Chapter 4: The Marriage

"Grandma, why are you so worked up about eating chicken early in the morning? You eat, you eat. I've already eaten, so I'm heading out."

She had also delivered her father's portion to his room early.

After speaking, Zhou Qing quickly left with a grin before Sun could react.

She had made her attitude clear yesterday. Unless absolutely necessary, she didn't want to argue with the Zhou family.

After all, anger ages you, and poverty makes it impossible to maintain oneself.

"Where are you running off to? You're not allowed to wander around. In a while, you'll go to the fields with your third uncle!"

Sun, furious, stomped her feet and shouted. Seeing Zhou Qing almost at the gate, she couldn't even scold her about the chicken.

Standing at the gate, Zhou Qing smiled from afar, "I'm going to the town to buy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for my father! Don't worry, Grandma. I borrowed some money from Cheng Wu this morning!"

With that, Zhou Qing turned and ran off.

Sun...

...suffered three consecutive blows early in the morning!

"That little brat is determined to drive me to my grave!" slapping her thigh, Sun started cursing loudly, "What bad luck did the Zhou family have to suffer such hardships? Ungrateful children and grandchildren!"

Old Zhou, returning from the outhouse, witnessed this scene.

With a dark expression, he asked, "What now, early in the morning?"

Sun cried and cursed, repeating what Zhou Qing had said, "She killed the chicken. She might as well kill me; I don't want to live anymore!"

Old Zhou's face turned as dark as charcoal upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, the culprit had already run off.

The deed was done, and the chicken was already in the pot.

In a while...

The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone would be bought too!

With a dark expression, Old Zhou turned and headed towards Zhou Huaishan’s room.

Sun hurriedly followed, and Wang, rolling her eyes, also joined, pulling Zhou Huaihai along.

Zhao looked at Zhou Huailin, "Should we go?"

Zhou Huailin shook his head, "With Mother's loud voice, we can hear it even if we don't go."

Saying this, Zhou Huailin picked a few pieces of meat from the pot and gave them to Zhou Ping, "You eat first."

Zhou Ping wanted to thank his father, but as soon as he opened his mouth, drool leaked out.

......

Lying on the kang, Zhou Huaishan heard the approaching footsteps outside and took a deep breath.

Time to test his acting skills!

As soon as Old Zhou entered, he saw Zhou Huaishan staring wide-eyed at the ceiling beam.

"You're awake?" Old Zhou sat on the kang with a dark expression.

Zhou Huaishan said nothing, his eyes still fixed on the beam, his honest face showing a look of utter despair.

He often used this expression when he lost cricket fights in the past, and he had perfected it.

Seeing Zhou Huaishan remain silent, Sun slapped his head, "Your father is talking to you. Are you as unfilial as your daughter?"

Thinking about the chicken in the pot and Zhou Qing borrowing silver to buy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, Sun felt so distressed that she couldn’t breathe.

She slapped Zhou Huaishan's head, making him wince in pain.

Persona, persona, persona.

Repeating this mantra three times.

Zhou Huaishan continued to stare at the beam with a lifeless look, like a rock unmovable by any force.

"Shan, what do you want? Your father and mother are here. Speak up," Zhou Huaihai sighed, looking frustrated, "Are you just going to let Qing act out like this? It's bad for her reputation."

Zhou Huaishan, still staring at the beam, showed no change in expression, but tears began to flow from the corners of his eyes.

Anyone would think he had suffered greatly.

Old Zhou's heart trembled.

After all, he was his own son.

"Are you blaming your father?"

Zhou Huaishan didn't speak, crying even harder.

Sun was furious and bewildered, "What's there to cry about? Early in the morning, your daughter killed the chicken and borrowed money from Cheng Wu to buy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. I'm not dead yet; why are you crying?"

As soon as Sun finished speaking, Zhou Huaishan wailed loudly, crying uncontrollably, with snot bubbles forming occasionally.

Sun and Old Zhou were dumbfounded.

Their second son had never cried since he was three.

This...

Wang had wanted to say something but, seeing Zhou Huaishan crying like this, couldn't find the words and just pulled Zhou Huaihai aside.

Zhou Huaihai sighed, "Shan, if you have grievances, speak up."

Zhou Huaishan cried even louder.

The family...

No matter what others said, Zhou Huaishan just cried louder, as if the sky was falling and his heart was breaking. Anyone unaware might think someone had died in the family.

With no way to communicate, they had to leave the room.

Old Zhou, with a dark expression, headed towards the kitchen.

Zhou Huaihai followed, sighing, "Father, it seems Shan is determined to study. Otherwise..."

Sun spat, "Study what? We have no money."

Wang said, "But Qing borrowed money from Cheng Wu."

Mentioning the money made Sun's chest hurt again.

"Borrowed money for brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Do you think Cheng Wu will also lend money for him to study?"

Wang opened her mouth to speak but, remembering something, looked at Zhou Huaihai, who shook his head, so she remained silent.

The old couple and the eldest branch finished their luxurious breakfast with dark expressions, Sun cursing throughout.

They had never eaten chicken with such a heavy heart.

After eating, the third branch went to the fields.

Carrying a hoe, Zhao asked Zhou Huailin, "Husband, why do you think second brother was crying?"

Zhou Huailin didn't answer Zhao directly, instead saying, "Maybe we'll finally split the family this time."

He really wanted to split the family!

Splitting the family would allow him to save dowry for his daughter and support his son's studies.

But the old couple and the eldest branch wouldn't agree, his and Zhou Huaishan had no say.

Hearing about splitting the family, Zhao's eyes lit up, "Really?"

Zhou Huailin smiled, "Most likely!"

Meanwhile, the third branch couple was discussing exciting future plans.

Wang cleaned up the kitchen and went to Sun's room.

"Mother, I have something to tell you. My nephew wants to marry into our family. What do you think?"

Sun, who was already upset by Zhou Huaishan and Zhou Qing, said irritably, "Isn't your nephew crippled?"

Wang smiled, "Mother, he's a bit crippled, but he has no other issues. Besides, my brother and sister-in-law have only this one son and have prepared a generous dowry."

Hearing about the dowry, Sun's anger eased a bit, "How much?"

Wang extended her hand, showing five fingers.

"They won't skimp on any of the customary gifts, plus five taels of silver." Wang sighed, "Mother, with Qing's temper, if not for my nephew's interest, who else would offer such a good dowry?"

Raising a daughter is all about getting a good dowry when she marries.

Sun took a deep breath, "I'll discuss this with the second son."

"Great!" Wang responded quickly, "Mother, second brother always listens to you. If you agree, I'll inform my brother and sister-in-law to propose formally."

Sun...

The second son used to listen to her.

But now...

Remembering how the second son cried earlier, Sun felt both frustrated and uncertain.

She needed to think this through carefully.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qing, who was the subject of the marriage discussion, was sitting on a large mule cart, heading to the town with Cheng Wu.