Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 124

Chapter 124

 

When they returned from Wangou Village, it was already late. Smoke rose from every household in the village as they prepared dinner.

 

At the gate of the house, the second brother and Ge Changbao were in the yard, lighting a fire to roast meat.

 

There were two hind legs of pork left, and they would soon spoil if left any longer, so they decided to roast them.

 

Lu Miao and Lu Yun went to the neighbor’s vegetable garden to pull out some shallots and young garlic. After washing them, they chopped them finely and rubbed them onto the meat to marinate.

 

Seeing this, Lu Yao said, “This method won’t make it flavorful enough. Let’s try a different way of eating it.”

 

“Third Brother, you’re back!” Lu Miao said excitedly, “We were waiting for you. Tell us how to prepare it.”

 

“I recall there’s a big stone slab used to cover the water jar at home.”

 

Lu Yun replied, “Yes, it’s in the storeroom. I saw it this morning when Second Brother was mending the fence and I went looking for some rope.”

 

“Get them to bring the slab out, clean it, and set up a stove with it.”

 

Lu Yun and Lu Miao didn’t understand what this was for. Lu Yao smiled slightly. “I’ll make stone slab barbecue for you. Go quickly!”

 

“Okay!” Lu Miao quickly ran out and called Ge Changbao and Third Sister-in-law to move the slab.

 

The two went to the storeroom. Without needing Captain Ge’s help, Zhao Beichuan alone carried out the sixty-pound slab.

 

Seeing the slab, Lu Lin laughed. “Hey, this slab is the one Dad and I found in the mountains.”

 

“What did you want this slab for?” Lu Miao asked.

 

“At that time, wasn’t Lu Yao making tofu? Dad wanted a stone mill, so we went to the mountains to find stone. When we saw this slab, it was so smooth it looked like a cutting board, so we brought it back.”

 

Speaking of making tofu, Zhao Beichuan couldn’t help but talk more. “The small stone mill Dad made was very handy. We used it for a long time, but we left it in Qiushui Town later because the road to the prefecture was too far.”

 

Lu Lin added, “There’s also a small stone mill at home, made by Dad back then. It’s still here. If you want to eat tofu, I can clean it up tomorrow and grind it for you.”

 

Ge Changbao asked, “How come all of you know how to make tofu? Is this a Lu family tradition?”

 

“Tofu was invented by Lu Yao!”

 

Zhao Beichuan began to recount their family’s history of making a living, leaving Ge Changbao stunned. Even Wang Youtian, hearing these stories for the first time, found them fascinating.

 

Inside, Lu Yao and Xiaochun had almost finished slicing the meat. They mixed it with the young garlic and shallots, sprinkled it with salt and cumin powder they had brought, and then carried it outside to start cooking.

 

Lu Lin said, “Lu Yao, you’ve come at the right time. Is the stone stove set up correctly like this?”

 

Lu Yao replied, “It’s fine. Start a fire underneath.”

 

Soon, the water on the stone slab evaporated, leaving a white layer of alkali residue. Lu Yao took some prepared fat and began grilling it.

 

“Sizzle—” Soon, oil seeped out of the fat, and the aroma was so strong it almost knocked people over!

 

Lu Yao used chopsticks to rub the fat over the entire stone slab, and the surface, now soaked with oil, darkened and gleamed.

 

“Here, take your chopsticks and start grilling the meat.”

 

Lu Miao picked up some meat with her chopsticks and asked, “How do we grill it? Just place it on the slab?”

 

“Spread the meat flat. When both sides change color, it’s ready to eat.”

 

The adults picked up their chopsticks and began grilling the meat themselves. The children were kept away to prevent burns and sat nearby with bowls, waiting.

 

Soon, the first batch of grilled meat was ready. Everyone tasted it.

 

Zhao Beichuan gave a thumbs-up. “Delicious! If this were served in a restaurant, customers would surely love it.”

 

Lu Yao waved his hand. “It’s too troublesome. We’ll consider it later.”

 

Ge Changbao grilled the first piece of meat but didn’t eat it himself. He blew on it to cool it down and put it in his son’s bowl. “Eat.”

 

This time, the preparation for the barbecue had been rushed, so they hadn’t prepared dipping sauces or greens. Otherwise, the flavor would have been even better. After eating more than ten pieces, Lu Yao felt too full—it was too greasy.

 

The others didn’t feel that way. It was their first time trying this cooking method, and they found it both novel and fun.

 

Zhao Beichuan opened a jar of wine, and the men each poured a bowl. Eating and drinking together, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

 

The children were given only a small portion of meat to avoid overeating and getting indigestion. Lu Yun cooked a pot of noodle soup for them. Each child ate a small bowl before going indoors to play.

 

Ge Changbao started talking about his experiences at the border. The men were all ears, especially when he described a great siege battle from years ago. They were so engrossed they forgot to eat.

 

“I remember that day vividly. Black clouds covered the sky, and the wind at the border was so strong it stung the skin. In February, heavy snow was falling. I led seven thousand troops under orders to assist General Liang Chuang in a surprise attack on the southern gate of the county.”

 

“It just so happened that the barbarians stationed a battalion of soldiers at the south gate. Each of them wielded three-stone bows, firing arrows from the city walls. It was like the King of Hell calling names—those marked were destined to die!”

 

“But there was no choice. If we didn’t charge, the northern gate couldn’t be breached. So, we gritted our teeth and pressed forward!

 

“Amidst the rain of arrows, we finally broke through the gate. I had an arrow in my shoulder then—just two inches from my neck. A little further, and it would’ve pierced through my throat. But I felt nothing at the time and continued fighting the barbarians with my blade!”

 

Everyone gasped. Lu Miao recalled seeing the scar on his shoulder after they got married and felt a pang in her heart.

 

“Later, our forces attacked from the north, and together we encircled and annihilated the barbarians!”

 

“Bravo!” Everyone clapped in approval.

 

Ge Changbao took a sip of wine. “Speaking of these barbarians, Dachaun and Youtian have seen them. These people are truly inhumane!”

 

Zhao Beichuan and Wang Youtian nodded, their memories of those years of forced labor still vivid.

 

“They’ve never been influenced by Central Plains culture. They don’t understand ethics or morals—they’re like beasts. To them, human life means nothing. Central Plains people are no different from pigs and dogs, slaughtered at will.

 

“In the three counties they occupied, less than one-tenth of the population survived. Men were tortured to death, children were boiled and eaten, and women were treated as playthings. When we entered the city, we saw over a thousand men stripped naked and doused with cold water, frozen to death at the county office. Nearby pots still contained six or seven…children.”

 

It was a scene straight out of hell. Even now, Ge Changbao shivered at the memory.

 

The group listened, their eyes red with anger. These barbarians deserved to die!

 

They chatted late into the night. It wasn’t until Lu Miao came out to urge them that they cleaned up and returned indoors to rest.

 

Life in the countryside was peaceful and joyful.

 

The children, especially, enjoyed it. In the prefecture, they had never climbed trees or caught fish. Here, they learned it all.

 

Xiao Shitou, as the eldest, led his siblings out every day.

 

They’d leave clean in the morning and return covered in mud by noon, earning a few slaps each time.

 

They had stayed in the village for six or seven days when Wang Youtian grew restless. In a few days, they’d return to the prefecture. He hadn’t yet convinced his parents to come along.

 

Lu Yun didn’t want to return. The mere sight of her two sisters-in-law gave her a headache. But the matter couldn’t be delayed. If they didn’t take her in-laws this time, who knew how many years would pass before the next visit?

 

Elderly parents were frail, and she feared they might not live to see them again, leaving her husband with lifelong regret.

 

Lu Yao saw his hesitation and said, “Don’t worry. Dachaun and I will accompany you.”

 

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

 

Lu Yao, displeased, gave him a pat on the head. “Why are you being so polite to me?”

 

Lu Yun couldn’t help but laugh. “Third Brother, your expression just now was exactly like Mom’s.”

 

“I’m Mom’s child. If I don’t resemble her, who would I resemble?” Lu Yao chuckled and told Zhao Beichuan to pack some cloth and food. They couldn’t visit Wang’s family empty-handed.

 

After packing, they set off in two carriages.

 

On the way, Lu Miao kept reassuring her husband in the carriage. “Don’t worry about your parents. Just listen to what Third Brother says. He won’t steer us wrong.”

 

“I understand.” Wang Youtian was good at listening to advice, especially from Lu’s second and third brothers. This was why their joint restaurant venture had never encountered disputes over the years.

 

Knowing your limitations is a strength in itself, as opposed to being ignorant yet stubbornly opinionated.

 

They arrived at Liushu Village and parked the carriages in the yard.

 

In recent days, Li had just given birth, temporarily halting the ongoing conflicts between the first and second households. However, Guo still bore a grudge over Li’s earlier scolding and often sat by the window sharpening scissors.

 

There was a saying in the area: sharpening scissors during confinement brings misfortune to the child.

 

Li was deeply annoyed by the sound, cursing while nursing her baby.

 

When Lu Yao and the others arrived, this was the scene they encountered.

 

Guo recognized Lu Yao and, knowing he was not to be trifled with, quickly put away her scissors and hid indoors.

 

In the main room, Wang’s elderly mother was altering clothes for the newborn, using old fabric. Hearing the sound of carriages, she guessed her third son had returned and hurriedly put down her needlework to come out.

 

“Good day, Auntie.” Lu Yao greeted her, holding a few boxes of pastries.

 

“Oh, you’re Lu Yun’s third brother! Please come in, come in!” The elderly woman quickly ushered him inside.

 

Behind him, Wang Youtian and Lu Yun entered with their two children. “Where’s Dad?”

 

“Just went out, not sure what for. Let me go call him back.” Old Lady Wang put on her shoes and went out.

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Auntie’s legs are still quite nimble.”

 

Wang Youtian nodded, “Father and Mother are still in good health.”

 

Lu Yao tugged at Lu Yun’s arm, instructing him to take the bolts of cloth to the two families.

 

Lu Yun, feeling reluctant, didn’t want to go. Lu Yao picked up the cloth, pulled him along, and first headed to the house of the second brother, Li Shi.

 

Li Shi hadn’t expected them to come see her. She hurriedly pulled her clothes together and placed the baby on the kang. “Lu Yun is here… and this must be Third Brother Lu.”

 

“Don’t get up, just stay on the kang.”

 

Li Shi was puzzled and looked at them with a face full of doubt.

 

“We’re just stopping by for a visit and came to see the baby.” Lu Yao paused before continuing, “The past is the past. After all, you’re brothers. Even if bones break, the tendons are still connected.”

 

Upon hearing this, Li Shi instantly understood. Third Brother Lu was here to mediate. She quickly followed his lead and said, “Isn’t that true? Youtian and Youcai have been close since childhood, but in recent years, we haven’t been in touch, so we’ve grown distant.”

 

Lu Yao nodded. “Now that they’re working with me, though they’re not earning much, their days are better. So, we were thinking about taking the elders to the provincial city to live out their years. That way, it would also ease some of your burdens, wouldn’t it?”

 

Li Shi nodded in agreement. “The parents are old and can’t work in the fields anymore. Going with Third Brother to the provincial city would indeed be a blessing. But… we’ll miss them, and if something happens, we won’t be able to rush over.”

 

Lu Yao heard the implied meaning but didn’t address it. “You’re right. Let’s see what the elders think. If they really don’t want to go, they’ll have to stay. We can visit more often in the future.”

 

Li Shi became anxious and said, “How can that work? It’s better if they go. By the way, is there any work we could do in the provincial city? Maybe we could go and help.”

 

Lu Yun was so frustrated he almost flipped. Even now, she’s still thinking about moving to the provincial city.

 

Just as he was about to say something, Lu Yao immediately pulled his younger brother’s hand. “We already have enough staff at the restaurant. If you went, you’d only be hired as common laborers. The wages would be slightly higher than in town, but the cost of living in the provincial city is also higher. Besides, you’ve just given birth and have a small baby. You wouldn’t be able to work, and relying solely on Brother Wang would be too much.”

 

“This… this isn’t a problem. Isn’t Lu Yun and Youtian there?” Li Shi felt embarrassed as soon as the words left her mouth.

 

Lu Yao chuckled in disbelief. If you won’t listen to reason, then I’ll have to be blunt.

 

“Lu Yun and Youtian don’t owe you anything. Why should they support you?”

 

“They’re brothers…”

 

“Even brothers settle accounts clearly. Aren’t you also brothers with the family of the eldest son? Why don’t you ask them for money?”

 

Li Shi was left speechless.

 

“I’m here to let you know: going to the provincial city is not an option. If you agree to stay home and live properly, I’ll give you the restaurant’s recipe so you can run a small business in town. That way, you won’t have to worry about food and clothing. If you disagree, that’s fine too. But then the responsibility for caring for the elders will fall entirely on you, and Youtian and Lu Yun will stay in the provincial city and not come back.”

 

Li Shi was stunned and stammered, “Well… let me discuss it with Youcai when he returns.”

 

Lu Yao stood up with a faint smile, placing the fabric on the kang. “Use it to make some new clothes for the baby.”

 

After they left, Li Shi clutched her chest, peeking outside. She hadn’t expected Third Brother Lu to be so intimidating after all these years. His presence was suffocating.

 

After leaving the second brother’s house, they took the remaining items to the eldest brother’s house.

 

Guo Shi, who wasn’t very bright, had been scolded by Lu Yao before. When she saw them, she didn’t even bother to pretend, glaring and saying, “What are you doing in my house?”

 

Lu Yao wasn’t annoyed and smiled. “It’s been years; we came to see Sister-in-law.”

 

Faced with his good-natured approach, Guo Shi didn’t chase them out but did wash some wild fruits she had picked from the field and offered them.

 

Lu Yao recognized the fruit as a type of wild raspberry that grew in bushes and was hard to pick. He didn’t hesitate to eat some.

 

“We also have something to discuss. My younger brothers want to take Father and Mother to the provincial city.”

 

“They can take them.” Guo Shi had already heard about it from Wang Youliang and didn’t mind. The elderly couple was too old to work anyway. Taking them would save her effort.

 

“As long as you agree. Here are two bolts of fabric for the nieces’ clothes.” Lu Yao and Lu Yun placed the fabric and snacks down.

 

Guo Shi got up and saw them out. The moment they left, she locked the door and spread the fabric on the kang.

 

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Things from the provincial city really are better. That Third Brother Lu, though annoying, is generous.”

 

When they returned to the elder’s home, Old Man Wang had come back and greeted Lu Yao with a smile.

 

Lu Yao remembered him from years ago when Dachaun was conscripted for labor and the family’s cow had gotten sick. It was Old Man Wang who had come to help.

 

“Uncle Wang, how’s your health?”

 

“Good, good!” The old man was still full of vigor, his voice strong, showing he had years ahead of him.

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “I just spoke with Uncle about going to the provincial city, but he’s worried about the family and doesn’t want to go.”

 

“That won’t do. You don’t know how many tasks in the provincial city are waiting for you!”

 

Old Man Wang laughed. “At my age, what could I do there?”

 

“Aren’t you skilled at treating horses? My fifth brother-in-law is an officer in the military. Their soldiers are terrible at caring for horses. They need someone experienced to guide them!”

 

“Really?” The old man sat up straight, his interest piqued. Years ago, he had learned his skills on the battlefield and still longed for those days.

 

“Of course. Ask Youtian if you don’t believe me.”

 

Wang Youtian quickly nodded. “Lu Miao’s husband is a deputy general in the Northern Army.”

 

“Good heavens…” Both Old Man Wang and his wife were shocked.

 

Lu Yao added, “There’s work for Auntie, too. Someone has to watch over Jinzi and Yinzi. The provincial city is chaotic. Back when I first took Xiaonian and Xiaodou there, they were almost kidnapped. It was terrifying, and we only got them back thanks to connections. A little later, and they might have been sold who knows where.”

 

Hearing this, Old Lady Wang immediately made up her mind. “I have to go to the provincial city to watch over the children. If you don’t want to go, you can stay here, but I’m not letting my grandchildren get lost.”

 

Old Man Wang said, “If we both go, what about the eldest and second sons? Should we just let them fend for themselves?”

 

Lu Yao said, “Don’t worry about that. Tomorrow, Lu Yun will teach the second brother’s family to make cold noodles. If they set up a small shop in town, they can make a few coins a month.”

 

Wang Youtian added, “What about the eldest brother’s family?”

 

“They can have all the fields to farm. That will yield a decent income.”

 

Lu Yun thought to himself, This will certainly please Sister-in-law. She’ll have all the fields to herself.

 

This matter needed to be discussed with the Wang brothers. By midday, Wang Youcai and Wang Youliang returned. Old Man Wang told them about the plan and asked for their opinion.

 

Wang Youliang was happy to agree. He hadn’t planned on going to the provincial city anyway. If the second brother’s family moved to town, it would be even better. With dozens of acres of farmland and so many houses, he could even recruit a few live-in sons-in-law and live comfortably.

 

Wang Youcai also agreed but was worried about whether the shop could be sustained and whether the cold noodles could sell.

 

Wang Youtian said, “Second Brother, don’t worry. Cold noodles sell themselves. In the provincial city, we can’t even make enough to meet demand. Even though the town is smaller, you could easily sell fifty bowls a day. At eight coins per bowl, after deducting rent and costs, you’d still earn one or two hundred coins daily.”

 

Hearing this, Wang Youcai’s eyes lit up. Doing business seemed much better than farming.

 

“Alright! From now on, the family’s land is all yours, Brother. I’ll go to town and sell cold noodles.”