Chapter 153 – Changes in the Portable Space
In Shaoyao Village, at the Tian family’s home.
Ms. Wang eyed the pile of rice, grains, vegetables, and meats in their room with envy.
“Dazhuang, did Yan Xiaosi’s mother really buy all these things?” she asked.
Tian Dazhuang, busy eating, replied indistinctly, “Mother, didn’t you ask yesterday? I already told you.”
Ms. Wang said, “All this food must have cost a fortune. When did the third branch of the Yan family become so wealthy? Last time at the market, they bought quite a lot, and this time, they’ve bought even more. They’re living even better than us now.”
Tian Dazhuang suddenly remembered Yan Xiaosi earning fifty silver taels at Jiren Hall but decided not to tell Ms. Wang.
“Mother, don’t worry about it. We should be happy that Xiaosi’s family is doing well.”
Mentioning Yan Xiaosi always ignited a fire in Ms. Wang.
“Don’t talk to me about that troublesome kid. She’s full of mischief. You should keep your distance from her.”
As Ms. Wang advised Tian Dazhuang against associating with Yan Xiaosi, he stood up abruptly, saying, “Mother, I’m full. Auntie Yan and Xiaosi don’t seem to be back yet. I should go check on them.”
Ms. Wang grabbed her son, exasperated.
“Why the rush? Is Ms. Zhong your mother-in-law, and Yan Xiaosi your brother-in-law? If so, then go find them.”
Tian Dazhuang was speechless.
“Mother, what are you talking about? Xiaosi and I are like brothers, and her three sisters are like my own sisters.”
Ms. Wang sighed in frustration.
“Sisters, my foot. I only gave birth to you, so don’t go around claiming others as your sisters. If you don’t want to go hunting in the mountains today, then go watch over our cornfield to prevent theft.”
While they were arguing, Yan Xiaosi’s voice called out.
“Brother Dazhuang, are you home? We’ve come to pick up some things.”
Hearing Yan Xiaosi’s voice, Tian Dazhuang excitedly dashed to the door and saw Yan Xiaosi standing there unharmed, which relieved him.
“Xiaosi, you’re back. Did General Zhan give you a hard time?”
Yan Xiaosi shrugged, “Not really. He just faked back pain and had me give him a massage.”
“You gave him a massage?”
The thought of Yan Xiaosi touching another man made Tian Dazhuang uncomfortable.
Yan Xiaosi, not noticing his feelings, nodded, “Yes, he’s a high-ranking general. If he asks for a massage, how could I refuse?”
That made sense to Tian Dazhuang, who felt slightly relieved, thinking that Yan Xiaosi was forced into it. He said, “Xiaosi, you know how to give massages? I didn’t know that.”
Yan Xiaosi rolled her eyes, “You never asked.”
Scratching his head, Tian Dazhuang said, “Xiaosi, my back hurts from time to time. Could you give me a massage too?”
Yan Xiaosi’s wrists were still sore from massaging Long Yu for nearly half an hour the night before.
“Brother Dazhuang, my wrists are still a bit sore. I’ll give you a massage another day. By the way, I have something to discuss with you. Let’s talk over there.”
Tian Dazhuang was more than willing to have a private conversation with Yan Xiaosi.
As they moved aside, Yan Xiaosi looked at him and asked in a low voice, “Brother Dazhuang, what do you think of my eldest sister?”
“Cough, cough.”
Startled by her sudden question, Tian Dazhuang choked on his saliva.
“Xiaosi, what do you mean by asking that?”
Yan Xiaosi realized she needed to be more explicit, as Tian Dazhuang didn’t seem to understand the implication of her question.
“Brother Dazhuang, do you want to marry my eldest sister and become my brother-in-law?”
Although Yan Xiaosi was not very keen on the idea of her sister Yan Shuqin marrying into Tian Dazhuang’s family, given the current grim situation, it seemed preferable over having her constantly on Yao Jin’s mind. At least Yan Shuqin had feelings for Tian Dazhuang.
Tian Dazhuang was dazed by her question and after a pause, he replied, “Xiaosi, I… I only see Shuqin as a sister.”
Yan Xiaosi had thought that her beautiful and virtuous elder sister would surely capture Tian Dazhuang’s heart. Surprised by his response, she asked, “Brother Dazhuang, do you have someone else in your heart?”
Tian Dazhuang stared intently at Yan Xiaosi, his heart pounding uncontrollably. For some reason, whenever he looked seriously at Xiaosi, his heart raced uncontrollably and he felt anxious.
“There’s no such thing. I just can’t accept Shuqin as anything more than a sister,” he stammered.
Yan Xiaosi sighed heavily. It seemed her elder sister’s love was unrequited. “Alright, I won’t make it difficult for you,” she said. Considering that General Zhan’s forces were unlikely to leave Xize County anytime soon, there was still time to find a suitable match for Yan Shuqin.
Changing the subject, Yan Xiaosi said, “Brother Dazhuang, when you have time, could you inquire if any families in the nearby villages are looking to sell their land? Let me know if you find anything.”
Knowing that Yan Xiaosi wanted to buy land to build a house, Tian Dazhuang nodded without hesitation. “I have time. I’ll find out as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, Brother Dazhuang. We don’t have anything else to do now. We want to take the grain we bought yesterday and head back to the cave at Big Sister Peak as soon as possible.”
Ms. Zhong and Yan Shuqin had not slept well last night and needed to rest in the cave. Tian Dazhuang helped the family of four collect the items they had bought the previous day.
Ms. Wang watched with pained eyes as Ms. Zhong and Yan Xiaosi carried away the rice, grain, and vegetables. “Xiaosi, can you leave some behind?” she pleaded.
Tian Dazhuang was visibly annoyed. “Mother, didn’t I tell you? These things were bought by Yan Third Aunt, they’re not ours.”
Ms. Wang said with a pained expression, “I know, but these things stayed in our house for a night. It’s hard for me to see them being taken away by your Aunt Yan and Xiaosi.”
“Xiaosi, leave a cabbage for your Aunt Tian,” Ms. Zhong suggested.
“Alright, Mother,” Yan Xiaosi agreed, handing over a cabbage to Ms. Wang. She wasn’t being generous, but rather pragmatic, thinking about the next time they might need to borrow a cart.
Ms. Wang’s mood brightened with the gift of a cabbage. The four of them carried the food back to the cave at Big Sister Peak. With some time before noon, Ms. Zhong and the others, who hadn’t slept well the previous night, decided to catch up on some sleep.
Yan Xiaosi, full of energy, wandered alone in the forest. After digging up some roots, she entered her portable space to cultivate. After her cultivation session, she went to drink from the spiritual spring and unexpectedly discovered that the sandy soil beside the spring had turned into red clay.
Holding a handful of red clay, she was overjoyed. It seemed that her cultivation practice, along with the improvement in her spiritual power, had enhanced the soil quality as well. The spiritual energy in the space, previously not very pure, had become purer with her enhanced spiritual power, making the improvement in the soil’s quality both logical and reasonable.
