The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 345: Wishful Thinking

Chapter 345: Chapter 345: Wishful Thinking

Wang Yongzhu still remembered coming out of the dye shop and seeing Song Chongjin’s face turn black, which must have had something to do with Shopkeeper Wu.

With such a dark expression, the matter was certainly serious, so she decided not to approach him.

All the way back to Qilidun in silence, Song Chongjin had expected Wang Yongzhu to invite him to sit at the Wang Family’s place as usual.

If it had been before, Wang Yongzhu might have done so, but now with Lady Sun in the house, she didn’t want Lady Sun to see Song Chongjin.

Therefore, she briskly took the carrying basket, waved her hand at Song Chongjin, and cheerfully parted ways at the entrance of the village, heading for their respective homes, each to their own mother.

Song Chongjin, with a touch of desolation, watched Wang Yongzhu walk away; he turned on his heel, didn’t head home, but instead walked towards the mountains.

As soon as Wang Yongzhu arrived home, the shed by the entrance of the Wang Family was filled with people, the door of the Wang Family Courtyard was ajar, and everyone seemed to be chatting casually under the shed, their eyes almost piercing through the door to see into the courtyard.

Wang Yongfu was surrounded by a group of gossiping women, his face turning crimson red.

No one knew what those gossiping women had said, but the people around them burst into laughter.

Feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, Wang Yongfu looked up and saw Wang Yongzhu returning, involuntarily relieved, he quickly stood up to greet her, "Little sister, you’re back."

The gossiping women, seeing Wang Yongzhu, couldn’t help but become somewhat restrained.

Last time, after the scramble for water, the men of the households had gone back and boasted about Wang Yongzhu’s strength, and the gossipy old lady who had been taught a lesson by Wang Yongzhu had also mentioned her bad temper.

Moreover, since Wang Yongzhu had been a big help during the water scramble, every family had benefited from her, and now viewing her made them feel somewhat intimidated.

Besides, they had originally come to revel in the troubles of the Wang Family; they only dared to do so because Wang Yongfu was known to be honest, and when pressed, he would just turn red without speaking harsh words.

But this Wang Family girl, those clear and cold eyes glancing over them, made many of the old women break into a sweat on their backs.

They laughed dryly and greeted her, "Second Young Miss Wang is back, you must be exhausted? Hurry inside and rest—"

Then they shoved each other, muttered a couple of trivialities, and one by one made excuses to leave.

After walking a distance, they patted their chests and exclaimed, "Ah, when Second Young Miss Wang looks so happy, why does she make us feel so uncomfortable?"

With the nosy old ladies gone, the men felt uneasy sitting around any longer; staying put would seem like they were enjoying the Wang Family’s misfortune.

Although this was what everyone was thinking, they shouldn’t be too obvious, right?

So, they too slapped each other on the back with laughter, walking away.

The front of the Wang Family finally quieted down.

Wang Yongfu wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Little sister, you really are formidable—"

Just as Wang Yongzhu was about to say something, she heard a whining voice from the courtyard, "Dad, mom, you are so heartless, I am after all your own son, and in the future, I must provide and care for you in your old age, your son who kowtows and breaks bowls for you, do you really want to watch me dry up and die? If I really died, my wife would become a widow, and Jinhua and the others would be fatherless—"

Then came Old Granny Zhang’s voice, "Shut your mouth for me, keep whining and I’ll let Lady Jiang take away the water."

Wang Yonggui went silent for a little while, then began to plead, "Mom, please, untie the ropes for me, if you don’t untie them soon, your son’s hands will be good for nothing."

Old Granny Zhang remained unmoved, "That knot was tied by your sister. She said that unless she unties it herself, it won’t come undone. You’ve survived a day and a night; your sister will be back soon. Can’t you endure a little longer without dying?"

"Mom, my dear mom! Your son really can’t hold on anymore—I need to go to the latrine, I can hardly hold it in! If you can’t untie it, why don’t you just take a knife and cut the rope? Mom, I’m begging you..."

"Pah, what a lovely thought you have there! Is that rope made of money? You talk as if it were nothing, but once you cut it, it becomes worthless. Why do you have to be so troublesome? If it’s not needing to go to the latrine, then it’s your whole body and arms aching. Let me tell you, Laosan, don’t try to pull one over on me. The moment you twitch your bum, I know exactly what kind of crap you’re about to take..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Wang Yongzhu pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.

Old Granny Zhang quickly dropped Laosan and went up to greet her daughter, concerned about whether she was tired or hungry, or if she felt dizzy from the sun.

Wang Yonggui protested weakly, "Mom, I’ve been in the sun all day. Why don’t you ask if I’m dizzy?"

Old Granny Zhang didn’t even glance at him, "Your little sister went out to do real work and earn money, while you’re just collecting debts. Do you think you can compare to your sister? Shut your mouth and roll aside!"

Wang Yongzhu then noticed Wang Yonggui was still tied to the tree. But because it was cool under the jujube tree, it wasn’t too unbearable.

Lady Jiang was there too, looking worriedly at him, occasionally feeding him water. A basin was placed beside him with a towel inside, with which she kept dabbing his forehead.

She also fanned him with a hand fan; except for discomfort in his arms, he didn’t show any symptoms of heatstroke or the like.

When Lady Jiang saw Wang Yongzhu return, she quickly stood up and cautiously explained, "Younger sister, the afternoon sun is harsh; I was afraid it’d do something terrible to Third Brother..."

That was her explanation for tending to Wang Yonggui.

After seeing how Lady Jiang had staunchly supported her yesterday, yet now she could barely stand up for herself, Wang Yongzhu felt not just disappointment in Lady Jiang but also a bit of regret.

Therefore, Wang Yongzhu kept a cold face, not picking up Lady Jiang’s words. Lady Jiang’s face lost color all at once, her hands holding the towel and fan started to tremble involuntarily.

Wang Yongzhu pretended not to notice, washed her face, took a drink of water, and then personally untied the rope. Wang Yonggui collapsed to the ground all at once.

It took him a good while to catch his breath.

When he looked at Wang Yongzhu and remembered how he had suffered, Wang Yonggui couldn’t help but crawl a bit farther away from his younger sister, feeling a sense of security.

After Lady Jiang gave him some cold tea to drink, he felt revived.

He lay down lazily in the cool shade beneath the eaves, starting to whine, "Xiao Lian, your man is starving to death. Hurry up and get me something to eat."

At that moment, Lady Jiang’s mind was a mess. Seeing how her younger sister-in-law’s attitude toward her had changed since yesterday, she was anxious and didn’t hear what Wang Yonggui had said.

No one else paid any attention to Wang Yonggui, either.

After calling out twice and getting no response, Wang Yonggui shouted, "Mom, have some pity on your son. I haven’t eaten anything for a day and night. Even a man made of iron can’t stand this. Do you really want to see your son dead?"

Old Granny Zhang waved him off, "It’s not dinner time yet. What’s the fuss about? Just wait a little longer; dinner will be ready soon."

Wang Yonggui rolled on the ground, pleading, "Mom, I’m so hungry I can’t take it. If there’s nothing to eat at home, there are some pastries in the luggage Ahfu and I brought back yesterday. In this hot weather, they’ll spoil if we don’t eat them soon. Mom, just take them out so your son can have a little something to tide over?"

Old Granny Zhang spat at Wang Yonggui, "You wish."

On the other hand, she did remember collecting Widow Sun’s belongings yesterday and was curious about what was inside. It was time to open it and have a look.