Ch 107: The Farmer Ger in the Apocalypse

After a few more words, they steered the conversation away from this topic and turned to discussing the starch sausage workshop.

Madam Guixiang took a bite and immediately praised it, “Though the texture isn’t quite like meat, the flavor is excellent—better than some people’s meat dishes!”

Not everyone in the village had Miao Shi’s cooking skills. Some families didn’t know any better and would simply boil meat in plain water, slice it, and dip it in autumn oil or garlic sauce, leaving the gamey taste untouched. But since farm folk rarely ate meat, they somehow managed to tolerate the strong flavor.

The starch sausage, however, was different. Though one could tell it was more starch than meat, the taste was good, and it was cheaper than real meat. Shen Qing planned to sell each sausage for three wen, with the fried version going for five wen. If bought in bulk, the price could be even lower. Each sausage weighed over two ounces—enough for a whole stir-fry dish—so there would surely be plenty of buyers.

When Madam Guixiang heard that Shen Qing intended to entrust the workshop’s management to her and Zhao Shi’s household, she was overjoyed. She didn’t think much about herself, but what truly touched her was that Shen Qing was willing to give Zhao Shi a chance. As a mother, how could she not think about her son’s future? “I really have to thank you, Qing Ge’er. My Shitou has been working under my husband for two years now, but he’s still not very sharp. I’ve been worried sick!”

Madam Guixiang sighed. Her eldest son, Zhao Shi, truly took after his father, Zhao Youdang—kind-hearted but lacking in authority, and even duller than Zhao Youdang. She had matched him with Qin Yingzi, a particularly clever and capable wife, precisely to make up for this shortcoming and give him a strong partner. While it was expected that Zhao Shi would inherit the village chief’s position, it wasn’t a certainty. Even when Zhao Youdang became the village chief, many people had doubted whether he could command enough authority over the villagers. Some had even pressured his father to pass the position to his younger son, Zhao Youcai, instead. It was only because the old man had firmly stood his ground that Zhao Youdang became village chief, though this decision had caused a rift among the brothers, leading to their estrangement.

This was also why, despite holding the position of village chief, Zhao Youdang’s authority in the village had never been strong—unlike the chiefs of other villages, whose words were law.

Madam Guixiang worried that Zhao Shi would face the same problem in the future. Managing the workshop would help him develop leadership skills. Moreover, if the workshop grew into a major source of income for the village, then having Zhao Shi in charge would strengthen his standing. With the support of powerful backers and Shen Qing’s influence, it would be much harder for anyone to push him out of the village chief position.

Because of this, Madam Guixiang was even more invested in the workshop’s success than Shen Qing himself. She and Shen Qing discussed more details, but as he turned his head, he noticed Lian Shi and Zhao Yu feeding Lian Qiao.

Lian Shi kept nudging Zhao Yu, insisting that he eat first. Meanwhile, he took a small bowl, carefully dividing the food into tiny pieces and mixing them into the rice before feeding them to Lian Qiao. The meals at Shen Qing’s home were far better than those at the Lian household, and Lian Qiao, being a well-behaved child, ate each bite obediently without fuss.

Zhao Yu, unable to refuse any further, quickly glanced at Second Aunt Lian. Seeing that she was absorbed in the discussion about the workshop and hadn’t noticed them, he hastily ate a few bites before trying to take over feeding Lian Qiao.

But Lian Shi wouldn’t let go, persistently urging Zhao Yu to eat more.

Shen Qing watched them for a while, lost in thought.

Lian Shi and Zhao Yu were among the few couples in the village who had married for love. Unlike the usual arranged marriages dictated by parents, Lian Shi had liked Zhao Yu since childhood. When he came of age, he pleaded earnestly with Second Aunt Lian to let him marry Yu Ge’er. Given the Lian family’s wealth and the fact that Lian Shi was Second Aunt Lian’s only son, he should have been married to a woman. But in the end, his persistence won out.

Watching them now, their relationship was noticeably different from the typical village couples. Every movement between them carried warmth and familiarity. When Zhao Yu looked at Lian Shi, his eyes always held a soft smile.

Shen Qing had heard from Miao Shi that Zhao Yu had only given birth to Lian Qiao. Though Second Aunt Lian never spoke of it, she was deeply anxious about this and always hoped they would have another child, just like Zhao Aiye. But looking at Lian Shi’s expression now, it was clear that he didn’t care about such things. He cherished Lian Qiao as if the child were his very heart. The way he fed him with practiced ease showed that he was used to doing these things.

Shen Qing found himself staring. He wasn’t sure what he was looking at—or perhaps, what he was envying.

Just then, a sudden knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Is Qing Ge’er’s mother home?”

Because of Li Jiaofeng’s situation, Madam Guixiang had arrived late, and they had eaten later than usual. There were still some dishes left on the table, but in other households, dinner would have long been finished, so it wasn’t rude for someone to visit at this hour.

Miao Shi said, “I don’t know who it is, but it’s probably someone asking about the workshop. I’ll just speak to them at the door.”

However, when she opened the courtyard gate, she saw an unfamiliar woman with a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl. Miao Shi had no real connection with this woman—in fact, there was a slight grudge between them. This was Wang Liuzi’s eldest sister, and Wang Liuzi, along with his whole bunch of brothers, had never been friendly toward Shen Qing. Because of that, Miao Shi and the Wang family’s women rarely interacted.

Yet now, Wang Dagu was all smiles as she greeted Miao Shi. “Ah, dear sister, long time no see! You’re looking better and younger every day!”

Instinctively, Miao Shi touched her hair. The compliment wasn’t entirely false—since leaving the Shen family, she had been eating well, sleeping well, and feeling good. Shen Qing had even brought back various skincare products from the apocalypse—face wash, creams, hair treatments… He had even gotten hair dye, intending to cover her grays, but she had refused.

After all, they lived in the same village. If she had white hair one day and jet-black hair the next, wouldn’t people call her a demon?

Even without dye, the combination of internal nourishment and external care made her appear much younger.

Still, Miao Shi wasn’t swayed by a few words of flattery. Leaning against the doorframe, she asked, “What brings you here today, big sister? I have guests over, so it’s not convenient to invite you in. If you have something to say, let’s talk here.”

Wang Dagu chuckled. “I know, I know! You’re with the second branch of the Lian family, right? I actually came looking for her, but they told me she was here.”

This surprised Miao Shi. She wasn’t here for her, but for Second Aunt Lian?

Hearing this, Second Aunt Lian stepped outside. “Wang jie, you were looking for me? What’s the matter?”

As it turned out, Wang Dagu wasn’t here to ask about the workshop at all. She could have asked either Miao Shi or Second Aunt Lian about that, but because Wang Liuzi had a history of conflict with Shen Qing, she had first gone to the Lian household. However, since Second Aunt Lian was here, she had no choice but to come.

Still, she figured it was fate—there was no avoiding this visit.

Recalling how, during Miao Shi’s separation from the Shen family, the scholars of Shiqu Village had supported her—including that very scholar, Tongsheng Miao—Wang Dagu thought it was worth thickening her skin and making this request.

“I’m not here for anything else,” she said. “My daughter has turned fifteen. Don’t be fooled by how dark I am—this girl of mine is a true beauty! I just want to find her a good match.”

She was here to ask them to act as matchmakers. Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian exchanged glances. Wang Dagu had specifically sought them out—was there a particular family in Shiqu Village she had set her sights on?

Looking at the Wang girl, she wasn’t an extraordinary beauty, but as the saying went, “There are no ugly girls at eighteen.” At fifteen, she was fresh-faced and delicate, standing properly and appearing well-mannered.

Miao Shi considered it. This wasn’t an unreasonable request. Many people who weren’t professional matchmakers enjoyed setting up marriages, believing it to be a virtuous deed that helped others. So she asked, “Which family are you interested in? If I can put in a word, I will. But I can’t guarantee anything. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll have to find a matchmaker.”

Wang Dagu was overjoyed that Miao Shi hadn’t immediately refused. It wasn’t proper for a girl’s family to directly send a matchmaker—it would be embarrassing if they were turned down. It was better for someone familiar to test the waters first, and only when things looked promising would they send an official matchmaker.

She grinned. “Oh, it’s someone you know for sure. He even stood up for you back then.”

Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian were still trying to figure out which unmarried man had defended her when Wang Dagu said, “It’s that scholar, Tongsheng Miao. I heard his wife passed away, leaving two children. Isn’t that pitiful? And those kids are still young—how can a household manage without a woman? My daughter is gentle and loves children; she’ll definitely treat them as her own.”

The room fell silent. Even those inside, who had only heard part of the conversation, were stunned.

Madam Guixiang got up and peeked out the door. “I have to see who’s this shameless.”

Miao Shi quickly waved her hand. “Anyone else would be one thing, but Tongsheng Miao? His wife only passed away on New Year’s Eve—it hasn’t even been ten days! If I brought this up, he’d throw me out!”

Wang Dagu protested, “Why not? A good man like that will be snatched up soon. If you don’t ask now, you’ll be too late!”

Wang Dagu understood very well that although her daughter was quite good-looking, being born in a village with an average family background made it difficult to marry into a higher status. The best option for her was to become a second wife, so she had been worrying about it constantly.

It wasn’t that she was naturally shameless—she had learned through experience. Previously, there had been a small shop owner in the county town whose wife had recently passed away, leaving behind only a daughter. At the time, she had hesitated, thinking it inappropriate to propose marriage so soon after the man’s wife had died. She had waited a full three months before sending someone to bring up the match. But by then, the matchmaker returned with bad news—the man had already been engaged just a month after his wife’s passing, and his new bride was set to enter the house in six months. They were too late!

Wang Dagu regretted it bitterly. Afterward, she encountered similar situations multiple times. Some families didn’t even care about appearances—there were cases where the original wife was still on her deathbed, barely hanging on, and someone had already stepped forward to negotiate a remarriage. After witnessing this several times, Wang Dagu decided that her family could no longer afford to be “too proper.” If others could do it, why couldn’t she? The bold ones got the opportunities first!

Tongsheng Miao’s family might not be as wealthy as a county shop owner’s, but he was almost certain to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. His wife would then be a scholar’s lady, and if he advanced further, she might even become the wife of a provincial graduate or an official. Wouldn’t that make her daughter even more desirable? That was why she rushed over in such a hurry.

Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian, after listening to her reasoning, didn’t know what to say. While they could understand her urgency, there was no way they would agree to make the match right now. They firmly refused, “Big Sister, Tongsheng Miao is different from those merchants. He holds a scholar’s title and must observe wife mourning! If your daughter is truly interested, after a year or so, we’ll gladly help. But right now, the mourning period isn’t even over—we can’t possibly bring this up!”

Wang Dagu argued until her lips were dry, but Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian wouldn’t budge. She was annoyed but knew that the news about the workshop was already spreading throughout the village. If she offended Miao Shi, she might make things difficult for her family later. So, reluctantly, she said, “Then… let’s wait a few more months. When the mourning period is almost over, please remember to bring it up for us.” She pulled her daughter forward, presenting her to Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian. “She really is a fine girl—she won’t bring him any loss.”

Only after promising multiple times did they finally manage to send Wang Dagu away. Once back inside, Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian exchanged glances—what kind of mess was this?

Meanwhile, Shen Qing, who had been listening the entire time, had a strange look on his face. As soon as Miao Shi returned, he asked, “Mother, after a year or so, do you really plan to bring up this match for Tongsheng Miao?”

Miao Shi was surprised by the question. “Why not? Do you think she’s not a good match?”

Shen Qing didn’t respond.

Miao Shi smiled. “You can’t look at things in such a black-and-white way. Wang Dagu’s actions might seem improper, but from her perspective, they make sense.”

After all, Wang Dagu had seen it happen before—families who proposed early had succeeded. She was merely following what had worked for others. She wasn’t wrong, just unlucky in her choice of a match.

Miao Shi and Second Aunt Lian couldn’t say that Wang Dagu was entirely in the wrong, but they also didn’t want to be like her.

Besides, Miao Shi believed that Tongsheng Miao wasn’t like those businessmen. Even if Wang Dagu found someone else willing to bring up the match, Tongsheng Miao would never agree.

“But there is one thing I do agree with,” Miao Shi continued. “You never know if something will work unless you try. When it comes to securing a good future for your children, you have to take a chance. I believe that even though we refused today, Wang Dagu will probably find someone else to bring it up for her. And if it works? Then her daughter will become a scholar’s wife, with the potential to rise even further. There’s nothing wrong with a mother wanting a good future for her child. Once a year or so has passed and we no longer have any objections, why wouldn’t we help?”

Madam Guixiang casually stabbed a fried starch sausage with her chopsticks and chuckled. “Qing Ge’er, you don’t understand these things yet. When I was your age, I also thought everything was either right or wrong. But as you get older, you realize that things depend on the people, the situation, and the timing. A small difference can change everything. When Wang Dagu first spoke, I thought she was completely shameless. But after hearing her out, I actually feel bad for her.”

Shen Qing opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he didn’t.

There was more on his mind than what Miao Shi and Madam Guixiang had said.

He wanted to ask Wang Dagu—why send her daughter to be a second wife? Wasn’t she afraid that once married, the man would quickly grow indifferent to her daughter? A man who remarried so soon after losing his wife—wouldn’t he do it again in the future?

He wanted to know—would Lian Shi always treat Zhao Yu this way? Even if Zhao Yu never gave birth to a son, would Lian Shi still be just as devoted ten, twenty years from now?

He wanted to know…

But he also knew that these questions had no answers. Even if Lian Shi swore to it today, could that promise truly last forever?

From the inner room, a soft cry suddenly broke the silence. In her sleep, Lian Rong whimpered, and Second Aunt Lian hurried in to comfort her, patting her gently. “Rong Jie’er, you got scared today, didn’t you? Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”

That word—afraid—dropped into Shen Qing’s mind like a single drop of water into a pan of sizzling oil.

His fingers clenched around the jade pendant at his chest as something inside him suddenly erupted.

Only then did he realize—he had been wrestling with so many questions, struggling with so many uncertainties.

At the root of it all… was fear.

In his heart, he asked himself: Shen Qing, what exactly are you afraid of?

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