A Good Country Wife

Zhao Erhu wasn’t unaware of his little wife’s dissatisfaction, but in his view, marital harmony was natural and proper. He simply thought that due to her young age, she couldn’t appreciate the pleasure involved and thus resisted. He believed she would gradually get used to it and it would improve. Of course, he couldn’t indulge his wife’s little temperaments. As a man, even if he doted on her, he wouldn’t compromise easily on matters that affected his own welfare. However, he did exercise some restraint, as he couldn’t completely disregard his little wife’s feelings. If he pushed her too far and caused her to rebel, that wouldn’t be good.

"Wife, why are you frowning? Who has made you angry? Tell me, and your husband will take vengeance for you," Zhao Erhu said, cozying up to his little wife who lay on the bed full of resentment.

"Zhao Erhu, stay away from me," Lin Yue said irritably, too lazy to even glance at him. Indeed, after a man had his fill of meat, he was different. Zhao Erhu was bursting with energy, and his manner had changed completely. He used to be so proper, but look at him now—she felt stifled, and he was just too shameless.

Ignoring his little wife’s aversion, Zhao Erhu sat down beside Lin Yue. "Wife, Brother Xinglin has invited our family to his house for lunch tomorrow. I’m telling you in advance to see if there’s anything you need to prepare."

"Brother Xinglin has invited our family to lunch tomorrow? Why? It shouldn’t be for no reason. Is there something up?" Lin Yue was somewhat surprised. Ever since she had taken on Jiang Ziqi’s embroidery work, she had been busy sewing at home for quite some time, leaving city affairs to Zhao Erhu. They hadn’t seen Zhao Xinglin and his wife for a long while, so their sudden invitation must have a reason behind it. Could there be some happy event?

"I don’t know. Brother Xinglin didn’t say. He mentioned we will find out when we go."

"Alright then, I’ve just made a few sets of autumn clothes for our little nephew. I’ll bring them along tomorrow."

It was only when they arrived at Zhao Xinglin’s house the next day that Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu learned that Zhao Xinglin had been promoted. He had been appointed the arrest officer of the Xin’an City Government Office by the Magistrate, and today’s lunch was a celebration. However, Zhao Xinglin and his wife didn’t want to draw too much attention and risk harbouring resentment from others, so they only invited Zhao Erhu’s family, the Han Family’s relatives, and Zhao Xinglin’s own aunt’s family, whom they had good relations with.

"Then congratulations to Brother Xinglin. From now on, we have to address you as Arrest Officer, Sir. Please look after us in the future, Arrest Officer Zhao," Lin Yue teased Zhao Xinglin half-jokingly, due to their close relationship.

"Oh no, not at all. In the end, I still have to thank you. There were others in the Government Office who had their eye on this position, with deeper backgrounds than I, yet the Magistrate promoted me, all because of you," Zhao Xinglin said gratefully. The Magistrate wasn’t the type to do good anonymously. Since he promoted Zhao Xinglin, he subtly conveyed the reasons for his choice.