Chapter 232: “you’re Rotten”
Qiu Lian returned home and only then learned that her younger brother had come to pick her up—it was a trap.
She had just entered the yard.
A strange old man was staring at her, and that look made her extremely uncomfortable.
She frowned and said with some dissatisfaction, “Who is this guy, why is he at our home, still staring at people, really annoying.”
Qiu Lian’s younger brother was afraid Shan Hu would get angry and they would miss out on that fifty yuan, so he quickly apologized with a smile.
The old man haha laughed, his yellowed teeth stained with a piece of vegetable leaf, and from far away you could smell that sour stench.
“It’s fine, being fierce is good, the fierce ones can guard the home, I just like the fierce ones.” He was very frivolous and greasy.
Qiu Lian sensed something was wrong, spat, “Who cares if you like it!”
She looked at her younger brother, “Who is this?”
The person asked smiled, “Who else could it be, your man at home. Sis, I’m good to you, right? Afraid you couldn’t get married, specially found him for you.”
Qiu Lian suddenly looked at the vulgar and filthy man, disgust flashing in her eyes.
“I don’t want him.”
Shan Hu, whose clothes were so oily you couldn’t tell the original color, had his smile stiffen, his face showing undisguised viciousness.
“Don’t want him? That’s not up to you.” He reached out and grabbed Qiu Lian’s arm, his strength so great that no matter how she struggled, it was useless.
“Your maternal family brothers ‘married’ you to me, from today on, you’re my wife, no room for you to say no! Behave and give me sons, you’ll have food to eat, if you don’t behave… heh, I have plenty of methods.”
Qiu Lian found she couldn’t struggle free from the lecherous man’s hand, and turned to the Qiu family old couple for help.
“Dad, Mom, I don’t want to marry this man!”
Knowing she needed some leverage, she hurriedly stated her own value, “I can wash clothes and cook, and go to the fields to earn work points, I won’t eat free rice, Mom…”
Knowing her mom had a little affection for her, she looked at Old Woman Qiu with despair and sorrow.
Old Woman Qiu looked at her son, meeting her son’s completely unmoved eyes, knowing there was no room for maneuver in this matter.
“I don’t run the house, family matters follow your brother.” She said, “Shan Hu has his good points too, your man is willing to spend fifty yuan to marry you, he’ll treat you well, don’t make a fuss, go with him, and don’t come back later!”
After saying this, the old woman Qiu twisted her head and darted into the house.
Qiu Lian’s eyes nearly split.
“Mom, you can’t do this to me!”
Her body lunged forward, Shan Hu wrapped his arm around her waist, firmly holding her in his bosom, the smell from his body invading her nose, Qiu Lian nearly vomited.
A enjoying smile appeared on the man’s dark face, girls from the foot of the mountain were soft, just a bit dark and thin.
No matter.
As long as she could give birth, everything else was fine.
“Wife, stop making a fuss, the mountain road is far, I don’t want to travel at night, if we run into wolves…” his threat half-spoken.
Wolves…?
Qiu Lian’s face changed slightly, struggling even more fiercely, and she found an opportunity, biting the man’s arm hard, and while he was in pain, she ran toward the door.
Half a meter from the door, Qiu Lian’s eyes lit up.
In an instant, she felt a pain in the back of her neck, her body went soft and fell to the ground, unable to get up again.
She slowly looked over, meeting her younger brother’s eyes full of calculation.
“…knew you wouldn’t behave.” The young man threw away the stick in his hand, very satisfied with his handiwork.
Qiu Lian’s eyes turned bloodshot.
Shan Hu walked over, his straw sandals crushing her foot, gradually applying pressure.
In a few seconds, Qiu Lian’s face turned deathly pale from the pain.
After teaching her a lesson, Shan Hu hoisted her over his shoulder, ignored the Qiu family, and strode away.
When the filthy man left the Qiu family, someone in the village saw, soon it spread throughout the whole village, and quickly to other brigades.
“Qiu family girl married into the mountains.”
“Shan Hu has no land, poor as dirt, what were the Qiu couple thinking?”
“Aiya, Qiu Lian has a bad reputation, and she’s not diligent, which family would want a daughter-in-law like her, except Shan Hu, she can’t remarry anyone else.”
“Poor those two Lin family children, children without a mom are so pitiful! If their dad remarries, their situation will be even harder, alas, sins of the adults, the ones suffering are the children.”
Those who knew some inside story said: “Xuanxuan and Zheng Zheng aren’t suffering at all, the Lin family treats them well, I see the two girls are two circles fatter than when Qiu Lian was there, and more lively too, now their dad has good future prospects, they won’t lack anything in the future!”
Everyone fell silent.
“So, Qiu Lian picked up sesame and lost the watermelon, huh, what was she thinking?”
Who knows.
The news of Qiu Lian’s “remarriage” spread to Dongfeng Brigade.
At this time, Lin Shisheng had just returned home.
He appeared at the Lin family gate, like a scavenger.
The Lin family children didn’t recognize him, thinking he was a refugee, Da Dan even brought him a ladle of water.
“Uncle, where’d you come from? Drink water quick, it’s cool boiled water, if not enough I’ll pour more, home has nothing else, but water is plenty.”
Lin Shisheng was indeed thirsty, took the ladle and gulped it down.
Soon finished a ladle of water.
Let out a long breath.
“Alive again!!” he said.
This voice… so familiar.
“Dad?” Lin Zheng called out.
She stared at the man at the door with full beard, hair grown long covering his eyebrows, wanting to recognize but not daring to.
Is it Dad?
Da Dan slowly turned to look at the bearded man, using his eyes to measure his expression, observing his standing posture.
After a moment, he exclaimed: “Second Uncle? It’s Second Uncle!!”
The first sound uncertain, the second shout full of energy.
Lin Shisheng patted his head, “Stinky kid, so you didn’t recognize me just now, it’s only been how long, you don’t even know me anymore!”
Da Dan didn’t feel embarrassed at all, hehe laughing, “Second Uncle with a full face of beard, hair blocking your eyes, I’ve never seen these clothes, normal not to recognize.”
Lin Shisheng: “…”
He walked forward two steps, stood in front of Da Dan, “Look clearly, you haven’t seen these clothes before?”
Lin Shisheng said irritably: “This is what I was wearing when I left.”
Just a bit dirtier!
He snorted lightly, “So young, and your eyesight is already bad.”
Da Dan stepped back two steps, couldn’t hold back: “Second Uncle, have you not changed clothes? You smell sour.”
His voice wasn’t small.
Lin Shisheng walked into the home, casually replied: “You think riding along with the truck is play? It’s suffering. We didn’t eat a single hot meal the whole way, sleep was patchy, being able to come back safe is good enough, who cares if you smell sour?!”
Da Dan heard Second Uncle hadn’t eaten well or slept well, quickly went to the kitchen, “Second Uncle I’ll boil hot water, you wash a bath first, leave the clothes, Er Dan and I will wash them later.”
Lin Xuan felt sorry for her dad, said: “Home still has noodles Little Aunt sent, I’ll cook them, and poach an egg.”
The Lin family unlike others, the head of house guards the eggs tightly, counts them several times a day, making something good for those returning from outside, everyone gets this treatment, no one minds.
“Good, I really miss this hot meal.” Lin Shisheng put down the things he brought back, plopped his buttocks on his biological father’s lounge chair, head back, long breath out.
“Home is really great!”
Lin Zheng brought the washbasin over, “Dad, wash your face first, when grandparents come back, they’ll dislike you being filthy.”
Lin Shisheng obediently sat up, using the water his daughter brought, washed hands and face clean, his mind cleared up a lot.
“How was it at home while I was away?” he asked caringly.
“Very good.” Zheng Zheng smiled.
Xi Bao patted her little chest, full of enthusiasm, “With me and the brothers here, no one bullies Xuanxuan sis and Zheng Zheng.”
“Good thing you were there, otherwise I wouldn’t feel assured leaving them at home.” Lin Shisheng smiled showing big white teeth, giving Xi Bao the reaction she wanted.
The little girl’s smile became even brighter.
“Second Uncle, Dad brought us a few days ago… Little Aunt handmade cake, and two roast ducks, too bad you weren’t here, if you were you could’ve eaten!” Xi Bao felt sorry for Second Uncle.
Lin Shisheng’s focus was here, “Cake made by your Little Aunt?”
Damn, missed it.
Pissed off.
“Yeah, Little Aunt made for Yu Bao and Heng Bao, their birthday, Second Uncle you remember, right?” Xi Bao reminded.
“Second Uncle did you buy them gifts?” Her clear bright black eyes glanced at the things Lin Shisheng brought back.
“You’ve been away a long time, if you forgot their birthday, Yu Bao will be disappointed, Heng Bao will be angry oh.”
How could Lin Shisheng forget.
Remembers every year.
Previously money sources few, would send eggs or chicken legs or something, this year entered transportation team, how could forget.
“Remembering.” he said.
Hearing this, Xi Bao nodded like a little adult.
She leaned her head over, grinning: “Second Uncle, is there a gift for me?”
As she spoke, her star-like black eyes blinked.
“Yes, everyone has one.” Lin Shisheng pinched his niece’s face.
He watched Xi Bao and the two Dans grow up, they were like his own children.
Xi Bao wanted to ask what it was, felt the prickly touch on her face, grabbed Second Uncle’s hand, saw the new calluses on it, and small cuts from something.
The little girl’s brows and eyes turned serious.
Pouting, her voice trembling, “Second Uncle, is riding along with the truck very tiring? If you’re tired, how about we don’t do it anymore.”
Lin Shisheng’s heart softened, “Not tiring, definitely not as tiring as field work.”
Xi Bao had picked wheat before, it was very tiring, back ached straight.
Her little face scrunched up, like considering some major life event.
She sighed, “Field work tiring, transportation team also tiring, what work isn’t tiring? Being a salesperson isn’t tiring?”
“No work isn’t tiring, just relatively easier.” Lin Shisheng said.
Xi Bao struggled for a moment, puffed her cheeks, like making some decision.
“Next time Little Aunt gives me a gift, I won’t take it.” Said so painfully, shows how much it hurt her to say it.
Lin Shisheng couldn’t help laughing.
“If you don’t take it, your Little Aunt will think you’re being distant with her, and be unhappy.”
Xi Bao didn’t want Little Aunt unhappy, said awkwardly: “Then I’ll take it.”
Her right hand propped her chin, imitating the village elderly, “Hard to say, either way it’s hard.”
Lin Shisheng: “…”
Before he could speak, Xi Bao flashed him a brilliant smile, slyly asking: “Second Uncle, do I look like it?”
“…Like.”
Lin Shisheng washed a bath, shaved clean the beard, then everyone saw… he had lost a circle of weight.
Lin Xuan timely brought out the noodles.
She said: “Dad, eat quick while hot.”
Lin Shisheng smiled at his daughter, then started eating noodles, starving badly, table manners naturally not great, but no one minded.
After finishing, he felt alive again.
“Whew! This trip those dry steamed buns, I really ate my fill.”
Da Dan asked: “Can’t go to state-run restaurant for meals?”
“Where’s a state-run restaurant? We go through godforsaken places, no village ahead no shop behind, stop wherever to rest, can’t sleep soundly, afraid things get stolen… Transportation team earns a lot, but tiring is real tiring.” Lin Shisheng saw the children curious, told them some things he could say.
Like the time he blocked a knife for someone, not a word.
“Dad, Mom, next month I become permanent.” Lin Shisheng shared the great news with family.
Song Xiwei had early noticed old two’s arm stiff, now hearing his words, immediately linked to cause and effect.
“No problem, right?” Her eyes concerned, asking a question the children couldn’t understand.
Lin Shisheng shook his injured arm, words tinged with laugh, “No problem!”
Song Xiwei frowned.
The young man quickly sat properly.
Lin Heling lightly patted his wife’s shoulder, gaze to old two, “Since becoming permanent, then do it well. Don’t do what you shouldn’t, be steady.”
“I know.” Lin Shisheng said solemnly.
Lin family couple said no more.
Da Dan excitedly: “Second Uncle becoming driver?!!!”
“Not yet, in a few more months will become driver.” Lin Shisheng said, he was still familiarizing.
Da Dan: “Still very awesome! Second Uncle, when Heng Bao knows you beat him to driving big car, guaranteed to envy to death.”
Lin Shisheng lifted his chin.
He thought the same!
Just saying, a young man from village with good relations with Lin Shisheng came to find.
“Shengzi, heard you back, come chat with you.”
Lin Shisheng went out, “Go outside to talk, my family will rest soon.”
“Ok.”
The two young men walked to foot of the mountain, while talking could pick some firewood.
The young man first asked what outside was like, Lin Shisheng said whatever came to mind, telling his experiences.
After listening.
A look of yearning appeared on the other’s dark face.
“You’ve been out, way better than digging soil! Do well, when you make a name, brother waiting for you to pull strings.” He half-joked.
Didn’t expect opportunity really came.
“Next two months, transportation team needs temporary workers to move goods, can work two months, work very tiring, pay not much, want to do?” Lin Shisheng asked.
This was the “reward” for his arm injury.
Three spots, one to village childhood friend, one to two good brothers who helped him smoothly divorce.
“Want, not wanting is idiot!!” The young man full face excited, helped Lin Shisheng bundle firewood excitedly, “Don’t bother, I’ll pick, this winter your home’s firewood I take care of!”
Lin Shisheng: “…”
“No need.” He said speechlessly.
“Needed.” The young man said, “Good money earning chance you think of me, me picking firewood for you how, should be.”
He put arm around Lin Shisheng’s shoulders, patted a few times, “Brother, thanks.”
“Polite.” Lin Shisheng waved hand, “Still that sentence, if me and big brother not home, my home… help watch a bit.”
Young man patted chest, “Rest assured! With me, guarantee your home no one loses a hair.”
After good news, he told Lin Shisheng about Qiu family matter.
Lin Shisheng learned Qiu Lian returned, frowned.
Hadn’t figured out his thoughts, heard Qiu Lian was “married” to mountains by Qiu family, complex flash in his eyes.
No other emotions, just felt sigh.
That woman thought maternal family her retreat, valued Qiu family more than her own small family, now ended up like this, wonder if regrets?
Whether she regrets or not, irrelevant to him, irrelevant to two daughters.
He hoped that woman wouldn’t appear again.
Her appearing would only bring them new gossip.
