Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Witness

When Qin Hui Yin finished, Tang Yi Chen’s eyes were dark with anger.

“How did she dare?”

“Brother,” Qin Hui Yin said, keeping her voice low, “that man Chun Sheng isn’t from our village. But he ran up the mountain to meet Tang Ming Xiu in secret. Have you ever seen him?”

“I rarely come back,” Tang Yi Chen said, jaw tight. “If he chose the mountain, then either he’s from a nearby village, or he knows someone in ours. If we get the chance, we can ask around.”

Qin Hui Yin nodded once. “Either way, it has nothing to do with us. I warned Tang Ming Xiu. If she does something stupid again, I won’t spare her.”

“Don’t go up the mountain alone again,” Tang Yi Chen said, the warning rougher than his usual calm. “It’s not only wild beasts that bite. People’s hearts are worse.”

“I know.”

Li Tao Hua stepped out from the kitchen then, wiping her hands on her apron. Qin Hui Yin immediately flicked her fingers in a small signal—quiet.

Li Tao Hua’s gaze sharpened as it moved between them. “What are you two whispering about?”

Qin Hui Yin’s smile appeared like sunlight, easy and bright. “We were saying your grilled fish smells amazing, Mom. Better than mine. Did you add something special?”

Li Tao Hua’s suspicion melted into pleased pride. “That’s a secret. You’ll taste it in a bit.”

*

After breakfast, Tang Yi Chen went to the Village Head to bring up the well.

Digging a well wasn’t small work. It took tools, manpower, and time. Their village wasn’t short on able bodies—what mattered was choosing the right ones. And asking through the Village Head wasn’t only convenient; it was a courtesy that built ties and left the Village Head with credit for arranging the job.

By noon, the Village Head had gathered the remaining men who’d stayed in the village without steady income.

“The Tang household needs a well,” he announced. “This won’t be finished in a day or two. There’s daily pay, and the Tang family will provide two meals a day.”

Men who’d been idle all season immediately leaned forward, interest lighting their faces.

The Village Head turned to Tang Yi Chen, lowering his voice. “Yi Chen, you point out who you want. We’re all our own people here. If there’s anything, say it straight. No need to be so reserved.”

“We only need 10,” Tang Yi Chen said evenly. “I hope the uncles won’t take offense. Digging a well is serious work—better to pick those who’ve done it before, or those young and strong enough for it.”

He glanced across the group, voice steady but respectful. “Uncles, I’ll pick now. If I don’t choose you, please don’t hold it against your nephew.”

The Village Head snorted. “Pick openly. You’re digging a well, not a pond. If anyone dares run their mouth, they can forget about getting by in this village.”

Tang Yi Chen chose 10 men on the spot.

The chosen ones beamed. The rest wore their disappointment plainly, shoulders sagging as if the chance had slipped through their fingers.

Tang Yi Chen kept the selected men behind to settle the terms.

“30 wen per person per day,” he said. “Lunch and dinner included. If any uncle doesn’t want to eat at our place, we’ll add five wen as meal money.”

“That’s fair,” one man said quickly. “I live close. No need to stay and eat—just add the five wen for me.”

Others hesitated, glancing at one another. In the end, four agreed to stay for meals, and six chose the extra five wen.

Tang Yi Chen confirmed everything, then told them to begin work the next morning.

As for tools, the village didn’t keep what a proper well required. The next village did. In the afternoon, Tang Yi Chen planned another trip to rent what they needed.

*

On his way home, as he crossed the ridge between the fields, shouting rose ahead—sharp, frantic, ugly with temper. He looked up to see Li Er Niu sprinting down the path, an old woman in pursuit, swinging a rolling pin like a weapon.

“You plague-ridden wretch!” the old woman shrieked. “Who told you to give my grandson cold water? Now he has diarrhea, doesn’t he? My son was right—you’re a jinx, bringing bad luck to my son and my grandson—”

“Mom!” Li Er Niu cried, dodging a blow that would’ve cracked her skull. “How can you blame me? The meat you made was too salty. Bao Yu kept complaining, so I gave him cold water. Stop hitting me—stop—”

Not far away, Tang Bao Yu clutched his belly and wailed, face twisted with misery. “Grandmother! My stomach hurts! It’s that filthy woman’s fault—beat her to death!”

Li Er Niu veered toward Tang Yi Chen as if he were a life raft.

Tang Yi Chen stepped aside before she could grab him. “Brother Chen—save me!” she howled. “That old corpse is going to beat me to death!”

The old woman’s rolling pin whipped through the air, missing Tang Yi Chen by inches.

Enough.

Tang Yi Chen snatched the rolling pin out of her hand with a single sharp movement. “Move.”

The old woman sucked in a breath, then immediately sat down hard in the dirt, palms slapping the ground as she began to howl. “Aiyo! This old hag is going to fall and die—”

Tang Yi Chen crouched, voice almost gentle. “Auntie, are you hurt?”

She blinked, thrown off by the softness. “…Yes.”

“Then think carefully.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Your son couldn’t get any advantage from us. Are you sure you can? Does your family still have silver to waste like this?”

The old woman’s mouth opened, then shut.

She didn’t dare scream anymore.

Tang Yi Chen stood and walked past her without another glance.

*

Back at the Tang household, Qin Hui Yin was crouched by the chicken pen, counting chicks with the seriousness of someone tallying money.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up. “Brother, Uncle Tang bought the old hen back, but she won’t take these chicks. What do we do?”

“It’s fine,” Tang Yi Chen said. “She just hasn’t accepted her new children yet. Give her time—she’ll come around.”

He poured a dipper of water into the trough, then added, “I spoke with the Village Head. The workers are decided, the pay is settled. They’ll come tomorrow. Four will eat here.”

“Then for the next few days, we need someone at home cooking,” Qin Hui Yin said immediately. “Mom and Sister Lu Wu should stay behind.”

“Auntie Li stays,” Tang Yi Chen corrected. “Lu Wu goes with you. There’s still me and Father at home to help. Don’t worry.”

“All right,” Qin Hui Yin said after a beat. “We won’t be going into the city that many times anyway—at most three busy trips, and the well should be finished.”

Then she hesitated. “With so many chores, will it interrupt your studying?”

“A person with focus can study anywhere,” Tang Yi Chen said. “A person without it won’t learn even if they lock themselves inside all day. I don’t want reading to turn me into someone who can’t lift a hand or tell grain from weeds.”

“Fish time!” Li Tao Hua called, emerging with a tray of grilled fish, the scent of smoke and spice rushing out with her. “First time I’ve made it. Hurry and taste it—tell me how it is.”

In the yard, Tang Da Fu set down his half-finished bamboo basket and limped over, eyes bright like a child’s.

Tang Lu Wu served rice. Tang Yi Xiao carried soup.

With everyone moving together, the table filled quickly—grilled fish gleaming with oil, vegetables bright, bowls steaming.

“If it were a month ago,” Tang Da Fu said, voice thick with disbelief, “none of us would’ve imagined we could eat like this every day.”

“That’s because you don’t dare to imagine,” Li Tao Hua snapped, though there was satisfaction under the bite. “I think about eating and drinking well every day.”

Qin Hui Yin picked a piece of fish and placed it carefully into Li Tao Hua’s bowl. “Mom, you eat first. Test it for poison.”

Li Tao Hua stared at her. “You little brat.”

Laughter broke around the table, warm and honest, and for a moment the yard felt like it had always been full of light.