Linxia

Chapter 12: Wangmei

Here, Fang Lin was carrying fish, but before he got home, he was blocked on the way.

Fang Wang pulled Fang He, furious, and it was obvious that she wanted to stand up for her son. However, Fang He was not willing to do so. It was very embarrassing for him at his age to have his parents stand up for him after he lost a fight.

Fang Lin seemed not to notice Fang Wang's anger. He smiled and spoke first: "Has Second Madam eaten? And cousin He, I always knew that cousin is smart and clever."

Fang Wang was originally filled with anger and had already thought of how to start the conversation, but she was a little confused by Fang Lin's praise of her son. She looked closely at Fang Lin's expression and found that his words were sincere and did not seem to be sarcastic, so she couldn't help feeling a little proud.

After all, which mother doesn't like her son to be praised?

"However, if this guy thinks that just a few compliments like this will make me give up the pursuit, then he is totally wrong!" She thought to herself.

Fang Lin did not give Fang Wangshi a chance to speak, and continued: "I heard from mother that Second Mother is planning to let cousin He go to school?"

"I do have this idea. Back then, the fortune teller who named him said that my son would be able to become a high-ranking official in the future. Even if that doesn't work out, he could at least work as an accountant in the city."

Mrs. Fang Wang didn't know why Fang Lin asked this, but this question really touched her sore spot, and she said with great joy.

This was indeed the thing she was most proud of in her life, and it was also the greatest hope of such a family in the midst of hardship, namely: to escape from the village and no longer deal with the land all their lives.

"I heard that the school not only looks for intelligence but also moral character when admitting people. Cousin He has a good reputation in the village, so I think he can be accepted." Fang Lin naturally knew what Fang Wang cared about. After throwing Fang He into that state, she knew that Er Niang would definitely come, and she had already made up her mind on how to resolve the situation.

After hearing this, Mrs. Fang Wang was unable to react for a moment, but after thinking it over, she finally understood the whole story - what happened today was that Fang He and his brother had a fight over a fish, and after losing, he wanted compensation. If this got out, it would indeed be bad for her son's reputation and might affect his studies.

Her son is her weak spot. After hearing this, she was a little hesitant and didn't know whether to continue making a fuss.

"My cousin He and I were playing and we had some bumps into each other. I was also wrong." Fang Lin spoke at this time and took a step back.

"Fang Lin, then apologize to me!" Fang He said immediately when he saw Fang Lin saying the words of submission.

Mrs. Fang Wang looked at her silly son and had no time to stop him. After all, if Fang Lin apologized, how could she make trouble and demand compensation?
Yes, the demands of this mother and daughter are actually different. Fang Wang wants compensation, but Fang He cares more about face and victory.

Fang Lin said simply: "Cousin He, I'm sorry!"

No matter what, there are indeed some reasons why Fang He has become like this. It is worth it to apologize to get rid of this troublesome second mother - just think of it as coaxing a child!
"Ha ha!"

Fang He had the mentality of a child. When he saw Fang Lin admit defeat, he immediately pinched his waist triumphantly, as if he had gained a great advantage. He held his head high, and the big bubbles on his mouth and the bruises on his face seemed to have turned into medals. If he had a tail, it would have been raised by now.

——It’s no wonder that he was so happy. Although he had won fights with Fang Lin before, Fang Lin had never admitted defeat and had never said a soft word. This time he got what he wanted, and he felt very satisfied psychologically.

Looking at her son's useless appearance, Fang Wang felt bitter but unable to express it. She just felt inexplicably aggrieved. The other party had already apologized so much, and as an elder, if she continued to be unreasonable, would she still have any shame?
Yes, she didn't really care about her own face, but she cared about her son's face! Fang Lin's words had really hit the nail on the head. Her son would go to school in the future, and she couldn't care less about such a small matter and ruin his reputation.

In the end, Mrs. Fang Wang pulled her son away with a wooden face.

When they came, one of them was reluctant, the other was angry; when they left, one was satisfied, the other was aggrieved.

……

Fang Wang went back and told her husband about this, and sighed: "The third room's Lin Wa has really come to his senses."

After listening to this, Fang Zhonggui stood up without saying a word and walked out.

"Where are you going, boss?" "To apologize to the third wife."

"Hey!" Fang Wang wanted to call her husband to stop, but then she thought better of it.

Originally, one of them was the bad guy and the other was the good guy. Besides, after what happened today, she was a little afraid of Fang Lin. She felt that he was a powerful man, and maybe he would have a promising future! They were relatives, and they were still connected. Who knows, she might still be able to rely on him in the future.

It’s better to resolve a feud than to create one!

……

"Your second uncle is still reasonable." Fang Sun sighed as she watched Fang Zhonggui's departing back.

Fang Zhonggui just came and said some bad things about himself, such as not being able to control his wife, etc., and came to apologize.

Fang Lin didn't say anything, he just felt funny: "Well, the previous apology is back now? I apologize to you, and your father comes to apologize to me."

Of course, this was just self-mockery. Another gain today was that he had figured out the second wife's ways. He had suspected it since yesterday when they were arguing about food, and today he finally confirmed that his second mother and second uncle were really the bad guy and the good guy!
For lunch, of course, we stewed the big grass carp. The fish soup was light white, and combined with the tender green wild vegetables, the delicious flavor rushed into our noses and chest, revitalizing our spirits that were tired from the journey.

"It would be even better if there was another piece of tofu." Fang Lin smacked his lips and said.

"That's wishful thinking. Isn't that enough?" Fang Sun rolled her eyes at her son, but she seemed to be aroused by the fantasy and swallowed unconsciously.

Seeing this, Mr. Fang and Tian Xuan both laughed.

"Think about it. You still have to think about it. If you don't have a dream, what's the difference between you and a salted fish?"

Fang Lin talked and laughed as he put the small fish, which were one or two inches long, not cooked in soup, gutted, scaled and smeared with salt, on a piece of tile that he had picked up and washed. After a while, the remaining fire from the cooking stove roasted them to a golden color.

The rice was served with steaming fish soup, which was fresh and delicious; the grilled fish was crispy and fragrant. Such delicious food was the greatest joy in the world when we were on the road and fleeing, compared with the hungry people around us.

The golden crow hangs high in the sky, and strings of light and shadows shine through the leaves. The family enjoys this rare and beautiful time.

……

Not far from the Fang family, at the Geng family’s side, the brothers Geng Cong and Geng Shi were drooling in the direction of the Fang family.

The Geng family's sister-in-law said angrily: "You have no ability, who can you blame? The capable ones eat meat, and the incompetent ones can't even eat warm shit!"

Geng Cong and Geng Shi lowered their heads.

"That's not what I mean. If he has ability, it's good. But if he doesn't have ability, then he's not our son, right?"

Father Geng smiled and said, "As for food, it's all about coaxing your mouth. As long as you can name the dish, think of the style, and think about it in your mind, and try a plate of it, you'll have eaten it. When I was a kid, my dad took me to the county town for the first time. We had some rotten meat noodles. The meat was cooked so soft that it seemed to melt in your mouth. When mixed with the noodles, you couldn't wait to swallow it into your stomach..."

As the Geng brothers listened, images emerged in their minds. Their eyes lit up and they moved their throats, as if they had really swallowed the rotten meat noodles. Their empty hearts were filled with satisfaction, and the most difficult days now seemed to become light and insignificant.

……

(End of this chapter)