LW chapter 95: Extra 11

 

Chen Qing had originally planned to get up, cook, and fetch water. However, he didn’t want to run into Zhou Yuan, so he lay in bed for a while, waiting to see if Zhou Yuan would leave before he got up.

However, he had been tired the past few days, and since Zhou Yuan had returned and grandmother needed medicine, he relaxed and dozed off again.

By the time his grandmother got up, Zhou Yuan had already filled all the water jars in the house. Chen Qing used to do this task, but he wasn’t very strong and could only carry one and a half buckets at a time, meaning he had to make several trips. Zhou Yuan, however, filled them all in one go.

“Xiao Qing hasn’t gotten up yet?” Grandmother looked around the courtyard and saw only Zhou Yuan. The layer of dust in the yard showed that Chen Qing hadn’t gotten up yet.

“Mm, he woke up during the Mao hour, talked for a bit, and then went back to sleep when I checked,” said Zhou Yuan, who was sitting in a reclining chair in the yard, looking relaxed.

“Xiao Qing has been tired lately. Let him sleep. What would you like to eat? Grandmother will make it for you.” She seemed in high spirits, and her whole demeanor was energetic.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll eat whatever you make,” Zhou Yuan said.

Grandmother was happy too: “Then I’ll cook you some noodles. There’s still some meat broth left from last night, we can use it as a topping.”

Previously, the family didn’t have good resources, so the flour they bought was mixed with coarse grains instead of refined wheat flour. The noodles made from this flour weren’t chewy, but they were the best the family could make.

Zhou Yuan helped his grandmother start the fire in the yellow clay stove and told her about his situation.

“Because I made merit, the court gave me quite a bit of money when I returned,” Zhou Yuan said while tending the fire. “Grandmother, life will be easier from now on.”

Grandmother was kneading the dough with energy. “Then you should live well with Xiao Qing.”

“That’s my plan. I want to rebuild a house,” said Zhou Yuan. “I’ll also find work in town. From now on, I’ll stay with you.”

Grandmother nodded with a smile. “Just repair the house. No need to build a new one.”

“But the house is too narrow. We can live here for now, but what about when we have children?” Zhou Yuan said. “We really should rebuild it.”

After he said this, Chen Qing hurried out of the room. His hair was messy, his clothes were not properly worn, and his face was a bit red. “Grandmother, I woke up late.”

“Sleeping a bit longer doesn’t matter,” Grandmother said, smiling. “You’ve worked hard these days.”

Seeing Grandmother kneading the dough, Chen Qing quickly washed his hands and took the dough basin from her, taking over her task.

Zhou Yuan sat on the small stool by the stove, watching him. His hair was messy and yellowish from malnourishment, but his hands were strong and skilled at kneading dough.

No matter how you looked at it, he was a suitable person to be a husband.

Zhou Yuan suddenly remembered something. Although the villagers knew that Chen Qing was the husband that his grandmother had chosen for him, there had been no formal wedding. Since they had slept together last night, he should give Chen Qing a proper wedding. Otherwise, quietly staying together wouldn’t be right.

He asked, ”Grandmother, when should we get married?”

Hearing this, Chen Qing paused his task, but his ears turned red.

Grandmother thought for a moment. “You’ve been away for so many years, and the villagers don’t interact with us much. I don’t want to deal with them for your wedding. I think we can just close the doors and have a family-only ceremony.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yuan asked, “Wouldn’t that be an inconvenience for you?”

This question was for Chen Qing, who hurriedly replied, “No, I don’t like those things.”

Since coming back, he had known no one in the village. The thought of getting married and meeting so many people made him nervous. Luckily, Grandmother’s suggestion was perfect, he could not have wished for better.

“Alright then,” Zhou Yuan said. “Grandmother, you pick the best day.”

Grandmother immediately agreed and went back inside to check the calendar. Zhou Yuan went to stand next to Chen Qing and looked down at him. “You’re sure you won’t feel wronged?”

Chen Qing lowered his head. “No, I don’t like those things.”

Soon, Chen Qing finished making breakfast. Zhou Yuan ate a big bowl and, after finishing, saw Chen Qing washing the dishes carefully. Zhou Yuan took the bowl from Chen Qing and washed it clean in a few movements. “There’s no need to be so careful with the water. I’ll take care of it from now on.”

Chen Qing stood there and watched him finish the task. He casually wiped his hands on his body and went inside to get his knife. Chen Qing instinctively called out, “Where are you going?”

Zhou Yuan put the knife on his back. “I have something to do outside. Stay home and take good care of Grandmother until I come back.”

After saying this, he left.

Chen Qing was a bit worried. He went into his grandmother’s room and saw her looking at the perpetual calendar and checking the dates. Chen Qing walked over. “Grandmother, Zhou Yuan went out.””

Grandmother put down the calendar. She knew what Zhou Yuan was going to do and sighed, “If he goes out, let him. A Yuan knows his limits.”

Although Zhou Mu was her son, their affection for each other had long since run out. Especially after Zhou Yuan left, the family never showed her any filial respect and even exploited her during festivals. If she hadn’t brought Xiao Qing back, she might have died long ago.

A Yuan needed to vent his resentment, and she trusted that he had limits and wouldn’t kill anyone. However, Xiao Qing mustn’t see it, lest he be afraid of A Yuan in the future.

On the way to Zhou Mu’s house, villagers came out to watch the commotion. Yesterday’s scene at Zhou Mu’s gate had already spread throughout the village, and now everyone wanted to see how Zhou Yuan would deal with Zhou Mu’s family.

Zhou Mu was truly shameless. When Zhou Yuan’s father passed away, Zhou Mu seized the family property but didn’t take care of the orphan, even driving his mother away.

Zhou Mu had two sons, both slightly older than Zhou Yuan, who are now both married. Zhou Yuan’s second brother split from the family after getting married and moved away with his wife. During the years that Zhou Yuan was away, it was thanks to his second brother’s secret aid that their grandmother could survive the winter. However, his second brother’s life wasn’t easy, so he could only help reluctantly.

As for the eldest son, he was just like his father: selfish, weak, and cruel. He was the one who came up with the malicious schemes, but Zhou Mu took the blame.

Zhou Yuan carried his knife to Zhou Mu’s door, but the main gate was tightly shut and silent.

He knocked politely on the door, but there was no response. Zhou Yuan drew his long knife and struck the doorboard, producing a muffled sound.

Smiling, he kicked the gate open. He immediately saw Zhou Mu’s family standing in the yard upon entering. In front were his elder brother’s two children, who were just four years old. They looked at him with naive confusion.

In his heart, Zhou Yuan cursed their shamelessness. Not wanting his neighbors to keep watching, he turned and closed the door.

Zhou Yuan had lived in this house years ago when his parents were still alive. He had once spent happy times here, but the courtyard was no longer the same. Many valuable items had been sold. Such a large house was now an empty shell.

His family had once been well-off, but his parents died too early—his father from a sudden illness and his mother from grief.

Zhou Mu seized everything in the house and drove his grandmother and him out, caring nothing for their survival.

Even as Zhou Yuan chopped at the gate, they trembled in fear. Step by step, he approached them. “You knew I’d come back. Shouldn’t Uncle and Aunt welcome me?”

No one answered. Seeing the confused children, Zhou Yuan called to their mother. “Sister-in-law, aren’t you going to welcome me? Shouldn’t you take the children to the kitchen?”

Zhou Mu’s eldest daughter-in-law trembled and quickly took the children away.

Once the children were gone, Zhou Yuan wiped the wood shavings off his knife with his sleeve. He looked at Zhou Mu and his wife. This family had eaten well and grown fat, while his two children were skinny.

“Second Uncle, have you enjoyed spending my money? When do you plan to pay me back?”

Zhou Mu didn’t have any money to return. After taking money from Grandmother, they had spent it lavishly, never imagining that Zhou Yuan would return.

Though nearly terrified, he tried to maintain his authority as the elder: “I’m your elder. Shouldn’t you show me some filial respect? What’s wrong with me spending some of your money?”

Zhou Yuan nodded, pulled a dagger from his bosom, and threw it. It scraped across Zhou Mu’s scalp and became lodged in the pillar behind him.

Zhou Mu’s legs gave out, and he sank to the ground. “A Yuan, we’re family. No need for weapons…”

Zhou Mu’s eldest son stepped forward, pointing at Zhou Yuan in dissatisfaction. “We’re family! Broken bones are connected by sinews. Why be so aggressive? It’s just a few lousy coins!”

Zhou Yuan twisted his finger. His previous negotiable attitude vanished. The repeated mention of “family” disgusted him.

He never actually wanted the money. He knew this family’s habits. Once money entered their pockets, it would never leave. He just wanted to vent.

In front of Zhou Mu, he violently beat Zhou Mu’s eldest son. Years in the army had taught him to live on the edge, the pampered eldest son was no match for him. Soon, the son lay unmoving on the ground.

Zhou Yuan threw the eldest aside and carried his knife to Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu’s legs trembled. “A Yuan, A Yuan, we can talk. We took your money to find you a wife. Your second aunt’s niece is the perfect age. She’s very beautiful and a good match for you.”

Zhou Yuan scoffed, “No need for your trouble. I have a husband.”

At that moment, Zhou Mu’s eldest son, who had just been knocked out, woke up. In pain, he looked at Zhou Yuan. “I’m going to sue you!”

Zhou Yuan placed a knife to his neck and said lightly, “Go ahead.”

The eldest son shrank back, the floor beneath him was wet. Zhou Yuan looked at it with disgust.

This yard was no longer the same, it bore no resemblance to what it had once been. Zhou Mu’s family had destroyed it utterly.

Gripping his knife, Zhou Yuan went mad and smashed the entire house. Everything within sight in the yard was broken or cut.

Breathing heavily, he looked at Zhou Mu’s cowering family. “Second Uncle, this isn’t over.”

As he left the Zhou household, Zhou Yuan heard cries of wailing from the yard.

He shrugged, feeling a little lighter.

 

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