LW chapter 28

 

Zhou Yuan braced himself against the low courtyard wall and easily leapt over it without waiting for Chen Qing to open the door.

In the dim light, Chen Qing could see that Zhou Yuan was a complete mess—his pant legs were covered in mud stains, and his shoes were so dirty that they were barely visible.

“Where have you been?” He didn’t look like someone who had just gotten out of bed. He looked more like someone who had just returned from outside.

“What’s wrong with you?” Zhou Yuan raised the lantern and saw Chen Qing’s face clearly in the faint light. His eyes were as red as a rabbit’s after being caught in the mountains. He was wearing only a middle coat and holding a basin of water.

Chen Qing had just cried, and he was still sobbing. “Mom had a fever and started convulsing. I was so scared…”

Zhou Yuan sighed and did something unexpected. He stepped forward and gently pulled Chen Qing into a hug, patting his back with his big hands.

It was the first time Chen Qing had been this close to a man since his father died.

Zhou Yuan was tall; Chen Qing’s head could only reach his chest. He raised his hand to push Zhou Yuan away, but it landed on his chest and just stayed there.

He didn’t know how long he held on, but when he finally let go, he saw that the front of Zhou Yuan’s shirt was soaked.

The night wind was a little chilly. Zhou Yuan patted him on the back. “Go inside; it’s cold out here.”

Chen Qing nodded and invited him to sit in the main room. He went to check on Aunt Sun. Her condition had stabilized considerably. Then, feeling a little embarrassed, he returned to the main room and walked over to the flickering oil lamp.

It was already so late. He was a single man and he was still wearing only his middle coat.

He returned to his room, put on an outer coat, and came back out with a bowl of hot water for Zhou Yuan. They didn’t have teacups, so they drank water from bowls.

Zhou Yuan took a sip and felt the stiffness in his legs ease. After hearing from Chen Qing what had happened, he had a general understanding of Aunt Sun’s condition. For the elderly, catching a cold or falling could be dangerous.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a cold and a fever. Do you have any wine at home?”

Chen Qing shook his head. “No.”

Zhou Yuan stood up. “I’ll go get you some.”

Before Chen Qing could respond, Zhou Yuan left and soon returned with a bottle of wine. He handed it to Chen Qing. “Rub it on her palms and soles. The fever will drop faster. Tomorrow, we’ll go to town and get a doctor.”

Not thinking much of it, Chen Qing nodded and rushed into the room to do exactly as Zhou Yuan said, rubbing the wine on Aunt Sun’s hands and feet.

Aunt Sun woke up just then, her hands hot from the rubbing. “Ah Qing…”

“Mom, you’re awake?” Chen Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief, his voice shaking.

“Were you scared? When you’re old, even getting caught in the rain feels like you’re about to die.” Aunt Sun sat up. She sniffed the scent of wine on her palms. “Where did this wine come from?”

Chen Qing lowered his head. “Zhou Yuan gave it to me.”

Aunt Sun was surprised. “It’s so late. How did he know?”

Chen Qing kept his head down, too afraid to look up. “He just came over.”

Aunt Sun let out a breath of relief. “I’m fine. Help me find some clothes so I can change.”

Chen Qing helped her light the oil lamp and brought her a change of clothes. Aunt Sun sat on the bed. “Let him go after you two talk for a bit. After all, it’s the middle of the night.”

“Okay.”

“You should get some sleep, too.”

“Okay.”

Chen Qing left the room and nodded at Zhou Yuan. “Mom’s okay now. You can go back.”

“Alright.” He stood up. “I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Chen Qing walked him to the door, paused, and said, “Wait a second.” He quickly went to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of ginger from the cupboard.

He handed it to Zhou Yuan. “Go back and make ginger soup.”

Zhou Yuan squeezed Chen Qing’s hand as he took the ginger. Chen Qing’s ears turned red, and he looked up at Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan held his hand, pulled him forward, and hugged him gently. “Go get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Zhou Yuan let go first and nudged Chen Qing toward the courtyard. “Lock the door.”

After watching Zhou Yuan leave, Chen Qing locked the door and turned around. He saw the lantern Zhou Yuan had left behind. He brought it into his room, took off his clothes, and lay on his back in bed.

He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep after being hugged twice, but he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow—until the rooster crowed behind the house. He woke up and saw Aunt Sun sweeping the courtyard.

“Mom, are you okay?” Chen Qing stood at the door with his hair down.

“I’m fine.” Aunt Sun smiled at him. “Just boil one more dose of medicine, and I’ll be all right.”

Chen Qing still looked worried. “How about we go to town and get a doctor to prescribe something?”

The old lady was stubborn about these things and refused to see a doctor no matter what. Chen Qing had no choice but to bathe first.

After he finished, Aunt Sun went to the backyard and let the chickens and ducks out of the coop. She also boiled the medicine and drank it herself. Unable to persuade her anymore, Chen Qing went to help in the backyard.

When they returned from the backyard, Zhou Yuan was already waiting in the courtyard.

Aunt Sun saw Zhou Yuan and glanced at Chen Qing. Chen Qing was so flustered that he made eye contact with Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan then said, “Can you help me let the cow out? I didn’t do it yesterday evening, and I bet it’s hungry.”

“Ah? Oh, okay.” Chen Qing walked toward the door, first glancing at Aunt Sun, then at Zhou Yuan. Finally, he lowered his head and went out.

As he watched Chen Qing leave, Zhou Yuan helped Aunt Sun sit down in the courtyard. He got straight to the point: “I went to town yesterday. Auntie, the man that Matchmaker Hua mentioned isn’t a good match either.”

Zhou Yuan had rushed to town as soon as he heard the news. At the post station, he met a man named Wang Wu. Wang Wu is the kind of guy who knows everything that’s happening in town.

Zhou Yuan found Wang Wu, treated him to a meal, and got the full story behind the marriage that Matchmaker Hua had told Aunt Sun about.

Yuan Jia’s eldest son last husband had been beaten to death by him. That alone made Zhou Yuan unwilling to let Aunt Sun marry Chen Qing off to such a family.

“They’re so eager and unconcerned about mourning because the old grandma is dying, and they want someone to bring ‘good fortune.'” Zhou Yuan’s voice was filled with anger. “Auntie, I might not be amazing, but I’m better than someone like that, right?”

Aunt Sun sighed. “I’ve already turned them down.”

“If you know about this,” Zhou Yuan said, “then you must understand my concerns, too.”

“There’s no one better than you,” Aunt Sun replied. “But I want to know how you’re going to deal with the things I’m worried about.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything. I won’t let any rumors get to him.”

After a moment, Zhou Yuan added, “Maybe you’re worrying too much. The villagers might not see it that way.”

Aunt Sun was taken aback. “Maybe.”

Zhou Yuan said again. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect him.”

Aunt Sun nodded. “If you’re capable, I’ll trust you.” She added, “I already told Ah Qing to let it go.”

Finally receiving a satisfactory answer, Zhou Yuan let out a breath of relief.

Unexpectedly, though, Aunt Sun asked again, “So, what you said before—about Meng Tao asking you to take care of us . . .”

“Meng Tao and I weren’t that close,” Zhou Yuan replied honestly.

Aunt Sun’s nose turned sour. “What about what you said about him being on the battlefield?”

“All of that’s true. He was really brave.” Anyone who could charge into battle and kill enemies is brave.

Aunt Sun furrowed her brow. “Alright, alright.

“I won’t stop you from doing what you want, but you can’t let Ah Qing get hurt.”

Zhou Yuan looked serious. “I know. Thank you, Auntie.”

Chen Qing led the cow to the river. He knew his mother wanted to talk to Zhou Yuan. He sat on a rock by the riverbank and let the cow graze.

He had never really thought about the issues his mother had mentioned. He figured that if he didn’t think about it, the problem wouldn’t exist.

Could he handle the rumors?

Honestly, Chen Qing didn’t know.

But that hug was so warm.

He looked at his reflection in the water. It was ordinary. What was so great about him? He couldn’t figure it out.

Seeing that it was almost time and that the cow was full, he led it back home. As he approached Zhou Yuan’s house, he saw Zhou Yuan walking out the door.

Zhou Yuan quickly stepped up and took the rope from Chen Qing’s hand to lead the cow. Chen Qing looked up and saw Zhou Yuan still smiling gently. When Zhou Yuan took the rope, his hand touched Chen Qing’s.

Chen Qing wanted to pull back at first, but when he saw Zhou Yuan’s smile, he didn’t.

“Wait for me. Once I take care of everything, I’ll come and propose.”

Chen Qing gave a tiny nod, then lowered his head and went home.

When Aunt Sun saw him return, she coughed twice and gave him a teasing look.

Chen Qing lowered his head. “Mom.”

“Alright, alright, I get it.” Aunt Sun cleared her throat. “Don’t you have that winter coat you haven’t finished yet? Go finish it.”

Chen Qing nodded, and Aunt Sun helped him sort through the thread. When she was young, Aunt Sun was good at making clothes, too. Now that her eyesight isn’t very good, Chen Qing is the only one who sews at home.

“Tomorrow, hoe the field by the gate and plant some vegetable seeds,” said Aunt Sun while picking out thread.

When Chen Qing first arrived, he wasn’t accustomed to this. In Luohe Village, it didn’t snow in the winter, and fresh leafy greens were available during the cold season.

Although it didn’t snow, it wasn’t any warmer than his hometown. Back home, you could stay warm just by bundling up. In Luohe Village, though, no matter how many layers you wore, the cold found its way in through any gap.

Luckily, though, you didn’t have to buy charcoal here like in his old home, and you wouldn’t freeze to death.

“Okay.” He looked at Aunt Sun with a spark in his eyes. “Can we grow pea shoots?”

Pea shoots were Chen Qing’s favorite food. He especially loved their fresh aroma. He wasn’t picky about food, so it was rare for him to say he liked something.

Seeing his rare excitement, Aunt Sun smiled inwardly. It turns out people still needed feelings and emotions to bring energy to their lives.

Chen Qing used to be listless. Only when Li Xin was around would he show any spark. Now, with Zhou Yuan, you could clearly see more expressions on his face.

Meeting Zhou Yuan was a good thing for Chen Qing.

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