Switch Mode

FG Chapter 115

Now, we are relatives.

On the day Wan’er returned to her husband’s home after three days, she and Asyl arrived halfway through the morning with two baskets of gifts. When they arrived, Mi Niang and Bahu were out grazing the cattle and sheep, leaving no one at home. So, Higil rode a camel to call them.

 

Mi Niang hadn’t expected Wan’er to come, let alone Asyl to bring gifts of gratitude. When Mi Niang and Bahu returned, they saw him by the river washing and drying wool. There were many baskets and sieves set up in the open space, all containing cleaned wool, and he was helping with the airing process.

“Asyl, come inside and have a seat,” Bahu called out as he got off the carriage, pointing to someone to catch a sheep and slaughter it. “Let’s have lunch at my place at noon. It’s not convenient to cook at your grandmother’s.”

 

“Don’t worry, brother. We’ve already arranged to take Grandmother to Xushui for lunch at noon.”

 

Mi Niang hurried back with the carriage, taking the children with her. Wan’er played with the puppies in the yard. Only with these familiar people around would the dogs at home, not bark or bite.

 

“You’ve come all this way and brought so many things. Why?” She lifted the two children down from the carriage and instructed Qiqige and Jiya to call for help.

 

“It’s a gift of gratitude. My parents-in-law prepared it early this morning. It’s something we should give,” Wan’er explained. “It’s not just your family; my third aunt’s family also received one. She’s also our matchmaker.” Wan’er smiled. The marriage between her and Asyl had caused both families a lot of worry.

 

They set up tables and chairs, and the four of them sat outside the felt pavilion chatting. Bahu talked with Asyl about migration and winter hunting.

 

“I thought you two would get married after returning to the winter pasture. I even told Mi Niang we’d visit your place then,” Bahu said with great interest in hunting. Asyl’s tribe used to live in the mountains over a decade ago, leading a life of fishing and hunting. Even after moving out of the mountains, they still went hunting in the mountains every year, which was a tradition in their tribe.

 

“In that case, your whole family can come in the winter. I’ll take Brother here into the mountains for hunting, and we’ll bring your family’s foxes to call out their wild nature,” Asyl said seriously, looking at Wan’er. “Apart from thanking the matchmaker, we came here for another reason. Wan’er only has a grandmother here, and her relationship with her sister-in-law is good. Our marriage also benefited from her sister-in-law’s introduction. Wan’er hopes that our two families will treat each other as relatives in the future, visit each other during festivals, and attend each other’s happy occasions. Brother and sister-in-law, what do you think?”

“I have the same intention. It’s only fair to become relatives and not let down the friendship we’ve built along the way,” Mi Niang said. She had the same intention from the start. Most of Bahu’s relatives were estranged, and she was only familiar with a few girls on her side. Even if Asyl didn’t mention it, she would have brought it up.

 

Wan’er smiled and stopped Qiqige, who was running over, and hugged him. “So now I’m your legitimate aunt?”

 

“Was it illegitimate before?” Mi Niang intentionally misinterpreted the meaning and was lightly tapped before covering her mouth and laughing.

 

After Wan’er and Asyl left, Mi Niang nudged Bahu as they entered the house. “Now that we’ve become relatives, you don’t have any objections, right?”

Bahu protested, “When did I ever object to your decisions?”

 

Mi Niang was ready to bring up old grievances, “It was last year, around this time. I took Pandi and Wan’er to gather seeds from the dry lotus. Who was it that came back and complained about me having too close of a relationship with them?”

 

Bahu recalled the incident. At that time, he didn’t want Mi Niang to spend too much time outside and wanted the family to stay behind closed doors and enjoy their own little life. If she hadn’t mentioned it, he would have forgotten about it. Now thinking about it, it seemed like a lifetime ago.

 

Seeing him silent, Mi Niang hugged his neck from behind and whispered, “You’ve changed a lot.” She remembered on the day of their marriage, he didn’t even know how to entertain his second uncle and his guests. Today, when Asyl came, he was able to engage in conversation. From Asyl’s arrival to departure, she didn’t have to worry about entertaining him; he took care of it all, without any awkward moments.

 

“You’ve taught me well,” he praised.

 

Mi Niang couldn’t accept this praise; she hadn’t really taught him anything. She never attended school and didn’t understand any grand principles. Sometimes, she couldn’t even argue with him, resorting to pinching and biting.

 

Qiqige and Jiya crawled out of the doghouse and saw their father carrying their mother on his back. They hadn’t even stood up yet, but they were already clamoring for attention.

Seeing the two little ones running over, Mi Niang urged Bahu to hurry, “Get inside, get inside, don’t let them catch you. They’re covered in dirt and dog hair all over their bodies.”

 

The man changed his slow pace and jogged, bending over to enter the felt bag, laughing loudly at the screams outside.

 

Just before Qiqige and Jiya entered the house, Mi Niang slipped down from Bahu’s back, took a chicken feather duster and a felt pad, and walked to the doorway, casually saying, “Look how dirty you are. Come here, let Mama get rid of the dog hair.”

 

Qiqige and Jiya froze, their screams disappearing into their throats as they looked at their mother in confusion. When they were pulled to be dusted off, they still peeked into the house and called for their father.

 

“Dad’s tired, he’s sleeping,” she interjected.

 

“Sleeping?” Qiqige asked.

 

“Yeah, sleeping,” Mi Niang replied, busy dusting off Qiqige and removing the dog hair with the felt pad. She didn’t notice when the silent Jiya slipped into the house.

 

“Not sleeping!” Jiya yelled, turning around to tattle on her sister. He looked quite upset, sitting on the ground and kicking his legs, rubbing his shoes off, and staining his clean socks with dirt.

 

The series of events happened too quickly, and Mi Niang and Bahu hadn’t reacted yet. It was Bahu who snapped out of it first, grabbing Jiya’s armpits and lifting him out, “The felt bag we sleep in at home is the cleanest. Don’t let me catch you scattering dog hair everywhere.” Mi Niang never allowed anyone wearing clothes to lie on the bed normally. She had high standards for sleeping items, requiring them to be washed and aired regularly. She couldn’t stand any dog or sheep hair on the bed. She said waking up with hair in her mouth was disgusting.

The only animal allowed into this felt bag at home is Da Huang, showing how much she loves Da Huang.

 

Even when Jiya was lifted out, he still refused to cooperate. When he was put down, his short legs bent, refusing to stand on his own. His face, similar to Mi Niang’s, was full of grievance, but he didn’t express any demands himself.

 

“I’ll carry you,” Bahu promised first. “Dad will dust off the dog hair from your body before carrying you.” Hearing Qiqige’s “ah,” he tactfully added, “And your sister too.”

 

Now Jiya was satisfied, standing up straight and waiting for his dad to dust him off and remove the dog hair.

 

Bahu and Mi Niang exchanged a glance and chuckled in unison. Jiya looked on silently, but he was quite cunning.

 

After cleaning up Qiqige, Mi Niang went to the kitchen to cook, leaving the two children to pester Bahu. She couldn’t possibly carry both children around at once.

 

The person washing the sheep’s wool heard Qiqige’s laughter and occasionally glanced over. Bahu, the stern man, looked disheveled with the children riding on his neck, but he didn’t seem annoyed. Instead, he pinched and adjusted the children’s positions.

 

“A few years ago, he used to beat his dad to death, but now that he has his own children, he treats them like precious jewels,” someone muttered.

“Before, I thought he’d be like that for the rest of his life. Who would’ve thought that marrying a wife would be like changing his soul? That’s why, you see, a man still needs a wife to manage him. Look at that old bachelor, without a woman to lead him, he lives like a lost soul. Today, tomorrow, this year, next year, it’s all a confused mess.”

 

“Hey, I heard this morning that Ajima’s dad is on his last legs. People were already asking about his mom before he even breathed his last. This kid is too young and incapable. I wonder if his mom will remarry.”

 

There were those who didn’t know the situation, but upon hearing the news, they gathered around to inquire. Washing sheep’s wool was boring, and having someone to chat with made the time pass more quickly.

 

At noon, Xi Jil washed his hands and went inside to eat. As he entered, he saw the master feeding the dogs. He walked over and greeted, “I just heard that Ajima’s dad is no more. No wonder I haven’t seen him around for almost half a month.”

 

Bahu figured it must have happened just these past few days. “Pay attention. If he passes away, go on my behalf to check on them. Their family doesn’t have anyone in charge, so if they need help, gather a few people to lend a hand.”

 

Xi Jil didn’t respond. “His dad’s illness is deadly; who knows if it’ll spread to others.”

 

“It won’t spread; don’t worry. I asked the doctor,” Bahu stared at him, then added, “It’s neither contagious nor hereditary, both Ajima and his two sisters are fine, as per the doctor.”

“It’s good that it’s not contagious. I’m afraid too,” Xi Jil scratched his head and sighed, “I wonder how he got this illness; it’s quite harmful. I remember his dad wasn’t even as old as my old man.”

 

He was thinking of going to Ajima’s house to check on them another day. When he returned home in the evening, he heard a burst of crying, from both women and children. He grabbed someone coming down from upstairs, “What’s going on? What happened?”

 

“Someone passed away. After suffering from illness for so many years, they’re finally at peace.”

 

Xi Jil immediately knew it must be Ajima’s father. He followed the sound and indeed arrived at Ajima’s house. He asked Ajima’s mother if there was anything they needed help with, “The master told me if there’s anything you need, just let me know. I’ll get a few brothers to lend a hand.”

 

“Please convey my thanks to Bahu. There’s nothing much to do; he’s been ill for so many years, and with no relatives around, burying him tomorrow will be the end of it,” Ajima’s mother remained calm, not even a hint of redness in her eyes, though she looked exceptionally tired.

Xi Jil said a few more words before leaving. As he walked away, he turned back to ponder. Ajima’s mother seemed to have endured a serious illness as well; she appeared drained of vitality. When he returned home, he told his mother, “The old man has been sick for so many years, dragging the whole family down. Ajima’s mother looks like she’s lost half her life. A person in her forties stooped like someone in their sixties or seventies.”

 

The next day, as he headed to work, he heard screams and wails coming from Ajima’s house again. Startled, he hesitated whether to go check again. Just then, he saw Ajima rush out as if he had lost his soul, not even realizing that his shoes had slipped off.

 

“Ajima, Ajima!” Xi Jil stopped him. “What happened? Where are you going?”

 

“My mother, my mother isn’t moving, Awoo Awoo,” Ajima immediately snapped back to reality when he saw Xi Jil. His face, pale and panic-stricken, he grabbed Xi Jil and dragged him towards home. “Help me put my mother on the cart, and my sister and I will take her to see a doctor.”

 

“Alright, alright, I’ll go with you.”

 

But as soon as Xi Jil saw the elderly woman lying on the bed with her eyes tightly shut, his heart skipped a beat. Trembling, he approached the bedside and touched her lightly. She was already cold. Looking at the two sisters crying on the bed, it was apparent that only Ajima thought his mother was ill.

 

“How could this happen? She was fine last night.”

Upon receiving the news, Bahu and Mi Niang entrusted their children to Uncle Muren and rushed over without even having time to eat. When they arrived, neighbors had already helped move the bodies from the bed, and the elderly couple lay together on the ground. Mi Niang took one look, turned her face away, and tears streamed down her cheeks. After enduring hardships for half a lifetime, both elders passed away overnight. One from illness was somewhat acceptable, but the other, who was perfectly fine, how could they not wake up after a night’s sleep?

 

Ajima and his two sisters seemed like lost souls, unable to do anything. The funeral arrangements for the elderly couple were mainly handled by Bahu and the surrounding neighbors. A coffin was made in the morning, and by the afternoon, they were laid to rest.

“Previously, I didn’t realize how deep the bond between the old couple was. One passed away, and the other followed suit. It’s just unfortunate for the children. The two girls are manageable, but how old is Ajima? Six or seven? What will happen next? His uncles aren’t reliable at all. They didn’t even show up for such a big event.”

 

Listening to the discussion of outsiders, Mi Niang stood silently beside Bahu. On the way back, she spoke up, “Let’s have Ajima live with us from now on. Our family won’t miss his share of food.” This “share of food” wasn’t about hiring him to look after the children at home like before; it meant bringing him to live with them and allowing him to continue his education.

 

Bahu grunted in agreement, “Let’s see what his elder sisters say first. If one of them marries and takes him along, we won’t need to take care of him.”

Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.

Powered By
Best Wordpress Adblock Detecting Plugin | CHP Adblock

Options

not work with dark mode
Reset