Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 9

When Village Head Zhang saw Zhang Duomei faint, he quickly called over Doctor Liu to check on her. After a glance, Liu Laoda said, “She just passed out from anger.”

Many of the villagers watching had either been stolen from by Li Ergou or had suffered from Zhang Duomei’s foul mouth. Hearing that Zhang Duomei had fainted from anger, they all covered their mouths to snicker. Secretly, they thought, “She finally got what she deserves, how satisfying!”

Village Head Zhang called a few villagers to carry Li Ergou and Zhang Duomei home. Those named muttered to themselves about bad luck, but none dared refuse the head’s request. Still, while carrying them, they were deliberately a bit “rough.”

“Today’s matter ends here. From now on, no one is to bring it up again. Alright, disperse!”

Although he looked at everyone as he spoke, Village Head Zhang was really addressing Ying Su directly. Ying Su, of course, understood, and smiled gently and innocently. “The Village Head is right.”

The villagers gradually left. Many, however, secretly sized up Shen Cuihua. They thought to themselves that Li Ergou and Zhang Duomei, those two shameless rogues, hadn’t managed to take advantage of her at all. 

Instead, they had been thoroughly put in their place. In the future, they mustn’t underestimate this young widow. She was tough and not easy to bully. They’d need to warn their families at home to be careful as well.

Madam Li sent Li Jinfeng home to cook, then, once the outsiders had all gone, she carried the little bun over to Ying Su, her face full of concern. “Cuihua, was what you said true? Did Li Ergou really strangle you and throw you into the Dongjun River?”

Ying Su’s heart warmed at her concern. She took the little bun from her arms and nodded. “Mm. But you could say it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”

Madam Li, having lived most of her life, naturally didn’t believe Ying Su’s tale about meeting Li Erlang in the underworld. She had only played along earlier to help Shen Cuihua in front of the villagers. Thinking of the great ordeal Cuihua had suffered, she sighed.

“Fortunately you’re alright. That Li Ergou is truly no good. Thankfully you were clever today, or else you’d have really suffered.”

“I’m clear-headed now, so I won’t let anyone bully me anymore,” Ying Su said with a smile. Just as she was about to add something more, her head suddenly spun. Most likely it was because this body was weak, and after a whole morning of turmoil, it was taking a toll.

Madam Li noticed her pale face and how unwell she looked. She quickly turned to the child in her arms. “Come to grandma, let your mother rest for a bit.”

Ying Su shook her head. “I’m fine.”

But the little bun struggled to get down from her arms. His big dark eyes were full of worry, and in a very adult-like tone, he said, “Mommy, put me down. You should go inside and lie down for a while.”

Seeing how thoughtful he was, Ying Su’s heart softened. She pinched his little face with a smile. “Baby, you really are mommy’s little cotton-padded jacket!”

Watching the warm scene, Madam Li felt relieved. In the past, for reasons she hadn’t understood, Cuihua had disliked the child, resisting him even though he was foolish and clumsy. Now, finally, she seemed better and knew how to cherish him.

“Cuihua, now that you’ve recovered, your child is already nearly five. It’s time to give him a name. You can’t keep calling him ‘Little One’ forever.” Madam Li’s voice was full of kindness.

Hearing that, Ying Su’s heart tightened. Nearly five years old and still without a name. In her past life, she too had gone nameless until she was chosen by the MS organization. Only after standing out from the three hundred trainees on Yihu Island and officially becoming a member did she receive the codename “Ying Su.”

Pinching the little bun’s soft cheek, she thought for a while before saying, “The blade may break, but the heart does not waver. His formal name will be Shen Weixin, ‘The heart remains steadfast.’ As for his nickname… ‘Inside the heart is a tiger, yet it gently sniffs the rose.’ Let’s call him Huzi (虎子 – little tiger.)”

Although the little bun didn’t understand the meaning of “The blade may break, but the heart does not waver,” he was still overjoyed. He opened his mouth and repeated, “Shen Weixin, Shen Weixin… I finally have a name!” Then he jumped up happily.

Madam Li smiled lovingly at his joy. She had no objections to Ying Su giving him the surname Shen. She knew very well that the child was not Erlang’s son. When Erlang had first passed away, Madam Li had resented Shen Cuihua for this, but seeing how pitiful she was, her anger had gradually faded. Over the years, all that remained was sympathy for mother and child.

Noticing Ying Su’s clothes were still damp, Madam Li quickly said, “Go change into something dry, or you’ll catch a chill. I’ll head home and see if Jinfeng has finished cooking. I’ll bring you some food shortly.”

“Alright. Thank you.” Ying Su knew that over these years, it was thanks to Madam Li’s care that Shen Cuihua and her son had survived. She was truly grateful from the bottom of her heart.

After Madam Li left, Ying Su swallowed back her hunger and led Huzi into the shabby thatched hut. Looking at the straw mat that served as a “bed,” she urgently felt she needed to think of a way to earn money quickly.

This body of Shen Cuihua’s was extremely frail. Over the years, in her madness, she had been unable to care for herself or her child, and both had become painfully thin. 

Earlier, when Ying Su carried the boy out of the river, she had already found it exhausting. She had been forcing herself to hold on all morning. Now, she was so hungry it felt like her stomach was stuck to her spine. She could only hope Madam Li brought food soon.

Glancing at the pitch-black clay jar, Ying Su asked the little bun, “Baby, is this water drinkable?”

“Yes, it’s clean.” Thoughtful as ever, the little bun picked the better of the two chipped bowls from the floor, scooped half a bowl of water, and handed it to her. “Mommy, are you hungry? Today I found some fruit at the foot of the mountain. You can eat that to fill your stomach for now. Grandma will bring food soon, just hold on a little longer.”

Taking the bowl, Ying Su’s heart ached slightly at his maturity. She silently resolved that she would make sure he lived a good life from now on.

The little bun looked around the hut, then seemed to remember something. “Mommy, I left the basket by the river. I’ll go get it.”

At the mention of the river, Ying Su’s mind stirred. ‘Maybe there are fish in that river.’ She said, “Mommy will go with you.” If she caught some fish, there would be no need to change her wet clothes afterward. Setting down the bowl, she took his hand and headed with him toward the Dongjun River behind the hut.

“Mommy, I’m sorry.” As they walked, the little bun suddenly spoke with guilt on his face.

“What is it?” Ying Su looked at him in confusion.

He lowered his head, remorseful. “I shouldn’t have left you alone at home. If I hadn’t gone to the mountain to look for food, Li Ergou wouldn’t have bullied you.”

That morning, he had gone to the foot of the mountain to forage, leaving Cuihua alone at home. Who would have thought Li Ergou would show up then? The guilt in his heart was unbearable, and he couldn’t stop blaming himself.

Understanding his worry, Ying Su pinched his cheek. “You underestimate your mother too much! My fighting ability can crush Li Ergou in seconds. I’m the one who bullies others, how could Li Ergou bully me? Besides, am I not standing here perfectly fine? Smile now. If you keep that bitter melon face, you won’t be cute anymore!”

At her last words, Little Bun quickly grinned, afraid his mother would dislike him for not being cute enough.

His reaction made Ying Su burst into laughter. The more she looked at him, the more she felt her little bun was truly adorable.