Rebirth of a Village Girl

Chapter 893: 221: She died!_3

Du Jiaojiao nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Yangyang, you’re right. Distance creates beauty! Yangyang, you’re incredible, spouting wisdom extemporaneously."

Ni Yang continued, "I didn’t come up with this saying; I heard it from someone else."

The phrase "distance creates beauty" is popular in later generations and doesn’t have a specific source. It’s a famous proposition in aesthetics.

Although she didn’t have a specific source, Ni Yang didn’t want to claim the saying as her own.

If she did, she wouldn’t be any different from the Li Xianxian of the past.

Du Jiaojiao scratched her head. "But I’ve never heard anyone else say it before."

Ni Yang added, "Out of sight, out of mind, isn’t that how the saying goes? I just happen to have a good memory and have kept it in mind till now."

Du Jiaojiao nodded. "Whoever came up with that saying must be impressive."

"I think so too," Ni Yang agreed.

Du Jiaojiao still felt hot and turned to look at the artificial lake filled with lotus flowers. She said, "Yangyang, let’s go down and pick some lotus seeds! They’re really sweet right now!" They could also cool off under the lotus leaves.

The artificial lake was quite large but not very deep, with the deepest part just a little above the knees.

Ni Yang looked at the artificial lake and then at the several wild ducks under the lotus leaves. "There are leeches in this mud, right?"

Ni Yang wasn’t afraid of snakes or mice, but she had a fear of sticky leeches and slugs.

Back in Dam Village, she often went into the fields to plant rice and would always wear long rain boots or leg wraps soaked in saltwater to repel the leeches, which hate salt.

Now, just the thought of that scene made Ni Yang’s skin crawl.

After hesitating, Ni Yang said, "I don’t want to go down, Sister Jiaojiao. I’ll just watch you from here."

Du Ye, who was nearby, raised an eyebrow slightly. "I’m surprised there’s something you’re afraid of."

To this day, Du Ye couldn’t forget the sight of Ni Yang swallowing a snake gall.

Even thinking about it now made his stomach churn.

Ni Yang raised an eyebrow too. "Everyone has their weaknesses."

Du Jiaojiao pointed at Du Ye. "He doesn’t have any weaknesses."

Ni Yang followed up, "Then you should ask him if he dares to swallow a snake gall raw."

Du Ye: "..."

Du Jiaojiao incredulously said, "You can swallow a snake gall raw?"

Ni Yang nodded. "Snake gallbladder is a precious thing. Sister Jiaojiao, don’t you want to go down to the lake? Go ahead; I’ll wait here for you. Remember to pick lots of lotus seeds."

"Let’s go together," Du Jiaojiao said, tugging at Ni Yang’s arm. "Don’t worry; we’re not going directly into the water. We’ll go by boat."

On hearing there was a boat, Ni Yang reluctantly agreed.

Du Jiaojiao had the servants fetch someone who could row a boat, then she stood at the bow and looked back at Du Ye. "Third brother, do you want to come down with us?"

Du Ye shook his head. "I’ll pass on this excitement."

"Boring!" Du Jiaojiao rolled her eyes at Du Ye. Then she turned to Ni Yang, "Let’s go, Yangyang."

The lotus flowers in the lake weren’t dense, and a small boat could just make its way through.

The lotus leaves were tall, and after a while, the small boat disappeared into the endless green where the lotus leaves reached the sky.

It was indeed not hot among the lotus leaves. _{𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚}

Ni Yang and Du Jiaojiao not only picked many lotus flowers and pods but also spotted a nest of wild duck eggs, which they left untouched.

Before long, the servants returned with the boat laden with their harvest.

While picking lotus pods, Ni Yang accidentally got her shoes wet. Thankfully, it was summer, so she took off her shoes, rolled up her trouser legs a bit below the knees, revealing a stretch of fair and lovely calves that stood out strikingly amid the green lotus leaves.

She was now very glad she hadn’t worn a cheongsam today; otherwise, it would have been awkward.

Seeing Ni Yang taking off her shoes to wash her feet at the bow, Du Jiaojiao also sat down and took off her shoes. Shielded by the lotus leaves and with the lake water cool and refreshing, it was extremely comfortable.

Du Jiaojiao sighed, "This is so comfortable!"

"Here’s a lotus seed for you," Ni Yang handed a peeled lotus seed to Du Jiaojiao.

"Thank you," Du Jiaojiao expressed her gratitude.

The fresh lotus seeds were very sweet but not heavy, quite refreshing.

"So delicious!"

Ni Yang nodded. "Indeed they are."

There’s always a lot to talk about when two young girls get together.

Although Du Jiaojiao was already in her thirties this year, her spirit remained youthful.

Feeling hot, Du Jiaojiao had the servants row the boat around the lake several times before heading back.

Before going ashore, Ni Yang put on her shoes and let down her trouser legs.