Chapter 15
Before dawn the next day, Zhao Ger got up to cook a bowl of noodles for Fang Zichen. After sending him off, he took Guaizai to Aunt Liu’s place.
Uncle Liu had gone to the fields. It wasn’t the busy farming season, and the Liu family, who had moved here from another region over a decade ago, didn’t own much land. Aunt Liu stayed home to tend to chores. She was a little surprised to see Zhao Ger arrive so early.
“Aunt Liu,” Zhao Ger called out.
“Hmm? Why are you here so early? Did something happen at home?”
Liuliu, hearing the commotion inside, dashed out and eagerly grabbed Guaizai’s hand.
Zhao Ger let Liuliu take Guaizai to play, then nervously fiddled with his shoulder strap and said softly, “I… I have something I’d like to ask for your help with.”
It wasn’t ideal to bother someone so early in the morning, but Zhao Ger couldn’t wait.
Yesterday, Fang Zichen mentioned he only had one set of clothes and had been mocked for wearing them repeatedly. Zhao Ger wanted to quickly make him a new outfit. Besides, it had been so long since he himself had worn anything new. The excitement made him restless, and he couldn’t focus on anything else—hence the early visit.
Aunt Liu didn’t mind. They went inside, and when Zhao Ger set down his basket, revealing its contents, she smiled. “This fabric is nice. Did your man buy it?”
“Yes!”
Aunt Liu felt the material. “The color is pretty, and it’s soft too—must’ve cost a bit. Did he get some for you and Guaizai?”
“Yes,” Zhao Ger said. “He said he wanted new clothes for all of us.”
“Hmm! He’s thoughtful, at least—didn’t look down on you.” Aunt Liu chuckled. “But with just two bolts of cloth, was it really necessary to bring them in a basket?”
Zhao Ger replied, “I didn’t want anyone to see.”
Aunt Liu understood immediately.
Fang Zichen still owed the Ma family three taels of silver. If people found out they had money now but hadn’t repaid the debt, even if they were too afraid of Fang Zichen to cause trouble directly, the gossip would be endless.
Moreover, Fang Zichen was often out and about. If word got out that they had money, their ramshackle house wouldn't stop thieves.
Being cautious was wise.
Most families in the village were the same, they hid any extra money they earned. Of course, aside from a few who liked to show off, no one went around boasting.
First, to avoid attracting thieves, and second, to prevent relatives from coming to “borrow” money.
Aunt Liu was experienced. She had seen Fang Zichen before and could estimate his measurements without needing to take them.
“Alright,” she said. “Leave the fabric here. When Zhou Ger comes back, the two of us will work on it. At the latest, it’ll be ready the day after tomorrow. You can come pick it up then, or I’ll have Zhou Ger deliver it to you.”
She knew exactly what Zhao Ger and Fang Zichen’s situation was—especially Zhao Ger, who didn’t even have a spare set of clothes.
The Ma family was ruthless. The day they caused trouble at Fang Zichen’s place and got beaten, they went home and, whether out of spite or something else, gathered everything Zhao Ger had ever used or worn, piled it in the yard, and burned it.
Aunt Liu happened to pass by and saw it. Zhao Ger had lived with the Ma family for over a decade, yet his belongings barely made a pile—just two tattered clothes, a thin quilt, two chipped bowls, and a bundle of straw he and Guaizai slept on. It was pitiful.
She’d have to hurry and finish the clothes for them.
“Thank you, Aunt Liu,” Zhao Ger said.
“No need for thanks.” Aunt Liu studied him, noticing his complexion had improved and his face had filled out a little. She couldn’t help feeling happy for him. “I’ve met your man once, he’s not like the other men in the village.”
She sighed and spoke earnestly. “You have Guaizai, and your body is… I always worried he might not want you, that you’d suffer with him. Zhou Ger told me you’re doing well, but I know you, you keep everything inside, endure hardships alone, and only share the good. But you need to be clear about some things. If he truly treats you well, then live steadily with him, obey him, and be good.”
She patted Zhao Ger’s hand and glanced at Guaizai playing in the yard. “If possible, try to give him a son soon.”
Zhao Ger frowned slightly. Aunt Liu looked at him and asked, “He’s not from around here. Sister Wang mentioned he’s from overseas. Have you asked him about his plans? Does he intend to stay in Xiaohe Village, or will he go back?”
Zhao Ger’s throat felt dry. Over the past half-month, he had been happier than ever. Fang Zichen treated him well, treated Guaizai well—never hit him, never scolded him, was gentle and considerate, always looking out for him. This kind of life was all he had ever wanted, the kind of happiness he had only dreamed of.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to know the answers to these questions—he was afraid to ask, afraid that doing so might shatter the life he had now.
Fang Zichen had told him more than once that he wouldn’t leave, that even if he did, he’d take Zhao Ger and Guaizai with him. But after enduring over a decade of abuse, living like an ant in the shadows, suddenly stepping into the light left him both overjoyed and uneasy.
No comments:
Post a Comment