Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 199 - 100 Picking Water Chestnuts_2

"What’s wrong?" Shi Fengju, who had been smilingly observing, was shocked by the sight and instinctively took her slender and fair fingers into his mouth to gently suck the wound, uttering with concern, "Does it hurt? How could you be so careless!"

Sang Wan’s face was already flushed with embarrassment. She lowered her head, daring not to look at him, while Shi Fengju, oblivious to the implications, busily took down the handkerchief tied around her waist and carefully wrapped her finger, still chattering, "We’ll apply some ointment when we return; be careful not to get it wet or dirty!"

"It doesn’t hurt, it’s just a minor cut, it really doesn’t hurt anymore!" Sang Wan softly said, still not daring to lift her head.

"Even a minor cut needs attention. What if it gets infected?" Shi Fengju frowned as he finished wrapping the wound and only then did he relax. He deftly peeled a water chestnut, presenting its tender white flesh to her lips, "Here, I’ll peel it for you to taste."

Sang Wan’s cheeks grew even hotter, and she couldn’t help but stealthily glance at Cui Ling, who was busily shaking the noodle strainer toward the lake. Assured that Cui Ling was preoccupied, Sang Wan let out a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Shi Fengju realized the intimacy of their posture and felt a bit embarrassed. But retracting his outstretched hand would have been too abrupt, and he froze, uncertain of what to do.

Luckily, Sang Wan couldn’t bring herself to reject his kindness. She bit gently into the water chestnut by her lips, the faint fragrance spreading in her mouth. She managed a forced smile and nodded, "Indeed, it’s fresh and delicious."

This brought joy back to Shi Fengju. He didn’t retreat but instead fed her the rest of the water chestnuts and said, "I’m glad you like it; I’ll peel another one for you!"

"No, no more!" Although the previous water chestnut left a lingering taste, she hadn’t actually discerned its flavor in her flustered state and her head was spinning. She couldn’t handle another one.

"Then we’ll eat more when we get back!" Shi Fengju chuckled without insisting, watching the flushed woman before him, shyly charming, resembling a newly blooming lotus on the water, and he couldn’t help but grow fonder the longer he looked.

"Young Master, Mistress! This area is full of water chestnuts! Let’s stop rowing and pick them here!" Cui Ling stopped and said with a crisp laugh.

Shi Fengju and Sang Wan looked over to see, indeed, clusters of water chestnuts spanning across the surface of the water – a delightful sight.

"Then you go ahead, be careful!" Shi Fengju laughed. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Alright!" Cui Ling crisply responded, placing the wooden basin into the water, and carefully stepping in to sit down. The basin gently swayed as Cui Ling scooped the cool lake water with her hands, noticing Sang Wan’s curious and smiling gaze, she warmly invited, "Mistress, would you like to try as well? It’s quite fun!"

"You go by yourself; Mistress won’t go!" Shi Fengju hastily grabbed Sang Wan’s sleeve as if she was about to join in at any moment.

Cui Ling stuck out her tongue and giggled, suggesting, "Then, Young Master and Mistress can fish for shrimps here. My dad and I have been here before, and there are lots of them!" As she spoke, she guided her wooden basin away, casually picking the dark, petite water chestnuts and tossing them into the basin.

"This girl sure is clever!" Sang Wan couldn’t help but praise with a smile.

Shi Fengju then said with a laugh, "If you like her, we could have her come to serve you at the mansion in a year or two?"

Sang Wan quickly shook her head and chuckled, "There’s no need for that! Her family is living well here; why trouble her to be confined in the mansion!"

Shi Fengju laughed and shook his head, "Sometimes, you’re just too kind-hearted."

"Being kind-hearted is a bad thing now?" Sang Wan looked at him with a playful smile.

Shi Fengju was taken aback and then burst into laughter, "Of course, it’s good, very good!"

In his laughter, there seemed to be a touch of indulgence that made Sang Wan blush and she hurriedly averted her gaze.

Shi Fengju had already dropped a line tied with chicken bones into the water, and soon the line twitched. He pulled it up to reveal a shrimp the size of a finger tightly clasping onto the bone.

Sang Wan could not help but exclaim, clapping her hands with glee, "Such a big shrimp!" This lake really did have everything!

"Do you like it?" Shi Fengju laughed, carefully catching the shrimp and tossing it into the bamboo basket, then took her hand, "Your turn to try!"

"Alright!" Sang Wan laughed, taking the fishing rod from Shi Fengju’s hand, and cast it back into the lake. Before long, she had half a basket of shrimp, her delighted laughter ringing over the lake like silver bells.

It wasn’t until the sun began to dip west that the three of them left the boat to return to the manor, chatting merrily all the way. Sang Wan did not know how long it had been since she felt so relaxed and happy, casting aside all cumbersome trivial matters; the leisurely life in these mountains and forests was truly agreeable.

"Mistress must be exhausted! Quick, come inside and rest!" Aunt Cui hurried out to greet her, helping Sang Wan inside while saying with a laugh, "Mistress and Young Master, wash up first. The crabs must be steamed fresh to taste best; they’re already clean, and will be ready soon!"

"Let’s go then! And also cook these shrimps, and bring a bowl of your special sauce!" Shi Fengju said with a smile.

"Certainly, certainly! I will go right away!" Aunt Cui laughed, "These fresh-caught shrimps just need a quick boil and are best dipped in the sauce! Mistress will truly savor my cooking today!"

"Hehe, we’re going to stay here for three or four more days; naturally, we’ll have plenty of chances to taste Aunt Cui’s best dishes!" Shi Fengju chuckled.

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