I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 71: Chapter 34: An Accident

Night fell. An endless darkness swallowed the land like a great beast. The glittering stars in the firmament were like eyes peering down from on high, lofty and indifferent.

In Changshan City, the lights of homes flickered to life, some bright, others dim... They mirrored the starlight in the vast sky—one in the heavens, the other in the Mortal World.

The children’s voices grew faint and distant as they returned to the lights of their homes. From within came the sounds of chatter, shouting, and the CLANG of pots and pans...

The clamor of life dispelled the night’s tranquility, lending a touch of worldly warmth to the vast darkness.

’I’ve heard that when you walk along a road at night, every light you see, no matter how small or faint, is a place to return to—an anchor.’

’Those with no place to return to have lost their anchor. They are to be pitied!’

Fang Rui sat under the eaves, reclining in a rattan chair and gazing up at the countless stars. His thoughts seemed to drift toward the celestial heavens as he felt a shared loneliness. ’I am living through this, and I am losing all of it. What kind of loneliness will it be when, one day, I am the only one left of all my friends and family—adrift and with no place for my heart to rest?’

’Perhaps only the endless stars will remain with me for a long time...’

"Brother!"

"Brother Ah Rui!"

These two calls pulled Fang Rui, who had been lost in the lofty cold of his own "jade towers in the heavens," back to the Mortal World.

’At least, I still have everything right now. One must live in the present!’

Fang Rui smiled and called back, "Coming!"

Inside the small house.

"Brother Rui, wash your hands! It’s time to eat!"

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady bustled back and forth carrying dishes, while Fang Ling and Nannan helped wipe the table and set out chopsticks.

Stir-fried bean sprouts were brought out.

Cornmeal porridge was brought out.

A large basin of soft, fragrant, and tender white steamed buns was brought out. These buns had been made in the afternoon, a joint effort combining the white flour, wild greens, and wild onions from Third Lady with the soybean sprouts, eggs, and lard from the Fang Family.

Arranged on the modest table, they steamed gently, their white vapor intertwining to create an immense, fragrant aroma.

"Brother Rui!"

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family looked at Fang Rui. She had wanted to invite Third Lady and Nannan to sit down first, but then she remembered that Fang Rui was now the de facto head of the household. She swallowed her words, wanting to respect his position.

Third Lady held Nannan’s hand, thinking of herself as a guest. She glanced at Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, then at Fang Rui, waiting for the hosts to be seated first.

As for the two little girls...

Fang Ling was staring intently at the table, her eyes wide as she audibly GULPED down her saliva.

Although Nannan was very familiar with the Fang Family, she wasn’t in her own home, so she was a little shy. She was just as hungry, but not as obviously as Fang Ling, only stealing glances at the table from time to time.

"Mother, Ling’Er, sit down! And Third Sister, Nannan, you’re not outsiders, so there’s no need for ceremony. Everyone, sit!"

Fang Rui beckoned.

After they were seated, he saw that everyone was still a bit reserved, so he picked up a large bun for each of them with his chopsticks.

"Everyone, eat while they’re hot!"

Fang Rui took the first bite, sinking his teeth into the fragrant, tender white bun with its beautiful pleated pattern.

SQUIRT!

The scalding, oily juices burst in his mouth, followed by the freshness of wild greens, the tenderness of bean sprouts, and the savory aroma of egg... These flavors danced across his taste buds. The rich juices made every cell in his body rejoice, soaking it all up like a sponge.

It was truly a case of thin skin, thick filling, and a mouthful of savory juices with every bite.

"Delicious!"

Fang Rui exclaimed in admiration. "But be careful, it’s a bit hot!"

His warning came a little too late.

Fang Ling and Nannan, the two little girls, had already eagerly taken a bite.

The juices exploded in their mouths, so hot that they gasped and hissed. But they couldn’t bear to spit it out, so they tossed the food around in their mouths until it cooled slightly. Once they started chewing, the rich flavor of the wild green buns flooded their senses, so delicious it made them unconsciously hum with satisfaction.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady were more composed. Though their appetites were stoked, they weren’t as hasty.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family admired the beautiful pattern on the bun in her hand and praised Third Lady, "This one I’m holding, I can tell you made it, my dear girl. The pattern was beautiful when you folded it, and it’s even prettier now that it’s steamed. You’re so clever and skilled with your hands!"

"Not at all, Sister. You praise me too much."

Third Lady took a small bite of her bun and said admiringly, "The ones I made are all for show. They can’t compare to yours, Sister. Yours are so fragrant, with thin skins and thick fillings, and the flavor is so rich... I still have much to learn from you!"

The two of them exchanged a round of polite flattery.

"Oh, you!"

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family’s eyes curved into a smile. "You really are capable, skilled, and a sweet talker! It would be wonderful if Brother Rui could marry a wife like you someday!"

Of course, this was just an analogy. A wife *like* Third Lady, not Third Lady herself—if Fang Rui were to actually marry Third Lady, his mother would probably panic!

However, if it was just a fling... AHEM, she would probably turn a blind eye.

In this regard, no matter the era, the standards a woman has for her husband and for her son have always been completely different.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family had spoken without thinking. For some reason, Third Lady’s expression turned a little unnatural for a moment. She knew, of course, that Fang Rui wouldn’t marry her. At most, she could be his... without an official title.

Third Lady subconsciously glanced at Fang Rui. As if their minds were connected, he happened to look over at the same time. Their eyes met—his gaze was open and clear, hers was slightly flustered.

Their eyes locked for only a moment before Third Lady instantly averted her gaze, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

TSK TSK. The charm of a young maiden and the shyness of a young wife—what a captivating combination. Especially when paired with that mature, curvaceous body, the contrast was simply exquisite...