Northeast: My Absurd Woman

Chapter 5 Full of Food

Zhang Changyao was already feeling wronged, and Zhang Kaiju's words brought up old grievances.

"Look at yourself, can the thing you're looking for compare to your sister-in-law?"

Your sister-in-law is a virgin who has remained chaste.

The wife you've found is a kept woman, a woman with worn-out shoes and tattered socks.

"Don't even mention a hundred yuan, we wouldn't accept a woman like her even for ten yuan."

Zhang Kaiju was so angry that his eyes widened and his fists clenched tightly; he was about to punch Zhang Changyao.

"Father, these are all excuses you're making. You say Zheng Meizhi is keeping a mistress because she wants a dowry from our family."

Tell me, what's the difference between this pregnant woman you had me bring back today and her?

Zhang Changyao took a few steps back and, mustering his courage, continued to explain his theory.

"They're good-looking and don't ask for a penny, that's the difference."

I'm asking you one last time today: can you please just live an honest life?

If you say no, I'll beat you to death before Zheng Meizhi even has a chance to sue you.

Zhang Kaiju turned around and took out a tree branch from inside the garden wall.

Without caring about his own head or tail, he went straight for Zhang Changyao and swung at him.

Zhang Changyao was covered by clothes, so it wasn't visible, but two bright red welts immediately appeared on his face.

"Dad, just wait until I'm in jail, then you'll be happy."

Zhang Changyao hopped away from Zhang Kaiju's branches and fled from Zhang Changguang's house as if escaping.

"Brother, what happened to your face? Did that Zheng Meizhi scratch it?"

Yang Wuni, who had just finished cooking, was mixing sauce with chopped scallions and burnt dried chili peppers.

Seeing the bloodstains on Zhang Changyao's face, he asked him with concern.

"Mind your own business from now on. If it weren't for your refusal to accept money, Zheng Meizhi and I wouldn't have ended up like this."

I really don't understand it. We both got pregnant by someone else.

In their hearts, how could Zheng Meizhi be inferior to you?

Zhang Changyao covered his face, which had been bruised from being whipped by a tree branch, and examined Yang Wuni's face.

Yang Wuni's face was thin and oval, with large, hairy eyes that had clear black and white pupils.

His eyes were clear and free of any worldly traces.

His nose was thin and high, but not particularly prominent, and his lips were curved, giving him a smiling face.

She is of medium build and well-proportioned, with the only flaw being her slightly protruding belly.

"Brother, let's eat! Get some sleep and you won't feel the pain tomorrow morning."

Yang Wuni ladled out two bowls of noodle soup and placed them in front of herself, then ladled out another bowl and handed it to Zhang Changyao.

"Hey! Why did you serve three bowls of food when there are only two of us?"

Zhang Changyao didn't understand Yang Wuni's actions, so he pointed to the extra bowl and asked her.

"Brother, these two bowls are mine. I'll drink one and let the other cool down."

After finishing this bowl, the next bowl will be just warm enough to not burn your mouth.

Then ladle out the empty bowl and let it cool. This way you can eat quickly and still feel full.

Yang Wuni mischievously clutched both bowls, as if afraid Zhang Changyao would snatch them away.

"Oh my god! You really have a knack for food."

Now I understand why your dad married you off even without asking for money.

With your appetite, you could eat the entire grain depot out of the family.

Good heavens! What heinous things did I, Zhang Changyao, do in my past life?

One of the women was a kept woman, and the other was someone who ate her fill.

"No matter which option I choose, it's a trap. I've never had a good life."

Zhang Changyao slammed his hands on the table, and the rice bowl jumped high into the air with a "clattering" sound.

"Big brother, I'll go back right now, please don't be angry."

Yang Wuni was terrified and poured both bowls of porridge into the red clay basin.

He went to the head of the kang (heated brick bed), leaned against the wall, and dared not eat anymore.

"Hey! I'm not stopping you from eating, I'm just feeling really frustrated."

Come and eat! Don't starve like a starving ghost, let's eat slowly, okay?

Zhang Changyao served Yang Wuni a bowl, placed it on the table, and waved for her to come and eat.

"Big brother, I've never had enough to eat growing up. I just want to eat my fill every day. You can't send me back, can you?"

Yang Wuni didn't come over for dinner; she looked at Zhang Changyao's face with concern.

"Come and eat first, we'll talk about the rest later."

If I can feed you, you should feed yourself first.

"When you act like a doormat, it makes me feel even more aggrieved."

Zhang Changyao served Yang Wuni another bowl and placed it next to the one he had served her before.

He lowered his head and slowly drank a sip of the porridge, making an example of Yang Wuni.

"Just drink slowly like this, and from now on, you'll get to eat our meals first."

As long as you are my woman, I will never let you go hungry.

Yang Wuni only joined in to eat after seeing that Zhang Changyao was no longer angry.

She imitated Zhang Changyao, slowly slurping a mouthful and smacking her lips.

"Brother, eating like this isn't satisfying. Eating like pigs swill is much more satisfying."

Yang Wuni looked at Zhang Changyao, seeking his opinion.

"Oh my! Eat however you want! I'm really impressed with you."

After drinking a bowl, Zhang Changyao retreated to the fire wall and leaned against it.

He squinted, pretending to be shy so Yang Wuni wouldn't feel comfortable eating.

Half a basin of noodle paste was gone in a short while.

She glanced at Zhang Changyao and asked softly, "Big brother, there's still one bowl left. Do you want some?"

"I'm full, you've eaten too, right?" Zhang Changyao replied to Yang Wuni without opening his eyes.

When Yang Wuni received Zhang Changyao's response that he wouldn't eat, she didn't hold back.

He picked up the red clay basin, placed it on his face, and drank it all.

"Have you finished eating?" Zhang Changyao asked Yang Wuni after she had licked the rim of the bowl clean.

"Big brother, I'm done eating," Yang Wuni replied with a long, satisfied burp.

Don't start cleaning up the dishes yet. Let me tell you what Dad, my older brother, and my sister-in-law just said to me.

"Okay! Big brother, go ahead and say it! I'm listening." Yang Wuni rested her arms on the dining table.

He rested his chin in his hand, staring at Zhang Changyao and waiting for him to speak.

Zhang Changyao recounted everything that had just happened at Zhang Changguang's house from beginning to end.

The part where he talks about Yang Wuni being heavily pregnant has been cut.

"Brother, do you have a hundred dollars? Or do you still want to marry that woman?"

Yang Wuni shook her tired arm and looked up to ask Zhang Changyao.

"I have no money, and I don't want to marry that woman. I'm just afraid of going to jail."

Zhang Changyao told Yang Wuni the truth, and he didn't shy away from her because he thought she was reliable.

"Brother, if you say it like that, I have a way to help you."

Tomorrow, tell me where all these people you mentioned live.

I'll help you solve this problem, but I have one condition.

Yang Wuni tentatively stopped talking, wanting to see Zhang Changyao's attitude.

"What are your conditions? Just don't try to extort me like Zheng Meizhi did."

Zhang Changyao didn't expect Yang Wuni to make conditions, so he half-jokingly agreed.