Chapter 3: Chu Yan, The Blacksmith
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Chu Yan placed the two brand new sickles on the stove and looked straight at the pot that was starting to steam.
As soon as he entered, he had seen Liu Sanniang cutting the meat. Her skin was fair, and when the sun shone on her face, it was so fair that it seemed to be glowing.
He saw her fair forehead, nose, and chin. She was smiling slightly. At that moment, it was not an exaggeration to say that she was a fairy.
At first, Liu Sanniang did not notice him. After she saw him, she became frightened…
Chu Yan felt that even her frightened face looked good.
He looked away at the steaming pot and recalled that Liu Sanniang’s mother, Madam Wei, was a chef. Liu Sanniang must have inherited her skills and the food she cooked would definitely be delicious.
Liu Sanniang was a little afraid of him. “The cornbread is ready. Do you want some?”
Her brothers were both tall, about 1.85 meters, but this Chu Yan was even taller than them. She estimated that he was about 1.9 meters tall!
There was no expression on his face, and his thick eyebrows were fierce. He was already like this at the age of 17 or 18. No wonder he could become famous all around the country when he grew up. It was said that later on, when he was angry, no one dared to look him in the eyes. At that time, Liu Sanniang felt that these were just false rumors.
Now, she believed it!
She didn’t want to spend another moment with him. She just wanted to send him away as soon as possible.
Chu Yan nodded and said, “Yes.”
Liu Sanniang opened the pot lid. The fragrance of corn wafted into her nose. She picked up two large cornbread with her chopsticks and placed them in a porcelain bowl before handing it to Chu Yan. “It’s a little hot. Take the bowl.”
Chu Yan did not speak. He took the cornbread and turned to leave.
He said coldly, “Thank you.”
He was not afraid of heat. This temperature was nothing to him. He took a bite and it was indeed as delicious as he had imagined.
When the tall figure walked out, Liu Sanniang heaved a sigh of relief.
There was no need for him to thank her. All Liu Sanniang wanted was for him to leave as soon as possible.
“Chu Yan, what… are you eating?”
Liu Erlang ran back in a hurry. He was picking seeds when Chu Yan had brought the sickle to him. Hence, he had casually said, “Send the sickles to my house.”
When he was in the field, he told First Brother about this. First Brother had immediately scolded him. “Sanniang is the only one at home. I don’t know if Mother is back yet. You idiot, hurry back and see if Chu Yan is doing anything rash and stupid.”
Liu Erlang ran back quickly. His sister was already fourteen years old. What if Chu Yan fell in love with her?
When he ran back to the courtyard, his heart was pounding and he was panting. When he saw Chu Yan eating two large cornbreads, his mind went blank.
Chu Yan looked at Liu Erlang and replied. “Cornbread.”
Liu Erlang was panting. He knew that it was cornbread. He could see it with his eyes! What he wanted to ask was why Chu Yan took cornbread from his family!
After saying that, Chu Yan walked out.
Vaguely, he heard Liu Sanniang’s voice.
When Liu Sanniang heard the commotion, she came out of the house and smiled at Liu Erlang. “Second Brother, he came to deliver sickles to us, so I gave him two pieces.”
Liu Erlang Liu heaved a sigh of relief. “I see.”
It was good that nothing happened.
Liu Erlang was relieved that his sister was fine. He swallowed his saliva and said, “Is it done? I want to eat some too. Hehe.”
Liu Sanniang smiled. “Go ahead. Be careful! It’s hot.”
Chu Yan only stopped in his tracks for a moment before leaving. He did not have the habit of eavesdropping.
However, Liu Sanniang’s voice was just like her, soft and pleasant to the ear.
Just as Liu Sanniang finished instructing him, she heard her second brother screaming after touching the hot bread.
When Liu Erlang saw that Chu Yan was holding the cornbread and didn’t seem to get burnt at all, he thought it would be fine. When he picked it up, the hot cornbread made him shout. Even after he dropped the cornbread, the heat was still burning his hand.
Liu Sanniang quickly entered the house and scooped a cup of cold water before putting her brother’s hand in it.
Instantly, she heard Liu Erlang’s voice in her mind.
Liu Erlang thought to himself. ‘Damn it, is Chu Yan’s skin as thick as a city wall? Why isn’t he afraid of being scalded? It’s so hot. How embarrassing that Third Sister saw it!’
Liu Sanniang looked at Liu Erlang. His mouth had not moved.
Why did she hear these voices?
Liu Erlang was frustrated. ‘Oh, I forgot. Chu Yan is a blacksmith, so naturally he isn’t afraid of heat. Blacksmiths are all thick-skinned!’
Liu Sanniang let go of his hand and looked at Liu Erlang. The voices were suddenly gone.
After soaking his hand in the cold water, Liu Erlang felt much better. It was no longer burning. He took out his hand and said, “Sanniang, thank you.”
Liu Erlang did not notice Liu Sanniang’s confused expression. He took the gourd dipper from Liu Sanniang and went out to splash water.
The moment his hand touched her, Liu Sanniang heard Liu Erlang’s thoughts again.
Liu Erlang was in a good mood and thought to himself. ‘It’s good to have such a sweet sister.’
Liu Sanniang’s heart beat faster. Next, Liu Erlang helped her start the fire.
Whenever Liu Sanniang touched him, she could hear his thoughts.
‘Sanniang’s culinary skills are even better than Mother’s. When she turns around to get the onions later, I’ll steal a piece of the bread. He-he.’
‘It’s all my fault that Sanniang gets sick this time. When spring harvest finishes, I’ll save some copper coins to buy her a hair ornament. It’ll definitely make her happy.’
Liu Sanniang was stunned.
When she first woke up, she had sensed this incredible ability several times. However, at that time, she was in a daze and did not think too much about it.
By the time Liu Dalang and Mr. Liu returned that day, she had already accepted this fact and treated it as a gift from the heavens.
Madam Wei returned at night for dinner.
Mr. Liu looked at Liu Sanniang lovingly. “Sanniang, you just recovered. You don’t have to cook. I’ll get your second brother to come back early to cook.”
Mr. Liu doted on her a lot, and Liu Sanniang felt very warm in her heart. She smiled. “Father, I’m already fine. Don’t worry. All of you have been so busy recently, so I’ll help clean up the house.”
Mr. Liu nodded and looked at his daughter with satisfaction. “Alright, but you have to rest well. Just cook something simple.”
Liu Dalang swallowed the cornbread and meat in his mouth and smiled at Liu Sanniang. “It’s alright. I’ll get Second Brother to come back early to help Third Sister. Third Sister, feel free to instruct him.”
Liu Erlang took a big gulp of coarse grain porridge and said, “Yes, yes, just give me the order.”
Liu Sanniang felt choked up with emotions. She bit her cornbread and nodded.
Not long after dinner, his father and two brothers went to bed.
Liu Sanniang cleaned up the dishes and took out a small round rack. She had learned embroidery a long time ago and was now embroidering something to earn some money.
“Liu Sanniang, are you at home?”
A voice came from outside. Liu Sanniang was stunned. The voice of the young girl was a little familiar. She had to think about who it was.
“Sanniang, are you alright now? We’re here to see you. Can you open the door for us?”
After Liu Sanniang matched the voices with the memories in her mind, she opened the door and said, “Ju, Zhi, Xiaohui, come in.”