Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 71

Old Master Zhang laughed. “Your son is so filial and capable, you must be enjoying a blessed life!”

Old Man Li’s brows and eyes carried a touch of pride, though he still replied modestly, “What ability does he have?”

“He does have ability! No one in the Li family is ordinary,” Village Head Zhang said with a knowing smile, casting a meaningful glance at Ying Su.

Old Man Li, however, thought he was praising Li Zhi and became even more pleased.

“You just grab these pastries with your hands without even checking if they’re clean? Who knows if anyone will end up with a stomachache!” Feng Qiufang muttered disapprovingly to Ying Su while the elders were chatting.

Ying Su spread her hands as if to say, See for yourself if they’re clean or not.

Feng Qiufang put on the airs of an elder, looking disdainfully at Ying Su’s hands. But instead of finding dirt, she saw slender, fair fingers, white and delicate like bamboo shoots after rain. Though she wanted to pick fault, she found herself speechless.

Madam Li pursed her lips, then turned to Ying Su and Liu Chuncao. “Let’s go to the kitchen and help your second aunt.”

Ying Su nodded, releasing Huzi and Bai Lefu’s hands, then said to the two children, “Go play!”

Suddenly, Li Zhi called out with a smile, “Dalang, come sit here. You don’t come to the old house often, why don’t you chat with your grandfather for a while?”

Madam Li glanced up at the sky. The sun hadn’t risen from the west, had it? Since when did the sly and calculating Li Zhi ever act so affectionately toward Dalang without a reason?

Huzi had never been to the old Li family residence, but he recognized Feng Qiufang. Once, when Shen Cuihua was sick, he was terrified and went to find Madam Li for help.

That day, Feng Qiufang came rushing out of Madam Li’s house. The two bumped into each other. Three or four-year-old Huzi’s small body was knocked flying. Feng Qiufang let out an “Ay!” and immediately started cursing. When she saw it was him, she even spat on him, calling him unlucky.

Huzi was worried about Shen Cuihua and tried to get up to run inside, but Feng Qiufang blocked his way, scolded him harshly, and even smacked him on the head a few times.

Children might not remember everything, but Huzi had suffered a lot growing up with Shen Cuihua. People say poor children mature early, and for a motherless and simple-minded child, it was even more so, without anyone to rely on, he could only endure.

The ridicule and bullying from the village children, the cold stares and mockery from adults, none of these things were easily forgotten.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Bai Lefu tugged on Huzi’s sleeve, her bright almond eyes glaring at him.

Huzi clenched his little fists, a strangely mature expression appearing on his young face. Ever since his mother got better, life has felt joyful every day. She gave him new clothes, thought about him constantly, and loved him dearly.

But… just now, seeing those people look at his mother as if she were a beggar, hearing them talk about driving her away in front of everyone, he wished he could grow up faster, stand before his mother, and protect her so no one would dare treat her like that again.

“Are you mute now? Just like your mother. Wasn’t she fierce at home yesterday? But just now, when those people said those things about her, why didn’t she fight back? She only knows how to bully me…” Bai Lefu pouted, complaining earnestly.

“Don’t you dare talk about my mother! My mother is the best mother in the world!” Huzi suddenly snapped, lowering his voice but glaring at her fiercely.

Bai Lefu froze, stunned by his sudden outburst. A moment later, her face flushed red with shame and anger. “Why are you yelling at me! If you yelled at me like that at home, you’d have been beaten with a board long ago!”

Huzi puffed up his cheeks angrily. “You’re not allowed to insult my mother!”

Bai Lefu huffed. “If you tell me not to, I’ll say it all the more! Isn’t your mother just a crude country woman? That makes you nothing but a wild peasant brat! I’ll tell my father when I get back that you bullied me, then he’ll punish you severely!”

“I…” Little Bun’s fists shot up, his dark eyes glaring furiously at her.

Bai Lefu felt guilty under his stare and shrank back a little. But then, putting on a bold face, she waved her hands menacingly. “What? You want to hit me? If you dare, I’ll have my father throw you and your mother into prison!”

The little bun was so angry he could almost hit her, but his mother had told him that men must never raise their hands against women. So he clenched his fists, turned his back, and walked away, leaving her standing there.

Dazhuang, who had been watching silently and barely dared to breathe, had almost run to call the adults. But Huzi had told him before never to tell adults about his matters, or he wouldn’t tell him Monkey King stories anymore.

So now, seeing Huzi leave, Dazhuang hurried to follow him, leaving Bai Lefu behind in the courtyard.

Feng Qiufang couldn’t keep standing inside the main hall listening to the men talk, lest others think she was lazy. So she went to the kitchen to help.

Li Yunyao, however, couldn’t stand the smoke and fire of the kitchen. Always pampered by Feng Qiufang, she was raised like a young lady and had never touched chores. There was no way she would go into the kitchen now.

In the main hall, the men were talking. Unable to sit still, she wandered into the courtyard, just in time to witness Huzi and Bai Lefu’s quarrel. She saw Huzi and Da Zhuang run out, then looked at Bai Lefu standing alone. Li Yunyao raised her brows slightly.

She remembered that just earlier, this little girl had been holding hands with Cuihua, that crazy widow. Didn’t she only have one son of unknown origin? How did she end up with a daughter too?

Li Yunyao recalled what Bai Lefu had just said in her quarrel with Huzi, and studied her carefully.

Bai Lefu’s original clothes had been washed by Ying Su, so she now wore ones Ying Su had bought for the little bun. They didn’t fit well and lacked the noble air of a Bai family young lady. But still, she was a true pampered daughter, and clearly different from the village girls.

The village children were rough, always running wild under the sun and wind. Their faces never looked as delicate and fair as Bai Lefu’s. And with her good looks, it was obvious she would grow into a beauty.

Li Yunyao, who often followed Miss Wu in town as a little tagalong, knew well the bearing of a truly wealthy young lady. Miss Wu, daughter of the richest family for miles, carried herself with unmatched grace. Yet, looking at Bai Lefu now, Li Yunyao felt something shocking, this girl seemed even more precious than Miss Wu herself!