A Good Country Wife
Chapter 193 Losing the Opportunity_1

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 Losing the Opportunity_1

Zhao Erhu gave Lin Yue a deep look, seemingly thinking of something, and indeed struggling within himself. However, not wanting to disappoint his young wife, he finally nodded in agreement, "Since you’re willing, then keep it well, I trust you."

"Really trust me?" Lin Yue raised an eyebrow and waved the silver note in front of Zhao Erhu with some skepticism. She thought this man was underestimating her knowledge. When she had first arrived, he guarded against her as if she was a stranger, not even trusting her to go out alone. If she was gone too long, he would quickly come searching for her. But after observing her genuine desire to build a life with him, his trust slowly grew. When Zhao Erhu had an accident last time, she stayed by his side without wavering, and he was indeed grateful to her. However, it was still far from Lin Yue’s expectations; at least the wariness had yet to fully dissipate. But his willingness to entrust the silver note to her for safekeeping was a good sign of progress.

But Zhao Erhu’s response was somewhat off-topic, "Yueyue, just live a good life with me, and give me a plump little son; in the future, you can take care of all the family’s silver, including managing me too."

Zhao Erhu pulled Lin Yue into his embrace, coaxing her. He remembered a recent heart-to-heart talk with his great-uncle, where he admitted he didn’t want his young wife to have children yet, for fear that childbirth might harm her health. Now, reflecting on his great-uncle’s words, Zhao Erhu realized they were profound and sensible; the more he found his wife admirable, the more unsettled and insecure he felt, fearing she might leave him one day, even considering using a child to tie her to him. However, he had also inquired with the best gynecologist in the city, who had confirmed that with proper care during pregnancy, it wouldn’t harm her body. Doctor Jiang had said the same.

At the mention of this topic, Lin Yue’s cheeks reddened. She scolded Zhao Erhu, "Zhao Erhu, you’re being improper. I’m not talking to you anymore." This man, honestly, they hadn’t even consummated their marriage, and he was already talking about children. Moreover, she was so young—how could she have children? It was better to wait a few more years.

"Why won’t you talk to me? Fulfilling marital duties is only natural. How is that improper? My good wife..."

On the second day of the Dragon Boat Festival, when hosting a lunch for guests, Zhao Erhu was sent out by Lin Yue to deliver rice dumplings and festival gifts. It was only to the neighbors in the village, so it didn’t take much time. For those living farther away, he had already delivered two days earlier. Lin Yue had specifically instructed Zhao Erhu to take a portion to the Zhang Li Family as well, the one where her husband taught as a master at the Songshan Academy, hoping that Master Zhang would take extra care of their children when they studied there.

As for Sister Zhao Yunxiang’s place, Lin Yue hadn’t forgotten either. Although Zhao Erhu was disappointed in Zhao Yunxiang, he still cherished some affection for her. Besides, Lin Yue wouldn’t commit such a disputable act—it was only a few rice dumplings, after all, no big deal. Just yesterday, after selling rice dumplings in the city, Zhao Erhu specially made a trip to Shanglin Village to deliver festival gifts to Zhao Yunxiang.

Zhao Dahuo’s family and Chunxi, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, came early to help. Chunxi had also brought her son, who had been staying at her parents’ house these past days, "Yueyue, I came early to help you."

Lin Yue, having seen the true character of Chunxi, naturally lost her previous warmth towards her. Nevertheless, coming together for the Dragon Boat Festival lunch had been previously agreed upon, and it wouldn’t be good to go back on her word. Chunxi probably sensed that Lin Yue was not as warm as before, assuming that Lin Yue was just tired these days, hence the change, and didn’t think too deeply about it. She didn’t realize that her greed had not only lost her a good friend but had also forfeited the opportunity to change her fate.

"Brother, Sister-in-law, you’re here so early too?" Lin Yue was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Dahuo and his wife come over so early; today wasn’t a working day where they earned wages, but rather they were invited to celebrate the festival and have lunch. Could it be that the Wei Family actually didn’t keep them tied up at the Zhao Family’s old house to do hard labor and were willing to let them out so early?

"It’s all thanks to those wages, your brother and I only worked a few days and we brought back three hundred coins, which made the Wei Family very happy. When they heard we were coming over here to celebrate the festival, they gladly agreed and even suggested we come early to help out so you wouldn’t be busy by yourself. With the third and fourth daughter-in-laws at home, the Wei Family is rarely so enlightened. How could I go against her good intentions? So, I got up early with the kids’ dad and brought the children over. The third and fourth daughter-in-laws have been quite resentful these past few days from being bossed around by the Wei Family."

Madam Liu spoke with a sense of satisfaction in her voice, clearly indicating a trace of disdain for the Wei Family and taking pleasure in the misfortune of the Jin and Li Families. She wasn’t truly foolish; having suffered under the Wei Family for so many years, she rarely had such enjoyable moments.

Zhao Dahuo and his wife found it inconvenient to bring the earned silver back home, as it would certainly be coveted by the Wei Family if discovered. After discussing, they decided to keep all twenty-one taels with Zhao Dahuo, while the three hundred coins were separately provided by Lin Yue, specially for them to deal with the Wei Family. However, Zhao Dahuo and his wife firmly refused to take advantage of this offer and insisted on deducting it from their own silver. Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu had no choice but to agree.

"Brother and Sister-in-law did the right thing, but in the end, you’ll still have to live with them, and all this work will fall back on you. Otherwise, Brother, you shouldn’t work at the landlord’s anymore. You earn only twenty coins a day and are exhausted. Erhu and I are too busy to handle everything and are short on hands. It would be better if your whole family came here. If you worked with us, Erhu and I definitely wouldn’t let you down."

After this experience, Lin Yue saw that Zhao Dahuo and his wife were indeed hardworking and reliable, so she straightforwardly proposed that they come and help them. Firstly, Zhao Dahuo and his wife would not have to be driven like cattle by the Wei Family, and secondly, it would be a win-win situation as they would also have good helpers.

Recently, Lin Yue successfully developed several new soy products: dried bean curd sticks, tofu skin, vegetarian sausage, and several kinds of pastries, all of which sold well in the market. They were earning more and more money, but both she and Zhao Erhu were exhaustingly busy, especially Zhao Erhu. He felt sorry for Lin Yue and didn’t let her do too much, taking on all the work himself. Over time, he had become noticeably thinner from exhaustion.

It wasn’t just Zhao Erhu who was concerned for Lin Yue; as her husband, Lin Yue also worried about Zhao Erhu. She had been considering hiring help for some time but was hesitant about whom to ask, which was why they had not made a decision yet.

The candidates Lin Yue had in mind were Wu Qiang and his wife, and Chunxi and her mother-in-law. Taking into consideration their relationship and closeness, Wu Qiang and his wife would undoubtedly be ranked first. There was no need to mention their regular assistance and care, let alone the fact that Wu Qiang had been Zhao Erhu’s close childhood friend. However, Wu Qiang’s family situation was not always stable, with occasional troubles. If his wife and he were to work for them long term, they might not be able to leave their home.