The Warmth of Flames

Despite the situation, Gu Zi remained remarkably composed. She instructed Su Shen, "That's fine, but there's interest involved. You kissed me earlier, so you're in charge of today's housework. The stove we bought last time hasn't been used yet. You should handle it."

The newly purchased stove required special attention for its first use, a process known as 'ignition.' This was a common practice among rural folks.

Su Shen thought that doing a day's housework in exchange for a kiss was a fair deal. As for the stove, he had planned to ignite it that day anyway. He nodded in agreement, turned, and entered the kitchen. He fetched the stove that Gu Zi had bought last time and placed it in the yard for ignition.

The stove was cylindrical, with a ventilation hole at the bottom. When a large fire wasn't needed, an iron lid would cover the hole, maintaining a small flame inside the stove. During winter, this setup would keep the room exceptionally warm.