Chapter 117: Recognizing as God-Siblings
[Classic trope?]
[Yes, falling into the water is a classic trope in women’s fiction of this era. Uh, it’s also a classic in historical drama stories.]
Mu Lantu sneered, [Old man, your reading range is pretty wide—so wide that you’ve even dabbled in historical novels.]
[Host, let me remind you, you may one day transmigrate into other novels too, including historical ones.] 005 snickered.
Mu Lantu was choked into silence and ignored it.
Xu Huazhang raised an eyebrow. The little brat zoned out in front of him for the Nth time. This time’s record: 9 seconds. Who exactly was he talking to?
“Comrade Zhang saving someone was an act of bravery—doing a good deed. Isn’t it enough that he doesn’t get awarded a silk banner for it, but he has to pay with his marriage?”
Miao Jiaze spread his hands.
At the time, there were many witnesses. Comrade Zhang certainly hadn’t done anything inappropriate, but—
“You know it’s summer now, clothes are thin…”
Mu Lantu pointed out the key issue. “What was Comrade Zhang’s attitude? And that young lady’s?”
Miao Jiaze said, “Comrade Zhang didn’t look happy. I think he’s unwilling. Like the rest of us, he’s hoping to return to the city someday. As for the young lady… hard to say. She didn’t make a public statement. And on her own, she probably doesn’t get to decide either. They’re likely still at the riverside. Do you want to go check?”
Mu Lantu shook his head. To outsiders, it might be entertainment; to those involved, it was bound to be humiliating.
“No. Let’s wait until they come back.”
Mu Lantu and Miao Jiaze went outside the yard to “cool off.” Xu Huazhang closed his book, grabbed a palm fan, and leisurely followed, carrying Mu Lantu’s water flask along.
Miao Jiaze watched as Xu Huazhang lifted the flask, Mu Lantu naturally stretched his neck, and Xu hung it around his neck. Mu Lantu hugged the flask and began guzzling noisily.
“Lantu, drink more slowly. Drinking too fast isn’t good for your health.”
Mu Lantu obediently slowed down. Normally he wasn’t like this, but he was really thirsty now.
Miao Jiaze smacked his lips. Their relationship sure looked close. Brother Xu really treated Brother Mu Lantu like a younger brother.
After some small talk, the educated youths came back—silent, with varied expressions.
Mu Lantu and the others followed everyone into the educated youth courtyard.
“This is truly… a disaster out of nowhere!” Yue Xiaoying spoke up for Zhang Guodong. “Saving someone only to end up with trouble—who would dare act bravely again?”
Zhang Jingxian said, “Xiaoying’s right. There’s no reasoning here. Brother Zhang saved that girl’s life. If she insists on marrying him, that’s repaying kindness with enmity. How should that be judged?”
Everyone looked at her.
Zhang Jingxian felt uneasy but didn’t avoid their gazes.
The others looked away. What she said wasn’t wrong.
Zhao Chengxin said, “That’s how we see it. Others may not. They’ll only think Brother Zhang was holding that girl in his arms for half a day.”
Zhang Guodong snapped, “I was saving her! The situation was critical—I didn’t have time to think!”
Zhao Chengxin said mildly, “I meant no offense. I was just stating the facts.”
Xie Xiaojun grinned, “That girl’s quite pretty. Brother Zhang wouldn’t be losing out marrying her.”
Zhang Jingxian’s voice turned cold. “Xie Xiaojun, stop making sarcastic remarks!”
Jiang Qiaohui glanced between Zhang Jingxian and Zhang Guodong. “From the sound of it, her family also expects Brother Zhang to marry her. I’m afraid… we should brainstorm a solution for him.”
“What about the girl herself? What’s her attitude?” Miao Jiaze asked.
Du Xuewen spoke softly, “She hasn’t said she’s unwilling.”
Which meant, she was willing to marry Zhang Guodong.
Jiang Qiaohui said sympathetically, “No woman doesn’t care about her reputation. Her decision is understandable.”
Zhang Guodong’s brow furrowed tightly. “I never planned on marrying a local girl.”
Worry filled Jiang Qiaohui’s eyes. Her voice was gentle. “I’m just afraid if you refuse, and if… they report to the Revolutionary Committee…”
The moment the Committee was mentioned, the temperature dropped.
Zhang Guodong’s face went pale. If it reached the Committee, even if he survived, he’d be skinned alive. And given his background already…
Zhang Jingxian frowned delicately. “Is there really nowhere to reason this out?”
Mu Lantu’s gaze lingered on her oddly for a second.
Xu Huazhang poked his shoulder.
Mu Lantu helplessly curved his lips. What, he gets jealous over just one second’s look?
Du Xuewen said, “Brother Zhang, just talk properly with her family. As long as they’re convinced, it won’t be a big problem. If it blows up, I’ll testify that you acted out of righteousness.”
Jiang Qiaohui added softly, “If worst comes to worst, there’s one… not-ideal solution. You could marry her in name only—be nominal husband and wife. Later, when either of you finds someone suitable, you divorce. You could give her extra compensation as dowry. Combined with her own dowry, she’d enter her husband’s house better provided for.”
“This…” Zhang Guodong hesitated.
“No!” Zhang Jingxian felt everyone’s eyes turn on her. “I still think it’s too humiliating. If that’s the case, who would dare do good again?”
Zhang Guodong’s hesitant look turned firm. “What if it was a brother saving a sister? I can recognize her as a younger sister. When she marries, I’ll provide her with a dowry.”
Mu Lantu looked at him approvingly. He’d thought of the same way out. As long as her family agreed, no outsider could criticize.
For a brief instant, a flicker passed through Jiang Qiaohui’s eyes, unnoticed by anyone.
“That’s a good idea!” Du Xuewen praised.
The mood finally eased.
Zhang Guodong looked around. “Would some of you come with me to the Chen family as witnesses?”
Du Xuewen suggested, “Four or five people is enough. Too many might cause misunderstanding.”
Zhang Guodong’s pleading gaze landed on Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang.
“Comrade Mu, Comrade Xu, the villagers respect you both a lot. Could I trouble you to come along?”
Mu Lantu nodded. “We can. But this isn’t something we can interfere in. If you need financial help, though, I can have Huazhang lend you some money.”
Xu Huazhang nodded. For him, Lantu’s word was enough.
Zhang Guodong understood the hint, and gratefully clasped both their hands.
“I’ll never forget your support!”
Then he turned to the others. “Who else will come with me?”
Miao Jiaze patted Du Xuewen’s shoulder. “We’ll come too.”
Zhang Jingxian said, “I’d like to see as well.”
Lu Manman added, “I’ll go too.” She and Zhang Guodong had gone down to the countryside around the same time, so among all the educated youths, they’d known each other the longest. They were friends.
Zhang Guodong tucked away his gratitude. “Thank you.”
Yue Xiaoying said, “Then we won’t go. We’ll cook and wait for you to return.”
Xu Huazhang locked his courtyard door, and six of them set off toward the village.
Miao Jiaze dragged Du Xuewen to the back. Nudging him with his elbow, he whispered, “Stick with Brother Mu and Brother Xu, and there’ll be benefits.”
He was worried Du Xuewen might blame him for deciding on his own.
Du Xuewen smiled and nodded. He understood the joke’s meaning. He didn’t mind helping Zhang Guodong either. Willingness to help was his attitude; if it didn’t work out, it wasn’t his fault.
“Brother Zhang.” Xu Huazhang gave a reminder. “You should invite the brigade leader as well, to witness.”
They had to prepare for the worst. If the Chen family tried to extort him, the brigade leader’s presence could deter them.
Zhang Guodong’s nerves settled slightly at the suggestion. Gratitude shone in his eyes.
“Got it. I’ll run and get him!”
Mu Lantu and the others deliberately slowed their pace, giving him time.
The downside: along the way, they ran into plenty of villagers. Normally by this hour, people would be home eating, washing, cooling off. Clearly, they were hanging around to watch the spectacle. Some even followed from a distance.
Mu Lantu, Xu Huazhang, and Du Xuewen stayed calm; only Miao Jiaze squirmed uncomfortably, muttering, “Why’re they following us?”
Meanwhile, the Chen household was shrouded in gloom.
Aside from Chen’s eldest sister-in-law cooking and Chen Xiaomei hiding in her room, the adults sat in the main hall. No one spoke. Even the children didn’t dare make noise, playing silently in the yard.
Chen Xiaomei’s mother sighed and sighed. Her father just puffed silently on his pipe.
From inside the room came muffled sobs.
“Crying, crying—what good does that do now? You silly girl! It’s not your first time washing clothes by the river. Why weren’t you more careful?” Her mother was hot-tempered—her pain for her daughter was real, but so was her irritation.
Chen Xiaomei only cried harder. She—she hadn’t expected someone to bump into her like that!
But she hadn’t seen who it was, had no proof. Even if she said something, who would believe her? And anyway, that wasn’t the most important thing now. What mattered was—what would happen to her future?
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone tapped cautiously at the door.
The yard fell silent.
Second Brother Chen opened it. Seeing who it was, he hesitated, then stepped aside.
“Please come in.”
“Thank you.” Zhang Guodong had seen him before, though he wasn’t sure which brother he was. He gave a curt thanks, then took a deep breath and strode toward the house.
The brigade leader and Mu Lantu’s group followed.
At the brigade leader’s side stood an unfamiliar young man.
“Brigade leader.” Second Brother Chen forced a smile, unsure what to say.
The brigade leader patted his shoulder.
Second Brother Chen glanced at the stranger. Judging by his bearing, he looked like a soldier.
“And this is…?”
The brigade leader smiled. “This is my wife’s nephew, Tang Mingjie. He insisted on accompanying me since he worries about me walking around.”
Outside, plenty of villagers had gathered. Frowning, Second Brother Chen barred the courtyard gate.
“Please, come inside.”
Those outside, deprived of their spectacle, drifted away. Some squeezed against the cracks, others climbed into a neighbor’s yard to peer over the wall.
But the Chen family’s main hall door was shut tight. They couldn’t see a thing, and the voices inside were too muffled to make out.
Zhang Guodong thought grimly: Better get this over with.
Entering the hall, he knelt and kowtowed before Chen’s father and mother.
