Chapter 8: A Son-in-Law Sent by Heaven

Shen Yi hadn't even managed to voice his refusal before he was dragged away by Zeng Kuan.

Su Tai took in the whole scene, feeling quite pleased, and turned to leave.

By evening, Shen Yi still hadn't returned. Su Chunlin arrived in the village, and upon learning that the well had produced water, he didn't even bother going home first; he rushed straight to the well.

Seeing him, Madam Han was overjoyed. "Master, come look! There's water!"

Su Chunlin handed his bundle to Madam Han, peered into the well, and asked, "Is there enough water to irrigate the fields?"

Someone nearby replied, "It'll be good enough if it’s enough for our village to drink. Don't even think about irrigating the fields."

Another person shook their head in disagreement. "If other wells also produced water, wouldn't we be able to irrigate?"

Su Chunlin nodded vigorously. "Exactly, exactly! If one place can produce water, there must be a second place that can too!"

Madam Han happily pulled Su Chunlin home, only asking about the situation in the county town on the way. "How did it go? Did you manage to borrow any money?"

"I made the trip, I couldn't possibly come back empty-handed!" Su Chunlin hummed with a touch of pride and glanced at the bundle. "Big Brother gave me a tael of silver and some grain for emergencies. With Big Sister-in-law there, Big Brother couldn't be too excessive, and besides, the road wasn't safe, so I didn't dare ask for much. I only took a little. You have no idea—I ran into several people being robbed along the way. Luckily, I was dressed in rags and looked filthy, otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to escape it."

He had originally intended to play the victim to get sympathy, but it had accidentally saved him from some trouble.

Only then did Madam Han notice that Su Chunlin was covered in grime, looking little better than a beggar. She immediately pulled him toward home at a brisk pace.

For the past two days, Madam Han hadn't been able to keep track of the household situation and hadn't paid close attention to the water at home. When she lifted the lid of the water vat, she found that the water they had snatched earlier was still there. The river silt had completely settled to the bottom, and the water on top was quite clear. Thinking that the village had finally dug up water, Madam Han gritted her teeth and drew a bucket for Su Chunlin to rinse off in the fields, which would also serve to water the crops—not a drop would be wasted.

Su Chunlin had a comfortable wash and took the opportunity to clean the water vat. He scooped out the clean water from the top and dumped all the settled river silt into the fields; every little bit helped save the crops.

By the time he finished, Shen Yi had returned as well.

Seeing Shen Yi, Su Chunlin was pleasantly surprised. "How did you get here, lad?"

Shen Yi explained, "The water level of the Dayun River has dropped significantly lately, so I followed the riverbed and ended up here."

Madam Han hurriedly told him about how Shen Yi had helped dig the well.

Su Chunlin was full of gratitude. He had Madam Han cook a pot of dough-drop soup and pulled Shen Yi down to sit. "I haven't been home for the past two days, so I didn't know you were here. You’ll sleep in that room tonight, and I’ll make do at the neighbor's place."

He arranged everything in one breath, leaving Shen Yi no room to refuse.

Shen Yi had no choice but to accept.

During the meal, Su Chunlin asked about the situation in Zhongmen Village.

Shen Yi sighed. "Zhongmen Village still hasn't found a suitable spot to dig a well. The village chief's idea is to hold out for another two days to see. I originally planned to head back tomorrow morning, but Uncle Changxi wouldn't let me leave. I reckon I'll have to stay here for another two days."

"No matter, just stay at your uncle's place while you're in Dongmen Village. Don't be a stranger," Su Chunlin said warmly.

Madam Han stood by, wanting to say something but hesitating. Once they finished eating and the couple returned to their room, Madam Han immediately told him about Shen Yi’s engagement being broken off.

Su Chunlin was so furious that his rage hit the ceiling. Before Madam Han could even finish, he rushed out to ask, "Shen Yi, your aunt says you were dumped by the Mo family?"

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment. He subconsciously glanced toward Su Tai’s room and slowly lowered his eyes. "Uncle Mo came personally to apologize. The two families never officially betrothed anyway, so it’s no big deal."

"No big deal!" Su Chunlin jumped in anger. "It’s not like you don't know the history of this engagement. Mo Laotian only promised his daughter to you to fulfill a vow. Now he breaks it off just like that? Wasn't your father’s death in vain?"

Shen Yi stiffened his face and said, "Uncle, it was Miss Mo who didn't want to marry. Uncle Mo had no choice but to break it off."

"And you’re still speaking up for him!" Su Chunlin was so angry his face turned red. "You believe whatever he says? Even if we take a step back and say it really was that girl from the Mo family who didn't want to marry, so what? In matters of marriage, isn't it always the parents' command and the matchmaker's word? A young girl says she won't marry, so she doesn't? Since when was Mo Laotian so easygoing? It’s clearly because he’s bullying you for having no father or mother!

No, this can't be settled so easily. I have to go to the Mo family and demand justice for you."

Shen Yi held back the impulsive Su Chunlin. "Uncle, I know you mean well, but a twisted melon isn't sweet. I heard that Miss Mo ran away from home in the middle of the night to avoid marrying me and fell into a ravine; she almost died. Uncle Mo must have been scared. He couldn't possibly force his own daughter to her death just for an engagement."

"Who did you hear that from?" Su Chunlin stopped in his tracks.

Shen Yi said, "Uncle Mo told me himself. When I went to help in Zhongmen Village yesterday, I heard some rumors too. People were also saying..."

"Saying what?" Su Chunlin asked anxiously.

Shen Yi pursed his lips and let go of his hand, expressionless. "They said Miss Mo was saved by Xiong Kai from the same village. Xiong Kai carried her home on his back, and the villagers of Ximen Village saw it with their own eyes. Uncle Mo’s point is that since Miss Mo doesn't want to marry me, and there’s a stain on her reputation, forcing the marriage wouldn't be good for me either. But he did give me a bag of grain as compensation."

Madam Han frowned tightly upon hearing this. "How could it be that bastard Xiong Kai! You and little Tai really are unlucky!"

Su Chunlin stroked his chin, lost in thought, and no longer shouted about going to settle scores with Mo Laotian.

After Shen Yi went to his room to rest, Madam Han lowered her voice and asked, puzzled, "You aren't going to do anything about it? Shen Yi’s father was your savior, after all."

Su Chunlin pulled Madam Han a bit further away before saying, "Who said I wasn't going to do anything! Look, our daughter had her engagement broken by Xiong Kai, and there are all sorts of rumors flying around outside. It won't be easy to find her a match later. I was originally worried our daughter wouldn't be able to marry, but hey! Look at that, Heaven just sent us a ready-made son-in-law!"

"You mean Shen Yi and little Tai?" Madam Han covered her mouth in surprise.

Su Chunlin nodded excitedly. "I’ve watched Shen Yi grow up; he’s much better than Xiong Kai. I used to regret that Mo Laotian got such a bargain, but the situation has turned around. Hehehe..."

Shenjia Village was some distance from Dongmen Village, and a round trip took a full day.

In the past, Su Chunlin would visit Shen Yi once a year to bring him things, so he truly had watched him grow up.

With Su Chunlin’s reminder, Madam Han’s face instantly lit up. "Master, you’re so clever! Why didn't I think of that? And I’ve noticed Shen Yi is quite good to our little Tai. They even went out together early this morning."

"Really?" Su Chunlin’s eyes brightened even more.

Madam Han nodded vigorously. "But we have to get to the bottom of the situation with the Mo family. If it’s really as Shen Yi said, you still need to make a trip there. Everyone needs to lay their cards on the table, and the Xiong family needs to show something for it too. We can't let Shen Yi be the one to suffer."

The debt from back then hadn't been settled yet; the Mo family couldn't just use a bag of grain to repay a life-saving favor.