The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 327: Overjoyed to Confusion

Chapter 327: Chapter 327: Overjoyed to Confusion

Wang Yonggui had seen quite a bit in his time, but when he heard his mother’s words, his jaw dropped and his voice trembled, "Old... Old Sister?"

Old Granny Zhang gave him a swipe with her broom, hitting him so hard that it really hurt, and he even forgot to dodge.

"Ouch, Old Sister? Is it really you, Old Sister? How did you get so thin? Not that I’m complaining, Old Sister, but you do look better this way! You’ve slimmed down so much that even Third Brother hardly recognizes you! In the whole ten miles and eight villages, no, in our entire Jing County, if Old Sister dares to claim second place in beauty, no one would dare claim the first. Come on, let Third Brother have a good look at you."

Wang Yongzhu smiled slightly, remembering that among all the siblings, Wang Yonggui had the best relationship with her.

Wang Yonggui, with his slick tongue, would say one thing to people and another to ghosts; his greatest skill was flattery.

He also knew the ropes, aware that the most powerful person in the Old Wang Family, the one who held the purse strings, was none other than their biological mother, Old Granny Zhang.

And who did Old Granny Zhang love the most? Her Old Sister, Wang Yongzhu.

The mother was too shrewd; too much bootlicking would become ineffective, so what should one do?

That’s right, flatter the Old Sister. Although the Old Sister was a bit spoiled and not the brightest, she was easy to coax.

So whenever Wang Yonggui went out and came back with ten Large Coins, at least half of them would go to buying something for Wang Yongzhu to eat. It meant that if the whole family got gifts, Wang Yongzhu’s was definitely the most expensive one. If money was tight and he could only buy one thing, it goes without saying that it was bought exclusively for Wang Yongzhu; wife and kids came secondary.

Because of this, Wang Yongzhu was particularly fond of her brother Wang Yonggui, often speaking well of him in front of Old Granny Zhang.

Otherwise, given Old Granny Zhang’s character, who regarded silver as second only to her own daughter’s life, would she have so readily given it to Laosan to clean up his mess?

Wasn’t it all because Laosan was good to her precious daughter?

Indeed, Old Granny Zhang could see that among her sons, the Eldest Brother and the Second Brother were unreliable, Laosi was simple-minded, but only Laosan, although a bit of a rascal, had the rascal’s advantage. His wife couldn’t control him, and when he really messed up, most people couldn’t stand up to him.

When her daughter got married one day, wouldn’t she need the support of a brother from her mother’s family? She hoped that Laosan would remember their sibling affection and stand up for her daughter if any trouble arose.

Wang Yongzhu nodded at Wang Yonggui, "Third Brother is back."

Then she walked over to Old Granny Zhang and said concernedly, "Mother, are you tired from all the swatting? Let me massage your arms for you to rest a bit, then you can continue hitting Third Brother."

This was an old trick used by Wang Yongzhu whenever Wang Yonggui was harshly beaten and sought her help.

Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but break into a smile and stopped, "Alright then, I shall rest for a while. Zhuzhu, massage me."

The chaotic scene of chasing and hitting her son thus came to a halt.

Seeing this situation, Wang Yonggui knew his mother was calling it off, and he wouldn’t have to be beaten any longer.

As if granted amnesty, he made a bow to Wang Yongzhu with a grin, "It’s always the Old Sister who cares for Third Brother, not forgetting our past affection. Oh my, Old Sister, a girl’s hands should be pampered and cared for, how can you be the one to massage mother? It’s all Third Brother’s fault for wearing mother out. You should give this opportunity to Third Brother and let me properly fulfill my filial duty..."

With that, he moved in to give Old Granny Zhang’s arms a massage.

Old Granny Zhang glared at him, but didn’t object.

Wang Yongzhu simply stepped aside to give them space.

Wang Yonggui busied himself caring for Old Granny Zhang while making trivial conversation, "Look here, little sister, how come you’ve become so skinny in less than a year since Third Brother left? It’s all Third Brother’s fault, isn’t it? It must be because he wasn’t home that you’ve worked yourself thin. Now that Third Brother is back, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll go to town and get you some nice treats, and I’ll make sure you’re plump and fair by the end of the year..."

Wang Yongzhu felt there was something off about what she heard. What did he mean by getting her plump and fair for the new year? Was she a pig being fattened up for slaughter at year’s end?

With a twist of her face, she complained to Old Granny Zhang, "Mom, I think Third Brother still has enough energy to give you a massage, which means he hasn’t been taught his lesson properly. Why don’t you get up and continue spanking him?"

As she spoke, she handed over the broom.

Wang Yonggui immediately jumped away, quickly realizing his little sister did not like what he had said. What had he said again? That he’d make sure she was plump and fair by the end of the year?

"Pah, look at this mouth of mine, I just can’t speak properly! Our little sister has slimmed down and looks so beautiful, just perfect. She’ll have no trouble finding a husband at all, there’s no need to put on weight. Third Brother was just so happy that he lost his wits and said the wrong thing. My apologies to you, little sister!" Wang Yonggui immediately corrected himself.

Upon hearing this, Old Granny Zhang’s eyebrows shot up, "You asking for trouble, what are you babbling on about? When has your sister ever worried about finding a husband? Are you asking for another beating?"

"Yes, yes, yes, our little sister stands out in our village and beyond. No matter if she’s fat or thin, she’s a catch! I’m just tongue-tied, let me punish myself," he said, and Wang Yonggui started to slap his own face.

The onlookers all laughed.

Wang Yongzhu watched as Wang Yonggui put on a spectacle, slapping his own face several times without even reddening his skin, unsure if it was because his skin was thick, or his slaps were light.

Seeing that a large crowd was gathering outside to enjoy the spectacle, she didn’t bother to argue further, "Alright, Mom, Third Brother just got back and it’s been a tough journey. Let’s remember this beating for now. If he acts up again later, we can settle the score with him together."

Old Granny Zhang glared at Wang Yonggui, dusted off her clothes, and, carrying the broom, planned to head back into the yard.

Wang Yonggui, supporting Old Granny Zhang, had not even entered the yard when a head poked out.

It was Jinpan.

Jinpan, hearing all the commotion outside, knew his father had returned, and his heart itched with anticipation.

He envied his cousins in the main house for having their own father, the Eldest Brother, constantly by their side.

As for himself, he had hardly spent any time with his own father since he was born, even though his sister Jinhua always looked unhappy whenever their father was mentioned.

But that couldn’t quell a child’s yearning for their father’s affection.

So, he hurriedly ran to the gateway, clinging to it to peer outside, where he saw his father being chased around by Grandma with a broom. Unable to bear the sight, he quickly ran to Lady Jiang’s side, "Mom, Mom, Dad’s back, and Grandma’s chasing him with a broom—"

His intention was to get his mother to persuade Grandma to stop, but hearing Jinhua snort beside him and mutter under her breath, "Good for her, keep it up—"

Then, looking at Lady Jiang, frozen in place, staring blankly outside, he realized she was utterly stunned.

Seeing the situation, Jinpan knew not to expect anything from his mother. Biting his lip, he ran back to the gateway and, covering his face, peeked through the gaps between his fingers.

Whenever he saw his father get hit, he shuddered with empathy.

Finally, when his father had appeased Grandma and was about to enter the house, standing at the door with a shy, awkward stance, Jinpan whispered softly as Wang Yonggui entered the yard, "Dad! You’re back..."