Chapter 147
Xiao Zhuang came, his master came too, and there were others. But Wu Shuang didn’t see clearly, he was dragged into the room by his mother.
He pressed against the door panel and listened carefully. He could vaguely hear their conversation.
Xiao Zhuang’s master said, “All the relatives at home know about the marriage, and the date is set. We have made all the preparations. It was the change in his family that caused this matter to fail. If we report this to the authorities, his father will be held accountable by the government.”
Now, Xiao Zhuang’s family was willing to compromise and accept their youngest son to marry in place of the failed marriage. They could also return the portion of the dowry that was taken back.
But the condition was that Wu Shuang and his family will have no further relations, and his father must sign a document guaranteeing the severance of ties with this adopted son and never contact them again.
Upon hearing this, Wu Shuang clenched his fists, his fingernails digging into his palms.
His father was a scoundrel; Wu Shuang knew this matter wouldn’t be resolved easily.
Sure enough, his father immediately regretted it. Not only did he want that part of the dowry money back, he also demanded twice the amount of dowry from Xiao Zhuang’s family.
Naturally, Xiao Zhuang’s master disagreed.
After negotiating for a long time, Wu Shuang heard Xiao Zhuang’s master say, “Since that’s the case, let’s forget about this matter. If we can’t marry, we’ll just leave!”
With that, there were disorderly footsteps heading towards the door.
Wu Shuang heard his father shout from outside, “Don’t pretend to be noble here. If you want to leave, leave. But I’ll send him to the kiln when you’re gone, I’ll still be making money!”
He cursed and followed them.
After the people left the courtyard, he slammed the door shut.
Wu Shuang’s heart trembled. He had scratched his palm until it bled. He felt dizzy, and the despair in his heart almost made him faint.
He gritted his teeth to stay awake, trembling fingers grasping the door panel, opening a small crack. His eyes searched for the firewood axe usually used in the outer room.
Since he was destined not to survive, he would take these two troublemakers with him.
Just as he was thinking this, Wu Shuang saw his father peering outside at the courtyard gate.
After a while, seeing that the departing people showed no sign of returning, he became anxious.
The dowry money taken away by Xiao Zhuang’s family was much more than what could be earned by selling Wu Shuang to the kiln.
The madam at the kiln feared that Wu Shuang’s weak body would be played to death in just a few days after entering, so she was reluctant to buy him, offering very little silver.
His father had just been bluffing, hoping to squeeze more out, but the people left without hesitation, leaving him flustered.
But he couldn’t swallow his pride to call them back. In the courtyard, Wu Shuang’s mother was also looking outside. His father kicked his mother and signaled to her. She hurriedly opened the door and chased after them.
Wu Shuang closed his own door, leaned against it, feeling even dizzier. His body shivered with cold. Yet he couldn’t help but silently laugh.
He knew he could survive.
…
The document severing their relationship was signed, and the dowry money was handed over. Wu Shuang was led out of the room by his mother.
He stood in the center of the outer room, looking at the people standing or sitting around. His gaze finally rested on the face of the youngest man.
Xiao Zhuang had an ordinary face, but he was tall and muscular, exuding a calm demeanor.
Approaching him, the young man extended his hand and said, “Wu Shuang, let’s go.”
Wu Shuang reached out, placing his bony hand in the other’s palm. He was led step by step, leaving behind the hellish home that had tormented him for years.
…
After leaving the house, before getting on the carriage, Wu Shuang’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Before he hit the ground, he was caught by strong arms.
Wu Shuang felt the sturdy muscles of the other person’s body and their warmth.
The next moment, everything before him plunged into darkness, and he knew nothing.
…
After some time, Wu Shuang gradually woke up, but he couldn’t open his eyes at first.
He heard someone speaking in a low voice.
A gentle and pleasant voice said, “His body is in a bad state. We need to nourish him well for a while. I asked Er Yao to buy back a few black chickens from the town, kill one every day to stew soup for him, and let the old doctor prescribe some tonic herbs to stew together.”
This should be Xiao Zhuang’s master’s wife’s voice, Wu Shuang remembered.
Another slightly older woman sighed and said, “The old doctor just said his body is too weak to take in any tonic. These days, Xiao Zhuang should bring him over every day to adjust the herbs and see which medicine works best.”
Xiao Zhuang’s master’s wife murmured in agreement.
After a while, he continued, “Tonight, I need to tell Qiuniang, when she returns from Xiangyunfang tomorrow, to bring back some clothes that Wu Shuang can wear. He needs inner and outer garments, thin jackets, as well as shoes, socks, and handkerchiefs. His heartless parents didn’t give him anything.”
The other person sighed, “This child is so thin, at an age when he should be dressing well, he doesn’t even have a decent piece of clothing. It’s truly pitiful!”
Xiao Zhuang’s master’s wife said, “Fortunately, he won’t suffer that torment anymore. Xiao Zhuang’s family are honest people and won’t mistreat him. Better days are ahead.”
Wu Shuang closed his eyes. Since the death of his parents, he had shed almost no tears in all these years.
Now tears flowed down his cheeks.
…
After Wu Shuang woke up, he realized he was in Aunt Li’s house next to Xiao Zhuang’s master’s house.
Aunt Li was very kind to him, treating him warmly and attentively.
Xiao Zhuang’s master’s wife came over every day to see him, bringing stewed chicken soup and various delicacies.
After a few days, Wu Shuang’s fever subsided, and he could get out of bed. Xiao Zhuang’s master’s wife discussed with him about recognizing him as their adopted son.
Although they were not of different generations in terms of age, Wu Shuang was not surprised. After leaving his original home, he would soon marry Xiao Zhuang. Now that he had no family, he didn’t even have a place for the wedding ceremony.
He agreed to recognize Xiao Zhuang’s master and mistress as his adopted parents. When he married from their home, it looked much better.
Wu Shuang naturally agreed.
That matter was settled.
The second day after the discussion, Qiu Henian and Qingyan set up two tables at home, invited the village head as a witness, and invited relatives and friends.
Wu Shuang bowed publicly to them, calling them his adopted father and mother, and this relationship was settled.
After that, things became much easier.
Wu Shuang moved into his adopted parents’ house with his name as the second son of the Wang family. In less than half a month, he married the other’s apprentice, which was a good thing that brought them closer.
On the day of the wedding, Xiao Zhuang went to receive the bride. When his mother saw his back, she sighed deeply and felt a little regretful.
But when she saw her son take the groom under the big red sedan chair, with firecrackers sounding and villagers and relatives congratulating joyfully, her mood improved a lot.
Xiao Zhuang’s father persuaded her, “It’s a happy day for the child. Cheer up and don’t upset him.”
Xiao Zhuang’s mother listened, sighed, and finally managed a smile.
Xiao Zhuang got married, and besides giving him a set of furniture for their home, Qiu Henian and Qingyan, from Xiao Zhuang’s maternal family, also prepared clothes and jewelry for the new groom, ensuring everything necessary was taken care of. Xiao Zhuang, along with his parents and siblings, deeply appreciated their efforts.
At the banquet, Xiao Zhuang toasted his master several times.
Later that night, after returning from the wedding feast, Qingyan made a sobering soup for Qiu Henian.
Because it was a special day, Qiu Henian couldn’t keep his promise and ended up drinking more than he should have.
Qingyan naturally didn’t get angry with him. Xiao Zhuang’s marriage had its rough patches, but Qiu Henian finally felt relieved, and Qingyan could see how happy he was.
After Jindou fell asleep that night, the two of them washed up and lay down in bed. Qingyan raised his hand and massaged Qiu Henian’s temples to ease his headache from drinking.
Qiu Henian closed his eyes and said, “After Xiao Zhuang brings Wu Shuang back home, as we agreed before, let’s go out for a walk.”
Qingyan replied, “Okay.”
Qiu Henian’s breathing gradually became steady, and he fell asleep. Qingyan blew out the oil lamp and climbed back into bed. He pulled up Jindou’s blanket a bit and lay down in his own spot. When he did, Qiu Henian beside him moved a bit.
Qingyan thought he had awakened the other person, but Qiu Henian only reached out his arm to pull him into his embrace. His large hand rubbed his back a few times before falling back asleep.
Qingyan nestled in his embrace and also closed his eyes.
…
In the eastern part of the village, not far from the blacksmith’s shop, was Xiao Zhuang’s family. Xiao Zhuang’s parents had added two more rooms to the east side of their own home for his bride. Xiao Zhuang and Wu Shuang’s new room was right here.
When Xiao Zhuang lifted the red veil, he froze for a moment. Under the candlelight, Wu Shuang was dressed in a red wedding gown, with a high bun adorned with golden hairpins set with pearls and jade.
According to tradition, they shouldn’t see each other before the wedding, and Xiao Zhuang hadn’t seen him in about ten days. Maybe it was the makeup or perhaps he had gained a bit of weight during these days, but Xiao Zhuang finally got a clear look at his appearance.
Wu Shuang wasn’t particularly handsome, at best he could be called delicate. His eyes were a bit too large, his nose a bit short, but his lips were very attractive, and unlike before, they were neither dry nor flaky but rather fresh and tender.
Xiao Zhuang only hesitated for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and placed the red veil aside. He walked over to the table where there was a tray with two cups of wine.
Wu Shuang also stood up and walked over to him. Each of them took a cup from the tray, silently lifted their arms, crossed them, and drank their wine in one gulp.
After finishing, Xiao Zhuang said, “It’s getting late. Let’s rest.”
After washing up and blowing out the candles, the two of them lay down in bed. Xiao Zhuang obediently wore his inner garment, placed both hands flat on his stomach, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
In the darkness, he could hear the slight breathing of the person beside him.
Xiao Zhuang came from a large family with many siblings. Before getting married, he had lived in the same room as his younger brother, so he should have been used to sleeping with others. But tonight was different, and he felt somewhat concerned.
Thinking about having to get up early tomorrow to serve tea to his parents, Xiao Zhuang still tried to relax and make himself fall asleep faster.
Just then, the person beside him spoke.
In the quiet night, Wu Shuang’s voice was particularly clear.
He said, “Are you just going to sleep like this?”
The hand on Xiao Zhuang’s abdomen trembled slightly, and he asked, “Is there something else?”
“Yes,” Wu Shuang said decisively.
Before Xiao Zhuang could ask further, Wu Shuang lying beside him had already turned over. His slender hands with unexpectedly strong strength held down Xiao Zhuang’s shoulders on both sides. He lowered his head, then pressed his lips against Xiao Zhuang’s.
Although the blister had long healed, Xiao Zhuang still inexplicably felt a slight pain on his lips.
He subconsciously wanted to push away the person lying on top of him, but before he could act, he felt something soft, warm, and wet probing between his lips. Xiao Zhuang reacted for a while before realizing what it was, and suddenly his whole body flushed with heat.
Wu Shuang obviously didn’t have much experience.
After kissing him haphazardly for a while, he gasped and lifted his head, saying, “I won’t feel at ease if you don’t touch me.”
Xiao Zhuang wanted to explain that he didn’t have any other thoughts; since he had already married, it was natural to live a good life together for the rest of his life.
They had only seen each other a few times and he was just worried that Wu Shuang wouldn’t get used to it. He hoped they could get to know each other better and move on in the future.
However, Wu Shuang obviously didn’t appreciate it. Before Xiao Zhuang could speak, he lowered his head again and used his mouth to cover Xiao Zhuang’s lips, then quickly pulled off his pants and grabbed Xiao Zhuang’s hand and put it under him…
In the darkness, Xiao Zhuang’s face suddenly flushed red.
His body was still stiff, but inside, the desires typical of a man his age had begun to stir up.
