CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 190: BROTHER ZE, ARE YOU WORRIED? (PART 3)

Although it can’t be compared to a proper bath, under the current circumstances, this is already very good.

Not only did I wipe myself clean, but I also changed into clean clothes. The previous clothes hadn’t been changed for almost a month.

Anyway, there’s no water to take a bath or wash clothes, so what’s the point of changing?

"This feels so good." Jiang Yu stretched lazily as he returned from the backyard and stylishly shook his hair: "Once it rains, I’m definitely going to soak in the water to my heart’s content!"

Previously, I didn’t really appreciate regular baths, and during the winter, I would even avoid them out of laziness. But not having a bath for these past few months really showed me what discomfort is.

Next to him, Liu Ze had also just poured out some dirty water and put his wooden basin back in the room, looking equally pleased. The handsome young master was finally back.

Although it might just be for these couple of days.

Jiang Yu took a few steps and stood beside Liu Ze, draping his arm around Liu Ze’s shoulder.

"So, have you ever felt this uncomfortable before in your entire life?"

He, himself, was okay, having suffered in the past while escaping with his parents. Back then, they weren’t short on water; when they were dirty, thirsty, or couldn’t stand it anymore, they could still wash.

But for Liu Ze, the young master, it was probably his first time facing such a situation.

Liu Ze smiled and didn’t shrug off Jiang Yu’s arm. He glanced at Xiao Xue, who had just finished tidying up and was drying her hair, then looked back at Jiang Yu.

"Compared to having no water at all, I think it’s already pretty good now. It’s not that uncomfortable."

Jiang Hu raised his eyebrows, looking Liu Ze up and down: "Speaking of which, you’re really different from those young masters of other rich families."

Liu Ze was puzzled: "How so?"

Jiang Yu thought for a moment: "Back at the school, there were other young masters from landlords’ families. They were all very arrogant and looked down on us common folks."

The more he knew about the arrogance of those people, the more Liu Ze seemed like a great young master—nice personality, good person, and most importantly, he excelled at studies and understood everything.

At least for Jiang Yu now, Liu Ze seemed to know a little about everything, incredibly impressive.

Liu Ze just smiled, about to say something, but then caught sight of Xiao Xue with a washbasin, and he quickly withdrew his arm from Jiang Yu.

"Miss Xiao Xue, this washbasin looks heavy, let me help you."

Saying this, he already took the wooden basin from Xiao Xue’s hands, without saying much, he turned and headed toward the backyard.

The manure bucket was placed behind the courtyard, next to the cowshed.

Xiao Xue hadn’t even reacted before Liu Ze took away the wooden basin, so she quickly followed a few steps and went to the backyard together.

Once the dirty water was poured into the manure bucket, Liu Ze turned around, and Xiao Xue took her own wooden basin.

"I can carry it myself now, Brother Ze, I’ll take care of it."

Liu Ze then naturally put down his hand.

However, Xiao Xue suddenly asked, "Brother Ze, you haven’t been in a good mood these past few days. Are you worried about your parents?"

Liu Ze was taken aback and pressed his lips together: "You noticed?"

Even Jiang Yu, who often dragged him out to play, and his grandfather didn’t realize it.

Xiao Xue nodded: "Yes, you’ve often been distracted when reading lately, something that never happened before."

Liu Ze smiled and no longer hid the worry on his face: "Since last year, when they told my grandpa and me not to go to the county, there’s been no news from them. I just don’t know how they are doing now."

No matter what, he’s just a seven or eight-year-old child. Encountering such a situation, how could he not worry about his parents?

Xiao Xue didn’t know how to comfort him, so after thinking for a moment, she said, "Brother Ze, don’t overthink. Don’t they say there’s a large lake next to the county? Uncle and auntie will surely be fine."

Liu Ze sighed: "I know they should be okay, but without any news, it’s still worrisome."

Rationally, he told himself there’s no need to worry too much about his parents’ situation; but really, how can a seven or eight-year-old be that rational?

By this time, they had reached the front yard. Liu Ze adjusted his expression slightly, smiling at Xiao Xue: "Miss Xiao Xue, you should head back. I’m okay now."

Xiao Xue nodded and carried her wooden basin back into the house.

But later in the evening, as Liu Ze was getting ready for bed, someone knocked on the door.

"Ze’er, are you asleep?"

"Grandpa?" Liu Ze, slightly surprised, immediately opened the door to let his grandpa in: "Grandpa, weren’t you going to sleep? Why are you here?"

Grandpa Liu was only wearing a thick cotton coat over his shoulders, obviously having just gotten up from bed.

Grandpa Liu sat down at the table and signaled Liu Ze to sit too.

"Just now, Xiao Xue told me that you’re concerned about your parents’ situation and asked if I knew how they were doing."

Liu Ze was taken aback, and his face turned slightly red: "Sh-She told you, Grandpa."

Since it was nighttime and the candle was placed on the cabinet beside the bed, the table area was quite dimly lit, so Grandpa Liu didn’t notice.

He didn’t even notice Liu Ze, because of nervousness, changed how he referred to Xiao Xue.

"Yes, it was my oversight. I’ve been preoccupied with the pond lately and forgot to tell you, about your parents..."