After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 59

“I heard there’s sand over there that can sing, is that true?”

Although Zhou Han didn’t talk much, he patiently described the city walls, markets, and local customs of Liangzhou City in simple words, making the two little ones’ eyes light up.

Lin Bai wasn’t as lively as the two younger ones, but he listened intently, and even the eldest Lin, who was sitting to the side smoking his pipe, couldn’t help but chime in with a few questions about what he had seen and heard on the road. They had never left this small area in their entire lives and were full of curiosity about the outside world.

Lin Sang was busy in the kitchen with Wang Shi. The fire on the stove was burning brightly, making both Wang Shi and Lin Sang’s faces rosy.

Lin Sang, wearing an apron, was focused on cutting the fish meat, preparing to fry it in a pan, while Wang Shi was kneading dough neatly, preparing to steam buns.

“Sangsang,” Wang said, kneading the dough and glancing at her daughter with a smile of satisfaction. “You have such good taste. Zhou Han is a really good kid. He seems quiet, but he has a lot on his mind. He’s also very good to his family. Look at all the things he brought back. Every single one of them is so thoughtful.”

Lin Sang continued working, but a slight smile curved her lips as she murmured an “Mmm.”

Looking at her girlish demeanor, Wang knew exactly what was going on and continued with a smile, “The knee pads and gloves you made for him, I could tell he really liked them. He carried them around like they were treasures. Sometimes you don’t look at what a man says, you just look at what he does. Zhou Han is a genuine man, he knows how to care for people.”

Feeling a little embarrassed by her mother’s words, Lin Sang put the chopped fish pieces into the hot oil pan, making a sizzling sound that masked her slightly accelerated heartbeat.

She gently changed the subject: “Mom, look at the seasonings Brother Zhou brought back. The chili powder smells especially good, different from the local flavor. I was thinking that when we set up our stall tomorrow, we could try adding some to the lamb spine hot pot. Maybe it would taste even better.”

Mrs. Wang nodded: “We should give it a try! To do business, you have to keep coming up with new ideas. The reason our lamb spine hot pot became so popular is because you have a quick mind!”

She paused, her tone tinged with emotion, “Speaking of which, it’s all thanks to Zhou Han’s timely return that he managed to subdue that old scoundrel Yang Laowu. Otherwise, who knows how much trouble that scoundrel would have caused.”

“Hmm,” Lin Sang turned the fish in the pot to make it heat evenly, “With him here, I feel much more at ease.” She said this softly, but with complete sincerity.

Looking at her daughter’s composed profile, Madam Wang felt a mixture of pride and reluctance at the prospect of her daughter’s impending marriage. She said softly, “Once you’re married, live a good life together. Zhou Han is responsible, and you’re capable. Your life will definitely be good, and your father and I can rest assured.”

Lin Sang placed the golden-brown fish on a plate, looked up at her mother with clear and firm eyes, and said, “Mom, don’t worry, Dad. We will make a good life for you. In the future, since our two families live close by, we can come back often to help you and Dad.”

The mother and daughter smiled at each other. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food and a warm atmosphere. The soup in the pot bubbled and boiled, just like their expectations for the future, warm and full of hope.

Dinner was served, and it was exceptionally lavish.

A large bowl of glistening red braised pork, a whole fish pan-fried until golden brown on both sides, a plate of tender braised tofu with scallions, a bowl of stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a pot of milky white lamb bone and radish soup. The staple food is soft white steamed buns.

This scale is comparable to celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Zhou Han was somewhat moved: “Uncle, Aunt, it’s too much trouble for you to cook so many dishes.”

Wang warmly piled food into Zhou Han’s bowl: “No trouble at all! You’ve worked hard when you went out, and you’ve been helping us with everything since you got back. It’s only right that you eat something nice! Come on, eat more! This fish was fried by Sang Sang, and it’s cooked just right! This meat was also cooked by her, try it!”

Zhou Han looked at the mountain of food piled up in his bowl, a little reserved, but still nodded earnestly: “Thank you, Auntie.”

He picked up a piece of braised pork, put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and then looked at Lin Sang with sincere eyes: “It’s delicious.”

Lin Sang blushed slightly and said softly, “I’m glad you like it.”

Lin Laoda was clearly in a good mood today. He took out a wine pot and poured himself and Zhou Han each a small cup of his homemade rice wine. He had a simple and honest smile on his face: “Han’er, come on, have a drink with your uncle. You must have had a hard time on this trip. Thank you for your help at the dock.”

Zhou Han quickly raised his wine glass with both hands: “Uncle, you flatter me, it’s all what I should do.”

The two clinked glasses, and Boss Lin tilted his head back and took a small sip, exhaling a satisfied breath. Zhou Han followed suit, drinking the rice wine, which was mild and had a faint sweetness.

After a few drinks, Boss Lin opened up a bit. He patted Zhou Han on the shoulder, his tone filled with emotion and undisguised praise: “Han’er, I’ve been watching you… well, I’m finding you better and better! You’re strong, hardworking, and don’t try to be clever. Most importantly, you know how to protect your family! If it weren’t for you yesterday, Sang Sang…” He paused, not finishing his sentence, but the lingering fear and gratitude in his eyes were clearly visible.

Zhou Han put down his wine glass, his expression solemn: “Uncle, don’t worry, as long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone bully Lin Sang, nor will I let anyone bully our family.”

These words were spoken calmly, yet they carried a powerful weight. As Wang listened, her eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded repeatedly, saying, “Good child! Good child!”

Lin Bai looked at Zhou Han with admiration: “Brother Zhou, you’re amazing! That Yang Laowu was so scared when he saw you that his face turned white!”

With his mouth full of meat, Lin Song mumbled in agreement, “Exactly! Let’s see if he dares to come again!”

Lin Miao blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, “Brother Zhou, next time you go to such a far place, can you take me with you?”

Children’s innocent remarks made everyone laugh, making the atmosphere at the table even more relaxed and lively.

Although Zhou Han still didn’t talk much, he seemed much more relaxed. He answered Boss Lin’s questions about what he had seen and heard on the road, and occasionally he would put a piece of Lin Sang’s favorite green vegetable on his plate.

Lin Sang lowered her head, ate her meal in small bites, listened to the conversation between her family and Zhou Han, and felt the unprecedented atmosphere full of recognition and warmth. Her heart felt as if it were filled with honey, so sweet it was swollen.

The welcoming banquet was a great success, with everyone enjoying themselves immensely. Zhou Han’s face flushed slightly, but his eyes remained clear.

Looking at the family under the warm lamplight, he felt a stronger and more real longing for “home” and a sense of belonging than ever before.

After the meal, he put down his chopsticks, looked at Lin Sang, and sincerely praised, “It’s delicious.” His words were simple, but they made Lin Sang feel sweet inside.

It was getting late, so Zhou Han got up to say goodbye. Wang had already prepared a basket containing a fried fish wrapped in oil paper, which Lin Sang had specially reserved, a large piece of braised pork, and several steamed buns.

“Han’er, take these back for your mother to try. She’s home alone and probably too lazy to cook properly!” Wang Shi stuffed the basket into Zhou Han’s hands, her tone earnest.

Looking at the carefully prepared food in the basket, Zhou Han felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He did not refuse, took the basket, and solemnly said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

He carried a heavy basket and walked home under the moonlight. The basket contained not only food, but also the simple and sincere care and recognition that the Lin family had shown to him and his mother.

This warmth felt more precious and reassuring to him than the seventeen taels of silver in his arms.