After Yichen left Mochou had a bit of a party for himself. He and Yichen not only shared their first kiss. He also gained a basket full of goodies. The first thing he did after Yichen left was prepare to bath.
While he tidied up and put everything in its place Mochou swayed his hips. He was never a good dancer but when the mood was right he couldn't help himself. As he danced and hummed a catching tune from when he was younger he quickly put everything away and gathered the things he would need for his bath.
Soapnuts weren't that foreign to Mochou. He had seen them back in the modern world. They could be great in a pinch but nothing compared to modern day soap. Even so after not properly washing since coming to this world Mochou was ecstatic to have any kind of soap. He was so excited he even considered going to the river despite it being nighttime to wash.
In the end, he decided it would be too dangerous because he didn't know what kind of animals roamed around at night. So with a bucket and clean cloth he washed outside in the yard.
"The only person who comes by is Yichen. He already left and even if he comes back it will be okay. He's going to be my husband after all." Was his reasoning as he undressed in his yard under the bright moonlight.
Mochou filled his old and new bucket with water from the well and added some hot water he boiled on the stove. Then he started to scrub. As he did the soapnuts started to form suds. Feeling like he was finally washing Mochou continued to scrub every inch of his body until it turned pink.
"I feel so clean!"He exclaimed when he was finally done. Then he looked at the clothes he was going to put on. I washed them this afternoon but I can't help but feel it's a waste to put them on." His sighed as he got dressed.
After washing Mochou started on dinner. He had decided to eat a simple bowl of rice and some stir fried vegetables.
"I can't overdo it with the oil too quickly or I'll just give myself diarrhea. Having food is great but patience is also important." He warned himself as he added barely a teaspoon of oil to the pot full of chopped up eggplant and other greens like onion, garlic, and bokchoy.
While he cooked he also went to work making his pickled bamboo shoots. He had done it before. Although normally he would add extra ingredients like spices. This time however he made simple and only used salt with water.
"If I let them soak overnight I can use them in the morning to make Yichen some buns." He thought as he filled each pot with chopped up bamboo shoots. Once done he covered and set them aside to soak overnight.
Dinner was ready. The rice Yichen had gotten him was probably considered good in this world but for Mochou who had been eating well polished modern day rice it tasted a bit mealy. But Mochou didn't complain. He was still happy to have rice, a proper carb, to eat.
"Now I will be able to have more energy!" He proclaimed as he slowly ate his rice and stir fried vegetables.
"After dinner, he felt exhausted. However he didn't go to sleep right away. He went outside and began to plot out the yard. He took some bamboo poles he gathered from the bamboo forest he went to earlier in the day and stuck them into the yard at certain points to make four sections for his garden.
The first section would be for the fast growing root vegetables like carrots, onion, garlic. Then he had the section by the wall for the vine plants like squash, eggplant, cucumbers, and beans. Next was the plants that preferred shady areas by the hut. Finally was the slow growing plants in the only place left free in the yard.
The yard itself wasn't too big. His little hut was in the center. And it was more of a rectangle than a square. The tree and his garden were located in the front yard with the gate. While the well and bathroom were located at the rear of the hut. Mochou hated the fact the well was so close to the outhouse but there was nothing he could do about it. Not now at least.
There was also what looked like a space for a chicken pen not far from the outhouse and what remained of a collapsed shed. Mochou had used the place to build his own little rabbit and quail cage out of reeds.
"I'll need to gather some bamboo and make a better cage. The reeds worked this time because of the onion juice but it's not guaranteed to always work. It would be terrible if the rabbits managed to chew their way out and escape." Mochou thought as he wandered the yard at night.
After working for a bit Mochou felt like he had been able to digest his dinner enough to sleep. He snuck under the thin worn blanket and closed his eyes. Not long after he found himself in a dreamless sleep that lasted until sunrise the next day.
...
Yichen woke up before dawn and anxiously paced around his room. He desperately wanted to head over to Mochou's home. He even considered sneaking away in the middle of the night to warn Mochou about his mother and father's visit.
"He'll be terrified when they show up at his door. It's good he met my dad before so he should recognize him, but what will he think when he sees mom? Will he collapse again?" Yichen was clearly flustered and anxious as he continuously paced around the room.
"I should go. But mom might change her mind about the marriage if she finds out I disobeyed her. I can't risk it. Buuuut... Mochou might not forgive me for not only breaking my promise but not being there when my parents show up for an unannounced visit."
Yichen couldn't settle down. His thought were at an impasse. He either risked his parents blessing or risk angering Mochou.
Knock... knock*
!!!
"Sh*t! I've been caught." Yichen thought as he nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Yichen, I'm coming in." His father announced. He then opened the door before Yichen could even think of stopping him. His father entered and all Yichen pulls down was stand frozen in place. His father looked him up and down noting the fact Yichen was fully dressed.
"I know you are worried, but you need to have faith in your mother and I. We aren't going there to hurt him." His father said.
"I understand but I made a promise." Yichen said.
"I'll make sure to explain to Mochou that you wanted to come but we insisted you stay home today."
"What if he collapses again? His health is terrible. You saw it yourself yesterday." Yichen said.
"If that happens we will take care of him. Don't worry. Stay here and help your sister-in-laws take care of the yard and chickens. Meng Yao is getting further along in her pregnancy and should rest. Show your mother how responsible you can be while we are gone." His father instructed.
Pouting, Yichen couldn't help but mutter under his breath unhappily. "I'd rather show I can be responsible by taking care of Mochou."
Either his father didn't hear him or chose to ignore it. Whatever the case Yi Peng decided it was time to leave.
"We're leaving now." He said.
"Dad, I really want to marry him." Yichen said as his father stepped back into the hall.
"I'm aware. But you need to be patient." He said before walking away.
Exhausted and overwrought with worry Yichen nearly fell into bed. He desperately wanted to go see Mochou but decided to listen to his father.
...
"His home is a dilapidated hut and look at this wall. How is it supposed to protect anyone from the beasts that roam the forest just a few steps away?" Yichen's mother Xin Mi exclaimed as they walked towards Mochou's hut.
"There are worst places to live in the village. Have you seen the mud huts where the Feng boys live? Those boys have never taken care of the place. It is filled with trash and waste. The neighbours have complained to me in more than one occasion concerning the smell. Unlike them Mochou has kept the little hut in good condition." Yi Peng said.
"You've been inside?"
"I have. When I came with our son yesterday morning he was frightened and collapsed from fever. Yichen carried him to bed and cared for him. Yichen couldn't stay because of his promise to go to town so I agreed to watch over Mochou until he regained consciousness." He explained.
What did the two of speak about when he finally woke up?" She asked. She tried to sound heartless, but Yi Peng knew his wife well. She was obviously concerned about Mochou.
"Not much. But after speaking to him I don't think he is a bad person. It's true he has suffered in his life and he has some difficulty with trust but he seemed rather optimistic. You'll see when you talk to him yourself. He is a good thing for our wandering third son Yichen." Yi Peng said.
Curious Xin Mi looked towards the hut.
...
Mochou woke up early the next day. Even though he went to sleep late he still woke up before dawn feeling a little giddy. He first washed up then set his sights on the prickly bamboo shoots.
Crunch*
"Perfect it's soft enough to eat but still has a pleasant crunch! He exclaimed as he popped another piece into his mouth.
Next he started making the dough for his buns. He had started it the night before so it had time to rise with his homemade yeast. It wasn't the best recipe but it was something he had learned to make during the apocalypse when food had become scarce.
"If I didn't learn how to cook with scarce ingredients and foraged food I probably would have starved in this new world." For the first time he was grateful to have lived in the apocalypse.
"The buns might not follow the same recipes as the people in this world but I think Yichen will like them." In reality, Mochou hadn't tasted anything cooked locally yet, but he was still confident in his buns.
"Yichen mentioned liking sweet the other day. I hope he'll also like these." He hoped as he added some sweetness to some of the buns. When he was done he had two types. The first was a lightly sweet plain bun, the second had the bamboo shoots with a little garlic stuffed inside.
He placed them on the worn out bamboo steamer and waited for them to cook. While they did he decided to also make some tea. Yichen had complimented him on the sweet oleaster tea he previously made so he decided to make it again.
Rustle*
Hearing the sound of someone approaching Mochou looked up with a bright smile.
"It must be Yichen!" He thought as he walked over to the door.
?!
"Why is Yichen's father here again?" He exclaimed inwardly before nearly slamming the door shut again.
"Mochou. Sorry to come so early, but my wife and I would like to speak to you." Yi Peng said.
Mochou felt himself shrink, but he forced himself not to close the door. He looked around and next to Yi Peng was an older man woman with a rather stern expression.
"Whe... where is Yichen?" Mochou asked.
"He won't be coming today." The woman said.
Mochou dropped his head at her words. There was only one reason Yichen wouldn't be coming. He must have changed his mind about the marriage or his parents changed it for him.
Felling like he could burst into tears at any second Mochou took a step back to go back inside the little hut.
"Mochou, wait. We are here to talk. May we come in?" Yi Peng asked when he noticed Mochou's intentions.
"Talk about what?" Mochou barely muttered loud enough for them to hear.
"It's about you marrying our son." Yichen's mother said.
"Are you here to tell me I can't?" Mochou asked as he looked up at the woman.
"That depends on how our conversation goes. Now will you invite us inside to talk or should we leave and consider the marriage cancelled?" She said.
"Plea... please come in." Mochou said as he rushed forward nervously to open the gate for them.
Yichen's parents entered the yard and headed for Mochou's little hut. Behind them Mochou followed after grabbing the bucket by the door.
Yichen's mother did not wait for Mochou and quickly glanced around the room. When she did she saw the steamed buns cooking on the stove above her favourite pot. The same one Yichen had stolen from her. Next to it was another smaller pot that had water in it. Most likely for the two teacups placed in the table.
"Please have a seat. I'll get the tea ready." Mochou said. He then walked over to the stove and as Yichen's mother expected he began adding hot water into the two teacups on the table. He then took a third flawed teacup from the shelf and made another cup of tea.
Yichen's mother did as she was told and sat down in one of the two rough chairs at the table. Yi Peng stood behind her leaving the second chair free for Mochou.
Mochou however didn't sit on the chair but rather flipped over the bucket he had brought inside. He sat low to the ground but Mochou didn't mind.
"Mochou, this is your home. You should sit on the chair. I can stand." Yi Peng said when he realized what Mochou was doing.
"No, you are a guest in my house. I can't allow you to stand. Mochou said as he passed the two new teacups Yichen had bought for him towards them. For himself he once again used the cracked and flawed teacup he owned.
"My name is Xin Mi. I am Yichen's mother." The woman said.
"It's an honour to meet you. I am Mochou."
The woman went silent again. Mochou could see her eyes observing every part of his body. It felt creepy and sent shivers up and down his arms. Even so he did not complain.
While she looked at him, he also looked at her. She was an older woman but not too old. At least not for the once thirty-two year old. She had a stern face but not malicious, more refined almost noble.
Her clothing was like Yichen's. made of cotton but with fine embroidery around the collar and sleeves. Mochou didn't know if she was the one who took the time to embroider the clothing but he quite liked the designs that were on Yichen, his father, and her clothing.
Looking down at his own clothing he couldn't help but wonder if maybe someday he could have something with embroidery on it instead of mysterious stains and holes.
When he looked up again he found that Yichen's father was drinking the tea he had made.
"He looks a lot like Yichen. But with a thinner build certainly not as muscular. He's more like a scholar than a farmer which makes sense considering he's the village leader. I wonder if Yichen will look like him when he is that age?" Mochou curiously wondered at his stared at Yi Peng.
Time passed silently until finally Yichen's mother spoke once more.
"Why do you want to marry our son?" She asked. It was so sudden it caught Mochou by surprise so he stuttered to answer.
"I... I... um... he's a wonderful man." Was all Mochou could think to say at the moment.
"All of our sons are wonderful. And there are other wonderful men in the village or town. So I ask you again. Why do you want to marry our son Yichen?" She repeated.
Apparently Mochou's previous answer was unsatisfactory. Realizing his mistake Mochou took a deep breath.
"I've only known your son Yichen for a few days. From the first time we met he hasn't turned his gaze because of my scars, nor has he ignored my will. I can be stubborn and although I am aware that there are many things I cannot do on my own, he respects me enough to let me try and guide me rather than take control. Your son is polite and optimistic about the world. Like sunshine on a beautiful spring day. He fills me with a sense of hope and I find myself dreaming of a future I once thought lost because of him." Mochou said as he fiddled with the cracked teacup.
"Such fine words for a pitiful child." Xin Mi said.
"They are not fine at all. Only the truth." Mochou responded in turn.
"Our son also spoke fine words last night when he asked for my approval. Words I never imagined he would ever say. Hearing them did sway my heart, but the reality is you are not the right fit for our son." She continued.
Mochou squeezed the teacup so hard the tips of his fingers turned white. He knew it was true but he hoped he could dream of a future with Yichen even just a little longer.
"You are already twenty years old. A reject and outcast. Your own family tried to kill you and left you with those hideous scars. You are a GER and can barely give our son a family. You have no wealth, education, or salvageable reputation to speak of."
The more she spoke the worst Mochou felt. His eyes grew sore as he squeezed them tight in a poor attempt to prevent the tears from falling.
"Despite everything. My son still loves you and..." Yichen's mother took a long look around the little hut. Despite its rundown state Mochou kept it clean and tidy. Everything was put in its proper place and he was also cooking buns that smelled delicious.
"I am inclined to agree to his request." She said.
??????
Mochou was in so much shock his mind went blank. He looked up at the stern woman who had come to decide his fate in shock.
"Mochou, Yichen cannot come today, but we will contact a matchmaker as soon as possible to make arrangements. Stay safe and healthy until then." Yi Peng said. He then helped his wife up from the chair as though they would leave.
Mochou was still in shock but he regained enough of his mind to remember the buns that were currently cooking.
He grabbed the steaming bamboo basket from the stove and held it out. Never once worrying that he might get burnt.
"This... this isn't much bu... but please take them. Share them with your family as a thank you from me." Mochou stuttered nervously.
Yichen's mother smiled and his father took the bamboo steaming basket from Mochou.
"Thank you." She said and they quickly left.
...