A Good Country Wife
Chapter 447 - 441_1

Chapter 447: 441_1

"I sent word once, when I had just left, not even two months ago, saying that they had settled down in the south and sold most of the goods; they’d be back in another month or so. But since then, there’s been no word."

"So they went to the south. Old Master, don’t worry too much. How about this, in a few days, I’m also planning a trip to the south. Tell me the specific details about your son and daughter-in-law, and any means of contact you may have. Once I get there, I’ll help you look for them." Zhao Erhu pondered for a moment before speaking. He wasn’t the overly charitable type, but after understanding the situation in the village and hearing about the plight of Old Master Qian’s son and daughter-in-law, he figured there might be some use for him. Since he was going to the south anyway, looking for Old Master Qian’s family would just be a small detour.

Lin Yue was surprised to hear Zhao Erhu say this, he had never mentioned going south to her before, and she had no idea what Zhao Erhu would do there. In the days spent in the Capital City, Zhao Erhu had been extremely busy, at first she thought he was preoccupied with the workshop, but even after all matters there were nearly settled, he was still out early in the morning. Could it be that he had other plans, or was it related to his trip south?

"Zhao Brother, with a heart as kind as Buddha’s, I thank you. Whether you find my son and daughter-in-law or not, I’m deeply grateful." Old Master Qian became increasingly agitated as he spoke, about to kneel to Zhao Erhu in gratitude. Zhao Erhu stopped him. At this moment, Lin Yue, who had been preoccupied with her thoughts and had no interest in intervening, simply watched coldly from the side. Her gaze softened slightly only when she saw Little Douzi standing by the door.

In the presence of Old Master Qian, Lin Yue couldn’t question Zhao Erhu directly, but many doubts and some anger were brewing silently within her. Before, Zhao Erhu would share everything with her, but this time he had kept his activities outside a complete secret, not even letting a hint slip by her. Had it not been for today’s conversation mentioning the trip to the south, she would have continued to be kept in the dark. It’s said that men change once they have money; even if Zhao Erhu had done nothing to wrong her, the trust and openness between them as husband and wife were gone.

"Wife, what’s wrong, are you angry?" Zhao Erhu could tell from his wife’s unpleasant expression that she was upset about his planned trip to the south. He had kept it from her because he didn’t know how to bring it up and didn’t want to worry her, so he hadn’t mentioned it yet, but he knew it was something she had to be told eventually.

"What’s there for me to be angry about? Your trip to the south is your own business, it has nothing to do with me; there’s no need to inform me," Lin Yue said coldly, looking at Zhao Erhu with an indifference as if he were a stranger, harboring real anger. Even though she trusted that Zhao Erhu would never betray her, his secretive behavior still infuriated her. One thing could lead to another, and if it became a habit, nothing good would come of it. She couldn’t let it slide without making a point that such important news about going to the south should have been shared with her, not learned because of someone else’s casual mention.

Seeing his wife like this, Zhao Erhu felt a pang of panic. She said she wasn’t angry, but her icy demeanor was telling of her true feelings; he knew her well enough to recognize genuine anger. If it had been a minor issue, she might have just argued with him to let off steam, but this coldness indicated serious upset.

"Wife, I know I was wrong this time. I shouldn’t have kept it from you. I didn’t want to add to your worries in the Capital City, and back then, I was still gathering information and hadn’t made a firm decision, so I didn’t tell you. It wasn’t intentional, please don’t be upset, okay?"

"Zhao Erhu, what you said lacks sincerity. If it wasn’t a deliberate secret, I would have heard something beforehand. These are matters to discuss before decisions are made. Once a decision is set, there’s nothing left to discuss, just to inform me, right? You didn’t even do that much. I only learned about your trip to the south from someone else. Don’t you think that’s lovely, Zhao Erhu? Who, exactly, do you think I am to you? I hardly feel like a wife who shares all with her husband."

Lin Yue was cutting with her words, leaving Zhao Erhu at a loss for response. "Wife, I—I just..." Zhao Erhu was almost frantic, could he say it was because she was so capable that he felt useless, unable to protect her, and that’s why he wanted to make something of himself? But saying that would likely anger her further.

"Just what, Zhao Erhu? You better explain yourself clearly today, or don’t bother talking about it ever again. Now that you’ve got the means and the money, you can marry whatever kind of woman you want. You’re not obligated to care about this country girl, just divorce me and marry some well-off city girl; it saves you from my nagging, doesn’t it? A perfect solution."

Zhao Erhu massaged his forehead, she was poking at him on purpose. "Wife, what are you even saying? I’ve already told you, in this life, you’re the only one for me. I don’t care for any other women, even if they look like heavenly fairies. Don’t ever talk like that again."

"You don’t need to be insincere. It’s not like we can’t live without each other. Life goes on just the same. You’d be fine without me, and I’d manage just as well without you. Don’t worry, and don’t feel bad about it," she said.

"Wife, don’t you dare talk like that again. I couldn’t go on without you. I’ll never let you leave me in this lifetime. You can argue however you want with me, but don’t ever think such thoughts. Could it be that you’re still pining for that childhood sweetheart, that sanctimonious scholar?" Zhao Erhu was agitated, finding it most unbearable to hear her speak of leaving him. Without thinking, he let his resentment show, well aware that Lin Yue despised that scholar, Jiang Wenshu, which was why he deliberately mentioned him instead of anyone else.

Hearing Zhao Erhu’s words, Lin Yue threw a pillow at him. "Great, Zhao Erhu, it’s clear you’re the one in the wrong, and you know exactly what that Jiang Wenshu is like. Yet you still use him to provoke me? You’re doing this on purpose; you’re nothing but a spiteful old man."

"You say that because you know it hurts. And your words, aren’t they stabbing at my heart? You know exactly how I feel about you, yet you bring up other women. I admit my mistake this time, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Please, let’s not be angry anymore, okay?"

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