The Sweet Litte Fulang (SLF)

Chapter 117-120 - Future plans

Leveling the land was a labor-intensive task, but this was the foundation for their family's future livelihood, and they were filled with enthusiasm. Shen Xuanqing and Lu Gu stayed home to work on it together instead of heading up the mountain.

Wild weeds covered the area. Lu Gu, Wei Lanxiang, and Shen Yan arrived with sickles and hoes to cut the weeds and pull them out by the roots.

The weeds here were old and tough, and the rabbits, chickens, and ducks at home wouldn't eat them. There was no need to haul them back home, so they tossed the weeds far away, leaving them to decay and return to the soil over time.

The three of them worked steadily, clearing the weeds bit by bit. Meanwhile, on the other side where the old thatched huts stood, Shen Xuanqing and his brothers, Shen Shunwang and Shen Yuping, used axes and sledgehammers to dismantle the four broken-down sheds.

Building a house was a major task in the countryside. Since the fields weren't busy, the family did the work themselves to save on labor costs.

Shen Shunwang, being an elder, felt it was his duty to help since the brothers had no father to guide them.

A large cloud passed over the sky, blocking the blazing sun for a while, making it cooler and giving them a brief respite. Sweat poured down Shen Xuanqing's back and chest, his bronze muscles firm from the hard labor.

The old thatched huts had been well-made in their time. The walls were built from packed mud. Together with the three others, the four men gathered their strength and pushed against the walls with all their might.

"Boom!" The mud wall collapsed, sending up a thick cloud of dust that had accumulated over the years. The yellowish ash filled the air, causing them all to cough.

"Step back, everyone. Let's take a break away from here," Shen Xuanqing said.

The old huts had long since fallen into disrepair. The beams and support posts were rotting, and if the structures collapsed while they were working, someone could get hurt. It was better to clear the area and take a rest before tackling the next part.

The breeze from the river brought a bit of coolness. Shen Xuanqing drank deeply from his water bottle, the cool liquid finally quenching his thirst. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Wipe your face." Lu Gu pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to him.

Shen Xuanqing, standing shirtless, smiled and took the handkerchief, wiping the sweat from his face. The faint scent of wild bath beads clung to the fabric. Smelling the clean scent, he realized this was one of Lu Gu's handkerchiefs. Embarrassed at the thought of dirtying it, he hesitated for a moment.

"Why haven't you wiped your face yet?" Lu Gu asked, puzzled.

"I was looking for my own. My face is sweaty and covered in dust—it's too dirty," Shen Xuanqing explained, reaching for his shirt. He tucked the handkerchief under his clothes.

Lu Gu was even more confused. "If it's dirty, you can just wash it later, and it'll be clean again."

Seeing Shen Xuanqing still reaching for another cloth, Lu Gu added, "It's fine, I have two. You can use that one to wipe your face."

Shen Xuanqing wanted to give the handkerchief back, but seeing it already damp and dusty, he gave up. Hearing Lu Gu's nonchalant response, he smiled warmly.

As the others continued resting and drinking water, Lu Gu smiled and whispered, "Wipe yourself off and put on your vest."

Working under the sun was hot and exhausting, and it was common for men to take off their shirts while laboring. It was normal in the countryside, but since they were out in the open, Lu Gu worried that someone might pass by. If women came by to cut grass, they could be startled.