After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 46

“You’re not needed here. You’ve been busy all day. Go and rest for a while,” Wang said.

Lin Sang also said softly to him, “Go to the backyard for some fresh air; there’s too much cooking smoke here.”

Zhou Han glanced at her, nodded, and obediently walked towards the relatively quiet backyard.

After a while, Lin Sang came to the backyard with a cup of warm tea. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the yard a warm orange-red, and the snow reflected the soft light.

Zhou Han was standing under the old locust tree, his posture upright, seemingly looking at the distant fields.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around. The alcohol softened his hard features, and his eyes naturally revealed focus and warmth when he saw her.

Lin Sang handed him the tea: “Have some tea to cleanse your palate.”

Zhou Han took it, and their fingertips touched unintentionally, causing both of them to pause slightly.

“Thank you for your hard work today,” Lin Sang said softly, feeling a little guilty as she watched him being forced to drink so much.

Zhou Han shook his head, his voice low but clear: “It’s not hard work, I’m very happy.” He paused, looking intently at her, “Your parents and clansmen have all accepted me.”

Lin Sang felt a little embarrassed by his gaze, lowered her eyelashes slightly, but the corners of her mouth curved up: “I told you long ago, once they get to know you, they will definitely approve of you.”

“Hmm,” Zhou Han responded, paused for a moment, then, as if gathering his courage, lowered his voice further, “Lin Sang.”

“Um?”

“I will be good to you,” he said clumsily, but with utmost solemnity, like a vow. “From now on, our family’s life will definitely get better and better, and I will not let you regret your choice today.”

There are no fancy words, only the simplest promise.

Lin Sang looked up and met his earnest and firm gaze. A huge sense of security and warmth welled up in her heart. She believed in him, and she had believed in him from the moment she decided to accept him.

“I know,” she smiled faintly, her eyes shining, “I believe you.”

The setting sun cast long, intertwined shadows of the two, and the noise in the front yard gradually subsided. In the tranquility of the backyard, only their heartbeats and silent promises flowed gently.

The wind was chilly on a winter evening, but as they stood there, they seemed to possess a warm power that could ward off all the cold.

———

As the sun set and only a magnificent sunset remained on the horizon, the Zhou and Lin families exchanged their birth charts under the witness of Matchmaker Wang. They agreed to visit each other again after the date was chosen, and then prepared to take their leave.

The Lin family saw him off at the gate. Zhou Han said to Lin Laoda and Wang Shi, “Uncle, Aunt, it’s getting late, we’ll head back now.”

Looking at the yellow ox and cart parked in the yard with red flowers tied to their horns, Lin Sang said softly to Zhou Han, “You should drive the oxcart back. The road isn’t far, but it’s getting dark. It’ll be more convenient to have a cart.” She thought that it would be inconvenient for her and her son to walk back.

Zhou Han shook his head, his tone gentle yet firm: “No need. It’s just the next village, only a few steps away. Now that the ox and cart have been delivered, they belong to the Lin family. There’s no reason to take them back.”

He patted the docile cow’s neck. “It’ll stay here. It’ll be convenient for you to go to town tomorrow or to haul things around on weekdays.”

Hearing him say this, Wang felt even more pleased, thinking that this child was thorough in his work and genuinely cared about their family.

She quickly replied, “It won’t make a difference to take a day or two. The road is difficult to travel, but if you drive an oxcart, you can get there sooner, and we’ll feel more at ease!”

“Really, it’s not necessary, Auntie. We can still see the road when we leave now, it’s fine.”

Aunt Zhou smiled and took Wang’s hand, saying, “Don’t worry, I know the way, don’t fret. But thank you so much today!” Her words were full of gratitude.

“Hey, what are you saying? We’re family, no need for formalities!” Wang squeezed his hand back forcefully.

Zhou Han glanced at Lin Sang one last time. Their eyes met, and without needing to say anything, they understood each other. He nodded to the Lin family, then turned and walked out of the village with Aunt Zhou and Matchmaker Wang, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

The Lin family stood at the door, watching their figures disappear around the corner of the village road shrouded in twilight, before turning back into their courtyard.

———

In the courtyard, the aunts and sisters-in-law who had helped had almost finished cleaning up the cups, plates, and bowls. They were sitting in the courtyard taking a break, talking about what they had seen and heard that day, their voices full of excitement and blessings for the Lin family.

Looking at them, Wang felt grateful. She turned and went into the kitchen, took out several large, clean bowls that had been prepared beforehand, and lifted the lid of the pot containing the still warm leftovers.

There was still a lot of braised pork, chicken, fried fish and some stir-fried vegetables left in the pot. Although it was not as neat as it was at a banquet, it was still glossy and plentiful, and the aroma was irresistible.

“You ladies have really worked hard today!” Wang said as she deftly filled each large bowl with food, making sure to scoop out extra pieces of glistening braised pork and meaty chicken. “Come on, don’t be shy. We don’t have anything fancy at home. If you don’t mind these leftovers, take some home with you. You can add some dishes for your kids and husbands tonight, and save yourself the trouble of cooking!”

The aunties took one look and saw that the bowl contained a truly substantial dish, with meat and fish—the best stuff available these days! They quickly waved their hands in refusal:

“Oh dear! Sister Lin, I can’t accept this!”

“Exactly! We’ve already eaten, why are we taking so much back!”

“Keep it for yourselves!”

Without a word, Wang stuffed the overflowing bowls into their hands one by one: “Take these! Why are you being so polite with me! If it weren’t for your help today, how could I have set up such a big spread? You have to take these! Otherwise, I’ll get angry!”

Aunt Guihua, being the most straightforward, saw Wang’s sincerity and no longer refused, accepting the gift with a smile: “Alright! Then we’ll shamelessly take advantage of this! Thank you, Sister Lin!”

Seeing this, the others also thanked them and accepted the bowls, their faces beaming with joy as they looked at the oily meat and vegetables in the bowls.

These days, no family is well-off, so bringing home a hearty bowl of meat and vegetables would make anyone’s family incredibly happy.

After seeing off the several aunties who were helping out and expressing their deepest gratitude, the courtyard finally became completely quiet.

The last rays of the setting sun had completely disappeared, and a few scattered stars dotted the dark blue sky. Although tired, looking at the tidied courtyard and reflecting on the fulfilling day, Wang and Lin exchanged a glance, both seeing satisfaction and anticipation for the future in each other’s eyes.

The aroma of the food and the lingering warmth of the celebration seemed to still linger in the air.