Chapter 141: Pick up the Phone
Sun Dahai had to be rushed to the hospital again; this time, Zhu Yueju forked out the money for his treatment.
Wang Chuyan went to Su Wen’s place and returned shortly after. Judging from Li Youcai’s expression, Wang Chuyan knew the matter was far from settled. “So Little Wen refused to compensate him, I take it?”
“It’s not that she isn’t willing to compensate him; she just doesn’t feel it necessary to take the initiative to broach the topic of compensation with Zhu Yueju.” Wang Chunyan thought about what Su Wen had said and felt very pleased.
Little Wen had grown up. She was already much better at thinking and working things to her advantage. It reminded Wang Chyan of Su Wen’s mother. The two of them were as good as peas in a pod.
Su Wen’s mother had also been smart and bold.
Li Youcai was stunned when he heard this but quickly understood Su Wen’s intent. He fell silent, agreeing with Su Wen’s course of action.
She was willing to provide compensation but would not do so at the expense of bowing her head to Zhu Yueju.
To do so was to leap into a bottomless pit of greed.
The Sun family would have to ask for compensation if they wanted it. In this case, Old Man Sun would need to step forward and ask for it. Although Old Man Sun was vicious, he was also a man of his word.
“This matter won’t be resolved amicably.” Little Wen’s attitude was clear – she did not take the Sun family to heart.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll go into town and call Hengyang using the phone booth outside the post office. He’ll return if I ask him to.” Having made up his mind, Li Youcai left for the town.
Before Zhou Hengyang left, he had asked Li Youcai to watch over Su Wen and her family. Hengyang even gave him his contact details once he had everything set up, including his current address and phone number. Hengyang had tried contacting him then but was indisposed, so he only received the details when he attended the town assembly.
Who would have thought he would need to contact Hengyang so soon?
Since Hengyang left, Little Wen had been up to mischief almost every other day of the week. Li Youcai needed Hengyang to rein in his wife.
Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble she would cause in the future?
Changhe Machinery Factory- –
Zhou Hengyang had arrived much later than usual. He had a dream he should not have had the night before. He had been so angry that he had not slept well the entire night. When he woke up in the morning, he had to do 200 push-ups before he calmed down.
He wore a simple short-sleeved shirt when he went out, showing off his impressive musculature. With fine beads of sweat clinging to his wheat-colored skin, he seemed to exude an alluring luster in the early morning light.
Standing at an impressive 1.86 meters, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a bubble butt, and long, toned legs, Zhou Hengyang cut a striking figure that would have made anyone swoon. All who laid eyes on him found themselves staring, enraptured, almost as if they hoped to undress him with their eyes alone.
Even more infuriating was that Zhou Hengyang did not care what others thought of him.
Some might have called him oblivious, but that was far from the truth. He simply could not be bothered by those who held no meaning to him in his eyes.
Was it an infuriating sight?
Absolutely!
In any case, Liu Chun was thoroughly jealous. He kept making funny faces behind Zhou Hengyang’s back, going so far as to grab a tape measure and mime himself taking measurements of his friend’s slender waist.
Zhou Hengyang did not even turn around as he grabbed hold of Liu Chun.
“Why don’t you keep your hands to yourself? If you’re tired of them, I can always remove them for you.”
“H-haha! Hengyang, I was wrong.” Embarrassed, Liu Chun hastily changed the topic. “Hengyang, why did you chase away the secretary I hired?”
With the factory developing nicely, the list of things requiring Zhou
Hengyang’s attention grew, and he needed someone to help him organize the documents based on their importance. That, coupled with Hengyang’s engine research, had caused him to lose a lot of weight from many a sleepless night.
Zhou Hengyang knew he needed a secretary.
“Hire a male one.”
Hire a male one.”
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“Ah? Alright! Yes, a male secretary sounds like a better idea.” Liu Chun was quick on the uptake and realized what the problem was. Indeed, it would not be a good idea to have women ogling Hengyang at work. If his sister-in-law knew about this, she would be most displeased. Liu Chun’s job was to look after Hengyang while his dear sister-in-law remained in the village!
It was a difficult task, but one he would accomplish to the best of his ability.
Naturally, Liu Chun did not say more than he needed to. He rather liked living a little too much to die an early death at Zhou Hengyang’s hands; thank you very much!
When they arrived at the administrative building, someone shouted, “Director, there’s a call for you.”
Zhou Hengyang nodded and went to answer the call..
Chapter 142: Getting into Trouble Again
“Chief?” Zhou Hengyang had not expected the person who called him to be the village chief. However, his surprise only lasted for a moment. “Chief, did something happen to Su Wen?”
There could be no other reason for the village chief’s call but Su Wen. She was probably causing trouble again.
Dark clouds hovered ominously, shrouding Zhoug Hengyang’s handsome features in a gloomy pall. He had already guessed what Li Youcai had to say. When he left, Su Wen launched a defamatory campaign against him, raising money on Zhao Jiangang’s behalf. If the village chief was calling, it had to involve Su Wen and Zhao Jiangang.
He immediately lost interest in whatever Li Youcai had to say, and gloom overcame him.
“I think you should come back,” Li Youcai sighed over the phone. “Su Wen, ah, Su Wen… She’s back to causing trouble again. How long has it been since you left? It can’t have been very long, and now she’s up to mischief again.”
Li Youcai recounted the events that had transpired since Zhou Hengyang left. Everything from her conflicts to her disagreements with her fellow villagers was laid bare.
Surprise overtook Zhou Hengyang upon hearing the news. This was not the Su Wen he knew.
The Su Wen he knew was selfish and self-centered and would not have known even if she was being used. Many people used her to further their own goals. He had hinted to her in the past, but his words never seemed to sink in. He stopped altogether soon after since Su Wen refused to listen to him.
Why else would his father-in-law have gone through all the trouble of making him a live-in son-in-law?
Things have gotten out of hand. Little Wen broke Sun Dahai’s arm. The Sun family won’t take this lying down; hence, my call.”
Zhou Hengyang was taken aback. “What did you say? Su Wen broke Sun Dahai’s arm? How’d she do that?”
He thought he must have misheard. When did Su Wen become so overbearing? It went beyond his expectations. Could Su Wen have been hiding her true self from him all this time? Was she revealing her true colors now that he was away?
Still, did she have to take things so far?
“Little Wen lost her temper, and I don’t blame her. Sun Dahai’s younger sister did something wrong and hit Su Xiu. Little Wen couldn’t stand by and watch, so she threw a brick at Sun Dahai, breaking his arm.”
Honestly, it was quite funny if he thought about it. “Sun Dahai went over to Su Wen’s place again today in search of trouble. When he found the courtyard gates locked, he tried climbing over the wall but failed. A cactus pricked him, or so I heard, and it made him release his grip on the wall. That’s how he broke his arm for the second time.”
What started the conflict?” Zhou Hengyang wanted to know the root cause and not have to listen to Li Youcai’s long-winded explanation. “So you’re saying Sun Dahai’s sister is making trouble for Su Wen? Is that it?”
He knew the Sun family had a daughter but had no impression of her. He recalled Su Wen having a pretty good relationship with the girl only because she used to mention her while he was at home.
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“Uh…” Li Youcai suddenly could not speak. “You… You’ll know when you come back.” He did not have the face to share the details with Hengyang over the phone.
It would be too awkward.
“Alright,” Zhou Hengyang said. Li Youcai’s recount of events was surprising, but Zhou Hengyang allowed none of it to color his words, keeping a firm lid on his emotions. “I’ll return later today,” he said before hanging up.
Zhou Hengyang leaned against the table with one hand folded while the other cupping his chin. He appeared lost in thought. He remained that way for a long time. Eventually, a thought occurred to him, and he fished out his wallet from his pocket.
There, inside, was the photo he had received. He stared at the radiant smile that put a sunflower’s to shame, the pair of peach-shaped eyes that beckoned mesmerizingly. Zhou Hengyang would be the first to admit he had never noticed how beautiful they looked. He could not look away..
Chapter 143: Making Bags
Su Wen filled Zhou Hengyang with disgust; it was why the words written behind the photo enraged him so much. Yet, for reasons inexplicable, he tucked the small photo in his wallet as he left the house in the morning.
Even now, Zhou Hengyang could not understand why he had done so.
It was food for thought. He fished out the photo and stared at the words written on the back. Was this Su Wen’s true personality?
“What are you looking at? You haven’t moved since I left!” Liu Chun asked as he stepped into his friend’s office.
Zhou Hengyang stowed the photo back in his wallet with a deft hand. “It’s nothing. I’m going back for a while.”
“Where to? Are you going home? It’s been a while since you did. You’ve been in the capital for so long, but you’ve never visited home, have you?” It was something Liu Chun had always been wondering about. The last time he had met Hengyang’s sister, he had been too shy to introduce himself. Perhaps this was an opportunity?
Whenever Liu Chun thought of dropping in, he shuddered at the possibility of what Hengyang’s sister would ask: ‘Why won’t Hengyang come home?’ Hence, he never mustered the courage to do more than fantasize.
“No, I’m heading to Clear Water County.” Zhou Hengyang paused. “Su Wen’s caused some trouble, and I’m returning to deal with it.” Sun Dahai and Old Man Sun were vicious people Su Wen could not handle.
While he and Su Wen were still married, and she was not with Zhao Jiangang, he would protect and care for her as was his duty.
Liu Chun bounced excitedly when he heard Zhou Hengyang’s plans.
“Sister-in-law? Trouble? What did she do?”
“She broke someone’s arm,” Zhou Hengyang said softly.
Liu Chun was speechless. Was his sister-in-law that ferocious?
He had long heard that Clear Water County was the home of coarse, boorish folk who populated the poor, mountainous regions and turbulent rivers. They were hardy people. Still, Liu Chun could not reconcile the image with that of his beautiful sister-in-law.
Liu Chun’s good impression of Su Wen grew. At the same time, he could not help but feel jealous of Hengyang’s good luck. To think he would encounter such a prime opportunity to be a live-in son-in-law.
Su Wen did not let Su Qing go to the tailor’s place because the situation at home was too chaotic for her liking. She told her sisters to stay home in case the Sun family took advantage of her absence to exact vengeance.
She may not have feared the Sun family, but she still had to look out for her younger siblings.
The downside was that she could not bake cakes at home – they had insufficient raw ingredients. With the atmosphere in the village at a boiling point, no one would buy her cakes, so it was not a good time to sell them either.
Su Wen decided to wait till the storm passed.
Since she had nothing to do, Su Wen took an afternoon nap. By the time she got up, it was almost three in the afternoon, so she had Su Qing and Little Sister help her bring out all the leather she had bought from He Changming. It was time she dealt with it.
Tanning the leather took up the rest of the afternoon. She even set aside some time to experiment with a few dyes and their effects on the leather. The results were promising.
A few pieces she had been experimenting with came out rather well. Su Wen was particularly happy with the vibrant shade of red that had taken a few tries to get right. It took a while, and she had to dye the leather several times, but the end product was well worth the effort.
Su Wen told herself that she would buy more materials and better tools if she had a chance to visit the provincial capital.
The sisters had congee for dinner, with a side of pickled vegetables and a light stir fry. The food was simple but delicious, perfect for the hot weather they were experiencing.
After dinner, Su Wen took advantage of the clear skies and the pale light of dusk to cut and stencil the treated leather. It was for the bag she was hoping to make.
‘I’ll test it out and see if the effects are good. If they are, I can start selling them…’
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Her bags were handmade out of good quality leather, which would fetch a high price.
Su Wen had never intended to take the route of mass-produced products – her aim was the luxury market!
“Big Sister, what are you doing with so much leather?” Little Sister Su squatted in front of Su Wen, her hands cupping her chin as she asked. “You’ve been busy all afternoon! People have come by to ask you out, but you refused all of them.”
Little Sister Su found it strange how her older sister had not gone out to have fun in a long time. She used to love going out all the time.
“I heard someone from Canter village is putting up a movie.. Aren’t you going to have a look?”
Chapter 144
I think you’re the one who wants to go to the movies. Am I right?” Su Wen teased, amused by her younger sister’s antics.
Su Wen had no interest whatsoever in the movies currently airing. Why would she when she needed to walk a dozen miles to watch a black-and-white film in the open air? Not only was the image quality poor, but she would also have to sit through an evening full of mosquitoes out for blood. To make matters worse, those who went to these movies always arrived with their work tools. Huddled in a small space… it was unbearable!
“I don’t want to watch a movie. Movies are boring. I want to see what Big Sister is doing!” Little Sister Su exclaimed petulantly, hitting Su Wen on her shoulder with her small fists. Pounding away, Little Sister Su asked, “Big Sister, do you like this?”
Su Wen closed her eyes and said, “Hmm. Not bad. You’re being very thoughtful.”
Big Sister, maybe you should take a break. It’s getting dark. Let’s go to bed early in case Sun Yunyun’s family comes looking for trouble tomorrow,” Little Sister Su said, trying her best to please her older sibling.
Su Wen was speechless. If her sister lived in ancient times, she would be one of those demonic concubines that brought a country to ruin. She was the kind of concubine to bug the emperor to have her way.
“Are you afraid of the Sun family?”
“I’m not afraid. I don’t like Sun Yunyun. Hmph! She’s too annoying; if I had known, Second Sister and I would have given her a good beating the day before yesterday.” Little Sister Su clenched her fists, looking very angry.
Su Xiu exited the showers and heard Little Sister Su talking to their older sister. She inserted herself into the conversation, saying, “Big Sister, Sun Dahai suffered another big loss today. I called him shameless for wanting to take advantage of you.”
Although Su Xiu had not ventured out all day, He Yulan had stopped by and told her about what had happened.
Su Xiu had never known He Yulan was so loquacious or so eloquent. He Yulan had been cool but polite when they talked. Su Xiu used to be allowed to call her Sister Yulan, but not anymore. He Yulan had made it abundantly clear.
Su Xiu had racked her brain all day but still could not figure out the reason for her sudden animosity.
Su Wen felt goosebumps at the mere thought of Sun Dahai’s perverted behavior. “Hah! He can continue dreaming. I’ll break his third leg if he tries something like that again.”
“How can a human have three legs? Don’t we only have two?” Little Sister Su tilted her head curiously. “When I was playing by the river, I heard the aunties talking about three-legged toads and something about two-legged men…”
Su Xiu’s face was carefully blank, her red face sporting a crimson blush. She was a big girl. While she may not have understood everything, certain nuances were not lost, especially not in a village as small and as prone to gossip as theirs.
Su Xiu knew what her older sister was referring to, but she did not expect… No. She did not think her older sister could say such words with a straight face!
Big Sister was truly daring!
Feeling herself burning up in embarrassment, Su Xiu quickly excused herself. Su Qing had already showered and stood at the door, watching Big Sister and Little Sister Su interact. Su Xiu joined Su Qing and enjoyed the shade.
Su Wen burst into laughter upon hearing Little Sister Su’s question, dropping the piece of leather she had been working on. “Haha… I’m going to die of laughter.”
Big Sister, don’t laugh at me.” Little Sister Su pouted. Despite her age, she knew when someone was laughing at her. Big Sister was being mean!
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“Alright, alright. I won’t laugh. I definitely won’t laugh.” Su Wen bit her cheek, doing her best to swallow her laughter. “I’ll explain it to you when you’re older.”
“Aww… Why do I have to wait to be older?” Little Sister Su whined.
Su Xiu and Su Qing shared a look. They were both left at a loss for words.
Su Qing was the first to break the awkward silence. “The watermelons are almost ripe. Sixth Sister will be back soon, won’t she?”
“Mm! It’s almost time.” Last year, Sixth Sister went to their aunt’s place to help care for her child. It was a yearly affair. As a thank you for Sixth Sister’s help, she would give her some watermelons she had grown and allowed to ripen..
Chapter 145: Sixth Sister Will Be Back Soon
She was afraid Sixth Sister would eat all the watermelon.
Su Qing disliked her aunt’s way of doing things. On several occasions, the sisters had asked Sixth Sister not to go, but she would go, heedless of their desires. If she did not go, Grandma might make trouble for them. To avoid the hassle or arguments, Sixth Sister would go to their aunt’s place to help her, even if their aunt was not the most pleasant person to be with.
It was hard work.
“Why don’t we go and fetch Sixth Sister?” Su Xiu watched her older and younger sisters laughing, feeling somewhat troubled. Big Sister’s relationship with Sixth Sister was the best. Among all her siblings, Big Sister doted on Sixth Sister the most.
It had been two months since Sixth Sister left for their aunt’s place, and Big Sister had changed tremendously.
Won’t Sixth Sister be unhappy when she learns she isn’t Big Sister’s favorite anymore?” Su Xiu felt gray hairs coming along just thinking about the confrontation. “We used to worry that Big Sister didn’t like Little Sister Su, but now that she’s showing more attention to her, we’re even more worried about what that might mean for the family’s dynamics…”
“How can I not be angry? I’m most angry with myself for not letting Big Sister know how much Sixth Sister bullies me. Big Sister used to be so easy to fool, and Sixth Sister took advantage of her naivety to play tricks behind her back.” Su Qing shared Su Xiu’s worries. Even she had not noticed anything amiss before. Still, she was glad her older and younger sisters were developing a good relationship. Now, the only question was how Sixth Sister would react upon her return.
The seven sisters had shared a close relationship since they were young, save for their eldest sister – their eldest sister’s personality was not as pleasant as it was now. But then again, something similar could be said of their Sixth Sister, who had a warped personality, reveling in the torment of their youngest sister.
In the past, Big Sister would always side with Sixth Sister, uncaring if her other sisters were being bullied. No. It would be more accurate to say that Sixth Sister was too cunning. She never took things too far when bullying others and always acted innocent around everyone else.
If Big Sister was at fault for not seeing Sixth Sister’s twisted nature, then the rest of them, even Su Qing and Su Xiu, were equally at fault for being blind to the situation.
However, things were different now.
If Sixth Sister learned that Little Sister Su had taken advantage of her absence to win over Big Sister, she would train all her hate on their younger sibling when she returned.
Vengeful was the best adjective to describe Sixth Sister.
“Big Sister isn’t the same person.” Su Xiu’s opinion of Su Wen was much better than it used to be. “Big Sister has grown wiser. She’ll notice if Sixth Sister tries to bully us.”
“That’s true.”
They could not look at Su Wen with the same old eyes.
“Su Qing, someone is at the door. Could you see who it is, please?” Su Wen hollered from where she stood in the courtyard. “I’m going for my shower. If those rascals want a fight, tell them to come again at some other time. I’ll put on a good show for you all. Just wait!”
Too many people were knocking on their door these days, so Su Wen had prepared a standard response for her sisters to use.
Okay, Big Sister. The bath is ready. It’s in your room.” Su Qing did as she was asked and went to meet whoever was at the door.
Su Wen stretched lazily and returned to her room for her bath.
Washing up was inconvenient without electricity and running water. Su Qing and Su Xiu had noticed Su Wen’s dissatisfaction early on. Every night, they would prepare boiling water beforehand and allow it to cool to the right temperature in a large wooden barrel.
If the barrel could be replaced with something more exquisite – perhaps a jacuzzi-styled bubble bath – that would be best. But that was unrealistic, and Su Wen knew it. She could only make do with what they had.
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While Su Wen soaked in the warmth, she idly mused how she ought to look for a carpenter in the village to order a larger wooden tub; it would be better than the barrel they presently used.
Su Wen’s eyes flickered to the candles lining the cabinet. It reminded her of the recent news that the village would soon have access to electricity, which put her in a good mood. Electricity should have been made available to their village a long time ago. All the towns and cities in the province already had access to electricity, so why couldn’t they have the same?
She had heard the town council had approved an electricity supply plan two years ago, but the villagers felt the fees were too high and they could not afford it. As such, many of them voted against it.
In this next round of voting, Su Wen vowed she would put forward her support of the plan.
Days without electricity were too inconvenient, indeed..