Chapter Fifty-Six: Striving to Cultivate New Land

Seeing his slow movements, Gu Xiaoyao couldn't hold back and simply pulled his clothes off herself.

The wound on Chu Chengjin's chest looked quite serious, nothing like the minor injury he had casually claimed would heal with some rest.

"It's so severe—I thought you really had just a small wound. Looks like you can endure pain well."

"If you find it inconvenient to go to the clinic for a doctor, I'll find time tomorrow to go into the mountains and gather some herbs for you. That way, you won't have to suffer so much."

She saw several wounds on his back, some not yet healed before new ones appeared. Such scars marred his handsome chest and back, making Gu Xiaoyao feel regretful.

It was as if a fine piece of jade had been scratched several times by a knife—truly uncomfortable to witness.

As her fingers brushed over his wounds, Chu Chengjin's muscles tensed slightly.

"Then, thank you, my wife."

"I am your wife, of course I must take good care of you. Rest well!"

Gu Xiaoyao picked up the clothes she had removed and draped them over him again, her expression earnest as she looked at Chu Chengjin, her gaze unwavering.

Dressed again, Chu Chengjin met her serious eyes, his own gaze lowering, the smile at his lips fading.

After the two had settled down, Lotus Village fell into silence. Apart from a few distant roars from the mountain, even the insects quieted.

Early the next morning, the village chief struck Lotus Village's only iron gong, and upon hearing its sound, everyone hurriedly shouldered their hoes and gathered at the village entrance.

"Is everyone here? We must hurry down the mountain. This time, we can't let anyone else claim the wasteland we're about to clear!"

Thinking of what had happened in previous years, the village chief wished they could sprout wings and rush down immediately.

In the Chu family courtyard, Gu Xiaoyao was up early preparing food—today it was white steamed buns stuffed with palm-sized slices of pork belly.

Such a good meal naturally filled their stomachs, and after eating, everyone's spirits were lifted.

"Sister, let's take a basket down with us. Maybe we can catch some fish from the little river below!"

Farmers always liked to bring things along, since one might catch something edible in the fields.

Gu Xiaoyao agreed. Seeing Chu Chengjin still pale and bloodless, she told him to rest well at home.

"I'll come back at noon. You stay in and rest, and if you're hungry, there are still leftovers in the kitchen."

After saying this, she glanced at the neighboring courtyard. The three who had promised yesterday to help clear the wasteland hadn't come out yet.

The Liu family trio hid in their house, opening the window just a crack. When they saw Gu Xiaoyao's cold gaze turn their way, they felt panic.

"Mother, are we really going to stay cooped up inside and refuse to go out? Maybe we should go down the mountain and put on a show—it'd help us muddle through."

Chu Qingsong, who had spent the night hanging from a tree, now felt some real fear of Gu Xiaoyao, worried she'd burst into the house again and drag them down by force.

Liu and Chu Qingbai agreed; putting on a show wasn't difficult, just meant going there and back.

"Alright, let's shoulder our hoes and step outside, so she won't keep watching us from outside."

The three finally emerged with their hoes and baskets. Gu Xiaoyao saw them come out and turned away without expression.

Once everyone had gathered at the village entrance, the village chief was already urging the group to set out.

Dahua saw Gu Xiaoyao and immediately squeezed over with her hoe and basket, excitedly recounting yesterday's meal.

"Sister-in-law, thank you for giving us so much meat. Yesterday was the happiest I've ever been eating pork."

Usually, having meat felt like a rare treat; yesterday, Dahua's mother had been ruthless enough to cut off a whole pound and cook it.