Chapter 56: Chapter 56
They all left the mountain one by one and soon Lin Xu, Mo Ying, Fuhan and the kids arrived back at their small residence.
The entire house had been turned upside down. The winds had blown the tables away, while there were leaves everywhere.
Dropping their things, Lin Xu sighed, "It looks like we got a lot of arranging and sorting out to do."
Placing her hands on her waist, Lin Xu then faced the five of them, ready to give orders.
"Mo Yuen, Mo Bao... you are in charge of sweeping the entire yard. I don’t want to see any sight of leaves on the floor, understood?"
"Aye aye Mama!" They both nodded and immediately got to work.
She then faced Yiling, "You little miss will help me arrange the bedroom, tidy it up clean and nice."
"Alright Mama!" She also got to work.
Now facing Mo Ying and Fuhan, a mischievous smile on Lin Xu’s lips. It was finally time for her to teach Mo Ying a lesson for every teasing she had endured throughout their stay on the mountain but then remembered his hands and just sighed in defeat.
"Fuhan, please help me with firewood and getting some fresh water from the stream!"
He nodded and left immediately.
"What about me, aren’t you going to give me any work to do?" Mo Ying asked as Lin Xu just rolled her eyes.
"Follow me!" And he followed her as she walked towards the storage room.
She had only 7 taels remaining now, hardly enough to get anything from the market but thankfully she had stored some food in a tall cabinet.
"Help me bring out the stuff inside," she said as Mo Ying nodded and opened the cabinet. To his surprise, there was a whole month of food stock piled in there.
Gradually he brought them out and carried them back to the kitchen.
The rain had just ended, it would still take the village some time to heal from the rain. Even the Yun family must have suffered some casualties so her delivery would have to hold for now till everything had settled.
"You can go now, leave the rest to me," Lin Xu said, ready to make some food for them.
But Mo Ying frowned, "Don’t act all pity with me just because I got bitten by a snake, you’re hurting my prestige you know."
Sighing, Lin Xu folded her hands, "I’m trying to be nice and here you are making me look bad. Fine! You want to help, then help!"
She said as she looked around the kitchen and caught sight of some onions before snatching one and placing it in his hands, "Here, chop some onions for me!"
Smiling she quickly ran to get started with the food before he could refuse.
**
She placed a huge pan on the fire as she added some oil, before adding some peppers and ingredients.
Turning, she was taken aback by the sight before her. "Pffts!! Hahahahaha." She erupted in laughter as she stared at Mo Ying who was busy chopping the onions with water streaming down his eyes.
"Who would have thought I would ever one day see you crying," she teased as she laughed more.
Being made fun of, Mo Ying just rolled his eyes, "Haha, enjoy yourself... I’ll surely get back at you... humph!" He kept on chopping as he cleaned his eyes with his sleeves.
After some time, they were done cooking and brought the food out as they placed it on the table.
Looking at the well-swept compound, Lin Xu smiled in satisfaction, "You boys really did well, everywhere is so neat!" She patted them proudly on the head as they both smiled at her.
"Anything for you Mama," they said in unison as she sat them down to eat.
Soon Yiling joined and so did Fuhan as they all dug in.
---
Later that evening, while the kids were playing Go with Fuhan and Mo Ying, Lin Xu was busy spreading some of the clothes she had washed earlier.
Suddenly, Yan Mei ran into the yard, as she hid behind Lin Xu. Pursuing her with a wooden stick was Madame Yan, "Yan Mei, come back here this instant!"
"No I won’t come, I refuse to get married, you can’t force me!" She shouted as she hid behind Lin Xu who was surprised at what was going on.
Stopping what they were doing, Mo Ying, Fuhan and the kids immediately stood up and walked towards the mother and daughter.
"Madame Yan, calm down... what exactly is going on? And who’s getting married?"
"Her!"
"Not me!"
They both shouted at the same time as Madame Yan just sighed, tired from pursuing her all the way here.
Tugging on Lin Xu’s clothes, Yan Mei whined, "Lin Xu, we just got back from the mountain, my parents haven’t even taken time to sort things out in the village yet and they’re here telling me that my fiancé would be arriving tomorrow to discuss my marriage. Lin Xu please tell her that I don’t want to get married."
Lin Xu blinked in surprise, glancing from the breathless Madame Yan to Yan Mei, who clung tightly to her sleeve like a frightened child.
"Marriage?" Lin Xu repeated slowly, her brows knitting.
"Yes!" Madame Yan snapped, though her voice carried more exhaustion than anger. "Her fiancé will be arriving tomorrow with his family. We’ve already delayed this marriage once, we can’t keep pushing it away. She’s of age, and this match is good for her future!"
"No it isn’t!" Yan Mei stomped her foot and leaned further into Lin Xu. "I don’t even know this man, I don’t want to marry him! Lin Xu, say something!"
Mo Ying, who had been watching with his arms folded, arched a brow. "Sounds like someone’s in trouble," he murmured, clearly amused.
Fuhan just stared at them without saying anything, his face unreadable as always.
The kids, curious and wide-eyed, whispered among themselves.
"Mama, is Sister Yan Mei really going to get married?" Mo Yuen asked.
"Shh," Lin Xu hushed them gently before sighing and turning to Madame Yan. "Auntie, I understand your concerns, but forcing her won’t end well. If she’s not willing, the marriage will only bring her bitterness. Don’t you think it’s better to talk this through calmly?"
Madame Yan’s expression softened slightly, though her lips still pressed into a hard line. "Talk? We’ve been talking for months! She refuses to listen. Does she think women like us can just choose freely? Marriage is security!"
Yan Mei’s eyes welled up with tears. "But I want to marry for love, not just because it’s convenient!"
"You want to marry for love? Fine! Tell me the man you want to marry then... if he’s good enough and has enough money to take care of you then we will happily marry you off to him but I won’t let you clock 18 while under my roof!"
Madame Yan shouted as Yan Mei’s eyes widened suddenly as she removed her hands from Lin Xu.
"Someone to marry? Easy... I can just marry Fuhan!"