Chapter 3: I am her stepfather...
Mr. Chen has been observing by the river for several days.
Every time he came to fetch water, he could see Fang Zhiyue squatting downstream washing clothes.
Although he seldom went out, he recognized this man and knew that he was the husband that the old man of the Si family had married for the deceased eldest brother of the Si family.
Thinking of this, Mr. Chen's eyes showed some sympathy.
It's also a poor...
The wife died that night and it was said that the two of them did not even have a ceremony.
He had also heard from his own wife that the reason why the father of the Si family wanted his daughter to marry this son-in-law was to bring him good luck.
As a result, he failed to rejoice and his situation in the Si family became extremely embarrassing.
The weather in February is just beginning to warm up, and the river water in the early morning is so cold that it stings the touch.
The husband of the Si family comes to the river to wash clothes before dawn every day.
It was obvious that the father of the Si family was deliberately making things difficult for his son-in-law.
As Mr. Chen walked back with the bucket in his hand, he glanced at Fang Zhiyue who was not far away.
The hand had been soaked in the river water for too long and had already turned black and purple due to the cold, which was creepy to look at.
He couldn't help but shook his head.
Fang Zhiyue was scrubbing the clothes in his hands seriously, unaware that someone was secretly watching him.
Even though his hands were stiff and numb from soaking in the cold river water, he still did not stop what he was doing.
The father of the Si family said that these clothes were exchanged for money.
Although Si Yao's tuition was waived by the teacher of Yunlu Academy, she would have to take the autumn examination in three years and would need a large sum of money.
Fang Zhiyue didn't feel that the Si family's father was making things difficult for him.
I just wish I could wash more so that I can get enough money for the trip sooner.
Thinking of this, Fang Zhiyue quickened his pace and finally walked home with a large basin of clothes before noon.
As soon as he walked in.
The old man of the Si family, who was sitting in front of the main house basking in the sun, jumped up instantly. "But you asked me to wash some clothes, and you've only just come back now. Hurry up and put them down and make lunch!"
When facing Fang Zhiyue, he was as unhappy as ever.
When Fang Zhiyue heard this, he was like a piece of wood without edges. He immediately put down the clothes in his hands and went to the stove.
Lunch was still bread and wild vegetable soup.
Fang Zhiyue first took the cakes and wild vegetable soup to the father of the Si family.
Then he carried it into Si Yao's room.
Si Yao was still sitting in the house reviewing poetry and books. The room was clean and tidy, with a faint scent of ink in the air.
Fang Zhiyue put the cake and wild vegetable soup on the table with his head down, then turned around and was about to leave.
As he was about to cross the threshold, a faint voice came from behind him: "Don't give me an extra pancake in the future."
Fang Zhiyue was a little surprised and immediately turned his head away.
But Si Yao's eyes were still on the book in his hand, as if the voice just now was just an illusion.
He stood there at a loss as to what to do.
Finally, he said, "You're wasting your brain studying. You should eat more."
Fang Zhiyue couldn't even read a single word, so he couldn't say anything profound. But that didn't mean he didn't admire those who were good at studying.
Even though I have only been in the Si family for a few days,
He also learned from the father of the Si family how good Si Yao was at studying. Not only in the surrounding villages, but even in the entire county, there was no one better than her.
Fang Zhiyue felt a little proud in his heart.
Such a powerful person is his stepdaughter.
Si Yao glanced at the person at the door and saw that there was no movement for a long time.
Finally I managed to glance at him.
Yet, his honest face was filled with kindness, as if he had truly put himself in the role of a father.
She narrowed her eyes imperceptibly.
A hint of darkness flashed in the cold and calm black eyes.
Fang Zhiyue didn't notice anything.
He curled his lips, and dimples appeared on both sides of his lips: "Don't worry, Sister Yao, it's okay if I don't eat the pancakes. I don't eat much, a bowl of wild vegetable soup is enough for me."
After saying that, he left the house happily.
Si Yao: “…”
She slowly put down the book in her hand and stared at the food on the table.
He is a bit self-indulgent.
*
The days go by one by one.
Soon, all the leave that Si Yao asked for from the teacher was used up, and it was time for her to return to town.
Early in the morning, the old man of the Si family carefully wrapped seven or eight pancakes and stuffed them into her arms.
He held her hand reluctantly, "Study hard at the academy, and don't worry about home. If you don't have enough money, ask Aunt Zhang to send a message back. Don't let yourself suffer in the academy."
Although the father of the Si family knew that the other party was more sarcastic and mean.
But he loved this granddaughter who depended on him for everything to the core. Not only because she was the only blood of the Si family, but also because Si Yao was the hope for their Si family to bring honor to their ancestors.
Si Yao put away the pancake and nodded slightly.
Just at this moment, Aunt Zhang's voice came from outside: "Sister Yao, are you done packing?"
"Grandfather, please stay. There's no need to see me off."
Si Yao stopped the old man of the Si family.
Then he turned and walked out.
Fang Zhiyue slowly walked out of the house dragging a big bag.
The moment the old man of the Si family saw him, his expression immediately changed: "What are you dawdling for? Get out of here! If you miss your meeting with Manager Wu today, I'll settle the score with you when I get back!"
Fang Zhiyue walked out silently carrying a bag full of clothes.
Aunt Zhang saw him and nodded. "Hurry up and go up. You and Sister Yao are one family. I won't charge you the extra two cents."
In Xingyu Village, only Aunt Zhang's family has an old cow.
On weekdays, if you want to go to the county town, you can only take her ox cart.
She didn't charge the villagers much money, just two cents for each trip.
Fang Zhiyue nodded somewhat nervously, then dragged his heavy bag onto the ox cart.
Besides Si Yao, who was dressed in a green shirt, there was also a middle-aged woman in the ox cart. At her feet was a backpack filled with a few wild animals, and a faint smell of blood wafted out.
Fang Zhiyue took a look and immediately looked away.
Then he grabbed the big bag and sat down with Si Yao.
The middle-aged woman raised her eyes, and the hideous scar on her brow frightened Fang Zhiyue so much that she leaned closer to Si Yao.
Si Yao noticed the movement around him and finally gave him a look.
The dark pupils looked at him calmly. Although there were no words, Fang Zhiyue felt an inexplicable pressure falling on him.
He couldn't help but shrink his neck and subconsciously curled the corners of his lips in a flattering manner.
He whispered, "Dad told me to give you some of the money after I hand these clothes over to Butler Wu. Dad also told you to study hard in the academy and give up the copying job in the bookstore. Don't tire yourself out."
"Don't worry..."
Fang Zhiyue added seriously, "I will do more laundry in the future. You don't have to worry about the money."
This is what he really thinks.
Si Yao didn't say anything immediately after hearing this.
Just when he thought she would ignore him, she said concisely: "No need."
I don't know whether it means that I don't have to give her the money, or that he doesn't have to worry about money.
She said two words and turned her head away.
Fang Zhiyue felt a little disappointed when he saw her indifferent look.
He thought Si Yao had accepted him, but he didn't expect him to become so cold today.
I don't know when she can call him dad again.
"Girl, be nice to your brother. A family should live in harmony."
The middle-aged woman sitting opposite the two of them couldn't help but speak.
Although she was from Xingyu Village, she had always lived in the back mountain. She made a living by hunting and rarely interacted with the villagers.
Therefore, he didn't know anything about the Si family.
Si Yao glanced at her without saying anything.
Fang Zhiyue, who was sitting next to her, corrected her in a low voice: "We are not brother and sister, I am her stepfather..."
He spoke the last sentence in an extremely low voice, perhaps out of consideration for Si Yao who was standing beside him.
The middle-aged woman just said it casually because she couldn't stand it, and didn't care about what Fang Zhiyue said.
There was a brief silence in the oxcart.
The only sounds were those of Aunt Zhang driving the old cow outside and the squeaking of wheels as the dirt road passed.
Xingyu Village is not too far from the county town.
You can arrive at noon by setting off early in the morning.
Aunt Zhang parked the ox cart at the gate of the county town.
Si Yao and Fang Zhiyue walked out of the ox cart.
The two entered the county town one after the other, keeping a distance between them.
Fang Zhiyue looked at her thin back and suddenly remembered something.
"Sister Yao..."
Si Yao didn't expect that he was still following her. She frowned slightly and turned around, her calm black eyes falling on him.
"Do you have anything else to do?"
Fang Zhiyue walked up to her carrying a large bag and spoke hesitantly, "I, I forgot to ask Dad where Mr. Chen's house is. Yaojie, do you know?"
His cheeks flushed slightly, and he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.
He is obviously half a head taller than Si Yao, but he doesn't have any imposing aura at all.
Si Yao stared at him quietly for a few moments.
Then he turned around and continued walking forward.
Fang Zhiyue saw that she didn't say a word, the blush on her face disappeared, and her eyes were full of loneliness.
Just when he was lost.
Si Yao, who was walking in front, turned his head and glanced at him, "What are you still standing there for?"
"oh oh!"
Fang Zhiyue immediately looked up in surprise.
Only then did he realize that she was leading the way for him.
He quickly followed her, carrying his heavy bag.
I couldn't help but feel happy.
It seemed that Sister Yao was also accepting him little by little. Everything he did was useful.
Si Yao led him into a spacious alley, and then stopped in front of a house with red roofs and green tiles.
She turned and looked at Fang Zhiyue behind her, "This is Mr. Chen's home."
After saying that, he walked straight out of the alley without stopping.
"Sister Yao, money——"
Before Fang Zhiyue could stop her, she had already disappeared at the end of the alley.
The meeting with Manager Wu went very smoothly.
After Fang Zhiyue handed the washed clothes to her, he successfully got three cents from her.
He didn't leave in a hurry, but asked for another fifty pieces from Manager Wu.
When he spoke, Manager Wu looked at him in surprise. He repeatedly confirmed, "Are you sure you can deliver it on time? If you're late, I won't use you next time."
It was obvious that he regarded Fang Zhiyue as a greedy person and wanted to remind him.
Fang Zhiyue blushed a little at her look, but still nodded firmly: "Don't worry, Manager Wu, I will deliver it on time."
Seeing his affirmative tone.
Manager Wu didn't say anything more and directly handed him two large bags of dirty clothes.
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