The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 787 - 786 Meeting Uncle

Chapter 787: Chapter 786 Meeting Uncle

Yang the Mute hastily dodged Wang Yongping’s hand, uttered several sounds, and then busied himself with a series of gestures.

Wang Yongping watched naively, not understanding for a long time what he meant.

It was Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin who had already reached the doorway ahead, turned their heads to urge, "Aren’t you coming in? What are you waiting for?"

Scratching his head, Wang Yongping followed them into the courtyard.

Jinhoo had already cleverly scampered to the back courtyard to inform others; before Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin had even reached the second entrance, Old Granny Zhang came running out from the rear.

Seeing her own daughter and son-in-law, she smiled so widely that her eyes disappeared, pulling one with each hand towards the back courtyard, as for her youngest son and grandson, they were out of her sight.

Wang Yongping and Jinhoo had already grown accustomed to this; having been away from home for many days, they naturally wanted to check on their own houses.

Only Yang the Mute was left, carrying a bundle and following behind.

First, Old Granny Zhang quickly looked over her own daughter, pleased to see her good complexion, cheeks flushed red, she was relieved.

Now it was her turn to speak, her first concern was her son-in-law, "Chongjin, why have you suddenly come back? Has something happened?"

How could Song Chongjin admit that he had rushed back because he heard that Ninth Master Lee had come to Shiqiao Town, and couldn’t restrain himself?

Actually, halfway through the journey, he knew he had acted rashly. Wasn’t he clear about Yongzhu’s character? Even if Ninth Master Lee had chased her to Shiqiao, what could he do?

It was himself who had lost his composure; it was indeed inappropriate!

Yet, as a man, knowing that another excellent man coveted his wife so, how could he sit still?

At this moment, with Yongzhu by his side, the anxiety he had felt all along the way suddenly settled down.

Embarrassment tinged his face, "Mother, these past few days without you and Yongzhu by my side, I felt restless in the county town. Returning home to an empty house felt lonely. Taking advantage of Teacher being occupied these next two days, I’ve come back to see you."

"Mother, how have you been at home? I’ve brought you your favorite sugar pastries..." he said, leading Old Granny Zhang into the house.

Old Granny Zhang felt sweet inside, sweeter than eating sugar cakes, while chiding, "You child! I’m just an old woman who gets in your way; it’s better for you without me around! What’s there to worry about? Also, it’s only been a few days since you left; we haven’t even finished the pastries you bought last time, such extravagance isn’t good—"

In truth, the corners of her mouth were practically grinning to her ears. What mother-in-law wouldn’t cherish a son-in-law so filial?

Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin with a half-smile; how could she not understand why Song Chongjin had come back so quickly?

But seeing Old Granny Zhang so happy, she couldn’t be bothered to expose him.

Together with Song Chongjin, they both coddled Old Granny Zhang and ushered her into the house.

Yang the Mute followed behind and placed the package on the edge of the kang bed before retreating to the side with utmost sincerity.

It was then that Old Granny Zhang noticed Yang the Mute. She gave Song Chongjin a puzzled look and asked, "Who is this?"

Wang Yongzhu smiled, "Mother, this is Uncle Yang from the dye workshop back then!"

Old Granny Zhang had heard Wang Yongzhu mention him before, and it was apparent from her words that she thought highly of him. Immediately understanding, she quickly said, "So it’s Brother Yang, please have a seat, have a seat!"

Yang the Mute gestured with his hands, refusing to take a seat.

Song Chongjin pulled him down to a chair, and he sat with an air of discomfort, gesturing about.

Wang Yongzhu translated for Old Granny Zhang, "Uncle Yang says he doesn’t deserve such an honor. He was all alone, and after Boss Tian left, he had nowhere to go. He feels extremely grateful to have us."

Old Granny Zhang waved her hand dismissively, "You can’t say that. I’ve heard from my daughter that the dye workshop was well-kept and not a single piece of fabric was lost or dampened. It’s all thanks to Brother Yang’s efforts! My daughter and son-in-law are still young, and though they are quite clever, they lack experience. They handle things based on their likes and dislikes, aiming to please themselves—truly just childish antics! What they need is an elder like Brother Yang to watch over them and lend a helping hand!"

"If Brother Yang doesn’t mind, please treat my daughter and son-in-law as your own children. Look after them when needed, discipline them if necessary, and stop them when they must be stopped! I’m clueless about matters outside home, and my son-in-law grew up without parents. And now that my old man has also passed away not long ago, we truly need you to bear with us and help out—"

She spoke earnestly and frankly.

Yang the Mute was overwhelmed by the honor, his face turning red. He could not stay seated any longer and stood up, shaking his head and gesturing.

In essence, he signaled that he would certainly support Wang Yongzhu. Being a man with nowhere else to go, if not for Wang Yongzhu’s kindness in keeping him at the dye workshop as a gatekeeper and providing him with living expenses, he might not have been a part of this world any longer.

This lifesaving favor was something he, a mute, had no way of repaying. For the future, whatever was asked of him, he would simply do.

Old Granny Zhang added a few more words, saying that there was no talk of repaying or not repaying. If he did not mind, they could become honorary siblings, and from then on, they would be relatives.

Yang the Mute was taken aback but his eyes briefly lit up.

Old Granny Zhang eagerly pushed Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin to call him "uncle" and, wiping away tears, said, "In the past, I severed ties with my natal family, which unfortunately meant you lacked maternal uncles. If I had a maternal uncle to rely on when troubles arose at home, it would have been much better than having a young girl handle everything! Now that we have this brother, I too can be considered to have family from my natal home!"

At this point, what could Yang the Mute possibly say? Caught between resignation and acceptance, he stepped forward to bow ritualistically, silently mouthing the word "sister" in agreement.

Old Granny Zhang immediately wiped her tears and smiled, asking Song Chongjin to seat Yang the Mute in the place of honor and started discussing warmly, "Brother, now that we’re family, my daughter is your daughter, and my son-in-law is your son-in-law! There are also a few good-for-nothing nephews that you will meet tomorrow! Not to mention other matters, but ensuring that your ’daughter’ and ’son-in-law’ take care of you in your old age is what matters!"

She then gave quick orders, "Later, take out two bolts of cloth to have Laosan’s House make two sets of clothes for your uncle, and have Laosi’s House sew two pairs of shoes!"

She also instructed Song Chongjin to settle Yang the Mute into the east wing room, to take good care of him and let him rest well while she and her daughter would go cook.

Having sent Song Chongjin and Yang the Mute away, Old Granny Zhang’s expression changed. She pulled Wang Yongzhu into the kitchen and, in a lowered voice, asked, "Speak up, what exactly happened? Chongjin had just gone to the county for a few days when he returned so abruptly. Has something happened? And you brought along this honorary uncle you’ve just acknowledged. Did something go wrong at the dye workshop? Or did the Lee Family refuse to pay for the fabric because it was ruined?"

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but smile through her frustration, knowing that Old Granny Zhang wouldn’t be so easily fooled. Despite not saying anything, she was as clear-minded as a mirror; it was just inappropriate to ask in front of Song Chongjin, her son-in-law, and Yang the Mute.