Her person?
Chu Jing glanced sideways, then remembered he had been bought by her. It was true that he could be considered her person, but for some reason, he felt a strange unease in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Wu Shi scrambled up from the ground with a start, forcing a smile. “Yuanyuan, this is no joking matter. How could you bring a man home to live with you without consulting your uncle? Even though your parents are gone, a young girl like you shouldn’t be so improper. What would people think of you living with a man?”
Her eyes were full of schemes, fearing that Jiang Yuanyuan might be serious. She put on a concerned tone, “In my opinion, it would be better for you to move in with us. That way, your parents could rest in peace. Besides, you’ve already promised Zhang the Lame. How can you go back on your word now?”
Jiang Yuanyuan sneered, showing no mercy. “I’m afraid my parents would be even more worried if I moved in with you. You’ve always beaten and scolded me, and just now you were crying on the ground. Now you’re standing up and smiling at me—so unpredictable. If I moved in, I’d be tormented to death sooner or later!”
“Besides, it wasn’t me who promised Zhang the Lame. If you want to marry him, Auntie, you can go ahead and do it yourself!”
“You!” Wu Shi had long known this wretched girl was not to be trifled with. She slapped her thigh in frustration. “Fine! Fine! Since you’re acting like this, I’ll call your uncle and your grandmother to see what their good niece and granddaughter has been up to!”
With that, she ran off, looking as though she was going to fetch reinforcements.
Jiang Yuanyuan bolted the door and turned to see Chu Jing staring at her. She lowered her head, putting on a pitiful expression. “My parents are both dead, and my uncle’s family always comes looking for trouble. What I said earlier… I had no choice. You won’t blame me, will you?”
Of course, everything she said was a lie. It was just that she had only bought him back the day before, and now she was talking about getting married and living together—it was all too abrupt. Jiang Yuanyuan believed that if they spent enough time together, Chu Jing would eventually agree to her proposal. It was only a matter of time.
Hearing this, Chu Jing indeed asked no further questions. He nodded, appearing to understand her situation perfectly, and then went back to sweeping the already spotless floor.
Noticing the clothes in the basin by the well hadn’t been hung out to dry, Jiang Yuanyuan walked over and picked up one of her pink skirts. That’s when she saw a large tear in the hem, as if it had been ripped.
She cast a suspicious glance at Chu Jing, but the man remained calm. “I haven’t had time to wash the clothes yet.”
He spoke so earnestly; surely he wouldn’t lie…
Jiang Yuanyuan racked her brains but couldn’t remember where she might have torn the skirt. She decided not to dwell on it—she could mend it once it dried.
·
At Uncle Jiang’s house, Wu Shi returned and immediately embellished the story about Jiang Yuanyuan keeping a man.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Jiang was furious. He had been planning to marry off this wretched girl soon to make some money. If she brought a man home, how could he sell her for a good price later?
And so, Uncle Jiang and his entire family set off in a rage, accompanied by Jiang Yuanyuan’s grandmother, Granny Yu, who hobbled along with her walking stick.
When the three of them arrived, Jiang Yuanyuan was just about to prepare lunch. The ingredients included half a piece of leftover meat from the day before, a radish, and two eggs.
Hearing the drum-like pounding on the door, she walked over unhurriedly to open it. Whether they came early or late, they were here anyway—might as well settle things clearly today.
As she went to open the door, Chu Jing followed closely behind her.
The moment the door swung open, Uncle Jiang’s torrent of abuse came raining down, his spittle flying everywhere. “You wretched girl, hiding a man behind our backs—have you grown tired of living? Believe me, I’ll beat you to death on your father’s behalf!”
In the middle of his tirade, Granny Yu struck him with her cane. “Still not ashamed enough? Let’s talk inside!”
Jiang Yuanyuan stood right at the doorway, showing no intention of letting them in. “Whatever you have to say, say it here at the door.”
Though old in years, Granny Yu spotted the man behind Jiang Yuanyuan at a single glance. She couldn’t let the two of them actually get together—her eldest grandson still lacked the money to marry, and they were counting on Jiang Yuanyuan’s bride price to cover it.
Her eyes darted shrewdly as she held back her son and daughter-in-law, who were about to speak. Turning to Jiang Yuanyuan, she said, “Yuanyuan, have you been wronged? If you’ve been wronged, tell your grandmother. I’ll stand up for you.”
Jiang Yuanyuan avoided the hand that tried to pull her in. “I have been wronged. Can you really stand up for me?”
Her sudden change in attitude made Uncle Jiang and Wu Shi exchange uneasy glances—something felt off.
Granny Yu thumped her cane firmly. “Of course! If anyone dares bully my granddaughter, I’ll fight with these old bones to seek justice!”
Jiang Yuanyuan said, “Good. Then have Aunt return the three cured meats, two chickens, thirteen eggs she took from my house last month, along with the two small stools and half a bag of rice from this month.”
The three of them stiffened, especially Granny Yu, whose face darkened the most. She shot a sharp glare at her eldest daughter-in-law—that wretched woman, taking so many good things without offering any to her.
Wu Shi quickly protested, “Mother, don’t listen to her nonsense! As an elder, I’d be ashamed to take her things!”
Uncle Jiang moved to shove Jiang Yuanyuan. “Cut the nonsense! Believe me, I’ll beat you to death!”
Before his hand could even rise, Chu Jing stepped in front of Jiang Yuanyuan, his cold gaze fixed on Uncle Jiang, sending an inexplicable chill down his spine.
Uncle Jiang spat in disgust. Damn it, this pretty boy dared to block him.
With a furious roar, he lunged forward—only to let out a sharp cry as Chu Jing kicked him a full zhang away. He collapsed on the ground, clutching his chest and groaning in pain.
Wu Shi shrieked, “Husband! Husband, what’s wrong?”
Granny Yu’s face turned ashen.
Jiang Yuanyuan wrapped her arms around Chu Jing’s. “You’ve all seen it—Chu Jing knows martial arts. From now on, every time you come, he’ll beat you once! Don’t blame me for being merciless.”
With that, she shut the door, her face filled with satisfaction. Bullied for so long, she had only been able to hide—today, she had finally vented her pent-up anger!
As for Chu Jing, feeling her arms around his, he pursed his lips and quietly withdrew his hand.
Jiang Yuanyuan didn’t mind. After all, as long as the two of them lived under the same roof, they were bound to grow familiar sooner or later.
She thanked Chu Jing, “Thanks to you—otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do today.”
As she spoke, her crimson lips curved into a smile, like ripened vermilion fruit, strikingly beautiful for no apparent reason.
Chu Jing’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly. “If not for me, this wouldn’t have happened today.”
Jiang Yuanyuan pointed through the door at the people still lingering outside and wrinkled her nose. “Not at all. They’re insatiably greedy. Without you, I’d only be bullied to death.”
Since she said so, Chu Jing didn’t say anything more and went back to work.
Jiang Yuanyuan went to cook. Their small courtyard blocked out all the noise, making it exceptionally peaceful.
Today’s dishes were shredded radish stir-fried with meat and scrambled eggs. Chu Jing alone ate three large bowls of rice, while Jiang Yuanyuan only ate half a small bowl and didn’t feel hungry at all. The more Chu Jing ate, the happier she became, and she decided to cook more rice tomorrow so he could eat his fill.
After all, eating well is essential for good health and vitality!