Chapter 64: It’s Her
A person rushed into Willow Alley and almost bumped into Madam Wei.
Madam Wei frowned and wanted to scold him, but she thought better of it. Perhaps he really had something urgent to attend to.
The person rushed into a house and said hurriedly, “Someone hit your son-in-law.”
The voice seemed to be coming from Madam Bai’s house. Madam Wei did not pay much attention to it. She did not like to be nosy. Coupled with the previous incident, she became less enthusiastic about helping people. She knew very well that being nosy could lead to trouble.
Before Madam Bai could close the door, someone ran into her courtyard. Madam Bai was shocked and was about to shout at the person when she said anxiously, “Auntie, something bad happened. Your son-in-law was beaten up and can’t get out of bed.”
Madam Bai hurriedly asked. “Who beat up Shun? Is it serious?”
The woman drew a deep breath and said, “I don’t know who hit him. He said that it was a tall man who hit him. The man was so strong that he almost broke his leg. Now, he can’t even get out of bed.”
Madam Bai cursed instantly. “Which wicked bastard hit my son-in-law? Doesn’t he know that my son-in-law is a scholar? What if he’s crippled?”
The woman echoed. “That’s right. Sigh… Hurry up and take a look. After all, he’s engaged to your daughter.”
Madam Bai thought about it and agreed.
She couldn’t think about anything else at the moment. She closed the door and followed the woman.
Liu Dalang and Liu Erlang were returning from work when they bumped into Madam Bai. Liu Erlang glanced at his eldest brother and asked silently. “Should we greet her?”
Liu Dalang did not look at Liu Erlang and nodded at Madam Bai. “Third Aunt.”
Liu Erlang smiled and called out. “Third Aunt, why are you in such a hurry?”
Madam Bai looked at Liu Dalang and Liu Erlang with suspicion.
The two sons of the Liu family were both tall and strong. Liu Erlang was naughty, and Liu Dalang was calm.
Madam Bai wasn’t in the mood to talk to them. She ignored Liu Dalang and Liu Erlang and followed the woman.
Liu Erlang was a little displeased. “Brother, why is Third Aunt ignoring us?”
Liu Dalang was also confused. “I don’t know. Let’s go home.”
Their families didn’t have a good relationship to begin with, so they weren’t expecting Madam Bai to treat them with enthusiasm in the first place.
On the way home, Liu Erlang said happily, “Sanniang must have prepared some plum syrup and chilled it in the well. We can drink it when we reach back.”
Liu Erlang drooled at the thought of sour plum soup. He started to run. “Brother, if you are late, there won’t be any left for you to drink.”
Liu Dalang did not say anything.
Since he was young, he was always told to protect his siblings.
Liu Erlang rushed into the courtyard and took out a big wooden bucket from the well. As soon as he opened it, he took out a big bowl. He lifted the cloth covering it and salivated.
Liu Erlang carried it to the kitchen to get a bowl.
Madam Wei was washing the fish in the kitchen when Liu Erlang exclaimed. “Mother, didn’t you go to work today?”
Madam Wei replied snappishly. “Can’t I be at home? Am I an eyesore to you?”
Liu Erlang chuckled. “Of course not. I’m happy to see you at home.”
He took a bowl and used a spoon to scoop up the plum syrup. He handed a bowl to Liu Dalang and drank it. “Wow, it’s delicious. What else is in it? Peanuts?”
Liu Dalang chewed slowly. “Peanuts, walnuts, and sesame seeds. Delicious.”
Liu Erlang nodded. “Yes, yes, yes. Big Brother is right.”
Madam Wei threw the two cleaned fish into the basin and rubbed them with seasonings. She said, “Dalang, you don’t have to go to work in the afternoon. There will be guests at home later. Stay at home and help.”
Liu Erlang immediately said, “Mom, I can help too.”
Madam Wei was so angry that she wanted to hit him. “You go to work!”
Liu Erlang thought his mother was biased and felt unhappy.
Liu Sanniang came in from outside and pulled Liu Erlang. “Second Brother, come out.”
Silly Second Brother.
If she didn’t explain it clearly, her silly second brother definitely wouldn’t understand. Their mother was clearly asking him to work because the guest was their future sister-in-law.
Last time, there was an accident. This time, in order to ensure that nothing went wrong, Madam Wei stayed at home and invited the girl to come over.
Liu Sanniang explained to Liu Erlang. Liu Erlang was stunned for a moment before he understood. “I see. In that case, I’m relieved.”
After his brother got married, it’d be his turn soon.
At the thought of this, Liu Erlang was elated.
He also wanted to get married as soon as possible.
In the afternoon, Liu Sanniang took the embroidery tools and went to Liu Zhi’er’s house.
Liu Dalang wasn’t so excited to meet this girl. He even wanted to refuse, but he did not know how to put it.
Since meeting Tang An last time, Liu Dalang had always been thinking about her, so he wasn’t so enthusiastic about this blind date.
Madam Wei could tell that her son wasn’t happy. She thought it was because Liu Dalang was hurt last time and comforted him. “Dalang, the last time was an accident. I promise that the blind date this time will go without a hitch.”
Liu Dalang nodded absent-mindedly. “Yes.”
He wasn’t in the least angry about the accident last time. On the contrary, he was grateful because that accident happened. He just couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Not long after noon, someone knocked on the door.
Madam Wei immediately went to open the door.
When the door opened, an older woman was standing outside.
Madam Wei smiled. “Please come in. This must be the girl you mentioned.”
The older woman was known as Third Grandma Tang, an elder in Tang An’s family.
Tang An was still very thin. She was already very surprised. She lowered her head and grabbed the handkerchief in her hand uneasily. She did not expect the man whom Third Madam Tang found for her was from this family.
She followed Third Madam Tang awkwardly.
Third Madam Tang held Madam Wei’s hand and smiled. “An’an is a good girl, but her life is a bit unfortunate.”