specks of light. The sky above them now, however, was deep, brilliant, and boundless.
They gazed up for a while before Baiye lowered her head, rubbing her neck. "I should have made a lounge chair. Then we could lie down to watch the stars," she muttered.
Lin Yuqing heard her and smiled. "You little lazybones."
She pulled the little lazybones into her arms, letting her recline against her. "This way, you can see the stars without having to look up."
"Hehe~" Baiye giggled. She blinked her big, beautiful eyes, but instead of looking at the night sky, she gazed unblinkingly at the woman before her.
Auntie Lin's embrace was so comfortable, and the warmth of the nearby bonfire, with its occasional crackle and pop, was exceptionally hypnotic. The little one closed her eyes, already planning to make a lounge chair tomorrow. But how exactly did one make a lounge chair…?
"Baiye?" Lin Yuqing looked down and discovered the little one had actually fallen asleep. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Who falls asleep right after eating? Did she really think she was a little piglet?
She carefully lifted her and carried her back to the bedroom. After gently placing her on the bed, she helped her out of her outer clothes and underwear. She was about to change her into her pajamas when she paused. A mischievous impulse took over. She tossed the pajamas aside and tucked the naked little thing into bed.
Mm~ She'll definitely be shy when she wakes up tomorrow. I won't give her any clothes and just tease her! With that thought, Lin Yuqing gathered up all of Baiye's clothes. Gazing at the girl's sleeping face, she couldn't help but grin wickedly.
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