Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 71

The carriage outside the door is gone, leaving a pile of goods in the yard. Grandpa Zhang, Grandma Zhang, and Li Aba stand in the middle of the clutter, looking lost, unsure where to begin tidying up.

Zhang Shu helps Li Mujin out and finds a chair for him to sit on. Then, glancing around the yard, he notices something is off.

“Grandma, why are there so many things?”

“Didn’t you tell us to unload them? That young man helped too, said these were all yours. He also mentioned that his boss instructed him to send you back, so there was no need to pay him. He left without taking any money.”

Zhang Shu steps outside to check, but the carriage is indeed gone. With no other choice, he accepts the situation. Besides his own basket of goods, the yard contains two bolts of fine cotton cloth, a box of cakes, a box of candies, a basket of assorted dried fruits, two jars of wine, and two thick hams.

Zhang Shu and the others sort everything and share some candies with the neighbors who gather to watch. The younger children immediately pop them into their mouths, while the older ones carefully tuck them into their pockets, saving them to enjoy with their siblings later.

The villagers murmur about Zhang Shu’s good fortune—getting a new house and starting a business. Their words carry an unspoken expectation: now that he’s doing well, he shouldn’t forget to help the community.

Zhang Shu nods, then, along with the two elders, sends the neighbors off with friendly words.

Back in the yard, Zhang Shu divides the candies he bought and the ones given by the eldest young master, setting aside half for Li Mujin’s family. He hands them to Li Aba.

Li Aba quickly refuses. Aside from seasonal gifts, when has an in-law ever continuously received offerings from a son-in-law? If he takes them, people will laugh at him for being short-sighted. Besides, Zhang Shu is giving them in front of the elderly couple—if they feel uneasy about it, how will his son Mujin face them in the future?

Zhang Shu insists, but Li Aba remains firm. Then Grandma Zhang steps forward and gives Zhang Shu a light pat.

“You fool, do you think everyone is as strong as you? Why don’t you take it home for your father-in-law instead?”

Zhang Shu nods, slings the bag over his shoulder, and heads out. He also invites his father-in-law and brother-in-law to have a drink.

Li Aba hesitates.

“How can we accept so much? You should keep it for yourselves!”

Grandma Zhang smiles.

“Dear, don’t be so polite. You raised such a good child to be our Zhang family’s husband. We owe you so much already! You’ve also been helping out here for days, making things easier for me.” She sighs. “Ah’shu lost his parents young, and our family isn’t well off. He treats you as his own parents. And we’re not getting any younger—who knows how many years we have left? When that time comes, Ah’shu will be alone. I hope you can take care of him more in the future.”

The group falls silent at Grandma Zhang’s words. They hadn’t expected her to think so far ahead.

Li Mujin, who has been quiet all this time, finally speaks.

“Aba, just accept it. Grandma is right. When we make dried vermicelli next time, Ah’shu and I will need your help.”

With that, Li Aba can only nod in agreement.

Then, Li Mujin turns to Grandma Zhang, noticing her somber mood.

“Grandma, Ah’shu suffered a lot on this trip. He’s thinner and must have been hungry. Let’s kill the big hen and make a pot of soup to nourish him.”

Grandma Zhang immediately perks up.

“Oh, I’ll go catch the chicken now! Mujin’s Aba, you’ll eat here today. Ah’shu has come back from far away—we should all reunite. Mujin isn’t feeling well, so help pick a couple of dishes to cook. I’ll handle the chicken and we’ll make a big meal for him!”

Li Aba smiles and nods. Since his in-laws insist, he doesn’t argue over such things.

Li Mujin rummages through Zhang Shu’s purchases and suggests,

“Aba, let’s fry some dried shrimp—I love those! And we have some herring, which doesn’t have big bones, so it’ll be perfect for braising. There are also ribs in the kitchen; let’s stew them with kelp for a fresh, delicious soup!”

He picks out the ingredients and hands them to Li Aba, who takes them with a smile.

Li Aba chuckles.

“Ever since Ah’shu left for Nanhai County, you’ve been like a wilted sapling, lifeless. Now that he’s back, you’re full of energy again.”

Li Mujin doesn’t shy away. He nods.

“Ah’shu has never been away before. Of course I worried when he traveled so far. I missed him and couldn’t even sleep.”

“You shameless thing.”

“Why should I be ashamed? He’s my man! Besides, when I was out the other day, people kept saying that men who make money eventually stray. They were clearly talking about him.”

Li Aba frowns.

“Don’t bother with those people. They never mind their own business. Every family in this village has been gossiped about. They just can’t stand seeing others do well!”

“Like I’d listen to them! That woman acts all high and mighty, but her husband is out chasing widows all day. I’d bet anything that no matter how many people like someone else, Ah’shu will only like me!”

“Oh? So your father and brother don’t even exist in your eyes anymore? Is Zhang Shu the only one worthy of your attention?” Li Yan’s voice rings out as he enters.

Behind him, Li Aba and Zhang Shu follow, both smiling. Zhang Shu hadn’t expected to hear his wife’s words upon returning. Mujin truly trusts him! Fortunately, he has no intention of ever betraying that trust.

Li Mujin freezes. He hadn’t expected his private conversation with his Aba to be overheard—especially by Zhang Shu.

Flustered, he turns and bolts into the room.

Li Aba smacks Li Yan.

“All you do is tease your brother. If you like laughing at husbands so much, why don’t you marry someone and amuse yourself instead?”

Zhang Shu laughs at his father-in-law’s remark and lets them continue their banter while he follows Li Mujin inside.

Li Mujin sits on the bed, unmoving even as Zhang Shu enters. Zhang Shu walks over, sits beside him, and places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Jin’er, I’m so happy that you trust me this much. I won’t let you down.”

Li Mujin leans against him. Aside from his family, he trusts Zhang Shu the most. They’ve grown up together—if Zhang Shu ever betrays him, then he must be blind.

After enjoying the quiet for a moment, Zhang Shu suddenly remembers something. He rushes outside, rummages through his backpack, then returns happily with a paper bag.

“Jin’er, look, I bought this for you.”

Li Mujin opens it and finds a pearl bracelet.

“This must have been expensive. Why did you think of buying it for me?”

Then, noticing two additional boxes, he gets a bad feeling. Opening them, he finds rouge and powder.

“Ah’shu, do you want to see me wear makeup?” Li Mujin frowns. Does Zhang Shu think he’s not good-looking?

“Huh? But Shopkeeper Yan said husbands should buy these for their spouse… Don’t you like them?”

“Not really…” Li Mujin never forces himself in front of Zhang Shu.

“Alright, I won’t listen to Shopkeeper Yan next time. If you want something, just tell me, and we’ll buy it together.”

“Good. Next time my second uncle’s cousin visits, I’ll give this to her.”

“Whatever you decide. Do you like the bracelet?”

“I love it.” Li Mujin puts it on and shows it to Zhang Shu before tucking it away in the cabinet.

Then, the two head out together.

Zhang Shu, seeing the newly built backyard for the first time, feels a swell of pride. This will be the place where he builds his future.