Chapter 42
Outside the courtyard was a touching scene of a family reunion after a long separation. Though they were closely related by blood, Fu Wei seemed unaffected, as if he didn't quite fit in with the family.
Fu Wei's gaze shifted and caught Yu Ying discreetly wiping away her tears.
He thought to himself, she's a sentimental person.
Their eyes met, and after a brief silence, Fu Wei looked away, lowering the straw curtain.
He didn't want her to see him alone, appearing lonely.
But soon, the door opened, and she walked in from outside.
"Why did you suddenly come in?" he asked.
Yu Ying lifted her freshly washed hands, showing them to him, then said, “I got some itching powder on them. I need to apply this medicine right away, or it’ll become unbearable soon.”
As she spoke, she set down her bundle and took out a small bamboo tube about a finger's height.
Opening it, she scooped out a small amount of green herbal paste, made from crushed herbs, and applied it to her hands.
The cool sensation instantly subdued the rising itchy heat.
Yu Ying had prepared the itching powder, and naturally, the antidote herb, just in case she got some on herself.
Fu Wei, hearing her explanation and recalling the powder she mentioned before visiting the quarry, seemed to understand something.
He asked, “Did you tamper with that woman's things?”
After applying the herbal paste, Yu Ying didn’t hide it from him, “Arguing with a wicked person is futile. Besides, after how she treated Fu An, she deserved a lesson; otherwise, she might think I’m easy to bully.”
A slight smile curved Fu Wei's usually reserved lips, his eyes showing a hint of admiration.
He spoke softly, “You did the right thing.”
Yu Ying exhaled and said, “With so many people watching, I didn’t touch her. Even if she suspects me, she has no proof. And if she spreads rumors without evidence, accusing me of poisoning her, I would actually welcome that.”
Fu Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, “Why is that?”
Yu Ying replied, “She and the villagers think I won’t go to the authorities, but they’re wrong.”
Fu Wei pondered for a moment, then said, “In cases of neighborhood disputes like this, the county office usually doesn’t intervene, so they naturally don’t take it seriously.”
Yu Ying smiled, about to say something more, but then she heard Luo Shi outside, asking Fu Dalang to go in and meet his younger brother, so she stopped her forthcoming words.
Yu Ying capped the bamboo tube and placed it beside the bed, then stood aside.
The entire family entered the house, and the small thatched cottage instantly became crowded.
Fu An and Fu Ning quickly walked over to Yu Ying's side as soon as they entered.
Fu An looked at his unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar parents with a restrained gaze.
He had always longed for his parents' return, but now that they were back, he hesitated to call out to them.
Yu Ying was concerned that her sister-in-law might feel uncomfortable seeing how close the children were to her, but looking up, she saw her sister-in-law standing by the door, watching her children with longing eyes.
Yu Ying: ...
Why did she suddenly feel a mix of pity and fondness?
The children's current alienation was only due to unfamiliarity, and Yu Ying believed they would naturally accept their parents over time, so she temporarily set aside these thoughts and focused on the brothers' reunion.
Fu Zhen entered the house with mixed emotions, seeing his younger brother on the bed.
His gaze slowly traveled from the unnaturally straight legs upwards, finally resting on the handsome, ethereal face.
It was their first meeting, yet a strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him.
Their eyes met in a silent, mutual understanding.
Yu Ying, observing the two, began to understand why the mix-up had been recognized.
The first clue was certainly their resemblance.
From what she observed, the two brothers had strikingly similar features when standing together.
Their differing upbringings were evident: one with a cool, refined demeanor; the other, reserved and taciturn.
Furthermore, regarding their living environments, Fu Wei was brought up in comfort, his appearance naturally outstanding.
Fu Dalang, exposed to the elements year-round, had a rugged appearance.
After a lengthy silence, Luo Shi, with tears in her eyes, spoke in a choked voice, "Among you two brothers, it's Erlang who resembles our father the most."
Though her vision was blurry, Luo Shi, gradually regaining her sight, had felt a striking resemblance to her late husband when she saw Erlang the day before.
Hearing his mother's words, Fu Zhen wasn't overly surprised, knowing she was regaining her sight.
At the quarry, He Erlang had mentioned that his mother's vision had started to deteriorate when he left home.
While at the quarry, he had been worried about his mother's eyesight. However, on his way back, he learned from Uncle He that his brother's wife had been treating their mother's eyes, and now she was gradually regaining her sight.
After a moment of silence, Fu Zhen spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "I'm Fu Zhen, your eldest brother."
Fu Wei, with his hand at his side, clenched it slightly, maintaining a calm demeanor as he simply responded, "Fu Wei."
The name Fu Wei had always belonged to the second son of the Fu family.
However, due to a twist of fate, the name was left unused after the previous adopted son, taken by the second branch of the family, had his name changed.
This name, given by their father, had finally found its rightful place.
The name that followed Fu Wei for twenty-one years was also abandoned the moment he was disowned by his foster father.
Yu Ying interjected at the right moment, "We rushed back and haven't had lunch yet. I'll go cook."
She left the house, followed by Fu An and Fu Ning, and then their mother.
Luo Shi sighed and said, "You two brothers should talk. I'll step out."
Saying this, she also left the room, leaving the two men facing each other.
After a while, Fu Wei broke the silence, "To be honest, meeting you doesn't stir much within me."
Fu Zhen was silent for a moment before responding, "I understand."
He could see his younger brother's restraint and calm.
Fu Wei looked towards the half-closed door, saying, "Your return was made possible by Liuniang's hard work and the risk she took gathering herbs to save money. I just hope you…” he paused, then corrected himself, “my eldest brother and sister-in-law remember this kindness and not take it for granted."
Fu Zhen, hearing this, remembered their mother’s improved eyesight and his children not being as frail as others, acknowledging his brother's wife's role in these, felt deeply moved.
He nodded firmly, saying in a grave tone, “This kindness, I will never forget in my lifetime.”
Before meeting his elder brother and his wife, Fu Wei indeed worried about Liuniang, concerned about their character.
He feared they might be ungrateful, but having met them, he set aside those worries.
This couple, he realized, were good people.
Outside in the yard, Luo Shi followed out and immediately grasped Yu Ying’s hands, trembling, her voice quivering, "Liuniang, I really don’t know what to say to thank you, and no amount of gratitude can express what you’ve done for our Fu family."
Yu Ying, at a loss for words, simply replied, “Just live well from now on, there’s no need for too many thanks.”
Luo Shi’s eyes filled with tears upon hearing this.
Fu An gently tugged at his grandmother’s sleeve, urging, “Grandma, don’t cry, or you’ll damage your eyes again.”
Fu Ning also looked at his grandmother with wide eyes.
She didn’t understand why her grandmother was crying so sadly when her little aunt's return was such a happy occasion.
Luo Shi wiped the tears from her eyes, patted the heads of the two children, and then looked towards a figure not far away.
Recognizing who it was, she called out, “Xingniang, come here.”
Wen Xing glanced at her children and then at her sister-in-law before walking over with small steps, calling out, “Mother.”
Luo Shi took her daughter-in-law’s hand, saying, “From now on, Liuniang will be in charge of the household. You should also listen to Liuniang.”
Wen Xing looked at her sister-in-law and nodded twice in agreement, replying, “Alright.”
After agreeing, she looked down at her children, seemingly indifferent about who was in charge, her only concern being her children.
Luo Shi lowered her head and said to Fu An and Fu Ning, "An'an, Ning'ning, this is your mother, call out to her."
The two children stepped back and hid behind their grandmother, staring with wide eyes at their mother, who was a stranger to them.
Their sister-in-law's beautiful eyes brimmed with tears once more, casting a pitiable glance at her mother-in-law and then at her sister-in-law.
Yu Ying thought this sister-in-law had a very pure heart.
Her eyes were clear, devoid of any undue complexity or impurities.
Yu Ying had a soft spot for gentle and delicate women, feeling a wave of sympathy.
Not just her, even Fu An seemed moved by compassion.
Although he felt estranged from his mother, seeing her in tears, he couldn't bear it and stepped out from behind his grandmother, approaching his mother.
Under his mother's expectant gaze, Fu An hesitated for a moment before finally calling out, "Mother..."
The word 'Mother' unleashed a flood of tears from Wen Xing. She suddenly squatted down and embraced her son, sobbing uncontrollably.
Fu An was startled, perhaps sensing his mother's emotions, and his eyes reddened. He reached out a small hand, gently patting his mother's back, "Mother, don’t cry."
Fu An had some recollection of his parents, but Fu Ning had none, hence his confusion.
It was a day of great joy, yet many were washed over by tears.
After a moment, Yu Ying said, "Everyone must be hungry. I'll start cooking."
Wen Xing, with her eyes swollen from crying, immediately let go of her son and stood up, wiping her tears, "I'll do it, I'll cook."
She was about to start cooking but then paused, taken aback.
She noticed that there were now two additional thatched huts in the house.
It seemed like one was a straw hut and the other a kitchen.
Seeing her confusion, Yu Ying walked towards the kitchen, explaining, "These two huts were built about a month ago. One is a straw hut, and the other serves as a kitchen and bathing area."
Hearing this, Wen Xing hurriedly wiped her eyes and followed her sister-in-law into the kitchen.
Since there was no food in the kitchen, as all the provisions were stored in Luo Shi’s hut, Yu Ying went out to fetch some, leaving Wen Xing alone in the kitchen.
Wen Xing looked around the kitchen with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She noticed how the small kitchen also included a bathing area.
She remembered her three years at the quarry.
Without a place to bathe and scarce water, she could only wash her body once every half a month, so seeing this bathing area now, she felt an unreal sensation.
Having suffered for so long, she now doubted whether she was dreaming upon seeing something even slightly better.
Yu Ying returned with a bowl of rice, five or six small taro roots, and the last eight eggs.
Little Fu Ning followed closely, wanting to approach and speak with her mother, but hesitating for fear of startling her.
Yu Ying handed the bowl of rice to Fu Ning, saying, "Take this rice to your mother and ask her to rinse it."
Fu Ning hesitated, glancing at her little aunt and then at her unfamiliar mother. After a pause, she slowly walked over and handed the bowl of rice.
Wen Xing took the rice and softly said, "Thank you."
The little girl thought for a moment, then smiled at her.
Wen Xing's eyes welled up with tears upon seeing that smile.
Fu An, observing this, wondered to himself why his mother was so prone to tears. Had she been mistreated at the quarry?
Feeling sympathy for his mother, he quickly went over and said, “I can rinse the rice.”
But Wen Xing, unwilling to trouble her son, shook her head and immediately went to rinse the rice.
After rinsing the rice, Yu Ying suggested adding taro to the pot, and Wen Xing quickly set to peeling them with adept movements.
The two women soon finished preparing the meal.
While they were cooking, Fu Zhen had already come out of the house. Seeing the water jar nearly empty, he took a bucket and went out.
After three trips, he had filled the water jar and then chopped some thicker branches in the yard with an axe.
Even though Fu Zhen and Wen Xing had only returned that afternoon, Yu Ying already felt a sense of relief.
Chapter 42
Outside the courtyard was a touching scene of a family reunion after a long separation. Though they were closely related by blood, Fu Wei seemed unaffected, as if he didn't quite fit in with the family.
Fu Wei's gaze shifted and caught Yu Ying discreetly wiping away her tears.
He thought to himself, she's a sentimental person.
Their eyes met, and after a brief silence, Fu Wei looked away, lowering the straw curtain.
He didn't want her to see him alone, appearing lonely.
But soon, the door opened, and she walked in from outside.
"Why did you suddenly come in?" he asked.
Yu Ying lifted her freshly washed hands, showing them to him, then said, “I got some itching powder on them. I need to apply this medicine right away, or it’ll become unbearable soon.”
As she spoke, she set down her bundle and took out a small bamboo tube about a finger's height.
Opening it, she scooped out a small amount of green herbal paste, made from crushed herbs, and applied it to her hands.
The cool sensation instantly subdued the rising itchy heat.
Yu Ying had prepared the itching powder, and naturally, the antidote herb, just in case she got some on herself.
Fu Wei, hearing her explanation and recalling the powder she mentioned before visiting the quarry, seemed to understand something.
He asked, “Did you tamper with that woman's things?”
After applying the herbal paste, Yu Ying didn’t hide it from him, “Arguing with a wicked person is futile. Besides, after how she treated Fu An, she deserved a lesson; otherwise, she might think I’m easy to bully.”
A slight smile curved Fu Wei's usually reserved lips, his eyes showing a hint of admiration.
He spoke softly, “You did the right thing.”
Yu Ying exhaled and said, “With so many people watching, I didn’t touch her. Even if she suspects me, she has no proof. And if she spreads rumors without evidence, accusing me of poisoning her, I would actually welcome that.”
Fu Wei raised an eyebrow slightly, “Why is that?”
Yu Ying replied, “She and the villagers think I won’t go to the authorities, but they’re wrong.”
Fu Wei pondered for a moment, then said, “In cases of neighborhood disputes like this, the county office usually doesn’t intervene, so they naturally don’t take it seriously.”
Yu Ying smiled, about to say something more, but then she heard Luo Shi outside, asking Fu Dalang to go in and meet his younger brother, so she stopped her forthcoming words.
Yu Ying capped the bamboo tube and placed it beside the bed, then stood aside.
The entire family entered the house, and the small thatched cottage instantly became crowded.
Fu An and Fu Ning quickly walked over to Yu Ying's side as soon as they entered.
Fu An looked at his unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar parents with a restrained gaze.
He had always longed for his parents' return, but now that they were back, he hesitated to call out to them.
Yu Ying was concerned that her sister-in-law might feel uncomfortable seeing how close the children were to her, but looking up, she saw her sister-in-law standing by the door, watching her children with longing eyes.
Yu Ying: ...
Why did she suddenly feel a mix of pity and fondness?
The children's current alienation was only due to unfamiliarity, and Yu Ying believed they would naturally accept their parents over time, so she temporarily set aside these thoughts and focused on the brothers' reunion.
Fu Zhen entered the house with mixed emotions, seeing his younger brother on the bed.
His gaze slowly traveled from the unnaturally straight legs upwards, finally resting on the handsome, ethereal face.
It was their first meeting, yet a strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him.
Their eyes met in a silent, mutual understanding.
Yu Ying, observing the two, began to understand why the mix-up had been recognized.
The first clue was certainly their resemblance.
From what she observed, the two brothers had strikingly similar features when standing together.
Their differing upbringings were evident: one with a cool, refined demeanor; the other, reserved and taciturn.
Furthermore, regarding their living environments, Fu Wei was brought up in comfort, his appearance naturally outstanding.
Fu Dalang, exposed to the elements year-round, had a rugged appearance.
After a lengthy silence, Luo Shi, with tears in her eyes, spoke in a choked voice, "Among you two brothers, it's Erlang who resembles our father the most."
Though her vision was blurry, Luo Shi, gradually regaining her sight, had felt a striking resemblance to her late husband when she saw Erlang the day before.
Hearing his mother's words, Fu Zhen wasn't overly surprised, knowing she was regaining her sight.
At the quarry, He Erlang had mentioned that his mother's vision had started to deteriorate when he left home.
While at the quarry, he had been worried about his mother's eyesight. However, on his way back, he learned from Uncle He that his brother's wife had been treating their mother's eyes, and now she was gradually regaining her sight.
After a moment of silence, Fu Zhen spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, "I'm Fu Zhen, your eldest brother."
Fu Wei, with his hand at his side, clenched it slightly, maintaining a calm demeanor as he simply responded, "Fu Wei."
The name Fu Wei had always belonged to the second son of the Fu family.
However, due to a twist of fate, the name was left unused after the previous adopted son, taken by the second branch of the family, had his name changed.
This name, given by their father, had finally found its rightful place.
The name that followed Fu Wei for twenty-one years was also abandoned the moment he was disowned by his foster father.
Yu Ying interjected at the right moment, "We rushed back and haven't had lunch yet. I'll go cook."
She left the house, followed by Fu An and Fu Ning, and then their mother.
Luo Shi sighed and said, "You two brothers should talk. I'll step out."
Saying this, she also left the room, leaving the two men facing each other.
After a while, Fu Wei broke the silence, "To be honest, meeting you doesn't stir much within me."
Fu Zhen was silent for a moment before responding, "I understand."
He could see his younger brother's restraint and calm.
Fu Wei looked towards the half-closed door, saying, "Your return was made possible by Liuniang's hard work and the risk she took gathering herbs to save money. I just hope you…” he paused, then corrected himself, “my eldest brother and sister-in-law remember this kindness and not take it for granted."
Fu Zhen, hearing this, remembered their mother’s improved eyesight and his children not being as frail as others, acknowledging his brother's wife's role in these, felt deeply moved.
He nodded firmly, saying in a grave tone, “This kindness, I will never forget in my lifetime.”
Before meeting his elder brother and his wife, Fu Wei indeed worried about Liuniang, concerned about their character.
He feared they might be ungrateful, but having met them, he set aside those worries.
This couple, he realized, were good people.
Outside in the yard, Luo Shi followed out and immediately grasped Yu Ying’s hands, trembling, her voice quivering, "Liuniang, I really don’t know what to say to thank you, and no amount of gratitude can express what you’ve done for our Fu family."
Yu Ying, at a loss for words, simply replied, “Just live well from now on, there’s no need for too many thanks.”
Luo Shi’s eyes filled with tears upon hearing this.
Fu An gently tugged at his grandmother’s sleeve, urging, “Grandma, don’t cry, or you’ll damage your eyes again.”
Fu Ning also looked at his grandmother with wide eyes.
She didn’t understand why her grandmother was crying so sadly when her little aunt's return was such a happy occasion.
Luo Shi wiped the tears from her eyes, patted the heads of the two children, and then looked towards a figure not far away.
Recognizing who it was, she called out, “Xingniang, come here.”
Wen Xing glanced at her children and then at her sister-in-law before walking over with small steps, calling out, “Mother.”
Luo Shi took her daughter-in-law’s hand, saying, “From now on, Liuniang will be in charge of the household. You should also listen to Liuniang.”
Wen Xing looked at her sister-in-law and nodded twice in agreement, replying, “Alright.”
After agreeing, she looked down at her children, seemingly indifferent about who was in charge, her only concern being her children.
Luo Shi lowered her head and said to Fu An and Fu Ning, "An'an, Ning'ning, this is your mother, call out to her."
The two children stepped back and hid behind their grandmother, staring with wide eyes at their mother, who was a stranger to them.
Their sister-in-law's beautiful eyes brimmed with tears once more, casting a pitiable glance at her mother-in-law and then at her sister-in-law.
Yu Ying thought this sister-in-law had a very pure heart.
Her eyes were clear, devoid of any undue complexity or impurities.
Yu Ying had a soft spot for gentle and delicate women, feeling a wave of sympathy.
Not just her, even Fu An seemed moved by compassion.
Although he felt estranged from his mother, seeing her in tears, he couldn't bear it and stepped out from behind his grandmother, approaching his mother.
Under his mother's expectant gaze, Fu An hesitated for a moment before finally calling out, "Mother..."
The word 'Mother' unleashed a flood of tears from Wen Xing. She suddenly squatted down and embraced her son, sobbing uncontrollably.
Fu An was startled, perhaps sensing his mother's emotions, and his eyes reddened. He reached out a small hand, gently patting his mother's back, "Mother, don’t cry."
Fu An had some recollection of his parents, but Fu Ning had none, hence his confusion.
It was a day of great joy, yet many were washed over by tears.
After a moment, Yu Ying said, "Everyone must be hungry. I'll start cooking."
Wen Xing, with her eyes swollen from crying, immediately let go of her son and stood up, wiping her tears, "I'll do it, I'll cook."
She was about to start cooking but then paused, taken aback.
She noticed that there were now two additional thatched huts in the house.
It seemed like one was a straw hut and the other a kitchen.
Seeing her confusion, Yu Ying walked towards the kitchen, explaining, "These two huts were built about a month ago. One is a straw hut, and the other serves as a kitchen and bathing area."
Hearing this, Wen Xing hurriedly wiped her eyes and followed her sister-in-law into the kitchen.
Since there was no food in the kitchen, as all the provisions were stored in Luo Shi’s hut, Yu Ying went out to fetch some, leaving Wen Xing alone in the kitchen.
Wen Xing looked around the kitchen with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
She noticed how the small kitchen also included a bathing area.
She remembered her three years at the quarry.
Without a place to bathe and scarce water, she could only wash her body once every half a month, so seeing this bathing area now, she felt an unreal sensation.
Having suffered for so long, she now doubted whether she was dreaming upon seeing something even slightly better.
Yu Ying returned with a bowl of rice, five or six small taro roots, and the last eight eggs.
Little Fu Ning followed closely, wanting to approach and speak with her mother, but hesitating for fear of startling her.
Yu Ying handed the bowl of rice to Fu Ning, saying, "Take this rice to your mother and ask her to rinse it."
Fu Ning hesitated, glancing at her little aunt and then at her unfamiliar mother. After a pause, she slowly walked over and handed the bowl of rice.
Wen Xing took the rice and softly said, "Thank you."
The little girl thought for a moment, then smiled at her.
Wen Xing's eyes welled up with tears upon seeing that smile.
Fu An, observing this, wondered to himself why his mother was so prone to tears. Had she been mistreated at the quarry?
Feeling sympathy for his mother, he quickly went over and said, “I can rinse the rice.”
But Wen Xing, unwilling to trouble her son, shook her head and immediately went to rinse the rice.
After rinsing the rice, Yu Ying suggested adding taro to the pot, and Wen Xing quickly set to peeling them with adept movements.
The two women soon finished preparing the meal.
While they were cooking, Fu Zhen had already come out of the house. Seeing the water jar nearly empty, he took a bucket and went out.
After three trips, he had filled the water jar and then chopped some thicker branches in the yard with an axe.
Even though Fu Zhen and Wen Xing had only returned that afternoon, Yu Ying already felt a sense of relief.
