Old Man Zhou returned from work and shouted through the door curtain, "Wife, why has Mao Laoyao's family next door taken in a newcomer?"
Only after entering did he notice Zhou You was home. "You're back, You'er."
Mother stepped forward to take the things from his hands, casually brushing the dust from his clothes.
Old Man Zhou was in the midst of a gossiping fit, vividly recounting what he had seen.
"Heh, when I passed Mao Laoyao's door, I saw a pretty little lady sitting there. That face of hers—there's no telling how lovely it was."
"Even the daughters of wealthy households might not compare!"
"She must have fled from Su City. She's surely either rich or noble; ordinary families simply can't raise such beauty."
As they listened, Zhou You and Mother exchanged glances. It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?
Could it be that the woman Zhou You had driven away had turned around and entered Mao Laoyao's home?
"All the neighbors were gathered around watching. They said they'd lived more than half their lives and had never seen such an outstanding beauty."
As Old Man Zhou went on, he realized the air had gone cold. His son and old wife both looked strange.
"What's wrong?"
"Her father, this is what happened..."
Zhou You's mother recounted the entire matter from beginning to end.
Old Man Zhou lit his pipe. As he listened, his brows gradually furrowed. "You'er did right. A woman of unknown origin can't be taken in."
He then told them an old story from years ago.
Forty years ago, before Old Man Zhou entered the city, he had followed Zhou You's grandfather around the outskirts, picking up whatever work they could find.
Back then, he had heard of a bloody case that shocked the surrounding area.