A Good Country Wife

"Behave yourself, or let’s see who’ll end up taking care of whom. Move again and the water will soak into your clothes." Zhao Erhu enjoyed fooling around with his young wife, considering it a marital jest, but right now as he was washing his hair, having water run into his clothes was quite uncomfortable, which is why he scolded her into submission.

Lin Yue messed around for a bit before finally lying obediently on the recliner, letting Zhao Erhu continue washing her hair. She then brought up Dalang and Erhu, "Zhao Erhu, your uncle sent another letter saying that the elders miss their grandson and asked when they could have him over for a few days. Maybe you could find some time to take them; don’t keep the old folks waiting."

Now, Lin Yue didn’t mind mentioning the Zhao Family elders in Xiaoxi Village, and brought it up casually, not waiting for Zhao Erhu to ask. After all, they were Dalang and Erhu’s maternal grandparents. No matter what the Zhao Family was like, the family matriarch was gone, and what point was there in holding a grudge against someone who’s passed away? What mattered most to her was understanding that Zhao Erhu’s feelings for the deceased matriarch were nothing more than familial affection and guilt, without the romantic love a man has for a woman. He didn’t take care of her like he does now. As for a woman, there were only a few things that truly mattered in the end.

Seeing that Lin Yue didn’t mind, Zhao Erhu spoke more freely, "Alright, if I can buy the horse carriage today in town, it would be much more convenient to take them. When they sent the message, they also mentioned that they want you and the kids to visit when you have the time. It looks like you’ve completely won my uncle over. You’ve got real skill, managing to charm them in just one meeting—I don’t have that talent."

Later on, Lin Yue laughed when she heard Zhao Erhu mention Zhao Fuquan’s concerns about her, wondering whether to cry or laugh at being called simple-minded by a big lug. "It’s because your uncle is too honest. How was I supposed to know he’d think like that? What a fool. You didn’t see him when he first met me—so awkward, with no idea where to put his hands or feet, then ran off in a panic to find you. Utterly adorable in his silliness, haha."

"You, you always pick on honest folks." Zhao Erhu thought it was funny, too, as his uncle had always been known for his honesty, a truly nice guy through and through.

"If I don’t pick on honest people, I’ll pick on you—is that okay?" After Zhao Erhu had wrung Lin Yue’s hair and wrapped it in a towel, she got up to match his movements and playfully twisted his ear.