Mo Qianni’s home was made of wood, it had a total of two storeys, with Japanese creepers grown on the walls.
Once they got in and put down their luggages, Ma Guifang called out to Yang Chen,
Son-in-law Yang, you’re completely soaked! You should dry yourself first and change into clean clothes. You may sleep with Ni-zi in the right room on the second floor tonight.
Mom,
Mo Qianni quickly interjected,
Let me sleep with you.
After all, the two hadn’t progressed to that stage yet. Once Mo Qianni thought of sleeping with Yang Chen, she became so shy that she immediately sounded a bugle call for retreat.
Ma Guifang retorted with a smile,
What are you saying! You’re already an adult, how could you be sleeping together with your mother?
Before Mo Qianni could come up with a counter, Ma Guifang amiably asked Ye Zi,
Ye-er, my home is small, would you be okay with sleeping in my room tonight?
Ye-er gave Mo Qianni a
I’d love to help but my hands are tied
expression, then happily nodded.
Mo Qianni blushed and looked like a spoilt child towards her mother, but Ma Guifang pretended not to see it, and asked Yang Chen,
Son-in-law Yang, you should have clothes to change into, right? Change out of this outfit and I’ll wash it for you, it will be clean after drying in the sun tomorrow.
Yang Chen appreciated this mother-in-law that he just met, he believed that she had great insight, for sending her daughter to him was definitely a decision that couldn’t be more wise.
Men are always quick in changing clothes in comparison to women. Yang Chen went up to the room on the second floor, and began changing into clean clothes while observing the aged furniture in the room. He put on a long-sleeved shirt and trousers. Although he didn’t feel cold, he would appear more ordinary by changing into clothes like these.
When he went downstairs, there was the smell of oil and smoke. Mo Qianni had finally returned to her mother’s side, and naturally had countless topics to chat about with her. On the other hand, the young lady Ye Zi prepared the wild vegetables, and occasionally participated in the conversation. The three ladies were enjoying themselves.
It didn’t seem right for a grown man like Yang Chen to participate in their conversations, so he pulled over a bamboo chair and sat in the courtyard. Looking out into the endless rain, he lit up a cigarette, and leisurely waited for dinner to be ready.
Mo Qianni who was busy dealing with the furnace with the fire fork caught Yang Chen relaxing in the courtyard with his legs crossed. She cursed this fellow for not showing good behavior to his mother, and immediately shouted,
Yang Chen, come and help my mom with slicing vegetables!
Unexpectedly, before Yang Chen could stand up, Ma Guifang immediately told him to sit, then said to Mo Qianni,
You silly girl! How can you ask a man to come into the kitchen!? Insensible!
Being rebuked by her mother, Mo Qianni silently pouted.
Watching the strong career woman Mo Qianni act like a bullied child was incredibly entertaining to Yang Chen, he sat there laughing.
Mom, he’s laughing at me!
Mo Qianni softly grumbled towards Ma Guifang.
Ma Guifang looked at Yang Chen and laughed with satisfaction. She said to Mo Qianni,
I was worried before as to what kind of person my son-in-law is, but now I’m relieved. Son-in-law Yang is a good man, I am at ease with him being together with you.
Really?
Mo Qianni was surprised by how quickly they passed the test, she bashfully and joyfully asked,
Mom, how are you able to tell?
Just from the way you guys came. He carried so many luggages alone, and didn’t even cover himself with an umbrella. At the entrance of our village, he stood there completely soaked, but didn’t mutter a single word of complaint. He didn’t try to curry favor with me, and didn’t act high and mighty. A man like this is simple and reliable. Therefore, Ni-zi, I’m very satisfied with the man you chose.
Hearing this, Mo Qianni looked at the gloating Yang Chen, and felt sweetness inside. She suddenly felt like there was nothing to be unhappy about.
The heavens were kind to him. Yang Chen didn’t expect Ma Guifang to like him so much. Things like carrying luggage and getting soaked in the rain were nothing to him, so there was no reason for him to grumble! As for boot-licking his mother-in-law, it isn’t that he didn’t want to, but he really didn’t know how, he’s afraid he might lick the wrong spot!
The three ladies chatted while cooking with great efficiency. A short while later, they carried six dishes out of the kitchen, and Mo Qianni suggested moving the square table to the entrance so that they could enjoy the breeze.
Thus, they sat under the eaves, and the 40 watt tungsten light bulb provided a dim and consistent warm light. On the table was a mountain chicken, wild plants, and some ordinary mountain vegetables. At a time where other people were asleep, they had their dinner.
Ma Guifang brought out a large soda bottle, and said with a loving smile,
Here, this is the rice wine you guys’ mom, I brewed last year. It tastes pretty good. I was close to finishing it, but when I found out that you guys were coming, I deliberately kept some.
Yang Chen couldn’t help but gloat inside. Isn’t this great, she’s already considers herself
my mother!
Mo Qianni was astonished,
Mom, you drink? I remember that you didn’t drink in the past though?
Oh, it’s been over a decade. Ni-zi, you’re already a grown woman, can’t your mom, I change too? When a person has nothing to do, drinking some alcohol can help to deal with boredom.
Ma Guifang’s words sounded very casual, but when Mo Qianni heard it, her heart ached. She felt that she had failed to accompany her mother, and gloomily said,
Mom, I’m sorry.
Ma Guifang smiled and tapped Mo Qianni’s forehead,
Silly girl, what is there to be sorry about? Now that you’re successful in Zhonghai, you’ve made so proud. Other people have also praised me for having a good daughter. I’m just a little bored living here alone, it’s not like I’m lacking food or clothes.
Ye Zi didn’t drink, so she quietly ate while Yang Chen and Mo Qianni both poured a cup of rice wine for themselves.
-2: Perhaps not human
Speaking of the past, Mo Qianni recalled something important, and quickly asked,
By the way, Mom, did Zhang Fugui come back?
She stopped paying attention to her stepfather who gave them endless troubles.
Speaking of Zhang Fugui, Ma Guifang’s movements came to a halt. She sighed, then said,
A few days back, I heard someone who returned say that he was being chased after by some loan sharks, and I never heard anything more.
As Zhang Fugui had already signed the divorce document and was fearful of Mo Qianni and Yang Chen, he simply didn’t dare to return home and ask for money. Therefore, there was little to no chance that he would actually return.
Mo Qianni sighed in relief, then raised her cup and said,
Mom, let’s toast to you finally being able to live peacefully.
Ma Guifang happily raised her cup, and emotionally said,
Yeah, it’s all in the past now. In the blink of an eye, my daughter is about to get married, I’m old, and Son-in-law Yang has come to visit.
Yang Chen naturally loved to toast with his future mother-in-law. This homebrewed rice wine was indeed fragrant, he had been coveting it for a while now, for there wasn’t a tasty wine like this overseas.
Ye Zi, just think of this as your own home, eat more.
Ma Guifang said to the reserved Ye Zi, and placed some meat into her bowl.
Ye Zi quickly thanked her, then put down her chopsticks and stood up,
I… Aunt Ma, I’ll bring the mushroom soup out of the kitchen, it should be done by now.
Oh, go on then.
Ma Guifang smiled,
Ye Zi is so thoughtful.
Once Ye Zi entered the kitchen, Mo Qianni said to Ma Guifang,
Mom, I’m returning this time with the intention to bring you to Zhonghai. Pack your things, and leave with us in two days please.
Ma Guifang sighed,
Ni-zi, Mom knows you’re filial, but I’ve already lived here for over forty years, and nearing fifty. How could I just leave like that? Besides, even if I go to a big city, I’d be a complete country bumpkin. The both of you have jobs, while I can’t really work. If I just stay at home doing nothing but eating, drinking, and housework, it’d be boring.
But this place is so far away from Zhonghai. Mom, no one can take care of you when grow older here, that worries me.
Mo Qianni anxiously said.
Ma Guifang wasn’t an obstinate person. She was aware that without anyone around to take care of her, she’d have countless problems in her later years. She couldn’t help silently taking a sip of wine, then said,
Ni-zi, let me consider it. Aren’t you leaving in at least a few days? I’ll answer you when the time comes, is that alright?
Mo Qianni could only nod in reply, and put this topic on hold for now.
Yang Chen chewed on the vegetables while having a headache from Mo Qianni’s proposal. If this mother-in-law truly moved to Zhonghai, wouldn’t his relationship with Mo Qianni be exposed!? When that happens, she might no longer be this amiable towards him, and might instead run at him with a cleaver in each hand!
However, one ought to be filial to their parents, so Yang Chen held back from saying anything. Whose fault is it that he’s so
tolerant
and
open
towards things!?
At this time, Ye Zi came out of the kitchen with a clay pot. She placed the clay pot which contained the soup made of wild mushroom and chicken bones on the table, and it gave off a captivating fragrance.
Ma Guifang picked up a ladle, then took Ye Zi’s bowl and filled it up with a smile,
Here, good work Ye Zi. You have a bowl first, then you too, Son-in-law Yang. I picked these wild mushrooms today, they’re incredibly fresh! Have more soup.
As the weather was cold, this warm soup was incredibly attractive. Very soon, the four all had a bowl of it each, and the soup comforted them in the stomach.
The four continued to eat and chat, but unexpectedly, the large wooden door was suddenly knocked on……
Knock knock, knock knock
On the outside, the wooden door had a metal ring installed, and this metal ring was being knocked repeatedly.
It’s so late, who could it be?
Mo Qianni asked in confusion.
Ma Guifang herself felt bewildered over this, and shouted to the person outside,
Who is it?
She had asked, but the person outside still didn’t answer, and instead continued to knock.
A queer smile flashed on Yang Chen’s face,
We’ll know just by opening the door, perhaps it isn’t human, and is a ghost?
What nonsense are you spouting!? A ghost from where!?
Mo Qianni unhappily shot Yang Chen down, but it was a fact that it was dark and cold, so she felt a little afraid.
I’ll open the door!
Ye Zi was courageous, she voluntarily put down her chopsticks, ran out of the eaves’ shelter and into the rain, then went to the door.
It was at this moment that Ma Guifang and Mo Qianni suddenly held their heads simultaneously, and swayed their head in pain.
Why do I… feel so… sleepy……
Mo Qianni mumbled and her head fell onto the table with a thud, she had fainted!
Thud!
Ma Guifang also fainted on the table, causing the cups to fall onto the ground. Luckily, the cups just rolled on the ground without breaking as they were made of wood.
Seeing the mother-daughter pair faint, Yang Chen didn’t seem too shocked, and instead looked towards the door.
At this time, Ye Zi who arrived at the door was in the process of opening it……
