Chapter 31: Chapter 21: People Who Care for Juhua

Zhang Huai was stunned as he listened to his parents decide in a few moments that he would be going to school. Just a minute ago, he was still feeling sorry for Juhua! Still, he was naturally happy that he’d be able to attend school with Qingmu.

’But would the family be able to manage all the work? And what about the tuition? Even though it’s very little, it’s still a monthly expense. If I stop earning money and start spending it instead, can the family afford it? Besides, my little brother, Zhang Yang, is only ten. He has to go to school too.’

He told his parents about his worries.

Zhang Dashuan shot him a look and said, “You’re older, so of course you’ll study and help with the farm work at the same time. The school is very close to home, anyway. For now, we don’t have to worry about finding you a wife, so our family can still afford this little bit of tuition.”

His mother also said, “What’s the rush? We’ll take it one step at a time. Your father and I can handle the hard work. When it’s the busy farming season, you can just take a few days off from school. We’ll manage!”

Only then did Zhang Huai fall silent.

Zhang Yang finished his meal, pushed his bowl away, and rested his chopsticks on top of it. He sighed like a little adult and declared, “I’m going to study hard and do my best to become a Scholar! That way I won’t have to put up with so much grief just to marry a wife in the future!” The boy had clearly been provoked by what had just happened.

Zhang Huai and his parents stared at him, dumbfounded.

He tilted his little head up and said, “Isn’t it true? Those families act so high and mighty just because they have a daughter! Liu’er’s mother actually demanded such a high betrothal gift—it’s like she was selling her own daughter. And that family Brother Qingmu mentioned is even worse! Nothing’s even close to being settled, and they’re already looking down on Sister Juhua! Hmph! When I become a Scholar, I’ll be the one doing the choosing! I won’t even consider anyone who isn’t virtuous and gentle!”

As he said this, his little face was solemn. His features, as handsome and well-defined as his brother’s, actually revealed a different kind of charm.

Hearing his youngest son’s words, Zhang Dashuan was overjoyed. His dark, square-jawed face instantly lit up, and he laughed heartily. “Good son! You’ve got ambition! Dad’s counting on you to vent my frustrations for me! I’ve been so incredibly vexed lately!”

Zhang Yang patted his thin, frail chest and told him, “Dad, don’t you worry. I’ll make sure those families with daughters come knocking on our door, begging me to be their son-in-law!”

Hearing this, Zhang Dashuan grinned so wide his eyes crinkled into slits. Huai Zi’s mother chided her youngest son, “You’re just bragging!” but her eyes were also filled with amusement.

Zhang Huai glanced at his younger brother and chuckled. “Then your big brother is counting on you too.”

Zhang Yang declared with a grand promise, “I’ll definitely take care of you, Brother! But I’ve got to say, wouldn’t it be even more impressive if you became a Scholar yourself?”

Amused by these naive words, Zhang Huai replied, “What, you think a Scholar is a Big Cabbage?! I’m already so old. I’m going to school to learn a few more characters, but I still have to help with the farm work. Where would I find the time to study hard enough to take the exam for Scholar?”

Huai Zi’s mother said, “That’s not necessarily true. As long as you’re a good student, your mother will work herself to death to make sure you can take the Scholar exam.”

Zhang Dashuan quickly agreed, “That’s exactly right!”

Zhang Huai didn’t respond. ’If it were that easy,’ he thought, ’our family wouldn’t be so poor.’

After the meal, he shouldered a hoe and headed to the wheat field to pull weeds, his mind wandering as he walked. He really wanted to go to Qingmu’s house to check on things. ’But if I go, what would I even say?’

In the past, when he heard others gossip about how ugly Juhua was and how she’d never get married, he never felt much beyond a bit of sympathy and irritation. And even that sympathy and irritation was only because he was good friends with Qingmu.

But today, when he heard Matchmaker Wang say she’d found a few potential families for Juhua, and the first one was a widower in his forties, a sharp, needle-like pain pierced his heart. He didn’t hear a single word about the wealthy family circumstances that followed.

An image of Juhua’s watery eyes surfaced in his mind. ’If she were to meet a man nearly as old as my own father, she’d probably be more frightened than a little deer. And to think of her small, delicate body, married to an old man like that—’

He stopped dead in his tracks. He felt the blood rush to his head, and his chest felt so tight he could hardly breathe.

’No, that won’t happen! Qingmu would never let Juhua marry a widower in his forties—he dotes on his sister so much. And Uncle Zheng and Aunt Zheng would never allow it either.’

He kept telling himself this over and over until he finally felt a little better. But as soon as his mind relaxed, he was surprised to feel his body go weak.

He remembered when they were children. He and Qingmu would play together, and since Qingmu always brought Juhua along, he often ended up looking after her too. Whenever Qingmu had to leave for a moment, Juhua would timidly tug on the corner of his shirt and cling to him dependently.

Now, she probably wouldn’t ever count on him to protect her again. As he thought this, that inexplicable pain welled up in his heart once more.

’What’s wrong with me? I don’t want to marry Juhua, but I can’t let go of her either. What is this feeling? It’s like I won’t be able to rest easy until I see her married to a good man.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep