ARC 2: Stepmother in the Seventies ✦ c71~116 (46)
✦ 12
Translator: InkyDragon (https://inkydragontranslation.wordpress.com)
“This isn’t your concern,” Gu Shi Chu said coolly. “Who I marry is my decision. Speaking of meddling, I hear your daughter’s been having trouble with her husband. He broke three of her ribs. Shouldn’t you be looking out for her instead of worrying about me? She’s your own flesh and blood! Let her divorce that brute! Why did you let her marry a man who beats women?”
Gu Shi Chu’s retort struck Auntie Liu right where it hurt. The rumours she had overheard weren’t worthless after all; they had become valuable ammunition.
Auntie Liu’s face contorted with rage. “What does that have to do with you?” she sputtered.
“Nothing, originally,” Gu Shi Chu shot back, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. “But you were so eager to offer advice on my life, I thought I’d return the favour. Why the sudden hostility anyway? You cursed at me first, and I haven’t even retaliated yet…”
Auntie Liu, rendered speechless by the unexpected counter, could only mutter a frustrated, “Fine! You’ll regret this!” before storming off. “You’re ungrateful and sharp-tongued! Let’s see where that gets you!”
Gu Shi Chu sighed, more bored than fazed. The woman was a lightweight; not even a decent sparring partner.
Work ended for the day, and Gu Shi Chu joined the crowd heading home. As she exited the fields, she saw Auntie Liu lingering by the gate, a fierce glare aimed in her direction. Ignoring her, Gu Shi Chu continued on her way.
Back at home, a brief rest was all she allowed herself before tackling the house repairs. Ji MingTao, still upset about their earlier exchange, hadn’t come to help. Undeterred, Gu Shi Chu started working alone.
Fortunately, the house wasn’t large, manageable even for a single person. She started by tackling the darkness. Out came the small windows, replaced with larger ones that brought in significantly more light. An additional window on a different side completed the transformation, bathing the room in a sunlit warmth that chased away the previous gloom.
Just as Gu Shi Chu was replacing the rain-damaged mud bricks, a surprise visitor arrived.
“Gu niece! There you are! Perfect timing…” A plump, middle-aged woman waddled in, her face creased in a warm smile. “Fixing the wall, are we? You even know how to do that! Such a capable young lady!”
Gu Shi Chu set down her tools, walked to the yard to wash her hands, and greeted the woman. “Auntie Xi, what a pleasant surprise! Come in, come in. Please have a seat.”
She ushered the guest inside and offered a bowl of cool boiled water. “Apologies, Auntie, we’re out of tea leaves at the moment. Just plain boiled water, I’m afraid. Will that suffice?”
Of course, Gu Shi Chu had tea leaves, a whole collection of premium blends, hidden away in her companion space. But those were invisible to others, their origin impossible to explain. How could an orphan girl like her possess such fine teas? So, plain boiled water it was.
Auntie Xi waved it off dismissively. Plain water was the norm, with perhaps some sweetened water reserved for special guests.
- (白糖泡水 (báitáng pàoshuǐ): Literally “sugar water,” a traditional Chinese beverage made by dissolving sugar in hot water. It’s often served as a simple refreshment for guests.)
“How are you managing, Gu niece?” Auntie Xi asked with genuine concern. Her eyes swept across the Gu family’s sparsely furnished hall – a rickety Eight Immortals table and a few worn stools, their original appearance long faded with age.
- (Eight Immortals table (八仙桌 Bāxiān Zhuō): A type of table often found in traditional Chinese households, typically rectangular and made of wood, with various carvings or decorations depicting the Eight Immortals from Chinese mythology.)
Gu Shi Chu offered a polite smile. “I’m alright, Auntie. Working in the fields provides for me. Being alone takes some getting used to, but I don’t feel lonely.” She paused, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What brings you here today, Auntie Xi?”
Deep down, she knew. Without a family, what else could others see in her but a potential wife? Today seemed to be a day for marriage proposals.
Sensing Gu Shi Chu’s unspoken question, Auntie Xi took a sip of water and dove straight into the reason for her visit. “Since you’re on your own now,” she began, “I’ll be frank. You shouldn’t be shy, dear. I’m here to propose a marriage for you.”
Relief washed over Auntie Xi as she saw no immediate rejection on Gu Shi Chu’s face. Her smile softened further. “The match is Zhou Shi Tou, the village head’s son. You know him, right? Widow Zhou’s tall, thin son? Maybe not the most robust, but everyone knows his gentle nature and obedience. Actually, it was Widow Zhou who first mentioned you. She thinks you’re hardworking and capable, a perfect match for her son. So, what do you think?”
Gu Shi Chu smiled to herself. Zhou Shi Tou, indeed. He was as thin as a reed, with barely a speck of muscle on his frame. They said he’d been sickly since birth, hence the name “Stone” – a wish for a life solid and unyielding enough to defy the King of Hell.
- (King of Hell (阎王): In Chinese mythology, Yan Wang is the ruler of the underworld, responsible for judging souls after death. )
Zhou Shi Tou might have a good temper and be obedient, but that was entirely due to Widow Zhou’s iron-fisted parenting. She treated him like a fragile porcelain doll, controlling every aspect of his life. Rumour had it that she even dictated how much he ate, slept, and drank each day.
In modern terms, Zhou Shi Tou was a classic “mama’s boy.” His good temper and obedience masked a fundamental weakness and lack of initiative. He lived solely to please his mother, following her every command. Marrying into such a family would be a recipe for disaster.
- (lit. mother’s precious man (妈宝男): This is a colloquial term in Chinese referring to a man who is overly dependent on his mother and lets her influence dictate much of his life decisions. It suggests a lack of independence and maturity.)
Widow Zhou’s possessiveness over her son would inevitably clash with any daughter-in-law, even one she handpicked. She’d meddle in their affairs, creating constant friction.
And then there was Zhou Shi Tou’s fragile health. Who knew how long he’d even live? It was a risky proposition.
‘Widow Zhou claims to appreciate my diligence and capability,’ Gu Shi Chu thought, ‘but she clearly wants a free housekeeper for her precious son. Cunning woman.’
But ultimately, the decision was hers.
“Auntie,” Gu Shi Chu began, a sardonic smile playing on her lips, “if I marry, it’s to improve my life, not make it worse. If I marry Zhou Shi Tou, a man too weak to work, wouldn’t I end up supporting him? Then, a few years down the line, we’ll have children, Widow Zhou will age, and I’ll be stuck raising a husband, kids, and caring for an elderly mother-in-law. The entire family would be on my shoulders.
Do you think that sounds appealing? Single, I only need to worry about myself. Married to him, I’d be supporting two, three, four, five, maybe even six people! Tsk tsk, I’d be worked to death!”
Auntie Xi gaped at her, clearly not expecting such a pragmatic response. But Gu Shi Chu’s words were undeniable, rooted in the harsh realities of their existence. What could Auntie Xi possibly say to refute them?
─── ❖ ── ☆ ── ❖ ───
( )………( )
(๑✪ᆺ✪๑)
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