Chapter 5

Chapter 5: You Dare Treat Me This Way “I say, eldest nephew, your family is really keeping things hidden these days. You caught such a big crucian carp, yet you didn’t even think to share some with your own family.” Xie Shoucai swaggered in. When he saw the fish soup on the dining table, he reached out to take it without so much as a by-your-leave. Xie Gensheng immediately barked, “Second Brother, what are you doing?” Xie Shoucai stared fixedly at the bowl of fish soup, the greed in his eyes utterly undisguised. His tone was one of complete entitlement. “You caught so many fish. It’s not too much to give me a bowl of fish soup, is it? We’re all family, so you can’t keep it all to yourselves. Besides, Dazhu has been working hard lately. He needs some fish soup to build up his strength!” Xie Nian said timidly, “This fish was caught by my Sister-in-law…” Xie Shoucai glared at her. “Since it was caught by the new daughter-in-law, she should all the more properly show filial respect to me, her younger uncle. Otherwise, don’t blame me for refusing to approve of this marriage.” Shen Qingwu stepped forward and stood in front of Xie Nian. She had spent years traveling far and wide with her team in search of rare flowers and exotic herbs, and an awe-inspiring righteousness surrounded her. “You needn’t trouble yourself over my marriage. The Village Head already delivered the Marriage Allocation Document today. Besides, there are many people in my family, including two half-grown boys. We don’t even have enough food for ourselves. If you want to eat some, go catch it yourself.” Xie Shoucai had never expected a refugee bride who had only just arrived to dare contradict him in public. His face instantly turned livid. “What kind of way is that to speak? I’m Xie Heng’s younger uncle! You’re an outsider who married into the family as a refugee bride, took advantage of the Xie family, and received benefits from us. Isn’t it only right for you to show me some filial respect?” Xie Shoucai’s booming voice frightened Shen Qinghuai into clutching Shen Qingwu’s sleeve tightly. Mustering his courage, he said, “D-don’t bully my sister!” “Oh, so you’re this woman’s younger brother? I say, Eldest Brother, is there something wrong with your family’s heads? Even if Xie Heng couldn’t find a wife, he still shouldn’t have taken one with a couple of burdens in tow. Just look at this boy. He’s already so big, but he’ll never be properly raised.” The temperature around Xie Heng instantly dropped. A layer of frost covered his handsome brows and eyes as he spoke with a fierce edge, “Our family’s affairs are none of your concern!” Xie Shoucai had never imagined that Xie Heng, who was usually taciturn and could barely get a word out of even with a stick, would have such a powerful presence. For a moment, panic rose in his heart. But the aroma of fish from the table made him itch with desire. Then he remembered the dried fish outside the courtyard and said, “Fine, fine, I’ve certainly seen how black-hearted you all are. You don’t recognize any of your own kin. I won’t take the fish soup. I’ll just take two fish from outside the courtyard, all right?” Xie Gensheng, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke. “My wife caught those fish. No one is touching them.” Xie Shoucai widened his eyes in astonishment. “Eldest Brother, you…” “When Father was still alive and Aheng was a Vanguard Commandant, your branch’s food, clothing, and daily expenses were all paid for by the eldest branch. Later, after Father passed away and Aheng returned home because of his injuries, your branch repeatedly looked down on the eldest branch for being poor and despised Aheng for bearing a dishonorable reputation. You made a fuss about separating the family, and you haven’t visited us in all these years. “Now that you smell meat, you come shamelessly knocking on our door to take it. You’ve even insulted my Aheng’s wife and spread malicious nonsense. What exactly are you plotting?” Second Brother Xie still wanted to say something, but Xie Heng’s eyes were cold and his voice decisive. “Get out!” “I’m your second uncle! How dare you treat me this way!” Xie Heng said no more. He seized the other man by the collar as effortlessly as if he were picking up a toy and threw him straight outside, then shut the courtyard gate. Xie Shoucai flew into a rage and stood outside the courtyard, cursing and swearing. The villagers gathered around to watch whispered among themselves, ridiculing him for being greedy and snobbish. Unable to bear the loss of face, Xie Shoucai finally left in dejection. After the farce ended, Liu Cuilan let out a long breath, her eyes filled with helplessness. “It was such a good meal, and he had to ruin it.” Shen Qingwu gently took Liu Cuilan’s arm and comforted her softly. “Auntie, there’s no need to be angry. Don’t lower yourself to his level.” Seeing how gentle and considerate Shen Qingwu was, guilt filled Xie Heng’s eyes. “I’ve wronged you.” “You haven’t wronged me.” Shen Qingwu shook her head. “Our life belongs to us. Don’t take other people’s words to heart.” After this incident, Shen Qingwu understood even more clearly that if she wanted to live in peace, build a prosperous life, and make those people stop looking down on the Xie family so casually, she needed to gather more supplies and build up more security for herself. Now that she had her special advantage, the entire mountain behind them was practically a treasure vault. She would go into the mountains again tomorrow. Liu Cuilan called everyone to eat. The milky-white fish soup and tender fish meat, accompanied by crisp wild greens and flatbreads, were already the height of deliciousness. After Xie Heng drank the fish soup, the chill inside his body eased slightly, and a rare warmth spread through him. Liu Cuilan and Xie Gensheng were even more delighted. They hadn’t had a proper meal in years. Even Xie Nian’s cheeks gradually took on a healthy flush. Shen Qinghuai ate three whole flatbreads and contentedly patted his stomach. After the meal, Xie Nian nimbly gathered up the bowls and chopsticks and washed them, while Liu Cuilan pulled Shen Qingwu over to measure her, intending to make clothes for her. It turned out that the bolt of cloth they had just bought was for her. Liu Cuilan said with a smile, “Although our family is poor, we still have to hold a proper wedding ceremony. I’ll make a new outfit for you and your brother. Then we’ll invite the familiar neighbors and villagers, prepare a few tables of simple food, and have you properly bow in marriage. I’ll let everyone know that our Awu is the Xie family’s wife. I absolutely won’t let you suffer even the slightest grievance.” Shen Qingwu’s eyes stirred with emotion. She had originally thought that in a place like this, marriage would amount to nothing more than a single document. She had never expected Liu Cuilan to consider everything so thoughtfully. Xie Heng slung a basket onto his back and said, “We earned 130 wen from selling firewood in town this morning, and we spent nearly all of it. I’ll go into the mountains again this afternoon to gather some firewood.” He was the only able-bodied worker in the family now, and Xie Heng had to shoulder this responsibility. The moment Shen Qingwu heard this, she said, “I’ll go with you!” She had originally planned to enter the mountains tomorrow, but since Xie Heng was going, she would accompany him. Liu Cuilan said worriedly, “You just went into the mountains this morning. Why don’t you rest and let Aheng go gather some firewood by himself?” “It’s fine. I’m not tired.” In her previous life, she had traveled far and wide, following her team through all kinds of dangerous terrain. This short journey was nothing to her. Shen Qinghuai was still clinging somewhat to Shen Qingwu. His round, dark eyes gazed at her imploringly, clearly saying that he wanted to go too. “Be good. You walked so far this morning. Rest for a while.” Shen Qinghuai shook his head and waved his little arms. “I’m not tired. I have lots of strength!” Looking at the little fellow’s skinny arms and legs, Shen Qingwu smiled and rubbed his head. “Since that’s the case, your sister has a task for you. You and Niannian stay home and watch over our dried fish, all right? I’m worried that if no one keeps an eye on them, bad people will come and steal them.” In this world, who wouldn’t grow envious and covetous upon seeing all that food outside the house? Shen Qinghuai’s eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded vigorously. “All right! I’ll definitely protect our fish!” After reassuring Shen Qinghuai, Shen Qingwu finally shouldered her basket, picked up the firewood knife, and set off for the mountains with Xie Heng.