The silence between them lingered for a while, and Chunfu’s increasingly innocent gaze felt like flames on a torture rack to him, making him unbearably uncomfortable.
Chunfu reached out again to grab something behind him, stubbornly asking, “Why aren’t they wearing any clothes? Give it to me, I want to see.”
Jicheng’s stiff face twitched slightly. After a long pause, he exhaled and said with a light laugh, “They’re just fooling around. There’s nothing worth seeing. Let’s go wash the mushrooms, okay? Be good.”
Chunfu just wanted to see him flustered—shy yet pretending to be serious. This grown man seemed adorable to her. She immediately straightened up, clapped her hands, and said, “Fine, I won’t look then.”
Jicheng finally relaxed and asked Chunfu to leave first. Only after making sure she wouldn’t peek did he hide the book where it wouldn’t be easily found. She didn’t care where he hid it, as long as the IOU was safe. If someone with ill intentions took or damaged it, wouldn’t Second Uncle’s family become even more brazen? Chunfu had no interest in these things but wanted to help this kind man protect what was his. She knew that even in seemingly simple villages, unimaginable things often happened.
Liansheng’s wife came out of her house to pick vegetables from the small garden. Glancing up, she saw Jicheng and his new bride washing vegetables side by side in the yard and couldn’t help but laugh. “Look at this sweet couple, sticking together like honey. Chunfu, it’s your second day married, and you’re still dressed like that? Jicheng, you’re just as clueless. If Chunfu doesn’t understand, shouldn’t you?” She walked over, loosened Chunfu’s dark hair, took the wooden hairpin, and fixed her hair into a proper bun. With that, Chunfu suddenly looked more like a married woman.
Jicheng stared at Chunfu as if she’d transformed, standing up awkwardly with a smile. “We didn’t prepare any clothes for Chunfu to change into. We’ll buy some when we go to town in a couple of days. Sorry for the embarrassment, sister-in-law.”
Liansheng’s wife immediately understood and said angrily, “Chunmu and his wife are downright heartless! How could they treat their own sister like this? Not preparing a dowry is one thing, but not even giving her decent clothes? I heard they made you bring a grand procession to fetch her? That’s just bullying. They want glory and face, but look at what they’ve done. Poor Chunfu. Thankfully, our family has no ties with the Zhangs. Since we’re neighbors, if you ever need anything, just come to me. I can help teach Chunfu a thing or two.”
Jicheng grinned broadly and thanked her. “Then we’ll trouble you in the future, sister-in-law. Chunfu’s still childlike, so please be patient if she does anything wrong.” His relationship with the villagers had always been distant. In the past, he’d even taken detours to avoid them when leaving the village. As for Chunfu, he’d only heard she was a bit odd and had once seen her playing with children from afar. Now that they were married, if Chunfu had any difficulties, he honestly wouldn’t know how to handle them.
Liansheng’s wife waved her hand cheerfully. “No need to be so formal. Chunfu looks about my height—she should fit into my clothes. If you don’t mind them being old, I’ll go fetch some.”
Jicheng nodded in agreement and absentmindedly reached out to touch Chunfu’s hair, only for her to push his hand away in disgust. She pouted and complained, “Your hands are dirty and muddy. Gross.”
Chunfu had a bit of a cleanliness obsession. After a quick glance, she noticed Liansheng’s wife was impeccably neat—clearly someone who valued cleanliness. True to form, the clothes she brought were neatly folded and carried the faint scent of soap. Seeing Jicheng’s delight, Chunfu obediently said, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, like birdsong from the treetops, painting a gentle and warm picture in the heart. Liansheng’s wife took an even greater liking to her. Watching Jicheng pat Chunfu’s head like a child while she dodged in annoyance, she laughed. “Alright, I’ll leave you two to it. Time for me to cook.”
Jicheng saw Liansheng’s wife to the gate. When he returned, Chunfu was holding the clothes up to herself. He chuckled. “Change tomorrow. I’ve set aside some mushrooms and fruit to take to your brother and sister-in-law tomorrow. Though they might not appreciate it, I’ll also get some meat from Wang Mazi.”
Chunfu wasn’t happy. Her brother’s family were bloodsuckers. Jicheng didn’t earn much in a year—why give them so much? She pouted. “Eat it ourselves. Don’t give it to them. They’re bad.”
Jicheng wasn’t thrilled either, but it was tradition. Chunfu had been wronged at her wedding. Even if they didn’t care about formalities, the bridal return visit was important. They couldn’t let relations sour, even if it was just for show. He coaxed her, “We can’t skip the customs. Just bear with it, and we’ll come home early. Be good—don’t let people laugh at us.”
To their surprise, Chunmu and his wife were unusually welcoming this time. As soon as they entered the yard, Zhang Yan eagerly ran up to them, finally acting like a lively child. “Auntie, Mom made lots of good food, even stewed meat. Oh, Uncle brought some too?”
Chunfu winked at him and handed him fruit from the basket. Zhang Yan grinned mischievously, sticking out his tongue. He was the only one who knew his aunt was pretending to be simple.
Li Xiu’e lifted the curtain upon hearing them and smiled at the couple. Her eyes briefly lingered on Chunfu’s clean, light-colored clothes before she put on a kindly expression. “You’re here? Come in. Your brother just asked me to check if you’d arrived. How convenient.” Spotting the meat in Jicheng’s hand, her smile widened. “No need for such formalities among family.”
Chunfu couldn’t help rolling her eyes. As if they’d let them take the meat back. Once a rift formed in hearts, no amount of closeness could mend it.
They sat around the table, which held a plate of spiced peanuts, a dish of greens, and a bowl of stewed meat with rare droplets of oil floating on top. Zhang Yan and Zhang Tong stared, mouths watering. Even adults craved such meals these days—some families couldn’t afford meat all year.
Li Xiu’e noticed Chunfu’s complexion had improved in just a few days of marriage, no longer dull and lifeless. When Chunfu turned to Jicheng, her skin glowed. This simpleton was lucky—look how well she was being cared for.
At first, the conversation revolved around village affairs, but it soon took a turn. The talk became a lament about how hard life was. After a while, Chunfu grasped her brother’s underlying message: Zhang Tong was old enough for school, but they couldn’t afford it. They weren’t outright asking for money but framing it as a loan—though whether it’d be repaid or when was another matter.
Chunfu sneered inwardly. They must’ve learned about the heirlooms and were angling for a share. She glanced at Zhang Yan, sitting quietly and picking at his food, radiating dejection. The poor boy had it rough—his parents doted on his younger brother, and such favoritism was chilling.
“Little Tong is well-behaved and clever. I’d feel at ease sending him to the teacher. If he earns an official rank someday, both our families will benefit,” Chunmu said, chewing a piece of meat, his cheeks bulging, his smile unsettling.
Jicheng, who’d only sipped some soup, asked, “Zhang Tong’s still young, but isn’t Zhang Yan the right age? I never studied, so I don’t know much about this.”
Chunmu grinned. “I wanted to study and take the exams back then, but we couldn’t afford it. Now we’re pinning our hopes on Zhang Tong. As for Zhang Yan, he’s too dull—he’s better off farming. But we’re short on funds. Could you lend us some, brother-in-law?”
Jicheng didn’t offend him but smiled. “Brother, it’s not that I won’t lend you money—I just don’t have any. I was telling Chunfu yesterday I need to find work in town to earn some. We’re family, and if it’s for a good cause like this, I’d give what I could for Zhang Tong’s schooling.”
Seeing Jicheng wouldn’t budge, Chunmu dropped the subject, his enthusiasm cooling, his expression darkening. Jicheng noticed but said nothing.
The meal grew tense after the failed loan request. After eating, Li Xiu’e pulled Chunfu into the kitchen and said coldly, “Did Jicheng tell you how much money he has? Forget the money—have you seen those two heirlooms?”
Chunfu shook her head.
Li Xiu’e jabbed Chunfu’s forehead with her long-nailed finger, scolding, “You brainless fool! If he won’t tell you, make a scene! We’re short on money for Zhang Tong’s schooling. You lived here for years, eating for free, and now we can’t even count on you. I don’t care how you do it—bring me the money the day after tomorrow. If you don’t listen, just see how I deal with you, you idiot.”
Chunfu didn’t argue. She turned and went to the main room—now occupied by her brother since her marriage. Jicheng and Chunmu were making small talk when Chunfu entered with red eyes. Jicheng froze, then pulled her close and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”
Chunmu frowned and scolded, “You’re grown up—why cry at the drop of a hat? People will laugh at you.”
Chunfu, aggrieved, let tears fall like beans, sniffling. “Sister-in-law told me to ask you for money. She said she’d hit me if I didn’t get it.”
Not only did Chunmu’s face darken, but Jicheng’s expression also turned stormy. His lips pressed into a thin line, his voice low and heavy with suppressed anger. “Brother, I already said—if I had money, I’d give it. But I don’t. Where am I supposed to get it? You know my situation in the village. Even if I wanted to borrow, there’s nowhere to go. Chunfu’s had it hard enough. How could sister-in-law scare her like that?”
Seeing Jicheng’s genuine anger, Chunmu avoided further provocation and quickly said, “Your sister-in-law didn’t mean it. She’s just anxious to send Zhang Tong to school. Ignore her.” Just then, Li Xiu’e rushed in, and Chunmu barked, “You’ve got no sense! How could you say such things? Watch your mouth from now on, or you’ll regret it.”
Li Xiu’e shrank back, forcing a smile. “I was being foolish. Don’t be angry—you’re not well.” But inwardly, she thought, *Chunfu’s gotten bold, learning to tattle. Just wait till I catch her alone—then we’ll see.*
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