Chapter 125: Easily Provoked

Chapter 125: Easily Provoked

Hearing Zhou Ye’s words, Old Man Liao looked utterly exasperated.

Zhou Ye, such a strapping man, actually bent to Lin Shu’s every whim—a true henpecked husband, bringing shame upon all men.

Ah well, it takes two to tango. Since Zhou Ye was clearly content with the arrangement, he, as an outsider, wouldn’t meddle further.

The three-li journey (about a mile) wasn’t far, just a bit longer than walking from one end of the village to the other. There was originally no path into the deep mountains, but over time, the villagers’ frequent passage had worn a narrow trail.

Quite a few villagers regularly ventured into the deep mountains. Those living near the village entrance, even if they could take shortcuts along the field ridges to the back hills, found it inconvenient to carry large bundles of firewood back that way. Consequently, many villagers from that side preferred to gather firewood in the deep mountains. The mountains were vast, and merely collecting from the outskirts sufficed—no one ventured deeper.

The fir trees Zhou Ye and Old Man Liao sought grew in abundance at the edge of the deep mountains, and that was where they headed to strip bark.

They couldn’t strip all the bark from a single fir tree, nor cut it horizontally; it had to be peeled vertically, leaving half intact.

Although Old Man Liao typically only drove his ox cart and didn’t engage in farm labor, controlling the ox still required strength. He wasn’t one to sit idle; he still possessed considerable vigor.

Working together, stopping and resting occasionally, they stripped three large bundles of bark in just an hour.

“A Ye, I think that’s enough.”

“Old Man Liao, please sit and rest. I’ll get a bit more.” Zhou Ye continued working, not using the scraper Old Man Liao had lent him, but his own axe.

A single misjudged swing could easily gouge the tree trunk, especially with Zhou Ye’s immense strength. Yet, the axe seemed like an extension of his hand—he could strike with precisely the force he intended, whether heavy or light as a knife.

Old Man Liao watched in amazement. “If you told me you were a woodcutter before coming to Sweetwater Village, I’d believe you!”

Zhou Ye explained, “Our village wasn’t like Sweetwater Village. Winters there were bitterly cold, so we needed plenty of firewood. With a large family, we burned through it quickly. Since I was the strongest, I was always the one preparing the firewood. I’ve used this axe so much it’s become second nature.”

Hearing this, Old Man Liao sighed inwardly: Preparing firewood was likely the least of it—Zhou Ye probably handled all the heavy labor for his family.

He was perceptive and had long sensed that Zhou Ye had endured hardship from a young age.

Old Man Liao recalled the scene of their flight from famine years ago. Zhou Ye had led his clan through Sweetwater Village, and though they all looked to him as their leader, he was the one who stayed behind to exchange labor for grain.

There were plenty of strong men available for manual labor, so why did the leader himself stay? With Zhou Ye’s size, no one could have forced him unless he volunteered. Back then, Old Man Liao had thought the young man foolish.

Now, over two years later, he still thought Zhou Ye was a bit simple—but sometimes simplicity brought its own blessings.

The clan Zhou Ye had led on their desperate journey, far from home, would have had to start as tenant farmers or laborers if they settled without land. Under a fair official, they might receive land after a few years and put down roots. But under a corrupt one, they could be trapped as tenants or laborers indefinitely, with no hope for improvement.

But look at Zhou Ye. He had volunteered to be indentured. If he’d truly become a servant in a farming household, his status would have been lower than a tenant’s. But what did Lin Laoer need? Not a servant—he needed a son to care for him in old age!

So, Lin Laoer never made Zhou Ye sign any indenture papers. Without that, Zhou Ye wasn’t registered as a servant. Lin Laoer vouched for him, the village head reported it to the authorities, and Zhou Ye’s name was added to Sweetwater Village’s registry, making him an official villager.

Zhou Ye’s parents were gone. Even if he had close relatives among the refugees, their silence when he offered to become a servant severed those ties. With no parents of his own and Lin Laoer treating him like a son, he was practically family. Once he married A Shu, he’d only respect Lin Laoer more. A win-win situation.

Compared to his clansmen, who were likely still toiling as tenants or laborers, Zhou Ye had stumbled upon a huge stroke of luck.

Just look—he’d gained parents and a wife!

So sometimes, hardship early in life could lead to better days, as if heaven smiled upon you.

Unlike some, who enjoyed sweetness first only to taste bitterness later—and that bitterness felt all the more acute.

Zhou Ye worked diligently for a while longer, bundling another stack of fir bark before finally stopping.

By the time they headed back, the sun was high. Each carrying two bundles of bark, they walked along the path. The men working in the fields and the women chatting by the roadside immediately guessed what they were up to.

Those who had lent Zhou Ye thatch knew the Lin family was re-roofing. Seeing all that bark, they muttered among themselves—surely they didn’t need that much? How many layers was Zhou Ye planning to lay?

Knowing Zhou Ye could take a joke, one woman teased good-naturedly, “A Ye, why wait until now to re-roof? Is it for Lin Shu? I heard she came down with a high fever after that heavy rain.”

Zhou Ye replied calmly, “That’s part of it, but the house has many leaks. We might as well lay it thick this time so it lasts.”

He answered each question briefly, yet the villagers always ended up smiling.

Sometimes, being eloquent wasn’t necessary. Like Zhou Ye—who wouldn’t like an honest, good-natured man who never lost his temper, no matter how much he was teased? Especially with his strong, rugged looks and sturdy build, which married women particularly favored.

Young girls might prefer scholarly types, but married women appreciated men like Zhou Ye—especially with his mild temper.

Old Man Liao, carrying two bundles alongside Zhou Ye, joked, “Well, lad, I knew you were likable, but today I saw it firsthand. Walking with you, everyone directs their questions at you—no one even asks me!”

Zhou Ye glanced down and explained, “It’s not about being likable. The uncles and aunts here are simple folk. If you listen to them and respond sincerely, they think highly of you.”

Old Man Liao recalled how Zhou Ye had patiently replied to every villager—even to questions that seemed unnecessary or overly teasing—never dismissive, always earnest.

No wonder everyone liked such a young man.

“So that’s why clever A Shu took a liking to you. The sharp need someone simple, the talkative need a listener.”

Zhou Ye shot him a look.

Old Man Liao: ??

“Old Man Liao, A Shu isn’t shrewd—she’s brilliant.”

Old Man Liao: …

“And she’s not talkative—she only chats freely with those she likes. She doesn’t bother with those she doesn’t.”

Old Man Liao: …

He’d had enough of this lad—everything circled back to Lin Shu.

Once Lin Laoer’s roof was done, he’d leave immediately. Just seeing Zhou Ye annoyed him!

Yet, part of him felt reluctant.

Lin Shu’s cooking was absolutely delicious. Since his wife and children had passed, he hadn’t enjoyed such satisfying meals in a long time.

But Old Man Liao said, “I’ll head back after we drop these off. The sun’s strong—the thatch in the yard should dry completely after another day. I’ll return the day after.”

Zhou Ye didn’t respond directly. “Let’s go back to the yard first. A Shu probably has something to say to you.”

Old Man Liao eyed him suspiciously, wondering what he was up to.

When they returned, Lin Shu and Lin Xiaopu had just come back from teaching at the third aunt’s house. Unlike Zhou Ye and Old Man Liao, who were sweaty from carrying heavy bundles, the two girls were clean and dry.

“A Ye, Old Man Liao, sit down and rest,” Lin Shu said, noticing his dry lips and frowning slightly. “Didn’t you drink the water I prepared?”

“A Shu, I drank it all. Here, see for yourself.” Zhou Ye handed her the empty bamboo cup from his waist for inspection.

Lin Shu shook it—it was indeed empty. “Then I didn’t prepare enough. You sweat a lot and need more water. Next time, I’ll pack two large bamboo cups.”

Old Man Liao watched with a subtle expression but said nothing.

He remembered how Zhou Ye had worked nonstop, only gulping down the water Lin Shu had prepared right before they left.

At the time, he thought Zhou Ye was just parched. But now, seeing him proactively hand over the bamboo tube for Lin Shu to check, Old Man Liao belatedly realized something.

This Zhou Ye isn't just whipped—he's completely smitten with Lin Shu, and it's serious!

After resting for a while,

Old Man Liao took the initiative to ask, "Girl, Zhou Ye mentioned that you and your mother have something to discuss with me. Is there some issue with the bamboo reclining chair business? Do you need me to put in a word to Old Gao?"

Other than that, he couldn't think of any other reason Lin Shu would want to talk to him.

Lin Shu glanced at Zhou Ye and smiled, "I originally planned to bring this up after the roof was fixed, but since A Ye has already mentioned it to Old Man Liao, I might as well say it now..."

After hearing Lin Shu's words, Old Man Liao was quiet for a good while.

"Why such a reaction, Old Man Liao? Didn't you say you really liked my mother's and my cooking? If you come to our house to eat from now on, you'll get to enjoy them every day."

Old Man Liao's voice was a little rough. "Whose idea was this? Did your parents agree?"

Lin Shu replied, "It was my mother's idea, and my father thought it was a good idea too."

Old Man Liao wasn't one to smile often. It was only these past couple of days, enjoying their hospitality at the Lin family's, that he'd smiled more. Now, not a trace of a smile remained on his face. His stubborn streak came out, and he looked stern and serious.

"Are you all pitying this old man?" he asked.

"Old Man Liao, how can you say that! It's not about pity. You'll be chipping in your share of rice and grains if you come to eat at our house. We just thought it might be inconvenient for you to cook for yourself. You're not lazy—it's just that cooking for one person is a pain, right? In hot weather, leftovers spoil easily and can give you stomach trouble. That's why we thought you could join us for meals. When the weather cools down, and you don't have to worry about leftovers going to waste, if you try to come over for a free ride then, I won't even bother with you."

Old Man Liao was both ticked off and amused by this, but he wasn't as upset as before.

Just listen to that! He's the elder, yet this little girl dares to talk to him like this. Clearly, Ping Er has been spoiled silly by Lin Laoer and his wife.

And Zhou Ye! Zhou Ye spoils her too.

Lin Shu spread her hands and wrapped it up, "That's the deal. If you're craving my cooking, come on over—just remember to bring a month's worth of groceries. If not, forget it, and pretend I never said anything."

Old Man Liao: ...

Is this an invitation or a kicking you out? This little girl has quite the temper.

Old Man Liao hesitated for a moment but didn't agree right away. "I need to go back and think it over. In a couple of days, once the roof is fixed, I'll give you a final answer."

Lin Shu said, "Oh, no rush. Take your time—think it over for ten days or even half a month if you need to. Honestly, I think it's a hassle too. Just look—you live all the way at the village entrance. It's quite a trek just to get here every day. If you come by ox cart, it'll make too big a scene, and soon everyone in the village will know you're coming to our place for meals."

Old Man Liao: ...

Old Man Liao couldn't help but argue, "If I come to eat at your house, I'll definitely bring my share of provisions. How is that freeloading? It sounds like begging."

Lin Shu retorted without missing a beat, "Other people won't know that."

The two argued back and forth for a while, and the topic gradually veered off course. In the end, Old Man Liao, who had initially planned to go home and think it over carefully, found himself agreeing in a daze.

After he left, Lin Xiaopu, who had witnessed Old Man Liao's whole emotional show, looked utterly impressed.

Incredible! Big sister is truly incredible!

Just this morning, she'd seen her parents worrying about how to bring this up. But with her parents absent, her sister had single-handedly resolved the matter. Though Old Man Liao agreed in a daze, he left all smiles!

Zhou Ye also looked at Lin Shu, his expression thoughtful.

Lin Shu glanced at the two of them, a smug smile curling her lips. "Stunned, aren't you? Both of you—pay attention for the future."

"Pay attention to what? On how you schmooze people to their faces and talk slick behind their backs?" Lin Xiaopu giggled and immediately ran off.

Lin Shu didn't give chase—she couldn't outrun Lin Xiaopu. Instead, she planted her hands on her hips and turned to Zhou Ye. "A Ye, quick, help me catch Xiao Pu! There'll be a nice reward if you do!"

Lin Xiaopu laughed delightedly. "Brother A Ye is a real gentleman—he won't get involved in our silly games."

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Zhou Ye moved. He actually obeyed and started walking toward her.

Zhou Ye took large strides, and before Lin Xiaopu could react, he caught her and marched her right back to Lin Shu. Finally, Zhou Ye couldn't resist lecturing Lin Xiaopu: "Your sister is easily provoked. Don't tease her all the time."

Lin Xiaopu: ...