The Fearless Husband - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 — This Breath, He Absolutely Refused to Swallow…

Fang Dingman and Doctor Mo exchanged a glance, both looking slightly embarrassed. Fang Dingman hurriedly explained, “We saw that boy fighting outside earlier. He didn’t exactly lose, but he did take a few hits. My son, Shu’er, has always been softhearted—he’d ask about anyone in that state.”

Doctor Mo chuckled as he finished placing the last acupuncture needle, then sat down to wipe his hands. “He’s probably out watering the vegetables. If I don’t say anything, he’ll just go and do it. He knows I won’t agree, so he slips off before I can stop him. Besides, Mo’er’s outside—if something really happened, the boy would’ve run in already.”

“Then if that child keeps coming here every day like this,” Fang Dingman asked, “do you plan to take him as a disciple?”

Doctor Mo smiled faintly. “We’ll see. Fate works in strange ways—if it truly comes knocking, there’s no avoiding it.”

Just then, Liang Mo came in and said to Fang Shu, “Young Master Fang, I’ve got something good to show you. Could you tell me before you leave?”

Fang Shu immediately thought of Yu Qinglong. He guessed that Liang Mo had already spoken to him about their earlier conversation. He’d expected the matter to take a few days before he got an answer—but this quick? Delighted, he said, “Alright. I’ll come find you in a bit.”

Liang Mo ran out to the vegetable garden and relayed the message. Yu Qinglong only nodded and went on watering the plants.

When Fang Shu finished his acupuncture and came out to find Liang Mo, the boy took up his role as messenger. Fang Shu said he could pay up to fifty wen, and Liang Mo rushed to tell Yu Qinglong.

Yu Qinglong instantly agreed—fifty wen! A whole stone of rice cost two hundred and fifty; fifty wen could buy plenty of food.

This time, Yu Qinglong didn’t have Liang Mo sneak around in secret again. That would draw suspicion. Instead, he told the boy to wait until Fang Shu was about to leave and then ask him outright, “Young Master Fang, will you be coming again in a few days?”

Fang Shu, thrilled beyond reason, answered loud enough for half the yard to hear: “Of course! I’ll be back in five days!”

Liang Mo grinned. “Alright! It’s a promise!”

Fang Dingman blinked. “Didn’t we get enough medicine for ten days?”

Fang Shu replied smoothly, “Father, Doctor Mo’s acupuncture works wonders. I’ll come again in five days for another session.”

Fang Dingman eyed his son suspiciously. Something wasn’t adding up. But then again, the boy did look noticeably livelier after the treatment. Glancing around to make sure no one was listening, he leaned close and whispered, “So… are we still going to look for stones later? Every time you go out early, you bring rocks home. I can’t take you for the big ones—your mother would scold me—but we can pick up a few small ones to sneak back.”

Fang Shu shook his head. “No need, Father. I’d like to go home early and rest.”

He wasn’t in the mood for rocks right now. He wanted that well—to see up close how Yu Qinglong had crafted it so perfectly. He planned to organize his own materials and try replicating it later.

After the father and son left, Yu Qinglong still didn’t see Mo Xiaoning return. Instead, Doctor Mo handed him a small packet of medicinal powder. “Take this home and use it properly. And stop being so reckless. You’re a ge’er—if all of them had joined in against you, how could you have withstood it?”

Yu Qinglong scratched his neck awkwardly. “I couldn’t help it, Master. Otherwise, they’d really have forced me to marry some old widower.”

Doctor Mo sighed. “Enough for today. Go home and rest.”

Yu Qinglong nodded obediently, stayed a little longer to play with Liang Mo, and then finally prepared to leave.

But as soon as he stepped out, he saw Zhou Yuehua staggering up the path with two heavy buckets of water balanced on a yoke.

His Dad’s health wasn’t great to begin with, and Yu Qinglong had already told him he was fine!

Sweat rolled down Zhou Yuehua’s temples, his breath uneven from exertion. Their buckets were large, filled to the brim—sturdy, but unbearably heavy.

He poured the water into the Mo family’s jar, then handed Doctor Mo a few coins. “Doctor Mo, please take a thorough look at my son later. I don’t want him suffering some hidden injury. That boy never complains—whatever hardship he goes through, he keeps it to himself. I worry…”

But Doctor Mo pushed the coins back. “Keep your money. They’re only surface wounds, nothing serious enough to worry about. He’s young—he’ll recover quickly. There’s no cause for concern.”

Zhou Yuehua bowed deeply. “Thank you, Doctor Mo. My boy’s caused you trouble lately—I’m grateful for your patience. He can be stubborn sometimes; if he’s ever been rude, please forgive him.”

Yu Qinglong felt his throat tighten, his eyes stinging hotly.

In his previous life, after his parents divorced, they’d still sent money, but rarely showed up. He’d learned to live independently—but no matter how old you got, some part of you always longed for that kind of love.

He sniffled quickly and smiled. “Dad, I’m fine here. I haven’t caused any trouble.”

Zhou Yuehua affectionately ruffled his hair.

Doctor Mo nodded approvingly. “He’s right—he keeps his head down and works hard. Doesn’t stir up nonsense. Forget it, then. Since he’s so determined to learn, I’ll accept him as a disciple. But Qinglong, let me make this clear—healing the sick and saving lives isn’t a game. Once you start, you must take it seriously. No carelessness, understand?”

Yu Qinglong froze for a beat, then dropped to his knees, eyes shining. “Master, I promise I’ll study with all my heart!”

He’d prepare with the same determination he’d once used for the college entrance exams—failure was not an option!

So what if he was late to the game? He could just work harder. It wasn’t like this world had much entertainment anyway.

Doctor Mo helped him up. “Alright, go rest. Come again tomorrow—but not too early. You’ve never borne children, so getting enough sleep in the morning is good for your body.”

Yu Qinglong forced an awkward laugh. Children? Yeah, right.

Even putting aside the lack of a partner, this era’s medicine was too primitive. He hadn’t even begun to accept the idea of himself giving birth. That was not happening.

He let the comment slide. Later, when Zhou Yuehua mentioned holding a formal apprenticeship banquet, Doctor Mo waved it off. “No need for ceremony. Respect for one’s teacher isn’t shown through feasts but through action. If he lives well and learns diligently, that’s the best thanks I could ask for.”

Yu Qinglong knelt again, bowing solemnly. “Master, I’ll study earnestly under your guidance.”

Before heading home, he made another trip to fetch water.

The wounds on his back did hurt, but since the yoke rested on his shoulders, not the injured area, he could manage. Both Doctor Mo and Zhou Yuehua tried to stop him, but he insisted, “I’m fine, Dad. Liang-ge isn’t home today, so I’ll handle it this once. When he’s back, I’ll stop.”

Zhou Yuehua sighed, heart aching. “When we’re home, let me check you again. You’re getting too bold lately—what if they’d actually hurt you badly?”

“I knew my second uncle and aunt had gone to the city,” Yu Qinglong said. “That’s the only reason I dared to do it. Dad, I just don’t want to marry an old widower.”

Zhou Yuehua’s tone hardened with promise. “Don’t worry. As long as I live, I’ll never let them send you there. Your father won’t allow it either. We’ve already separated from that household—what they say doesn’t matter anymore.”

Yu Qinglong nodded firmly. Even back home, he couldn’t sit still.

That fifty-wen deal still played in his mind. He decided to make another model well—and maybe something new, something even more interesting. Who knew? Maybe Fang Shu would buy that too.

At dusk, Yu Dayou and Yu Qingjia returned home. They’d already heard about the fight and had run the whole way. Seeing the boy in good spirits—only a cut on his lip—they finally relaxed.

Yu Dayou sighed. “Next time, tell me first. Let me deal with them. Those second and third-branch brats aren’t worth your trouble. If they’d hurt you seriously—what would your father do then?”

“I understand, Father,” Yu Qinglong said. “But I just couldn’t stand it. Now everyone in the village knows how filial I am—let’s see how Grandmother dares to go through with that marriage now! If she tries, she’ll drown in her own shame.”

Yu Qingjia laughed. “I think little brother did the right thing. Took a few hits, sure—but like he said, that old woman loves her reputation too much. She won’t dare push it further. Too bad I wasn’t there, or I’d have helped teach those bastards Yu Qingfa and Yu Qingcai a proper lesson.”

Zhou Jian’er snorted. “Good thing you weren’t. You’d have beaten them half to death. Qinglong’s punches were heavy enough already—served them right, though.”

Yu Qinglong coughed softly, looking a bit sheepish.

Well, nine years of Taekwondo weren’t for nothing. He did know how to fight.

Meanwhile, back at the Yu family’s old house—

Two voices echoed in misery. The old lady moaned, “Oh, my head, my poor head!” while Yu Qingfa groaned beside her, “My face! My jaw! My teeth!”

His tooth had indeed fallen out—proof enough of how hard the blows had landed. “Swollen like a pig’s head” wasn’t even an exaggeration.

His mother, Zhang Baodan, stared at her son’s bruised and swollen face, fury twisting her features. “That little bastard Qinglong! Next time I see him, I’ll beat him till he can’t find his own teeth! What kind of ge’er acts like that, huh? Mother-in-law, you’d better hurry and marry him off—he’s nothing but trouble!”

Guo Hongfen, still dizzy from her own bump on the head, felt her brain spin even harder hearing all the shouting. She pitied her grandson—but she was in pain herself!

Yu Daguai slammed his hand on the table. “No! I won’t let this go. I’ll see that brat married off to Old Zhao if it’s the last thing I do!”

Yu Dafu frowned. “Stop that nonsense, Third Brother. You know what kind of man Zhao Laosi is. If we really send Qinglong there, what’ll that do to our family’s name? Everyone in the village already says Qinglong is filial and you three are worthless. Keep pushing, and we’ll be the laughingstock of the county.”

“Ha! Reputation, reputation!” Yu Daguai snapped. “You only care about reputation now that your son’s studying under some fancy teacher. Back then, you didn’t say a word! I don’t care—I won’t swallow this humiliation!”

Zhang Baodan slammed her palm on the table. “Neither will I! Look at what he did to my son!”

Indeed, no mother could bear the sight. Her boy’s face was ruined—and she’d been out in the fields, unable to intervene!

Yu Dafu said firmly, “Qingfa started it. He’s younger, yet he rushed to pick a fight—what happened to respect and humility? We’ve told him enough times not to be so reckless. Now the whole village praises Qinglong’s filial piety, and you still want to push him into a fire pit? You’re just asking for trouble. If you actually send him to that widower, don’t blame me for what happens. My Qingxi’s finally found a respected teacher—if you ruin that, I won’t forgive it.”

Zhang Baodan shouted, “So my Qingfa’s just supposed to suffer, huh?! No way!”

“Not suffer exactly, is it?” The second brother’s wife, Ye Meihua, glanced coolly at Yu Daguai. “Tell me, how did Old Zhao even hear about Qinglong? If I recall, you and he are… acquainted. Don’t tell me you didn’t get a little something from that connection.”

Yu Daguai’s wife shot to her feet. “What’s that supposed to mean, Sister-in-law? Oh, I see—your son’s getting somewhere now, so you think you can look down on us, is that it?”

“I didn’t say that,” Ye Meihua said evenly.

“You didn’t say it, but that’s what you meant! I don’t care!” Zhang Baodan turned to the old matriarch. “Mother, you have to stand up for Qingfa. You can’t be biased! You secretly gave money to Second Sister-in-law for Qingxi’s schooling—don’t think I don’t know. Sure, my boy doesn’t study, but you can’t always play favorites! This time, you must give us justice—especially against Yu Qinglong!”

Guo Hongfen groaned, clutching her temples. “Justice? How am I supposed to give justice after all this chaos? I told you not to speak of it before everything was arranged quietly, but no—you just had to open that big mouth!”

Yu Daguai protested, “Mother, I didn’t say anything! I just mentioned you were arranging a match for him—I never once said it was Old Zhao! He guessed that himself!”

“Nonsense! How could he guess that on his own? Someone must’ve told him!” the old woman snapped. “Who was it? Only our family knew. I was planning to handle it discreetly, so even if the main branch found out, it’d be too late. And now look!”

“Don’t look at us,” Ye Meihua said quickly. “We’ve been in the city all week.”

“And we didn’t say anything either,” Yu Daguai insisted. “It’s like the devil himself leaked it.”

No one noticed Yu Qingfa lowering his head.

He had mentioned it to Hu Bo once… but Hu Bo and Yu Qinglong had fallen out. Why would Hu Bo warn him?

Still, whether it was him or not, he couldn’t admit it. Not without revealing his own secret meetings.

But one thing was clear—his parents were right. Yu Qinglong needed a lesson.

Didn’t want to marry Old Zhao, did he? Fine. Let’s see if he could still refuse after being stripped naked and thrown onto that man’s bed.

Yu Qingfa glared at the earthen wall, hatred burning so deep it ached in his teeth. The memory of that public humiliation made his blood boil all over again.

Author’s Note:

Yu Qinglong: “I wasn’t raised on air, you know. When it comes to fighting—y’all just can’t compete. 😎”