“What… what, damn it! Are you crazy?”
Lin Yue increased the pressure.
Zhao Shuilai felt like his shoulder was about to shatter. His face turned red as he struggled to pry off the hand gripping his shoulder.
The hand was like an iron clamp, unyielding, and not only that, the grip tightened even more.
Zhao Shuilai cried out in pain, his legs trembling uncontrollably, bending downwards.
Lin Yue lifted him up forcefully, leaned close to his ear, and said in a low voice, “I’ve been married to my wife for many years. I know her better than anyone. I believe she wouldn’t do such a thing. If I hear anything damaging to her reputation, I’ll kill you. Got it?”
Zhao Shuilai’s face twisted, snot and tears streaming down as he nodded repeatedly.
“Got it! Got it! Got it!”
Lin Yue released him, stepped back, his expression calm, showing no emotion: “Do you need me to see you off?”
Zhao Shuilai: “No need!” He clutched his shoulder and scrambled away.
Lin Yue withdrew his gaze from Zhao Shuilai’s retreating figure and walked towards the alley entrance. The lunch break wasn’t long, and this person had really wasted his time.
Just as he was about to turn around after leaving the construction site, he saw Gu Jun approaching.
It was unclear how long Gu Jun had been hiding there watching.
Lin Yue walked over nonchalantly and asked, “Hungry?”
Gu Jun nodded lightly, “A bit.”
Lin Yue said, “Let’s eat.” The two of them went to the same place they ate yesterday, solving lunch with three sorghum pancakes and two bowls of porridge.
Lin Yue ate two sorghum pancakes and a bowl of porridge.
Gu Jun ate a bowl of porridge and half a sorghum pancake, saving the other half for dinner.
This way, he wouldn’t need to spend money on pancakes for himself in the evening, just a bowl of porridge. For Lin Yue, it would be three sorghum pancakes and a bowl of porridge.
The next morning, the leftover sorghum pancake from Lin Yue would serve as his breakfast—Lin Yue definitely couldn’t eat three, at least one would be left.
As for himself, he wouldn’t eat, and to avoid being scolded by Lin Yue, he could tell him he wasn’t hungry and would buy food later. After all, he wasn’t working, so skipping breakfast wasn’t a big deal.
Calculating like this, the minimum daily expense was fourteen wen.
Fourteen wen, Gu Jun was worried. Lin Yue’s wages were only twelve wen, and they were always spending more than they earned. His clothes probably couldn’t be redeemed before the cold wave hit.
He hesitated whether to tell Lin Yue about this. Lin Yue might not be good at calculations and unaware of their current situation. After a brief thought, he held back.
Lin Yue was already working hard enough. This kind of thing, he should try to solve it himself.
If he really couldn’t solve it, then they could discuss it together. He couldn’t always burden Lin Yue alone; it would crush him.
He regretted it a bit, thinking he shouldn’t have bought the mixed soup or the bean pancakes yesterday. That way, they could have had an extra sorghum pancake today, saving six wen.
If only they had a pot, they wouldn’t need to spend money eating out. They could buy some cheap ingredients and cook themselves. Including fuel costs, they could eat well for eleven wen a day. But alas, they didn’t have one.
A pot was out of the question; it wasn’t about whether to buy it or not, but that they couldn’t afford it.
In the Xuan Dynasty, like other ancient dynasties, pots were expensive!
No matter the material, pots were costly. Unless one had the skill to make pottery, but if he had that skill, he wouldn’t be in this predicament.
Gu Jun thought, hiding his worried expression, pondering how to answer if Lin Yue noticed his unusual demeanor.
Lin Yue seemed too focused on eating to notice his expression. That was good, saving him the effort.
After eating, they returned, and at the alley entrance, Lin Yue suddenly asked, “Did you offend someone?”
Gu Jun thought: Finally, it’s here.
Gu Jun had indeed overheard the conversation between Lin Yue and the pawnshop clerk while standing at the corner of the building.
Although he didn’t hear everything, just the latter part, he could deduce the whole situation.
Gu Jun exhaled deeply and said, “I’m not one to cause trouble, but some people are petty and hold grudges over trivial matters. It’s quite normal.”
Lin Yue asked, “So you know that pawnshop clerk?”
Gu Jun nodded, “Yes, I know him.”
He explained in detail how he went to the pawnshop to pawn his clothes but didn’t because the price was unreasonable.
Lin Yue was surprised. “Your arithmetic skills are that good?”
Gu Jun said, “My family is in business, so arithmetic is valued. I just know a bit, nothing exceptional.” Gu Jun had previously told Lin Yue that he was the daughter of a merchant, and Lin Yue was the son of a private school teacher.
Lin Yue said, “You’re already better than most people. If you worked as a pawnshop clerk, you’d do better than him.”
Gu Jun was someone who enjoyed compliments. Hearing this, he smiled and continued, “I didn’t expect him to be so petty. Just because I didn’t do… uh, this business with him, he tried to ruin my reputation. Luckily, you chose to believe me.”
He wouldn’t say the word “transaction,” so he hesitated and used “business” instead.
Lin Yue said, “I’m your husband, of course I believe you.”
At this moment, Gu Jun felt completely at ease.
Ever since hearing the pawnshop clerk’s slander, he had been uneasy.
Lin Yue had no memory, and from his previous careful questioning, Gu Jun knew he was cautious and suspicious. Even if Lin Yue believed Zhao Shuilai’s slander a little, any negative thoughts could cause trouble for him.
Fortunately, Lin Yue didn’t believe it at all.
It seemed he wouldn’t believe it at all; the pawnshop clerk’s words were too outrageous for any normal person to believe.
But the clerk was truly malicious, choosing such a way to deal with a “little lady.” If Lin Yue had been less sensible, Gu Jun would have been forced into a corner unless he revealed his true identity to prove his innocence.
Time was running out, and Lin Yue had to return to work. He stood in the shadow of a tree, his voice mingling with the wind, reaching Gu Jun’s ears.
“If there’s anything, discuss it together. Don’t take risks alone.”
Gu Jun agreed readily. As Lin Yue walked from the shadow into the sunlight, bathed in a layer of light, Gu Jun belatedly realized there was more to Lin Yue’s words, as if warning him not to act secretly due to their financial shortfall.
Could Lin Yue have found another way to make money? Perhaps he was worried Gu Jun would wander around and encounter the pawnshop clerk.
That was indeed a concern. Gu Jun thought for a moment and decided to stay put like a turtle.
As for revenge?
He was well aware of his current precarious situation—how could he possibly have the ability to take revenge?
Lin Yue had already taught the clerk a lesson, so he considered it as having taught the clerk a lesson himself.
Gu Jun was good at comforting himself. He had endured worse things, so this was nothing. He just hoped the pawnshop clerk wouldn’t act like an indestructible creature from a certain province and come back to disgust him.
.
He hoped so, but Zhao Shuilai just loved being that indestructible creature.
He went to the clinic to have his shoulder checked.
The doctor looked at the finger marks on his shoulder and gasped, seeing the skin beneath the marks had turned black and blue.
“Who did this? Was it Feng Laotou? Such strength, luckily it didn’t hurt the bone.
“Previously, Feng Laotou’s neighbor almost got beaten to death by him for arguing over petty matters. It was terrible, no need to say more.
“He doesn’t even consider what Feng Laotou used to do. He was a local ruffian leader, and his family paid to get him a job as a jailer in the county office.
“Later, Feng Laotou befriended Master Huang, and within a year, he was promoted from jailer to head jailer, managing quite a few people!
“With such a background, he dared to offend him. What’s a little advantage compared to life?
“If you’ve also offended Feng Laotou, I kindly advise you not to confront him head-on. Buy some good wine, meat, tobacco, and a couple of good cloths with some candied fruits and snacks, apologize at his door, and this matter will be settled…”
The doctor rambled on.
Zhao Shuilai frowned, only hearing about Feng Laotou’s powerful background and how he almost beat his neighbor to death.
This was truly wonderful!
Zhao Shuilai laughed out loud, causing the doctor to tremble, messing up the application of the medicine.
Noticing this, Zhao Shuilai’s expression changed immediately, glaring fiercely at the doctor: “Are you blind?” He then grabbed the ointment, scooped out a large amount, and applied it to his wound.
The doctor stomped his foot in distress: “Oh dear, this is a rare and effective ointment for promoting blood circulation and removing bruises, and you’re wasting it like this! The little bit of money you paid for the medicine isn’t enough…”
“Bah!” Zhao Shuilai cursed, “You old thing, your heart is too black, trying to scam money. Why don’t you just die already!”
The doctor pointed at him, gasping for breath, and finally rolled his eyes and fell backward.
The apprentice in the clinic cried out in alarm, rushing to help, while Zhao Shuilai, realizing he was in trouble, immediately ran away, heading straight home.
His wife was working on embroidery in a small space, and seeing him return in a panic, she quickly put down her work and went to him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working? Why are you back so early? Did something happen?” his wife asked.
Zhao Shuilai was in a state of panic, pushing his wife aside, biting his nails, and pacing in the yard.
Seeing this, his wife, who was initially calm, became anxious. She grabbed his hand and said, “We’re a family. Whatever it is, let’s talk it out. There’s always a solution.”
“A solution! What solution!” Zhao Shuilai pushed his wife away again. The child nearby started crying, and he, feeling irritated, kicked the child and scolded, “Cry, cry, cry! What are you crying for!”
His wife quickly took the child away, soothing him in a low voice in the room.
Zhao Shuilai paced around the house for a long time, drank two pots of hot soup, and finally dared to go out and inquire about the doctor’s condition. Learning that the doctor wasn’t dead and he wouldn’t have to face jail or sentencing, he finally relaxed.
With his nerves finally unwinding, he sat down on the ground, exhaling a long breath.
“That’s really great…” he murmured.
His wife, having calmed the child, came to see him again. Seeing him sitting on the ground without regard for his image, she felt the situation was serious and was about to seek help from her family. Zhao Shuilai stopped her, whistling, and stood up, saying, “It’s nothing, you’re making a fuss.”
His wife looked at him suspiciously, “Really?”
Zhao Shuilai snorted disdainfully through his nose, “Even if there was something, I wouldn’t tell you. You’re just a woman, what do you know?” Saying this, he headed towards the main room, rummaging around, and left with two good cloths, two strings of copper coins, and a pot of good wine.
His wife’s face was very unpleasant, following him with hesitation. As he stepped out the door, she couldn’t hold back and grabbed his arm.
“What are you going to do?”
With his main worry gone, Zhao Shuilai was in a great mood. He pinched his wife’s hand and said, “Your husband is going to handle a big matter. Once it’s done, we’ll earn a lot of money, and our son will have a copper ingot to wear.”
His wife: “Husband, what big matter is this…”
“Just wait at home!” Zhao Shuilai lifted his leg and left.
His wife watched his overly excited back, feeling uneasy, and decided to take the child to her family.
.
Speaking of Zhao Shuilai, he carried his things and, after several turns, arrived at Feng Laotou’s place. Feng Laotou lived near the county office, and though the courtyard wasn’t large, it was beautifully built.
He knocked on the door, and Feng Laotou’s concubine put down her broom, opened the door, and, after sizing him up, knew he was there to ask Feng Laotou for a favor.
She smiled politely, led him inside, and went to call Madam Feng, while she quickly stepped aside.
Madam Feng had burn scars on her face, was around forty, with a few strands of white hair in her updo. She had a maid serve tea, gestured for Zhao Shuilai to sit, and asked what he wanted Feng Laotou to do.
Zhao Shuilai quickly presented his gifts and said, “Madam Feng, I know my place. I wouldn’t dare ask Feng Laotou to do anything difficult. I just want him to deal with someone, not to kill him, just to make him lie down for a year or so.”
Madam Feng found this simple but didn’t agree immediately. She had the maid accept the gifts, politely sent Zhao Shuilai off, and said she’d pass the message to Feng Laotou when he returned.
If he agreed, they’d arrange a place to discuss it further.
Zhao Shuilai naturally agreed, and once outside the Feng residence, he cursed under his breath.
What a cunning woman, accepting the gifts but not saying whether they’d agree or not, not even mentioning a refund, clearly not planning to return the gifts.
Feeling distressed, Zhao Shuilai squatted at a nearby brothel, waiting for Feng Laotou.
Before long, he saw Feng Laotou leaving the county office, holding a woman, and soon received good news from the Feng household.
“Mr. Zhao, our master invites you to Linhua Tower to discuss matters.”
Zhao Shuilai was delighted, “Great, great, great!”
.
Before dark, Lin Yue finished work.
After a busy day, he was covered in sweat.
Gu Jun found the smell overwhelming and didn’t pull on Lin Yue’s sleeve, just followed behind him.
They went to have dinner, just as Gu Jun had planned.
After eating, they had two pancakes, one sugar pancake, and one sorghum pancake.
The sugar pancake was palm-sized, with a bean flour crust and a sugar filling.
Gu Jun broke the sugar pancake evenly in half, revealing the sugar inside, which was red. Compared to modern sugar, it wasn’t very sweet and had some sticky stuff mixed in, though he didn’t know what it was.