Chapter 84: Second Brother Arrives

As expected, Hu Huasheng’s attempt to ask for money ended badly. He was beaten up by Hu Sansao’s brothers and limped back home yet again. But that was just the beginning. Hu Sansao’s parents and brothers stormed over to the Hu family’s house, causing a huge scene and leaving a warning:

“Our daughter didn’t marry into your family to be mistreated. If we hear of you bullying her again, you’ll see what happens.”

Hu Sansao’s mother was every bit as fierce as Old Lady Hu. She dragged over a small stool and sat at the Hu family’s door, hurling curses all morning.

After hearing the entire tirade, Tang Banxia couldn’t help but think she’d learned a thing or two—indeed, when it comes to quarreling, the veterans are unmatched.

The Hu Sansao’s family left as powerfully as they’d come, their presence impossible to ignore. They floated away, leaving behind the Hu family raging helplessly, venting all their anger on Hu Huasheng.

Caught between both families, Hu Huasheng looked withered and worn in just a few days.

Meanwhile, Wen Mubai, the shameless imp, made a special trip to Hu Huasheng’s house just to fan the flames.

“Isn’t this my dear brother-in-law? Why do you look so haggard?” He cracked sunflower seeds, spitting the shells with a grin, his laughter filling the room.

Hu Huasheng stared at him blankly.

Wen Mubai showed no fear. Every word he uttered seemed to dance on Hu Huasheng’s sore spots, making him all the more detestable.

After gloating, he left behind a parting shot: “Some people, huh? Got a wife but don’t know how to cherish her~” Then he patted his backside and sauntered off.

Back home, he pledged his loyalty to Tang Banxia: “Wife, don’t worry. No matter who you argue with in the future, I’ll always be on your side. If you fight, I’ll pass you bricks. You’ll never have to fight alone.”

Tang Banxia was calmly simmering medicine. Hearing this, she cast him a sidelong glance. “Don’t you think you’re overthinking this?”

Wen Mubai: ???

“Do I look like someone who would swallow her anger?” she retorted.

If it were her, the first time she found her mother-in-law hard to get along with, she’d have overturned the house.

Anyone who tried to bully her would find the door shut in their face.

Wen Mubai: ...

“Sorry, my bad. I underestimated you.”

Tang Banxia scoffed. “Quit the theatrics. Be good~”

She lifted the lid of the clay pot and inspected the simmering medicine. Satisfied, she nodded.

Wen Mubai’s face went stiff. “Wife, is this for me?” Even from a distance, the bitterness was overwhelming.

“Of course.” Tang Banxia poured the medicine out, brought it to him herself. “I put plenty of good herbs in here. Drink it while it’s hot, or the effect will be halved.”

Wen Mubai leaned back instinctively, every strand of hair exuding resistance.

Tang Banxia smiled sweetly. “Come on, darling, drink your medicine!”

Wen Mubai: “Are you serious about that line?”

Tang Banxia threw him a coquettish look. “What do you think, darling?”

Wen Mubai took a deep breath, picked up the medicine, and downed it in one go. “Yuck—yuck—yuck—”

Tang Banxia swiftly stuffed a few sugar-coated peanuts into his mouth. “Look at you, such a wimp.”

Wen Mubai, hands raised in mock despair: “Golden Lotus, save me, save me, Golden Lotus!”

Tang Banxia gave him a kick. “I’m Wu Song.”

Wen Mubai, shameless, clung to her. “Wu Song is fine. You’re still my wife!”

“I want some amber walnuts~”

“No.” Tang Banxia was firm as iron. “Not a chance.”

“How cruel you are~” Wen Mubai patted his heart dramatically.

“Out of the way, I’m busy.” Tang Banxia elbowed him aside, dumped the medicine dregs from the pot, and began preparing yam, longan, and notoginseng porridge.

Lately, she’d been busy treating Wen Mubai’s stomach ailment, even adjusting their meals to mostly stomach-nourishing medicinal dishes.

With herbal soups and acupuncture, pouring in precious herbs like running water, Wen Mubai’s complexion had grown rosier by the day.

He wasn’t ungrateful. In the past, his stomach was always cold, but since drinking the bitter medicine that made him want to retch, his stomach had felt warm and comfortable. Even the lingering injuries from his past missions, which still ached, seemed to be improving.

Not to mention, he’d seen with his own eyes how much good medicine she used.

Still, for someone who loved strong flavors, drinking bitter medicine and eating bland food every day left his mouth tasteless and bored.

“Wife, how much longer do I have to eat this medicinal porridge?” Wen Mubai asked, cradling his bowl miserably.

Tang Banxia slurped her own hot and sour noodles, the spice making her nose sweat. “You really don’t appreciate what you’re getting~”

“Do you know how many good herbs I put in there?”

Wen Mubai nodded vigorously. “I know, of course I know.”

“It’s just...” He glanced suggestively at his plain porridge, then at her fiery red noodles. “It’s not very filling.”

Tang Banxia put down her chopsticks and said seriously, “That’s normal. Right now, your main goal is to shrink your stomach a bit. Eating too much is a burden on it.”

Wen Mubai understood the logic, but did she have to lecture him while eating those delicious noodles?

His mouth was watering.

Sensing his grievance, Tang Banxia said considerately, “Shall I eat inside instead?”

Wen Mubai, resentful, took a big bite of porridge. “Just eat here. Even smelling the aroma is something.”

Tang Banxia fanned the scent toward him, being as sweet as could be. “Then have a good whiff.”

Wen Mubai: “...Thanks.”

From the clay pot on the stove, fragrant steam rose. One ate porridge, the other slurped noodles. It was just an ordinary midday.

Elsewhere.

A tall man, carrying an army-green duffel bag, stepped off the train in the county town. The wind hit him full in the face, making him cough twice. “Hiss—”

He bent down to catch his breath, then strode off the platform with his bag.

“Comrade, excuse me, how do I get to Guyue Village?”

After getting directions, the tall man set off with steady steps toward Guyue Village.

All along the way, he was both excited and nervous, mumbling to himself, “I wonder how my little sister is doing?”

Arriving in Guyue Village, he stopped an old lady at random. “Excuse me, where does Tang Banxia live?”

The old lady he’d stopped happened to be Granny Song, who eyed him warily. “Why are you looking for Comrade Tang?”

Tang Qiming could see her suspicion. “I’m her second brother.”

Granny Song’s expression changed in an instant. “Oh, so you’re Second Brother Tang! No wonder you looked so familiar.”

“Come, come, I’ll take you.”

Tang Qiming followed the enthusiastic old lady, feeling reassured. Looks like his little sister was doing well in the village.

But as he stopped in front of a rammed earth house, he had to take back his earlier thought.

Looking at the yellow mud walls, the moss and the cracks, his heart ached.

His little sister had never endured such hardship. If their father saw this, he’d be heartbroken.

“Xiao Tang, Xiao Tang!” called Granny Song.

“I’m coming!” came a familiar voice from the courtyard, making Tang Qiming a bit nervous.

With a creak, the wooden door opened.

“Auntie Song, you—” She stopped mid-sentence, spotting a familiar figure. “Second Brother?”

Tang Qiming grinned, flashing a set of big white teeth. “Little one!”

“Second Brother!” Tang Banxia threw herself into his arms. “It’s really you?”

Tang Qiming’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he hugged her back. “Have you missed your second brother?”

“I have, I have.” Tang Banxia nodded vigorously in his arms. “Second Brother.”

For some reason, seeing him felt so natural, as though he truly was her own brother, with no distance between them at all.