Chapter 60 A Skilled Hand

She is an absolute expert at serving parents-in-law and raising children, and on top of that, she is hardworking and resilient.

If you marry her, I guarantee you will live a comfortable life."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu was instantly startled into sobriety, more than half of his drunkenness vanishing: "Uncle, what is wrong with you today? Why on earth are you suddenly bringing up Qin Huairu?"

Seeing that He Yuzhu still maintained this attitude, First Uncle could not help growing somewhat angry: "Zhuzi, how are you talking? What is wrong with a widow? Can't a widow be a good woman? What gives you the right to look down on her like that?"

Seeing that First Uncle's temper was flaring, He Yuzhu hurriedly forced a smile and placated him: "Uncle, please don't be angry. I was just speaking off the top of my head.

Whether Qin Huairu is good or bad, I know well enough in my heart.

I just feel that she and I are not very well-suited."

Hearing this, First Uncle grew even more furious: "Zhuzi, why are you such a stubborn kid? What is wrong with Qin Huairu? If she truly marries you, she will undoubtedly treat you with absolute devotion, and your life together will surely grow more and more prosperous."

Suddenly, First Uncle's remark struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly sobering He Yuzhu from his hazy drunkenness by more than half.

He scratched his head in bewilderment, thinking to himself: "I wasn't paying much attention to what was said earlier, but how on earth did our conversation end up drifting to Qin Huairu?"

With a somewhat tied tongue and bleary eyes looking toward First Uncle, He Yuzhu asked in incomprehension: "U-Uncle, why did you suddenly bring up Qin Huairu, th-that... that person?" He had originally wanted to say "widow," but swallowed the word back right at the tip of his tongue, fearing he might provoke First Uncle's displeasure all over again.

However, He Yuzhu's seemingly casual remark acted like a fuse, instantly igniting the anger burning within First Uncle's heart.

With a sudden, fierce slam of First Uncle's hand on the table, the peanuts on top bounced into the air as if startled by this abrupt turn of events.

"Zhuzi!" First Uncle's voice carried a hint of wrath. "How can you speak like that? What is wrong with a widow? Is a widow not human? How can you look down on her so dismissively?"

First Uncle's tone grew increasingly agitated as he continued: "Qin Huairu is a good woman. She serves her parents-in-law with the utmost devotion and is an expert at raising children.

She is hardworking and can endure hardship. If you could marry her, it would undoubtedly be your blessing.

She would certainly take meticulous care of you and make your modest life increasingly prosperous."

At this moment, although He Yuzhu's intoxication had not entirely worn off, he could sense the discontent and anger in First Uncle's words.

Yet, still failing to realize the severity of the issue, he maintained his frivolous tone and retorted: "Qin Huairu? She is not nearly as good as you make her out to be.

She is full of schemes from head to toe. If I were to marry her, wouldn't I be schemed to death by her?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, First Uncle's face turned ashen with rage.

He abruptly stood up, pointed at He Yuzhu, and reprimanded: "Zhuzi! You have gone too far with your words! In what way has Qin Huairu ever wronged you? Why are you slandering her like this? Do you have any idea how many people's hearts you will hurt by talking this way?"

Having downed several cups of alcohol, He Yuzhu felt an unnamed fire ignite within his chest.

He swayed as he stood in the courtyard, his eyes flashing with a mix of drunken disorientation and lingering resentment.

"That woman Qin Huairu—don't you think her little calculations can be hidden from me," He Yuzhu said, his voice husky yet ringing with conviction, as if he intended to pour out all the dissatisfaction pent up inside him in one breath.

At this point, a trace of displeasure surfaced on First Uncle's face as well.

Frowning deeply, he fixed his piercing gaze on He Yuzhu, his tone laced with reproof: "What do you mean by that? What on earth are you clear about in your mind?"

He Yuzhu seemed completely oblivious to the unusual aura of authority radiating from First Uncle. He casually picked up his wine cup and took another fierce gulp.

The alcohol slid down his throat, bringing a trace of coolness while sharpening his clarity a fraction more.

Slowly turning around, he met First Uncle's gaze directly, a cold smirk curling the corner of his mouth: "Uncle, you don't need to play dumb either.

I see through the calculation behind you wanting me to marry Qin Huairu as clear as a mirror."

"You have no children, and in this courtyard, aren't you simply counting on me to provide for your old age and see you off when you die? But have you ever stopped to think: if I truly settle down and marry a strong-willed woman who won't let me take care of you, what will you do when you are old?" He Yuzhu's words carried a bite of sarcasm, yet also revealed a measure of helplessness.

First Uncle's expression grew even uglier. He slammed his hand against the table once more, causing the teacups to bounce up with a loud crash.

"You scoundrel! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" First Uncle's voice trembled, clearly driven to fury by He Yuzhu's words.

Acting as if he hadn't noticed, He Yuzhu rambled on: "Don't think I don't know why you want to pair me up with Qin Huairu. Isn't it just because she's a resident of this courtyard, and although she puts on a false front, she at least cares about her reputation?

If I marry her, you won't have to worry about nobody looking after you, right?"

Trembling with rage and unable to endure He Yuzhu's wild talk a moment longer, First Uncle abruptly stood up and violently overturned the table.

The wine bottles, rice bowls, and peanuts instantly scattered across the ground, the shards of broken glass glittering blindingly under the sunlight.

He Yuzhu was startled by this sudden upheaval, the alcohol in his system instantly wearing off by several degrees.

He stared blankly at the scene of devastation before him, a strong wave of regret welling up in his heart.

He knew he had truly stirred up trouble this time; First Uncle's anger was not something easily appeased.

Yet, matters having reached this point, regret was useless.

He Yuzhu could only brace himself and resolve to apologize to First Uncle the very next day.

Early the next morning, when the first rays of sunlight slanted into the courtyard, He Yuzhu stood at the doorstep of First Uncle's home with heavy dark circles under his eyes.

He knocked softly, his heart beating anxiously, unsure whether First Uncle would open the door.

The door slowly creaked open, revealing First Aunt's kind yet reproachful face.

One look at First Aunt's expression told He Yuzhu that she already knew about yesterday's incident.

He smiled awkwardly and muttered in a low voice: "First Aunt, you... you already know?"

First Aunt let out a sigh, her eyes filled with a mixture of reprimand and helplessness: "Zhuzi, how could you do such a thing? First Uncle is getting on in years, how could you say those things to him?"

He Yuzhu hurriedly lowered his head and said sincerely: "First Aunt, I know I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong.

I came here today specifically to apologize to First Uncle. Please let me go inside."

Watching He Yuzhu's sincere demeanor, First Aunt's heart inevitably softened somewhat.

Yet, keeping a deliberately stern face, she asked: "Do you really know you were wrong?"