Chapter 50: Du Minzhen dropped out of school.

Chapter 50: Du Minzhen dropped out of school.

For the sake of that satisfying remark, Du Li decided to cover for Du Min.

"Where were you hiding before?" he asked.

“I stayed home all night, sleeping in the granary, and was then woken up by the father and son. I followed them here. There are many trees and tall grass here. It was still dark then, so it was easy for me to avoid them.” Du Min said, a smug look on his face. He was enjoying the pleasure of being in control in this game of the mouse teasing the cat.

"Aren't you afraid of stepping on a snake?" Du Li said irritably.

"It's already mid-October, where would there be any snakes left? It's just a bit cold." Du Min yawned. "I'm also a little sleepy, I've been on edge the whole time, I didn't sleep well last night."

“The snake is hibernating, not dead. If you go near its burrow and disturb it, you’re likely to get bitten.” Du Li thought to himself that he was really lucky; coming from the countryside, he didn’t even know this.

"Looks like I'm having pretty good luck." Even so, Du Min still became worried. It seems he can no longer wander around the mulberry fields.

"Are you really planning to hide for a few days?" Du Li pressed. "Eighth Master has already sent people into the city to inquire. Did you have a backup plan? No, if you had a backup plan, you wouldn't need to hide like this."

"Only Dr. Xu knew about my leave of absence. He probably only had someone inform the lecturer; my classmates wouldn't know. If anyone asked, they would only find out I had taken leave. And when I left, I clearly told the doorman that I had dropped out. He's a nosy person..." He would inevitably inquire with other students' servants, and the matter would escalate at this point. Two opposing voices would emerge at the prefectural school, one of which would come from the student himself. The gatekeeper had even witnessed me packing my bedding and slinking away before dawn; this voice held sway. Furthermore, the students at the prefectural school were happy to see me drop out; they would choose to believe the gatekeeper, even hoping it would become true. Now that things had escalated to this point, the gatekeeper, to prove he wasn't spreading false information, would resolutely refuse to change his story.” Du Min had thoroughly understood everyone's psychology, even rehearsing every step repeatedly. He added with a smile, “Today is only the second day since I left the prefectural school. It's been a short time, and while the matter has escalated, it hasn't reached the point where Dr. Xu needs to clarify. Unless he clarifies, the rumors of my dropout won't change. At this point, whoever inquires will only get one piece of information.”

Du Li couldn't find a single flaw, so he clapped his hands and said, "Alright, you've got this in the bag."

"So I'll definitely get beaten to death if I show my face in the next few days, so you have to protect me for a few days," Du Min said.

Du Li nodded. "Oh, I was also part of your scheme."

Du Min: "...Don't speak so harshly, you haven't lost anything."

Du Li shook his head. He pulled an axe out from under the bed and said, "I'll build you a hiding place. Don't lie in the room. Go outside and keep watch so that Dad and my older brother won't come looking for you again."

"What kind of attitude is that?" Du Min asked.

Du Li didn't answer, "You'll find out soon enough."

Du Li went to the neighbor's mulberry field next door to cut a bundle of elm branches. He then used the elm branches to build an A-frame next to the thatched shed. After finishing the frame, he went back to the village to collect straw.

Old Du sat under the eaves with a dark face, staring intently at the outside of the courtyard. He looked sinister and ready to explode at any moment. Meng Qing didn't dare to provoke him, so she took her child and went outside.

"Second daughter-in-law." Li Hongguo chased after her, raising her head and saying, "I have something to tell you. When you were away, I cooked all three meals a day. Now that you're back, you can't just sit back and eat for free. From now on, you'll be in charge of preparing the meals."

Meng Qing raised an eyebrow. Second son's wife? She chuckled, "Sister-in-law, what did you call me? Second son's wife? The way you're talking makes me think I've got another wife. Your orders are ridiculous. You're going to make all the cooking from now on? Then you'll be eating for free!"

Li Hongguo was a little annoyed. She said loudly, "I know you're good with words, and I can't argue with you. I won't talk to you, but I'm right. I've been cooking for you for the past six months while you've been away. It's your turn now. It's time for you to show your filial piety."

"What does it matter to me if you've been cooking for a thousand years? I'm not even home, have I eaten your cooking? You want me to take turns cooking with you? Fine, I have no objection, let's reschedule, you cook for a month, I'll cook for a month." Meng Qing waved Wang Zhou's hand, pleading with a smile, "Sister-in-law, your nephew is only seven months old, and he just came back. He's new to this unfamiliar place, he can't be without me, and I can't cook. You're the eldest sister-in-law, please understand me. You cook this month, and next month when Wang Zhou is familiar with you and can leave me, I can cook."

Li Hongguo was furious at her mockery, but when she saw her fawning attitude the next moment, she was stunned and couldn't vent her anger.

"It's settled then. Thank you for your understanding, sister-in-law. I'll also understand you. If you have your period in the future and experience back pain and abdominal cramps that prevent you from getting wet, just let me know, and I'll cover for you for a few days. If I'm too busy, have Du Li cook for me," Meng Qing said.

Li Hongguo looked around nervously, then scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? Is that something you can talk about outside?"

"Sister-in-law is right." Meng Qing smiled. "Sister-in-law, I'm going to the ferry to see if there are any boats selling fish. I want to buy some vegetables for the family."

Li Hongguo watched her leave with the child. She thought about it for a while and felt that Meng Qing's method was also acceptable. The main thing was that Meng Qing had given in to her, which made her feel happy.

Old Du stared coldly at his clumsy eldest daughter-in-law. He seemed quite pleased when she came in, and asked, "Did she agree to cook?"

"Dad, did you hear that? Second son's wife said she'll take turns cooking for me for a month each month. This month I'll cook, next month she'll cook." Li Hongguo replied cautiously, "What do you want for lunch?"

Du Laoding gave a mocking smile, waved his hand, and thought to himself that Meng Qing should know that she wouldn't be able to stay in Dujiawan until next month.

"You old hag, how can you sit still at home?" Du's mother suddenly appeared, shouting in a loud voice.

Old Du was startled by her. He clutched his chest, his anger rising even higher. This could shorten his life by ten years.

"Are you still sitting at home? Go out and look for him! Some people are guessing that the third son might have fallen into the river and been swept away!" Mother Du cried, her face filled with fear and panic. "Where's the eldest? Where's the second son?"

“He won’t get into trouble. Even if something happens to you or me, nothing will happen to him. He values ​​his life more than anyone else.” Old Ding Du stood up and angrily cursed, “Let him hide. If he’s so capable, then let him never come back. Don’t look for him anymore. Nobody should look for him. Let him come out on his own.”

Upon hearing this, Du's mother exploded. She lunged at Du Laoding, yelling, "You cold-blooded old beast! You're still causing trouble! If you hadn't been stirring up trouble, would the third son have gone against the family? Come on, come with me. Go apologize to him."

Old Ding's anger was instantly ignited. He turned around and started fighting with his mother. He knocked her to the ground, and he was also pulled down by his hair. The old couple fought with bloodshot eyes, like enemies at this moment.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting!" Li Hongguo ran over to break up the fight. "Dad, stop fighting... Mom, stop biting! Let go! My dad's scalp is bleeding... Help! Help!"

Upon hearing the sound, Du Li ran back quickly.

"Second brother, hurry, hurry, pull your parents apart."

Du Li rushed over, lifted the old man who was riding on his mother, and slammed him to the ground.

As if possessed, Du's mother got up and started hitting Du Laoding again, but Li Hongguo quickly stopped her, saying, "Mother, stop hitting him."

"Stop fighting!" Du Li roared, "Aren't you ashamed? Aren't you ashamed?"

Old Du lay on the ground, panting heavily. He clenched his fists and threatened, "You wait, I'll beat you to death sooner or later."

"You'd better kill her and you'd better not live either." Du Li got up from him, pointed at him and questioned, "Look at the blood on her face, are you even human? She's been with you for decades and given you three sons, how could you bring yourself to kill her? Are you even human?"

With someone backing her up, Du's mother burst into tears.

Neighbors who heard the commotion ran over. Aunt Du helped Du's mother up to wash her nosebleed, and she angrily scolded, "Second brother, you really have an eye to open."

"She hit me first. Look how she pulled my hair." Old Du grabbed a handful of hair and ripped out a bloody strand.

"You deserve it! I should knock your teeth out for your foul mouth. You're the one who caused all this trouble in the family!" Du's mother, like an angry old hen, pounced on him and demanded, "Do you dare to tell everyone what you said to the third son?"

Du Laoding remained silent.

"You wouldn't dare, you old hag," Du's mother cursed viciously. "Let me tell you, if anything happens to the third son, you're dead too."

"Alright, alright, don't make a fool of yourself. The third brother is a grown man, what could possibly happen to him?" Du Li felt embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, take Mother to stop her nosebleed and see if she feels unwell anywhere else. If she does, don't delay, go see a doctor right away."

"Okay, okay." Li Hongguo listened to him.

Du's mother glanced at Du Li, finding a sense of security in him, knowing she had her son's support. She didn't argue with his words and obediently followed her eldest daughter-in-law away.

Uncle Du rushed over and immediately scolded Old Ding: "Aren't you ashamed enough? You cause trouble every time we're in trouble. You've disgraced our entire branch of the family. If you're so free, go find the third brother. Don't sit at home making trouble."

Old Du was angry, but no one could understand him. He didn't want to explain anymore, so he got up and went back to the west wing without saying a word, ignoring the gossip outside.

After seeing off the people who had come to see what was going on, Du Li was exhausted. He turned around and saw Meng Qing carrying a child and rushing back excitedly. He suddenly realized why she had come back from the city.

When Wangzhou saw his father, he excitedly shouted "Ah ah!"

Du Li gazed at the identical faces of the mother and son, their expressions nearly identical. He crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, and teased, "You're late. The fun's over."

Meng Qing paused, then said seriously, "I don't understand what you're saying."

“But I can tell you,” Du Li said quietly.

Meng Qing glanced at him sideways. He reached out and took the son from her arms, saying, "Mother pulled out a handful of Father's hair and bit him on the face and neck until he bled. Father beat Mother until her nose bled and she had slap marks on her face as well."

Meng Qing frowned. "Did you hit him so hard? Your father didn't hold back at all."

Du Li let out a long sigh, "He took out all his anger on my mother."

"Second son," Du's mother called out indistinctly.

Du Li carried the child inside and said unhappily, "You can't beat him, stay away from him and don't provoke him."

Mother Du stubbornly refused to accept this and ignored her words, instructing her, "Go and search along the river. I'm worried that your third brother might have fallen into the river last night because he couldn't see the road clearly."

“Impossible. There was a moon last night, the river was bright, and he’s not blind. He couldn’t have fallen into the river.” Du Li denied it. “He’s a grown man, nothing could have happened to him. He might have gone to one of his classmates’ houses.”

Mrs. Du's brows furrowed slightly. She had no other choice but to say, "Then let's wait a little longer."

Du Li stopped responding. He was afraid that something would happen at home if he left, so he decided not to leave and would pick the straw in the afternoon.

Smoke billowed from the chimney, and Li Hongguo handed out a basket. "Second son's wife, go to the vegetable garden and cut a purslane."

Meng Qing glanced at her silently.

"Second sister-in-law," Li Hongguo said, reluctantly changing her address.

Meng Qing took the basket and went to the vegetable garden with a sickle.

“Do you know where the vegetable garden is? I’ll go with you,” Du Li said.

"No need to follow, I know," Meng Qing waved her hand.

Madam Du observed the expressions of her second son and his wife without making a sound, and seeing nothing amiss, she got up and returned to the west wing.

"Mom, where are you going again?" Du Li stared at her. "If you want to sleep, go to the third son's room. You two stop fighting. It's shameful to fight at your age."

“Why should I hide from him? I’m not afraid of him.” Du’s mother ignored her advice and kicked open the door to the west wing, saying, “This is my room, I’m not going anywhere.”

Du Li carried the child and followed. He stood at the door and watched. Seeing that Du's mother lay back on the bed without saying a word, and the other person lying next to her also didn't make a sound, he felt a little relieved.

"Wake me up when dinner is ready," Mrs. Du said. "Close the door, I'm going to sleep for a while."

"Then call me if you need anything." Du Li closed the door and left with the child in his arms.

"Do you need to pee? When was the last time you peed? Go ahead and pee, but don't wet your pants," Du Li said to Wang Zhou.

Wang Zhou pointed at the chickens that ran into the yard and chirped.

"It's 'coo coo,' birds chirp. Go pee first, then Daddy will take you to feed the chickens later."

The voices faded into the distance, and the west wing fell into a deathly silence.

Not long after, Meng Qing's voice came through, and Du's mother said coldly, "Nothing is wrong. The second son and his wife should not know the whereabouts of the third son."

"Wait a little longer," said Du Laoding.

Du's mother sat up and suddenly slapped him hard across the face, but Du Lao Ding didn't utter a sound.

The fight was a last-minute decision made by the two men today, intended to force Du Min to come forward voluntarily. Du Laoding was eager to end this farce, wanting to send Du Min back to the prefectural school as soon as possible and also to put pressure on him. However, both men were harboring resentment, and when they finally got into a fight, their anger flared up and they couldn't stop, especially Du Laoding, who was truly venting his frustrations.

Just then, Qiaomei and her father returned. The father and daughter had been searching for a long time and were so tired that they could barely walk.

"Let's eat," Li Hongguo called out.

Du Li went to the west wing to call for help, and Du Ming was startled to see his parents with injured faces. "What happened?"

No one answered.

"Dad, come and bring the dishes," Li Hongguo called out.

When Du Ming came out, his face was full of complicated emotions, but he didn't say anything.

Lunch consisted of a pot of rice and a bowl of pine nut soup. Du Li glanced at the dishes, and after eating, he went to the kitchen to boil sixteen eggs. After they were cooked, he kept two for himself and gave the rest to each person.

“Now that the third son is no longer in school, the family won’t be under as much pressure. Don’t be frugal anymore, and eat better meals,” Du Li said to his sister-in-law.

Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Du's expressions grew even more unpleasant.

But apart from the two of them, everyone else gladly accepted the extra boiled eggs.

After finishing his two boiled eggs, Du Li asked Meng Qing, "I'm going to work in the mulberry fields, are you coming?"

"What kind of work?" Meng Qing wasn't really interested in going; she preferred to listen to people chatting in the village.

"Transport the straw over there, and you can help me chop it up. In a few days, I'll mix the straw with mud to build an earthen wall."

Meng Qing quickly waved her hand, "I'm not going."

"You came back to live here, didn't you hear the villagers saying that I mistreated you and sent you to live in a thatched hut in the mulberry field?" Old Ding Du said with a stern face.

"I didn't hear you, I'm very busy." Du Li ignored these words and got up to leave.

Du Min stared at the thatched roof of the shed until it was almost worn through, and finally the person who had been missing for half a day appeared.

"Second brother, why did you disappear as soon as you got back?"

Du Li took out two warm eggs and tossed them to him, saying, "Your parents got into a fight because of you. They fought so hard they were practically dying, and it attracted half the village."

Du Min remained silent.

Du Li sat on the bundle of straw he had picked out and asked, "Are you going back? If you are going back, I won't bother with you."

Du Min pondered, feeling that this wasn't enough. He even suspected that the fight was just a show for him, that the old man hadn't given up and wanted to force him to feel guilty.

"I won't go back." He made his decision.

Without saying a word, Du Li got up and started working, tying straw to the wooden frame he had erected that morning.

Du Min also went to help.

Suddenly, the geese in the mulberry field to the south started honking. The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Du Min immediately got up and ran away. Du Li went back to the straw shed to check it over, and finding nothing amiss, he quickly put the remaining straw on the frame and tidied it up.

Du Laoding watched the geese flapping their wings and honking loudly. He didn't go any further. He had forgotten about them. As soon as they started honking, Du Min would run away even if he was hiding here.

Du Li waited for a long time but no one came. He walked out of the mulberry field and saw that his father was almost entering the village.

"He's back! He's back! Xiao Kun is back!" The people guarding the ferry crossing shouted excitedly when they saw the boat.

Meng Qing was nervous as she watched the awning boat slowly approach.

"Eighth Master, Du Minzhen has dropped out of school." He couldn't wait to report this to the people on the boat before they even got ashore.