MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 119

The Tang family is one of the prominent family in Hedong Village. Tang Guo’er is the youngest in the family and a young ge’r at that. He was spoiled since childhood, and his temper is sometimes even fiercer than that of men.

 

He was bold and daring enough to chase after Qiao Suiman himself to ask if he would take his crabapples. Although the deal was made, he still got a good scolding once he returned home.

 

Tang Guo’er retorted, “I said I remembered him, and I was sure nothing would happen. That’s why I went to ask him.”

 

Huang Shuang said angrily, “There were so many people on the street. What if there were abductors?”

 

“Mother, I’m this old already. I definitely wouldn’t be taken away,” Tang Guo’er argued.

 

“You child!”

 

Huang Shuang was furious. “That young ge’r selling drinks nearly got into trouble during the Dragon Boat Festival right under the magistrate’s nose. The whole neighboring villages were talking about it.”

 

Tang Guo’er was also watching the races at the time, so he naturally knew about this. It was also at that time that he began to know Qiao Suiman.

 

Tang Guo’er pursed his lips. That incident was indeed frightening. Someone dared to abduct someone away in broad daylight.

 

“I know. I’ll definitely stick with Father next time.”

 

“We shouldn’t have let you do business in the first place,” Huang Shuang sighed. “After that incident with the Fei family, we should have kept you on a tighter leash.”

 

“Pah!” Tang Xiao, who had been silent until now, frowned unhappily. “Is the Fei family worthy of our Guo’er? Fortunately, it didn’t work out!”

 

Huang Shuang also felt displeased recalling the matter. “Nothing was even settled, and they already dared to act like that. They thought they could bully us as easy targets.”[mfn]软柿子 ruǎn shìzǐ (lit. soft persimmon) – someone who’s easy to bully or take advantage of; pushover; easy target[/mfn]

 

Tang Guo’er fell silent and stood to the side without saying a word.

 

Originally, Tang Xiao had taken a liking to a family in the village for him. The Fei family’s youngest son was educated and of the right age, so the marriage was almost settled.

 

But not long after, the Fei family suddenly started picking faults, saying Tang Guo’er’s temperament was too unruly, that he was always out in public and didn’t behave like a proper ge’r. They used this as an excuse to reduce the betrothal gift by two taels of silver, or else they would have to marry another cousin from the Fei family.

 

Tang Xiao and Tang Guo’er’s older brothers were so angry that they went to the Fei family and got into a fight with them. So what if he’s a bit educated? He hadn’t even earned any scholarly title yet and already dared to look down on Tang Guo’er like this. Who knew how they would act in the future?

 

The incident caused quite a stir in Hedong Village, but the Tang family was not to be trifled with in the village, so no one dared to say anything to their faces.

 

Tang Guo’er was even more pleased and at ease. He never wanted to marry that person from the Fei family anyway, as he always thought he looked cunning. It was just that his parents had previously thought he was a scholar, so he was precious.

 

Hmph, Tang Guo’er snorted. He wasn’t as sincere as that person in Qiao-gege‘s family.

 

After settling the matter of delivering fruits with Qiao Suiman, Tang Guo’er forgot about the Fei family incident. He busied himself every day tending to the fruit trees and inquiring about other families’ fruits around the village.

 

Tang Xiao delivered crabapples and persimmons every few days. Tang Guo’er didn’t follow along later but did run into them when he went to town with Tang Xiao to sell pheasants.

 

Qiao Suiman poured him a cup of Persimmons of Good Fortune. After drinking it, Tang Guo’er’s eyes lit up.

 

He loves eating persimmons, but he never expected they could taste even better as a fragrant drink. He already thought Qiao Suiman was impressive, but now he was utterly convinced of his skill.

 

He remembered the day their shop opened and told Tang Xiao several days in advance that he wanted to go. But unexpectedly, his third sister-in-law went into labor that day, and the family was busy all day, so he didn’t get to go.

 

With another chubby little nephew added to the family, Tang Guo’er was very happy. The next day, he went to the shop with a smile.

 

As soon as he arrived, he saw that both the drink shop and the bamboo ware shop were thriving. Tang Guo’er was so stunned he forgot to speak until he heard a soft chuckle beside him.

 

He glanced sideways and saw it was Qiao-gege‘s brother-in-law, Lu Xuesong.

 

Tang Guo’er widened his eyes and whispered, “What are you laughing at?”

 

Before, he even said that his fruits were of different sizes!

 

LLu Xuesong suppressed the smile tugging at his lips and said softly, “I didn’t, I didn’t laugh.”

 

Tang Guo’er found this person really strange. He had only met him twice, and both times he had laughed at him. Tang Guo’er pouted angrily. After Qiao Suiman and the others finished discussing business, he moved the fruits into the storage room with Tang Xiao.

 

Lu Xuesong was very considerate and helped move the things. When no one was paying attention, Tang Guo’er secretly made a face at him. “Nyah nyah nyah.”

 

Lu Xuesong froze on the spot. The young ge’r with red lips and white teeth has a thin layer of sweat on his face from moving things. His eyes and nose scrunched up in a deliberately fierce expression. Lu Xuesong’s heartbeat skipped a beat instantly.

 

Lu Xuesong quickly lowered his head and took a deep breath to suppress his suddenly racing heart.

 

Tang Xiao placed the crabapples in the storage room. Tang Guo’er acted as if nothing had happened and left after a short while, leaving Lu Xuesong standing in the shop in a daze.

 

Earlier, when there were many customers, Tang Guo’er stood close to him to avoid being in the way. Lu Xuesong caught the scent of soapberry on him. That scent, along with Tang Guo’er’s animated face, lingered in his mind and refused to fade.

 

On the way home, Miao Lianhua noticed something was wrong with him and asked, “Lao’er, what’s wrong?”

 

“N-Nothing,” Lu Xuesong stammered.

 

But even after returning home and cleaning the chicken coop, his mind was still a mess. He never had such thoughts before and couldn’t make sense of them for a while.

 

He was away yesterday and today, so the food left for the chickens and ducks was almost gone and the ground was dirty. Lu Xuesong shook his head, finally managing to pull himself out of that unfamiliar emotion.

 

Meanwhile, Tang Guo’er returned home with a mace of silver that Tang Xiao had given him, grinning as he fetched water in the courtyard to wash his hands.

 

Even Tang Ting didn’t have this much money on hand. Getting married isn’t nearly as fun as earning your own money.

 

He didn’t dwell too much on Lu Xuesong laughing at him. After all, he had already retaliated. If he laughed at him again next time, he would just hit him directly like his eldest sister-in-law!

 

Tang Guo’er snorted twice in his heart, completely forgetting that his eldest sister-in-law only hit Tang Yuan because they were married.

 

The weather was warming up. Tang Xiao went hunting in the mountains, so his eldest brother Tang Yuan went with him to deliver fruits to town. The neighbors were easy to talk to, and since they could earn a few wen or so for their hard work, they were all happy.

 

After Tang Xiao returned with a game, Tang Guo’er pestered Huang Shuang until she finally allowed him to go along, but sternly ordered him not to run off. Tang Guo’er agreed, but once at the market, he couldn’t help looking around. This time, he spotted Lu Xuesong.

 

Lu Xuesong was carrying a basket of eggs and chatting with the customers who came to pick them out. Tang Guo’er found it amusing. How could this person talk such nonsense, making the a-mo and aunties laugh nonstop?

 

Tang Xiao was only two zhang away. He meant to call Tang Guo’er back, but someone asked about the game, so he busied himself talking with the customer.

 

Tang Guo’er waited until the group of customers buying the eggs left before approaching. Seeing a basket full of chicken and duck eggs, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow! You raise so many chickens and ducks!”

 

Lu Xuesong was counting copper coins. Hearing the familiar voice, he looked up immediately. Their eyes met and Lu Xuesong’s eyes instantly lit up, his mouth curling into a wide grin. “It’s you.”

 

Perhaps because Lu Xuesong’s gaze was too intense, heat suddenly rushed to Tang Guo’er’s face. It took him a while to find his voice again. “Y-Yes, it’s me.”

 

After saying it, he felt the words were too silly and laughed at himself.

 

Lu Xuesong stood up. He was almost a head taller than Tang Guo’er, who had to look up at him. “So many eggs! How long did it take to save this many?”

 

“These were saved up over four days,” Lu Xuesong said quite proudly.

 

Tang Guo’er’s lips parted slightly. To save this many in just four days, how many chickens and ducks must they have at home?

 

When he went to the Lu family before the New Year, he did smell chicken and duck droppings, but he never expected there to be so many.

 

Lu Xuesong was usually talkative, but now he didn’t know what to say. Then he remembered how his big brother often brought snacks home for Xiao Man-ge, so giving food probably wouldn’t be wrong. He picked out two slightly larger eggs, placed them in his palm, and offered them to Tang Guo’er. “The hens just started laying not long ago, so the eggs are small. Take these two to eat.”

 

Tang Guo’er quickly waved his hands. “No, no, eggs are so precious. You should keep them to sell.”

 

“There are plenty. These two won’t make a difference,” Lu Xuesong said and pursed his lips, his eyes full of expectation.

 

This was the first time he was giving something to a ge’r and he didn’t want to be rejected by Tang Guo’er.

 

Seeing that more people were coming to look at the eggs, Tang Guo’er couldn’t refuse and carefully accepted them, saying, “I’ll bring you persimmons to eat next time.”

 

“Great!”

 

Lu Xuesong said happily. “I come every four or five days. What about you?”

 

“I’m not sure. I come when Father catches game,” Tang Guo’er replied truthfully.

 

Tang Xiao called him from over there. Not wanting to be lectured when he got home, Tang Guo’er said, “Anyway, I’ll definitely return the favor!” and ran back to Tang Xiao’s side.

 

Lu Xuesong smiled until his eyes curved. The fulang next to him couldn’t help but urge, “He’s gone. You still planning to do business today?”

 

“Yes, yes. A-mo, take a look.” Lu Xuesong scratched his head shyly and continued attending to customers.

 

The eggs were small, but Lu Xuesong sold them cheaper than others and gave an extra one for larger purchases, so business was pretty good.

 

The fulang chuckled as he settled the bill and teased, “Was that little ge’r your betrothed fulang?”

 

“No!” Lu Xuesong widened his eyes and said in a low voice, “A-mo, you can’t say such things recklessly.”

 

“You kid.”

 

The fulang was amused by how panicked he looked. “So it’s not settled yet, huh? Put in more effort. Show yourself in front of him more often, and it’ll work out.”

 

Lu Xuesong’s face turned beet red. He couldn’t say a single word in reply.

 

Over there, Tang Guo’er obediently returned to Tang Xiao’s side, still a bit dazed with the eggs in his hand.

 

“Did he give them to you?” Tang Xiao raised a brow and asked, not too pleased.

 

“Yes,” Tang Guo’er nodded. “He said they have lots of eggs at home and gave me two to eat.”

 

“He gives, and you just take!”

 

Tang Xiao wanted to pinch Tang Guo’er’s ear. If it were any of his sons, he would have taught them a lesson already, but it was his youngest one, whom he had doted on for over ten years.

 

“He insisted on giving them to me. I told him I’d treat him to persimmons next time. Persimmons cost about the same as eggs, so he’s not losing out,” Tang Guo’er said softly.

 

“Next time?!”

 

Tang Xiao turned and glared at Lu Xuesong. That brat, with just a few words, had tricked Tang Guo’er into meeting him again.

 

“Ah, maybe Qiao-gege told him to give them to me. Father, don’t tell Mother, or she won’t let me come next time.”

 

Tang Guo’er grabbed Tang Xiao’s sleeve and shook it. “Father, please don’t say anything, okay? I’ll share it with you. We can have one each.”

 

“You…” Tang Xiao was always helpless against Tang Guo’er. His brows were tightly furrowed, but he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

 

Seeing an opportunity, Tang Guo’er quickly leaned in. “Father, you agreed!”

 

“Don’t bother hiding it. Just say I bought them for you,” Tang Xiao said with a sigh.

 

Tang Guo’er immediately broke into a smile. “Thank you, Father!”

 

“Don’t run over on your own next time. What will people think if they see you?” Tang Xiao said seriously, thinking of what those people had said before.

 

“Those people love to talk nonsense. They have to comment on everything, even when doing business. They’re just jealous of us.”

 

Tang Guo’er said angrily, “If the person I marry in the future is like that, I’d rather not marry.”

 

“What are you talking about!”

 

Tang Xiao lectured nonstop on the way back. Tang Guo’er looked up at the sky helplessly, still clutching the two eggs Lu Xuesong had given him.

 

Whether it’s a scholar or not, no one is as honest as Lu Xuesong.

 

 

 

 

 

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