Chapter 107 - 105: A Day Off That Refused to Stay Quiet

Chapter 107: Chapter 105: A Day Off That Refused to Stay Quiet

Lin Yue had a plan.

It was a very simple plan.

Wake up early.

Prepare a picnic basket.

Take her husband to the riverside.

Spend the entire day doing absolutely nothing.

No gardening.

No teaching.

No orchard restoration.

No pavilion designs.

No meetings.

And, most importantly, no dragon-related emergencies.

It was a beautiful plan.

A peaceful plan.

A plan that lasted approximately seven minutes.

"Yue’er?"

Lin Yue froze.

She was standing in the kitchen, carefully arranging peach cakes inside a bamboo basket.

Shen Rui’s voice came from behind her.

"Yes, dear husband?"

"Why are you hiding the food?"

"I’m not hiding it."

He glanced at the basket.

Then at the cloth covering it.

Then at her.

"Is that why you put a lid over it?"

"I’m protecting the cakes."

"From whom?"

Lin Yue smiled.

"People with suspicious appetites."

A tiny golden head appeared from beneath the kitchen table.

"I heard that."

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

Of course.

Lumi crawled out, wearing a little blue scarf and carrying a wooden spoon.

"Good morning, Madam Shen."

"Good morning, Lumi."

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere."

"Why is there a picnic basket?"

"It’s for the kitchen."

"Why does the kitchen need a picnic basket?"

"Because the kitchen is feeling lonely."

Lumi stared at her.

Then it slowly turned toward Shen Rui.

"Master Shen, your wife is lying."

Shen Rui folded his arms.

"I know."

Lin Yue looked at him in betrayal.

"Whose side are you on?"

"My wife’s."

"Then why are you helping the dragon?"

"Because the dragon is correct."

Lumi nodded proudly.

Lin Yue picked up a small towel and tossed it at both of them.

"Out. Both of you."

Shen Rui caught the towel.

Lumi caught the corner.

The towel landed over its head.

For several seconds, the kitchen contained only a muffled voice.

"I have been attacked by household linen!"

Shen Rui laughed.

Lin Yue shook her head.

Her peaceful day had not even begun.

By the time the sun rose above the orchard, Lin Yue and Shen Rui were ready to leave.

The picnic basket contained steamed buns, peach cakes, roasted chicken, fresh fruit, and a small flask of fragrant tea.

Lin Yue had also packed a blanket and two books.

Shen Rui carried the basket.

Lin Yue carried the tea.

They had agreed to leave Lumi behind.

It had been a difficult decision.

Lumi had argued that it was an essential member of the household.

It had also threatened to cry.

Then it had attempted to hide inside the picnic basket.

That was when Shen Rui had gently removed it by the tail.

Now the dragon stood at the garden gate, looking deeply offended.

"You are abandoning me."

"We are taking one day off," Lin Yue explained.

"Without me."

"Yes."

"After everything I have done for this family?"

Shen Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Such as?"

Lumi counted on its claws.

"Protecting the kitchen."

"From?"

"Hungry people."

"You are the hungry person."

"Exactly. I understand the danger."

Lin Yue crouched and patted its head.

"We will bring you something delicious."

Lumi’s expression changed immediately.

"Two things."

"One."

"Three."

"One."

"Two?"

Lin Yue sighed.

"Fine. Two."

Lumi brightened.

"Have a wonderful romantic day!"

Shen Rui looked at the dragon.

"You sound unusually pleased."

"I am supporting your marriage."

"Of course."

"And I shall protect the garden while you are away."

Lin Yue narrowed her eyes.

"Protect it from what?"

"Unnecessary visitors."

"Lumi..."

"Go! Enjoy yourselves! Do not worry about me!"

The dragon waved both wings.

Lin Yue and Shen Rui exchanged a suspicious glance.

Then they left.

They had barely reached the footpath when Shen Rui said, "I don’t trust that little creature."

"Neither do I."

"Should we return?"

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

They walked a little farther.

Then Lin Yue stopped.

"Shen Rui?"

"Yes?"

"Did you remember to lock the kitchen cupboard?"

He stared at her.

A long silence followed.

Then both of them turned around.

They found Lumi sitting on the kitchen counter.

The cupboard was open.

A plate of peach cakes was empty.

And the little dragon was wearing a very satisfied expression.

Lin Yue stared.

Lumi swallowed.

"Welcome back."

Shen Rui looked at the empty plate.

Then at the dragon.

Then at his wife.

"I believe our picnic has been compromised."

Lin Yue took a deep breath.

"Lumi."

"Yes?"

"Where are the cakes?"

The dragon pointed toward its stomach.

"Safe."

"Where is the second basket?"

"Also safe."

"Where is the third basket?"

Lumi blinked.

"Third?"

Lin Yue looked at Shen Rui.

Shen Rui looked at Lin Yue.

Then they both looked at the dragon.

Lumi slowly slid off the counter.

"I suddenly remember that I have important gardening duties."

It ran.

Shen Rui caught it before it reached the door.

"Not so fast, little inspector."

After negotiating with Lumi, Lin Yue and Shen Rui finally departed.

This time, they had locked the kitchen cupboard, hidden the remaining cakes, and instructed Aster to supervise the dragon.

Aster had accepted the responsibility.

Its exact words had been:

SUPERVISION INITIATED. PROBABILITY OF FOOD-RELATED INCIDENT: HIGH.

Lin Yue had decided that was good enough.

The riverside was only a short journey from the Open Garden.

They chose a quiet spot beneath a large willow tree, where the water moved gently over smooth stones.

The morning breeze carried the scent of grass and wildflowers.

Lin Yue spread the blanket.

Shen Rui placed the picnic basket beside it.

For the first time in several days, there was no one waiting to ask them questions.

No apprentices calling for help.

No builders requesting measurements.

No villagers bringing problems.

Just the river.

The trees.

And each other.

Lin Yue sat down and stretched her legs.

"Wonderful."

Shen Rui settled beside her.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Very."

"Hungry?"

"A little."

"Thirsty?"

"Perhaps."

"Cold?"

"No."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"Then I have completed my duties."

Lin Yue turned toward him.

"Your duties?"

"As your husband."

She laughed.

"Are you expecting a reward?"

"I would not refuse one."

She leaned closer and kissed his cheek.

"Consider that your morning payment."

He looked dissatisfied.

"An unusually small payment."

"Then you should work harder."

Shen Rui placed a hand over his chest.

"My wife is a demanding employer."

"Yet you continue working for me."

"Because the benefits are excellent."

Lin Yue laughed again.

He leaned down and kissed her properly this time.

When they finally separated, he rested his forehead against hers.

"I missed this."

She smiled.

"We see each other every day."

"I know."

"Then what did you miss?"

"Having you all to myself."

Her expression softened.

She slipped her arms around his waist.

"Then today, you have me."

He kissed her forehead.

"And I intend to make good use of the opportunity."

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow.

"Such as?"

"Eating lunch."

"Only lunch?"

"Perhaps a walk."

"Anything else?"

He smiled.

"An unreasonable number of kisses."

She laughed and pushed his shoulder.

"Master Shen!"

"What? I am simply following the day’s schedule."

They had just finished eating when Shen Rui noticed a folded piece of paper tucked beneath the picnic basket.

"Yue’er?"

"What is it?"

He picked it up.

The paper was decorated with a small painted peach blossom and a blue ribbon.

Lin Yue examined it.

"This wasn’t here when we packed."

"No."

He opened it.

Inside was a neatly written message.

To the Master and Mistress of the Open Garden,

The people of Willowbank would like to invite you to the first gathering beneath the restored pear tree. We intend to celebrate the return of water to the orchard and the beginning of a new planting season.

There will be music, food, games, and a small surprise for the two of you.

Please come as guests, not as teachers or builders. For one afternoon, allow us to take care of you.

With gratitude,

The Families of Willowbank

Lin Yue read it twice.

Then she smiled.

"They want us to attend as guests."

Shen Rui nodded.

"Apparently, they have planned something."

"Do you think it is another challenge?"

"After Auntie Feng’s planting competition, I would not be surprised."

Lin Yue laughed.

"Perhaps they want to see whether you can build a straight pavilion."

"I refuse to discuss that pavilion."

"You are very sensitive about it."

"It is a perfectly respectable structure."

"Of course."

He narrowed his eyes.

"You are smiling again."

"I am your wife. I am allowed to admire your architectural achievements."

"Then perhaps you should admire them more closely."

He leaned toward her.

She placed a finger against his chest.

"Behave yourself. We are in public."

"There is no one here."

"The birds are watching."

He glanced at the branches.

A small bird chirped.

Shen Rui nodded solemnly.

"Then I shall behave for the sake of the birds."

Lin Yue burst into laughter.

They were preparing to leave when a familiar voice called from the path.

"Madam Lin!"

Lin Yue turned.

Mei was hurrying toward them, followed by Jun, his younger sister, and the other two apprentices.

Lin Yue blinked.

"Why are you here?"

Mei stopped in front of them, slightly breathless.

"We came to deliver something."

Jun held out a small wooden box.

"It is for you and Master Shen."

Shen Rui accepted it.

"Who sent it?"

"All of us," Mei answered.

Lin Yue opened the box.

Inside were five small wooden tokens, each carved with a different symbol.

A peach leaf.

A seed.

A watering can.

A little house.

And two intertwined branches.

Beneath them was a folded note.

THANK YOU FOR TEACHING US THAT A GARDEN GROWS BEST WHEN EVERYONE HELPS.

WE MADE THESE FOR YOU.

PLEASE KEEP THEM.

Lin Yue stared at the tokens.

For a moment, she could not find the right words.

Mei looked worried.

"Do you like them?"

Lin Yue smiled.

"I love them."

She carefully picked up the token with the two intertwined branches.

"Who made this one?"

Mei raised her hand.

"I did."

"It is beautiful."

Mei’s cheeks turned pink.

Jun grinned.

"She spent the longest time making that one."

"Jun!"

"What? It’s true."

Shen Rui examined the little wooden house.

"Who carved this?"

"I did," Jun said proudly.

"The roof is slightly uneven."

Jun’s smile disappeared.

Shen Rui quickly added, "But it is strong. And it looks as though someone actually lives inside."

Jun brightened.

"Really?"

"Really."

Lin Yue glanced at her husband.

"That is a very kind way to describe an uneven roof."

Shen Rui looked at her.

"I am speaking from experience."

The apprentices laughed.

Then Mei hesitated.

"Madam Lin, can we ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Would you let us help with the Willowbank celebration?"

Lin Yue looked at them.

"What would you like to do?"

"We want to prepare something for the villagers. Maybe a small display of what we have learned about seeds and trees."

Jun nodded.

"And we can show them the orchard map."

His younger sister added, "And I want to help decorate the meeting area."

Lin Yue smiled.

"That sounds wonderful."

"But," Mei continued, "we don’t want to disturb your day off."

Lin Yue looked at Shen Rui.

He smiled.

"I believe our day off has already become a community event."

She laughed.

"Then perhaps we should accept the invitation properly."

The apprentices cheered.

By the time the children had settled beside the willow tree, the picnic had become a small gathering.

Jun discovered the remaining peach cakes.

His younger sister wanted to know whether the river contained fish.

One apprentice began drawing the surrounding trees.

Mei asked Shen Rui how he planned to design the Willowbank pavilion.

And Lin Yue found herself explaining why the restored orchard needed different kinds of plants to support healthy soil and attract pollinators.

Shen Rui leaned back against the tree.

He watched his wife speaking animatedly to the children.

Her hands moved as she explained things. Her eyes brightened whenever someone asked an interesting question.

He smiled.

She looked happiest when she was sharing what she knew.

Mei noticed him watching.

"Master Shen?"

"Yes?"

"Are you listening?"

"I am."

"To what?"

He glanced at Lin Yue.

"Something important."

Mei followed his gaze.

Then she smiled knowingly.

"Oh."

Shen Rui raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing."

She returned to her notebook.

After a moment, she quietly wrote:

MASTER SHEN LOOKS AT MADAM LIN THE WAY HE LOOKS AT A WELL-BUILT HOUSE.

She paused.

Then crossed it out.

NO. HE LOOKS AT HER BETTER.

Aster appeared above her notebook.

"Interesting observation."

Mei nearly dropped her pencil.

"Please don’t tell them."

"I shall preserve the confidentiality of your observation."

"Thank you."

Aster paused.

"However, I have already recorded it."

Mei stared.

"That is not confidentiality!"

The sun was beginning to descend when the apprentices finally prepared to return.

They had eaten most of the fruit, finished the peach cakes, and managed to leave the blanket covered in crumbs.

Jun helped fold it.

His younger sister collected the empty plates.

Mei carefully placed the wooden tokens back inside their box.

Lin Yue looked at the picnic basket.

Then at Shen Rui.

"Do you think we managed to have a day off?"

He examined the basket.

"Technically, we left the garden."

"We also taught three lessons, organized a community celebration, and supervised five apprentices."

"And ate lunch."

"That is true."

He reached for her hand.

"Would you like to try again tomorrow?"

Lin Yue considered the question.

"Perhaps."

"Just the two of us?"

"Definitely."

"No visitors?"

"Hopefully."

"No apprentices?"

"Agreed."

"No Lumi?"

"Absolutely."

Shen Rui nodded.

"Then I shall prepare everything myself."

She smiled.

"Can I trust you?"

"Of course."

"Even with the food?"

He looked offended.

"My dear wife, I am a capable man."

"Who once put flour in the tea jar."

"That was an unfortunate misunderstanding."

"And who forgot to bring the sugar to the kitchen."

"I was distracted."

"By what?"

He leaned closer.

"You."

Lin Yue laughed.

"That excuse will not work forever."

"It has worked rather well so far."

He kissed her cheek.

She squeezed his hand.

For a few steps, they walked quietly beside the river.

Then Shen Rui stopped.

"Yue’er."

"Yes?"

"I have an idea."

She looked at him suspiciously.

"Should I be worried?"

"Not at all."

"Is it related to construction?"

"No."

"Gardening?"

"No."

"Food?"

"Possibly."

She smiled.

"Go on."

He pointed toward a small wooden bridge crossing the river.

"Tomorrow, we could take the eastern path and visit the old tea hill. There is a little clearing beyond it. We could bring our books, tea, and lunch."

Lin Yue looked delighted.

"That sounds perfect."

"And perhaps..."

He paused.

"Perhaps what?"

"We could spend the afternoon doing nothing at all."

She slipped her arm through his.

"Now that sounds like a proper plan."

He smiled.

"Then tomorrow is settled."

When they returned to the Open Garden, the first thing they noticed was the silence.

An unusual silence.

The kitchen door was open.

The courtyard was empty.

Even Moss was nowhere to be seen.

Lin Yue frowned.

"Where is everyone?"

Shen Rui set down the basket.

"I don’t know."

Aster appeared.

"Welcome back."

"Where is Lumi?" Lin Yue asked.

"Currently engaged in a private activity."

"What activity?"

"Food preparation."

Lin Yue slowly turned toward the kitchen.

A strange smell drifted through the doorway.

Something sweet.

Something smoky.

Something suspiciously similar to burnt honey.

Shen Rui sighed.

"I knew we should not have left."

They entered the kitchen.

Lumi stood on a stool, wearing a tiny apron.

A wooden spoon was tied to its back.

A large mixing bowl sat on the table.

Beside it were flour, honey, chopped peaches, and several cracked eggs.

The dragon turned.

"Welcome home!"

Lin Yue stared at the kitchen.

"What happened?"

"Dinner."

Shen Rui examined the bowl.

"Why is there a feather in it?"

Lumi glanced down.

"Oh."

"Why is the honey jar empty?"

"An accident."

"Why is the flour on the ceiling?"

"An unfortunate weather event."

Lin Yue pressed her fingers against her forehead.

"Lumi..."

The dragon spread its wings.

"I wanted to prepare something special for you!"

Lin Yue paused.

"You did?"

Lumi nodded enthusiastically.

"You brought me food yesterday. Today I wanted to make food for you."

Shen Rui looked at the bowl again.

"And what exactly are you making?"

Lumi proudly lifted its spoon.

"Peach cake!"

Lin Yue glanced at the mixture.

"Is that why the kitchen smells like burnt honey?"

"The cake is still learning."

Shen Rui began rolling up his sleeves.

"Move aside, little chef."

Lumi blinked.

"Are you going to help?"

"Someone must prevent the kitchen from collapsing."

Lin Yue laughed.

She tied an apron around her waist.

"Very well. I shall supervise."

Lumi brightened.

"Can I taste the mixture?"

"No."

"Can I lick the spoon?"

"After we finish."

"Can I eat the cake?"

"If it is edible."

The dragon looked determined.

"Then I shall make the most delicious cake in the history of the Open Garden!"

Shen Rui picked up a clean bowl.

"Let’s begin with washing the ingredients."

Lumi sighed.

"Why does every recipe begin with work?"

Lin Yue smiled.

"Because delicious things take effort."

That night, the three of them sat around the kitchen table.

The peach cake was not particularly beautiful.

One side was slightly higher than the other.

The surface had a few cracks.

And the decoration looked suspiciously like a dragon had sneezed on it.

But it smelled wonderful.

Lumi watched anxiously as Lin Yue took the first bite.

"Well?"

Lin Yue chewed.

Then smiled.

"It’s delicious."

Lumi’s eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Really."

Shen Rui took a bite.

He nodded.

"Not bad."

"Not bad?" Lumi repeated.

The dragon looked offended.

"Only not bad?"

Shen Rui took another bite.

"Very good."

Lumi immediately brightened.

"Excellent! I shall open a bakery!"

Lin Yue laughed.

"Perhaps we should master the kitchen first."

Aster appeared beside the table.

"Recommendation: establish a formal food safety procedure before allowing Lumi to operate a commercial bakery."

Lumi pointed its spoon at Aster.

"You are not invited to my bakery."

"I do not consume food."

"Then you are not qualified to judge cake."

Aster paused.

"An interesting argument."

Shen Rui reached across the table and placed another piece of cake on Lin Yue’s plate.

She looked at him.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"Tomorrow, we shall have our proper day off."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Lumi watched them.

Then looked at its cake.

Then at the couple.

"Is kissing part of the recipe?"

Lin Yue nearly choked.

Shen Rui calmly took another bite.

"Only if you are married."

Lumi considered this.

Then nodded solemnly.

"I shall need to find a dragon."

Lin Yue covered her face.

Shen Rui laughed.

Aster quietly recorded another observation.

HOUSEHOLD UPDATE: THE NEW PEACH CAKE RECIPE IS ACCEPTABLE. LUMI HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN MARRIAGE. RECOMMENDATION: MONITOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.

Later, when the house had finally grown quiet, Lin Yue and Shen Rui stood together by the window.

The moonlight fell across the garden.

Beyond the courtyard, the three young peach trees swayed gently in the night breeze.

Shen Rui wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Happy?"

"Very."

He kissed her temple.

"Then tomorrow, no work."

"No visitors."

"No apprentices."

"No construction."

"And no dragon."

They smiled.

"Agreed," Lin Yue whispered.

Shen Rui rested his chin against her shoulder.

"Just you and me."

She turned in his arms.

"Just you and me."

They shared a quiet kiss.

Then Lin Yue noticed something on the table.

A small folded paper had been slipped beneath the window.

She picked it up.

There was no name on the outside.

Only a tiny drawing of a peach blossom.

She opened it.

Inside was a short message.

To the two people who keep opening their doors to everyone else,

Tomorrow, please come to the old tea hill. There is something waiting for you beneath the oldest tree.

Do not bring tools. Do not bring notebooks. And please, for once, do not bring a dragon.

Lin Yue stared at the message.

Shen Rui read it over her shoulder.

They looked at each other.

Then slowly turned toward the kitchen.

A tiny golden voice came from the darkness.

"I heard that."

Lin Yue closed her eyes.

Shen Rui sighed.

"Tomorrow is going to be interesting."

And somewhere beyond the garden, beneath the oldest tree on the tea hill, a small wooden table had already been prepared.

Two cups waited beside a covered basket.

And a familiar pair of footsteps was approaching.

To be continued...