The Second Young Master’s Obedient Husband : Chapter 7

Su Qingyu went out early the next morning.

Carrying a back basket, pretending to go up the mountain to gather firewood, he walked toward the village head. The morning fog had not yet dissipated, and the village path was damp, each step leaving a shallow imprint. Passing by the village head’s large house of blue brick and tiles, his footsteps slowed, and his eyes glanced that way.

Liang Yu’s courtyard was at the very back, a separate small courtyard, enclosed tightly by a blue brick wall, the courtyard gate closed, unable to see inside.

Su Qingyu slowed his pace, walking past the gate, his ears perked listening for movement inside. The courtyard was quiet, with no sound, and he didn’t know if anyone was home or not.

Reaching the foot of the mountain, he gathered half a basket of dry branches, and walked back toward the village. Passing by that small courtyard again, the gate was still closed.

Su Qingyu stood not far away, biting his lip, not knowing what to do.

Just as he was hesitating, the courtyard gate suddenly opened.

Liang Yu walked out, carrying a bow and arrows, a water pouch in his hand, looking like he was about to enter the mountains. Raising his head, he saw Su Qingyu standing not far away, his gaze swept over, paused on that face for an instant, and strode over.

Su Qingyu’s heartbeat quickened by half a beat, he lowered his eyes, and moved aside toward the roadside.

Liang Yu drew near, and as he brushed past, his footsteps suddenly paused, and he turned his head to glance at Su Qingyu.

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling, his fingers gripping the back basket straps tightening.

Liang Yu said nothing, withdrew his gaze, and strode away.

Footsteps gradually faded into the distance, Su Qingyu raised his head, watching that back disappear into the morning fog, his heart feeling empty, yet also carrying some indescribable feeling.

Su Qingyu bit his lip, turned and walked home. After walking a few steps, he stopped again, looked back in that direction, foggy and hazy, nothing visible.

Returning home, he set down the back basket, entered the kitchen to light the fire and cook. As he added firewood to the stove chamber, that pair of eyes kept emerging in his mind, looking at him as if looking at a stone by the roadside.

In the afternoon, Su Qingyu went out again.

This time he didn’t carry a back basket, saying he was going to the village entrance to draw water. Carrying water buckets, he slowly walked toward the village head, and passing by that small courtyard, the gate was still closed.

After drawing water and returning, he passed by once more, and the gate remained tightly shut.

Su Qingyu carried the water buckets, stood not far away, looking at that grayish blue courtyard gate, looked for a good while, then slowly walked home.

Lying on the kang bed at night, tossing and turning unable to sleep, his mind full of that pair of eyes.

On the third day, Su Qingyu went again.

This time his luck was better, just as he reached that area, he saw Liang Yu returning from outside, a roe deer over his shoulder, and several pheasants in his hand. He didn’t walk fast, but his steps were large, and in a few steps he reached the courtyard gate.

Su Qingyu stood not far away, his heart beating fiercely, his palms sweaty.

Liang Yu took out a key to open the gate, and just as he was about to enter, he suddenly stopped, turned his head and looked this way.

Su Qingyu was fixed in place by that gaze, lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling violently.

Liang Yu looked for a few moments, then suddenly spoke: “Is something the matter?”

Su Qingyu opened his mouth, his throat as if blocked by something, unable to speak.

Liang Yu waited a few breaths, didn’t receive an answer, raised his eyebrows, pushed open the gate and went in.

The courtyard gate closed, making a light sound.

Su Qingyu stood in place, cold wind pouring into his collar, his entire body icy. He stood for a good while, then slowly turned and walked home.

Returning home, he entered his own small room, sat on the edge of the kang bed, and stared at the wall in a daze.

What should he have said? Said there was something, wanted to…

Su Qingyu buried his face in his palms, his palms burning hot, his face even hotter.

Those words, how could he say them.

But if he didn’t say them, what could he do? The Zhou family was still waiting for a reply, those rotten people like Ma Shan were circling the door every day, if he dragged on any longer, he was afraid…

Su Qingyu raised his head, wiped his face, and looked at the sky outside the window. The sky was about to darken, it was time to make dinner.

Matchmaker Liu came again, this time her expression not very good, and her words were blunt: “Yu ger, have you finally thought it over? The Zhou family can’t wait any longer, they’re not set on you alone. The old Wu family’s daughter at the west end of the village, although it’s a second marriage, she’s sturdy and can work, and the Zhou family has already gone to meet her.”

Su Qingyu lowered his eyes, and said softly: “Aunt Liu, I won’t accept the Zhou family marriage.”

Matchmaker Liu was startled, her expression darkening: “Won’t accept? Then what about your mother’s illness? How will your family’s life go on? You think clearly, once this village passes, there won’t be this shop.”

Su Qingyu pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Matchmaker Liu sneered: “Alright, you have backbone. I’ll wait to see how long you can last. Those rotten people are all waiting, when the time comes don’t come crying to beg me.”

After speaking, she slammed the door and left.

Su Qingyu stood in the kitchen, looking at that shaking door, for a long time.

At night after attending to Mother Su drinking her medicine, he returned to his own room and sat on the edge of the kang bed.

The next day, the sky had just begun to lighten, and Su Qingyu rose.

He combed his hair, changed into that old jacket washed the cleanest, gathered his hair, and tied it with that old cloth strip.

He went out, walking toward the east end of the village.

The morning fog was thick, and there were few people on the village path. Reaching that small courtyard gate, the gate was closed. Su Qingyu stood before the gate, raised his hand, his fingers curled, and finally knocked.

The gate sounded three times.

Footsteps came from inside, from far to near.

The courtyard gate opened, Liang Yu stood in the doorway, wearing everyday clothes, his hair still somewhat wet, as if he had just washed his face. That pair of eyes looked over, paused on Su Qingyu’s face, and narrowed slightly.