Chapter 157: I Can Find You No Matter Where You Are

Since the two of them were heading down the mountain into the city, everyone insisted that they eat first. Gu Xiaoshu and the others had tasks to do at home and did not need to go out.

"Xiaoshu, after I leave, remember to take out all the soybeans and spread them across these troughs. The wasteland has already been cleared, so you don't need to go there anymore."

"Is there anything you need me to buy? I'll bring it back from the city. Shouldn't we start preparing our New Year goods soon?"

Gu Xiaomiao wondered if it was time to start purchasing supplies for the upcoming New Year. After all, traveling to the city from here was quite troublesome, and besides, she was already carrying a heavy load of goods down the mountain every day.

"Yes, there are things we need to buy! Should Mother go with you? That way I can help you carry things back!"

Madam Li felt that it was simply too exhausting for her daughter to buy everything in the city by herself and then haul it all the way up the mountain.

"No need, Mother. If you come with me and get too tired to climb back up, I'll have to figure out where to set you down just to carry you on my back!"

Hearing Madam Li's suggestion, Gu Xiaomiao flatly refused, insisting that she could easily carry the purchased goods up the mountain by herself.

Madam Li: "..."

"Right, Mother, just clean up that old house. We can store quite a lot of things in it later."

The old house they were planning to move into last time had not been completely cleaned yet. Madam Li agreed, saying she would go tend to it right after breakfast.

After finishing breakfast, Gu Xiaomiao placed all the bean sprouts meant for delivery into wicker baskets and covered them neatly with cloth.

"I'm leaving."

Chu Chengjin followed closely behind her with his luggage, the embroidered sachet she had given him swaying gently at his waist.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Chengjin, wait for me! I'm going to the city today too, wait up!"

Dahua darted out from a nearby path, waving her arms and shouting at the top of her lungs, terrified that the two of them wouldn't hear her.

The pair, who had briefly contemplated pretending they hadn't heard, came to a halt. Only after Dahua caught up did they resume their journey.

Down the mountain, they managed to flag down an ox cart, allowing the soles of their feet a temporary respite. Dahua retrieved a few boiled eggs from her basket.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Chengjin, have an egg. My mother boiled these for me, you should have some too. They're laid by our own chickens and taste so fragrant."

Chu Chengjin accepted two eggs, peeled one of them, and held it out near Gu Xiaomiao's lips.

"You don't need to move; let me feed you. The ox cart is bumpy, just hold onto the baskets."

Without overthinking it, Gu Xiaomiao opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her the egg. Home-raised eggs truly tasted exceptionally good, and the yolk was rich and savory.

"I'm done, you should eat yours quickly. This yolk is delicious."

Chu Chengjin peeled his own egg, his slender fingers gently separating the yolk before offering it to her lips.

Watching their intimate interaction, Dahua felt a twinge of envy in her heart. She wished someone would feed her eggs too!

When the ox cart reached the city gates, the three of them disembarked. After paying the fare and entering the city, they prepared to part ways.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Chengjin, I have to deliver something to someone. Let's meet at the rock by the city gates later! Sister-in-law, you have to wait for me!"

Dahua had no desire to return to the village alone, and being with her sister-in-law gave her a great sense of security. After issuing her earnest instruction, she waved and scampered off.

Gazing at the bustling crowd in the city, Chu Chengjin's eyes soon spotted the person sent to pick him up, seated by the window of a teahouse.

"Xiaomiao, I must go as well. If you encounter any troubles you cannot resolve, you can come find me."

Before falling asleep last night, he had left behind a contact address. If anything truly happened, she could reach him there.

"Understood. Don't worry, if anything comes up, I'll find you. No matter where you are, I can track you down."

A trace of triumphant amusement flickered in Gu Xiaomiao's eyes as she glanced at the sachet at his waist. As long as he kept wearing it, she would always be able to find him.