The Lady Butcher and the Delicate Bride - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

When she went back in the afternoon, Chu Yu told Mu Dingxiang about the day’s events. Mu Dingxiang fell into deep thought after hearing it, but as expected, her small head couldn’t figure anything out, and her face was filled with confusion.

“Auntie Ji is so strange. But Auntie Ji was truly very good to me when I was little, and I feel a connection with her. It’s a pity my mother seems to have a feud with the Ji family; seeing Auntie Ji being good to me, she’d come back and scold me non-stop. Later, I didn’t want Auntie Ji to get scolded, so I stopped going to their house.”

Since Ji Yunniang and Liu Heng had not yet expressed their stance, Chu Yu didn’t feel it was her place to reveal the truth, so she remained silent regarding Mu Dingxiang’s background for the time being.

She only remembered what Ji Yunniang said in the morning that even in the dead of winter, Mother Mu would drive the little girl to work in the fields. Feeling pity, she reached out and pulled her into an embrace. “Was it very hard back then?”

Chu Yu had just bathed, and Mu Dingxiang was made light-headed by the rich fragrance on her. Suddenly being held like this, the places where their skin touched felt a burning heat.

She squinted her eyes and looked up at the woman’s gaze, which was as gentle as water. She gave an “Ah?”

“I’m asking if the days at the Mu house were exceptionally difficult and full of grievances?”

“Mmm, they were very difficult,” Mu Dingxiang recalled herself back then, living in constant fear, and couldn’t help but feel a bit of bitterness. “It felt like I would never escape that situation in my whole life.”

After saying that, she reached back and hugged Chu Yu. “But fortunately, I have you.”

Chu Yu stroked her increasingly dark and shiny hair. “It’s a pity I met you too late; otherwise, you wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.”

“It’s not late. It’s just right.” Mu Dingxiang lowered her head, pressing it against the other’s chest, listening to the strong heartbeat, feeling her own heart become more vivid.

She didn’t tell Chu Yu that long before meeting her, she had already felt a longing for her, hiding the silhouette of her passing by in the depths of her heart, and slowly taking it out to savor at night back in that cramped little room.

Only in this way could she temporarily forget the hardships of the day.

Though Chu Yu didn’t know what she was thinking, she could more or less feel her emotions. The two huddled together and stopped talking, quietly feeling the midday silence and peace.

However, this silence was broken in the next instant.

“Mothers are hugging in broad daylight, how shameful!”

A milky voice came from by their feet. Mu Dingxiang looked down to see the little bamboo sprite clinging to Chu Yu’s calf, looking up at the two of them with a pout, seemingly complaining that they weren’t playing with her.

Chu Yu helplessly let go, bent down to pick up Zhu-er by her little green skirt, and carried her toward the table while bickering with her.

But at the moment Chu Yu withdrew her hands, Mu Dingxiang felt the warmth of the soft body pull away, and a sense of reluctance stirred in her heart.

Ji Yunniang was very efficient. The next day, Liu Heng came to the meat stall to find Chu Yu.

Looking at Liu Heng’s excitement, if Chu Yu hadn’t already guessed their relationship with her little girl, she certainly understood it now.

The other party hadn’t spoken openly about it, and the reasons were clear. Chu Yu put herself in their shoes and knew their concerns and difficulties. Fortunately, the little person at home already had her, and that was enough. But since the other party was willing to compensate in other ways, Chu Yu wasn’t formal about it and accepted it all.

The more Liu Heng looked at Chu Yu, the more satisfied he became. She was good-looking, hardworking, and good to Dingxiang. It was just a pity she was a girl, but even so, there weren’t many men in all of Leshan County who could match her.

Furthermore, she was the one who rescued Dingxiang from the fire and water. If he were to break up the “mandarin ducks” now just because she was a woman, how would he be different from the Mu family?

Besides, for now, they couldn’t immediately recognize their daughter back yet, so they’d let things be for the time being.

And Liu Heng had heard earlier about Chu Yu sending Mother Mu to the Leshan County jail, which made him feel even more refreshed. The way he looked at her couldn’t help but gain an extra layer of fondness.

Liu Heng told Chu Yu about the factory that fired blue bricks and asked when she would start building the house, saying he would come to help then.

Chu Yu thought for a while but didn’t know which day to choose, feeling indecisive for a moment.

Liu Heng immediately took over the topic. “I’ll go back and find a master to help you pick a date. When your Auntie Ji comes to buy meat tomorrow, I’ll have her bring you the word. That Boss Zhang at the brick factory is an acquaintance of mine; I’ve already settled it with him. If you buy bricks, he’ll give you a 25% discount. Transport as many as you need with peace of mind. If you’re short on money, just say the word; I have more here.”

He chattered for a while before leaving reluctantly.

Shi Man watched Liu Heng’s slightly plump figure disappear at the end of the street, then turned to Chu Yu. “This is strange to me. Why do those two suddenly treat you like a biological daughter? That blue brick factory boss the quality of the bricks he fires is beyond question, but I heard he’s stingy as death; even his own aunt has to pay full price. How is it that Liu Heng is different?”

Chu Yu smiled. “They have their reasons for doing this. You’ll know in the future.”

Shi Man saw her mysterious look and curled his lip, suddenly remembering the money. “Aren’t you going to build a house? I’ve saved several dozen taels over the years; if you don’t have enough, I have some here.”

“I don’t want your money; I have enough. Keep it for yourself. That wretched house of yours also needs some repairs. You’re welcoming a bride at the end of the year, yet it still looks so shabby. Xiaoxi must really like you; otherwise, other girls would never stay with you in that broken house.” Chu Yu looked at him with disdain.

Shi Man knew her “sharp tongue but soft heart” and didn’t get angry. “Look at you talking about me. When you were living in a cave, didn’t Dingxiang follow you? Why is my house being buried in insults like this?”

“Dingxiang is a good girl.” Chu Yu thought of the little person at home, and the corners of her mouth curled upward.

“Hey, hey, hey, Sister Chu, don’t tell me you’ve truly been moved by mortal desires,” Shi Man looked incredulous. “Who was it that said back then it was just a temporary measure? Tsk tsk tsk, it’s only been half a year.”

Chu Yu was noncommittal. “Only half a year? Why do I feel like Dingxiang and I have lived together for many years?”

Shi Man threw a piece of meat over with a look of disdain. “Today’s ‘Golden Six Liang’ hasn’t sold yet. Take it back and cook it for your little bride.”

Chu Yu had originally wanted to buy some chicken to change flavors, as she was tired of eating pork lately. But this “Golden Six Liang” (pork jowl) is the most delicious cut on a pig. Since no one bought it today, she thought about it and took it, hooking it with a bamboo strip to hang in the back.

Xiangxiang hasn’t eaten this “Golden Six Liang” yet; I’ll cook something delicious for her when I get back.

When she went back at noon, Chu Yu picked up Mu Dingxiang from the field on her way. She suspected that if she didn’t come home to stop work at noon, the girl would work straight through until night.

Mu Dingxiang didn’t agree with Chu Yu’s statement at all. “I’m not as desperate as you say. Once the soil is turned, I’ll be free for a while. We can plant the second season of grain when it rains.”

“If you finish it all, what will I do when I come back in the afternoon?”

“You should rest well in the afternoon; you get up so early every day.”

The two of them returned home chattering. Chu Yu first sliced the pork jowl and set it to marinate, then went to bathe. Mu Dingxiang counted the money she brought back and put it in the jar, finding it so full that it almost couldn’t hold any more.

When Chu Yu came out, she asked if they should change to a larger jar.

Chu Yu, while drying her hair, said, “Uncle Liu has already looked at the brickyard. Once he picks a lucky day, we’ll start building the house. At that time, this money will be used to buy materials; it won’t be in our hands for much longer.”

Hearing that Auntie Ji’s family was helping again, Mu Dingxiang looked at Chu Yu in confusion.

Chu Yu gave a hollow laugh and said, “Probably they want more grain from us next year and are afraid we’ll sell it to others, so they’re doing things in advance to curry favor.”

Mu Dingxiang frowned but couldn’t think of anything else. Then she heard Chu Yu say, “Xiangxiang, I’ll make you some roast meat today.”

She couldn’t help but turn around with sparkling eyes staring at her.

It was only because Chu Yu’s cooking was too delicious—meat with every meal, white rice every time. She wasn’t a picky eater herself. In just a few months since coming to the end of Furong Village from the Mu house, she had gained over ten catties. However, she had been too thin before; gaining ten catties just brought her to a normal build.

She had also grown taller, her complexion was much more radiant, and she looked much healthier. She was full of spirit, with the vitality and brightness of a young girl, making her much more beautiful. Walking on the road, she attracted quite a bit of attention.

“Little glutton, go start the fire.” Chu Yu tidied herself up and went to get the meat she had just marinated. “The marinating time isn’t quite enough, but it doesn’t matter; we’ll eat it for the freshness.”

Mu Dingxiang soon had the fire going. Once large chunks of charcoal were glowing, Chu Yu used iron rods to skewer the meat strips, placing them one by one over the charcoal fire.

“Watch the fire. Flip it once the bottom side is hot and sizzling. It’ll be ready in about half a quarter-hour of roasting.”

After saying that, Chu Yu started another stove to boil some noodles. After all, the “Golden Six Liang” jowl meat was less than a catty; eating just that wouldn’t satisfy their hunger. Both of them had done physical labor all morning; if they didn’t eat their fill, they’d have no energy in the afternoon.

Mu Dingxiang sat obediently on the other side flipping the meat. The marbled meat strips hissed and crackled over the charcoal, with small pops as oil droplets fell onto the embers. It was a wonderful sound to hear, especially with the fragrance that followed, making one’s mouth water.

Chu Yu went in and out, then handed her a small jar. “This is honey. When it’s almost done, use the brush to coat it with honey, roast it a bit more, and it’ll be ready to eat.”

The girl listened and took the small jar with crescent-moon eyes, tinkering as instructed.

Soon the roast meat was ready to come off the fire. The sweet aroma of roasted meat permeated the area near the cave entrance, and both of their stomachs rumbled in unison.

Chu Yu smiled and handed over a plate, letting her put the roast meat on it. “Eat the roast meat first; the noodles will be ready soon.”

Mu Dingxiang swallowed and said, “I’ll wait for you.”

Chu Yu saw her looking like she wanted to eat but was holding back, so she picked up a skewer of roast meat and took a small bite. “I’ve eaten, you eat too.”

Only then did Mu Dingxiang pick up the roast meat and begin to enjoy the delicacy. Pieces of crystal-clear roast meat entered her mouth; under the chewing of her teeth, the juices exploded in her mouth with the sweetness of honey. It was a scorching, boiling heaven on earth, a flavor she had never tasted before. Mu Dingxiang thought that even if dragon meat truly existed in this world, it would be nothing more than this.

“Is it good?” Chu Yu looked at her with a smile.

Mu Dingxiang gave an “un” and broke into a smile. “It’s too delicious.”

“Eat more.”

Chu Yu served two bowls of noodles—one large and one small. She took the large one and gave the small one to Mu Dingxiang.

“I won’t eat more roast meat. You finish the meat and then eat this half-bowl of noodles to cut the richness.”

As soon as she heard she wasn’t eating more, Mu Dingxiang hurriedly placed another skewer of roast meat onto her bowl. “Let’s eat together.”

Chu Yu gave her a soft smile. “No need to share; I used to eat this every day. Once you’ve eaten as much as I have, you won’t like it this much anymore.”

Mu Dingxiang knew she wanted to give it to her and couldn’t argue, so she finished all the remaining roast meat. After eating the small half-bowl of noodles, her stomach was incredibly full.

Plus, Zhu-er emerged from somewhere, and Mu Dingxiang held her, one person and one sprite playing for a while.

Chu Yu looked at her and Zhu-er sprawled out on the couch and couldn’t help but find it funny, silently going out to wash the bowls.

But when she came back in, she saw Mu Dingxiang sitting on the edge of the bed clutching her stomach. She hurried over to ask what was wrong.

After listening to Mu Dingxiang’s explanation, she realized she had overeaten, and it hurt terribly after she had chased Zhu-er around for a bit.

Zhu-er realized she had caused trouble and looked at the two Mothers tearfully, about to cry in the next second. Mu Dingxiang clutched her stomach and soothed Zhu-er: “It’s because Mother was too greedy and accidentally ate too much, it’s not Zhu-er’s fault.”

Chu Yu patted her little head and sent her out to play, then laid Mu Dingxiang on the bed and reached out to gently massage her in one direction.

At this moment, one was lying and one was beside her. Mu Dingxiang was almost snuggled in Chu Yu’s embrace, their warm body temperatures close together. Chu Yu’s long, strong palms rubbed and pressed on her abdomen through a thin layer of fabric. The discomfort from the indigestion gradually dissipated under the massage, replaced by an indescribable comfort—a bit itchy and a bit floating.

“Better now?” Chu Yu asked.

Mu Dingxiang hummed a response but didn’t answer. Chu Yu thought she wasn’t better yet, so she continued to rub. But as she rubbed, the fragrance of the young girl in her arms drifted out unconsciously. The once gaunt and bony body had gradually become nourished and now had elegant curves, soft against her own body.

Chu Yu felt her own body growing hot, and the soft flesh under her hand seemed to have gained a consciousness of its own, becoming exceptionally sticky, making her reluctant to move her hand away.

In her youth, she had accidentally witnessed the secret intimacy between Bai Funuan and Ding Rao. She thought it had long vanished into the depths of her memory, but now, prompted by some inspiration, it surged out.

It was as if she had returned to that scene, with two figures huddled close together reflected on the window lattice…

Suddenly, she felt a certain heartstring being tugged gently, softly, and with a bit of an itchy feeling that made her limbs soft and left her wanting more.

Chu Yu had always thought she could never understand their frantic love back then, but now that it was her turn, it didn’t seem to be the same thing at all.

Suddenly she shuddered, snapping out of the depths of memory, only to find her hand had moved upward without her realizing it…

Oh no!

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