When Huo's father saw them, his hand holding the cane trembled, and his eyes reddened. "Duan'er, Yan'er... it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
A note from the author:
My updates have been very unstable lately, and I apologize to all my lovely readers. (bows)
This is my first real attempt at "writing". I didn't expect to get a visa, and I didn't prepare any drafts. After applying for a visa with 10,000 words, I embarked on the path of writing without any preparation (facepalm).
At first, I had plenty of time and was able to update daily, but recently I started an internship with a 9-to-5 job. There's so much to learn, and I feel exhausted every day, not getting enough sleep. As a result, I've started to feel overwhelmed when it comes to writing, and I'm truly sorry about that.
But every single one of my stories is a labor of love. Once I start writing, I will definitely give them an ending, so I absolutely, positively won't abandon them!!
I will adjust as quickly as possible and try to update daily. Thank you all for reading their stories.
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 52
Gu Fengyan and Huo Duan quickly stepped down the stairs.
"Father, Aunt, what brings you here?" Huo Duan asked, helping up his father.
Ye Bao's eyes were red and she rushed over to hug Gu Fengyan's leg. Her big, dark eyes blinked, "Big brother, they all say you were kidnapped by bad guys and will never come back... Did the bad guys hit you? Does it hurt?"
Huo Xiuling felt a lump in her throat and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Last night, it was my eldest brother who saw you being taken away. He was so scared that he rushed back to the village to look for us. He asked the village head, but he didn't know what to do either. He just told us to wait... This whole ordeal of yours really scared your aunt to death!"
"I left in a hurry and didn't have time to explain to my father properly. I'm sorry to have made you worry," Gu Fengyan sighed.
He hugged Ye Bao tightly and smiled, "Your brothers didn't get beaten. Look, they're all fine..."
Ye Bao nestled in his arms, stared at him with wide eyes, and seeing that he had all his limbs intact, she straightened up and waved her chubby little arms, "If any bad guys come again, big brother, you must call me. I'll protect you and drive them all away!"
His big eyes were wide open, and his little face was serious, but his stomach was very uncooperative, letting out a loud "gurgle".
Ye Bao blushed instantly, buried her head in Gu Fengyan's arms, and refused to see anyone.
This left the group both amused and exasperated.
Gu Fengyan patted his back to comfort him, "Yes, with Xiaobao protecting you, your brother Duan and I are at ease. We'll rely on you if we encounter bad guys in the future..."
"Mm!" Ye Bao raised his head and responded emphatically.
The atmosphere was much better than before.
Ye Bixian then asked, "Erdan, Yange'er, why did they capture you?"
The Huo and Ye families have been honest and law-abiding farmers for generations, and this is the first time they have been involved with the government. It makes people worry that the two children may have offended someone in business.
As the sun grew stronger, more and more laborers and peddlers began to appear in the alley.
“This isn’t the place to talk. Xiao Bao is hungry too. Let’s go home first, and we can talk as we walk,” Huo Duan said, taking Ye Bao from Gu Fengyan’s arms.
Ye Bao was very dissatisfied and glared at Huo Duan, "Brother Erdan is a bad guy!"
Huo Duan pinched his ear, "Your little brother is tired, don't bother him."
Ye Bao pursed her lips and remained silent.
“Your father hasn’t eaten anything this morning either, so let’s go back to the manor first. You’ve probably not rested all night either, so ask your aunt to make you something to eat.” Ye Bixian nodded.
The couple helped Huo's father walk ahead, while Huo Duan carried Ye Bao and Gu Fengyan closely behind.
Gu Fengyan looked at Ye Bao, whose face was full of grievances, and scolded Huo Duan, "Why are you bullying a child..."
He reached out to Ye Bao with a smile, "Little Bao, can your big brother hug you?"
Ye Bao looked at him expectantly, but finally shook her head. "Big brother is a boy. Mother said that a man should protect women and boys and not bully them... I'm too heavy. Big brother needs to rest."
Seeing Ye Bao's aggrieved expression, yet still trying to appear strong, Gu Fengyan was both amused and exasperated. He ruffled Ye Bao's hair and said, "Your mother is right, your big brother will buy you candy."
Ye Bao was finally happy, tilting her chin up and looking around...
"Why didn't you buy me candy? Is Ayan being too biased?" Huo Duan looked at him leisurely.
Gu Fengyan glared at him. "Who told you to bully a child?"
Huo Duanyi spoke sternly, looking at Ye Bao in his arms, "It's my wife who's getting tired from carrying this little thing. I wouldn't even let my wife suffer like this..."
Ye Bao stared longingly at the candy vendor next to him, completely ignoring Huo Duan.
"Did you hear that? That young man is my wife. Don't bother him anymore. Go find your own wife." Huo Duan clicked his tongue.
Ye Bao looked away, staring at him with her mind filled with images of glittering little sugar figurines. She asked疑惑地问道, "What's a wife? Can you eat her?"
Huo Duan looked at Gu Fengyan with a malicious smile, "You can eat it, of course you can. It's very sweet, your brother especially loves it..."
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Gu Fengyan slapped Huo Duan hard on the shoulder, her face flushed, and said in a low voice, "What are you saying in broad daylight! Be careful not to corrupt the children..."
He bought a sugar figurine from a vendor for Ye Bao and coaxed, "Don't listen to your brother's nonsense."
"Thank you, big brother!" Ye Bao nodded vigorously, his eyes and heart filled with the little sugar figurine, not caring at all whether his wife could eat it or not.
Gu Fengyan broke out in a cold sweat... He definitely couldn't let Huo Duan take care of their children in the future.
A person with a mind full of improper thoughts is bound to lead others astray.
“Ah Yan, I want to eat too…” Huo Duan smiled and suddenly moved closer to Gu Fengyan.
Gu Fengyan looked at him and said, "Go buy it yourself."
Huo Duan lowered his eyes, his smile deepening. "I don't want candy, I want something else..."
"What?" Gu Fengyan didn't understand for a moment, and then asked.
But Huo Duan's smile grew even more sinister. He was answering questions on the night shift, and the way he looked at Huo Duan was like that of a wolf that hadn't eaten for more than ten days.
He immediately understood, and his face turned red.
"Mr. Huo, can't you think of anything serious all day?" he said dryly, avoiding Huo Duan's gaze.
Huo Duan said innocently, "Isn't that inappropriate? But I was thinking, Ah Yan..."
Gu Fengyan genuinely didn't know how he could say it so seriously and without changing his expression.
"Shameless!" he cursed, becoming arrogant and ignoring Huo Duan completely.
The group walked into the alley in front of the house. Huo Duan held Ye Bao in one arm and secretly grabbed Gu Fengyan's hand with the other, muttering to himself, "I already have such a beautiful woman, what do I need to care about face? I'd even risk my life..."
Gu Fengyan was annoyed by him. After trying to dodge twice but failing, she gave up and let him go.
Huo Duan, once he's had his fill of pleasure, never knows how to restrain himself. It's always Gu Fengyan who suffers, just like what happened a few days ago... He still feels like he hasn't recovered.
If this continues, I'll surely die on my bed.
Gu Fengyan made up his mind to make sure Huo Duan didn't succeed tonight.
The family returned to the house, and Gu Fengyan and Huo Duan helped Huo Xiuling pick some seasonal vegetables from the garden and cook a few home-style dishes... None of them had much of an appetite, so they cooked some easy-to-digest porridge.
Once the dishes were served, Huo Duan and Gu Fengyan told them the whole story while they were eating.
The three elders were terrified. Huo Xiuling covered Ye Bao's ears and said:
"Although I have never met Zhu Kuo, the various taxes that should be paid each year have been increasing year by year thanks to his decrees. It is clear that he is truly despicable. He deserves to suffer the consequences!"
Ye Bixian coughed quickly to stop her from saying anything outrageous, "Say less, or someone might overhear!"
"The person is dead, who could possibly hear this? What are you afraid of?" Huo Xiuling held Ye Bao in her arms and fed him, her tone irritable.
Ye Bixian remained silent and buried his head in his rice.
Gu Fengyan found it amusing and comforted the two elders, "No one can hear what the family is saying, so you can rest assured, Uncle."
Ye Bixian nodded and sighed, "If Zhu Kuo falls, it's inevitable that another Zhao Kuo or Li Kuo will follow... These officials are all pretty much the same; their lives will still be difficult."
“I’ve never seen you care about these things before. No matter who’s in charge, life is still tough.” Huo Xiuling put down her spoon and smiled. “It’s good that Erdan and Yan’er are alright.”
Ye Bixian carried Ye Bao over, called Huo Xiuling to eat, and sighed, "Life goes on naturally. I'm saying this because I'm worried that if Erdan and Yan Ge'er's business grows bigger and bigger, they'll attract the attention of these officials."
After saying this, Father Huo couldn't help but worry again, looking at Gu Fengyan and Huo Duan and sighing:
“Your mother passed away early, and I’m getting old, so I can’t manage too many things… I just hope that Huo Duan and Yan’er will be well. Whether they make money or not doesn’t matter. I’ve enjoyed a good life, and I just wish for the two of you to be well…”
Last night, he was deaf and blind and didn't hear much noise. But it was already dark and Gu Fengyan and Huo Duan hadn't returned yet, so he got worried and opened the door to check... and there he saw a large group of government officials arresting them.
Having lived for decades, Father Huo had never seen anything like this before. He was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he immediately walked shakily all night back to the village to discuss the matter with his sister.
If something this frightening happens again, he probably won't be able to endure it.
Thinking of this, Father Huo was overcome with grief and silently wiped away his tears with his sleeve.
Huo Xiuling glared at Ye Bixian, "Why are you so talkative!"
Seeing Huo's father like this, Ye Bixian also regretted it a bit. He should have told Huo Duan and the others these things behind their backs.
Huo Duan comforted Huo Xiuling and Ye Bixian, saying, "We keep in mind what Aunt and Uncle are worried about."
Gu Fengyan continued, "Yes, Father, you don't need to worry. Who cares who the official is? Huo Duan and I are doing business in accordance with the law, and we have official documents for planting medicinal herbs... Besides, Huo Duan and I have even been to the Prefect's residence this time. How can we let others take advantage of us?"
Several elders agreed with him, after all, in all these years, Heqing Village had only produced these two people who had the courage to do business.
Those two boys are quite clever.
“Yan-ge’er is right. You must be careful in everything you do in the future, so as not to worry your father,” Huo Xiuling said.
Huo Duan and Gu Fengyan agreed.
Although they comforted him a lot, Huo's father was still a little worried... Ye Bao was a clever little thing. Seeing that Huo's father didn't seem very happy, he got off his father's lap and ran over to Huo's father, snuggling and cuddling with him, making a fool of himself and making him laugh.
Father Huo has always loved children. He was amused by Ye Bao and didn't think about anything else. He only hoped that Huo Duan and Gu Fengyan would have such a little brat someday.
...
After lunch, the whole family, except for Ye Bao who was watching the chickens and ducks play in the small garden, all pitched in to tidy up.
Gu Fengyan and Huo Xiuling were in charge of washing the dishes, while Huo Duan and the others collected the dishes and plates back into the recycling bin.
The aunt and niece inevitably brought up Ye Shan's marriage again during their conversation.
"Has Brother Dashan's marriage been settled? Huo Duan and I haven't been able to help much these past few days," Gu Fengyan asked Huo Xiuling.
He and Huo Duan have been busy preparing to plant medicinal herbs these days and haven't had time to take care of the Ye family. Only now do they realize that they haven't even prepared a wedding gift.
Huo Xiuling's face lit up with joy. "What do you mean by helping or not... These days, Dashan has been like he's been injected with chicken blood. He's renovated the whole house inside and out, and changed the bedding and furnishings in the wedding room several times, just in case it doesn't suit Jing'er's taste... Your uncle and I can't control it, so we'll just let him be."
"We just sent the betrothal gifts and new clothes over the other day. The two families have been helping each other out, and everything is almost ready. You and Huo Duan should come early in ten days." Huo Xiuling kept nagging... She was finally able to see her eldest son get married.