Proofread by Claire.KK
Li Hongmei was trying to make Ye Xiaoxian seize the chance and go arm in arm with Xiao Baoshan but Ye Xiaoxian just went behind Xiao Baoshan and that was all.
Li Hongmei was so disappointed to see this.
The father and son on the ground could not get up for a long time. They cried “ouch, ouch” after they got up.
Looking at the tall and gloomy Xiao Baoshan, they dared not to even mention what they were originally coming for. They were too frightened to stand still, shivering all over and could not move a muscle to speak against the other side.
Xiao Baoshan’s voice was low and hoarse. “If you still want to do business at the bridgehead, watch out your manner and behave yourselves. If I catch you one more time doing such nasty things, you don’t even think about living in Qinghe County!”
The father and son dared not utter a word, nor did they even take a glance at Ye Xiaoxian or Li Hongmei. They hurriedly took their shoulder pole and almost crawled away from the other side.
“Baoshan, the move of yours were amazing just now! Have you practiced kung fu before?” Li Hongmei was totally on at her son.
“Wasn’t I being in the army before? I’ve practiced kung fung,” said Xiao Baoshan.
“No wonder. When you just popped up, I thought you were like some sort of martial artist!” Li Hongmei was like a fan of her son.
Xiao Baoshan was still behaving very coolly, shifting all the buckets carried by his ma and little Ye to his own body, and said, “It’s going late. Let’s go back soon. Baofeng and Baozhu were waiting for us at home.”
Ye Xiaoxian tidied up her clothes and followed him silently.
…
At night, Ye Xiaoxian carried a basin in order to fetch some water to wipe her body.
The housing condition was really bad. They didn’t have a showering room so what they could only do was fetching some water back to their rooms, wiping and washing their bodies and changing their dirty clothes.
All in all, everything was not as convenient as in modern days.
Seeing Ye Xiaoxian come out and fetch water, Li Hongmei suddenly shouted loudly, “Baoshan, go help little Ye Xiaoxian to carry some water. Little Ye has been busy for a whole day and was frightened on the way back. You have to be more attentive to your own wife.”
Ye Xiaoxian. “…”
Not before long, Xiao Baoshan came out from Baofeng’s room. He poured a whole basin of water for Ye Xiaoxian and carried it to her room. Just before he went out, Ye Xiaoxian called him.
“Baoshan, wait a second. Can I have a word?” Ye Xiaoxian sat on the rim of the bed, raised her head to look at Xiao Baoshan.
The oil lamp was lit in the room, reflecting her side face. From the perspective of Xiao Baoshan, she was extremely beautiful. She had an oval face, a sharp but tender chin, and slightly upturned eyes, which add an indescribable charm to her.
Xiao Baoshan then said, “Little Ye, please go ahead!”
“I just want to ask you if you treat me as your wife or not in your heart.” Ye Xiaoxian looked at him boldly.
“…” Xiao Baoshan was like being stunned and became awkward all of a sudden.
“You don’t answer me then I take it as a no. Let me ask you another thing. You said you’d be responsible for me so what’s in your mind?” asked Ye Xiaoxian.
“I will take responsibility of you. I will not get married with another girl in my whole life. I’ll do everything you tell me to do,” said Xiao Baoshan solemnly.
“Tsk!” swore Ye Xiaoxian silently.
This was hardly a husband but a slave.
Ye Xiaoxian raised her head and continued, “It was too hypocritical to say not to get married for a lifetime. If you fancy other girls someday, you can tell me about it and we can have a harmonious divorce* (a divorcing rule in ancient China). By then you can marry the girl you like while I have my skill so you don’t have to worry I’ll go starving to die. I’m okay to lead a life alone.”
Seeing Ye Xiaoxian’s attitude, he suddenly looked at her in daze.
A village woman actually uttered the two words “harmonious divorce”.
“Fine, I’m going to wash up. You can leave now. Thank you for helping me with the water!” Ye Xiaoxian threw him out and banged the door heavily.