Chapter 68
Everyone gathered in Yu Ying's house and surrounded Fu Ning.
Fu Ning turned her big red eyes and looked around at her family members beside the bed. Under their expectant gazes, she looked at Fu An and called out incoherently: "Brother...Brother..."
When Wen Xing and Luo heard this, they immediately covered their mouths and burst into tears.
Wen Xing couldn't help herself, and suddenly turned around and threw herself into her husband's arms, sobbing with trembling shoulders.
Fu Zhen patted his wife's back lightly, and his eyes were slightly red as he looked at his little daughter, and his secretly tightened palms showed the excitement in his heart.
When Fu An heard his sister call him "brother" first, it was so unexpected that he was so happy and moved that he cried out "Wow".
With tears in her eyes, she sobbed and said, "My sister called me first..."
The originally warm atmosphere was broken after Fu An showed such a funny expression, and everyone couldn't help laughing.
Fu Ning could speak, and his joy dispelled the sorrow of separation. In the end, he fell asleep while the others were still awake.
Wen Xing sat by the bed and looked at her children who had fallen asleep after crying themselves tired. Her eyes were very gentle, yet still wet from the excitement.
Only she knew how happy she was.
While at the quarry, she heard from Erlang of the He family that her youngest daughter was mute. She couldn't sleep well all night, and she was worried about her two children at home, and she almost went crazy thinking about them.
After returning, although she didn't say it, she felt extremely distressed for her little daughter.
Today, I heard my little daughter speak with my own ears, and my heart was filled with mixed emotions, touched and happy.
She turned to look at her sister-in-law in front of her and called out softly, "Sister-in-law."
When Yu Ying turned around, her sister-in-law held her hands with both hands, her face full of gratitude: "Sister-in-law, I really don't know how to thank you. If it weren't for you, I don't know if Ningning would be able to speak smoothly."
Just now, my sister-in-law explained to them the reason why Fu Ning was able to speak.
She said that the change in her home environment, the better the atmosphere, and the sense of security she felt at home made her feel safer. She started talking naturally after she was no longer afraid.
The reason why the environment and atmosphere at home have improved is all thanks to my brother's wife.
Yu Ying smiled at her sister-in-law and said softly, "A harmonious and happy family is the best thank you gift."
When I read various articles in the past, most of them were full of conflicts and calculations between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
Fortunately, the Fu family does not have such a mess.
Both Mrs. Luo and the eldest sister-in-law were very easy to get along with. They would not argue endlessly over the slightest interests, but would instead be humble and yield to each other.
This kind of atmosphere is really rare.
After saying a few more personal words, I didn’t want to talk much more because I had to get up early the next day.
After seeing off the eldest sister-in-law and Mrs. Luo, the two brothers who had been talking in the dining hall also went back to their respective rooms to rest.
*
The next morning, the weather became even colder, and even the cotton-padded clothes with linen could not keep out the cold.
Yu Ying missed her down jacket so much, but now it was just a luxury.
After breakfast, when they were about to leave, Fu Wei handed Yu Ying a piece of silver: "This is for the rent."
Yu Ying looked at Yin Zi and was stunned for a moment.
Fu Wei explained, "My good friend wanted to give me some money to live on, but he wasn't from a wealthy family, so I only took this much."
After all, it was Fu Wei's own decision, so Yu Ying had no objection: "You can keep it for now. If it's not enough, you can ask me... to borrow it."
Yu Ying changed the word "want" that was about to be blurted out to "borrow", not wanting to put too much pressure on him.
Fu Wei agreed, and then said, "It would be better to change this silver into copper coins, so that it will be easier for you to hide it later."
Yu Ying nodded, took the silver coin in his hand, weighed it briefly, and had an idea in her mind. Then she turned around, took out the copper coin, and took out five hundred coins from it.
Five hundred coins weigh two and a half kilograms, and if she brought some it would be even heavier, so it would naturally be inconvenient for her to take too much.
Yu Ying gave him a hundred coins for self-defense. She stuffed the rest into her bag and said, "Copper coins are too heavy to carry with you when you go house hunting. I'll give you five hundred coins first, and the remaining five hundred coins next time."
Upon hearing this, Fu Wei pointed out, "That silver is less than one ounce."
Yu Ying glanced at him, not allowing him to question: "If I say yes, then yes."
After saying that, he walked straight out of the house.
Fu Wei saw that she was so strong about this matter, so he shook his head and smiled helplessly.
Half a minute later, the whole family sent them to the village entrance.
Yu Ying instructed Mrs. Luo and her sister-in-law to take advantage of the fact that Fu Ning had spoken now and guide him to speak more in the next two days.
He also asked Fu An to help He Erlang apply facial cream in the next two days.
After giving the instructions, the ox cart arrived.
Fu An and Fu Ning both pouted and looked unhappy.
Yu Ying patted their heads and said softly, "Auntie will be back in two days and will buy you something delicious."
Even when they heard there was something delicious, the two children couldn't smile.
Fu Zhen put the backpack and bedding on the ox cart, then Fu Wei, and finally Su Yu.
Yu Ying also got on the ox cart. When she was saying goodbye to them, little Fu Ning ran to the ox cart and grabbed Fu Wei's sleeve.
Fu Wei looked at his niece with a gentle expression.
Tears welled up in Fu Ning's eyes, and he spoke incoherently, "Xiao, Xiao...Su..., Ning, Ning Xiang..."
Several people were stunned and did not react for a moment, then they heard Fu An explain: "Sister means that she can't bear to leave her uncle and will miss him."
With tears in her eyes, Fu Ning nodded heavily. She meant what her brother said.
Fu Wei's heartstrings trembled slightly, and a little warmth flowed into his heart.
He smiled gently at his niece, reached out and touched her head, and said in a gentle voice: "Uncle will miss Ningning too."
Fu Wei looked at the people who were seeing him off. Over the past six months, he seemed to have slowly accepted them without realizing it.
After waving goodbye to them, the ox cart slowly moved away.
*
When they arrived in Yu County, Yu Ying asked Uncle Chen to wait at Wu Ji Restaurant while she went to look at the house first, and then delivered the things on the ox cart after she had chosen one.
Yu Ying entered Wu's restaurant and greeted the shopkeeper Chen.
When Manager Chen saw Madam Yu, he told her that the waiter from the inn had come again.
The waiter from Penglai Inn came over, probably to attract more business.
The lawsuit from a few days ago must have spread throughout Yu County. If any drug dealer shows interest, the waiter will definitely be eager to introduce business and earn commissions from it.
Yu Ying was not surprised by this, nor was she in a hurry. She just waited until everything was settled before looking for the waiter.
After asking the shopkeeper Chen, he told them to find a real estate agent, who would find them the most suitable house for only ten cents.
"The real estate agent is right outside the pawnshop, saying he has a house for rent."
After that, he warned: "Anyone who charges more than ten cents is definitely cheating you."
Yu Ying knew where the pawnshop was, and after thanking Manager Chen, she went there with Fu Wei.
The roads in the county town are smooth and convenient for pushing a wheelchair, but it is just too conspicuous.
I found Fang Yazi in the pawnshop.
Perhaps he was going to kill someone, so he immediately asked for twenty cents.
Yu Ying insisted on not giving up the ten cents, otherwise she would find someone else.
Fang Yazi knew that it was an acquaintance who introduced him, so he did not bargain and said, "I have items below a hundred wen, and also 100 wen and several hundred wen. It depends on what price range you want."
The price Fang Yazi mentioned is acceptable.
Yu Ying asked, "What about those under 100 wen?"
Fang Yazi looked at the chair with wheels curiously and replied, "I can't explain it clearly. You have to go and see it for yourself. But you have to pay five cents first. After you see it, if you agree, you can pay the remaining five cents. If you don't, you don't have to pay."
Yu Ying thought it was reliable, so she took out five cents and gave it to him.
Those with less than 100 wen walked all the way to the outermost part of Yu County. The further they went, the more desolate it became, and the more dilapidated the houses became. People who came and went in this area were almost all wearing patched clothes.
When Yu Ying first arrived at the Fu family, these clothes were only slightly better than what Luo and the others wore.
The house was also built with thatch, and the yard was smaller than that in Lingshui Village. There was also a faint, indescribable smell of urine that made people feel uncomfortable.
"This one is 60 wen a month, and the bigger one next door is 70 wen a month."
Yu Ying rejected it immediately: "Let's go and look for something around 100 wen."
Fang Yazi led them for a while and walked into an alley two alleys away from where they were just now.
The house here is much better than the previous one.
They are all adobe houses with tiled roofs. Although the yard is small, it is big enough to raise a few chickens and dry some clothes at the same time.
Fang Yazi: "Here is one hundred and twenty coins a month. If you want to go inside and take a look, I'll go get the key from the owner."
Yu Ying and Fu Wei looked at each other.
She was actually a little moved, but when she saw Fu Wei's wheelchair, she hesitated.
The price of this place is reasonable and the environment is better than the previous one, but the only downside is that it is far from the county government office.
Yu Ying roughly calculated that it would take at least half an hour to walk from here to the county government office, not to mention that Fu Wei was going there in a wheelchair.
After considering it, Yu Ying asked, "Is there a house closer to the county government office?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Yazi showed a look of surprise on his face: "You can't rent a house close to the county government office for just 100 wen. A house like this would cost at least 200 or 300 wen."
Yu Ying nodded: "Let's find one near the county government office."
The more expensive the rent, the more commission the landlord could get. Naturally, he was happy to see this happen, so he took them for two rounds around the county government office and found two houses that were almost close.
Yu Ying chose the courtyard with a easier path to walk on.
Fang Yazi went to find the key and saw that the woman's husband had poor legs and feet, so he helped the woman carry the chair into the yard.
Yu Ying looked at the threshold stone. It was impossible to push it away, so she could only find two wooden boards and put them on top to make it easier for the wheelchair to enter and exit.
After entering the yard, I looked around.
The yard of this house is about the same size as the one that cost 120 wen just now. It is also an adobe house with a tiled roof.
The yard was not maintained and was overgrown with weeds, but fortunately the doors and windows were in good condition.
The three rooms are connected, the two on the left and right are for living, and the middle one is the main room.
A thatched toilet and a thatched kitchen are clearly visible.
I can’t say I’m very satisfied with it, but it’s better than the thatched house in Lingshui Village. At least I don’t have to be afraid when it’s windy or rainy.
Yu Ying asked: "How much money does this small courtyard cost per month?"
"It only takes half a minute to walk to the county government office, and I earn two hundred and twenty coins a month."
It is closer, but it is also a hundred coins more expensive.
Fu Wei frowned slightly, looked at Yu Ying, and said hesitantly: "Sixth Lady, if not, why not rent the same yard as before?"
As soon as he said this, Fang Yazi's face showed some anxiety, and he said hurriedly: "Actually, the price can still be negotiated."
Yu Ying pondered for a moment and said, "I won't ask for an outrageous price, just two hundred coins. Go talk to the owner, and if it's okay, I'll rent it today."
Fang Yazi looked embarrassed and said, "Twenty cents short is too much. Why don't you raise the price a little more?"
Yu Ying said calmly, "This is my price. Please go and negotiate. If it's possible, I'll rent it immediately."
Seeing that she seemed unconvinced, Fang Yazi thought for a moment and then said, "Okay, I'll go talk to the owner."
If Fang Yazi agreed, it meant that the deal could be negotiated. As he left, Yu Ying added, "If it doesn't work out, there's no need to talk anymore. We can look at other courtyards."
Fang Yazi responded and went to inquire.
When they were alone in the yard, Fu Wei asked her, "Do you like this yard?"
Yu Ying shook her head. "I wouldn't say I like it. It's a bit expensive, but firstly, it's convenient. Secondly, since it's near the county government office, even petty thieves wouldn't dare sneak in. If there are any bad guys, they can find the government office first."
This is the same principle as living in a police station in later generations.
Fu Wei agreed with her and nodded slightly: "Then let's do it here."
Fu Wei was 100% sure that the price could be negotiated, as he had also noticed Fang Yazi's reaction just now.
Sure enough, a moment later, the landlord brought the owner and agreed to the price.
The homeowner saw Yu Ying and exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this the Madam Yu who was suing Director Luo of Luoji Clinic in court a few days ago? I even went to the county government office to see her!"
Yu Ying didn't want to say much, just smiled faintly.
The owner looked at the man next to her. He was familiar with his appearance and the chair. He asked in surprise, "So you two are a couple. What happened to his legs?"
Fu Wei replied indifferently: "Something happened and I can't walk normally."
The homeowner thought to himself, isn’t this a cripple?
No wonder, a woman with spots on her face and a lame man are quite a good match.
Seeing they didn't want to talk any more, the landlord didn't ask any further questions. He just said, "Two hundred wen is not a bad idea, but you have to pay two months' rent first."
Fu Wei's probation period was three months, and Yu Ying agreed to pay two months' rent at once.
After the deal is done, you have to report to the government office to prevent someone from using other people's houses to defraud rent.
After reporting to the government office, Yu Ying paid four hundred coins in rent.
The owner gave them the key, asked them not to damage the house, and then left.
Yu Ying gave the remaining five coins to the yamen servant and was about to leave when Huo, the yamen runner, came out and stopped her, saying, "Madam Yu, please wait a moment."
Huo Yacha came over and said, "Mrs. Yu, please take the 500 coins that Luoji Medical Clinic paid as compensation."
After saying that, he looked at Fu Wei who was standing beside him and said, "Mr. Fu, the master has instructed that if he sees you, he will ask you when you can come to take up your post."
Fu Weiying: "It will be possible tomorrow."
Perhaps because Fu Wei could enter the yamen as a staff member, Yachai Huo's attitude became much better than before.
He added, "The Lord specifically instructed that since Fu Langjun has difficulty walking, a stone slab be placed at the side door. I will take Fu Langjun in through the side door later so that he can find his way."
Fu Wei put away his cold expression and put on a smile: "Thank you, Huo Yacha, for reminding me."
Yu Ying's eyes fell on his smiling face, and she thought to herself that he adapted quite quickly.
Perhaps this time when he works as a staff member in the government office, he will no longer be bullied as described in the book.
But when she thought of Director Luo’s younger brother, Yu Ying was still worried.
As Yu Ying and Yacha Huo entered the yamen through the side door and walked into the alley, she lowered her voice and asked, "Yacha Huo, is Luo Dianshi still in the yamen?"
Huo Yacha replied, "After all, it was only Director Luo who made the mistake, and his family members were not implicated. Of course, the Luo Dianshi was there."
Yu Ying heard this and became even more worried: "Then when my husband enters the government office, I'll have to trouble Chief Huo to take good care of him."
Huo Yacha responded: "Don't worry, Madam Yu. If Mr. Fu is in trouble, I will help him."
"Thank you, Mr. Huo."
Fu Wei pondered for a moment and then said, "We've rented a small courtyard near this government office, in West Gate Lane. Once we've finished preparing everything today, we'll invite Chief Huo to our humble abode tomorrow for a housewarming feast."
Huo Yacha smiled and said, "Okay, when you have collected everything, call me back and I will definitely go."
Fu Wei added, "By the way, I'm not very familiar with the affairs of this yamen, and I'm afraid I might accidentally cross the line. I'd appreciate it if Clerk Huo could give me some pointers."
Huo Yacha said, "I can't say I can give you any advice, but the relationship in this yamen is a long story. Let's talk about the staff. There are two people beside you, sir. One came with you, and the other is from Yu County. These two..." Huo Yacha lowered his voice and reminded, "The relationship between the two is like fire and water. Mr. Fu, please be careful and don't take sides easily."
Fu Wei looked puzzled. "I don't know the names of these two people, and what their personalities are. If I knew their personalities, I would be able to deal with them better."
Huo Yacha thought for a moment and said, "I can't go into detail right now, so let me just briefly explain. The man who came with you is named Qian, about the same age as you, and he's a bit of a smile but hides a knife behind his smile. The local man is named Sun, about fifty years old, and he's quite easy to talk to."
Yu Ying knew that Fu Wei was trying to understand the intricacies of the county government, so she did not interrupt their conversation.
I didn't disturb you, but we couldn't talk for long because the distance was short.
Yu Ying knew why Fu Wei invited Huo Yachai to his home for a housewarming party. He probably wanted to find out about the interpersonal relationships in the yamen from Huo Yachai.
After receiving the 500-wen compensation, Yu Ying asked, "I wonder how the government is handling Director Luo?"
The smile on Huo Yacha's face faded, and he said, "Although it is a heavy punishment, it is not considered a heavy punishment."
Fu Wei frowned slightly, and he had a vague idea of the outcome.
Yu County is poor, and the medical clinics may pay a lot of taxes. One less medical clinic means less tax revenue.
Furthermore, the magistrate wanted to make some money from this incident to fill the county treasury, so he naturally would not sentence the criminal too harshly.
Yu Ying was puzzled: "Even though the punishment was severe, it wasn't severe?"
As the yamen runner Huo escorted them out of the yamen, he explained truthfully, "Apart from twenty lashes of the board, you'll be imprisoned for three years. However, you can also pay fifty taels of silver in lieu of three years."
Fifty taels of silver is something that an ordinary person certainly cannot afford, but the clinic can certainly afford it, otherwise the magistrate would not ask for such a high price.
"The silver was delivered this morning, and the man was released. When he left, the master spoke to him alone, probably warning him to keep his hands clean. So Madam Yu and Mr. Fu don't have to worry too much about him doing evil again."
Upon hearing this, Yu Ying thanked Huo Yacha for the reminder, but she was still very clear in her mind.
They cannot use tricks that violate the law secretly, so they will probably use some tricks that are not visible but do not violate the law.
After leaving the government office, Fu Wei said to her, "Don't worry too much. He's isolated by the other three clinics, and nothing good can come of him."
Yu Ying: "I'm not worried about myself, I'm worried about you. He might not attack a woman like me, but he might ask his brother to embarrass you."
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Fu Wei's face.
Seeing the smile on his face, Yu Ying wondered, "You might be targeted after entering the government. Aren't you worried? How can you still smile?"
Fu Wei's voice was cheerful: "Hearing that you were worried about me, I couldn't help but smile. I guess I was happy."
Hearing this unexpectedly, Yu Ying's heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat.
She thought that his confession that night was temporarily forgotten after she explained it clearly, but she didn't expect that he would speak without reservation.
She calmed down and changed the subject, saying, "Although the courtyard has been rented, we don't have any furniture yet. We still need to buy beds and pots and pans."
"We have to buy a ready-made bed. I know where to buy one. I'll go out and look for it later. After we agree on the price, I'll ask Uncle Chen to pick it up on the way."
It was already noon and nothing had started yet, so Yu Ying had no choice but to buy two steamed buns to fill her stomach.
After buying the steamed buns, I went straight back to my rented house.
After they finished eating the steamed buns, Yu Ying asked Fu Wei to wait at home while she went out to prepare a bed.
There is a single bamboo bed at home in Lingshui Village, which can be sent to Luo for her to sleep on.
But just buying another big bed still wouldn't be enough. Even if Fu An could sleep with Fu Wei, what if she brought Fu Ning to Yu County to stay for a night or two?
After careful consideration, I decided that since the single bamboo bed had to be sent to Yu County, I still had to buy two large beds.
Yu Ying went to check the bed.
The bamboo bed is about ten cents more expensive than the one at Uncle Chen's relative's house.
The simplest wooden bed does not have complicated railings, but only has a few horizontal bars at the head, foot and inside of the bed.
In comparison, wooden beds are much more comfortable than bamboo beds.
But the price is much higher. A bamboo bed costs less than a hundred coins, but a wooden bed costs two hundred coins.
Yu Ying thought that she would eventually have to replace the bed with a wooden one, so she gritted her teeth and bought it.
After negotiating the price, we settled on three hundred and eighty coins for two beds, another forty coins for two buckets, two basins, and a set of bamboo tables and stools for seventy coins.
When she left Lingshui Village, she brought Fu Wei's five hundred coins, and she also had two hundred coins of her own.
The rent cost four hundred coins, and the remaining three hundred coins were not enough. Fortunately, I received another five hundred coins when I went to the government office just now, which was enough to pay.
Yu Ying was unhappy that she didn't spend the 500 coins she received as compensation.
Besides, since the furniture was in Yu County, it would be delivered free of charge. Yu Ying asked Uncle Chen to deliver the items and then went together.
After the things were delivered and moved into the house, Yu Ying said to Uncle Chen, "Uncle Chen, you must come to the housewarming party the day after tomorrow!"
Uncle Chen smiled and replied, "Of course, of course."
After seeing off Mr. Chen, the men began to assemble the wooden beds. It took only half an hour to finish both beds. Yu Ying checked whether they were stable before giving them the money to take home.
After the clerk left, Fu Wei asked, "Do you have any more money?"
Yu Ying closed the gate and said to him, "I just got five hundred coins at the government office, and I spent it."
She looked at the small courtyard. Although she would not live here in the future, for some reason, she felt a sense of accomplishment in setting up this place.
Perhaps she knew that every time she returned to Yu County, she would rest here. And this would be the second place in the world where she could rest and relax.
An unconscious smile appeared on her face. She looked at the solid adobe walls and fences and sighed, "We'll all have to live together in the county town in the future. The houses in the village are really not safe."
A high wall separated the yard from the outside world, so Fu Wei didn't have to worry about being seen even if he wasn't in a wheelchair.
But the premise is that no one peeks inside through the crack of the door. However, this problem is easy to solve, just cover it up.
The yard was still a mess, the house had not been cleaned, and there was not even any cooking utensils. After resting, Fu Wei stayed at home to clean up, while Yu Ying continued to go out to buy what she needed.
Moving is indeed a tiring and expensive job, but strangely, it is always a pleasant thing to do.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
