A Good Country Wife

Lin Qing was somewhat moved by Zhao Erhu’s earnest words. Had there not been a better candidate, he might have truly agreed, but every time he thought of his good friend Jiang Wenshu’s deep love for his sister, and how she should not forsake her initial intentions even in the face of such circumstances, he couldn’t help but worry. Considering Zhao Erhu’s reputation for having outlived his wives, Lin Qing could not feel at ease entrusting his sister to him, which only solidified his initial resolution.

"Your disagreement is irrelevant," Lin Qing said. "Xiaoyue is my sister. It was my negligence that allowed our parents to do such a thing. I cannot make another mistake now. If you were a good man, it might be different, but your reputation precedes you. I do not wish for my sister to end up like your previous two wives. Moreover, you already have four sons. Even if things seem fine now, how they will treat my sister in the future is uncertain. She will definitely not have a good outcome with you; I cannot stand by and watch as you ruin her."

Lin Qing was harsh in his words for his sister’s sake. Even Zhao Erhu had to admit that there was truth in Lin Qing’s words. Although his sons were currently close to Lin Yue and she treated them as her own, they were not her biological children, and there was no blood relation. He could not guarantee how his sons would treat his young wife in the future. Even one’s own children could be ungrateful, and although he had confidence in his sons, he could not afford to consider his wife’s position too much.

As for his reputation as a man who outlives his wives, it was a thorn in Zhao Erhu’s heart. It seemed as though he did not care on the surface, but in reality, he kept his worries hidden deep inside. Otherwise, he would not be so overly cautious, always liking to take care of his young wife’s affairs. He was afraid that something might happen to her too.

Regardless, once things are set in motion on a predetermined path, if Lin Yue had just been married over and Lin Qing had come looking for her, Zhao Erhu might have generously let Lin Yue go, for he did not wish to burden her. At the beginning, he had married Lin Yue with an indifferent attitude, but now, having grown deeply affectionate towards his wife, there was no way he could let her go. If Lin Qing’s worries came to pass and his wife ended up burdened by him, Erhu decided he would end his life to accompany Xiaoyue in death. He made up his mind and appeared even more resolute.

Lin Yue also felt that her brother’s words were too harsh. Zhao Erhu had been ostracized in the village due to his reputation, and his children had suffered as well. Moreover, she had confidence in Dalang and his brothers; they were good children who would not be ungrateful as long as she treated them wholeheartedly. Furthermore, she was capable of supporting herself and did not need to rely on anyone else.

"Brother, I..." Lin Yue began to say something to counter her brother’s words but was stopped by Zhao Erhu taking her hand.