Chapter 364: Much More Pleasant to the Eyes
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shen Erkui only pretended not to pay attention. Once sure Su Qing and the others were alright, he immediately ran to Su Wen’s side, pulling her hands into his to examine them. “You’re too reckless!” he scolded, “What if you burned yourself?”
Su Qing and Su Xiu had already informed Shen Erkui of the situation. It showed how much they trusted him.
Su Wen noted the genuine concern drawing lines on Shen Erkui’s face. She still could not understand why a character that had never appeared in the original novel – even when the Su family was in the grips of despair – would appear now.
Wouldn’t he have appeared much earlier if he cared about the Su family?
“Little Wen? Little Wen, are you alright?” Shen Erkui fussed nervously and took hold of Su Wen by her shoulders, shaking vigorously upon seeing her dazed state.
The shaking made Su Wen dizzy.
“I’m fine; it’s nothing to be worried about.”
“How can I not be worried?” Shen Erkui all but roared. “Zhou Hengyang, that bastard! I knew he was unreliable. He left you like this… like you’re worthless. If I had known… I would have…”
Shen Erkui gazed into Su Wen’s limpid eyes, which sparkled in the waning light of the flames around them and could not find it in himself to finish his sentence.
So what if he had known?
Uncle Xuewen had said he missed his chance and would never be able to reclaim it. The chance of a lifetime lost just like that…
If he finished, he might not even be able to claim the title of a surrogate older “Argh!” Shen Erkui pulled Su Wen into his arms, his actions rougher than intended as he led her to where Su Qing and Su Xie were huddled. “Leave this matter to me. Look after yourself and your sisters; you don’t need to worry about anything else.”
Shen Erkui parted, leaving Su Wen with those final words.
Immense relief washed over Su Xiu as she scanned Su Wen, who appeared unscathed. The sisters hugged each other and cried bitterly. The women who followed the men to extinguish the fire gathered around the teary-eyed sisters. Some comforted them, saying words of encouragement, while others promised to bring more buckets of water to help with the efforts to contain the fire.
Even Chen Guihua poked her head in, wearing an awkward expression as she asked quietly, “Did anyone die?”
“No. It’s a blessing that Su Wen is a light sleeper. She and the rest would have died in the fire if she were a heavy sleeper.” He Yulan’s voice quivered as she spoke, fear rippling in her words. She peeked uncertainly at Su Qing and thought, ‘And she and Big Brother aren’t even married yet!’
The Su family courted trouble far too easily for her comfort. The sooner they tied the knot, the better. That way, her older brother would not constantly be wracked with worry. Of course, they still had to get engaged first and allow for some time for their feelings for each other to mature for her plan to work.
With Black Eagle Village backing them up , no one would dare to bully Su Wen’s family in the future.
“Whew!” Chen Guihua patted her chest in relief, her foul mouth not spewing mean words as usual.
Sister Chrysanthemum and Chen Guihua had been arguing recently over the business regarding their competing provision shops, so she could not help but mock, ‘Why the long face? Did you think it’s a pity no one died?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth! Am I that kind of person?” Chen Guihua angrily retorted.
“What? Am I wrong? You’re still after Su Wen’s house!”
“I-I want a big house, but I don’t want Su Wen and her sisters to die!” Chen Guihua may have wanted a big house and enjoyed taking advantage of others, but it did not mean she wanted anyone dead. Yes, she was easily jealous of those living the good life, but it was just how she was, having lived her whole life as a village woman with simple wants.
She was not so wicked that she would wish death upon those she disliked or envied.
Su Wen listened to the conversations around her and, for the first time, felt that Chen Guihua was not as annoying as she once was..