T1983 Chapter 3

Xu Shen was not a living Buddha. It was the fault of the Zhou family from the start, so he thought, either return his money or marry someone else instead. He rudely said to Shu Ran: “I do not need another younger brother. I need a wife. Think about it yourself, either your sister marries me, or you do it in her place.”

 

Speaking of that, Xu Shen looked at Shu Ran’s eyes and believed he understood what he was talking about.

 

“What? This…” As a modern man from the 21st century, Shu Ran naturally knew what he was implying. Xu Shen didn’t care whether his bride was male or female. Was he swinging both ways?!

 

But that wasn’t the point. Shu Ran quickly cleared his mind and looked at Xu Shen in horror: “But…”

 

Xu Shen didn’t like to force people. “Or give me back the 500 yuan and everything I’ve given your family these past few days.”

 

That was more than impossible. Shu Ran blushed. Damn, how could this happen? Xu Shen wasn’t interested in himself, right?

 

“I don’t have that much money for the time being”, he whispered.

 

“When you get the money, I won’t stop you from leaving.” But he didn’t mean it and he was sure that the boy wouldn’t be able to earn that much money on his own.

 

This young man never set foot outside the county. Xu Shen strongly believed that those self recommendations just now were just empty words. He wouldn’t laugh at him but didn’t take him seriously either.

 

Shu Ran trusted him and believed he’d be able to leave after paying back the money. He didn’t feel his situation was that desperate yet. But the fact that he somehow became Xu Shen’s prospective wife truly shocked him. He thought there were no gay people in that era, and even if there were, who would dare to openly find himself a boyfriend and live happily?!

 

And Xu Shen… Shu Ran secretly looked up at him. The other party has been mixing in society from a young age and was not embarrassed. Xu Shen openly looked back at him with no shyness, giving people a feeling of maturity and the vastness of the world.

 

“What do you say?” He asked the boy.

 

Shu Ran lowered his head even further and whispered: “I’ll think about it.”

 

Saying that, he touched his face. He never looked carefully in a mirror after coming here. He vaguely knew that this face was good-looking, with smooth skin. But still, he never thought he’d receive the favors of another man. Especially not from his future brother-in-law.

 

“Okay”. Xu Shen continued: “I’ll pick my bride when the time comes. Whoever it is, that’s who will be. Anyway, someone has to come home with me. Otherwise…”

 

His reputation was there, so it goes without saying that the Zhou family wouldn’t dare play tricks on him.

 

“Yeah…” Shu Ran responded quietly.

 

Wang Dong came back with a large basket of food. Behind him were several young men, who were probably Xu Shen’s brothers.

 

“Brother Shen is upstairs. His brother-in-law came to meet him. Do you want to talk with him?”

 

Several young people shook their heads. “I guess they are planning things. Let’s not disturb them.” Xu Shen didn’t like it when others were yelling around. Anyways, he’ll see the food on the table and come when hungry.

 

Wang Dong: “Let’s start cooking then. If only my sister-in-law were here already, us brothers can’t wait to taste her cooking.”

 

Xu Shen came down the stairs and scolded him: “Keep on dreaming, your wife didn’t cook for me either after you got married.”

 

Among the young people, a ruffian named Chen Kai smiled and came up to put his hands around Xu Shen’s shoulders. Looking behind him at Shu Ran, he asked: “Brother Shen, is this your future brother-in-law? What’s his name?”

 

Xu Shen first pushed Chen Kai away and said rudely to him: “Get out of here!” Then he turned around and introduced Shu Ran to everyone: “This is Zhou Ding, don’t bully him.”

 

“What are you saying…” Chen Kai answered. “How can we bully your brother-in-law?” “Wouldn’t it be better to please him instead?” He thought.

 

“Come here.” Xu Shen called Shu Ran over. “Let me introduce them to you.” Pointing at Chen Kai, he started: “This guy with a flowery shirt is Chen Kai. He’s two years older than you.”

 

Shu Ran shouted politely: “Brother Chen!”

 

Xu Shen then continued, pointing at a shorter man with a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, who was squatting in the yard and cleaning fish: “Chen Sen, Chen Kai’s brother.”

 

Hearing his name, Chen Sen stood up and nodded at Shu Ran, with the cigarette still in his mouth: “Brother-in-law!” His other hand was holding a kitchen knife with a bright blade and, coupled with his sweaty forehead, made him look like a dangerous seasoned man.

 

Shu Ran immediately said in awe: “Hello, Brother Sen!”

 

“Jiang Fan.” Xu Shen took Shu Ran back to the living room and pointed at a young man who sat with his legs crossed in front of a fan. “Jiang Fan, this is my brother-in-law, Zhou Ding.”

 

“Hello, brother-in-law.” Jiang Fan nodded lazily.

 

“Hello, Brother Fan.” Shu Ran acknowledged him.

 

Next, other people were introduced, but Shu Ran noticed that the most important ones were introduced first. The rest were just juniors.

 

Shu Ran went to help Wang Dong wash the vegetables, and inquire about all those men on the way. He was afraid he might upset someone and end up with a blackened eye.

 

Wang Dong opened his mouth and whispered to him: “Brother, I’ll tell you, this are all big shots… I’m scared to even interrupt their conversations! If I hadn’t followed Brother Shen, I wouldn’t have had a chance to know them at all!”

 

Shu Ran listened carefully. According to Wang Dong, Jiang Fan’s background was very good, with his family full of high-ranking officials that couldn’t be touched. But he was rebellious and spoiled by his brothers and sisters, so he ended up not following the right path. Otherwise, he was not someone who should have mixed with Xu Shen.

 

As for the Chen brothers, their father arrived in Nanshi decades ago. Now his name was well known, and everyone had to give their family face. The brothers had walked a wide and carefree path for most of their lives.

 

Shu Ran blurted out: “Then, what does Brother Shen rely on?”

 

Wang Dong looked to the right and left and came close to Shu Ran’s ear to whisper mysteriously: “Your sister is a smart woman, she’ll find out in the future.”

 

“Wang Dong, what are you mumbling about with Zhou Ding?” Xu Shen’s voice suddenly came from behind. Wang Dong stiffened and turned around with a smile: “Nothing, Brother Shen, I didn’t say anything about you!”

 

Xu Shen ignored him and said to Shu Ran: “You are a guest. Come in and let him do the work by himself.”

 

Wang Dong panicked: “Yes, brother-in-law, you go in quickly and have some tea. It’s so hot outside.”

 

Compared to going inside the house and having to deal with Xu Shen, Shu Ran preferred to stay out and bask in the sun, so he said: “It’s okay. I want to help with some work, otherwise, I won’t feel at ease.”

 

Wang Dong laughed at him: “How come you’re so thin-skinned?”

 

Xu Shen didn’t laugh and said again: “Come in and let them do it themselves. There’s something I want to tell you.”

 

Now Shu Ran had no other choice but to put down what was in his hands and follow Xu Shen back inside.

 

As soon as Shu Ran sat down, Chen Kai offered him an expensive-looking cigarette. It was not the hand-rolled kind, but a branded one. “Brother-in-law, do you smoke?”

 

Shu Ran immediately waved his hand: “Thank you, Brother Kai, I don’t smoke.”

 

His serious refusal made everyone laugh, including the lazy Jiang Fan who took another look at him and asked Xu Shen: “Has your brother-in-law studied abroad? Why do I feel he seems familiar?” He acted just like his educated cousins who studied abroad.

 

“No.” Xu Shen was very clear about his background. How could the Zhou family have enough money to send their son to study abroad? He guessed the boy really liked reading, just like his sister.

 

Shu Ran sat in the middle of this group of people and felt seriously uncomfortable. He quickly asked Xu Shen: “What did you want to tell me?”

 

Xu Shen started laughing: “Nothing. Just saw you sitting outside like a fool and felt like you were about to say something stupid.”

 

Shu Ran felt speechless but didn’t dare to be rude to him, so he lowered his head.

 

“Hahaha.” Chen Kai whispered to Xu Shen. “Why is your brother-in-law acting like a shy little girl? It’s a bit awkward.”

 

Shu Ran, who was laughed at, felt once again that he really wasn’t suitable to mix with these people. His face turned black and he hurriedly said: “Then I’ll go out to help!”

 

Just as he was about to stand up, Xu Shen pressed him back and started scolding Chen Kai: “If you can’t speak, then shut up!” He said to Shu Ran again: “Don’t go out. There’s a bunch of people out there who have nothing else to do. You stay and rest.”

 

His tone was quite harsh, but Shu Ran knew he meant well, so he stopped being stubborn.

 

Jiang Fan’s eyes turned to them. He felt like he saw something interesting and wanted to laugh more. “Brother-in-law doesn’t smoke, here, have some fruits.” Jiang Fan put a piece of watermelon in front of Shu Ran.

 

It was a rare thing in that era. If someone like Tian Erwa was there, he’d already be drooling. But Shu Ran’s reaction was flat as he plainly said: “Thank you.”

 

He transmigrated a mont ago. He forgot when was the last time he ate well, so his stomach couldn’t accommodate a lot. One piece of watermelon was barely doable.

 

Xu Shen thought he was too thin-skinned to eat, so he took the piece and put it in his hand. “It’s quite sweet. Try it.”

 

“Thank you, Brother Shen.” Shu Ran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he still had to take the piece and eat it. His gentle appearance made Chen Kai’s teeth ache. He was a sloppy eater and finished a piece of watermelon as big as his palm in two bites.

 

But Shu Ran was composed and took small bites. His fingers didn’t get wet and there were no watermelon seeds at the corners of his mouth. He looked very clean. In Chen Kai’s opinion, he was pretending. Who disn’t know the living standards in the countryside? Was his family richer than Xu Shen? Could they afford to raise their son like a young master?!

 

But Xu Shen didn’t think he was pretending. After having some contact with him, he felt Shu Ran was just like that. Polite and clean, but with a sense of distance, like he and they were from two different worlds.

 

…………

 

When the meal was ready, Shu Ran helped clean up the table and serve the dishes. Seeing that, Jiang Fan whispered to Xu Shen: “So virtuous. Such a young boy is rare.”

 

Xu Shen answered: “There are many brothers and sisters in his family. The old ones take care of the young, he must be used to it.”

 

After sitting down, one of the younger brothers exclaimed: “Such a rich meal! There’s a lot of meat today!” There was braised fish and stirred-fried pork belly, accompanied by several vegetarian dishes. In the 80’s, such a complete meal was uncommon. Many people only ate like that during the Spring Festival.

 

Wang Dong smiled and said: “That’s because my brother Dingzi is here today. You guys only reap the benefits.” He enthusiastically put a large piece of fish head on Shu Ran’s plate. “Brother, the fish head is the best! You eat it!”

 

Several people around the table were greedy, but that was Xu Shen’s brother-in-law, and also a distinguished guest. How could they compete for food with him?!

 

“The fish head is delicious, but has no meat. Can’t you pick something with meat?” Xu Shen also moved his chopsticks and picked a fat piece of fish belly for Shu Ran.

 

“That’s enough.” Shu Ran quickly said. “I can’t eat that much alone, just share it among yourselves.”

 

The table was full of hungry men and everyone was devouring their food in a hurry. Only Shu Ran was taking his time, not even touching most of the dishes. Everyone felt he was too delicate.

 

In the afternoon, it was time to do business. Wang Dong was going and Xu Shen should have accompanied him, but he surprisingly said to Jiang Fan: “You take the lead this time. I won’t come.”

 

Chen Kai was astonished: “You won’t go? Can we do it without you?”

 

Jiang Fan accepted, then he looked at Chen Kai and said: “Brother Shen is about to get married. If there’s anything, we can deal with it by ourselves.”

 

“That’s fine.” “Let’s wait until Xu Shen brings home his bride,” Chen Kai thought.

 

The group of people left the house, and Xu Shen said to Shu Ran: “Do you want to visit the county town or go back home?”

 

Only then did Shu Ran realize that Xu Shen intended to take him home, so he gave up on going out to make money. It made him a little confused.

 

Shu Ran answered: “Let’s go home now. There’s a lot of work to do in the fields.”

 

“Okay.” Xu Shen went to pack some fruits and biscuits that were left over from today, and joked with Shu Ran along the way: “Can you even do farm work?”

 

He didn’t look like a farmer, with his slender and white arms and legs.

 

“Are you looking down on me?” Shu Ran sulked. Although he wasn’t used to it in the beginning, at least he was strong enough to farm.

 

Xu Shen was ready to go so he called Shu Ran: “Come on.”

 

Shu Ran climbed on his bicycle and naturally put his arms around Xu Shen’s waist.

 

“…” Xu Shen suddenly felt a pressing question in his heart. He turned around and looked at Shu Ran’s fair face.

 

“When you came in the morning, did you also hug Wang Dong like this?”