Before Guan Zhuzi could even speak, Tian Sanya, having regained her composure, rushed up to Jin Feng with an apologetic smile.
"I was blind earlier and didn't recognize you as the tiger-slaying hero. Please don't hold it against me," she said, then slapped herself hard across the face. "This slap is my apology!"
The slap was no light tap—five distinct finger marks immediately appeared on her cheek. Yet, none of the villagers laughed at her. They had all suffered from hunger and knew the value of having a tiger-slaying hero in the family. If it were them, they'd have knelt and kowtowed without hesitation.
"Don't apologize to me. You were insulting Xiaorou earlier," Jin Feng said coldly.
"Xiaorou, I was wrong," Tian Sanya turned to Guan Xiaorou and slapped herself again. "Xiaorou, I was terrible to you before. I'm not human. I shouldn't have bullied you. But you know how tough things have been for our family..."
Guan Xiaorou, soft-hearted and aware of the family's struggles, was quickly swayed by Tian Sanya's tearful apologies. After all, they were her in-laws. If she wanted to forgive them, so be it. It wasn't a big deal, and they could always limit their interactions in the future.
Jin Feng had no interest in listening to Tian Sanya's sob story or engaging with his brother-in-law. Instead, he squatted down to examine the spinning wheel.
The neighbors, realizing there was no more drama to watch, gradually dispersed to tend to their own tasks.
"Husband, I've talked it over with Sister-in-law. We can take this spinning wheel with us when we leave," Guan Xiaorou said, finally freeing herself from Tian Sanya and crouching beside Jin Feng.
"Are you really planning to spin thread to support my studies?" Jin Feng teased.
Guan Xiaorou's skin was soft and smooth everywhere except her hands, which were calloused from years of spinning.
"I know you're capable, and our family doesn't need me to earn money. But besides spinning, I don't know what else I can do. I can't just sit around all day," Guan Xiaorou said, lowering her head.
"Spinning is fine, but this spinning wheel is practically falling apart. Don't bother taking it home. I'll make you a better one later," Jin Feng said.
As an engineering Ph.D., Jin Feng had no trouble understanding the simple mechanical structure of the ancient spinning wheel. With a few modifications, he could easily double or even triple its efficiency.
"You know how to make a spinning wheel?" Guan Xiaorou asked, surprised.
"I know how to do a lot of things," Jin Feng said with a smug grin.
"Husband, let's go for a walk. I want to introduce you to someone," Guan Xiaorou said, pulling Jin Feng to his feet.
"Who?"
"My best friend," Guan Xiaorou explained. "Back when everyone called me a jinx and avoided me, Dongdong was the only one who didn't look down on me. She even helped me with my work."
"Then we definitely have to meet her."
The two walked out of the courtyard and past a bamboo grove, where they saw a young woman, about seventeen or eighteen, hoeing a field. She was slightly taller than Guan Xiaorou and quite pretty, though painfully thin.
Jin Feng couldn't help but feel there was something off about the girl and found himself staring.
"Husband, isn't Dongdong beautiful?" Guan Xiaorou asked with a smile.
"She's quite pretty, though not as beautiful as my Xiaorou," Jin Feng replied.
"Then how about you take her as your concubine?" Guan Xiaorou suggested.
"Here we go again," Jin Feng sighed. Even as a rational thinker, he knew when to exercise self-preservation. "There are countless beautiful women in the world. Should I marry every one of them? Our home wouldn't be big enough. I'm happy with just you."
"Husband, Dongdong isn't just pretty. She can read and do math," Guan Xiaorou said.
"She can read and do math?" Jin Feng was surprised.
In this era, few men were literate, let alone women. It was a rarity.
"Dongdong used to be a young lady from the city. Her family fell on hard times, and she came to Guanjiawan to live with her grandmother," Guan Xiaorou explained. "Her grandmother never made her work before, except for learning to spin from me. I wonder why she's out here hoeing fields now."
"No wonder," Jin Feng said, finally understanding why the girl had seemed out of place earlier. Her awkward movements made it clear she had never worked in the fields before.
Tang Dongdong, being an outsider, didn't have many friends in Guanjiawan. She was delighted to see Guan Xiaorou, and the two quickly huddled together to chat in whispers. Jin Feng, not wanting to intrude, wandered off to think about how to improve the spinning wheel.
"Dongdong, why is your grandmother making you work in the fields now?" Guan Xiaorou asked.
"I've sold all the jewelry I brought from home, and it's not enough to pay the next tax. I thought if I cleared some land, I might earn a bit more to avoid being sent to the bridal procession," Tang Dongdong said helplessly.
"Dongdong, you don't have to join the bridal procession. There are plenty of young men in Guanjiawan who'd want to marry you."
"The men here are as dumb as pigs, and they beat their wives. I'd rather die than marry any of them."
"Then why don't you marry my husband? He never hits me and treats me so well..." Guan Xiaorou began praising Jin Feng again.
"Xiaorou, you're too naive. Even if he treats you well, you shouldn't just find him a concubine. You'll end up suffering," Tang Dongdong said, tapping Guan Xiaorou's forehead in exasperation.
"I wouldn't suggest it for anyone else, but if you married him, we could be sisters again. If you're willing, I'll ask him."
"Xiaorou, I know you mean well and are worried about my pride. Don't worry, I'll be fine," Tang Dongdong said, holding Guan Xiaorou's hand. "I want to try making it on my own. If I really can't survive, I'll come to you."
"Then it's settled."
"Mm."
...
After lunch, despite Tian Sanya's repeated promises not to bully Guan Xiao'e anymore, Guan Xiaorou still felt uneasy. After discussing it with Jin Feng, they decided to take Guan Xiao'e home with them for a while.
When they had arrived, everyone had avoided Guan Xiao'e, but as they left, everyone came over to say goodbye with smiles. For Guan Xiaorou, it was the most satisfying day of her nearly twenty years of life.
"Brother-in-law, is this Xihewan?" Guan Xiao'e asked, perched on Jin Feng's back. "It looks just like Guanjiawan!"
The poor girl, having only left her village once in her life, was curious about everything.
"Our villages are only a few miles apart, so of course they look similar."
"Brother-in-law, can we still eat rice at your house? The rice at lunch was so delicious!"
"Of course. Not just rice, but we can also make flatbreads and steamed buns. You can have whatever you want, and your sister will make it for you."
"Wow, that's amazing! I can't wait to get to your house!"
In Guan Xiao'e's mind, this was already the best life could offer.
"Don't worry, we're almost there. Just around the corner," Jin Feng said with a smile. Then he paused. "Huh? Why are there so many people?"
Their small courtyard was packed with twenty or thirty people, all chattering loudly about something.
"Jin Feng, Xiaorou, you're finally back!" Lin Yunfang rushed up to them. "Your house was robbed. Go inside and see what's missing!"