Ger, So Proud

Chapter 34

Two days later, in He Family Village.

Xu Qingsheng got off a bullock cart, carrying his medical kit, and headed left towards the Lin household. As he neared the courtyard wall, he faintly heard the words “He family’s boy” and instinctively slowed his pace.

“Hey, are you talking about He Youcai’s son? What’s the matter?”

“You don’t know? It’s been spread all over the village. They say someone saw him and the Lin family’s ger riding in a horse cart together, looking very close.”

“So what if they were in a horse cart together? You sure like to meddle in other people’s business!”

The voices grew closer, and Xu Qingsheng stopped, watching as two villagers carrying hoes walked past him.

They continued their conversation, and one of them said, “No, no. A few days ago, He Youcai and his son were carrying several baskets of something back. They said the son had gone on a trip, but someone saw him and the Lin family’s ger in a horse cart on the day they returned. I checked, and the Lin family’s ger wasn’t home those two days either!

You see a man and a ger, can’t you tell what’s going on? What’s He Youcai thinking? Isn’t he worried his son will get into trouble…”

“What do you mean? Are you saying He family’s boy and Lin family’s ger…”

“Exactly, that’s what I’m saying. Although the Lin family’s ger is good-looking and capable, he’s ultimately unlucky. Don’t you remember the last two families he was engaged to? One man ended up disabled out of the blue, and the other lost his life in a blink… Poor thing!”

One of them clicked his tongue in sympathy. Xu Qingsheng’s face darkened, and he was about to step forward when the other person spoke again, “I don’t think that’s possible. Didn’t He Youcai’s injury heal? If his son was involved with the Lin family’s ger, how could his injury have healed?”

“Who knows? Maybe the Lin family’s ger only brings bad luck to his own husbands! What a pity, really. If it weren’t for this misfortune, I would’ve definitely proposed for my son!”

“Alright, alright. Without this misfortune, you think you’d have a chance? The Lin family’s door would be broken down by suitors! It’s all fate, really!”

One of the men shook his head and sighed, and soon the two walked away.

Xu Qingsheng stood in place for a long time, unable to process what he had just heard. If what those two men said was true… he had only asked the He family’s boy to inquire about Yu-ge, but had he actually been taken away?

He wondered if Yu-ge’s Dad knew about this.

Feeling a jolt of urgency, Xu Qingsheng quickened his pace and soon arrived at the Lin family courtyard. It was Dad Zhang who opened the door.

“Xu… Doctor Xu, why are you here?”

“I’ve come to check your pulse. Don’t worry, I’ll just sit in the courtyard and won’t go inside.”

Dad Zhang hesitated for a moment before opening the courtyard door. Xu Qingsheng walked quickly to the table in the middle of the courtyard, placed his medical kit on the table, and sat down.

“Where’s Yu-ge? I haven’t seen him.”

“Yu-ge is out in the fields. Are you looking for him?” Dad Zhang seemed a bit puzzled but didn’t move from his spot.

“Not really,” Xu Qingsheng paused for a moment before looking up at Dad Zhang. “How’s your appetite been lately? I noticed your complexion looks much better.”

For years, Dad Zhang’s complexion had been pale, but recently it had become rosier. Xu Qingsheng felt a sense of relief.

Because of Dad Zhang’s illness, not only was Lin Yu-ge worried, but so was Xu Qingsheng.

“I’m much better now. Remember the medicine you prescribed for me some time ago? Yu-ge went to An County to get the herbs because the town’s pharmacy ran out. I’ve taken a few doses and haven’t felt dizzy or had chest tightness for days.”

“That’s good news…” Xu Qingsheng smiled and stroked his long beard but then furrowed his brow. “Did you say you got a new prescription?”

He hadn’t seen Dad Zhang for quite some time, so where did this new prescription come from? Xu Qingsheng recalled what he had overheard on his way and placed his hand on the table, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?” Dad Zhang noticed his expression and walked over to sit opposite him. “Is it about my health or Yu-ge…”

He was clearly anxious, not finishing his sentence before rolling up his sleeve and placing his wrist in front of Xu Qingsheng. “Doctor Xu, could you check again? I’ve been feeling much better these days, and Yu-ge is so happy. But just in case…”

Xu Qingsheng didn’t reply immediately. He lowered his gaze and then placed two fingers on Dad Zhang’s wrist. After a short moment, a smile appeared on his face. “Good news, if this continues, your health should be fully restored in half a month.”

“Really?” Dad Zhang’s face lit up with joy.

For years, because of his illness, Yu-ge had suffered a lot. If he could truly recover, he would start preparing Yu-ge’s dowry right away. As long as he could see Yu-ge marry a good man, he would have no regrets even in death.

“Of course, I’m not lying to you,” Xu Qingsheng said, looking intently at Dad Zhang. His gaze softened, and he suddenly gripped Dad Zhang’s wrist. “Su’er, I…”

Dad Zhang’s original name was Zhang Su. It had been a long time since anyone called him that.

Hearing these words from Xu Qingsheng after so many years made Dad Zhang’s heart tremble. He tried to pull his hand away. “Doctor Xu, you…”

“Su’er, can you let me finish today?” Xu Qingsheng’s voice was hoarse. “All these years, every time I checked your pulse, I… We’ve grown old. I’m afraid that one day I won’t have the chance to tell you…”

“Doctor Xu, let go!” Dad Zhang said, bowing his head, his hand struggling to get free. Anxiously, his nails dug into Xu Qingsheng’s hand, drawing blood, but Xu seemed oblivious.

“Su’er, I know you’re concerned about Yu-ge, but… ah!” Xu Qingsheng’s words were cut short by Dad Zhang’s fierce kick. Xu cried out in pain as Dad Zhang finally freed his hand. He turned away, his back to Xu Qingsheng. “Xu Qingsheng, don’t ever say this again. I told you before, I won’t remarry. Why are you doing this…”

His voice trailed off.

“And why are you doing this to yourself?” Xu Qingsheng stood and took a few steps closer, but Dad Zhang stumbled back. Both stopped, maintaining a short but significant distance.

Dad Zhang calmed down after a while, averting his gaze. “It’s not about suffering. I just want to see Yu-ge happy. As for the rest, I don’t want to think about it.”

Nor dare to think about it.

Dad Zhang’s hands twisted the hem of his clothes into a ball, then slowly relaxed.

Xu Qingsheng sighed deeply, at a loss for words. After a long silence, he turned away. “Alright, I understand. From now on, I… I won’t…”

After stammering for a while, Xu Qingsheng couldn’t finish his sentence.

From outside the courtyard, faint voices could be heard. Dad Zhang anxiously glanced outside and saw two villagers passing by. He quickly walked over to the table, picked up the medicine box, and handed it to Xu Qingsheng. “You should leave now…”

Xu Qingsheng took the medicine box and slung it over his back. Just as he turned to leave, he paused and looked steadily at Dad Zhang.

“You should go back inside. Yu-ge will be home soon.” Dad Zhang lowered his head, his expression anxious.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qingsheng quickly made his way to the courtyard gate but stopped suddenly.

“You…”

“Don’t worry, it’s just something I overheard on my way here. I thought I should tell you about Yu-ge…”

“What about him?” Dad Zhang’s face changed, and he hurried forward.

Xu Qingsheng felt a pang of sorrow and turned his head to recount everything he had heard. Dad Zhang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “This… how can this be…”

But deep down, he had a nagging feeling that it might be true.

Yu-ge and the boy from the He family had left on the same day and returned on the same day. If it wasn’t about getting medicine, then Yu-ge must have gone to guide the He family boy… But why didn’t Yu-ge mention this to him?

“Probably because he thought you wouldn’t approve,” Xu Qingsheng said quickly, trying to soothe him. “When he gets back, talk to him calmly. Yu-ge is grown up now and has always been independent. You…”

“Alright, I understand,” Dad Zhang nodded, dazed. “Doctor Xu, you should go back now. Be careful on your way.”

“Okay, I’ll head off then.”

Xu Qingsheng responded and quickly left the courtyard, disappearing down the path between the fields.

Dad Zhang watched his retreating figure, his gaze wandering and his face wrinkled with worry, lost in thought.

It wasn’t until noon that Lin Yu-ge returned, carrying a hoe. Dad Zhang had already prepared the meal. Lin Yu-ge ate a few bites and then put down his chopsticks, glancing at Dad Zhang. “Dad, what’s wrong today?”

He had been home for a while, and Dad Zhang hadn’t said a word, seeming to have no appetite.

Lin Yu-ge became anxious and quickly stood up, approaching Dad Zhang. “Dad, are you feeling unwell? Should I go to town and get Uncle Xu?”

Dad Zhang shook his head and quietly set down his chopsticks. “Yu-ge, sit down. I have something to ask you.”

“Dad?”

Lin Yu-ge was puzzled but obediently pulled over a stool and sat down.

They sat in silence for a long time before Dad Zhang finally sighed and said, “Two days ago, you went to Yangliu Village with the boy from the He family, didn’t you? Why did you keep it from me?”

“Dad…”

Lin Yu-ge hesitated, biting his lip, unable to say anything.

“Alright, I already know,” Dad Zhang said, gently stroking Lin Yu-ge’s soft hair. “Yu-ge, you are a ger. A ger going out with a man and staying away for two or three days… Do you know that the whole village is talking about it? What about your reputation?”

“Everyone in the village is talking about it?”

Lin Yu frowned, choosing to ignore the latter part of the sentence.

“Of course! If it weren’t for your Uncle Xu overhearing it, how long would you have kept this from me? Even if you had to go, why didn’t you tell me?” Dad Zhang’s face showed genuine anger now. “You need to understand, you are a ger, it’s different from being a man…”

“Dad…” Lin Yu interrupted, then began to explain, “He Ze came to ask me for directions that day. The route was too complicated to explain, so I thought I’d take him there myself. It was a small matter.

I was just worried you wouldn’t let me go… Haven’t you always said Uncle He and Uncle Li have helped us a lot and that we shouldn’t forget it? So when He Ze came to me, I had to help him with such a small thing, right?”

“But… but helping isn’t supposed to be like this…” Dad Zhang furrowed his brow. “I distinctly remember you always having a bad attitude towards that He family boy. Why the change now…”

“What do you mean?”

Lin Yu instinctively pressed his lips together and straightened his back.

“Yu’er, be honest with Dad, have you fallen for the He family boy?”

Dad Zhang grabbed Lin Yu’s arm, locking eyes with him.

The author has something to say: This isn’t a revised chapter… it’s a whole new chapter… feeling frustrated qaq

Additionally: Sorry everyone, I’ve deceived you for so long. Pretending to be an adult is exhausting, really. To avoid being found out, I’ve been pretending to be working every day, but actually, I’m only 7 years old. I’m revealing this because I know it was wrong. I hope you can forgive me since I’m just a child and maybe send me some gifts for Children’s Day next week. Thank you, big brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunties. Love you all, mwah~

Haha, did you smile, darlings? The author really is just a baby︿￣︶￣︿