Chapter 308 Fresh Vegetables

However, his eyes were unconsciously attracted by the movement next door. Lou Xiao'e, the mysterious and always energetic woman, was walking out of her room. Her appearance always caused a stir in this courtyard. Li Xiangqian saw that she was wearing a light blue cheongsam, which made her look particularly elegant.

Since moving into the courtyard, Lou Xiao'e has attracted a lot of attention. She is low-key and doesn't talk much, but every time she appears, she can cause discussion among the people in the courtyard. Although Li Xiangqian doesn't communicate much with her, he always feels that she has a mysterious temperament that makes him difficult to understand.

Today, Li Xiangqian decided to keep an eye on Lou Xiao'e's movements. There have been many rumors in the courtyard recently. Some say she is the daughter of a wealthy family, while others say she fled here, but no one knows the details. Li Xiangqian doesn't like rumors, but he has a strong curiosity about the truth.

At breakfast time, Li Xiangqian saw Lou Xiao'e eating alone in the yard. She chewed slowly and elegantly. Li Xiangqian pretended to be busy repairing the bicycle, but he was actually secretly observing her. Lou Xiao'e seemed to notice his gaze and smiled at him. This smile caught Li Xiangqian off guard, so he quickly lowered his head and continued to pretend to be busy.

In the afternoon, Lou Xiao'e went out. She was wearing a light pink dress and carrying a small bag. She looked like she was going shopping or visiting a friend. Li Xiangqian decided to follow her. He kept a proper distance to ensure that he would not be discovered.

Lou Xiao'e walked all the way to the city market, and shuttled back and forth between several shops, as if she was looking for something special. Li Xiangqian couldn't help but become curious, what exactly was she looking for? Just as he was thinking, Lou Xiao'e suddenly stopped and entered a jewelry store.

Li Xiangqian stood outside the store, observing the scene inside through the glass window. Lou Xiao'e stayed in front of the counter for a long time, and seemed to be carefully selecting a necklace. She looked serious and focused when talking to the clerk. Li Xiangqian guessed that this necklace must have a special meaning to her.

Just as Li Xiangqian was lost in thought, Lou Xiao'e suddenly walked out of the store with an exquisite necklace in her hand. Her face was filled with a satisfied smile, as if she had found the treasure she had always dreamed of. Li Xiangqian quickly hid in the crowd and continued to follow her quietly.

Next, Lou Xiao'e walked into a cafe, found a seat by the window, and began to drink coffee alone. Li Xiangqian hesitated for a moment and decided to go in to find out. He walked into the cafe, ordered a cup of coffee, and sat down at a table not far from her. He pretended to be flipping through the newspaper as if nothing had happened, but in fact his ears were perked up, paying attention to her every move.

"Do you like coffee too?" Lou Xiao'e suddenly asked, her voice soft but with a hint of mischief.

Li Xiangqian raised his head and found Lou Xiao'e looking at him with a smile. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Yes, I come here to sit and relax occasionally."

Lou Xiao'e nodded and continued to sip her coffee. She looked relaxed and didn't seem to mind being followed. Li Xiangqian felt a little uneasy, wondering if she had noticed his intentions.

"You are a neighbor of the courtyard, right?" Lou Xiao'e suddenly asked.

Li Xiangqian nodded and said, "Yes, I live next door to you. My name is Li Xiangqian."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "My name is Lou Xiao'e, nice to meet you."

The two chatted briefly, and Li Xiangqian found that Lou Xiao'e was not as mysterious as the rumors said. She was generous in her conversation and elegant in her manners, which made people feel very comfortable. Through this short conversation, Li Xiangqian's curiosity about her not only did not decrease, but became stronger.

In the following days, Li Xiangqian continued to pay attention to Lou Xiao'e's movements. He found that her daily schedule was very regular. She went out in the morning and came back in the afternoon. Sometimes she would go to the market to buy some daily necessities, and sometimes she would go to a cafe to sit. Her life seemed simple, but it revealed an unusual atmosphere.

One night, Li Xiangqian was walking in the yard when he heard a low cry coming from Lou Xiao'e's room. He was startled and hurriedly walked a few steps closer to listen carefully. Although the cry was low, it was full of sadness and helplessness. Li Xiangqian felt heartbroken. He hesitated for a moment and knocked on her door.

"Lou Xiao'e, are you okay?" Li Xiangqian asked softly.

After a while, the door slowly opened, and Lou Xiao'e stood at the door with red eyes. Her eyes were full of tears, and she looked extremely fragile. Li Xiangqian felt distressed and couldn't help but reach out and gently patted her shoulder.

"What happened? Do you need my help?" Li Xiangqian asked with concern.

Lou Xiao'e forced a smile, shook her head and said, "It's okay, I just remembered some things in the past and my emotions got a little out of control. Thank you for your concern."

Li Xiangqian knew that she didn't want to talk much, so he didn't ask any more questions. He just stayed by her side silently, giving her silent support. That night, Lou Xiao'e's crying gradually subsided, and she finally fell asleep peacefully with Li Xiangqian by her side.

Since then, Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e have become closer. They often meet in the yard and chat about daily trivialities. Li Xiangqian found that although Lou Xiao'e looks strong, she hides many pains and secrets in her heart. Her mystery still exists, but Li Xiangqian gradually gets to know her better and feels more distressed and sympathetic.

Li Xiangqian grew up in a courtyard and has a deep affection for every plant and tree here. Although he has been working hard to improve his family's living conditions, he has never let go of this land. In recent years, he has planted a lot of corn in his yard. Every autumn when the harvest comes, he sees the golden corn cobs hanging on the branches, and his heart is always filled with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

This evening, Li Xiangqian finished a day's work and returned to the yard to check on the growth of corn. He squatted between the ridges, carefully checking each corn plant, silently praying for a good harvest this year. Suddenly, he heard soft footsteps behind him.

"Brother Li, are you still busy so late?" Lou Xiao'e's voice sounded softly with a hint of concern.

Li Xiangqian turned his head and saw Lou Xiao'e standing behind him, holding a small basket filled with fresh vegetables and fruits. Her smile was like a ray of warm sunshine, dispelling the fatigue in Li Xiangqian's heart.

"Yes, we have to hurry up and take care of the corns, as they will be harvested soon." Li Xiangqian stood up, patted the dirt off his body, and responded with a smile.

"You are such a hard-working person." Lou Xiao'e walked up to him and handed him the basket. "I bought these at the market today. I brought some for you. I hope you like them."