Can I give it a try

Seeing Jiang Mengyun stand up, Su Yang thought to himself: 'So she's a distant relative. Nice. And most importantly, she's from Haicheng—perfectly tailored for me.'

'Sometimes I wonder if these women are arranged by the system. How is it that no matter where I go, I always run into beauties?'

—System, was this your doing?

The system remained silent...

As he pondered, Jiang Mengyun quickly walked past him.

A faint, enchanting fragrance drifted into Su Yang's nose. 'Smells pretty good.'

He chuckled and turned to head toward the backyard.

The backyard was bustling with activity—people were coming in and out of the kitchen entrance, Song Da was washing vegetables by the basin, and Song Anquan was chopping firewood.

Spotting Su Yang approaching, Song Anquan, mid-swing with the axe, grinned and called out, "You're up?"

"Yep. Where's the bathroom?"

"Over there." Song Anquan pointed to a small detached hut on the right side of the yard.

Su Yang nodded. "Got it. I'll wash up first, then come help you chop."

"Sweet. There's a ton of firewood—my arms are already sore."

Song Da, washing vegetables nearby, laughed. "I offered to chop earlier, but you refused. You had to pick the harder job when washing veggies is way easier."

Song Anquan smirked. "I'm young, man. You're old—stick to washing veggies."

"Shut it, you're the old one!" Song Da flicked a handful of water at him from the basin.

Su Yang shook his head with a laugh and headed to the bathroom.

He knocked first, and after confirming no one was inside, he pushed the door open.

After using the toilet and freshening up, Su Yang stepped out feeling refreshed.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Seeing Song Anquan's chopping form starting to falter, Su Yang strode over and grinned. "Go take a break. Let me show you how it's done."

"Pfft, yeah right. I grew up in the countryside—no one my age chops better than me."

Su Yang smirked. "Well, today you’ve met your match. Hand me the axe."

Skeptical, Song Anquan passed the axe over while Song Da, crouched by the veggies, watched with amusement.

"Bro Su, you know how to chop wood?"

Su Yang glanced at him. "Does this even require skill? Just swing and split. Watch and learn."

"Man, I don’t buy it. You’re a city boy—no way you’ve done this before. Here, I’ll set it up. Show me."

Su Yang rubbed his nose, grinning. "Alright."

Once Song Anquan placed a log on the chopping block, Su Yang took aim, swung the axe down with just the right force—

CRACK!

A crisp sound rang out as the log split cleanly in half, falling to the ground.

"Whoa! You actually know how?!"

"Told you. I don’t do things unless I’m sure."

"But chopping wood looks easy—it takes technique. You’ve done this before?"

Su Yang shook his head. "Watched others do it. First time trying myself."

"Damn, you’ve got a natural talent. Wanna move to the countryside and chop wood full-time?"

"Yeah, I’ll chop you instead."

"Ha!"

As they joked, Su Yang bent down, placed another log on the block, and swung again. Another crisp CRACK!—another perfect split.

"Damn, Yang! You’re killing it. Alright, you take over. I’ll rest."

"Leave it to me."

"There’s still a lot left."

"No problem. Easy." Su Yang continued swinging effortlessly.

[Ding! Detected host enjoying wood-chopping activity. Reward: 800,000.]

"Bro Su, you’re good. Better than me, honestly. And your form looks seasoned—no way this is your first time."

Su Yang kept chopping. "Swear it is."

"Then you’ve got a gift for this."

Su Yang chuckled. "A gift for chopping wood. Sounds impressive yet kinda lame."

"Ha!"

The three bantered cheerfully until a graceful figure approached from the house.

From his periphery, Su Yang recognized Chen Qi immediately.

He glanced up and nodded in greeting.

Chen Qi smiled back and stepped closer. "Chopping firewood?"

"Yep."

"Need any help?"

Su Yang looked to Song Anquan, deferring to him as the host.

Song Anquan waved it off. "Nah, just relax in the living room. Leave the rough work to my man here."

Su Yang shot him a sidelong glance and added, "Yeah, take it easy. We’ll probably need help decorating later—you can pitch in then."

Chen Qi nodded. "Okay~ I’ll just watch you chop, Su."

"Sure."

Su Yang grinned inwardly. ‘Having a girl watch? Not bad.’

His gaze drifted to the kitchen on the left side of the yard—a separate structure like the bathroom, but much larger.

People moved in and out, but Jiang Mengyun was nowhere in sight.

Shrugging, he resumed chopping.

CRACK!

The split log flew to either side.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Chen Qi applauded from the sidelines. "You’re amazing, Su!"

Su Yang laughed. "It’s just chopping wood. But hey, encouragement does help. Feels motivating."

Song Anquan, squatting nearby, teased, "No kidding. Nobody cheered for me. If my Qi-mei was here hyping me up, I’d have energy too!"

Su Yang straightened. "Then get back to work."

"Nah, I’ll rest a bit longer."

"You’re hopeless." Su Yang resumed, eyeing the remaining pile—at least fifty logs left.

But for him, this was light exercise. His arms wouldn’t tire even if he kept going nonstop.

Just then, a soft voice spoke up:

"Can I try?"

"Hm?" Su Yang turned to see Jiang Mengyun walking toward him.

Song Da and Song Anquan, still crouched, gaped at her.

"Who’s that?" Song Da whispered.

"No clue. Looks familiar, but I can’t place the name."

"Damn. She’s stunning."

As they muttered, Su Yang smiled at Jiang Mengyun. "Sure. But do you know how?"

"No, but you make it look easy. I’d like to try."

"Alright, here." He handed her the axe.

Jiang Mengyun stepped forward, accepting it with a small smile.

Su Yang set up a log for her. "Go ahead."

"Any tips?"

"Just aim for the middle and swing."

"Okay~"

Gripping the axe with both hands, Jiang Mengyun swung awkwardly.

Thud!

The blade grazed the log’s edge, striking the block instead. The log toppled over.

Su Yang chuckled. "Missed the mark."

Jiang Mengyun picked it up and repositioned it. "How do I aim better?"

"Or should I teach you myself?"

......