The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 367 - 368: Why Can’t a Son-in-law Do It?

Chapter 367: Chapter 368: Why Can’t a Son-in-law Do It?

Lady Sun finally realized that she was standing on a rooster, its claws were both firm and hard, no wonder they were pulling at her scalp painfully.

Thinking about how she had actually been mounted by a feathered beast, and who knows what those claws had dug through, manure piles, mud, and such, Lady Sun felt a wave of disgust wash over her.

Without thinking, she screamed shrilly, her hands reaching to grab the rooster, "Ah—get down—down—"

The dignity and status of the rooster feeling seriously challenged, it pecked impatiently at her head.

"Ow—" Lady Sun’s hand was pecked, leaving a bloody hole, and she immediately began to wail like a banshee, flailing her arms wildly.

Lady Lin saw how useless Lady Sun was being, and if things continued this way, she feared the chicken might escape.

She didn’t care anymore, and smacked it down with a broom—

Lady Lin had always had a strong arm, and although she had been mistreated in the Lin Family, she had eaten well and regained her strength since returning to the Wang Family.

When she struck with all her might, the rooster was knocked off Lady Sun’s head, flapped its wings, and flew away, cawing.

Lady Lin couldn’t afford to care about Lady Sun and quickly chased after it.

Lady Sun covered her face; the last swipe of Lady Lin’s broom had successfully flown the rooster, but since the broom was made of bamboo twigs, over time its leaves were swept off, leaving bare sticks that scraped across Lady Sun’s face, producing several bloody marks on it instantly.

Lady Sun was both in pain and frightened, and it took her a good while to recover. Looking up at the retreating figure of Lady Lin, her eyes were as venomous as if they’d been poisoned.

No matter how cocky the rooster was, it was eventually surrounded and intercepted by everyone and, amidst pitiful squeals, it was de-feathered and put in the pot.

The dinner had been set on the table, and the sun had already set, when Wang Yonggui finally returned, still not ready to leave, carting a carriage full of children.

He drove the horse cart through the back door.

Wang Laozhu, Wang Yongfu, and Wang Yongping also hurried over to take a close look at the mule’s teeth, coat, and hooves, and had to admit, it was indeed a fine animal.

Suddenly, without having arranged a pen for the mule, they had to tie it next to the jujube tree, dragged in a bundle of straw for it, and chopped up some green vegetables from the vegetable garden to mix with the straw before feeding the mule.

Only then did the family gather to eat.

At the table, Old Granny Zhang ceaselessly thanked Song Chongjin, and even handed two large chicken legs, one to her own daughter and the other to Song Chongjin.

Wang Yonggui’s expression darkened slightly. Having been back for a while, he was aware that Song Chongjin had broken off the engagement with his sister. Now, with all this ingratiating behavior, wasn’t it just because he saw that the Wang Family had money and wanted to renew the engagement with his sister?

His parents were really becoming senile. Just because Song Chongjin had helped with some small favors, they were praising him like this?

What’s more, even if Wang Yonggui was reluctant to admit it, he acknowledged that his sister, now beautiful and able to earn money, could marry any man she pleased, so why hang herself on a crooked tree like Song Chongjin?

Therefore, he looked at Song Chongjin with great dissatisfaction.

Song Chongjin sat unshakably, not giving Wang Yonggui a second thought.

When the meal was nearly over, Wang Laozhu brought up, "These past few days, we’ve checked the almanac, and today the Clan Leader has decided that tomorrow morning, after worshiping our ancestors, we’ll begin the rush harvest. Everyone should go to bed early tonight, and rise early tomorrow. These coming days, let’s work hard. Our whole year’s grain supply relies on this!"

Speaking of this most important time of year for peasant families, Old Granny Zhang refrained from scolding people. She was in charge of the schedule every year, and this year was no different.

"Starting tomorrow, your father, Laosan, Jindou, and Jinhoo, along with the eldest brother’s household, and the concubine Laosan bought, you will be responsible for reaping. I, alongside Laosan’s House, will handle bundling. Eldest Brother will drive the cart and haul the grain to the courtyard, while Laosi stays at the doorstep to watch, making sure no one takes anything. Around noon, Laosan’s House will come back to cook, and the few younger ones, you will be responsible for picking up the leftovers of the rice in the field."

It was just that nothing was arranged for Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yonggui muttered, "We all have tasks, what about our little sister?"

Old Granny Zhang’s glare shot over, "Your sister needs to earn money, otherwise where would this mule and cart come from? If you earn a mule and cart for your mother, she’ll let you rest too!"

Wang Yonggui dared not make another peep.

Wang Yongzhu quickly said, "Mom, with everyone so busy at home, it would be embarrassing for me to be the only one idle. How about this? I’ll just stay at home and cook for everyone, to save my sister-in-law the trouble of running back and forth."

"Nonsense! We have so many people in the house, we won’t miss one more. The kitchen is full of smoke, it stings the eyes and it’s filthy. You just stay at home nicely, you’ve been worn out these days. If you really want to do something, just bring us the meals." Old Granny Zhang wouldn’t bear to let her precious daughter sully herself in the smoky kitchen on such a hot day!

She refused flatly, but still reluctantly assigned a task, just to placate everyone.

"Mom, let me try. I won’t burn down the kitchen," Wang Yongzhu joked.

Wang Laozhu took a puff of his cigarette, "Let Zhuzhu cook then. Learning now, she won’t be criticized when she gets married in the future."

Old Granny Zhang spat, "Nonsense! My Zhuzhu doesn’t need to get married. She’s going to find a son-in-law to come through our door! Does she need to cook? I, her old mother, am here to cook for her now, and even when I’m too old to cook, why, aren’t these sisters-in-law here to do it for Zhuzhu? Would that be fair to her? Besides, when our Zhuzhu is getting a son-in-law, why can’t the son-in-law cook?"

It was deafening! Emphatic and righteous!

Wang Yongzhu...

The Wang Family...

Song Chongjin blinked. Since he often went hunting and his mother wasn’t in good health, he learned to cook at a young age, though his skills were mediocre. Maybe it was time to find a cook to learn from?

After a long silence, Song Chongjin broke it, "Uncle Zhuzi, auntie, I’ll come help at the fields early tomorrow morning."

Wang Laozhu coughed, "Ahem, well, we’re embarrassed to impose, our family has enough hands—"

"No trouble, with my help, let Yongzhu rest well at home—" Song Chongjin said calmly, almost explicitly stating, I’ll come tomorrow to work for Yongzhu, so don’t assign her any tasks.

Wang Laozhu choked on his smoke, coughing until tears came out, he couldn’t speak for quite a while.

Taking advantage of the situation, Old Granny Zhang took over the conversation, "Then I won’t be shy. Come over early tomorrow morning, have breakfast at our place, then we’ll go together!"

Song Chongjin agreed promptly and then got up to leave.

Wang Yongzhu glared at him and went to see Song Chongjin to the door, "What nonsense are you saying? You coming to our house to help, what’s that about?"

Song Chongjin pursed his lips, "I will come early in the morning!" After saying that, he turned and walked a few steps before turning back, "I can cook, it’s not very good, but after the busy harvest, I’ll find a cook and learn!"

Leaving that remark behind, Song Chongjin quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Wang Yongzhu was baffled; what did his ability to cook have to do with her? Did he need to tell her that?

Wait, she remembered what Old Granny Zhang had declared earlier, why couldn’t a son-in-law cook?

Her little heart suddenly began thumping wildly...