The scene was too frightening; neither of them spoke, and they silently retreated.
Lu Mingyang wiped the sweat from his face, plopped down on the ground, and gasped for breath. Lu Mingliang was about to speak but subconsciously controlled his voice.
"Brother, did you see that? Our little brother and sister are being held in that bad woman's arms! It's terrifying! Is she possessed by a demon? And what's wrong with our little brother and sister? Why are they letting that bad woman hold them?"
Lu Mingyang glanced at Lu Mingliang. He knew that the bad woman wouldn't just sit idly by. She had indeed started to deceive Mingfang and Mingkai. Wasn't she just taking advantage of their young age?
After a while, she would definitely take their little brother and sister out and sell them off without him and Mingliang knowing. Hmph, he was right. But he couldn't say anything. Mingliang couldn't keep secrets; he didn't want the bad woman to find out.
“Mingliang, don’t keep calling her a bad woman. That’s Mom. You even ate two bowls of egg noodles she made for lunch. Let’s ask Mingfang and Mingkai what happened tonight. Anyway, you still have to be polite to Mom, understand?”
“I know, I’m always very polite. I almost smile my face off every time I see her. Just mind your own business, brother. Mingfang and Xiaokai are fine. Shall we go gather firewood?”
Lu Mingyang thought for a moment and said, “Yes, we’ll go. What can we do with this little bit of firewood? We need to fill the woodshed.”
“Okay, oh right, brother, if anyone asks, tell them that Grandma didn’t call us for lunch, and Mom is still seriously injured and lying on the kang (heated brick bed). You cooked some potatoes for lunch.”
Lu Mingyang frowned and asked, “Why?”
“Brother, are you stupid? We need to let others know. If these words reach Dad's ears, he'll definitely go after Grandma. Even if Mom doesn't feed us anymore, Grandma will still have food to eat. Don't forget, some of Dad's comrades-in-arms often send us things. Grandma and the others have taken the benefits from the army uncles, so they have to support us.”
Lu Mingliang spoke hastily, almost jumping up and down. How could his brother not understand such a simple truth!
“Mingliang, we're all part of the Lu family now. Let's not talk about the past, lest something else goes wrong.” Lu Mingyang reminded him somewhat seriously.
Lu Mingliang pursed his lips. What kind of trouble could there be? He was used to being called “ungrateful” and “unfeeling”.
After the two children left, Shen Meng gently released them, who were already fast asleep, and laid them down, then covered their little bellies with a thin blanket.
She thought about the children's surprised expressions and couldn't help but laugh. It was enough that they saw her kindness; seeing her kindness would make them less wary of her and easier to accept.
She slept with her daughter and son in the new house, while life wasn't so easy for the Lu family. Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao, who had only stayed at their old home for a day, felt very uncomfortable.
Zhou Jiaojiao didn't say anything, and even worked harder than before, eagerly taking on chores around the house. This made Lu Jiaxuan feel extremely guilty. Last night, after they went to bed, the atmosphere between them was very good, and they were about to take things to the next step when they heard coughing and urination outside the yard. He knew immediately that his second brother had gone out and found a spot against the wall.
Instantly, all desire vanished, and an awkwardness spread between them. Zhou Jiaojiao turned around and covered herself tightly with the blanket, her sobs softly hitting Lu Jiaxuan's heart.
At this moment, he looked at the woman in the cornfield, struggling to break off corn cobs, and felt extremely distressed. He made up an idea in his mind, thinking that he would have a good talk with his mother that night.
"Brother Jiaxuan, what are you looking at? Your wife has already walked far away." Sun Shanzi couldn't help but tease Lu Jiaxuan when he saw Lu Jiaxuan staring at Zhou Jiaojiao's back.
"Get out of here, why aren't you doing your job properly?" It's the busy season for farming, and as the warehouse manager, he's been called over to work with them. In a couple of days, when the corn is harvested and put into the warehouse, he'll have to register it. He's very busy.
"No, Brother Jiaxuan, I'm very diligent in my work. Here's what happened: I just came from the fields over there and heard some old women say that Shen Meng wasn't there for lunch at your old courtyard, but there were a few kids. I was worried about you and your sister-in-law being gossiped about, so I rushed over to let you know."
Lu Jiaxuan's face darkened slightly, and after a while, he glared at Sun Shanzi and said, "What 'woman'? Those are my sister-in-law and nephews. Don't you dare talk about them like that in front of me next time."
Sun Shanzi pouted and said, "Brother Jiaxuan, don't mind me. I just don't like Shen Meng. Why should Auntie spend money and effort taking care of her and the children, renting a brick house for you and your sister-in-law but not letting you live there? I was so angry when I heard that. That woman is so greedy. And Brother Zhenping, how could he have chosen such a woman when he married her? It's outrageous!"
"Sun Shanzi, you're going too far. Alright, I understand. Go on with your work!"
Sun Shanzi and Lu Jiaxuan grew up together, they were inseparable. Seeing Lu Jiaxuan's unpleasant expression, he decided not to say anything more. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"Brother Jiaxuan, I have something to tell you. I heard the commune is recruiting cadres. Isn't the former head of the commune familiar with Brother Zhenping? You could write a letter to Brother Zhenping and ask him to help put in a good word. Then you'll be a legitimate person receiving a salary. I can't even imagine how comfortable your life will be for you and your wife."
Lu Jiaxuan's eyebrows twitched at his words, but he didn't say anything and just waved at him.
Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, small bodies, each carrying a large bundle of firewood, their faces covered in sweat, their trousers rolled up, barefoot, looked pitiful to any mother who saw them.
"I heard the Lu family didn't call Mingyang and the other kids to lunch again. That woman Shen Meng is still lying on the kang (heated brick bed). When Doctor Lu went to check on her yesterday, she was almost dead. Sigh, she's so pitiful."
"Pitiful? It's her own fault for being so cruel. She tried to push Jiaojiao into the river, but a cow did it. It's just her bad luck."
"Whether she's good or bad is none of our business. It's just that these kids are having a really tough time. Sigh, what a sensible boy. I asked Mingliang what he ate for lunch, and he timidly said it was potatoes cooked by Mingyang. Tell me, sigh, what a tragedy!"
"Impossible. Aunt Lu is a good person. If she's angry, she's angry at Shen Meng. She wouldn't be taking the kids with her!"
"Hehe, who knows!"
Lu Mingyang and his wife listened to the gossip behind them and remained silent. When they brought the firewood home again, they saw Shen Meng coming out of the kitchen.
"You're back. There's some mung bean soup cooking in the kitchen, it's warm. Have some, don't go gathering firewood yet, go back inside and rest!"
Although he didn't really want to deal with the wicked woman, as soon as he heard there was food, Lu Mingliang threw down the firewood he was holding and ran to the kitchen. Two bowls of warm mung bean soup were on the low table. He took a big gulp.
"Wow! So sweet!"