Ger, So Proud

Chapter 9: The Zhang Family

In the He family’s courtyard, He Youcai was squatting on the ground, puffing on his dry pipe. After a few puffs, he looked towards the direction of the courtyard gate until the tobacco in his pipe was gone. Only then did he unsteadily stand up, taking a while to steady himself.

“Why are you like this, even when there’s a stool, you don’t sit, you always like squatting like this. Your legs will be comfortable after squatting for so long?” Dad Li cast him a displeased glance, then washed the cloth in his hand.

He was currently wiping the several old cabinets in the courtyard.

“Alright, I just find it comfortable squatting!” He Youcai tapped his pipe against his right arm, then furrowed his brows. “Ah, why haven’t Xiao Ze and An-ge come back yet? And you, why did you let them go by themselves when Ze mentioned it? You didn’t even tell me! Do you still consider me?”

“Why are you speaking like this?” Dad Li’s movements paused. “I just don’t consider you, what else do you want? He Youcai, your temper has really flared up recently, huh? What’s wrong? After so many years, are you tired of me?”

“You, you…”

“What’s wrong with me? He Youcai, tell me, after marrying into your He family for so many years, have I gained any benefits? You, in the end, still bring up my sore spots at the last moment. What are you trying to do?”

“What? I just casually mentioned it, and you’re overreacting…” He Youcai helplessly looked away, putting the pipe back into his mouth, but it tasted bland. He touched the empty pipe and sighed, “Xiao Ze has grown up. It’s good that he’s unwilling to see his younger brother suffer. This is a good thing! We’ve been hoping for the day when he becomes sensible. After enduring so many years, as long as Xiao Ze’s injury heals, we’ll get through a few more years, and things will eventually get better.”

“I’m just worried. After all, this matter is our fault. Wang Gui is an elder. Is it not inappropriate to let the two kids handle it? They haven’t come back yet. How about… we go over and see?”

He Youcai looked worried.

“Thinking about it like that, I also feel it’s not quite right…” He didn’t think it through at the time. Dad Li wrung the cloth in his hand, pondering with his head down for a moment. “Maybe we should go and see?”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

He Youcai nodded, and Dad Li quickly hung the cloth on the clothesline in the courtyard. “Wait here, I need to change clothes.”

“Father, Dad, what are you two talking about?”

Dad Li hadn’t taken a step yet when suddenly He An’s voice came from the courtyard. Both parents looked towards the voice, and the two of them stepped in one after the other.

“Back already? How did it go? What did Brother Wang say?”

Dad Li wiped his hands with his clothes until they were dry, then hurriedly went to meet them.

“Wang-ama said… he said…” He An’s voice trailed off, looking at He Ze.

“Father, dad, don’t worry. The jade pendant has been returned, so the engagement is officially off. As for Li Dali’s side, Wang-ama hasn’t had the chance to tell him about yesterday’s incident, so it’s not a big problem.”

He Ze spoke without hesitation. He An looked at him with admiration in his eyes—Brother is so amazing, he lies so smoothly!

“Xiao Ze, what you said is true? What else did Brother Wang say?” Dad Li breathed a sigh of relief, looking at He Ze and then at He An.

“Nothing, Wang-ama has watched over An-ge as he grew up. Li Dali is not a suitable match. Since we’ve decided to call off this engagement, there’s no need for him to say anything more. Dad, rest assured, this matter is settled. When our family’s situation improves, we’ll find a good match for An-ge. No rush.”

“I don’t want…” He An snapped out of his trance, immediately shaking his head.

“Don’t want? Don’t let you decide!” He Youcai tapped He An’s head with the pipe, a hint of laughter in his usually serious voice. “Which brother doesn’t want to marry? In another two years, you’ll be the one in a hurry. What nonsense are you talking?”

“Dad—”

He An elongated his voice, walking a few steps to Dad Li’s side and burying his head on his shoulder.

“Alright, alright, you’re so grown up, why are you still acting like a child!” Dad Li smiled, pinching He An’s ear gently. “It’s getting late. Aren’t you hungry? Shall dad make you dinner?”

“Dad, it’s still early, I’m not hungry,” He Ze shook his head. “There’s something I want to tell you. I’m planning to go to town tomorrow.”

“Go to town?” Dad Li and He Youcai exchanged glances. “What for?”

“I came back from the academy in a hurry before, and I left behind two sets of clothes and some small items. I want to go tidy them up tomorrow.”

“Clothes? I see—why don’t you let your father go instead? You should rest at home!” Dad Li said, pulling the absent-minded He Youcai. “What are you daydreaming about? Speak!”

“Huh? Oh!… Xiao Ze, your mother is right. I’ll go to help you. Your injury is still not completely healed, and town is far away. Be obedient, I’ll go.”

“Father, dad, it’s precisely because of the injury that I need to move more! It’s good for my health. Father, your hand is still injured, and you’re less convenient than me. Do you know where I keep my clothes? And those little things? Can you find them? I’ll go myself, nothing will happen.”

“But…”

“Dad, I’m more familiar with town than you are. How many times in the past did I go alone? Don’t worry.”

“Well, alright then. By the way, your second uncle’s cart broke down. These days, your dad has been riding Uncle Zhao’s cart from the village head. His family has to send fresh vegetables to town every day. Tomorrow, you can take a ride with him. Remember!”

“Okay, I got it.” He Ze nodded.

He An followed Dad Li into the kitchen. He Youcai, still standing in place, stared at He Ze for a while, then walked over and patted his shoulder lightly, his voice somewhat hoarse. “Xiao Ze, in the future, this family will rely on you.”

“Father…”

“Alright, let’s not talk about it,” He Youcai took a deep breath, waved his hand, “Go back to the room, help me find the tobacco. Your dad keeps it tightly, I don’t even know where he hides it! This…”

“Father, lower your voice, what if dad hears you again?” He Ze reminded mischievously.

“Stop it…” He Youcai glanced around nervously, relieved to see no one in the courtyard. “You rascal, always trying to scare your old man!”

The father and son exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter. Dad Li in the kitchen heard the long-lost laughter and slowly curved his lips upward.

God bless, if they work hard, they can still have a good life.

…

While warmth filled one side, Lin Yu was also heading towards his home.

His house was at the end of He’s village, just at the foot of the southern mountain. A few more steps, and it’s other people’s fields. Originally, there was only an abandoned mud house here, with a thatched roof that offered little protection from wind and rain. Seeing how pitiful they were, the villagers donated some roof tiles they had left at home, and the house finally took shape.

And thus, they endured through the most difficult times.

Later, with a bit of money, he persuaded the elders of the He family village to allocate some land here. They built three small houses, although they were a bit simple, but life gradually returned to normal.

At the courtyard entrance, Zhang-shi was sitting at the table embroidering, his face reflecting a hint of paleness. His health was poor, unable to do much, but whenever he managed to get up, he always wanted to help Lin Yu in some way.

When Lin Yu came back, he saw Zhang-shi sewing, his eyes almost glued to the needle.

Instinctively, he frowned, reached out, put down the rabbit in his hand into the nearby bamboo basket, and took off his longbow, striding forward to snatch the needle and thread from Zhang-shi’s hand, his brow furrowed. “Dad, didn’t I tell you not to embroider anymore? Didn’t you mention your eyes hurting a few days ago? Your health just improved a bit, and you’re back to this again, you…”

“Yu-ge has come back?” Zhang-shi’s face lit up with joy, as he stood up, with Lin Yu hurriedly supporting him, although he still wore a frown.

Unable to contain his laughter, Zhang-shi said, “Alright, I just felt better these days. Since Yu-ge is back, dad won’t do it anymore. Alright?”

“Dad, you don’t even know how to take care of your own body. Uncle Xu said to rest more and relax, but you never listen!”

Uncle Xu was the doctor in town, and he had always been looking after Zhang-shi’s illness. Over time, Lin Yu also started calling him Uncle.

“How can you stay relaxed now? Uncle Xu said that a few days ago, a distant nephew of his came to visit him. He’s good-looking and capable. Someday, let the two of you meet…”

“Dad! I’ve said it countless times, I won’t marry! I understand what you mean, dad, but I’m not that kind of person! Dad, we agreed not to mention this matter anymore, right? I can earn money, and our family will get better and better. Why do I have to get married?”

“Yu-ge! You’re already twenty years old. In a few more years, if there are no men in the family, what will become of us? Listen to dad…”

“Why not? Dad, which man in this village can compare to me?” Lin Yu raised his chin defiantly.

“You can’t say that…”

“Alright, dad, you just focus on taking care of yourself. Don’t worry about these things anymore,” Lin Yu helped Zhang-shi into the house and sat down at the table. “You used to say that everything depends on fate, right? I guess my fate hasn’t arrived yet. Even if you’re in a hurry, it won’t help!”

Although both of them knew the reason why the marriage didn’t work out, they tacitly avoided those unpleasant topics.

Lin Yu poured a cup of tea for Zhang-shi and another for himself. Zhang-shi glanced at him, sighed, and didn’t say anything more, just lowered his eyes, hiding the sorrow in his eyes.

What sins did he commit in his past life to have heaven’s retribution fall upon Yu-ge in this life!

“Oh, by the way, dad, tomorrow I’ll take the rabbits and wild chickens outside to Master Yu’s tavern in town. Then I’ll invite Uncle Xu to come and see you, okay?”

I guess the nephew’s matter was also brought up by his dad. Uncle Xu is a wise person, maybe he’ll persuade him. His dad won’t worry about his marriage anymore in the future.

Lin Yu thought.

Author’s note: Good morning, little angels~ Happy May Day (≧▽≦)/