Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Restlessness_1
Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Restlessness_1
Lin Yue had been restless these past few days, her mind so far from her embroidery work that it might as well have been on the moon. Since Zhao Erhu went into the mountains four days ago and had not yet returned, she couldn’t help but worry. Was he safe in the forest? Had he encountered any danger? Were his provisions still holding up? There was nothing she could do but worry at home, praying silently for Zhao Erhu’s well-being.
Another day passed in waiting, and evening was now upon her with still no sign of Zhao Erhu. The sky was oppressively overcast, mirroring Lin Yue’s anxious mood. It seemed like a downpour was on the way. If Zhao Erhu couldn’t make it back in time, he might be stranded in the woods, and she wondered if there would be anywhere for him to take shelter from the rain.
“Mommy, why hasn’t Daddy come back? Didn’t he say he’d be back in three days? It’s already been four. What if he’s been eaten by some huge bug in the mountains?” Sanlang, still young and without a filter, blurted out whatever came to mind. His words, though childish, caused Lin Yue’s heart to skip with worry. Why couldn’t this rascal ever say anything optimistic?
Dalang shot Sanlang a glare. “What nonsense are you talking about? Dad is so strong, nothing will happen to him. He’s going to be just fine. Dad often goes hunting in the mountains and sometimes stays out a day or two later than expected. Hasn’t he always returned safe and sound? This time will be no different. Watch your words or I’ll thump you.” Dalang spoke as if to reassure both himself and his brother, his little fists gesturing towards Sanlang, who shrank back and fell silent. However, worry still etched Dalang’s face—he wasn’t as easily fooled by words as the mistress was.
Sanlang’s words weren’t unfounded, and Dalang understood why his brother would say such a thing. “I’m really worried about Dad. I heard Zhao Gouzi say that his uncle went into the mountains and never came back. Everyone says his uncle encountered a tiger there. I just hope Dad doesn’t meet the same fate.”
“That won’t happen. Your dad is smart and capable. If he encounters a tiger, he’ll surely hide. He’ll be fine, and maybe he’ll be back before we know it, so don’t worry yourself sick over nothing.” Lin Yue sighed internally upon hearing this. Dalang was too honest; some things were better left unsaid. Now her worries had intensified, but she couldn’t show it on her face. She had to comfort the children, even though a sense of helplessness swelled unbidden in her heart.
When Zhao Erhu was around, Lin Yue had never felt the need to worry. He took care of everything, sparing her the trouble. Now, with him gone for just a few days, each day felt like a year to her, filled mostly with concern. In this family, Zhao Erhu was like a mountain—her and her children’s sole support. Now, with this mountain missing, they all felt somewhat helpless. It wasn’t that she was weak. After all, she had struggled on her own for many years and had made it through. But these days, she had grown used to Zhao Erhu’s presence and everything he did for her. Dependence was indeed a fearsome thing.
As for Zhao Erhu, since he entered the mountains that morning, he couldn’t stop thinking about his young wife at home. He wondered whether she had gotten out of bed, eaten breakfast, and stayed at home as he had told her to. Ever since she came to his household as his wife, this was the first time he had left her for such a long duration. He worried whether she might feel uneasy in his absence. The old saying goes, “One day apart feels like three seasons.” For him, even a moment away from his wife made him miss her. He might have been married three times, but he still pined for his wife like a lovesick youth, his thoughts consumed by her. Zhao Erhu reached to touch the bundle slung over his shoulder, which contained the food his wife had spent the entire afternoon preparing for him.