Chapter 41: Thank Goodness for You

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Thank Goodness for You

So Wang Cuihua could only swallow her anger. She didn’t dare to argue or resist, because the family still depended on this man. Wiping her tears, she choked out, "I... I’ll go make you some ginger soup!"

"Then what are you waiting for?" Wang Dadan snapped. "Hurry up! If anything happens to me, don’t even think about having a good life."

Tears and snot running down her face, Wang Cuihua went to make ginger soup for Wang Dadan, afraid he would beat her if she stayed any longer.

Wang Dadan drank the ginger soup Wang Cuihua made, broke into a sweat, and started to feel a bit warmer.

Once he regained some strength, Wang Dadan’s tone softened. "Hurry up and wash these clothes and shoes of mine," he said. "If anyone asks, just say I didn’t go anywhere tonight. I was right here at home."

"What on earth did you do out there? You can’t keep everything from me!" Wang Cuihua said, mustering her courage. ’Whatever made Wang Dadan panic like this must be serious.’

But Wang Dadan wouldn’t say, leaving her heart pounding with anxiety.

Wang Dadan’s eyes widened in a glare as he berated Wang Cuihua. "Are you itching for a beating? Don’t ask what you’re not supposed to ask. Knowing too much won’t do you any good."

Seeing her husband’s fierce expression and his cornered-animal desperation, Wang Cuihua didn’t dare ask again. She hurried off to wash his clothes and scrub his shoes. On such a cold day, her hands were freezing in the chilly water, but her heart was even colder.

’She meant nothing to this man. No matter what he did, he never once considered her feelings. But for the sake of their home, she had no choice but to endure it.’

’Wang Dadan might be a scoundrel, but at least he provided for the family, ensuring she and their two children had enough to eat.’

’Sigh... This was her fate. She had to accept it.’

By the time Wang Cuihua finished washing the clothes and shoes and returned to the room, Wang Dadan was already asleep, snoring loudly.

So, Wang Cuihua lay down on the kang bed near her husband and went to sleep.

The next morning, while she was out fetching water, she overheard some people talking. It turned out something had happened to those young people from the village again.

Luckily, they were rescued in time and had been taken to the hospital. Four people had also been caught and sent to the public security office—and to her surprise, Liu Lanhua was one of them.

The moment she heard Liu Lanhua’s name, Wang Cuihua understood. This incident was definitely connected to Wang Dadan. No wonder he had been so panicked last night!

Wang Cuihua hastily carried the water home, rushed inside, and immediately asked, "They’re saying in the village that something happened to those young people again. Liu Lanhua was arrested, along with three others from another village. Are you involved in this...?"

Wang Dadan cursed while eating. "I didn’t go anywhere last night, so what could it have to do with me! I’m telling you again, if anyone asks, you say just that. Tell them I was with you yesterday and didn’t go anywhere. Have you got that, woman? If you haven’t, I’ll beat it into you!"

"I... I’ve got it..." Wang Cuihua started wiping her tears again. ’The head of our house can’t get into trouble,’ she thought. "But... but what if those people rat you out?"

If the man of the house was thrown in jail, she’d be no different from a widow. Not only would she lose her current way of life, but she and the children would be subjected to gossip and scorn, since Wang Dadan would have been imprisoned for his dirty deeds.

"Just remember my instructions and don’t go running your mouth about anything else," Wang Dadan said with a frown. "All right, stop your sniveling. Let me think!"

"I’ll remember. I’ll do exactly as you say," Wang Cuihua said through her sobs. "Should I pack some things for you to take to your older cousin’s husband? It is the New Year, after all, and supplies are tight in the city."

Wang Dadan had planned to hide at home, but after hearing what Wang Cuihua said, he realized that since people had been arrested today, he could be implicated. Rather than just sitting around waiting for the worst, it would be better to go to his cousin’s husband, give him something nice, explain the situation in the village, and see if he could pull some strings for him.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go pack some things!" Wang Dadan said, growing anxious. "Pack a lot! Whether I can get through this or not is all up to my cousin’s husband now!" He quickly shoveled down a few more mouthfuls of food, changed his clothes, and got ready to head to the county seat.

Carrying a bundle on his back, Wang Dadan set off for the county seat. He ran into a few villagers on the way and greeted them as usual, not looking at all like someone with a guilty conscience.

Big Pillar led a group to investigate, searching everywhere and asking around, but they found no clues. All they knew was that the person was rather plump.

The distance had been too great for him to get a clear look, so he figured he wouldn’t be able to complete the task Village Chief Miao had given him.

Halfway there, heading south, Wang Dadan heard voices ahead and quickly hid in a ditch, thus avoiding an encounter with Miao Dahai, Zhao Nuanyue, Hua Yusen, and the others.

Li Guihua and another woman from the village were in the county seat taking care of Li Qing and Wang Yuan. They would bring them back to the village once they were emotionally stable. Meanwhile, Village Chief Miao had arranged for one of the village men to look after Yang Guanghui.

Village Chief Miao was worried that Zhao Nuanyue and Hua Yusen might speak carelessly in the county seat, so he had brought them back to the village.

Only after they had passed did Wang Dadan dare to climb out of the ditch. He had to get to the county seat, and fast.

When they arrived at the Dragon King Temple, Zhao Nuanyue and Zhao Nuan Yang were exhausted. She quickly whisked three duck eggs, made some dough drops, and cooked a duck egg and dough drop soup.

Hua Yusen didn’t stand on ceremony. Seeing that Zhao Nuanyue had made some for him, he picked up his bowl and started eating.

"Mr. Zhao, after you finish eating, you should get some rest. I’ll go fetch water," Hua Yusen said, enjoying the delicious dinner. He decided then and there to give all his future grain rations to Zhao Nuanyue and let her manage them. At least that way, he’d get to eat flavorful meals.

"There’s no need. We have enough water at home. You can go fetch more tomorrow morning," Zhao Nuanyue said. "You’re exhausted too. You should get some rest."

They had been up for a full day and night. Even a man as strong as Hua Yusen had to be feeling exhausted.

"No, you all rest first. I still have something to do," Hua Yusen said, shaking his head. He couldn’t bring himself to rest yet; he still had to deliver some food to the elders.

Zhao Nuanyue immediately realized why Hua Yusen wouldn’t rest.

"Nuanyang, you go to bed first," Zhao Nuanyue told her younger brother. Then she went to cook with Hua Yusen.

Seeing Zhao Nuanyue join him in the kitchen, Hua Yusen smiled. "That duck egg and dough drop soup was pretty good. Let’s make some more."

"Sure. I found some more duck eggs a few days ago when I was out working," Zhao Nuanyue said with a light laugh. "We were so lucky to have you yesterday. Otherwise, not only would we have failed to catch those criminals, but Li Qiong, Wang Yuan, and Yang Guanghui would have been in grave danger. By the way, you said before that you weren’t going to the movies. What made you decide to go to Willow Bay later on?"