Chapter 143: He Got Fierce

The Zhang family gathered around Zhang Erzhu, asking how he had managed to return. Erzhu’s explanation mirrored Qin Huiyin’s speculation: he had been working under Song Ruize, and upon noticing Erzhu’s constant preoccupation with family matters, Song had granted him leave to return home and resolve his affairs.

"How many days were you granted?"

"Five days for now. If that isn't enough, I can return a couple of days later."

Carpenter Zhang was surprised. "That boy from the Song family was never close to anyone in the village. Now that he’s working at the dam, he’s turned out to be quite considerate."

"Supervisor Song is a very good man," Erzhu said, defending him.

"Supervisor Song? That sounds like a fairly high-ranking position!"

"I suppose so; he manages hundreds of people," Erzhu replied. "He’s also in charge of procurement and such."

"The lad has made something of himself. So, how did you get back?"

"Supervisor Song drove me back in the dam’s carriage," Erzhu said. "He frequently goes to the provincial capital for supplies, often staying away for two or three days at a time, so taking the carriage out is common practice."

Standing at the doorway, Qin Huiyin addressed the entire Zhang family: "Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhou, Brother Dazhu, Brother Erzhu, let's discuss everything after we eat. Everyone is waiting!"

"Huiyin, we’re coming right now," Aunt Zhou replied, then turned to Erzhu. "Your Aunt Taohua and sister Huiyin have been worried about your situation and called us over to brainstorm. Now that you’re back, hurry over so we can figure this out together."

After calling them, Qin Huiyin returned to her courtyard. She took out a large bowl, filled it with plenty of chicken and taro, and then added a large serving of rice, placing everything into a basket.

"Third Grandfather, Mother, you two start eating. I’ll be out for a moment; I’ll be right back."

"Sister, where are you going?" Tang Yixiao stood up and called out.

Li Taohua said sourly, "Didn't you hear what Zhang Erzhu said? Song Ruize drove him back, which means Song Ruize is back too!" She thought to herself, *That silly girl is far too concerned about that boy.* For some reason, Li Taohua found the lad even more irritating than before.

Tang Yixiao curled her lip. "Second Sister is always hovering around him. What’s so good about him? He’s always stone-faced, ignores people when they talk to him, and is so icy—there’s no warmth in him at all."

Qin Huiyin carried the basket into Song Ruize’s house. Having been away for so long, the yard was overgrown with weeds, making it look like a desolate ruin. The front gate was left open, as was the inner door.

"Brother, are you home? I’m coming in..." As Qin Huiyin pushed the door open, she saw a figure with his back to her hurriedly putting on his clothes.

"What are you doing here?" Song Ruize asked fiercely.

Qin Huiyin stood stunned for a moment. She set the basket on a nearby table and said, "You haven't lit a fire in your home for a long time; you probably don't have anything to eat. I brought you some food. Eat it if you want, or I’ll take it back to feed the dogs."

With that, she turned and walked out. Song Ruize watched her leave, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately said nothing. *She couldn't have seen the scars on my back, could she?*

Qin Huiyin returned home, fuming. As she reached the door, she smoothed the annoyance from her face and forced a smile, adjusting her mood.

"I’m back," she said, entering the yard. Seeing everyone still seated, she asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

"I suggested borrowing money to help your Brother Erzhu marry the Xiao girl, but he refused," Li Taohua said. "He says the ten-tael dowry is an astronomical price, far too high for their family. He doesn't want his family to bear such a heavy debt just for his wedding. The problem is, the Xiao family insists on that amount; if you don't pay it, you can't marry Xiao Chunni."

"Let’s eat first," Third Grandfather Tang urged. "Fill your bellies, then we can think of a way."

"I want to see Chunni tomorrow," Erzhu said. "I’ll tell her how I feel. If she understands, I’ll keep trying. If not, then so be it."

"Chunni is a good girl. Today she even told me she was willing to come back with me and marry as soon as I returned. I didn't agree. If she really did that, how could she face anyone later?"

"Such a good girl—you mustn't let her down," Xiang Chuntao said.

Li Taohua urged everyone to start on the hotpot. For a while, the group set aside their worries and enjoyed the meal before them.

Tang Lvwu noticed Qin Huiyin wasn't very interested in the food. She tugged at her hand under the table and whispered, "Did Song Ruize bully you?"

Qin Huiyin shook her head. "No." He had always had that sour face; it wasn't as if she were meeting him for the first time, so why should she mind? She just hadn't expected her kindness to be met with such a cold attitude. A villain is a villain; his heart cannot be warmed. She had clearly overestimated her own abilities.

The group continued to discuss the matter while eating. Erzhu was unwilling to pay the ten-tael dowry; given his family's circumstances, it was already impressive if they could manage the usual two or three taels like everyone else in the village. If they had ten taels, he would gladly pay it to marry the girl he loved, but they didn't. If he borrowed the money, his family would be saddled with debt for years. He could handle the burden, but he had no right to make his parents and brother suffer for his sake.

He planned to negotiate with the Xiao family: he would pay three taels upfront and then pay them a hundred copper coins every month for ten years. In the end, he would end up paying even more.

"If I were the Xiao family, I would accept your proposal," Li Taohua said. "But don't get your hopes up; that bunch is narrow-minded and not very bright."

*Woof!*

"Momo" suddenly started barking. It ran toward the gate, yapping at the outside. Qin Huiyin chased after the dog. "Momo, what is it?"

The gate opened to reveal Song Ruize standing there, holding the basket. Qin Huiyin glanced at him, took the basket from his hands, and called to the dog at her feet, "Come back."

"I... I didn't mean to be fierce to you," Song Ruize said softly, sounding a bit aggrieved.

Qin Huiyin paused and looked back at him. "And are you going to be fierce again?"

"I wasn't," Song Ruize said earnestly.

"You were," Qin Huiyin glared at him.

"I won't be in the future," Song Ruize promised.

Qin Huiyin told Momo, "You don't need to bark at him anymore. He's one of us."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Song Ruize’s mouth.

"Wait here," Qin Huiyin said. She took the basket inside, returning shortly after. "You're heading back tomorrow, right? Take these with you so I don't have to go all the way to the dam to bring them to you."

Song Ruize took the basket. "Thank you."

"Do you not have a warm quilt at home? I saw that you didn't even have anything to cover yourself with on the bed. I'll bring one over to you in a bit," Qin Huiyin said.