Jiang Youzhi hobbled around outside for a while, and everyone felt relieved.
Mrs. Chen worriedly asked Gu Yunjiao, and Gu Yunjiao still gave the same answer, "I can’t say for sure."
Mrs. Chen stopped asking.
From that day onwards, Jiang Youzhi went outside with crutches every day to stroll.
As the weather got colder, he wore a cotton robe and tirelessly walked back and forth on the path in front of his home.
Many people in the village said he had a leg injury and seemed a bit obsessed.
On this day, Jiang Youzhi was again outside hobbling around and soon saw Gu Mei come out from Zhao Family.
She walked straight towards the west end of the village.
As for Jiang Youzhi, she had completely disregarded him, not even giving a glance to this poor cripple as she passed by.
Not long after Gu Mei left, Jiang Erlang also came out of the house, heading towards the west end of the village.
Jiang Youzhi acted as if he hadn’t seen anything and continued pacing along the path.
Once the two were out of sight, he called Ah Tie over and quietly whispered something into his ear.
Ah Tie listened and quickly ran out.
Ah Tie returned after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
He dashed into Jiang Youzhi’s room and whispered, "I saw Brother Erlang go to Little Sister’s house at the west end of the village."
"I climbed onto the tree behind the house for a look; Brother Suozhu’s wife was also there."
Little Sister is a man, and when he was young, his mother worried he wouldn’t grow up well, so she gave him such a nickname.
His parents are both gone; it’s just him at home, idling around the village all day, often hanging out with Jiang Erlang.
Having received the news he wanted, Jiang Youzhi contentedly patted Ah Tie’s head, "Alright, don’t mention this to anyone. It’s not a good matter; not even to your young mistress."
"Go now."
Ah Tie nodded and obediently left.
This was precisely why Jiang Youzhi called Ah Tie instead of Liu Lang to follow Jiang Erlang.
Ah Tie is obedient and does what he’s told.
Liu Lang is too mischievous, easily causing other troubles.
Jiang Youzhi squinted his eyes.
The matter needing confirmation was finally confirmed; next, it’s about finding an appropriate opportunity to reveal the matter through others.
While eating dinner, Mrs. Chen said, "Tomorrow the Sun Family is celebrating Hong Mei’s child’s one-month birthday. Do you think we should go and give gifts?"
Gu Yunjiao thought for a moment, "Let’s go. Have Liu Lang take a walk, give five hundred coins as a gift, and enjoy a meal."
Liu Lang grinned, "Oh, great! I can go to another feast!"
Sure enough, the next midday, Liu Lang took Xiao Chuan to the feast.
By the afternoon, Hong Mei came to the Jiang Family holding her child.
Mrs. Chen warmly ushered her inside to sit and instructed Sanya to pour water.
Hong Mei smiled at Mrs. Chen, "Aunt Chen, please don’t busy yourself; I’m just here to say a few words and then I’ll leave."
"I’m here to invite Yunjiao to the feast."
"Yunjiao is my lifesaver; without her, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Aunt Chen, please help persuade Yunjiao; tonight, she must come to the feast no matter what."
Gu Yunjiao looked somewhat troubled, being a widow now, it’s inconvenient to attend celebrations.
Hong Mei added, "I don’t care; if you don’t come, it’s like you’re not considering me a friend."
She leaned closer to Gu Yunjiao, "Moreover, I have something that needs your help."
Gu Yunjiao had no choice but to say, "Alright, I’ll go tonight."
At about dinner time, Gu Yunjiao headed to the Sun Family.
The Sun Family courtyard had a celebratory marquee set up; by evening, only a few tables of guests were left, all close relatives of the Sun Family.
After the meal, Hong Mei came over and pulled Gu Yunjiao towards the inner courtyard.