MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 2

Qiao Suiman had long grown accustomed to some villagers avoiding him. However, Chen Xuesheng looked even angrier than he was.

 

Qiao Suiman could not help but laugh as he reached out and poked Chen Xuesheng’s puffed-up cheeks. “You always get angrier than I do when these things happen. I don’t care what they think. It’s not like they’re saying something to my face. But if you make yourself sick with anger, what then? I’d hate to see that.”

 

Heijin, who had been trotting beside them, suddenly nuzzled against Qiao Suiman’s legs while wagging its tail. Having raised the dog for years, Qiao Suiman knew it was begging for affection. Squatting was impossible with a basket strapped to his back, but Heijin had grown tall over the years, now reaching up to his thighs. So he bent slightly to stroke its fur and said, “I know you’re a good boy. Go play.”

 

Heijin  is smart. Knowing that they were almost home, it dashed off without another glance.

 

Chen Xuesheng sighed at Qiao Suiman’s carefree grin. “You’re always so good at sweet-talking. Why don’t you take this seriously? You’re almost seventeen and still haven’t settled on a match. Ruifeng-ge should be worrying about this for you.”

 

“He does worry,” Qiao Suiman replied, licking his dry lips under the scorching sun. “But people are afraid of ending up with a wastrel like my dad. Who would dare come knocking?” He sighed. “These things can’t be rushed anyway. I’ll drop these things off at your place first and grab some water. It’s too hot today.”

 

“Of course! You know there’s always water for you at my house, Drink as much as you want.” Chen Xuesheng had known Qiao Suiman since childhood and recognized when he wanted to change the subject. “By the way, guess who that guy was walking with Li Da earlier.”

 

Never one to hold back, Chen Xuesheng didn’t wait for an answer. “He’s from a family that fled the north surnamed Lu. I heard his name is Lu Dongqing. He’s so tall and looks strong, though a bit intimidating. If his family hadn’t lost everything and only had a few barren acres left, with that face of his, I bet plenty would be lining up to marry him.”

 

Chen Xuesheng had always been blunt, speaking whatever came to mind. The road was not empty as some villagers passed in small groups.

 

Worried that his friend’s loud mouth would spark rumors, Qiao Suiman quickly cut in, “If Wang Qi-ge heard you talking like this, he’d be jealous. Be careful as someone might tattle on you.”

 

Two years ago, Chen Xuesheng had been betrothed to Wang Qi, the eldest son of the village butcher. They were supposed to marry last autumn, but the Wang family matriarch passed away, forcing a year-long mourning period and delaying the wedding.

 

Chen Xuesheng scoffed. “Wang Qi wouldn’t care. Old Lady Lin’s the biggest gossip in the village, and he hates idle chatter. He wouldn’t listen to them.”

 

Still, he lowered his voice. “My father said the Lu family might’ve fled here, but they know that teacher from the Yun—” He paused, struggling to recall the name. “Yun… ah, Yunlang Academy in town. When the county yayi[mfn]衙役 – a yamen runner, a low-ranking officer in ancient Chinese local government, bailiffs[/mfn] arranged their resettlement last year, that xiucai[mfn]秀才 – it referred to people who passed the lowest level of imperial examination and were able to study in prefectural and county schools; generally refers to scholars or people with certain cultural knowledge[/mfn] even went to speak to the village head.”

 

“A xiucai?”

 

In farming villages, people lived off the land. Educated folks were rare and only wealthier families could afford to send their kids to learn a few characters.

 

Qiao Suiman wasn’t surprised the man was a refugee, but he didn’t expect him to know a scholar. Most villagers had never even met a literate person, let alone a xiucai. That piqued his curiosity. “What does he usually do? Is he a scholar too?” He shook his head almost immediately. Scholars were supposed to study at home. So why would he wander into the mountains?

 

Chen Xuesheng only knew bits from his father. “Seems like he’s got some skills. People say they’ve seen him gathering herbs. Sounds impressive, right?”

 

No wonder he went deep into the woods. He was foraging for medicine. Qiao Suiman didn’t dwell on it further as they arrived at the Chen residence.

 

——

 

“Xiao Man, you’ve got so much here. These will sell for a good sum,” Zhou Shuifen said, handing Qiao Suiman a bowl of water before unpacking the bamboo basket. Qiao Suiman already arranged everything neatly, making the sorting easier.

 

Chen Xuesheng watched admiringly. He could never wake up early enough to trek so far for mushrooms. “Right? It’s heavy, they’re definitely worth a lot.”

 

Qiao Suiman sat on a stone stool in the Chen family’s courtyard to catch his breath. The water soothed his parched throat. “Luck was on my side today. I’ve never found this much before.”

 

He set the empty bowl aside and placed the prickly ash shoots on the table. “Aunt Shuifen, take these for stir-fried eggs. Pick some mushrooms for soup too, they’re fresh. I’ll save some for my brother-in-law to nourish him, and the rest can go to town with Uncle Ping.”

 

Zhou Shuifen eyed the overflowing basket of wild vegetables and mushrooms, then took in Qiao Suiman’s mud-splattered shoes and patched clothes, with his hair dotted with burrs. The boy had clearly walked far.

 

At the same age, her own ge’r had never faced hardship, yet Qiao Suiman had suffered plenty. She’d always pitied the Qiao brothers and wouldn’t take more than necessary. “The prickly ash shoots are enough. I won’t take the rest. Keep some for your family and let your Uncle Ping sell the rest. The more money you make, the better life will be.”

 

The Qiao family struggled. Though they have land and all three could earn odd coins, it was never enough to offset Qiao Chengfu’s squandering. Filial piety bound them. No matter how much she disliked Qiao Chengfu, she couldn’t suggest they abandon their father. All she could do was help where possible.

 

Qiao Suiman didn’t insist. Zhou Shuifen wasn’t one for empty courtesy, and if she refused, no amount of persuasion would change her mind. Pressing further might even offend her, as if implying that her help came with strings. He would never want to put her in that position.

 

Today’s haul was mostly mushrooms. Though wild greens were plentiful, none were as valuable. This season prized fresh fungi, and wealthy families in town considered them delicacies.

 

Huanglaitou[mfn]黄赖头 – a type of medicinal wild mushroom[/mfn] dominated the batch, with three as large as palms, weighing over two jin[mfn]斤 – a traditional Chinese unit of weight, approximately 500 grams[/mfn]. Smaller ones were toxic unless cooked with ample oil and strong spices, so few villagers bothered despite their delicious taste.

 

Though rapeseed and soybeans could be pressed for oil, farmers sold most of their harvest, keeping only what they needed. No one would waste oil on mushrooms when meat was a far better use of money.

 

The wealthy thought differently. Rare treats like these were novelties and spending a few mace[mfn]钱 – a small unit of currency, historically equivalent to 1/10 of a tael[/mfn] for a taste was nothing. Some lords even paid dozens of taels for game from hunters so why balk at mere mushrooms?

 

Hoping to maximize the profit, Qiao Suiman had scoured the hills for the most valuable varieties. Besides huanglaitou, he also found chicken fir[mfn]鸡枞 – when this mushroom grows up, it looks like an umbrella cap. As time goes by, its umbrella cap will unfold like chicken feathers, so it is named “chicken fir” (Baidu)[/mfn], red and green mushrooms, though small and light. Still, any free income was better than none.

 

As midday approached, Qiao Suiman placed the mushrooms and greens into separate bags and baskets provided by Zhou Shuifen before placing them onto Chen Ping’s cart for town. He kept a few mixed mushrooms and a handful of morels that were too few to sell for his family.

 

It was time to head home. After thanking Zhou Shuifen, Qiao Suiman hoisted his now half-empty basket that was covered with a rain cape, and left. Though neighbors, the Qiao and Chen homes were separated by a plot Zhou Shuifen and Qin Yu had tilled for vegetables, saving their fields for crops.

 

The Qiao family’s collapse, which was formerly prosperous, is now a village lore. Their house, featuring a rare brick-and-tile structure with three bedrooms, a dedicated kitchen, and storage sheds, now stands as a testament to past glory destroyed by Qiao Chengfu’s excesses.

 

Qiao Suiman froze as he entered their courtyard. Sitting in the main room was Aunt Lin, the woman he and Chen Xuesheng had just discussed.

 

His brother and brother-in-law sat with her with their expressions grim. This couldn’t be good.

 

Before Qiao Ruifeng or Qin Yu could speak, Lin Xiuhua spotted him and crowed, “Ah, look at our Man-ge’er! So handsome! Easily one of the prettiest in the village!”

 

She moved to grab his hands, but Qiao Suiman dodged by pretending to adjust his basket straps and swiftly stepping beside Qin Yu. He dipped his head slightly. “Aunt Lin.”

 

“Tsk, so shy! Rui-xiaozi[mfn]小子 – an affectionate or casual term for a young boy/man, similar to “lad,” “youngster,” or “kid”[/mfn], I’ve said it before. Man-g’er’s nearly seventeen and there’s still no marriage prospects? Unacceptable! As his elder brother, you should be looking into it!”

 

Qiao Suiman rolled his eyes internally. Weren’t you the one who said I was cursed to ruin families? But he stayed silent.

 

“So that’s why you’re here,” Qin Yu said coldly, brows furrowed. He’d never liked Lin Xiuhua’s meddling. “No wonder you wouldn’t get to the point earlier, you were waiting for Xiao Man.” He disliked Lin Xiuhua’s meddling. She was always stirring up drama, and now she was prying into Qiao Suiman’s birth details without manners.

 

“Yu-ge’er, as his brother-in-law, you should guide him. If he waits too long, it’ll be harder to marry him off.” Lin Xiuhua sighed theatrically, clapping her hands. “I’ve watched Man-ge’er grow up. I’m just worried. He can’t stay home forever and invite gossip!”

 

“This is his home. What gossip?” Qin Yu’s patience thinned. “If you’re here to propose a match, shouldn’t you discuss it with Ruifeng and me first? It’s improper to involve an unmarried ge’r.”

 

Qiao Ruifeng nodded. “Xiao Man, go to your room. We’ll call you later.”

 

“Understood, Ge[mfn]older brother[/mfn].”

 

“Wait, wait!” Lin Xiuhua protested. “Your family’s different. Let him stay! He should know about his future in-laws!”

 

She had come prepared, thinking the Qiao family should be grateful for her matchmaking efforts. Their dismissive attitude irked her, but she swallowed her anger for the sake of sealing the deal.

 

Qiao Ruifeng slammed his water bowl down, splashing the liquid inside. “What ‘future in-laws’? None of this is decided. Don’t spread nonsense.”

 

His glare made Lin Xiuhua flinch. Normally, she’d curse anyone who dared look at her like that, but today’s goal kept her in check. “I’m just thinking of you boys. Your father ruined your family. You can’t go on like this, barely scraping by. They’re offering two taels of betrothal money!”

 

Qiao Suiman had heard enough and turned toward his room.

 

Lin Xiuhau raised her voice. “Man-ge’er, do you want your brother to support you forever? They’re not even asking for a dowry. You will earn two taels! Don’t you care about your brother and brother-in-law? After all they’ve done for you—”

 

“Xiao Man, go.” Qiao Ruifeng cut her off sharply.

 

Qiao Suiman obeyed, shutting the door behind him. Lin Xiuhua’s intentions were clear. She sees him as a burden and wants him married off for the betrothal money.

 

“Black-hearted wretch,” He couldn’t help muttering under his breath. He didn’t believe for a second she’d arrange a good match. Any decent prospect would’ve gone to her own daughters or nieces first. But he had to endure it. The thought made his teeth ache. It’s better to think about lunch.

 

“Rui-xiaozi, you—” Lin Xiuhua began, but Qiao Ruifeng interrupted.

 

“Auntie, if you’re serious, name the family. No need for theatrics. Xiao Man is my brother.” He scoffed. “I don’t plan to live off his betrothal money.”

 

Lin Xiuhua, known for funneling resources to her own family, missed the jab. She assumed Qiao Ruifeng was just prideful. What family didn’t keep the betrothal money? Unless… if the Qiao family let Qiao Suiman take it to his new home, wouldn’t it end up back with the groom’s family? The thought pleased her.

 

Sitting back, she smiled obsequiously, wrinkles creasing her forehead. “It’s my nephew from Hexi Village. Twenty-two, just delayed in marrying. I’ll be honest. My family is well-off with plenty of land. Man-ge’r will live comfortably.”

 

Lin Xiuhua had only one brother, who in turn had only one son. Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu immediately knew whom she meant. But that nephew…

 

 

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