Chapter 55

Bai Qiqiu sighed and chuckled, "When I got to town, I went to find Zhou Qiang. He told me that not only did he go to the brothel, but he also had a lover there named Zhaozhao."

Wen Zhaoran: "..."

"Not only that, he also told me that he would definitely go to the brothel again. I said it was no use. Thinking about it, it makes sense. He hasn't fallen in love with me yet, so why would he listen to me?"

Mu Jin poured him a bowl of warm water, saying, "Perhaps your fourth brother is deliberately trying to upset you."

Bai Qiqiu shook his head. "Forget it. I was originally thinking of letting him accept this marriage within a year. But now that I think about it, even if he is as my elder brother said, I still can't help but be worried. If he had other bad habits, I could tolerate them, but I really can't accept this one."

Yesterday, when Zhao Ran told him about the miserable state of her former fiancé on his deathbed, he dreamed about it that very night.

She would rather marry a widower with a better temperament than a stubborn man who frequents brothels.

"So you're going to call off this engagement?"

Bai Qiqiu nodded.

He was an impatient man; once he made up his mind, he hurriedly went back to his room to get the marriage certificate and then went to the Zhou family.

Zhou Wushi had been in a depressed mood these past few days, and she didn't give Bai Qiqiu a pleasant look when she saw him.

When she heard that he had come to break off the engagement, she was stunned and didn't turn around for a moment.

"What...what did you say?"

“I’m saying that my marriage to Zhou Qiang is null and void. I’ve brought the marriage certificate, and you can all take out yours too. Let’s tear them up and pretend this never happened.”

Zhou Wushi was overjoyed, but her expression was disdainful. "Wouldn't it have been better if you had done this earlier? You're not even worthy of a single hair on my youngest son's head. It's a wonder you can even see your own worth."

Bai Qiqiu immediately took back the marriage certificate he had handed out.

Zhou Wu was afraid that he would change his mind, so she quickly said, "What's wrong? You said you would break off the engagement yourself. Now you want to go back on your word? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Bai Qiqiu shook his head and smiled, "Auntie, don't worry. It's just that your words reminded me that I'm not good at getting married because of my appearance. I might not be able to get married for several years. Next year I have to pay the late marriage tax, and I'm so poor that I can't afford it. Even if Zhou Qiang and I aren't destined to be husband and wife, he still saved my life. I've thought about it and I think I should take the five taels of silver he promised me before to pay the late marriage tax."

When Zhou Wushi and Zhou Laosan offered to give it to them before, they didn't feel anything, but now that Bai Qiqiu is asking for it, it feels like cutting off a piece of their flesh.

However, Zhou Qiang's marriage was still the most important thing. Despite his reluctance, Zhou Laosan still asked Zhou Wushi to go inside and get some silver.

"Having accepted the money, our debt of gratitude is now severed."

Bai Qiqiu nodded, took the silver coins that Zhou Wushi was clutching tightly, and turned to leave the Zhou family without the slightest hesitation.

Having broken off the engagement, and no longer needing to follow Zhou Qiang, Bai Qiqiu felt a sense of relief on the way back.

He only liked Zhou Qiang's face; his feelings weren't deep, and his sadness was only temporary.

Having broken off the engagement, Bai Qiqiu, being clear about the distinction between close and distant relatives, quickly changed his address, joining Wen Zhaoran in calling Mu Jin "Brother Mu Jin."

When Zhou Lin returned, everything had settled down. Although he felt some regret, he didn't say anything more to Bai Qiqiu.

Before long, it was time for his grandfather's birthday. Zhou Lin asked Steward Zhao and Mu Heng for half a day off.

Mu Jin made eight fist-sized longevity cakes, shaped like peaches, and decorated them with the juice made from harvested peach blossoms, adding a touch of peach red.

The cakes are fragrant and have a festive appearance.

Grandfather Zhou was also quite pleased and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, Lin'er has married a skillful and kind husband."

Grandma Zhou was quite old; her hair was gray and neatly combed with ointment.

With kind eyes and a gentle smile, he patted Mu Jin's hand and said, "Now that you and Lin'er are living separately, if you have any difficulties, tell me and your grandfather."

Mu Jin smiled, her expression carrying a hint of coquetry, and said, "Grandmother, everything is fine at home. A-Lin and I only wish that you and Grandfather are healthy and live to be a hundred years old, so that you can enjoy the blessings of your children and grandchildren."

Grandmother Zhou squinted with joy, "Oh, your grandfather and I are relieved that you younger generation are doing well."

Mu Qing twirled his handkerchief. Whenever Mu Jin was around, he always felt that others couldn't see him.

Not to be outdone, she puffed out her belly and asked with a smile, "Big brother, now that you have a job in town and things are going well at home, when are you going to have a child? Grandparents are looking forward to holding their great-grandchild."

Grandmother Zhou smiled and said, "Yes, yes, the Zhou family is thriving, and your grandfather and I are very happy. Qing'er's belly looks quite big, when will she give birth?"

Mu Qing gently stroked her belly and said softly, "Grandmother, it will still be some time, I reckon it will be around autumn."

"We need to be careful."

Mu Qing nodded slightly, giving Mu Jin a provocative look.

Mu Jin smiled without saying a word. When she heard the other elders in the family urging her to have a baby, she simply smiled along with them.

Zhou Wu said sarcastically, "He's also incompetent. The eldest child was born after the second son."

Mu Jin smiled and said, "Mother, what you're saying is true. If A-Lin had married earlier, his children might already be running around by now."

Grandmother Zhou, with her sharp eyes, said upon seeing this, "Lin'er is busy. You two are young, so there's no need to rush."

The women and their husbands chatted for a while longer until the birthday banquet began, at which point they finally sat down at the table.

Since we're all family, there's no separate table for men and women today; everyone from two or three families sits together at one table.

The Zhou family sat together, and from the moment they sat down at the table, Zhou Qiang would steal glances at Mu Jin every now and then.

At a farmer's banquet, the competition is all about who can grab the food the fastest. Even though everyone at the table is family, most of them only eat meat a few times a year.

When it comes to fighting over meat, people don't care about family ties anymore.

Zhou Qiang didn't speak, and Mu Jin ignored him, focusing intently on putting a piece of pork knuckle on Zhou Lin's plate.

The food was devoured in a flash, and the soup still smelling of meat on the table was wiped clean with steamed buns.

As he was about to leave after dinner, Zhou Qiang hesitated several times, but ultimately didn't say anything.

On the way back, Zhou Lin went directly to town, while Mu Jin and Zhou Si, carrying the pastries given to them by Zhou's grandmother, walked home together.

Zhou Qiang suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling the two of them.

"Fourth brother, what are you doing?" Mu Jin asked angrily, patting her chest.

Zhou Qiang stammered, "Big...Big Brother, Qi Qiu, he..."

Mu Jin waved her hand and said, "You should talk to him about your matter yourself. I won't pass on your message."

Zhou Si looked at Zhou Qiang in confusion, "Fourth brother, are you having second thoughts? Didn't you dislike the marriage with Qi Qiu?"

Zhou Qiang was speechless. He couldn't explain the lingering resentment in his heart. Was it because he was truly reluctant to part with her, or because Bai Qiqiu had proposed breaking off the engagement first, thus hurting his pride?

Mu Jin grabbed Zhou Si and started to leave, not listening to Zhou Qiang say anything more.

The most useless thing in life is regret; words spoken are like water spilled, impossible to take back.

Mu Jin and Zhou Si didn't know if Zhou Qiang had come to see Bai Qiqiu again, but judging from Bai Qiqiu's appearance, it seemed that he hadn't.

As the weather gets warmer, the vegetables in the garden grow taller in the wind.

Mu Jin and Bai Qiqiu cleared out several plots of land for planting small green vegetables, which were then used for transplanting seedlings.

When digging up the seedlings, Hibiscus felt she had never been so gentle before, afraid of damaging too many roots.

Bai Qiqiu dug the holes, filled them with hibiscus, and after planting, watered each tree with a ladle of water.

Mu Jin and Bai Qiqiu went to the foot of the mountain and cut a few thin bamboo stalks. They tied three of them together with a rope at the top.

Cucumbers and green beans can both climb vines. Once the tomato vines grow big, tie them up so they can grow firmly and won't be easily blown down by the wind.

Hibiscus picked the root of the quinoa, dried it in the sun, and ground it into powder.

After spraying the field with veratrum powder several times, the number of insects has indeed decreased.

Spring has passed and summer has arrived, and the vegetables in the garden have all borne fruit.

Zhou Lin returned from town, drenched in sweat from the heat.

Since morning, Mu Jin had been drying a basin of water in the yard, and it's now warm.

Zhou Lin changed out of his clothes, which were still damp on his back, took a shower, and put on the indigo summer clothes that Mu Jin had made for him.

"Today I went to deliver vegetables, and the rice noodle shop owner said that business was slow because of the hot weather, and he didn't need so many vegetables."

Mu Jin sighed, "I know, come and eat quickly, I made your favorite cold noodles."

Seeing his disappointed expression, Zhou Lin couldn't bear it and stopped teasing him.

"We ordered too few green vegetables, and the shopkeeper said to replace them with cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, eggplants, and peppers."

Mu Jin put the bowl on the dining table and gave him a reproachful look.

This silly guy is getting naughtier and naughtier. I don't know who he learned it from, but he likes to tease him more and more.

"How much do you want, shopkeeper? The cucumbers and green beans are ready, but the other vegetables will have to wait a while."

As Mu Jin spoke, she put the shredded cucumber and minced garlic into Zhou Lin's bowl.

Knowing he likes sour food, I poured some more vinegar into the bowl.

Zhou Lin stirred it with his chopsticks. "Twenty catties of green vegetables every day, thirty catties each of cucumbers and green beans. Once the vegetables are ready, we'll make thirty catties of each kind."

How do you calculate the money?

Hibiscus smiled, and if you calculate it carefully, it must earn more than just vegetables.

"Two catties for one coin, that's the price for both."

Mu Jin nodded. At first, she earned less than fifty coins a day.

But thinking about it carefully, if he went to town to hawk his wares, he could only sell them for one coin a pound these days. It would be time-consuming, and he certainly wouldn't be able to sell that many pounds.

Bai Qiqiu secretly calculated in his mind and sighed, "If I calculate it this way, I can earn quite a bit every day once the chili peppers come in."

Mu Jin smiled and said, "Let's do it the way the rice noodle shop owner said."

Zhou Lin nodded. "I'll go to town tomorrow to sign the contract with the shopkeeper, but I can't read. Would you like to come with me?"

"Alright, it just so happens that Si'er's wedding day is coming soon, we should buy some things to add to Si'er's dowry."

Zhou Si blushed immediately, her face filled with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.

Bai Qiqiu laughed and said, "When you get married, Si'er, I'll make sure to pick the best-looking man from among the men who come to fetch you."

Zhou Si chuckled, suppressing her embarrassment as she nodded and said, "Okay."

Mu Jin chimed in, "Tell Brother Lingyun to pick a few unmarried men to follow along, so that our Bai Qiu can have a good look at them."

Bai Qiqiu smiled and raised his bowl to Zhou Si, "I wish you a prosperous life after your marriage, and I also hope that I can find a good man soon and not have to pay the late marriage tax."

Wen Zhaoran sighed and laughed, "Brother Qi Qiu, didn't the Zhou family give you five taels of silver? It's fine to pay it back. I still have silver here, I'll pay it for you. You absolutely can't force yourself to marry a bad man."

Bai Qiqiu chuckled, "Alright, from now on, I'll rely on my Zhaoran to support me."

Wen Zhaoran smiled, thinking to herself that when she returned to Muzhou, she would ask him if there were any handsome men in the academy who could be a good match for Bai Qiqiu.

Let Zhou Qiang regret it.