A Good Country Wife-Chapter 25 - Balancing Both Sides_1
Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Balancing Both Sides_1
Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Balancing Both Sides_1
Lin Yue saw that the children were looking at her with fear and knew that her appearance had frightened them, so she did her best to soften her temperament and make her expression seem gentler. She wasn’t about to take out her anger on these children.
“You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? I’ll go make some now.” Lin Yue often skipped breakfast in the past, and since she had overslept today, she hadn’t remembered this until she saw the children and hurried off to the kitchen.
“Third Mother, Father had already prepared the meal before he left, and we have all eaten. You go ahead and eat; there’s still warm porridge in the pot, it was kept for you.”
Since she couldn’t go out, Lin Yue, after finishing her breakfast, went back to her room to fetch an unfinished quilt cover she was working on. Quilt covers were easy to make, not requiring as much meticulous effort as clothing, and once she measured the proper size, all she had to do was sew it onto the core, and it would be done. Done early, she could also find the time to deal with a large sack of scrap fabric she’d bought from the fabric store last time. She wanted to sort out suitable materials to make into various purses to sell at the Embroidery Store and exchange them for Silver Coins, earning some private savings to ensure she wasn’t penniless.
Erhu, out of worry for his family, and because his wife had been quarreling with him last night, set out early in the morning before the sky was fully light, walking to his destination without waiting for a bull cart. He wanted to buy things and return home early, but when he got home and unlocked the door with his key, he couldn’t push it open—the door had been locked from the inside. Erhu knew Lin Yue was definitely going to be even angrier this time, but he felt helpless. His wife seemed timid and obedient, but in fact, she was quite stubborn. From her reaction yesterday, he knew the issue with his elder sister wasn’t over yet.
Erhu called out at the door for a long time, but it wasn’t opened. The younger ones were indeed at home, but they held a grudge against their father for inexplicably locking them in the house. Moreover, their stepmother not only defended them in their aunt’s matter but also made them new clothes. They appreciated the kindness, so after weighing the options, they sided with their stepmother and hid in their rooms, pretending not to hear the calls outside.
Erhu had no choice but to find a solution himself. As someone who had spent years hunting in the mountains and had some skill, this small matter hardly troubled him. Without the need for any tools and after assessing the not too high wall, Erhu took a few steps back, sprinted, and climbed over the wall with ease. Although this incident exposed an ease of access that worried Erhu about the safety of his home, especially when he frequently went hunting for three or four days at a time. The ease with which he entered made him consider the risk of ill-intentioned people breaking in, particularly as his wife was becoming increasingly beautiful. Resolving in his heart to build the wall higher, he recognized the need for added security.
Lin Yue, listening to the persistent knocking of Erhu from outside, felt somewhat satisfied. If he wouldn’t let her out, she wouldn’t let him in—a bit of a tit-for-tat. After a while, when the knocking stopped and she opened the window to see Erhu climbing over the wall, she closed it with disappointment and continued to busy herself with her sewing.
Erhu unlocked the door from the inside and, without taking the time to deal with the things he bought, went straight to look for Lin Yue. He clumsily explained, “Niuniu, don’t be angry. I was worried that Elder Sister would come again, and you wouldn’t be able to cope, so I locked the door.”
Lin Yue, not having vented her anger, naturally didn’t have a pleasant expression. Hearing this, sarcasm appeared on her face, “Is that really why? Or are you afraid I would take everything from the house and run away while you were gone?”
“Niuniu, what are you saying? How could that be? I know you’re a good person.”
“How could it not be? Isn’t that what you’re thinking? As if I don’t know about those rumors. After all, it’s not like I haven’t done such things before. You also know that I ran away several times when I was at my parents’ house. Who’s to say I won’t really elope with some man one day and turn those rumors into truth?” Lin Yue, minding these issues in her heart, let it all out in a burst of anger.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhao Erhu’s face darkened. “Niuniu, you were young and didn’t know any better before. Now that you’re married to me, you’re mine for life. Don’t ever talk like that again.”
Lin Yue snorted softly, remaining stubbornly silent. In fact, she knew her words had gone too far. Even if she was angry, some things shouldn’t be said carelessly, especially considering her past. What man could tolerate the constant threat of being cuckolded? It was only natural for him to be wary of her. But the words, once spoken, couldn’t be taken back.
Zhao Erhu felt helpless about Lin Yue’s fiery temper, but since he was at fault this time, he felt his tone had been too severe. Ignoring Lin Yue’s struggle, he pulled her into his embrace and soothed her earnestly, “Niuniu, don’t be angry. I know those were words said in anger. I’ve seen everything you’ve done these days; how could I not tell that you really want to live a good life with me? I’ve been too anxious. I, Zhao Erhu, have been unlucky since I was young, it must have been a past life’s fortune that led me to marry such a wonderful wife as you. I hate that I can’t cherish you in the palm of my hand, to keep you by my side at all times, fearing that if I’m not careful, you’ll vanish. I was wrong this time. From now on, I’ll discuss everything with you first. Can you let go of your anger, please?”
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Lin Yue has always been someone who responds better to a soft approach rather than a hard one. If Zhao Erhu had been hard on her, even if she had to bow to reality, she wouldn’t have accepted it willingly. Yet now Zhao Erhu spoke to her with such tender and sincere words, revealing his heart and making it impossible for Lin Yue not to be touched.
“Since you’ve said this, I’ll forgive you this time, but there won’t be a next time,” Lin Yue frowned, raising her head to speak seriously to Zhao Erhu. She paused, feeling that she should also say something to reassure Zhao Erhu, and added, “I can’t even recall doing anything to make you distrust me so much, but that’s all in the past now. I truly want to live a good life with you. Since we are husband and wife, we should respect and trust each other, and discuss things together. I’m not an unreasonable person.”
Because she was younger, Lin Yue had always seemed somewhat childish to Zhao Erhu. Now that she spoke with the attitude of a wife, Zhao Erhu felt a slight discomfort with the change; at the same time, he was filled with excitement and eagerness, as there was nothing more gratifying than having one’s affections reciprocated. He seemed to remember something and pulled out an exquisitely made peachwood hairpin from his chest to give to Lin Yue.
“I bought this for you when I went into town today. I thought it looked quite nice, so I got it for you. I don’t know if you’ll like it or not. Although it’s made of peachwood and a bit cheap, the design isn’t bad. When Brother Erhu earns more money, I’ll buy you a better one.” Zhao Erhu watched Lin Yue somewhat nervously. He said so, but deep down, he hoped she would like it, which made his gaze carry a hint of anxiety.
