Ger, So Proud

Chapter 8 Misunderstanding

“No, no…”

It was clear that He An also saw Lin Yu. He sniffled, his voice tinged with a sob. Although he was refuting, his demeanor lacked conviction, appearing more like what Lin Yu had accused him of.

After all, who could blame Lin Yu for having such a deeply ingrained image of He Ze in his mind?

He tossed the game he had hunted onto the ground and walked up to the two brothers, pulling He An to his side. Flames flickered in his eyes as he stared at He Ze. “He Ze, what kind of skill is it to bully your own brother?”

“In the past, it might have been forgivable, but now? Do you know how much hardship and suffering Uncle He and He-ama have endured for you and He An to be able to go to town for schooling?”

Although he had subconsciously kept his distance from the village boys these past few years, He An seemed completely unconcerned about his reputation. Over time, the two became acquainted secretly, and Lin Yu regarded He An as his own brother.

He knew all about the goings-on in the He family from He An’s mouth, and his resentment towards He Ze was not insignificant.

“… ”

Lin Yu’s words were like a barrage, while He Ze remained silent. Beside them, He An’s tears had stopped, but he was in a daze for a long while before finally coming to his senses. “Brother Lin, no, you’ve got it wrong. Brother didn’t…”

“Don’t be afraid, He An. If he dares to hit you, I’ll beat him up!” Lin Yu raised his eyebrows, brandishing his fist towards He Ze, assuming that He An was afraid of He Ze.

Although Lin Yu was a few centimeters shorter than He Ze, his momentum was no less. After all, there was probably no one in the village who could withstand his fists. He Ze knew that he couldn’t compare to the thick skin of a bear right now.

“Brother Lin, that’s not what happened at all. I…”

“Don’t say anything. He’s just been spoiled by you! Do you know how much Uncle He and He-ama have done for him? Uncle He works as a carpenter day and night, and even goes to town to help people move goods when there’s no work. His hands have been injured for a long time, but he’s never been willing to see a doctor. This time, his injuries are both old and new, which is why they’re so serious.”

“You and He-ama went to plant several acres of yuntai for others even in the freezing weather, just for a bit of silver. By the time you came back, your bodies were almost frozen!”

“One thing after another, have you ever mentioned a word to him?” Lin Yu became increasingly angry as he spoke, his face turning red by the end. “You always act tough but when it comes to facing problems, you act cowardly and even want to seek death. He Ze, don’t you feel ashamed?”

“… Are you done?” He Ze’s expression remained unchanged, but he pressed his lips tightly together.

“Not yet! He Ze, if you have any conscience left…”

“Brother Lin!!!” He An finally couldn’t help but shout, successfully interrupting Lin Yu’s words. “Brother Ze really didn’t bully me. Please stop…”

Before he finished speaking, He An glanced nervously at He Ze, fearing he would get angry. Since waking up, his brother had changed a lot. He no longer caused trouble, nor did he get angry at Dad and Father. He was even nicer to him than before… no, even nicer than before!

He didn’t want Lin Yu’s words to provoke his brother again.

“… Why are you crying then?” Lin Yu’s gaze swept over the two of them, his eyes full of suspicion.

“I… I…” He An hesitated to speak, his face suddenly embarrassed. “Brother Lin, please don’t ask anymore. Brother really didn’t bully me. He’s been very good to me! Really.”

He didn’t mean to cry. At that moment, he just felt grateful for his brother. All the grievances and sorrows of this period seemed to have found an outlet, bursting out all at once.

He couldn’t help it for a moment.

“Really?”

“Mmhm,” He An nodded vigorously. “Brother Lin, I’m sorry for letting you misunderstand.”

Lin Yu fell silent, casting a glance at He Ze, who had been scolded by him, before looking somewhat embarrassed. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but after opening his mouth, he didn’t say a word. He paused for a moment, then turned and strode past He Ze, picking up the fat rabbit from the ground and walking past him.

As if nothing had happened.

“What’s with him?” He Ze frowned, his expression hard to read.

“Brother, don’t blame Brother Lin. He probably saw someone coming from over there,” He An pointed to the left side of the ridge, where several villagers were coming towards them with hoes. “He doesn’t like being seen together with me by others.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you know, Brother?” He An widened his eyes, seeing He Ze looking confused. He had to explain, “Brother Lin has been engaged twice, but it didn’t work out. One time, right after the engagement, he broke his leg and it took nearly half a year to heal. The other time, just two days before the wedding, the groom fell into the river and drowned. Since then, no one dares to propose to Brother Lin anymore. People in the village say his fate brings calamity… they say he’s ominous…”

He An hesitated.

“Brings calamity to husbands?”

“…Yeah,” seeing He Ze’s response, He An nodded somewhat dispiritedly. “Later, Brother Lin started to keep to himself and avoid people in the village. He even avoids me when there are others around.”

“I see…” He Ze glanced back, faintly able to see Lin Yu’s figure.

When the original host left home to study, he was only thirteen or fourteen years old, so he naturally didn’t understand the village gossip. Occasionally hearing his parents and Dad Li mention it was just like hearing it in one ear and out the other.

He probably only had two impressions of Lin Yu: he was good-looking, and he once hunted a bear alone, quite skilled… but at that time, the original host had deep feelings for his own little sweetheart, and subconsciously feared Lin Yu. He didn’t dare to look at him more than necessary. How could he care about such things?

“Brother, Yu-ge is really a good person. When you’re not at home, he’s helped our family a lot. He always avoids people when he comes over, saying it’s not good for me if rumors spread… Brother, don’t blame him.”

He An was a bit anxious. He liked Yu-ge, and he liked his brother too. He didn’t want them to have a falling out.

“How could that be?” He Ze shook his head lightly. “What Lin Yu just said is all true. Moreover, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to regain this life. How could I be so petty?”

“Really? That’s good then!”

He An finally relaxed, and the two of them walked side by side towards the house.