Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Disliked_1
Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Disliked_1
“There’s not much choice in the matter,” said Brother Xinglin, aware of our family’s current situation. Erhu is still lying in bed, with no telling when he might wake up. The daily cost of his medicine is no small sum, and there are several children to feed at home. I must find a way to earn money to support the family, so I brought some food and bean sprouts to sell at the market. No matter how little, I can always make some silver coin.”
Zhao Xinglin had great respect for such a person as Lin Yue, a frail and slender woman who took on the burden of a family in the most difficult of times. When he heard that Zhao Erhu had been injured and lay unconscious while hunting, he couldn’t help but worry for him. The household’s pillar had collapsed, leaving only the women and children. He didn’t know how they would get by. Though he was willing to help, he could only do so once or twice, not indefinitely. He, too, had a family to care for.
“Sister-in-law, you have it hard. No one could have anticipated such an event. How is Erhu’s condition now, any better? What does the doctor say?” If he hadn’t run into Lin Yue today, Zhao Xinglin had planned to visit Zhao Erhu during his next time off.
“He’s much better now. Dr. Zheng said that his condition has stabilized; as long as he’s well cared for, there won’t be any danger. Whether he can wake up or not is now up to my husband’s fate.” Lin Yue couldn’t help but feel some melancholy as she said this.
“Don’t worry too much, sister-in-law. Erhu is a man of fortune, he will definitely wake up.”
“That’s exactly what I believe. My husband will definitely wake up. The children and I all have faith that one day he will. This family can’t do without him. No matter how long it takes, we will wait for him. As long as we don’t give up, there will be hope. Remember when I was so ill that the doctors said I was beyond saving? Look at me now, alive and well. So my husband will surely recover too.” Lin Yue truly believed this, and though she spoke these words effortlessly, they were particularly moving.
“In this life Erhu has faced many hardships, but he has found an excellent wife. It’s like compensation from the heavens.” Zhao Xinglin couldn’t help feeling moved after hearing Lin Yue’s words.
“Heh, Brother Xinglin, your words make me a bit bashful. After all, spouses should weather hardships together.” Lin Yue felt that the conversation was coming to an end.
“Sister-in-law, you…”
“Right, Brother Xinglin, you must have official duties to attend to. Look at me, droning on and holding you up from your work. If you have matters to attend to, please be on your way.” Before Zhao Xinglin could express anything more, Lin Yue swiftly cut him off. Damn it, she still had business to do; she wasn’t here for idle chatter or to give a speech. Watching Dalang, who completely ignored them and focused on his business, collecting money for the steamed buns like a true professional, she knew she had her own work to do.
Truth be told, Zhao Xinglin simply felt that it was remarkable Zhao Erhu had married such a good wife and had gotten a bit carried away with his words. After all, Erhu’s previous two wives were nothing to speak of, and in comparison, Lin Yue’s qualities shone through, which prompted his outpouring of emotions, though it seemed to have overstepped.
Realizing he may have imposed on Lin Yue’s business, Zhao Xinglin said, “I’m fine, but I seem to have interrupted your work. Please, carry on with your business. I won’t add to the chaos. You’re in the area under my charge today. If you come here to sell again and someone troublesome dares to hassle you, just drop my name. No one will dare to bother you. I will talk to the folks around here. If you have any other issues, feel free to seek me out at the government office or at home. Also, when you have time, bring the children over to our house for a visit. Your sister-in-law often talks about you.”