After becoming a widow, I became the apple of a rough man's eye.

The night wind carried the unique coolness of the mountains and forests, dispelling the strong smell of roasted meat and mugwort in the courtyard.

Everyone dispersed.

Xiao Yong yawned as he went to the well to take a shower, the bucket hitting the well wall with a loud clanging sound.

Jiang He was pushed back onto the bed by Qin Lie, still muttering complaints about not having drunk enough soda.

Gu Qiangying carried the enamel mug and slowly strolled back to the east room, which was his and Lao Wu's temporary residence.

Lin Qingqing went back to her room to get a change of clothes. Just as she bolted the door, she heard two soft knocking sounds.

She walked over and pushed open a crack.

Li Dongye's face was right outside, and he gestured his chin to the side.

"come out."

Lin Qingqing looked up following his finger and saw the roof. It was an old-fashioned tiled house with a high ridge and a not-too-steep slope.

"Are you crazy?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That's the roof! What are you going up there for? What if you fall?"

"With me here, would I let you fall?"

Without a word, Li Dongye pulled her towards the base of the wall. There, a wooden ladder had been erected at some point, leading directly to the eaves.

"I..." Lin Qingqing wanted to refuse, but he had already half-embraced and half-carried her to the ladder.

"Really not going?" Li Dongye stopped and turned to look at her, his tone carrying a hint of roguish threat. "If you don't go, I'll shout this out here. I'll wake everyone up and say that my cousin is out in the middle of the night instead of sleeping, dragging me to look at the moon in the yard."

"You!" Lin Qingqing was furious. How could this person be so shameless?

"Are you going or not?" Li Dongye raised an eyebrow, making a gesture as if to open his mouth.

"Go! I'll go, okay?!" Lin Qingqing stamped her foot anxiously, afraid that he would actually shout it out.

If she wakes Qin Lie up, or if Wang Dazui next door hears her, she won't be able to explain herself even if she has ten mouths.

Li Dongye smiled triumphantly, climbed up two steps first, turned around and held out his hand to her: "Give me your hand. Hold on tight, and don't look down."

Lin Qingqing bit her lip and carefully stepped onto the ladder.

The wooden ladder was quite old, creaking as you stepped on it. She held Li Dongye's hand.

His hands were large, dry, and strong, holding hers tightly. The reassuring strength transmitted through his palms slightly calmed her panic.

After finally climbing onto the roof, the view suddenly opened up.

The night breeze whistled, carrying the unique fragrance of grass and trees from the mountains and forests, which dissipated much of the summer night's heat.

Above us was an unobstructed starry sky, and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens like a luminous ribbon, so close it seemed we could reach out and pluck it from the sky.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Li Dongye pulled her to sit down on the gentle slope of the roof ridge.

A large straw mat had already been laid out there, with two pillows next to it, and even a plate of dried mugwort leaves lit to repel mosquitoes. The thin smoke was blown away by the wind, and there was no pungent smell.

Lin Qingqing was somewhat surprised.

This guy may seem carefree and irresponsible, but he's actually quite meticulous.

"Sit down, what are you standing there for, like a lightning rod?" Li Dongye patted the straw mat next to him, then casually lay down, put his hands behind his head, crossed his legs, and hummed an unknown tune.

Lin Qingqing hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to him, hugging her knees, trying to keep a little distance from him.

The roof tiles still carried the residual warmth from the day's sun exposure, which seeped up through the straw mat, making them feel cozy.

"Why are you standing so far away? Are you afraid I'll eat you?" Li Dongye turned his head to look at her.

In the moonlight, her face was so white it was almost dazzling, and her eyelashes fluttered like small fans.

"Fourth Brother, do you come up here often?" Lin Qingqing changed the subject, not responding to his question.

"Not often," Li Dongye said, looking at the stars. "I used to come up here for a while when I was in a bad mood or thinking about things. It's quiet up here, no one bothers me, and I can't hear any of that nonsense."

When he said this, his tone was unusually serious, less slick than usual.

Lin Qingqing turned to look at him.

Li Dongye has sharp profile lines and a high nose bridge, which makes him quite intimidating when he's not smiling.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, almost as if possessed.

"How do I want to make money? How do I want to support this family? I want to..." Li Dongye paused, turned his head, and looked straight into her eyes, "What kind of wife do I want to find in the future?"

Lin Qingqing's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly looked away to gaze at the stars in the sky: "Then... have you figured it out?"

"I hadn't thought it through before, I thought women were all troublesome." Li Dongye rolled over, lying on his side, propping his head up with one hand, and casually brushing away the stray hairs hanging by Lin Qingqing's ear with the other. "Now, I feel like I'm starting to see some progress."

His fingers were warm, lightly touching her earlobe.

Lin Qingqing shrank her neck, trying to dodge, but he grabbed the back of her head.

"What are you hiding from?" Li Dongye's voice was hoarse, but it was exceptionally clear in the empty rooftop.

"Fourth Brother..." Lin Qingqing's voice trembled slightly, "Don't do this, someone will see us."

"Who's looking? God?" Li Dongye scoffed, pointing to the sky. "All you see up there are stars and the moon."

He leaned even closer, his nose almost touching hers: "Or are you afraid your brother will hear?"

Lin Qingqing stiffened slightly at the mention of Qin Lie.

***