Chapter 5

Xie Ning lay curled up in the bathtub, his head tilted against the rim, which squashed his cheeks into plump little bulges. His eyes were closed; he was clearly asleep.

Zhou Jinian frowned slightly, feeling cramped on Ninglang's behalf. The bathtub was a little too small after all.

It seemed he would have to find a way to earn some silver first. Zhou Jinian looked away, sat down at the table by the window, and opened it, using the ample light to practice his calligraphy.

His wrist was weak now. If he wanted to regain the fine handwriting of his previous life, he would have to practice diligently.

Author's note: Thank you to all the little angels who cast Overlord Tickets or watered me with nutrient solution between 2020-09-11 22:40:00 and 2020-09-12 22:06:22~

Thank you to the little angel who watered me with nutrient solution: xxxzzl, 6 bottles;

Thank you so much for all your support. I'll keep working hard!

Chapter 5

Lin Jin walked through the front courtyard, where the tables and chairs from the continuous banquet were still laid out. Although he had prepared himself, the mess that greeted him as he approached the kitchen still startled him.

Chopsticks, bowls, and plates were piled everywhere, dirty and jumbled. After all, yesterday's bustle had been for his own son's wedding, so Lin Jin rolled up his sleeves and began washing.

He was halfway through when the fourth brother's wife arrived. Zhou Sifeng and his third brother were close in age, so they were closer to each other. Sifeng's wife was named Lin Guihua and happened to share Lin Jin's surname. She was likewise overlooked by Grandma Zhou, so the two families were closer and offered each other comfort.

"You're up so early, Brother Jin?" Lin Guihua greeted him, then asked, "What else needs washing? Let me."

"I'm almost finished. There's no rush." Lin Jin felt that his hands were already covered in grease, so there was no need to dirty his sister-in-law's too. "Light the fire and cook some porridge. Do you know where yesterday's leftover dishes were put?"

Lin Guihua spat. "What leftovers? Everyone ate their fill and packed the rest off home."

It had been years since Great Well Village had seen a wedding feast like Zhou Jinian's yesterday. The Zhou family were wealthy farmers, after all, and every dish had a couple of slices of meat in it. How could the villagers not crave it?

Lin Jin smiled and shook his head without saying anything.

Lin Guihua continued, "Still, it's a good thing. He's married now, and if Jinian passes the county-level scholarly examinations next year, that'll be one joy on top of another! We'll see whether Ning brings his husband good fortune."

If things really went as his sister-in-law said, there truly would be something to look forward to. Lin Jin washed even more energetically. "He should. With him marrying into the family, Sanfeng and I didn't spend a single copper coin."

"Then he does bring good fortune." Lin Guihua scooped up water to scrub the pot. Naturally, the whole family knew that Mother had paid half the cost of Zhou Jinian's marriage, while the eldest brother's household had paid the other half.

That was immensely satisfying. Ever since marrying into the family, she had known that Mother only had eyes for the eldest legitimate grandson, Zhou Wenshu, and the sixth brother, Zhou Liufeng. She had long been dissatisfied too. Why should all the good things go only to the eldest and sixth brothers' rooms?

The thought of silver made Lin Guihua eager to earn some. "By the way, Brother Jin, the Mid-Autumn Festival is next month. Let's discuss making some food to carry to the foot of the mountain below Praying for Grace Temple and sell. We could earn some spending money before the autumn harvest."

"All right. Let's plan it out over the next few days," Lin Jin agreed.

Zhou Jinian should have been studying at the academy in Qingshui Town. Most of its students were farmers' sons from nearby villages, so the teacher had given them farming leave to let these young lads return to their villages and help work the fields. Classes would resume after the autumn harvest in the ninth month.

Lin Jin also wanted to earn the tuition gift Jinian would need to present to his teacher when classes resumed, while there was still time.

After working all morning, Lin Jin thumped his lower back, then hurried off to carry water. Three trips finally filled the water storage vat.

Breakfast was thin millet porridge and wild greens blanched in boiling water, sprinkled with salt and drizzled with sauce. It was reasonably tasty. Since Zhou Jinian had just married, Grandma Zhou had allowed his household four boiled eggs.

Lin Jin carried breakfast back to the little courtyard behind their room. Zhou Sanfeng was up too, weaving a winnowing basket there.

"Still not up?" Lin Jin set down breakfast. He addressed his husband, but naturally, he was asking about their son-in-law.

Zhou Sanfeng shook his head. "He's only just joined the family. We shouldn't be too harsh."

"I was only asking."

Space

There was only so much of it, so Zhou Jinian, sitting by the window, naturally heard them. He rolled his neck to loosen his spine. Indeed, it had been a long time since he had heard any splashing behind him. He set down his brush and walked toward the bathtub.

Xie Ning had changed positions, his head tipped back and his mouth slightly open, sleeping sweetly.

Zhou Jinian could not resist wetting his hand and flicking droplets onto Xie Ning's sleep-flushed cheeks. Sure enough, Xie Ning's brow creased, and his eyes moved beneath his thin eyelids, a sign that he was about to wake.

Realizing that he had actually played such a prank like some callow youth, Zhou Jinian prepared to soothe Ninglang's anger.

Xie Ning opened his eyes a little and met a handsome face. This was the man who had given him water and food last night. Xie Ning pressed his lips together, his eyes curving...

Looking at Ninglang's soft, smiling face, Zhou Jinian put his hands behind his back and rubbed his fingertips together. He rather wanted to pinch it.

Perhaps he had rested well, or perhaps it was because his body had drunk its fill of water. On his first day of married life, Xie Ning was brimming with energy.

Lin Jin carefully studied his son-in-law kneeling before him to offer tea. His looks were still first-rate, though his skin looked dry and cracked. Still, his son liked him, so let it be.

"Get up, quickly. If there's anything you need, you can tell Dad. Don't be shy. We're a family, and we'll make a good life together, all right?"

"Yes. Dad, please have some tea. Father, please have some tea." Xie Ning raised the teacup, using his new forms of address.

After the tea ceremony, the family of four sat in the back courtyard to eat breakfast.

Zhou Jinian had resolved the most important matter: he now had Ninglang by his side to care for. His next plan was to earn some silver. The Zhou family had fertile fields and well water, so food and drink were no concern. But to give his fathers a good life and cure Ninglang's illness, he needed enough silver.

He planned to go to a bookshop in town and earn money copying books. Studying was expensive because books were costly. Every volume was copied by hand, a slow process that made the prices high.

While Zhou Jinian was still making plans, Xie Ning finished drinking his fill, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and volunteered for work. "Dad, what needs doing today? Ninglang will follow along and learn."

"You're considerate." Lin Jin smiled. "There isn't much to keep us busy. I just cook and wash clothes. Do you know how to weave?"