Chapter 180: Great Courage_1
Having returned to the village, Zhao Dahuo and his wife first made a trip to Zhao Erhu’s house. The clothes they’d exchanged in the morning were still there, and they needed to swap back before heading home.
Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu, of course, would not ask for the clothes back. Lin Yue spoke before Zhao Erhu, saying, "Big brother, sister-in-law, what are you doing? Since these clothes have been given to you, please keep them. Erhu and my big brother are close siblings, surely you won’t quibble over a set of clothes like this. Besides, you can’t be without a set of clothes to go out. I actually wanted to make you a new set, but I was afraid it might not end up in big brother and sister-in-law’s hands, so I could only give you these two sets. They’re not new, but they’ve hardly been worn. Sister-in-law can alter them a bit to fit. Please don’t look down on them."
"How could we," they said, "How could we look down on them? Such fine fabric. It’s just that... when Erhu got into trouble, we, as his older brother and sister-in-law, weren’t able to help at all. Now we’re even taking your things. We really feel uneasy about this." Both Zhao Dahuo and his wife looked guilt-stricken and uncomfortable.
Seeing them like this, Lin Yue felt that these were people worth helping. Although Zhao Dahuo and his wife sometimes appeared weak and too honest, they truly cared for Zhao Erhu, their brother. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have risked blame from the Wei Family to bring her the message last time. Earlier at the banquet, when Zhao Yunxiang made things difficult for her, Zhao Dahuo and his wife intended to defend her, but each time they were about to speak up, Zhao Erhu and Lin Genfa beat them to it.
Lin Yue divided the pastries she had bought earlier into three, wrapping one part securely in packaging paper so that no aroma escaped. She instructed Zhao Dahuo and his wife to hide it in their old clothes and take it back for their children to eat, that way the Wei Family wouldn’t discover and confiscate it.
Lin Yue was touched by the sight of Zhao Dahuo and his wife eating without pleasure at the feast, aware that, for the sake of face, they didn’t take food back home, yet concerned for their own children. Zhao Dahuo’s children were truly well-behaved and sensible. Young as they were, living without good food or clothes, they knew to help their parents with the work. It pained Lin Yue to see it, especially compared to Dalang’s bunch; it was evident that Zhao Dahuo’s children were in an even sadder situation. Ultimately, it was the adults’ excessive weakness that had the children dealing with responsibilities at such a young age.
Zhao Erhu, watching Lin Yue’s actions, was deeply moved. He felt fortunate to have such a generous and considerate wife, thinking she treated his older brother and sister-in-law so kindly for his sake. And yet, his own older sister had always been giving her trouble. Since leaving the restaurant, she hadn’t shown Lin Yue a kind face, even though his wife, the one being wronged, hadn’t even complained! Zhao Erhu began to feel dissatisfied and resentful toward Zhao Yunxiang.
As they prepared to leave, Zhao Erhu suddenly remembered and quickly said, "Tonight, we’re having a drink at my place. Big brother and sister-in-law, if it’s convenient, bring the kids over too. As for Dad, it’s up to you whether you call him or not." Zhao Erhu had completely lost hope in his father, but he didn’t want Zhao Dahuo and his wife to be put in a difficult position, so he added the last part.