Chapter 77.1

Translated by Aviana

Standing behind the fence, Tian Cuilan couldn’t but keep gazing out for a long time. Only when the silhouettes of the two could no longer be seen did she reluctantly retrieve her gaze.

It was truly nice; she ought to feel extremely happy…after all, Elder brother Tiezhu had been very kind to her….

Tian Cuilan herself wasn’t aware why she was paying this much attention to those two. It seems as if from the time she ran into the two on the village trail, her thoughts began to drift towards them more and more.

She came to know that woman liked to go on a stroll, thus the Elder Brother Tiezhu would always accompany her. Every time, while heading back, they pass by her home. The figures of those two people could be seen through the fences of her backyard. Subsequently, for some reason, she subconsciously began to pay attention to those two.

Gradually, this action developed into a habit. She would always rush to the backyard at this time, using some or the other excuse to peep at them.

After this became a daily habit, she began to feel as if it had been three autumns, if she didn’t see them even for one day. Being illiterate, Tian Cuilan failed to understand what these emotions meant. All she knew was that when she didn’t see them for several days in a row, her heart couldn’t help but begin to get distracted while her thoughts were in turmoil.

At some point, she even began to give birth to thoughts like ‘has something happened to that woman?’ ‘Was her fetus unstable and had to remain in bed?’

From when did she begin to produce such thoughts in the depths of her heart and gloat over them? She wasn’t sure about it either. When she consciously realized that she was having thought that she shouldn’t have, embarrassed, she condemned herself. Yet, she was unable to control them.

Only when she saw those two familiar silhouettes today again did a sense of relief wash over her heart. Yet, along with the relief came faint disappointment as well.

Tain Cuilan was unfamiliar with this sort of Elder brother Yang Tiezhu before that woman. Actually, even the appearance of Yang Tiezhu in her distant memories had become quite fuzzy.

She felt that after that first encounter, the fuzzy memories which were buried deep within became distinct yet again. After peeping at them day after day, she felt her Elder Tiezhu brother was truly the best. How good he was back in their childhood was that good he was even now. No wonder she had been unwilling to withdraw the marriage agreement at that time….

Had she not withdrawn the marriage agreement that time, that position would have been hers now….—such thought bubbled within her heart.

“Cuilan, what are you gazing at ah?” Suddenly her mother’s voice came from behind her.

Startled, she quicked turned around and stammered, “I wasn’t looking at anything, mother.”

Tian shenzi smiled helplessly, “Don’t just be cooped up in the home all day long. If you are free, go out and stroll around and, if possible, meet up with the girls with whom you used to be acquainted formerly.

Tian shenzi felt sad about this younger daughter of hers. At the moment, she wished for nothing more than her getting unchained from the shackles of her past at the earliest and live her life to the fullest.

Perhaps a few idle gossips might arise among the villagers, but Tian Cuilan was acutely aware that they too might understand and feel pity for Tian Cuilan. After all, her daughter wasn’t divorced because she didn’t abide by the virtues of women; rather, she too was helpless and a victim of misfortune.

Tian shen had actually inquired about in which direction the winds of rumors were blowing outside. Otherwise, it would have been unlikely for her to take Tian Cuilan out. Although Luoxai village was full of people who were fond of making thoughtless remarks about the matters in others’ households, however, towards a person on a weaker side, they maintained propriety while speaking. Besides, her daughter had never overstepped the bounds of what was proper.

Irrespective of whether what others felt towards her was sympathy or pity, at least they wouldn’t maliciously slander her. As such, Tian Cuilan was still free to go out for a stroll or make friends.

“En.” Tian Cuilan unconsciously acquiesced as a few thoughts swirled within her brain.

If she goes out, wouldn’t she be able to get more about those two people?

For the first time ever since she returned to her natal house, Tian Cuilan stepped out of her house on her own accord. It wasn’t for herself, but for the sake of small unknown thoughts bubbling within her….

Perhaps Tian shenzi had already attained her objective; at least, the part of her objective to have Tian Cuilan’s mind shift from her past had successfully been fulfilled.

As for what sort of outcome such actions would bear was currently no one’s concern.

A few days later, Yang Tiezhu set off again.

But this time, he came back rather quickly on the third day.

Soon after returning, he cheerfully hugged his wife and expressed that Laweixian was selling pretty well in all the restaurants outside. Over hundred jin of laweixian he had taken this time were all finished. Furthermore, he also received some fixed orders in advance that needed to be delivered every five days.

Soon the third branch’s couple and Yang-shi also heard about this good news, energizing their spirits even more.

This time Yang Tiezhu didn’t visit other restaurants to sell, for he wished to wait till the other restaurants too, to get wind of this matter before visiting them after a few days. Then it would be equivalent to achieving twice the effort with half of the effort.

Once their scope of the market expanded a bit, Yang Tiezhu eased his heart and intended to shift his attention to looking for a place to build their house.

These days, Yang-shi also has been mulling over the same for the past few days. Thus as soon as Yang Tiezhu mentioned it, she right away recommended a pretty good open space on the outskirts of the village that wasn’t far away from her place.

Yang-shi’s courtyard resided near the outskirts of the village. Between her house and Luoxia mountain, there were only a few households. The open space on the outskirts of the village is quite huge; they can pick how much ever area they want after discussing it with their village chief.

But of course, they won’t get it for free. However, the land on the outskirts of the village was comparatively cheaper than those on the inside.

Upon hearing her recommendation, Yang Tiezhu also found it a pretty good choice. He had trekked around the village a few rounds yet didn’t find any good places like this. Others already occupied the places that were slightly optimal. There are few open places in the villages, yet the area is quite small.

Back home, when he shared this proposal with Lin Qingwan, she too seconded this.

Firstly, it was in proximity to Yang-shi’s place; second, entering and exiting the village was even more convenient. Others have yet to discover their family’s Laweixian business only because Yang-shi’s place resided close to the outskirts. From there, they can easily enter or exit without having to go through the village.

The two even then specially made a trip to inspect the location.

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