On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, bright and early, Yang Ruxin and Xiaofeng made their way through the streets and alleys delivering gifts. They visited those who had shown kindness or helped their family. The gifts were modest – a package of mooncakes bought from town for each household, along with a package of brown sugar, a small jar of shrimp sauce, and a jug of osmanthus wine.
For families they were particularly close to, they would add either a pheasant or a rabbit.
Of course, the gifts for the third great-uncle, the fourth granduncle, and the old residence were a bit more substantial. In addition to the items above, there was also a piece of fine cotton cloth and a pair of new shoes that Erni had made especially for the two elderly ancestors during these past days.
Wherever the two of them went, they were warmly received. Everyone admired Yang Ruxin’s courage as well as her capability, and they all instructed their children to associate more with the children of the Yang Family’s main branch in the future.
Yang Ruxin was indifferent to this, but Xiaofeng now had several playmates his age, and the little lad was quite happy.
In the midst of all this, there was a minor incident. When leaving the village head’s house to head south towards Liang Xiaoyu’s home, there were two paths. One was a longer route using the main village road, and the other was a shortcut that passed west of the village head’s house. This way led across a dry stream and, after climbing up, one had to cross a vegetable patch and pass right in front of a house before arriving close to the Liang Family.
Yang Ruxin hadn’t thought much about it and decided to take the shortcut as it was not only passable but also a time-saver. However, she had forgotten that the house they needed to pass was the Guan Family’s.
Meeting someone wouldn’t have mattered much since the path was not deserted, but as fate would have it, just as Yang Ruxin and Xiaofeng were crossing the vegetable patch, the Guan Family’s courtyard gate opened. Guan Qingyue stepped out, holding a basket and clearly on her way to pick vegetables from the field. Upon seeing Yang Ruxin, her eyes widened with surprise, but she quickly adopted a look of scorn and disdain.
Yang Ruxin was somewhat helpless. How could she have forgotten that they would pass by the Guan Family’s gate? If she had thought of it earlier, she would have taken a detour. But what was done was done. They weren’t friends, anyway, so she planned to just ignore Guan Qingyue and walk past her.
But...
"Oh my, isn’t this Yang Dani?" Guan Qingyue did not intend to let Yang Ruxin off so easily. She suddenly sneered, "Weren’t you very impressive before? Acting all high and mighty? Now aren’t you shamelessly coming to see my brother again? How can your skin be so thick?"
Yang Ruxin blinked, momentarily stunned. Where did this girl get the idea that she had come to look for Guan Qingshu?
"Is it because my brother has been ignoring you these past days and you can’t stand it?" Seeing the look of disbelief on Yang Ruxin’s face, Guan Qingyue assumed she had guessed her thoughts and grew even more smug. The words that followed were even more unpleasant, "You really are pathetically clingy. You used to act all high and mighty when I asked you to buy me something, and now here you are, coming over on your own initiative?" Reaching for Yang Ruxin’s basket, she added, "Let’s see what you’ve brought for the festival. If it’s too meager, just roll back home..."
Yang Ruxin suddenly let out a snort of laughter. She didn’t mean to laugh, but she couldn’t help it. It was laughter provoked by exasperation. The thought processes of these people felt alien to her, as if they belonged not to Earth, but to Mars. Then, shifting the basket to her other hand, she swung back her hand and delivered a slap.
A crisp smack echoed, and Guan Qingyue’s cheek instantly reddened.