Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs - Chapter 36

Lu Yao watched these people warily. Although they looked familiar, they weren’t close enough to warrant lending them food.

 

A man with triangular eyes was the first to speak, “This year hasn’t been good. The fields suffered disasters, and my sixteen acres only yielded eight shi of grain. Now, with taxes taking more than half, there’s not enough left to eat at home!”

 

Lu Yao frowned, thinking to himself, “It’s not like I caused the rain. What does the bad harvest have to do with me?”

 

Seeing Lu Yao stay silent, the man continued, “Your family has made a fortune selling tofu and must have stored plenty of soybeans. I’m not asking for much—just lend me two shi, and I’ll return it after the autumn harvest next year.”

 

“I have more land, so I need three shi.”

 

“I’ll take two shi as well. I’ll pay you back after the harvest.”

 

Before Lu Yao could say a word, the group started discussing amongst themselves, as if it was a foregone conclusion that he would lend them food.

 

“This is not something I can decide. We’ll have to wait until Beichuan comes back to discuss it.”

 

The man in the lead waved dismissively, “This isn’t a big deal. Just lend me the grain now, and I’ll talk to him later.”

 

This man was Gao Qinghe, the older brother of Gao Qinglian, who often played with Xiao Nian. He was around the same age as Zhao Beichuan, known for being domineering and a notorious troublemaker in the village.

 

“You can’t just sit by and watch us fail to pay our taxes, can you?”

 

Lu Yao immediately flared up. Was this some sort of moral blackmail? “What does your inability to pay taxes have to do with my family?”

 

“Hey, don’t put it like that. We live in the same village. What’s wrong with lending us a little food? It’s not like we won’t pay you back. Besides, if it weren’t for us buying your tofu every day, would you have earned so much grain?”

 

Lu Yao was so infuriated by this shameless remark that he laughed, “I earn money by making tofu with my skills. What does that have to do with you? Did you not eat the tofu you bought, or did it all go to waste?”

 

“You!” The man’s face turned red with anger.

 

Seeing Lu Yao wasn’t easy to persuade, the group exchanged glances, starting to entertain the idea of simply taking the food. After all, Zhao Beichuan wasn’t home. They could grab the grain first and apologize later.

 

In cases like this, as long as no one died, the authorities wouldn’t intervene. They’d just leave it to the village head to mediate, and the village head happened to be Gao Qinghe’s uncle.

 

Gao Qinghe shoved Lu Yao aside, “Let’s go in and take the grain. I’ll apologize to Beichuan when he gets back!”

 

Lu Yao stumbled, hitting his arm on the doorframe. The sharp pain immediately brought tears to his eyes.

 

“Sis-in-law, are you okay?” Xiao Nian and Xiao Dou cried out in panic.

 

“I’m fine. Go quickly and call Uncle Zhao and Brother Tian to come help!”

 

“Help! They’re robbing us! Someone, help!” Lu Yao trembled with rage. For the first time, he felt utterly powerless. Just because his family had more grain, did it mean people could take it so brazenly? Was there no justice left?

 

There were other households in the village with grain. Why didn’t they go to the Qin or Ding families? The truth was, they were targeting Zhao Beichuan’s family because they were outsiders in the village with no relatives to back them up.

 

Hearing the commotion, Lin Daman walked in from the backyard. “Master, what’s going on?”

 

“Brother Daman, stop them! They’re trying to rob us!”

 

Hearing this, Lin Daman grabbed a nearby hoe and charged forward, “Let’s see who dares!”

 

“You stay out of this! This is between us and the Zhao family!” Gao Qinghe, who didn’t even respect Zhao Beichuan, certainly wasn’t going to care about Lin Daman. He kicked Lin Daman aside and barged into the house, heading straight for the west room where the grain was stored.

 

Inside were not only the soybeans used for tofu-making but also this year’s harvest of millet, totaling nearly twenty shi.

 

“Grab it! Quickly!” The group acted like bandits, targeting the freshly harvested millet. Each person carried two sacks out of the house.

 

Soon, neighbors like Aunt Tian and the Zhao family elders across the street came over. Even Qin Dage and the younger Qin brothers from the backyard rushed to the scene. The crowd blocked the entrance, stopping the group from leaving.

 

“What’s going on here?”

 

Lu Yao, clutching his injured arm, said, “They came to borrow grain. I told them to wait for Beichuan to return, but they stormed in and took it anyway!”

 

Qin Dage spoke up, “Outrageous! They’re bullying children because Beichuan isn’t home?”

 

The men were now cornered in the yard, caught between advancing or retreating. “We’re just borrowing grain. Who’s robbing anything?”

 

Aunt Tian spat on the ground, “It’s only borrowing if they agree. What kind of borrowing is it if they don’t consent?”

 

Zhao Guang added, “This wouldn’t happen if Beichuan were home. You wouldn’t dare try this if he were here.”

 

Gao Qinghe, now desperate, pulled a kitchen knife from his waistband and swung it at the crowd. “Get out of my way, or I’ll cut you all down!”

 

The crowd backed off in fear as Gao Qinghe smugly shouldered the millet sacks and strutted out.

 

As luck would have it, Zhao Beichuan returned just then, carrying two bundles of firewood. He hadn’t found any game today, so he’d come down from the mountain earlier. From a distance, he saw the commotion at his house and caught sight of Lu Yao’s tear-streaked face.

 

Dropping the firewood, he sprinted toward home. “Lu Yao!”

 

“Big Brother!” Xiao Nian and Xiao Dou cried as they ran to him.

 

Hearing Zhao Beichuan’s voice, Lu Yao couldn’t hold back anymore, tears streaming down his face.

 

Seeing him like this broke Zhao Beichuan’s heart. He quickly asked, “What happened?”

 

“These people came to rob us because you weren’t home!”

 

“They even pushed Sister-in-law!” Xiao Nian cried, his voice cracking.

 

Gao Qinghe froze, not expecting Zhao Beichuan to return so soon.

 

“D-Beichuan, let me explain…” He set down the grain, trying to speak.

 

But Zhao Beichuan didn’t give him a chance. Without a word, he rushed forward and kicked him hard, sending him flying.

 

Gao Qinghe lay on the ground, gasping in pain. He clutched his stomach, which felt like it was tearing apart. Slowly, he managed to get up.

 

“Zhao Beichuan, you’re dead! I’ll kill you!” He pulled out his knife and charged.

 

The onlookers screamed in fright.

 

Zhao Beichuan didn’t even blink. He grabbed his hunting spear and thrust it into Gao Qinghe’s thigh.

 

“Ahhhh!” Gao Qinghe screamed in agony as blood soaked through his pants.

 

The rest of the men, terrified, dropped the grain and fled. They had heard Zhao Beichuan was tough but never realized how ruthless he could be.

 

Seeing blood, Lu Yao’s legs went weak. He hurriedly grabbed Zhao Beichuan, his voice trembling, “Beichuan, let it go…” If someone died, it would lead to a legal dispute. Even if they were in the right, killing Gao Qinghe would make them wrong.

 

Zhao Beichuan glared fiercely at the man before him. “Did you think I, Zhao Beichuan, was someone you could bully? Dare to rob my house again, and I’ll kill you!”

 

“I won’t! I won’t! Spare me!” Gao Qinghe was thoroughly cowed. He had never expected Zhao Beichuan to actually stab him. While he always carried a knife, it was just for show—he’d never actually used it.

 

“Get lost!” Zhao Beichuan yanked out the spear, and Gao Qinghe limped away as fast as he could.

 

Lu Yao let out a sigh of relief and turned to the neighbors, saying, “Thank you all for your help today, uncles, aunts, and brothers. Please stay for dinner tonight.”

 

Everyone waved their hands repeatedly. “It’s only natural to help each other when we live so close. There’s no need for thanks.”

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “Stay, I hunted a wild boar a few days ago and still have some left. We can stew it and eat together tonight.” If it weren’t for their help, the grain would have been taken away by those people. It was only right to express his gratitude.

 

When everyone heard there would be meat, they didn’t refuse and went forward to help bring the grain inside.

 

Lu Yao went to the kitchen to cook, and Zhao Beichuan took the opportunity to come over and look. “Xiaonian said you injured your arm, does it still hurt?”

 

“It’s fine, just bumped it a little.”

 

“Let me see.”

 

Lu Yao rolled up his sleeve, revealing his white, tender arm, which had a large bruise on the elbow.

 

Zhao Beichuan gently touched it and said with concern, “I’ll massage it for you tonight.”

 

Lu Yao’s face turned red, and he quickly pulled his sleeve down. “It’s fine, you can go out now.”

 

Zhao Beichuan patted his head. “Next time, if something like this happens, don’t stand in front. What if you get hurt?”

 

“But I can’t just watch them take the grain.”

 

“But I’m here. Who would dare bully us?”

 

Lu Yao couldn’t help but punch his chest lightly. The solid muscles hurt his hand. The sense of security was overwhelming!

 

Dinner was a pot of meat, and everyone ate until they were full, praising Lu Yao’s cooking skills.

 

After the meal, Xiaonian and Xiaodou washed the dishes, and Zhao Beichuan neatly stacked the firewood he had chopped by the side of the house. It would probably be enough for about ten more days.

 

Lu Yao sat on the heated bed sewing cotton clothes, first practicing on Xiaodou’s clothes. The child’s clothes were simple, and if they weren’t done well, they could be undone and remade.

 

The two kids played with the little pig for a while, but Zhao Beichuan didn’t let them continue, urging them to wash their hands and feet and go to bed.

 

“It’s so cold~” The two kids shivered after washing their feet and ran back inside.

 

“Come on, get under the blanket to warm up.” Lu Yao pulled back the blanket and let them crawl in.

 

Xiaodou said, “Sister-in-law, is this cotton coat for me?”

 

“Yes, do you like it?”

 

“I like it!” He had never worn a cotton coat before.

 

Xiaonian knew there must be something in her heart but wasn’t in a hurry. He quietly watched his sister-in-law sew, silently remembering that when he grew up, he would also make new clothes for her to wear.

 

As night deepened, Lu Yao rubbed his sore eyes and covered the two sleeping children with blankets.

 

After Zhao Beichuan finished washing up, he got onto the heated bed. When the lamp was blown out, Lu Yao crawled into his blanket, and they lay together, their heartbeats thumping like drums.

 

Lu Yao whispered as he rested on his arm, “I was so scared today, I thought all our grain was going to be taken away.”

 

“Don’t worry, they won’t dare come again,” Zhao Beichuan said, his rough hand slipping under his clothes, kneading the softest spots.

 

Lu Yao blushed and softly hummed, “I heard from Aunt Tian Er that Gao Qinghe is the relative of the Li Zheng. They won’t use this to make trouble for us, will they?”

 

“Tomorrow, I’ll go to Li Zheng’s house. They are in the wrong, so they shouldn’t protect him too much.”

 

“Ah, it’s so good to have you at home.”

 

Zhao Beichuan rolled over and silenced his constant chatter with a kiss, and the two of them quietly tangled until midnight.

 

The next morning, Zhao Beichuan brought the last piece of pork from their house to Li Zheng’s house.

 

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Gao Qinghe’s wife talking to Li Zheng’s wife. When they saw Zhao Beichuan, Gao Qinghe’s wife turned pale with fright and quickly got up to leave.

 

“Is Uncle home?”

 

“Yes, he’s at home. Come in,” Li Zheng’s wife said. She had just heard from her niece that Gao Qinghe had been injured the previous day and was sent to the town’s medical center. He hadn’t returned yet.

 

Zhao Beichuan entered the house and found Li Zheng calculating the taxes. The rice tax had to be checked carefully with each household to ensure the amounts were correct.

 

Li Zheng was old and slow, having counted several times without getting it right. He was clearly stressed out.

 

“Uncle.”

 

“Ah, Beichuan, you’re here,” Li Zheng said, putting down the pen. “What’s the matter?”

 

“Well, yesterday, Gao Qinghe came to our house to steal grain. I gave him a beating.”

 

Li Zheng froze. “He went to your house to steal grain?”

 

Zhao Beichuan nodded. “At first, he said he wanted to borrow some. I wasn’t home, so my husband said they should wait for me to come back. But they were unreasonable and just barged in to take the grain, even injuring my husband and the helpers.”

 

“How could that happen? That scoundrel…” Li Zheng cursed and stood up. “Xiuchin, go call that brat over here!”

 

Li Zheng’s wife whispered, “Gao Qinghe’s family just came and said he was injured in his leg yesterday and went to the town for treatment.”

 

Zhao Beichuan said, “I’m here because of that. When he came at me with a kitchen knife, I had no choice but to defend myself with a spear. I accidentally injured him.”

 

Li Zheng understood, realizing that Zhao Beichuan was worried that he would protect his nephew and make things difficult for him.

 

“Beichuan, don’t worry, Gao Qinghe was wrong, and I will make sure you get justice.”

 

“That’s not necessary. I just don’t want him bothering my family again. If he does, it won’t be just a leg injury next time.” Zhao Beichuan placed the meat down and turned to leave.

 

“Hey, take this meat back. It’s not right for you to bring such a big piece of meat without a reason.”

 

“Take it and eat it. I hunted the wild boar myself in the mountains.”

 

When Li Zheng heard this, his heart skipped a beat. Why go pick a fight with this headstrong young man? Years ago, Yang Dahu was no less formidable, bullying others in the village, yet it was Zhao Beichuan who subdued him completely.

 

If he dares kill a wild boar, what’s Gao Qinghe? He dares to show off in someone else’s house?

 

But after all, he was his own nephew, and his sister died early, leaving behind a useless father. All he could do was help manage things a bit.

 

After Zhao Beichuan left, Yang Shulin called his wife over. “Take this meat to the Gao family later, and ask how Qinghe’s leg is. Tell him to behave and not provoke Zhao Beichuan again!”

 

“Okay.”

 

This incident was just a small episode, becoming a topic of light conversation in the village.

 

However, Zhao Beichuan’s fierce reputation grew even stronger. From now on, anyone thinking of taking advantage of his family would have to carefully consider their courage.

 

After paying the taxes, life seemed to suddenly accelerate, and before they knew it, it was October.

 

Every October, merchants heading to Goguryeo would return. They brought high-priced goods like ginseng, reishi mushrooms, antlers, and various furs, which they sold south and exchanged for cloth, porcelain, tea, and other goods. They would then head north again in the spring to sell.

 

These merchants passed through the town, resting for two or three days before continuing south. Last year, Zhao Beichuan sold them a fox fur, and although he hadn’t caught any foxes this year, he had caught five minks, all with grayish-white pelts, which Lu Yao had tanned. He was sure they would fetch a good price.

 

Originally, Zhao Beichuan planned to keep these pelts for Lu Yao to make a fur coat.

 

Lu Yao quickly refused. “One mink pelt can sell for quite a bit. It’s too precious, I can’t bear to wear it myself!”

 

Early in the morning, Zhao Beichuan hitched up the mule cart and brought the beans from the west house. The two of them were preparing to go to the town to sell grain.

 

Since the last time when the grain was nearly stolen, Lu Yao had been going to sell grain every half month, no matter how much, because they didn’t store too much at home.

 

The money from selling was exchanged for silver and stored away. Now, they had saved up about sixteen or seventeen taels of silver.

 

Today, they weren’t just selling mink pelts, but Lu Yao also brought two slabs of tofu. He planned to try selling them in the town. If it went well, he was thinking about renting a shop in the town after the New Year.

 

This plan hadn’t been finalized yet, and he hadn’t discussed it with Zhao Beichuan.

 

After packing everything and loading the mule cart, Zhao Beichuan sat at the front, and Lu Yao sat at the back. Originally, Xiaonian and Xiaodou wanted to come along, but there wasn’t enough space, so they stayed behind.

 

The mule cart bumped along toward the town, and on the way, they suddenly ran into two familiar faces.

 

It was Song Changshun and Widow Song…