Chapter 57

He asked Lu Yang to handle it.

The small buns were easy to eat, one bite each, and Old Man Chen unknowingly ate several.

If it weren’t for the lack of silver at home and his eagerness to open the workshop, he would have been reluctant to marry Lu Yang off.

With Lu Yang married, the food at home didn’t taste the same anymore.

Old Man Chen thought for a while and said, “Make some stewed meat dishes. Your mother’s spoiled by you. She’s lost the knack for cooking. When the meat gets into her hands, it’s truly wasted.”

Old Man Chen added, “I was thinking about finding the eldest a wife who knows how to cook.”

What he meant was that he looked down on the villagers. What good food and drink could there be in the village? The ingredients were scarce, and culinary skills couldn’t be honed with what little was available.

Lu Yang didn’t think that way. He had invited the Lu Lin couple to help, and Lu Lin believed that their two families were getting closer, even swapping a dish at meal times. Though it was just stir-fried vegetables with some tofu, the taste was still quite good.

But Lu Yang just smiled and kept quiet about his elder brother’s marriage.

A man’s obsession with marriage could be called madness.

The family only had enough silver for either a marriage or the workshop. His meaning was clear: if he stated it plainly, the eldest son would hate him.

He was already dealing with a lot of trouble and didn’t want to create more enemies.

Lu Yang said, “Then I’ll go cook.”

Today, Old Man Chen was determined to believe that Li Feng was coming, and it was all part of a plan to trick Lu Yang into gathering information. The couple had already discussed not giving any silver.

Lu Yang cooked without rushing the guest.

He was anxious but had no other choice. He went to the kitchen to check what vegetables they had and prepared a few meat dishes.

Chen Lao Da had been waiting for him. As soon as Lu Yang entered the kitchen, he followed in and closed the door behind them, then questioned Lu Yang: “Why didn’t you let Father talk to me about marriage?”

The two sons of the Chen family were average in stature, and like Old Man Chen, their height had limits. The eldest son was sturdier and had an honest appearance. After being exposed to it all his life, he hadn’t learned any great wisdom but had a fair share of petty thoughts.

Such a person, Lu Yang could easily deceive with his eyes closed.

“I didn’t stop Father from talking about your marriage. I told Father to open the workshop first, and he’d give you half of the earnings. You can save up for your own marriage. After all, he’s making money for you too. You didn’t do anything wrong, and we can’t let family matters delay your future.”

Chen Lao Da was stunned by this, forgetting what else he wanted to say.

“You really said that?”

Lu Yang took some cured meat. He knew how much the Chen family ate, so he sliced enough for four people and hung the remaining meat up.

As he prepared lunch, he nodded and said, “Yes. You really don’t need to hold it against me or be wary of me. I’m already married. What can I fight with you about? Father won’t give me any money, and I still wish you both the best. You’re the only brothers I have; if you’re doing well, I’ll have someone to rely on.”

Every family says something like that. You have to please your brothers; otherwise, no one will be there for you later.

Chen Lao Da believed him. He said, “Then you should persuade Father again. Talk to him nicely. You’re good with words; he’ll listen to you.”

Lu Yang’s eyes twinkled as he smiled at Chen Lao Da.

“This matter won’t work if I say it. Father’s guarding against me, thinking about you. Right now, he’s in a dilemma, whether to give you a marriage or open the workshop. You’re a smart man, you should know that going to the county town every day is exhausting. After marriage, there won’t be any money left. It’ll take years to save up for the workshop. But if you start the workshop now, you can save up in a year and then get married. It’s a much easier choice.”

It was indeed a good choice. As long as Old Man Chen agreed to give half the earnings to the eldest son, Chen Lao Da could delay his marriage.

However, there were two sons in the Chen family, so if the eldest son got half, the younger son would also want his share.

One half for the eldest, one half for the youngest, and then Old Man Chen would be left with nothing. Old Man Chen would never agree to that.

Chen Lao Da said, “This matter won’t work.”

Lu Yang smiled, holding the plate as he passed by him, whispering, “You and Father each take one half, and the younger one gets nothing.”

Chen Lao Da was pleased.

He shouldn’t give any to the younger one!

Lu Yang advised him not to rush: “Think it through first, then go talk to Father. If you go to him without a solid plan, he’ll think you haven’t considered it properly. If that happens, forget about it.”

Lu Yang thought it was best to wait until he left the Chen household before dealing with the issue.

Otherwise, if he pushed him into a confrontation, he might get beaten.

Chen Lao Da left in high spirits, and soon, the lazy younger brother came by, with no other business, just to order more food: “Make more meat, and stir-fry a dish of egg sauce. Make extra egg sauce—I’ll save some for later.”

The way he said it was truly pitiful.

Lu Yang nodded but didn’t promise to do it.

When lunchtime came, and Li Feng still hadn’t arrived, Lu Yang felt a huge relief.

As expected, Li Feng couldn’t possibly come to Chen’s house in the snow.

At noon, the snow stopped.

Lu Yang couldn’t eat more than a couple of bites at Chen’s house. He put down his chopsticks early and told Old Man Chen, “Father, since the snow stopped, I’ll head back now. I’ll come visit you again next time.”

Since it was already mealtime and the person didn’t show up, there was no point in waiting any longer. Old Man Chen agreed and told him to hurry Li Feng along to deliver the firewood.

“I asked him how much it would cost. He said he didn’t want any money. Does that mean I shouldn’t give him the firewood if he’s not charging? Is that reasonable?”

Lu Yang couldn’t urge Li Feng any longer. He agreed, but as soon as he left, he tossed the matter out of his mind.

He hurriedly drove the borrowed donkey cart, leaving Chenjiawan and heading toward the main road. He’d then take another path to Lujiatun to pick up his “imperial scholar.”

At this very moment, Li Feng was also leaving Lujiatun. He was driving his mule cart, heading toward Chenjiawan to deliver firewood.

On a snowy day, there weren’t many people out.

The two carts met on the same road, coming from opposite directions, and the two sharp-eyed individuals immediately recognized each other.

Lu Yang looked at Li Feng.

Li Feng looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang rubbed his eyes, glanced at the sky, and then at the road.

Good heavens, this broken main road—maybe it should be renamed “Fateful Encounter Street.”

And Li Feng, was he out of his mind? Who would go visiting on a snowy day?

Li Feng’s gaze didn’t waver, his brows furrowed: “Lu Yang?”

As an excellent hunter, Li Feng’s observational skills were exceptional.

He was very familiar with Lu Yang’s appearance. The same face, but he could now see two different kinds of energy. He had already married him, and he thought that Lu Yang had changed, willing to settle down with him.

But now, they were meeting face to face on this narrow road.

Li Feng looked at that familiar face, and without needing to compare details, he immediately noticed the heroism in his brows and the shock and wariness in his eyes.

This wasn’t his husband.

This was the person who had once faced him and argued fiercely.

This was Lu Yang, but then who was it that he married?

As the saying goes, “When two sides meet on a narrow road, the brave wins.”

But even the brave have their weaknesses and have to humble themselves.

Thinking of his younger brother, Lu Yang raised a friendly smile, feigning a casual greeting to test the waters.

“What brings you here?”

Li Feng’s brows furrowed deeply, giving him a fierce look.

“Who did I marry?”

Lu Yang: “…”

He really recognized him.

Before this meeting, Lu Yang had imagined such a situation.

The county town was too small. They all gathered in the western village, so it was only a matter of time before they met. Trying to deny or hide it wouldn’t work.

When suspicion grows, it’s like a needle in the eye—it can’t be ignored.

Being honest was the only way forward, and that’s when there was room for negotiation.

Lu Yang steered the cart closer to observe Li Feng’s expression.

He said, “You married my younger brother. His name is Lu Liu. The ‘liu’ in willow tree.”

“Lu Liu…” Li Feng murmured the name. Perhaps because they had spent some time together, he knew how considerate and obedient he was, and even the name sounded gentle when spoken.

Lu Yang squinted his eyes and caught the fleeting smile on Li Feng’s face. With that, he felt confident enough to flip the situation on its head.

“If you’re not satisfied, I can swap him back to me.”

Li Feng: ??!!

He didn’t want to swap!

Why would he exchange a perfectly good husband for Lu Yang? The two would just argue all day!

What kind of life was that? He didn’t want it!

Li Feng refused to agree to the swap, so Lu Yang immediately put the roof back in place.