Chapter 650 - 650: A Man Worth Entrusting One's Life To

Lin Xue froze, stunned. 'What's going on?' she wondered. 'Is this little fox jealous of me? Is it trying to provoke me? Surely I'm seeing things...'

But when she looked again, the Little Red Fox's expression was back to normal. It joined the White Cat and the two Little Dang Kangs, crowding around Zhao Yuan's feet and begging for pets.

'I must have been mistaken,' Lin Xue thought, shaking her head and putting the incident out of her mind.

After they had been home for a little while, Zhao Yuan took her out to the medicinal herb farm.

Zhao Ling had wanted to tag along, but Shen Lijun stopped her. Grabbing her by the ear, she whispered a stern lecture, "Your brother and sister-in-law are going out on a little trip. Don't go and be a third wheel. You stay right here at home!"

Zhao Ling pouted, looking wronged, but she didn't dare defy her mother's orders. She could only obey and stay behind.

The Bone Woman hesitated for a moment, then also decided not to go.

As Zhao Yuan walked Lin Xue through the village, he would occasionally greet the villagers they passed. And upon seeing Lin Xue, almost every one of them would sing Zhao Yuan's praises to her.

"Looks like everyone really likes you. They're all putting in a good word for you," Lin Xue said with a teasing smile.

"But of course," Zhao Yuan boasted shamelessly. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been the handsomest, best-behaved, and most popular guy in the village."

"Shameless," Lin Xue said disdainfully, rolling her eyes at him.

Zhao Yuan chuckled. "Of course, there's another reason they're singing my praises," he added. "It's because you're so beautiful and exceptional. They really like you, so they keep talking me up to help my case."

"Now that's more like it." Lin Xue smiled, clearly pleased.

Chatting and laughing, the two of them climbed to the top of a hill.

It was a perfect vantage point, offering a sweeping view of the entire medicinal herb farm below.

Just then, the sun began to set, and its lingering rays washed over the mountains, draping the green hills and clear waters in a cloak of brilliant gold. The sight was utterly magnificent, a breathtaking vista that soothed the soul.

"So, what do you think? It's beautiful, isn't it?" Zhao Yuan asked.

"It's gorgeous!" Lin Xue exclaimed, her awe genuine. She pulled out her phone and started taking one picture after another.

Watching the medicinal herbs thriving all over the mountainside, and seeing the beautiful new houses whose frames were already complete, her heart swelled with pride.

She was proud of Zhao Yuan.

After making his fortune, this man hadn't forgotten the folks back home. He wasn't just enjoying his success by himself; he was determined to bring the entire village with him, to help them all build better lives.

'A man so loyal, honorable, and responsible... he's someone I could entrust my whole life to!'

Lin Xue turned her head to look at Zhao Yuan, and for a moment, she was completely captivated.

After they had admired the view from the hilltop for a while, Zhao Yuan took Lin Xue by the hand again and led her toward a nearby patch of woods.

"What are you doing?" Lin Xue yelped, startled. Her heart began to pound. 'Why is Zhao Yuan pulling me into the woods?' she thought. 'Did he somehow hear what I was just thinking? Does he want to... do *that*?'

Zhao Yuan, oblivious to her misunderstanding, said as they walked, "I'm taking you to meet a friend."

"What friend?" Lin Xue asked, growing even more nervous.

She remembered a joke she had read once. A guy is on a date and needs to use the restroom, so he tells his date he's going to "meet a good friend." Then he adds that he hopes to introduce this "good friend" to her later that night.

'Is the "friend" Zhao Yuan is talking about part of the same joke?'

But this time, her mind was truly in the gutter.

"The Mountain Spirit Xiaoyang," Zhao Yuan answered.

Lin Xue blinked, then blurted out, "Not your... little brother?"

"I only have a little sister. Where would I get a little brother?" Zhao Yuan said, turning back to her with a completely baffled expression.

Lin Xue's face instantly turned beet red. How could she possibly tell him the truth? She hurriedly changed the subject. "No, I misspoke. I meant to ask, what is a Mountain Spirit Xiaoyang?"

"A type of legendary Spirit Monster..." In just a few sentences, Zhao Yuan briefly explained Xiaoyang's situation to Lin Xue.

Lin Xue was utterly astounded by the explanation, her curiosity about Xiaoyang piqued.

Soon, the two of them entered the woods. At Zhao Yuan's call, Xiaoyang's enormous figure appeared before them.

"Greetings, Master!" Xiaoyang said, dropping to one knee before Zhao Yuan in a formal greeting.

"So this is Xiaoyang? He's huge!" Even though Lin Xue had tried to prepare herself, the sight of him still gave her a huge shock.

Zhao Yuan pointed to her and told Xiaoyang, "This is your Mistress. Greet her properly."

"Greetings, Mistress!" Xiaoyang hurriedly knelt before Lin Xue.

Lin Xue had composed herself by now. She shot Zhao Yuan a look before saying, "You may rise."

Once Xiaoyang was back on his feet, Zhao Yuan asked, "Has everything in the village been quiet these last few days?"

Xiaoyang replied, "It's been quiet. A few strangers came to the village yesterday, but they didn't stay long. They left in their car soon after."

"Strangers? What were they here for?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Xiaoyang answered, "From the looks of it, they were carrying a lot of gear. They probably wanted to explore the mountains and were looking for a guide, but they couldn't find one."

Since the mountains here are undeveloped, they see very few visitors, which has allowed the forests to retain their pristine nature. From time to time, some outdoor enthusiasts and hikers would come here to explore.

'It sounds like those strangers were another group like that,' Zhao Yuan thought. But they had come to the wrong place. Nearly everyone in Jinhua Village worked at the medicinal herb farm; who would have the time to act as a guide?

After chatting with Xiaoyang for a little longer, Zhao Yuan led Lin Xue out of the forest.

When they returned home, Shen Lijun was busy getting dinner ready. Lin Xue took off her coat, found an apron, and went into the kitchen to help.

Shen Lijun already adored her, so seeing her proactively offer to help made her beam from ear to ear.

The dinner passed in a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

After dinner, the Bone Woman went to stay the night at a neighbor's house as usual, and Lin Xue was given Zhao Yuan's bed. As for Zhao Yuan, he had to set up a simple, makeshift bed in the main hall and make do for the night.

Shen Lijun took Lin Xue's hand, her voice full of apology. "Our home is a bit simple right now. I'm sorry to put you through this. Once the new houses at the herb farm are finished, it definitely won't be like this when you visit again."

Lin Xue quickly replied, "Not at all, Auntie. I think it's wonderful here. It's simple, but very warm and cozy."

But Zhao Yuan chimed in, "Mom, aren't I the one who should feel wronged, sleeping in the main hall? How come you're not comforting me?"

Shen Lijun shot him a look and said gruffly, "You're tough as leather. How can you compare yourself to Xiaoxue? Stop your whining and go make your bed."

Zhao Yuan was speechless.

'To think,' he mused, 'before Lin Xue came, Mom used to dote on me. Now that she's here, my status has taken a nosedive. I even have to make my own bed. How tragic!'

With a sigh, Zhao Yuan gathered his quilt and blankets and went to make his bed in the main hall.

Lying in Zhao Yuan's bed, Lin Xue didn't feel the slightest bit of discomfort. In fact, she slept soundly and had a wonderful dream.

In her dream, she was wearing a pure white wedding gown, walking down the aisle of a sacred church with Zhao Yuan.

When she woke up, a ray of sunlight was streaming in, warming her skin. Outside the window, the day was already bright.

Zhao Yuan's voice drifted in from outside. "You're awake? Get up, wash your face, and come have breakfast. After we eat, I'll take you exploring in the mountains."