Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The next day, both of them woke up unusually late.

When Lu Father arrived, Zhao Beichuan was just putting on his clothes, while Lu Yao was still wrapped in the quilt, fast asleep.

The old man didn’t say a word, smiling as he walked to the front yard with his hands behind his back, perhaps looking forward to holding his grandchild next year.

Today, Lu Lin didn't come; he said there was work to be done at home, so only Lu Father came alone.

Actually, the reason he didn't come was that he had a quarrel with his wife. He had been helping build the house every day for the past few days, and Hu Chunrong had long been unhappy about it. This morning, she asked how much they were paying per day.

Lu Lin, who was drinking porridge, casually replied, "We’re family, why would we need money?"

"No payment?" Hu Chunrong’s voice instantly rose.

"Keep your voice down, don’t let Dad and Mom hear."

"It’s not that. Are you still paying off what you owe Lu Yao from your past life? Your parents indulge him, and now you’re indulging him too?"

Lu Lin, with a stern face, said, "He’s my brother and brother-in-law. What’s wrong with me helping out for a few days?"

"Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. Who does Lu Yao think he is!"

It wasn’t really Hu Chunrong’s fault for being angry. Anyone would find it hard to tolerate the despicable things Lu Yao used to do. Not only was he lazy and gluttonous, but he also stole things her family brought over.

When Hu Chunrong gave birth, her family sent a basket of eggs to help her recover.

These eggs were precious; ordinary families wouldn’t eat them but save them to sell in town for extra income.

Hu Chunrong hadn’t eaten them either, planning to sell them after her confinement period to buy some fine cotton cloth for the baby.

But when she finally came out of confinement, the basket of eggs had vanished...

She cried, asking who had stolen the eggs, but no one admitted to it. Could the eggs have grown legs and run away? Later, Lu Yun couldn’t bear it and quietly told her that Lu Yao had taken them, cooking two each day and hiding them in his bed to eat secretly.

When Hu Chunrong confronted Lu Yao, she didn’t say anything harsh, just that they were family and if he ate the eggs, he should admit it openly.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yao not only refused to admit it but also accused her of being petty and falsely accusing him!

Hu Chunrong was furious, and they had a big fight, ending their relationship.

Now, after finally seeing him married off, he kept coming back every other day, borrowing pots one day and money the next, almost emptying the house. How could they live like this?

Lu Lin put down his bowl with a grim face, "He may be wrong, but he’s still my brother!"

With red eyes, Hu Chunrong said, "Fine, fine, fine, you’re all family, and I’m the outsider. You and your parents can all go with him!" She packed up, picked up the child, and went back to her parents’ house.

Lu Lin, who had a leg problem, chased after her but couldn’t catch up. He had no choice but to tell his father he couldn’t come today.

*

Today was another day of wall building. The masons did a good job, making the adobe walls smooth and sturdy.

Lu Yao, carrying soaked beans, planned to go to the village to make tofu.

Passing through the front yard, he saw Zhao Beichuan mixing mud, who happened to look up at him. Their eyes met, causing Lu Yao’s heart to race again.

Since last night’s conversation, he felt an ambiguous atmosphere between them. This feeling made him feel ticklish, as if a kitten’s paws were gently scratching him.

As he passed Tian’s house, he was called by Tian’s second sister-in-law. "Lu Yao, still upset?"

Lu Yao stopped, "Kids fight, it’s not worth getting angry over."

"That’s right. Kids don’t know better; a good scolding will fix it. Don’t let a small thing turn into a grudge. I enjoy being around you."

Lu Yao smiled without saying anything.

"You’re going to make tofu?"

"Yes, the kids like it, and I have nothing else to do, so I’ll make some."

Tian’s second sister-in-law hesitated, "Do you sell your tofu? I’d like to buy some."

"I can’t sell much, but I can give you a pound."

"That’s enough. I’ve been craving it since I had it last time. How much for a pound?"

"Just exchange a pound of beans."

Tian’s second sister-in-law smiled, "Alright, I’ll bring the beans later."

Leaving Tian’s house, Lu Yao continued walking through the village, encountering many people, familiar and unfamiliar. Everyone asked about the tofu.

Lu Yao didn’t know that the hired workers had spread the word for free. They said Zhao’s little husband knew how to make tofu, which was delicious, soft, and wouldn’t cause bloating.

Everyone was curious and wanted to taste the tofu.

"Hey, Zhao’s little husband, are you going to make tofu?" A plump aunt approached.

"Yes, Auntie, is there something you need?" Lu Yao stopped, recognizing her but unsure how to address her.

"Can you sell me some?"

"Today’s beans are limited, but if you’re not in a hurry, I’ll soak more tomorrow and sell you two pounds."

The plump woman smiled, "I live near the big elm tree, surnamed Ding. Ask anyone, and they’ll know."

"Got it."

Two inquiries about buying tofu made Lu Yao think: why not try selling more tomorrow? Even if he couldn’t sell it all, it wouldn’t go to waste with so many mouths to feed at home.

Luckily, Zhao Beichuan had bought half a bag of beans yesterday, enough for him to use. It was still early, so soaking the beans now would be perfect for grinding in the evening and making tofu tomorrow.

Acting on the idea, he quickly finished grinding the wet beans.

Returning home, he first asked the carpenter to make a tofu mold, then soaked ten pounds of beans, enough to make sixty pounds of tofu.

If he sold all the tofu, he could get sixty pounds of beans, earning fifty pounds of profit, which was over two hundred coins!

Earning two hundred coins a day meant six strings of coins a month and seventy-two strings a year. Lu Yao felt increasingly excited—poverty alleviation and prosperity were within reach!

*

"Xiaonian, Xiaodou, look at the new bamboo dragonfly my dad bought me! It’s so much fun, it flies high when you rub it!" Tian Dazhuang skipped to the riverbank.

Zhao Xiaonian was leading her brother to dig for earthworms. Seeing him approach, she immediately took her brother to another spot.

"Hey, stop digging, watch me play!" Tian Dazhuang rubbed the wooden rod, and the bamboo dragonfly flew up.

Xiaodou opened his mouth wide in amazement, "Wow."

Zhao Xiaonian slapped her brother, "Don't pay any attention to him."

Xiaodou turned her head and continued digging for earthworms with her sister.

Tian Dazhuang had been showing off for a while, but seeing that the two of them ignored him, he let out an annoyed sound and took a stick, squatting down next to them to dig for earthworms as well.

"Don't dig on our side."

"It's not marked with your name; why should it be yours?"

Zhao Xiaonian was about to get angry, but remembering what her sister-in-law had said—don't stoop to a dog's level—she pulled her brother and moved forward a bit.

Tian Dazhuang followed like a shadow, wherever they went, he went too. Zhao Xiaonian couldn't take it anymore and angrily said, "What do you want!"

"I... I just want to play with you guys..."

"That's impossible. You insulted my sister-in-law, so neither Xiaodou nor I will ever play with you again."

"I didn't say those things; Song Ping did. I... I was just playing along, not really meaning to insult your sister-in-law."

"Pah, is that even something nice to say? Playing around?"

Tian Dazhuang lowered his head, "Sorry, okay? I won't do it again."

Zhao Xiaonian was still angry and didn't want to talk to him. She held her brother's hand and got up, preparing to go home.

As the three of them walked back from the river, they suddenly saw someone sneaking into the nearby woods.

Zhao Xiaonian stopped and quickly pulled her brother to squat down. Tian Dazhuang also squatted down and asked, "Why aren't we walking anymore?"

"Shh, I saw Song Ping's mother."

"What is she doing there?"

"I don't know, let's see."

The three little heads peeked out from the grass and saw Song Guafu standing behind a big tree, seemingly waiting for someone. After a while, a tall, thin man approached from a distance.

The children recognized him; it was Song Ping's uncle, Song Changshun.

"Sister-in-law, I've missed you so much." They hugged each other immediately.

Song Guafu slapped away the hand that was groping her, "Don't be in such a rush. How did you find out about the matter I asked you to look into?"

"I asked someone in town. That Lu Xiao's lover is named Xu Dengke, a poor scholar. If you give him a string of coins, he'll make sure everyone knows about their affair."

"Is that true!" Song Guafu excitedly grabbed his hand.

"How could it not be? But why are you doing this? Still thinking about Zhao Beichuan?"

Song Guafu playfully slapped him, "What if I am? If you can divorce your wife and marry me, I won't think about anyone else."

Song Changshun dared not do that. His wife was a fierce woman who would surely beat him up if she found out about this.

"Don't mention him, it's a buzzkill. Give me a string of coins, and I'll handle this for you."

"But where would I get the money?"

"Your mother has some, figure out a way to get it, or I won't help you."

Song Guafu hesitated for a moment, "I'll think about it. If it works out, Sister-in-law will remember your kindness~"

The scene that followed was inappropriate for children, so the three kids quietly left and ran home.

On the way, Tian Dazhuang kept exclaiming, "My goodness! My goodness! How shameless is Song Ping's mother!"

Zhao Xiaonian's face was tense, her fists clenched, wishing she could punch Song Guafu.

Just before reaching home, Zhao Xiaonian stopped Tian Dazhuang, "Do you still want to play with us?"

"Yes!"

"Then you mustn't tell anyone about today!"

Tian Dazhuang looked troubled, "Not even my mother?"

Xiaodou shook her head vigorously, "No!" Even he knew that Tian's second sister-in-law couldn't keep a secret; telling her meant the whole village would know.

"Well, okay... Do you forgive me?"

"As long as you don't tell anyone about this, we're still good friends."

Tian Dazhuang smiled and took out a bamboo toy, handing it to them, "Here, borrow it for a day, return it tomorrow."

Zhao Xiaodou happily accepted it, "Thank you, Brother Dazhuang!"