Chapter 13: A Desperate Attempt from the Grandma
Lu Tong felt so grieved by Chen Xiao Mi’s harsh remark, she came back home crying out loud.
“Mom, how come you have married Lu Lin into such an uncouth family, that Chen Xiao Mi is a barbarian!”
Lu Tong’s mother, Tang, was so indignant after hearing that. She would make a scene if it were Lu Lin who dared confront Lu Tong, but she could only hold back her anger when hear daughter said it was Chen Xiao Mi who had made impertinent remarks.
That Chen Xiao Mi was a notorious boor in Big Stone Village, and he would seek revenge for the smallest grievance, even the hooligans in the village chose to stay at a respectful distance from him.
Tang had to suppress the indignation despite herself.
‘Hmm, it looks like we cannot count on Lu Lin any more.’
Tang wasn’t doing so great herself, she was used to slacking off and ordering Lu Lin’s mother around when that poor woman was alive. And naturally she tended to order Lu Lin around after his other had passed away.
But Tang had to take up the farm work and house chores after Lu Lin was married.
Tang’s husband almost beat her up due to her bad cooking if not for her son.
Lu Lin’s grandfather, however, had seen this coming. He didn’t look particularly bothered by that.
Lu Lin’s grandmother, Wang, didn’t take it well because she was used to boss the poor boy around, she burst into loud sobs and accused Lu Lin of being unfilial. Lu Lin’s grandfather found that annoying and urged her to stop.
Wang feared her husband, but she really missed the days when Lu Lin was at her mercy, so she decided to make a scene in public, she wailed miserably in the field.
“My poor grandson is bullied by Chen Xiao Mi, that Chen Xiao Mi doesn’t even allow my grandson to come back home and help with the Autumn Harvest… …”
But no one dared to ask Wang for more details since Chen Xiao Mi was involved. Plus it was known to all that the Lus had sold Lu Lin to Chen Xiao Mi by 10 taels of silver!
A lot of villagers were intrigued by the money Chen Xiao Mi offered back then, but no one wanted to betroth Chen Xiao Mi. To their surprise, the Lus, a wealthy family in the village, was willing to marry Lu Lin into Chen Xiao Mi’s family. So a lot of villagers had been talking about the Lus behind their back, ‘that family is so greedy’, ‘they are willing to do anything for money’, ‘the length they will go just for money’… …
Some married women would go back to their maiden family to help out, but no one could say anything if they couldn’t make it.
The Lus had married Lu Lin into Chen Xiao Mi’s family, so technically, it was fair and reasonable that Chen Xiao Mi didn’t allow Lu Lin to go back.
No one showed any sympathy for Wang, the village head had even scolded her.
Lu Lin was digging Chinese yam when a villager called his name gently.
“Lin.”
The villager stared at Lu Lin with his eyes full of sympathy, and Lu Lin found that rather odd.
The villager was Zhang Jin, the village head’s son. Lu Lin searched the host’s memory, this Zhang Jin was a nice young man who was happy to render help to others.
Lu Lin shook his head resignedly, ‘No wonder he is looking at me like this, I must be a tragedy in people’s eyes.’
“Lin, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Lu Lin smiled.
Zhang Jin had interpreted that smile as a forced smile.
The villagers had heard Lu Lin had been venturing into the mountains with Chen Xiao Mi, and they had something to say.
“Poor Lu Lin, he needs to set aside his worries and have a good rest but look at what that Chen Xiao Mi has done to him! He forced Lu Lin to venture into the mountains, tut tut tut, how dangerous is that! Hopefully he won’t be attacked by those animala!”
“Chen Xiao Mi asks you to eat these muddy sticks?” Zhang Jin’s voice dripped sympathy.
Zhang Jin had eaten these sticks in lean years before, he deemed them rather unpalatable.
Lu Lin noticed Zhang Jin’s expression, but he didn’t explain anything.
“These sticks are very filling, they are really nice.”
Zhang Jin was sure that Lu Lin was abused by Chen Xiao Mi, he said, “You can always come to me for help, you know.”
Lu Lin smiled and said, “Thank you for your kindness, please excuse me now, I need to collet some firewood.”
Zhang Jin nodded.
Lu Lin had heard the farce Wang had made in the field on the way back home, but he wasn’t bothered by that at all.
People in that time and space valued reputation more than anything, but Lu Lin wasn’t like that, reputation was the least of his concern, he just wanted to improve the quality of life through hard work.
Maybe the host Lu Lin would be sad that his entire family wanted to take advantage of him, but this Lu Lin wasn’t bothered by them for he only saw them as strangers.