A Good Country Wife
Chapter 202 Unpredictable Thoughts

Chapter 202: Chapter 202 Unpredictable Thoughts

"You father and son are really driving me mad, always taking that loss-making girl’s side; she’ll have to get married off eventually anyway." After Zhao Yunxiang finished scolding her husband and son, she turned to her daughter, "You’re useless, can’t even protect your little brother, what else can you do!" With that, she left, dragging her precious younger son, Zhao Jingen, with her, those two.

Zhao Dahuo and his wife told the Wei Family about Zhao Erhu’s request for them to help with labor, and upon hearing that Zhao Dahuo and his wife would each be paid twenty coins per day, and that the younger ones combined would also get ten coins per day, that meant Zhao Dahuo’s family could earn fifty coins in a day. There was no reason not to agree; Wei Family was overjoyed, it was all thanks to Zhao Erhu still having some brotherly affection for Zhao Dahuo that he gave them this opportunity. Otherwise, where could they find such a good deal? Wei Family was eager to send Zhao Dahuo’s entire family to Zhao Erhu’s home.

"This is a great opportunity; Brother Erhu and his wife are asking for your help because of the family connection, otherwise such a good chance wouldn’t fall in your lap. You better work hard at Erhu’s home and not let people think the money was wasted on you. You’ll be leaving early and coming back late, so don’t worry about the household chores; your brother and sister-in-law will take care of them." At this time, Wei Family clearly understood their situation—if Dahuo and his wife didn’t work hard and Erhu and his wife didn’t want them anymore, the money as good as in her pocket would be gone.

But as a result, it was impossible for Mrs. Liu to stay home and work. Wei Family mother and daughter-in-law had been counting on Mrs. Liu’s help with the farm work. Now that Zhao Dahuo’s family was all helping out at Zhao Erhu’s, leaving early and coming back late, even the kids had joined them; not to mention the fieldwork, even the minor chores like cutting pigweed and collecting firewood at home were neglected. It’s a case of the top leading by example—if the adults are lazy, how could the children be diligent? These minor tasks had always been done by Zhao Dahuo’s children, and now with them all at Zhao Erhu’s, chaos ensued at the old Zhao Family home for several days, all due to disputes over who would do the work.

Early the next morning, Zhao Erhu took Lin Yue into the city, first to deliver the food supplies to the Government Office. Zhao Erhu, with Lin Yue in tow, went to see the registrar, slipped him two taels of silver as a bribe, and then allowed Lin Yue to see their family registry. Indeed, it was just as Zhao Erhu had described, with no discrepancies. Lin Yue had no reason to doubt anymore—such matters were pointless to lie about—but seeing Zhao Erhu go to such lengths for her pleased her greatly.

Feeling happy, Lin Yue impulsively took Zhao Erhu on a long stroll through the streets, buying many things along the way. Having money was indeed wonderful—being able to buy whatever caught their fancy, unlike before when they could only look on longingly. However, Lin Yue was still careful with prices; after all, their family was not very rich, at best they could be considered moderately well-off.

After Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu had gone into the city, Zhao Dahuo’s family showed up. By the time Lin Yue got back, Zhao Erhu and his wife had already done all the work around the house that could be done. Seeing there was nothing left to do, they asked after Dalang and a few others, then picked up their hoes and headed back to the fields to weed and water. Lin Yue sighed internally; this couple was perhaps too eager to work.

With Zhao Dahuo and his wife around, Lin Yue left the non-secret recipes to others, focusing only on embroidery. She concentrated on completing Jiang Ziqi’s embroidery as soon as possible. Only then would her mind be at ease. But before that, Lin Yue first completed clothes for both her family and Zhao Dahuo’s family, making three sets per person, enough for regular changes.

As the weather gradually warmed, Lin Yue’s house was built on a hillside, so it remained rather cool, but even so, it became quite hot around noon. Zhao Erhu had just returned from the market and was about to head out again when Lin Yue stopped him. "Brother Erhu, why are you going out again at this time? It’s so hot outside, and you’re not even bothered by the heat. Be careful not to get a heatstroke."

"I won’t; I have some errands in a neighboring village. I’m not like you little Niuniu, spoiled and delicate—this bit of sunshine is nothing. Just stay inside and don’t come out; I’ll be back once I’m done with my errands. No need to worry so much about me." Zhao Erhu now enjoyed teasing Lin Yue from time to time, finding her ruffled feathers amusing.

"Pah, who’s worried about you? I don’t care about you at all. And don’t think I don’t know that Wei Fangcao has returned to the village, trying to inch her way towards you whenever possible. If you dare give that flirty woman even one extra glance, just wait for it—I’ll make sure you go home and kneel on a washboard!" Lin Yue said, hands akimbo, assuming the posture of a fierce lioness.

"My little wife even knows how to be jealous now, that’s quite an improvement!" Zhao Erhu, soaked in sweat, didn’t go to embrace his little wife but instead tousled her hair and laughed heartily, striding out a few steps. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to tell his little wife, "I brought back a piece of floral cloth for you, it’s on the head of the bed. Make yourself a nice outfit with it."

Zhao Erhu’s biggest hobby now was dressing up his little wife. Previously, he only liked to fiddle with his little wife’s hair, purchasing mostly hair accessories like pompoms, floral fabrics, wood carvings, and even bought two silver hairpins, filling a whole wooden box. Lin Yue thought since she didn’t have to lift a finger, she let him be. Later on, Zhao Erhu even personally took charge of everything Lin Yue wore, from clothes to jewelry, to shoes and socks. Lin Yue found it very strange that such a big man like Zhao Erhu had a fondness for these things.

Zhao Erhu, however, was full of pride, feeling that dressing up his own little wife was something to boast about. No matter how he dressed her up, she would change according to his desires, which gave him an uncommon sense of achievement.

Still, Zhao Erhu was somewhat troubled. His young little wife preferred plain colors, and her clothes were mostly light blue, light green, and similar hues. There were hardly any bright colors. He mentioned it to her several times, but she wouldn’t listen, so Zhao Erhu had to find a way, often bringing home different colored floral fabrics for her to make clothes. Sometimes he even personally designed the styles, which Lin Yue found increasingly bothersome.

"Zhao Erhu, you must have too much money to spend, don’t you? Why buy more floral fabric when you know I don’t like these colors, and I already have enough clothes. Look, the wardrobe is packed full." Lin Yue felt sure their genders had been reversed.

"No problem, a young little wife should have plenty of clothes to change into. If there’s no room left, I’ll just make another wardrobe for you, it’s no trouble at all," said Zhao Erhu, to which Lin Yue had no response.

That afternoon, when Zhao Erhu returned, he was leading an additional cow. Lin Yue was puzzled, as Erhu hadn’t discussed buying a cow with her, and there was no need for another one at home for the time being. However, she had heard news that some retired warhorses would be coming to the teeth line in a few days. Lin Yue wanted to purchase one to pair with a carriage since the ox-cart was too slow, taking over an hour just to enter the city. With their current means, it would be more convenient to have a horse-drawn carriage.

"It’s a cow, our sheep at home isn’t producing much milk anymore, and the quality isn’t as good as it used to be. I heard yesterday that someone in the neighboring village wanted to sell a newly birthed cow, and I went to buy it this afternoon. My little wife will rely on its milk from now on. I had to buy it quickly and take good care of it, to fatten it up."

As Zhao Erhu looked at his little wife growing increasingly healthier these days, he was convinced that milk was indeed a wonderful thing and that he needed to ensure she had a constant supply.

Lin Yue, hearing this, felt quite twisted inside and couldn’t pinpoint exactly why it seemed odd until it slowly dawned on her; he was raising a cow, not a pig. Why fatten it so much, unless he was planning to slaughter it for the New Year?

Lin Yue was only half right; indeed, Zhao Erhu was keen on meat, but he also wanted to fatten up his little wife so she could conceive sooner, not that he could ever say such a thing. If he did, his little wife would certainly get annoyed. Zhao Erhu could only pin his emotions on the recently bought milk cow, which made his words seem a bit odd.

Lin Yue didn’t care about Zhao Erhu’s attention, let him take care of whoever he wanted, as long as he didn’t bother her. She wasn’t sure if she had eaten something bad these past few days or what, but she had been feeling a draggy pain that made her whole being uneasy and irritated. She really was annoyed now, wishing Zhao Erhu would focus his attention elsewhere and leave her alone.

Zhao Erhu followed Lin Yue back to the room. "What’s wrong, Niuniu? Is there something upsetting you, or are you feeling unwell? You look downcast." Zhao Erhu had also noticed that his little wife wasn’t quite herself lately, getting easily angry with just a few teases, or just languishing. Considering there was nothing lately that should have upset her, he couldn’t figure out what was wrong—the hearts of women were indeed hard to guess.

"There’s nothing wrong with me, I just want some peace and quiet. As long as you don’t bother me, I’m fine," Lin Yue said sullenly as she lay on the bed, not really wanting to deal with Zhao Erhu. If she complained about a stomachache, Zhao Erhu, with his temperament, would certainly make a fuss about doctors and medicine. Since it wasn’t a serious ailment, it was better to lie down quietly for a while. Although there was occasional discomfort in her stomach, what troubled her the most was the irritable feeling inside, perhaps also due to the hot weather, as if there was a flame within her that she couldn’t vent.

"Really, don’t deceive me. If you’re unwell, we should see a doctor immediately." Zhao Erhu had come to understand his little wife more and more, slowly grasping her personality. She liked to keep things to herself and endured minor ailments without complaint, never admitting discomfort until it was unbearable, which only made him worried.

"I’ve told you, there’s nothing wrong. Can you please not bother me? I’m not sick, why would I need to see a doctor? You just can’t stand to see me well, you must be wishing I fall ill!" Lin Yue lashed out at Zhao Erhu, completely unreasonable and using him as her outlet for venting.

Zhao Erhu grew even more concerned seeing Lin Yue like this; he knew his little wife’s disposition well, and she wasn’t one to make a fuss without reason.

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