Chapter 21: Trust Men?
The next morning, I woke up already tired and stressed. The day dragged on as usual, but I didn’t see Mo Ying at all not even for breakfast.
I went from one neighbor to another, asking, begging, hoping to borrow some money. But no matter who I turned to, not one of them could even spare five taels.
I didn’t blame them. After all, the famine was creeping closer to the village. Soon enough, the villagers themselves would barely have enough food to survive.
...
"Zu Shi, I need your help," I said, pouting slightly as I faced her.
Over the past few days, after meeting more often, we had grown closer. I could now say I had two friends in this world, Zu Shi and Yan Mei.
She sighed, shaking her head. "Don’t even think about asking me for money, Lin Xu. I already told you, trust him. He said he would pay, so let him handle it. Stop doubting."
I rolled my eyes. "I don’t doubt people, I doubt men."
Taking her hands in mine, I pleaded, "I just... can’t bring myself to trust him. What if he runs away and leaves me to face everything alone? I have to find a way to raise the money myself. I promise I’ll pay you back once I start making enough."
At last, Zu Shi gave in and handed me fifty taels. I was so thankful I nearly kissed her.
...
The days slipped by, and before I knew it, today was the deadline. Tomorrow Aunt Lu would be here with her two annoying twins.
And despite everything, I still hadn’t managed to save enough. I was short by thirty taels—and I had neither chickens nor grain to add to the payment.
My heart sank.
What am I going to do?
—
That night, after making dinner for the children, I found myself staring at the empty seat again. Mo Ying still hadn’t come back. Not for breakfast. Not for lunch. And now, not even for dinner.
I let out a sigh, covering a bowl of food and setting it aside in case he returned late. Even if I was upset, I couldn’t bear to let food go to waste. My chest felt tight with worry and frustration, but there was nothing I could do. I still had meat to wash for tomorrow’s sales.
The kitchen was quiet except for the sound of water splashing as I rinsed each piece carefully. My mind wandered in circles, going back to the same question: Where was he, and what was he really doing?
"Niang..."
I looked down and saw Yuen’er standing at the doorway, his little hands twisting at the hem of his clothes. His round eyes looked too serious for an eight-year-old.
"What is it, Yuen’er? Why aren’t you in bed yet?" I asked softly.
He walked closer, lowering his voice as if he was sharing something important. "Niang... I think Uncle Mo Ying is not... bad."
I blinked, surprised. "Oh? And why do you think that?"
Yuen’er scrunched his brows, lips pressing together like he was thinking really hard. "Because... he works a lot. I saw him leave before the sun even came out. And even if he doesn’t eat with us, he comes back when it’s very, very late. Maybe... maybe he’s doing something for us."
My heart softened, but I shook my head. "Yuen’er, sometimes men say things and then disappear. We can’t just trust too easily."
"But, Niang..." He tugged on my sleeve, looking up at me with such earnest eyes that I felt my chest ache. "Maybe we should give him a chance. If we don’t... maybe he’ll feel sad. And... I like him."
I just sighed and hugged him tightly. "Don’t worry, everything will be fine."
He nodded and ran back inside while I just stood there. Maybe he wasn’t wrong, maybe I just had to trust Mo Ying a little.
Mo Ying returned some hours later and I approached him as soon as he stepped in.
"You’re still awake?" he asked as I just nodded.
"If you are hungry, there is some food in the kitchen. You can warm it up if it’s too cold for you," I said, trying to keep my cool, and hearing that he just nodded.
"Alright," as he was about to leave, I finally said, "I will trust you!"
My words made him stop in his tracks as he turned around to meet my eyes.
"I will trust you this once, don’t disappoint me, Mo Ying."
Before he could respond, I turned around and went into my room as he just stood there silent, his expression completely unreadable.
...
The day finally came and my heart was beating all through. I took my bath and dressed the kids before stepping out.
Before I could even make breakfast for my kids, the yard door dashed open as a bunch of people made their way in.
"Lin Xu! Come out... it’s time to pay up!" Aunt Lu shoute a she was assisted with her husband and they annoying twins.
They weren’t the only ones here, so was village chief Yan, Yan Mei and Together with Physician Li And his Mother.
Stepping outside, I approached them all as I browed slightly. At least i have to be a little respectful since the village chief was amongst them.
"Lin Xu, Where is that so slled husband of yours... Tell him to come out and pay up, your seven days trial has ended. Pay the Bride Price or marry Big Man Lou, very simple." Uncle said shamelessly as I just rolled my eyes.
"I’m very much aware old man, you don’t have to repeat it a thousand times." I said annoyed as Yan Mei giggled slightly.
"Y-you-" he turned red in anger as his wife told him down.
Stepping Forward, the village chief smiled slightly, "I heard that you truly have someone who is ready to marry you Lin Xu, if be can pay the Bride Price then the wedding can happen tomorrow."
He said as I nodded.
"Where is he? We didn’t come to wait all day, if he isn’t here then we are leaving." Lu Fei said as she folded her hands.
Turning to Mo Yuen I instructed, "Go call brother Ying." He nodded ad he immediately ran into the roomm to call Mo Ying.
But upon coming back he looked worried, "Brat where is he?" Lu Fong asked but Mo Yuen just turned to me..
"Mama, I couldn’t find Brother Mo."