Aries didn't want to explain too much. As long as the village chief agreed to measure the land, that was enough. As for buying farmland, she thought if there was something suitable, she wouldn't mind buying it. If she didn't farm it herself, she could rent it out to others.
Widow Gu would definitely be happy, and it could be left for their future children as inheritance.
Thinking like this made Aries feel more at ease. As for the mountain behind, she didn't have enough silver for that anyway. She decided to wait until next year.
After saying goodbye to the village chief, Aries planned to head straight home. On the way, she passed by the village square and, as expected, saw Widow Gu showing off to others.
Not wanting to be noticed, she quickly walked away. If those gossiping men spotted her, they'd spend the whole day talking about her again. Better to let Widow Gu handle that kind of thing—he liked it and was good at it too.
When she passed by her grandmother's house, a five- or six-year-old boy ran over and hugged her leg, saying excitedly, "Auntie, you're okay now!"
This boy was the son of Aries' older cousin from her aunt's side. His nickname was Dou Dou. He usually got along well with Aries. Every time he saw her, he'd run over and call her "Auntie" just because Aries once gave him a piece of candy when she was in a good mood.
Aries looked down at the little boy hugging her leg and thought, Wow, he's easy to please. It's lucky he hasn't been tricked away by strangers.
But she didn't know that this clever little guy only paid attention to her because she was his aunt. Otherwise, he wouldn't care at all.
Looking at the bright eyes full of excitement, Aries softened and lifted the boy up in her arms.
"Mm-hmm!"
Dou Dou hugged Aries around the neck and said, "I knew Auntie got better. Great-grandpa was really happy yesterday."
The "great-grandpa" he mentioned was Aries' grandfather. If it hadn't been for that old man supporting her marriage, she wouldn't have this soft and adorable husband now.
Aries' opinion of the old man improved greatly. She decided she should thank him properly.
She patted the little boy's chubby butt and said, "Come on, let's go home and get some candy."
When Dou Dou heard that, his eyes lit up and he hugged her tighter, smiling wide. He looked a bit like her husband.
So pure and cheerful!
But then he frowned and said, "Auntie, Daddy told me to stay near the door."
Such a good and obedient kid.
Aries smiled and tapped his little nose. "We'll just get the candy, and then I'll take you back, okay?"
Dou Dou thought about it and nodded. "Okay, but let's be quick."
When Aries brought Dou Dou home, Sky was busy cutting the fabric Aries bought yesterday. He was preparing to make winter clothes for both Aries and Widow Gu.
Winter was almost here, and their old clothes had been thrown out by Aries. If he didn't sew new ones in time, they'd be freezing soon.
When he heard the door, Sky put down the cloth and came out. Seeing Aries, he smiled and greeted her, "Welcome home, Wife."
Then, when he noticed the child in her arms, he looked confused and asked, "Wife, whose child is this?"
Aries stepped closer, pulled her husband into her arms, holding his waist with one arm and carrying Dou Dou with the other as she walked inside.
"He's Dou Dou, the son of my older cousin." She gently pinched his waist and added, "Didn't I tell you to rest?"
Sky was stunned and turned red immediately after being pulled into her embrace.
Wife… there are still other people here…!
Still, he couldn't help but feel incredibly happy. He didn't want her to let go.
Where she held him felt so hot, almost like it was burning. After that little pinch, it felt hot and tingly.
Sky buried his face in her chest, too shy to look up. "I'm not tired…"
Heh… Looks like we can have fun tonight!
Aries was in a great mood. She set Dou Dou down and said, "I'm grabbing a few things and heading to Grandpa's place. You're coming with me."
Of course, they should both go thank their matchmaker—and it was a good chance to let her husband meet the elders.
"Okay," Sky agreed and started to prepare. "Wife, what should we bring? I'll go get it."
"No need for anything special. Just bring some of the fabric and meat we bought yesterday."
Those were the most useful gifts for farming families.
Dou Dou kept staring at Sky with curiosity. His dad had told him that Auntie married a husband, and although he didn't fully understand what that meant, he felt like Auntie really liked this uncle.
He saw how the uncle blushed when Auntie hugged him. His dad also blushed when his mom hugged him.
So… was this uncle his "Auntie's husband"?
His dad had taught him that if Auntie married a husband, that person would be called "Auntie's husband."
Although his dad didn't seem too happy when talking about Auntie…
Sky noticed Dou Dou staring at him and felt the warmth in his face returning—it was so embarrassing.
Aries patted Dou Dou's head. "This is your Auntie's husband. Say hello."
Dou Dou's face lit up, excited that he guessed right. He said clearly, "Auntie's husband, I'm Dou Dou!"
Sky nervously nodded in response but didn't know what to say. He looked at Aries for help.
Seeing her husband so flustered made Aries feel soft-hearted again. It was her fault for hugging him earlier and putting him in this awkward situation.
So she stepped in and handed Dou Dou a small piece of silver, "This is your gift from your Auntie's husband. Say thank you, and we'll go get that candy."
Dou Dou had only seen his dad use copper coins to buy things. He didn't know what silver was for. But he had seen something like this in his dad's special treasure box—his dad never let him touch it.
He looked up at Aries in confusion. "Auntie, what's this?"
Aries smiled and said, "You can buy candy with it." She tucked the silver into his little pocket.
When Dou Dou heard that, he grinned from ear to ear. In his eyes, candy was way better than silver.
"Thank you, Auntie's husband!"
Sky was shocked at how casually Aries gave away the silver. But he wasn't upset. After all, it was her money, and she could spend it how she wanted.
Besides, she was helping him save face.
And Dou Dou was family, her nephew. So it stayed in the family anyway.
Sky smiled and patted Dou Dou's head. "You're welcome."
Sky already knew from the villagers who came to collect debts yesterday how Aries had gotten the silver. It still worried him—after all, it came from gambling.
But he couldn't control her. He just hoped she wouldn't gamble anymore.
Now that they had money and were about to build a new house, life would only get better.
If only she never gambled again—everything would be perfect!
Aries didn't know what her husband was thinking. She was already inside, grabbing candy for the child.
Originally, she hadn't planned to buy any candy. But when she saw it at the shop, she thought of her little husband. He probably liked sweets, so she bought some for him to enjoy slowly.