17 – Come, let me carry you
“Yes, well said! That Chen Dashan is nothing but a scoundrel!”
Before Chen Dashan had even gone far, Sun Xiao Lan began clapping her hands.
She helped Taohua close the door properly, then praised her, “I’ve noticed you’re really different from before. You’re not timid and submissive like you used to be—you’re especially firm! It’s satisfying to see.”
“Ah,” Taohua sighed, “I don’t really want to shout at the top of my lungs like that either, but Chen Dashan is just too wicked. When Brother Qin returns, I must tell him.”
“Of course, let your man stand up for you!” Sun Xiao Lan said, taking Taohua’s hand and leading her inside. “Don’t sigh like that, or you’ll sigh away all your good fortune.
But there’s no need to worry—isn’t your man here to bring you luck? If you ever feel upset, just pull him into bed, and maybe the next day you’ll feel refreshed and have great luck.”
“Xiao Lan!” Taohua almost forgot her anger. “What’s with your head, always thinking about such things?”
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. Let’s go back and stitch shoe soles.”
Sun Xiao Lan stayed at the Qin household until the sun was nearly setting. After she left, Taohua began preparing dinner.
Just as she started ladling the rice soup, Qin Feng returned.
He had gone up the mountain today to set traps and brought back a bundle of firewood on his way down.
After returning, he didn’t idle either, busying himself with arranging the firewood in the yard.
So it wasn’t until mealtime that Taohua could properly talk to him.
“Brother Qin, Chen Dashan came by today. I didn’t open the door—he wanted to ask me for money. Later, I got so angry I splashed hot water on him and drove him away.
At the time, teaching him a lesson felt quite satisfying, but the more I think about it now, the more afraid I am. He said if he sees me again, I’m finished.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Feng immediately set down his bowl and chopsticks.
“We already gave him fifteen taels of silver and signed an agreement with him, yet he still dares to come looking for trouble when I’m not home! Taohua, don’t worry about this matter, and don’t be afraid. I promise you he won’t dare come to our house again.”
“Then what do you plan to do, Brother Qin?” Taohua also set down her bowl and chopsticks, looking anxiously at Qin Feng. “Actually, I’m afraid of something else too.
I’m afraid that after suffering a loss here, he’ll turn around and go bully my mother. Chen Dashan is a scoundrel—when he used to get drunk, he often hit my mother.
Brother Qin, after we finish eating, could you accompany me back to the Chen house to check? If my mother is alright, then I’ll feel at ease.”
“Alright,” Qin Feng agreed without hesitation. “I can see you’re very worried. We can eat when we get back—there’s no rush for a bite or two.”
“Good!” Taohua nodded eagerly. “Then I’ll keep the dishes warm in the pot so we can eat them hot when we return.”
“I’ll do it. You go gather a few things to secretly give to your mother later. What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Taohua pressed her lips together, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you, Brother Qin. Thank you for still thinking of my mother.”
Looking at Taohua’s tearful eyes, Qin Feng suddenly felt an urge to pull this obedient and pitiable little wife into his arms.
“Silly girl, don’t forget I also call your mother ‘Mother.’”
“Mm!” Taohua sniffled and turned back to her room.
Although Qin Feng was generous, his family wasn’t particularly wealthy either. She couldn’t take too many things back home, and if it was too conspicuous, it wouldn’t be good if Chen Dashan saw it.
So she only brought a few pieces of rock sugar back, planning to share them with her younger siblings later. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about it falling into Chen Dashan’s hands.
In winter, darkness fell quickly. By the time Taohua and Qin Feng arrived at the Chen household, it was already pitch black.
Fortunately, Chen Dashan wasn’t home, so Taohua and Qin Feng went inside and sat for a while.
Mrs. Zhou said to Taohua, “I already know about him going to your house today. When he came back, he cursed you loudly, then took the money and went out drinking. The fifteen taels of silver your husband gave back then have already been nearly squandered by him. Taohua, just remember one thing: no matter what he asks you for in the future, don’t give it to him.”
“I know, Mother, but I’m afraid if I don’t give it to him, he’ll take his anger out on you by hitting you. I’m worried you’ll suffer. Mother, can’t you just leave him?”
“If I leave him, what will happen to your two younger sisters and brother? If he divorces me, do you think he’ll let me take all three children? Taohua, don’t worry about me. Look, I’m fine, aren’t I? He hasn’t laid a hand on me. As long as you and your husband are doing well, I’m happy. You haven’t been home these past few days, and your two younger sisters and brother have missed you. Go play with them for a while. I have a few words I’d like to say to your husband.”
Taohua nodded, glanced at Qin Feng, and then went to the room to find her younger siblings.
“Xiao Guo, Xiao Ye, Xiao Bao! Have you missed your big sister? Look what I brought you!”
As soon as Taohua saw her three adorable younger siblings, she immediately pulled out a small cloth bundle from her pocket.
Chen Xiao Ye, born in the Year of the Dog, had a particularly sharp nose and immediately caught the sweet scent.
“It’s something delicious! It must be something delicious! Big sister brought us something tasty!”
As soon as Chen Bao heard “something delicious,” he stuck out his tongue and licked Taohua’s small cloth bundle.
His little voice was sweet and childish: “So sweet, big sister is so sweet!”
“You little rascal, no matter how sweet the treat is, it’s not as sweet as your mouth.” As she spoke, Taohua opened the cloth bundle, revealing the rock sugar inside.
“Wow, such a big piece!”
“I want some, I want some!”
“Me too!”
“Alright, alright, don’t rush. Everyone will get a share.” Taohua said, picking up the cloth bundle and tapping it a few times on the table.
The large piece of rock sugar broke into several smaller pieces, and Taohua gave each of her younger siblings a portion.
After the children finished eating the rock sugar, Mrs. Zhou and Qin Feng had finished their conversation.
The couple couldn’t stay at the Chen household for too long, so they prepared to return to their own home.
They didn’t bring a lantern, so they had to rely on the faint moonlight to find their way back.
Taohua had only taken a few steps when she stepped into a pothole, nearly twisting her ankle.
Seeing this, Qin Feng simply bent down and crouched in front of her: “Come on, get on. I’ll carry you back.”
Taohua was momentarily stunned. In her memory, only her parents had carried her on their backs when she was very young. After she grew up, she had never been carried on anyone’s back again.
Now, staring at Qin Feng’s broad shoulders and back, she asked a silly question:
“I’m very heavy. Are you sure you want to carry me, Brother Qin?”
Qin Feng couldn’t help but chuckle softly. This silly wife of his!
“Hurry up and get on, how heavy can you be? I can lift you with just one hand.”
Hearing Qin Feng say this, Taohua’s face flushed red involuntarily.
Yes, he really could lift her effortlessly—just with his big hands gripping her waist, leaning back against the headboard, he could easily lift her up and set her down…
Taohua slowly climbed onto Qin Feng’s back. At first, she didn’t dare to press too close against him.
But remembering the intimate moments they had shared over the past two nights, she let her entire weight rest on him.
She wrapped her arms around Qin Feng’s neck, pressing her face against the nape of his neck, and asked:
“Brother Qin, what did my mother say to you just now? Why didn’t she let me listen?”