Chapter 10

With the promise of braised fish as motivation, the Jiang brothers worked even harder, and by the end of the day, they had built more than half of the wall using stones and bricks.

The wall adjoining the Lin family’s property was built a little higher at Jiang Qiuyue’s request, to prevent the Lin family from spying on her.

That evening, she prepared a plate of pickled cucumbers—both crisp and spicy. Lin Beibei’s mouth was oily from the leftover bone broth poured over his rice, but the pickled cucumbers were a bit too spicy for him.

“So spicy, so spicy!” Lin Beibei gulped his soup eagerly, his small mouth bright red like an apple. After these past few days of being well-fed, his face looked noticeably smoother.

Jiang Qiuyue enjoyed spicy food; children, after all, would get used to it by eating more. She hadn’t been out in the sun lately, and her skin had visibly improved, no longer peeling.

She wondered when Lin Dazhu’s snowflake cream would arrive—she was growing impatient.

The next morning, as soon as Jiang Qiuyue got up, Niu Jianshe was already working with two cousins. Upon seeing Jiang Qiuyue, Jiang Youcai was the first to greet her, “Good morning, sister-in-law.”

Jiang Qiuyue smiled at the young men and took the two children to brush their teeth.

“Brother Jianshe, Lin family’s eldest brother is truly lucky,” Jiang Youcai suddenly remarked. “Qiuyue looks good and is capable. It’s just a pity they live apart; Lin Dazhu can’t enjoy her cooking.”

When Lin Dazhu was mentioned, Niu Jianshe recalled clearly that he was the only one from their village who had joined the army. “Qiuyue marrying Dazhu isn’t bad at all. Dazhu sends a good amount of living expenses every month. Now that Qiuyue has her own household, life won’t be hard going forward. Enough talk—get back to work! You eat the most, so you better work harder!”

Jiang Youcai withdrew his gaze and cheerfully carried bricks, thinking to himself that he also needed to find a wife who could cook.

After breakfast, Lin Beibei and Lin Nannan insisted on helping carry bricks, while Jiang Qiuyue sat under the eaves, fanning herself with a palm leaf fan.

She spent money to make her life easier.

Before lunchtime, as Jiang Qiuyue pondered what to do to pass the time, she noticed a crowd approaching their home aggressively.

“Who are they?” Jiang Youcai asked.

Niu Dali squinted and replied, “They’re from neighboring Xinghua Village. What are they doing here?”

Jiang Qiuyue straightened up and quietly circled around to the Lin family’s doorstep as the group charged toward the Lin household.

Bored and with nothing else to do, she figured she might as well watch the drama unfold.

“Lin Sanzhu! Come out!” shouted a burly man over six feet tall.

“Who is it? Calling out so early—what’s the matter?” Wang Chunhua grumbled as she stepped out. “What do you want with Sanzhu?”

“He bullied my sister. Doesn’t the Lin family owe us an explanation?” The man named Zhang Peng smiled grimly as Lin Sanzhu approached. Zhang Peng grabbed him like a chick. “You promised to marry her by year’s end. I heard your family split up, and all the assets went to your sister-in-law. Was this on purpose?”

Lin Sanzhu protested, “Brother, the family split was unexpected. My sister-in-law is a shrew; even our parents can’t handle her. But I really want to marry Xiaomin—I swear on heaven!”

“Marry? Ha! Where are you going to find two hundred yuan in half a year?” Zhang Peng slammed Lin Sanzhu onto the ground. Someone had tipped him off that Lin Sanzhu was mistreating his sister, and now the Lin family had divided.

Zhang Peng knew about Lin Sanzhu’s relationship with his sister because Lin Sanzhu had promised two hundred yuan as a bride price, which was why their family agreed.

From the Zhang family’s perspective, it seemed suspicious that Lin Sanzhu would cause trouble and that the amount was exactly two hundred yuan.

They believed the Lin family was trying to renege, taking advantage of the sister without paying a high bride price, so they came to cause a scene.

Lin Sanzhu indeed couldn’t produce two hundred yuan. When his father came out, he quickly dusted himself off and whispered, “Dad, what should we do now? Zhang Peng is Xiaomin’s elder brother.”

Last time, while helping Xiaomin gather firewood, he promised her he could raise the two hundred yuan bride price and even kissed her. If he went back on his word, Zhang Peng would beat him to death.

Lin Fugui glared at his youngest son, then addressed the Zhang family, “Zhang Peng, these young people are dating by mutual consent. Nobody forced anyone. Sanzhu hasn’t slept with your sister. How is that bullying?”

“You old Lin! Your family promised a bride price and now refuses to keep it. Isn’t that bullying?” Zhang Peng clenched his fists.

Lin Fugui retorted, “Who said that? Me? Or Sanzhu’s mother? Did we come to your home to formally discuss the bride price and set it down?”

They hadn’t. It was only Lin Sanzhu who had made the promise to Zhang Xiaomin.

“You… don’t twist the facts. Isn’t what Sanzhu said your family’s position?”

Zhang Peng, desperate for money and sensing Lin Fugui was stalling, raised a wooden bucket and smashed it on the ground. “I’ll let you stall all you want. Brothers, smash it! I want to see if the Lin family is scared!”

Lin Erzhu and Qian Li stayed in the kitchen, too afraid to go out, watching Zhang Peng break several items. Qian Li was anxious and heartbroken.

“Be quiet! Zhang Peng is so big; if I go out, I’ll just get beaten,” Lin Erzhu said, equally afraid but also sympathetic.

Wang Chunhua shouted through the crowd, “Murder!” It wasn’t until Niu Zhuangzhuang called Hu Haizhi that Zhang Peng and his group stopped.

“Captain, you finally arrived! If you hadn’t come, my whole family would have been beaten to death!” Wang Chunhua wailed.

At this moment, Lin Erzhu finally opened the door.

Jiang Qiuyue had witnessed everything in the courtyard and shook her head in disapproval. Lin Erzhu lacked responsibility, and Lin Sanzhu was impatient and impulsive. No wonder they were the sons of Wang Chunhua and Lin Fugui—no redeeming qualities.

Hu Haizhi, seeing the Lin family’s courtyard in ruins, frowned and asked Zhang Peng, “Do you think there’s no one in Taohua Village? How dare you bully people like this?”

“Who bullied whom? Lin Sanzhu promised to marry my sister but can’t come up with the bride price now. What am I supposed to do?” Zhang Peng panted heavily.

Lin Fugui hurried to explain, “Captain, don’t misunderstand. The kids are just dating; I’ve never met Zhang Xiaomin. Neither family has agreed to anything, let alone engagement or bride price. You have to help us. Look at my home—trashed like this. How are we supposed to live?”

Hu Haizhi had been running around several times already over Lin family matters and was frustrated. He asked Lin Sanzhu what he’d done while dating.

“Nothing… nothing really. I just cut firewood with Xiaomin and helped her carry water.”

“Did you touch the girl?”

“I…”

“Tell the truth!”

“I… just kissed her, just once!” Lin Sanzhu burst into tears. “Captain, I’m sincere about marrying Xiaomin. I didn’t do anything else.”

Hearing this, Hu Haizhi was nearly convinced. “Since both young people are willing, Zhang Peng, can’t you just sit down and talk? The Lin family can’t afford two hundred yuan. Can’t you ask for less? Usually, it’s about a hundred yuan. You’re marrying your sister, not selling her!”

At this point, Elder Xu, who had come to watch, recognized Zhang Peng and immediately said, “Captain, his wife had an affair with his father. They were recently sent to labor reform. Zhang Peng wants to marry a new wife himself. Since no one else can come up with two hundred yuan, he’s trying to force the Lin family to pay!”

“Old woman, what nonsense are you talking?” Zhang Peng was embarrassed in public, pointing angrily at Elder Xu.

Elder Xu puffed out her chest and stood her ground. “Come on, if you have the guts, beat me to death! Your family’s reputation is ruined. Knowing your sister can’t get married, you come here to extort money. Your whole family stinks!”

A few days ago, Jiang Qiuyue had heard Elder Xu gossip about this scandal and never expected to see the people involved in person.

One had to admit, Lin Sanzhu had an eye for families to choose this one.

The crowd grew larger, so Jiang Qiuyue brought over a wooden stool to stand on for a better view.

Wang Chunhua, upon hearing about the Zhang family’s scandal, declared, “So it’s your family that’s rotten! Your sister can’t be a good person. Even if you gave me money, I wouldn’t let my son marry her. How dare you come here and cause trouble? You owe me compensation, or you don’t leave!”

“Mom!” Lin Sanzhu still liked Zhang Xiaomin but was pushed away by his mother.

Wang Chunhua raised her voice, “Everyone come see! The Zhangs from Xinghua Village are shameless. Father-in-law had an affair with his daughter-in-law, and they haven’t been divorced ten days yet, and Zhang Peng is already looking for a new wife. Zhang Peng, since you like someone else so much, I bet you two have been plotting for a long time!”

Her words sparked whispers and speculation. Indeed, Zhang Peng’s wife had been sent to labor reform just days ago, prompting many suspicions.

The Zhang family members present, hearing these accusations from everyone, couldn’t stay no matter how thick-skinned they were.

Without any backup, Zhang Peng lost his nerve instantly. Yet he couldn’t leave. Wang Chunhua sat down, clutching his leg. “You’re not leaving until you pay me compensation.”

Hu Haizhi agreed with Wang Chunhua. Zhang Peng had broken so many things and of course should pay for them.

Seeing how much trouble the Lin family caused, Hu Haizhi suddenly thought of Jiang Qiuyue and couldn’t imagine how hard her life must have been before.

Jiang Qiuyue, seeing Zhang Peng forced to pay, knew today’s drama was over. She took out the fish she had pickled the day before and began cooking.

Once the oil was hot in the pan, she sprinkled some salt and fried the fish on both sides until golden. Then she added a handful of fresh ginger and cooking wine, letting the aroma release before adding soy sauce to bring out a rich savory flavor. Finally, she added a dash of vinegar and sugar to enhance the taste, poured in hot water, covered the pot, and simmered.

Soon, the fragrance filled the small courtyard.

Zhang Peng was still held at the Lin household, there for money, but with an empty pocket.

Lin Erzhu went to Xinghua Village to collect the money, paying one hand while releasing the other.

Some idle onlookers at the Lin house caught a whiff of the aroma and grew curious.

“It’s braised fish—so fragrant!”

“Yes, yes, it smells amazing. Whose cooking is that?”

“Seems to be from the right side… no, the left!”

Before anyone realized it was Jiang Qiuyue, her corn cakes were ready—one side gleaming golden, the other crisp and fragrant.

After taking out the corn cakes, she added a handful of soaked homemade sweet potato noodles to the pot. The noodles bubbled and simmered for two minutes. Finally, she tossed in some scallion leaves for fragrance and tasted the seasoning—just right.

“Time to eat!” she announced. Jiang Youcai was the first to drop his hoe and wash his hands, while the sensible Lin Beibei helped gather bowls and chopsticks.

Those in the neighboring Lin family courtyard finally realized Jiang Qiuyue was cooking.

“When did Qiuyue get so good at cooking?” someone asked.

“You never ate her food before, how would you know?”

“Smells delicious. I want to see if it really is braised fish!”

Hearing a knock, Jiang Qiuyue carried a bowl to the door and saw Zhou Cuicui standing outside. She blocked her from entering.

That day when she had hit Lin Sanzhu, Zhou Cuicui had defended him. Jiang Qiuyue was petty and wouldn’t let her into the courtyard.

“Qiuyue, where did you get the fish? It smells so good.” Zhou Cuicui peered inside, the aroma teasing her nose. It was nearly mealtime, and her stomach rumbled.

She stretched her neck to look, but Jiang Qiuyue blocked her view.

“Of course I bought it. Do you need something, Sister Zhou?” Jiang Qiuyue said with a forced smile, deliberately slurping some noodles in front of her.

The noodles soaked in fish broth were smooth and flavorful. She bit into a large piece of corn cake, utterly satisfied.

Zhou Cuicui thought her intentions were obvious, yet Jiang Qiuyue still wouldn’t let her in. How stingy! It was just stewed fish. So many were eating it—what harm was there in sharing a bite?

Before she could speak, Jiang Qiuyue said, “It’s getting late. Sister Zhou, you should go home. I’m about to eat,” then shut the door coldly.

Tch, she could clearly see Zhou Cuicui swallowing hard. Jiang Qiuyue’s cooking wasn’t for just anyone!

Zhou Cuicui cursed silently as she left. After Jiang Qiuyue’s family finished eating, Lin Erzhu brought Zhang Xiaomin over.

Wang Chunhua didn’t hesitate and drove Zhang Xiaomin away, not giving her a chance to play the martyr.

On the way back to Xinghua Village, Zhang Xiaomin gritted her teeth and whispered, “Brother, with all this trouble, Lin Sanzhu and I are done for. But Sanzhu is dumb. Next time I’ll coax him to secretly give me some money.”

“One or two yuan won’t help,” Zhang Peng said angrily, quickening his pace home.

Zhang Xiaomin wiped her eyes, recalling Lin Sanzhu saying Jiang Qiuyue was weak and incompetent. Since the money was in Jiang Qiuyue’s hands, she’d have to think of another plan.

Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuyue was unaware that Zhang Xiaomin had set her sights on her. After lunch, as she was about to rest, a postal delivery arrived.

Hearing it was from the military, Jiang Qiuyue eagerly took the package back to her room to open.