Chapter 196: “severely Injured”
Li Song froze, his cold eyes glancing at him, “Who are you?”
Huang Kang: “…”
Huang Kang was furious, “I’m Yuan Xiang’s childhood engagement, we’ve known each other since we were little, we know each other inside and out, you stole my wife! If you’re smart, give her back to me!”
Li Song looked down at him disdainfully, sneering lightly, “Idiot.”
With a mocking remark, he stepped toward the Yuan Family Residence.
“What did you say—” Huang Kang flew into a rage from humiliation, reaching to grab Li Song’s back collar, but before he could touch it, Li Song seized his wrist and twisted it hard in the opposite direction.
“It hurts hurts hurts hurts!” Huang Kang cried out in pain repeatedly, his face turning pale, body leaning in, not daring to exert force in the opposite direction, muttering, “Let go, let go, my arm’s broken…”
Li Song released his hand and shoved him hard, sending Huang Kang stumbling backward.
“Get lost.”
Without paying further attention to this inexplicable person, he turned and entered the Yuan Family Residence yard.
The Yuan family hadn’t even reacted yet when the new son-in-law had dealt with the troublesome bad guy.
Afraid Li Song might have reservations, they explained a few things about the Huang family.
Li Song: “…I didn’t think much of it, I know the previous situation, Comrade Yuan told me. I don’t mind that she was engaged before, being called off isn’t her fault, it doesn’t affect us starting a family.”
Hearing these words, the Yuan family felt relieved, especially Aunt Song, whose eyes burned with joy, yet she held her chest high.
She had said it, a blessed daughter doesn’t enter an unblessed door.
She disdainfully rolled her eyes at the Huang family people, Aunt Song snorted coldly, and when looking at the new son-in-law, she couldn’t be more satisfied; the son-in-law wasn’t affected by the bad stuff, good for him.
“…Ignore all that nonsense, come on, let’s go home.”
Calling to the son-in-law, seeing the villagers standing dumbfounded, she said irritably: “What are you all standing around for? Keep up the excitement as usual, no one is allowed to cause me trouble today, eat the candy, all of you say sweet words.”
She hated to part with that candy, but it was prepared by her own son-in-law, and he was giving face to her family; as the bride’s biological mother, of course she wouldn’t slap the child’s face, the engagement ceremony had to be done beautifully.
The adults wanted to save the candy for the children, pocketing it carefully, but the little children had no such qualms, already eating it, cheeks slightly puffed, not daring to speak, afraid the sweet taste in their mouths would fly away.
“Sweet, right?” Aunt Song smiled at the dark-skinned, skinny kids, saying: “If it’s sweet, when my Xiang Xiang gets married, say a few more auspicious words, so my daughter’s future days are as sweet as candy.”
The little children were all clever; there was candy for an engagement, there’d definitely be for a wedding too, their eyes lit up, immediately patting their chests.
“Auntie, don’t worry, leave it to us.”
“I can say it now, can I have an extra piece of candy?”
“Is there candy for saying auspicious words?”
“Wishing Sister Xiangxiang a happy engagement, husband and wife blissfully happy, bright future ahead.” Some eager beavers had already started saying auspicious words.
Aunt Song’s cheeks ached from smiling.
The villagers crowded into the Yuan Family Residence yard, flattering the Yuan family, all their words good ones; Old Man Yuan held his back straight, feeling their own yard was still too small.
Yuan family: “…”
The festively decorated room.
Lin Zhao saw Yuan Xiang dressed in new clothes, hair combed sleekly, a plastic red flower in her hair, cheeks rosy, powdered.
“…Zhaozhao, you’re here.” Yuan Xiang said, face red.
“Sister Xiangxiang looks so vibrant today, beautiful.” Lin Zhao praised after sitting down.
Before Yuan Xiang could speak, her cousin squeezed up to Lin Zhao, staring at her clothes, eyes flickering, “Sister, where’d you buy your clothes? They’re so pretty.”
“…Made them myself.” Lin Zhao brushed off; she really didn’t like this girl’s gaze.
“Ah?” The little girl covered her mouth, trying to make a cute surprised expression, but those eyes were too sly, “Sister, you’re so skilled, my mom doesn’t even let me touch the fabric.”
Yuan Xiang flatly dismantled it, “That’s because your family lacks fabric.”
“…” The little girl’s face fell, pretending to be annoyed: “Sister Xiangxiang!”
Yuan Xiang didn’t want to bring bad luck on this joyous day either, said no more harsh words, and chatted with Lin Zhao.
Seeing her cold face, the little girl was unhappy, pouting as she left.
“That’s your cousin?” Lin Zhao asked in a low voice.
“Yeah.” Yuan Xiang smiled embarrassedly, “Kids love to compare, sometimes they speak sharply, Zhaozhao, ignore her. If she comes bothering you, tell me, I’ll scold her.”
She was the eldest girl in the Yuan family, always yielding to the younger siblings at home, generally not holding grudges against them, but ever since she realized some people didn’t deserve a good face, she said whatever she thought, and it felt refreshing, the sky was blue, the water clear, everything comfortable.
Lin Zhao raised her brow.
Sister Xiangxiang had changed a lot.
Yuan Xiang saw her puzzlement and smiled, “Before, I always felt that because my engagement was called off, it implicated my sisters at home; whatever harsh things they said, I endured if I could, to spare my mom trouble, who knew…”
She paused, “I figured it out, people can’t be too humble.”
It lets others get uppity.
Lin Zhao patted Yuan Xiang’s arm, giving her an utterly approving look, “Thinking that way is right.”
Yuan Xiang smiled brightly, “Yeah, I learned it from you, it makes the whole body feel refreshed.”
“There are plenty more things worth learning from me, Sister Xiangxiang, learn away, I’m not stingy.” Lin Zhao adjusted the red flower in Yuan Xiang’s hair, pinning a delicate star brooch to her chest.
Yuan Xiang looked down, “What’s this?”
“A brooch, just a simple accessory, like it?” Lin Zhao glanced over, nodding satisfied; her taste was spot on, the first sight of this brooch, she knew it suited Yuan Xiang.
“Pretty expensive, right?” Yuan Xiang gently touched the star, her eyes lit up like stars too.
“Not appropriate to say that, no matter how expensive, now it’s just a gift.” Lin Zhao’s words were gentle.
“…Thanks, Zhaozhao.” Yuan Xiang said smiling.
The engagement gifts from the Lin and Song families greatly honored Yuan Xiang and the Yuan family; Aunt Song beamed with pride, mouth unable to close from smiling.
See, this is the benefit of having capable people in the maternal family.
Today was just the engagement, no banquet prepared, after all the cost was too high, dirt farmers couldn’t afford it.
The Yuan family were honest folks, wouldn’t do the swollen face pretending fat thing; they hired a chef to make big pot dish.
The dish used ingredients sent by various village families, they bought plenty of tofu and glass noodles themselves, lots of big meat slices in the dish, the meat bought and sent by Li Song, everyone could eat several slices, all very satisfied, more than a banquet.
A banquet doesn’t guarantee this much meat either.
Even the twins used to good food liked it, sitting on small stools with village kids, heads down eating.
Seeing Heng Bao eat the red radish he usually disliked, Lin Zhao’s mouth corners couldn’t help curving up.
Little Er Zai was truly enjoying it.
Lin Shichang: “What’re you smiling at?”
“Yu Bao and Heng Bao were looking forward to the banquet, didn’t get it today, I was really afraid Heng Bao would shout it out, embarrassing the Yuan family, but he held back, just pouting unhappily.
I thought he’d throw a tantrum, refuse to eat in spite, who knew one taste and he was grinning, looks like he really likes it.”
Why not mention Yu Bao? Because the older brother had high EQ, spoke tactfully, never said things that embarrassed people.
Lin Zhao tasted a piece of tofu from the big pot dish, the flavor truly special, one piece made you want a second.
“Big pot dish is better than a banquet.” Lin Shichang said, “They haven’t had it, so curious, once they taste it they’ll know, my nephew is small but not dumb.”
Lin Zhao: “…”
…
Fengshou Brigade.
Gu Chan appeared pale-faced at the village entrance.
She stopped at the Gu Family’s Third Branch doorway, saw an iron lock hanging in the middle of the door, her legs went weak, body sinking down.
Kneeling on the ground.
“A’chan?” Wang Chunhua saw Gu Chan, stunned for a few seconds, went over to help her up, “What’s wrong?”
Glancing at the lock on the Gu family door, she hurriedly said: “Yu Bao’s mom took the four kids to the banquet, her cousin’s getting engaged today.”
“You okay? Want to come sit at my place?”
Gu Chan’s face was ashen white, lips dry and peeling, eyes unfocused; she’d held her breath coming to ask for help, seeing that lock, all strength left her body, now leaning on Wang Chunhua to stand.
“Auntie, trouble you to take me home.”
Wang Chunhua didn’t know what had happened to Gu Chan, did as she said, called her daughter-in-law to send Gu Chan to the Gu Family Old House together.
“Cheng Huai’s mom!”
Gu Mu heard the voice and came out, saw the Wang mother-in-law and daughter-in-law supporting the eldest daughter, hurried forward.
“A’chan, what’s happened? Fell? Where? You okay, why need someone to hold you, sit first, sit and let mom see…”
Her voice was loud.
The other Gu family members came out of the rooms one after another.
“Mom, I’m fine, just tripped on the road.” Gu Chan shook her head, fingers digging into her palm, nervously looking at her family, heart suspended high, voice trembling, “Mom, I want, I want to borrow money, does the family… have any?”
She was already married, back then the Gu family prepared her dowry, the separate households didn’t concern her, Gu Fu and Gu Mu didn’t think it a big deal, didn’t ask anyone to tell her.
“Borrow money? Where’s the money at home!” Gu Xing’er feared Gu Chan would borrow her own dowry money, eyes wary, tone unpleasant too.
“We just separated households, mom and dad have less than a hundred there, still need to prepare my dowry, what about me if I lend to you? Big sis, don’t be so selfish, you’re spilled water, don’t keep coming home…”
Her words grew more excessive, Gu Chan lowered her head, lips moving, said nothing, eyes misting over.
Gu Xing’er’s words completely ignored sisterly bonds, Gu Mu was furious, arm swung round, slapped on Gu Xing’er’s face.
This slap carried full anger, using full ten-tenths strength.
Five finger marks appeared on her fair face.
“You get out!” Gu Mu’s face flushed red, eyes red too, full of disappointment and heartache, “A’chan is your biological sister, something happened to her, why borrow money… you don’t even ask, only care about your dowry, how did I give birth to a heartless rotten thing like you, get out, go wherever you want, far away.”
Gu Xing’er clutched her burning face, “Fine, I’ll go, I don’t want a mom like you either!”
Words done, she glared hatefully at Gu Mu, went back to her room to pack her things, then rushed out the door.
Gu Yucheng made to chase, stopped by Gu Mu’s shout.
“Don’t mind her! Let her do whatever! Your dad and I will pretend we never had her!”
What she didn’t know was, after leaving, Gu Xing’er in a rage went to the newspaper office, placed a statement severing ties with the Gu family.
Zhao Liuniang pulled her man’s arm, said softly: “Listen to mom.”
Gu Yucheng wasn’t really set on chasing anyway, pretended reluctance and stayed.
Gu Chan: (ω‖)
Gu Mu sat beside Gu Chan, turned her head to look, “A’chan, how much do you want to borrow, your dad and I don’t have much on hand, can scrape together eighty for you, enough?”
“…Not enough.” Gu Chan said ashamedly, finally explaining the reason for borrowing, “Xiangdong’s injured, badly, still in the county hospital, doctor says to cure him needs over four hundred. I took out all the family’s money, just over a hundred, in-laws added thirty-five, still short a lot, I had to come back to borrow…”
Gu Mu’s face changed upon hearing her son-in-law was badly hurt, guessed: “Did Xiangdong go into the deep mountains?”
“No.” Gu Chan felt an indescribable resentment inside, even knowing this emotion wrong, couldn’t help resenting, “…To save someone.”
Saved someone in the mountains, person flung by a wild boar, nearly dead when brought down.
But hatefully.
The saved person was taken away by his family, not even medical expenses, not even a thank you.
Truly not worth it.
Gu Chan felt it unworthy for her husband.
Gu Mu couldn’t say her son-in-law’s act of saving was wrong, sighed, went inside to get money.
Coming out, looked to Gu Qingzhou, “Qingzhou, you’re still years from marriage, lend the money to your big sis first. Your big sis and brother-in-law are hardworking folks, as long as they get past this hardship, they won’t not repay.”
If they can’t get past… they will!
“Lend it then, I’m not Gu Xing’er, I don’t care about that.” Gu Qingzhou darkly mocked Gu Xing’er, turned and went to his room, brought the fifty from separate households plus his own saved two, total fifty-two, stuffed into Gu Chan’s hands.
“Big sis, take it, brother-in-law’s injury is urgent, repay whenever, don’t pressure yourself too much.” Gu Qingzhou comforted.
Gu Chan’s lips moved several times, couldn’t say a word.
She sniffed hard, wiped her eye corner, smiled through tears.
“Why do I feel like Qingzhou suddenly grew up… In my memory he’s still that quiet kid who always honestly worked, he can even tell me not to pressure myself too much…” Gu Chan’s voice choked, throat like stuffed with cotton.
Gu Fu patted his youngest son’s back, tone proud, “Qingzhou’s been a real man for a while, good job, my son’s great.”
Cough… Gu Qingzhou blushed.
Gu Yucheng came out from his room with the money, heard that, immediately said sourly: “What about me? Dad, I’m your son too.”
Without waiting for Gu Fu’s answer, he gave the Second Branch’s separate household money to Gu Chan too.
“Fifty bucks, repay slowly, we have food and shelter, not in a hurry for money.”
Gu Chan hesitated to take it; Gu Yucheng had a family, and they’d separated households, she feared it’d cause trouble with Zhao Liuniang and him.
Zhao Liuniang knew right away what the elder sister-in-law was hesitating over, so helped Gu Yucheng along.
“Take it, I trust lending to you, you’re not Gu Xing’er, if it was Gu Xing’er, forget fifty, not even a cent.” Zhao Liuniang said straightforwardly.
Gu Chan saw she truly meant it, accepted.
Took out paper and pen, wrote an IOU, handed one by one to the “creditors.”
Husband still in hospital, the borrowed money temporarily enough, she didn’t delay more; Gu Fu and Gu Mu worried, had Gu Yucheng send her.
Lin Zhao feared the old house might need the bicycle, before leaving had Bang Bang push it to the old house, just right for use now.
