Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Separation of Life and Death
September 20th is a good time to move.
They were planning to move into their new home on this day and invited several familiar neighbors from the village to their home for dinner. In addition, Miao Ying's family also took the opportunity to come and see their new house, and the other two families could also get together.
Because they had just arrived, they didn't know many people in the village and didn't invite many people, so they only set up three tables. However, the dishes were all the same as those on Miao Dong's wedding day, except for the lack of steamed pork elbow. There was nothing they could do about it, as their house had just been renovated and things were quite difficult.
The work in the kitchen was mainly left to Li Hongying and her grandmother, including preparation and cutting of vegetables. Miao Ying would go there when it was time to cook.
Miao Ying stayed outside to chat with them. Everyone wanted to see their new house, so Miao Ying introduced each room to them one by one.
Although many of them had participated in the construction of this house, they all felt very proud to see the finished product being so good.
After looking at the house, everyone sat in the spacious yard drinking tea and chatting. Miao Ying looked not far away and saw the shadows of his mother's family.
He asked Huo Xing to accompany the guests while he ran out to pick them up.
The Miao family had all arrived, including Miao Dahai and his wife, and Miao Dong and his wife. Miao Ying went over and saw that they were carrying things in their hands: "Didn't I tell you not to bring anything?"
Miao Dahai said in a gruff voice, "It's impolite not to bring anything."
As they talked, they walked into the house. This was the first time Miao Dahai and Liu Qiong saw their new house.
Miao Ying once again took them through the rooms, introducing them one by one. When they reached the guest room, he added, "Now you'll have a place to stay when you come to our house in the future."
Liu Qiong laughed at him: "How could your family live in your house? This house is well built, very nice."
Miao Ying glanced at Miao Dong and his sister-in-law behind them and had a lot to ask.
Seeing that she could no longer hide her curiosity, Liu Qiong sat down to talk with him after looking at the house. His sister-in-law sat next to Liu Qiong, while Miao Dahai, Miao Dong, Huo Xing, and Carpenter Yao went to talk to other people in the village.
Only then did Liu Qiong tell Miao Ying what happened next.
Miao Dong's current wife is Zheng Caier, a distant cousin of Qiu Mei, who was originally supposed to marry Miao Dong. The Qiu family wanted to cancel the engagement but did not want to return the betrothal gift, so they finally married Zheng Caier to Miao Dong. Zheng Caier was knocked unconscious and put into wedding clothes by the Qiu family. When she wanted to resist, Qiu Mei's mother cried and begged her, saying that considering the food that their family gave her, she should not be embarrassed.
Zheng Caier also had her own ideas. She had also heard them talking about the Miao family and felt that the Miao family's conditions were also very good. At least, their life would not be worse than her current one. Living under someone else's roof was always hard, so she moved her mind for the only time in her life.
"Since we've already married, she's our daughter-in-law. But your father and your brother couldn't swallow this anger, so they went to the Qiu family on the day of her return. The 660-ounce betrothal gift was returned and your sister-in-law kept it. From now on, your sister-in-law has nothing to do with the Qiu family. As long as she and your brother live a good life, that's all that matters."
Zheng Caier's face and eyes turned red. She didn't expect that the Miao family would accept her so quickly.
Miao Ying nodded: "That's good too."
"It's just that your brother is still feeling uncomfortable." Liu Qiong said, "When you have time, try to persuade him."
Miao Ying nodded: "I know." He knew that this was the best solution and there was nothing to worry about.
Zheng Caier only realized after marrying into the Miao family that the Miao family was not as rumored. Although they looked ferocious, they just had loud voices. Especially when they asked her to keep the betrothal gift that was asked to be returned, she knew that the Miao family had been misunderstood by others.
She took the six taels and six cents of silver, but did not keep it for herself. Instead, she gave it back to Liu Qiong and asked her mother to keep it for her. This was to show her determination to Liu Qiong.
"It doesn't matter who you live with," said Liu Qiong.
Miao Ying also nodded: "That's the truth."
Soon the table was served. Regardless of gender or age, those who knew each other sat together and ate happily.
Carpenter Yao was particularly happy, as if he had accomplished something important in his life. Little Wood tried to persuade him several times but he still wanted to continue drinking.
Miao Ying also tried to persuade him, but Carpenter Yao frowned and said that Miao Ying was a young man and didn't know how to behave. Miao Ying didn't get angry and continued to smile.
After dinner, Miao Dahai and his friends were about to go home. Miao Ying pulled Miao Dong aside to talk. Miao Dong seemed to have lost a lot of weight because of the blow of his marriage. Now one could see that their eyebrows and eyes had similarities.
"I think my sister-in-law is not a bad person and she is pretty. Don't feel bad about it anymore."
Miao Dong knew very well that the matter was settled, but he was still holding a grudge and never gave Zheng Caier a good look at home.
"Listen to your mother and live a good life." Miao Ying patted Miao Dong's shoulder. "Girls are not like men. You have to be considerate of girls. If you really do this, how will she live in the future?"
Miao Dong didn't want to listen to his nagging: "I know, you should just take care of yourself!"
After seeing the Miao family off, Miao Ying helped Li Hongying and her grandmother clean up the house. After finishing, she saw Carpenter Yao sitting on a recliner in the yard. She went to their house and found the remaining silver, intending to give the money to Carpenter Yao.
"You didn't say the amount, and I don't know how to give it to you, but I have to give it to you." Miao Ying put the money into his purse and handed it to Carpenter Yao.
Carpenter Yao had drunk a bit too much today. His bony hand clutched the purse Miao Ying had given him, trembling slightly. "Do you know why I'm so anxious to help you?"
Miao Ying saw that he wanted to talk to her, so she found a bench and sat next to him: "Why?"
"It can't be for money." Carpenter Yao threw the purse in his hand into Miao Ying's arms, "I just hope that you can be nicer to my little piece of wood in the future. Even better."
Miao Ying nodded: "That's what we promised each other when we became my disciples, so of course it counts."
"Life is too long." Carpenter Yao wiped his eyes. "Can you promise that you will never change?"
"Master, do you know what kind of person Huo Xing is?" Miao Ying asked.
"He's just a fool." Carpenter Yao smiled rarely. He was tall and looked stupid, but his hands were okay and not too clumsy. After learning for a few months, he had a solid foundation in carpentry.
Miao Ying laughed and told him about the past: "You said I was so famous that no one would know if I died in the mountains, but he still saved me. And as for my mother and grandmother, even when I was in that state, they still made medicine for me, applied medicine on me, and watched me recover."
He looked into Carpenter Yao's clear eyes and said, "Master, you can rest assured by leaving the small piece of wood to us."
Carpenter Yao nodded: "Okay."
The house is now big enough for everyone to live in, and they no longer have to live in such a cramped space. Grandma and Li Hongying each take care of one child while Carpenter Yao stays in the guest room.
Carpenter Yao was unwilling, but he couldn't persuade Miao Ying, so he could only rest in the guest room and said that they would go back tomorrow.
Miao Ying chatted with him in his room. He talked a lot today, and even told Miao Ying where he hid the silver. He also told Miao Ying that he had a carpentry encyclopedia, which was still in his house, and asked Miao Ying to get it back when he was free. He also asked him to practice hard, saying Huo Xing. Miao Ying felt a little strange, but Carpenter Yao pulled him aside to talk about something else.
Finally, he said he wanted to talk to Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu had already finished washing up. After knowing that his grandfather was looking for him, he went into the room and talked to Carpenter Yao for a long time.
"Little Wood, be good." Carpenter Yao stopped nagging when he saw Little Wood yawn.
Little Wood nodded solemnly: "I know, Grandpa, go to bed early, we will go home tomorrow."
Carpenter Yao smiled and said, "Okay, let's go home tomorrow. Wouldn't it be nice to live in the new house?"
"I still want to go back to our home." Little Mu rubbed his eyes.
Carpenter Yao pulled the little wooden boy closer to him and whispered something into his ear.
Xiao Mu nodded solemnly and went back to his room to rest. Miao Ying and Huo Xing also left the guest room. When they returned to their own room, he grabbed Huo Xing's arm and said, "Be alert tonight. I feel something is wrong."
Huo Xing nodded: "I know."
Miao Ying had something on his mind and couldn't sleep well at night. In a daze, he felt Huo Xing get up, so he got up too.
After hurriedly getting dressed, he discovered that Carpenter Yao was not in the guest room at all, and there was no sign that the bed had been slept in. Huo Xing lit a tinder and went with Miao Ying to look for someone.
They walked out of the gate and saw the shed next to their new house that they had used for temporary residence. Because time was tight, it had not been demolished yet.
Miao Ying and Huo Xing looked at each other and both had a bad feeling.
They ran over quickly and saw Carpenter Yao lying on the simple bed. Miao Ying's body suddenly stiffened and a chill rose from the soles of his feet.
He didn't even dare to take another step forward. Huo Xing pressed his shoulder and walked forward himself.
Carpenter Yao was dressed neatly, with his hands clasped on his abdomen, looking as if he was asleep.
Huo Xing's hands were also a little unsteady. He reached up to Carpenter Yao's nose and found that he was no longer breathing.
Huo Xing turned around and looked at Miao Ying, shaking his head at him.
At that moment, Miao Ying's heart sank to the bottom. He should have discovered last night that the equally talkative Carpenter Yao had talked so much to him, but he didn't even realize that he was leaving his last words.
Miao Ying's eyes turned red. Apart from his own death, this was the first time he faced the separation of life and death.
Huo Xing took his hand and pulled him to the bedside. The two of them knelt down beside Carpenter Yao's bed. Huo Xing knelt and kowtowed three times: "Master, go with peace of mind. We will take good care of Little Wood."
After bowing, Huo Xing helped Miao Ying up and said, "Go back and find mother."
Li Hongying and her family did not sleep very well at night. When she heard the noise in the yard, she sat up, put on her clothes, and ran into Miao Ying and Huo Xing standing at her door.
"Mom, Master is gone." Huo Xing said in a deep voice.
Li Hongying had expected this. She calmed down and said, "Go and see if he left anything behind. I'll go get Xiao Mu."
Soon lights were on in every room in their house. Xiao Mu rubbed his eyes and was dressed by Li Hongying. Miao Ying was waiting outside their room. When he saw Xiao Mu coming out, Miao Ying held his hand.
There were tears in Xiao Mu's eyes. He seemed to have realized something. He held Miao Ying's hand tightly and looked up at him: "Brother, my grandfather said last night that he wanted to go home."
This is what Carpenter Yao said in his ear when they parted last night, saying that grandpa wanted to go home.
"Brother, I want to take grandpa home."
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