Chapter 197 Second Uncle Brings a Dog
The fourth son grew angrier and angrier, grabbing a sheep shovel and chasing after the father and son.
When they couldn't reach it, they would swing the whip, wrap it around their ankles, and make them fall flat on their faces.
Seeing the two of them tumbling and crawling, looking terrified of themselves, the fourth brother finally put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter.
The fourth brother returned refreshed, and Song Chunxue was sitting on the steps in the courtyard with Li Dazui.
“I can tell you said those things to support us, but getting beaten up is not worth it. Stay away from people like that next time.”
Although she doesn't usually think much of Li Dazui, he is actually a kind-hearted person.
He was trying to help but got hit, which made Song Chunxue feel a little upset.
But it was more funny than funny; it was the first time she had ever seen Li Dazui suffer because of his mouth.
Although this is somewhat unfair.
"I didn't lose out either. I bit that guy's shoulder just now, and it'll probably be bruised by the time I get home tonight. I got my revenge, and I haven't fought anyone in years. It was really fun."
Li Dazui was still somewhat unsatisfied, saying, "Those two were so annoying; even if we won, it didn't give us much of a sense of accomplishment."
As he spoke, he took a letter out of his pocket.
“I went to the market today and met the messenger. He gave me a letter from your second son,” Li Dazui said cheerfully. “It’s quite thick. I guess he suffered a lot in the army and is complaining to you.”
Song Chunxue slowly took the envelope; she had almost forgotten about her second brother who had gone to the military camp.
"You two read it to me, I don't know enough characters yet."
Sanwa and Lao Si were very excited. They opened the envelope together and carefully read the contents.
After reading it, the fourth brother sat on the steps and read the letter.
The second son wrote four pages. The first three pages described how tough it was for him in the army. He said he should have trained more at home, otherwise he would have been scolded to the point of tears.
Finally, he mentioned the food at home, missed the warm kang (heated brick bed) at home, and wanted to go home for the New Year. He even asked his mother about her well-being, which was unusual for him.
Song Chunxue listened with a smile, without offering any comment.
Afterwards, Sanwa went to the west room with Lao Si and read through Erge's letter again. They then lay on the heated kang and read some leisure books together.
Seeing Song Chunxue remain silent, Li Dazui said softly, "You miss your child, don't you? You'll always miss your own child, no matter where you go."
Song Chunxue snapped out of her reverie, "No, I was just wondering when I'll be able to write a letter."
"What?" Li Dazui turned his head, and with a thud, twisted his neck.
He grimaced, raised his hand to rub his aching neck, and asked in surprise, "You can still read?"
"Yes, I'm learning. I tend to forget what I've written or recognized before, so Sanwa patiently teaches me to recognize them again and again. He even tells me stories to make sure I remember them, and he patiently teaches me again after meals. Recently, I've even started recognizing idioms."
Li Dazui couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, but he couldn't help but harbor some doubts.
He placed his hands on his knees and said, "Why don't you tell me which idioms you know?"
Song Chunxue stretched out her index finger and solemnly counted, "Indecisive, crooked ways, ungrateful, misattributing, let me think... treacherous, flirting, and also longing, gossipy."
Li Dazui couldn't help but chuckle, "This last one, you wouldn't be talking about me, would you?"
“I didn’t say that, but now that you mention it, it seems quite fitting.”
"..." Li Dazui laughed angrily, "Then do you even know the saying, 'Good intentions are wasted'?"
“I know. That’s why I want to thank you. Thanks to you for stepping in today, otherwise those two would definitely have attacked me and Sanwa. We might not have been able to beat them back then.”
"..." Song Chunxue's sudden, serious thanks surprised Li Dazui, who felt a little embarrassed.
"Your earrings are very pretty."
He changed the subject, but regretted it as soon as he said it. Wasn't that just flirting?
"Yes, thank you, you have good taste." She thanked him generously.
"..."
"Ahem," Li Dazui coughed twice, stood up, "I should go home and feed the pigs, you go ahead with your work."
"By the way, you live alone, why don't you get a cat or dog to keep you company?" Song Chunxue got up to see him off. "Wait a minute, I'll get you some buckwheat buns."
This was a way of thanking him for his kindness.
He also brought a letter from his second brother. Song Chunxue was no longer so old-fashioned, and because of their respective circumstances, she dared not send him anything to thank him.
"No need, I can make it myself. I'm just a bit lazy. The buckwheat noodles need to be scalded. Mine isn't sweet enough."
Even so, Li Dazui stood in the yard waiting for Song Chunxue to come out of the kitchen.
"As for why I don't keep dogs, I had one a few years ago, but it died after three months, which made me sad for more than half a year. Dogs are just like people, they can hurt people's hearts too much, so it's better not to keep one."
Song Chunxue placed two large pieces of buckwheat buns on a plate and handed them to him, saying, "Remember to return the plate next time."
Li Dazui walked out with a grin, "Aren't you afraid of what others will say about us now?"
"Go ahead and say it. Anyway, they probably think in private that a widower and a widow are a perfect match. It's just a pity that we don't look like a couple. If you want to avoid suspicion, just call me Sister Song from now on. I like that title."
Li Dazui held the plate while breaking off a piece and stuffing it into his mouth. "Mmm, it's really sweet. Sister Song it is, just don't make me call you sister-in-law."
Why?
"Well, I've been bored lately and read some frivolous books. I just feel that the term 'sister-in-law' has some... well, it's not very nice," Li Dazui said casually. "Anyway, I have no ill intentions towards you, calling you 'sister-in-law' is just too cheesy."
"..." Calling her sister-in-law is so cheesy. Song Chunxue scolded him in annoyance, "You shameless bastard, stop reading those indecent books and you should just get a dog."
Li Dazui twisted his neck angrily, "You raise them, I'm only suited to raising pigs."
"..." Watching him walk further and further away with his pigeon-toed gait, Song Chunxue didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
As the year draws to a close, the chores at home become increasingly busy.
They ate half of the last pig and made a small jar of pickled meat. Now that they've just slaughtered a new one, the mother and her two children can't finish it all.
But she had no intention of giving it to the eldest brother.
Unless, the boss wants to exchange something for it.
Song Chunxue pondered that her eldest brother seemed to have bought a small bamboo basket at the market before. It was very useful, and she had taken a liking to it at first sight last time.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a suitable one at the market later.
She called to the fourth brother, "Take this to the eldest brother's house and exchange it for that sturdy and nice bamboo basket in his kitchen. If he's not happy, bring the meat over, and I'll go to Zhao Yufang's house to exchange it. She'll definitely be happy."
“Alright,” the fourth brother picked up the black porcelain jar of pickled meat, “Mother is still worried about eldest brother not having meat for the New Year, isn’t she?”
“I’m not heartbroken, but wait a minute,” Song Chunxue said, looking at the black porcelain jar in front of her. “Never mind, I really like this jar. You can take this piece of meat and let them cook it themselves.”
The fourth brother smiled but said nothing.
He found a clean wicker basket, carried a large piece of pork to his elder brother's house, and saw a familiar figure as soon as he stepped out.
"Second Uncle?" he called out happily, "What are you holding in your arms?"
Song Zhizhu placed the two wolfhound puppies on the ground. "Your mother has been saying she wanted to raise a dog, so I found her two. They're just over a month old, so she'll definitely be able to raise them well."
The fourth son put down his basket and shouted into the yard, "Mom, my second uncle has brought you a dog! Come out and see!"
"..." Song Zhizhu covered his ears, speechless for a moment. Was this kid a tiger?
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