Chapter 4: Chapter 3: Complain

Mother Ji was naturally happy regarding her son’s safe return. She had a lot of concerns about him, so she came back after she learned he came back at noon and ate the eggs and noodles his wife made. While Lao San slept, his wife did not disturb him and had given him a big bowl of noodles. She somewhat snorted.

Although she was dissatisfied with Su Danhong, she did get up to make her son food. Mother Ji was pleased.

Regardless of Su Danhong having a thousand bad ways, she would tolerate her faults if she did a little good and took care of her son.

Therefore, Mother Ji, who was originally going to tell her son about the accusations, didn’t talk about it and asked about the situation outside.

Ji Jianyun talked to his mother about one thing after another. Only the good news, but not the bad news. He also helped to do a lot of work. After he stayed for nearly an hour, he refused Mother Ji’s invitation for a meal and returned home.

When he left, he met his eldest sister-in-law Feng Fangfang, and her eldest son. Without saying anything, Ji Jianyun picked up Hou Wazi. Weighing his eldest nephew, he said, “Hou Wazi has grown a lot.”

“Third uncle, I still remember you!” Hou Wazi said and hugged his neck.

“Oh, your memory is good. In the future when you start school, you’ll definitely be number one in the class,” Ji Jianyun said and smiled.

“Third uncle, did you just come back? Quickly go back and take a look at third sister-in-law,” Feng Fangfang said. She stood at the side and rolled her eyes.

“What is it?” Ji Jianyun asked.

“Third aunt hung herself!” Hou Wazi exclaimed, but Feng Fangfang did not say anything.

“Hung?” Ji Jianyun was shocked. He looked at Feng Fangfang and asked, “Sister-in-law, what’s going on?”

Feng Fangfang won’t stand up for Su Danhong’s actions. She immediately told the matter from start to finish about how Mother Ji gave Hou Wazi an omelette to eat and Su Danhong saw it. Su Danhong created trouble and hung herself over the matter.

“But fortunately she was rescued in time.” Feng Fangfang finally said, “Lao San, didn’t I say your wife’s heart is as big as a needle? Mother Ji likes Hou Wazi, so why can’t she give him an omelette? This is the Ji family’s eldest grandson, and third sister-in-law makes a fuss like this?”

Lao Er’s1 family had two daughters. Lao San’s wife came three years ago and her stomach still had no news. She was the only one that gave birth to a grandson in the Ji family and could stand straight!

Ji Jianyun gave Hou Wazi to her and said, “I’m going home first.”

“Go ahead. Don’t quarrel with third sister-in-law. It’s rare for you to come back home, so enjoy the peaceful days,” Feng Fangfang said.

Ji Jianyun thought, if you really want me to have peaceful days, then would you really come complain to me about these things? Even mother did not say anything.

He didn’t say anymore and went back home.

“You’re back? Go take a break first. The dumplings will be ready soon,” Su Danhong said when she heard a sound coming through to the kitchen.

Ji Jianyun walked up to her and looked straight at her. He saw her trying to hide the marks on her neck. Su Danhong's face turned red. She did not dare look at him and said, “The dumplings are not wrapped yet. I’m going to go wrap them first.”

With that being said, she turned around to wrap dumplings.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ji Jianyun narrowed his eyes. He felt like it was like she had changed to a different person now and knew she was wrong. Was she scared he would say something?

But something was still a little strange. Could his wife really be afraid he would say something? The year before last, she came directly at him when there was a ruckus.

“This is the pay for the last two months. You take it,” Ji Jianyun said. He went in and took out the wrapped money.

“You can leave it. I’m busy.” Su Danhong glanced at him. Then, she lowered her head and continued to wrap dumplings.

It seemed like she was really aware that she was wrong. Before, the first thing she did when he returned was demand money from him. Now, she didn’t do anything when he gave her money.

He didn’t need to say anything since she knew she was wrong.

Ji Jianyun thought, it’s rare to come back. Let’s just enjoy the peaceful days.

“I’ll help you,” he said and went over.

“A nobleman stays clear of the kitchen.2 This is women’s work. You get out. I can do it myself,” Su Danhong said at once when she saw him roll up his sleeves to come help.

“When were there so many rules?” her husband asked and started to help. She remembered her husband could cook. He cooked for her every time he came back.

She felt that she could die happy for marrying this kind of husband, but the previous owner didn’t take it seriously. It was only natural to enjoy the services of her husband, who finally came back after much difficulty. He had tossed her around hard and it was a good day, but it left her idle.

A lot of dumplings were made, and even tomorrow morning’s share was made.

That evening, the couple ate dumplings for dinner. Then, Ji Jianyun learned more about his wife’s particulars. While having dinner, she ate slowly and didn't say a word. He talked to her and she glared at him. She told him not to talk when he ate and not to speak during times when they eat or sleep3.

Not to mention, his wife’s eating position was strange. He didn’t know why, but she looked very comfortable.

“I’m done eating,” his wife said after four dumplings.

“Eating that much?” Ji Jianyun was stunned this time. It’s inconceivable and he looked at his wife like she really was a different person.

Even if she knew she’s wrong, could it be that she did not dare to eat? Usually his wife’s appetite was comparable to his!

“I have to lose weight.” His wife blushed and glanced at him. Then, she looked down like a kid that made a mistake. “I used to be ignorant. Don’t worry about me. I will live a good life in the future.”

“I understand. How about eating a little more? Lose what weight? Where are you fat?” Ji Jianyun asked.

“Don’t worry about this, you can eat it. Right, give me the money,” Su Danhong said.

In her memory, she knew that money was important. In her previous life, she didn't worry about food and clothes. Generally silver beans were given to the servants to use. She had never bought anything before, yet there was a saying “if you have food in your hands, then do not panic”4. The money needed to be put away. Furthermore, there was the money in the room that needed to be sorted out.

Mhm, she’s my wife! Ji Jianyun thought when he gave her the money.

Su Danhong did not bother with him anymore. She took the money and returned to the room. She took out the money she had saved and counted it. A total of 345 yuan and 46 cents. Although she didn’t know the purchasing power of the money, she knew it was definitely not a small amount!

Her husband returned with 70 yuan this time. The wages of these past two months was more than 10 yuan more than the previous months?

Su Danhong took 20 yuan out. She scoped a bucket of water from the water tank to boil it. She put the 20 yuan on the table and said, “Give this to mother.”

Ji Jianyun was dumbfounded. Then, he nodded. “Okay.” Seeing that she was busy, he asked, “Why are you boiling water again?”

“For you to wash up,” Su Danhong replied and put firewood in the earth stove.

Ji Jianyun knew what this meant. Tonight, there would be meat to eat. He had to perform well, so he ate two big bowls of dumplings.

Currently, it’s nearly October. The days are getting colder. A few days ago there was frost and the water had to be boiled.

While Su Danhong was boiling water, Ji Jianyun stopped eating when he had his fill. He saw the water tank did not have water, so naturally he had work to do since he was back now.

老二 (lǎoèr) – second oldest child

君子远庖厨 (jūn​zǐ​yuàn​páo​chú​) – This is an idiom from Mencius (Mengzi), a Confucian scholar during the Warring States period. It is usually not interpreted literally. The figurative meaning is “a nobleman who has seen a living animal cannot bear to see it die, hence he keeps away from the kitchen”. It’s supposed to mean something like compassion comes from different experiences.

食不言寝不语 (shíbùyánqǐnbùyǔ) – it’s like a value to not speak when you’re eating

手里有粮心里不慌 (shǒuliyǒuliángxīnlǐbùhuāng) – means to prepare for the worst