Farming Happiness: Husband, Come and Plough the Fields

FH Chapter 25

Chapter 25 : 不靠脸吃饭

[I] don’t depend on face to make a living (to eat) 

It would have been different if she was already married, Li Haitang would have had a backer and the criticism would be much less, at least she would not have had to hide things when she went out. She could also have peace of mind, thinking about how to earn some money.

 

It’s just that it seems wrong to do it like this to the wild man. Although people don’t like what he looks like, he is at least ‘clean’, unlike her, who has an awful mess behind her.

        

“I will take the responsibility and look after you and your little brother.”

 

Xiao Lingchuan didn’t dare to think more, Li Haitang is the number one beauty in Li Jia village and was known for her good look for ten miles and eight villages around, even if her reputation was ruined, there were plenty of such people who willing to get a sweet bargain or gain a small advantage. No matter what, she would not fall in love with him. 

 

“Big Brother Xiao (Xiao Da Ge), are your parents already passed away?”

 

Li Haitang nodded in satisfaction, the meat of the mountain chicken was fresh and tender, the mushrooms absorbed the chicken soup; it’s so soft. She was so hungry that she forced herself to control the amount of food she ate (with great difficulty) yet she still ate half of a small bowl.

 

“I don’t know who my father and my mother are. I’ve been living in the mountains with my master for as long as I can remember.”

 

This is the first time Xiao Lingchuan said the longest sentence. Ever since he kept a record of events in his memory, his master had already taken him to practice martial arts. His master often left, therefore in order to fill his stomach, he could only go hunting in the mountains.

 

It had been more than ten years since he had started to practice martial arts at the age of five. Now, with his kung fu, he could travel freely through the remote mountains and thick forests.

 

From when he was still a child, for so many years, Xiao Lingchuan was mostly alone. His master only came back a few times occasionally to check if he had been lazy in his practice.

    

“So where is your master (Shi Fu)?”

 

Li Haitang had eaten and drunk enough and was in better spirits. She looked around the room, by the window, there was a heated kang. In the small suite, the bed, the window curtains and bedding were all in dark color and very simple. At first glance, she immediately knew it was a man’s room. 

 

The rain slapped against the window lettice with a popping sound, and the light in the room was like a bean-shaped thing, softening his cold and hard brows and eyes a little.

 

Li Haitang was holding her cheek while she was chatting with Xiao Lingchuan. She wanted to know more about him.

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Xiao Lingchuan shook his head. His Shi Fu, before he left, said that this time he would go for some time, therefore if there is an urgent matter, he could send a letter to a painting and calligraphy shop called Le Cai Xuan in the border city.

 

If he got married, he would have to tell his Shi Fu about it. Although they were master and disciple in name, they were like father and son, yet they were not very good at expressing themselves.

 

Shi Fu once heaved a sigh over his looks, but a manly man doesn’t live by his face, he depends on his skills/ his abilities. If he really wanted to find a woman to solve his needs, he might as well spend some money and buy one from a broker.

 

Xiao Lingchuan traveled north and south; traveled widely, following the armed escort (of travelers or merchants’ caravans). When he was away from home and working as an armed escort, all the people went to ‘flower house’ together to look for pleasure and he was alone to look after the goods. Because of his good skills, he saved the lives of several brothers and had great prestige in Biāojú’s world. 

 

[镖局 (biāojú): professional organization which provided armed escorts or bodyguards]

 

“The only thing I’m worried about now is my little brother, he’s clever but he’s still too young.”

 

The mention of Li Jin Hu adds a touch of worry to Li Haitang’s forehead. He has a place to live and his little brother has silver in his hand, but the neighbors around him are unfamiliar and there is no one to look after him, so she is just afraid that there will be people with malicious intent. 

 

“I’ll pick him up tomorrow.”

 

Xiao Lingchuan counted the hours. Today is too late at night to leave Li Haitang alone in the mountains, so he might as well go down early the next day, avoid the Li family and the villagers, and bring Li Jin Hu up to his place. 

 

“Then that’s great!”

 

Having a pillow to sleep on when she is sleepy, Li Haitang almost cried with joy. She could not wait to hug Xiao Lingchuan and turned him around, but she was afraid that her behavior would give him a fright, so she could only restrain herself, “I’m running away from the arranged marriage, therefore the Qin family definitely will not leave the matter at that. You help me again and ask for some information.”

 

If the Li family can’t deliver the person, they will be as anxious as ants on a hot pot, and will probably blame each other, shirk responsibility as a dog bite dog. Li Haitang sighed that she couldn’t watch the fighting from the ramparts or bystand it and miss this good show.