Just as they got downstairs, they ran into a group of plainly dressed family members carrying baskets. Among them was the parent of one of her apprentices.
"Master, back from work?" the auntie greeted them with a warm, welcoming smile.
’The kid’s master is young and beautiful, but she’s an honest and meticulous person. Just look at the gifts she prepared—they’re one-of-a-kind in the whole factory district. The cutlery wasn’t cheap, and that silver longevity lock is a real treasure. But the most valuable thing was that flimsy piece of paper with the recipes that could be passed down as a family heirloom!’
’And the gifts for all twelve kids were the same. She didn’t play favorites. That’s so rare and respectable.’
"Where are you headed, Auntie?" Zhu Yun asked curiously.
"Well, the wheat on our farm is ripe. They’ve started harvesting in the mornings and evenings, so we’re going to see if we can find any fallen ears of wheat. We want to grind them into a bit of flour to make some dumplings for the kids, as a treat," the auntie whispered in her ear.
The wheat is ripe!
Zhu Yun’s eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "You should hurry then, Auntie, before someone else gets there first."
Once the group had left, she followed Chu Shenyu, stepping in the footprints he left in the thin layer of dust.
’The famine will start next year. I have to start stockpiling large amounts of food now. I believe as long as I have enough grain, I can trade old grain for new grain each year and survive the three difficult years.’
"What are you thinking about?" After they got home and turned on the fan, Chu Shenyu noticed the little tail behind him was still in a daze. Overcome with affection, he couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms and showering her with kisses.
Zhu Yun relaxed in his embrace, looking down and fidgeting with his fingers. She spoke with a hint of apprehension, "My life used to be really hard. I never had a full meal."
"When I was little, I used to think that if I ever had money, I’d be like a field mouse and fill every room in the house with grain, cured meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruit. I’d eat whatever I wanted for every meal!"
Chu Shenyu held her tighter. "If I had known you existed sooner, I would have brought you home with me."
Zhu Yun chuckled lightly. "Oh? So you had plans to raise a child bride?"
"Who wouldn’t want a beautiful child bride like you?" He nuzzled her with the tip of his nose. ’This soft, sweet-smelling woman... she really makes you want to dote on her every single second.’
She confessed, embarrassed, "So... while you were away on your business trip, I dug a cellar in our little courtyard. I want to fill it with food."
’I’m just a nobody. I don’t have some grand ambition to reverse a natural disaster.’
’If I told people that there will be a great drought and a poor harvest next year, they’d probably just listen to it as a joke and forget about it. Then, when it actually happens, they’ll know I was prepared and naturally expect me to take care of everything for them!’
Not interfering with historical events was a principle that all employees of the Space-Time Administration Bureau strictly abided by.
Chu Shenyu ruffled her hair. "I’m just teasing you. Field mice hoard their food secretly. We’ll just have to make more trips and buy smaller amounts each time."
’Why does that sound a bit off?’
Zhu Yun laughed and refused to let it go. Baring her teeth, she said, "I’m a little mouse, and I’m going to bite someone..."
Then she threw herself into his arms again.
That sent Chu Shenyu leaping to his feet. ’I’m still a virgin, for crying out loud. How could I dare get on a ’ride’ like Sister Yun—all slick on the outside and tender on the inside?’ "There’s watermelon in the fridge! You have some first, I’m going to go arrange for the car..."

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