Chapter Forty-Three: Remarriage

Seventh Uncle of the charcoal kiln truly had invested money, and his share was among the largest. When the kiln was first established, it was Fourth and Fifth Uncle who contributed the most, followed by Seventh Uncle. The rest was made up of scattered shares—one string from the East Family, eight hundred coins from the West Family, and so on. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why the patriarch, Zujun, insisted on keeping the kiln running despite the hardship. As long as the kiln remained, every family could expect at least some income each year, and held onto hope. If the kiln truly collapsed, all the money invested in the beginning would be lost.

"You want to withdraw your share?" Zujun looked at Seventh Aunt in surprise. "Seventh Uncle’s wife, have you thought this through? If you give up your share, your family will be left with nothing but those few acres of land."

Sixth Uncle grew anxious—not out of anger with Seventh Aunt, but because her words about withdrawing her share made him forget everything else. "Seventh Brother’s wife, you mustn’t be so rash!"

"The charcoal kiln isn’t as prosperous as before, but at least we still get some dividends at year’s end—it’s a security."

"Exactly!" Seventh Uncle chimed in. "Aunt, don’t be shortsighted. Money in your hand disappears before you know it, but the kiln is a real, steady asset."

"Besides..." Seventh Uncle sneaked a glance at Zujun. "These are difficult times for the kiln. Zujun isn’t having an easy life either. Where would he find five strings of cash for you?"

"I don’t care!" Seventh Aunt, stubborn as ever, turned unreasonable. "I want to withdraw my share—I want my money!"

"What do you need the money for?" Old Zujun’s eyes widened. "Have you gone mad for money?"

"I just want money," Seventh Aunt muttered, head down. "I need it!"

She was determined, refusing to listen to reason—she wanted money, no matter what anyone said.

"Anyway, the charcoal factory can’t go on much longer. I want my money..."

"You!"

Zujun, stifled with frustration, slammed his wine bowl on the table. "I can’t eat this meal anymore!" He stood up, hands behind his back, and strode out. As he passed Seventh Aunt, he finally let slip a harsh remark. "Seventh Uncle must have been blind to marry a woman like you!"

Seventh Aunt kept her head down, expressionless. "I want my money, I just want my money!"

"It was agreed from the start—anyone can withdraw, no one will stop you!"

"No money!" Zujun roared.

He marched toward the courtyard gate, truly acting as the family head for once. If the shares were withdrawn, what would happen to Huzi in the future? He couldn’t let this woman have her way.

...

"Money!" Just as he reached the gate, a loud shout came from behind—Wu Ning’s voice. The old patriarch was so angry he looked around for a stick to grab, but the courtyard was too tidy and nothing could be found. He could only shout, "If you have money, you give it!"

"I will!" Wu Ning replied.

Wu Ning stood up. "I’ll take Aunt’s share."

...

————————

Wu Ning really did take the share.

The meal had been utterly ruined by Seventh Aunt, and everyone left in ill humor. When the others had gone, Wu Ning fetched seven strings of cash from the inner room, adding two more to cover the owed land rent, and handed the whole sum to Seventh Aunt.

"Well!" Seventh Aunt cradled the purse, her face bright with joy. "Ninth Brother’s really come into his own—he’s made big money!"

She glanced around the courtyard, blooming with flowers. "In these two months, you’ve really been living well."

"This courtyard..." She muttered to herself as she looked around. "This little yard is prettier than old Chen’s grand mansion."

"If you really make big money, don’t forget your aunt!"

Wu Ning felt a wave of disgust.

Honestly, he used to pity Seventh Aunt—a woman raising two children alone was no easy task. For Seventh Uncle’s sake, he’d let many things slide. But after today, he had no respect left for her.

To put it plainly: being a bit tough, liking to take advantage, within the family—no one would mind. But now, with the charcoal factory struggling, she insisted on withdrawing her share and demanding five strings of cash from the patriarch. Wasn’t that burning the bridge after crossing it?

She was not loyal!

"Aunt, didn’t you need money? Take it and hurry home, I’ve got things to do."

He ordered Li Wenbo to tidy up, and prepared to leave with Wu Li and Wu Qi.

Huzi and Qiao’er hadn’t finished eating, but when they saw Wu Ning about to leave, they quickly shoveled in a few more mouthfuls. "Ninth Brother, wait for me!"

"Hey!" Seventh Aunt was left red-faced, pointing at Huzi and Qiao’er and starting to scold. "You two little ingrates, I’m your mother—come back!"

But who could hold them back? The children dashed away and vanished.

...

——————————

"Ninth Brother, are you crazy?"

The five walked down the mountain, heading into the depths of the ravine, where the charcoal kiln sat at its farthest end.

Wu Li, walking alongside Wu Ning, remarked, "You really gave her five strings of cash?"

Wu Ning shrugged indifferently. "So what? It’s not as if we’re short on money. Besides, don’t we still have shares in the kiln?"

Wu Li was speechless, unable to fathom Ninth Brother’s thinking. He happened to spot Huzi nearby and gave him a slap.

"Look at what your worthless mother did!"

Huzi protested, "My mother is my mother, but I’m me! I’m with Ninth Brother."

"Hmph!" Wu Ning smiled awkwardly. "If she didn’t feed you all the time, who knows which side you’d be on."

He said it lightly, but he knew perfectly well—Seventh Aunt’s behavior and Huzi’s nature were two different things.

He said to Wu Li, "Stop hitting him. Try acting like a proper older brother."

"Bah!" Wu Qi spat, "He just makes me mad!"

"Hey," Wu Qi spoke up, "I’ve got something else to say."

"What is it?"

"I heard that in Chen Family Village, Seventh Aunt seems to have caught someone’s eye."

"What?" Wu Li was stunned. "Tell us, what’s going on?"

Wu Qi explained, "A classmate of mine happens to be Old Chen’s eldest son. A while back, he mentioned it in passing. Apparently, some idler in their village—a confirmed bachelor—has been pursuing Seventh Aunt for some time."

Wu Qi frowned. "I didn’t pay it much mind then, but now I wonder..."

He glanced at Huzi. "Is your mother planning to remarry?"

Was she trying to gather up Seventh Uncle’s property and take it to Chen Family Village?

"Nonsense!" Huzi was anxious. "My mother would never remarry!"

"Heh," Wu Li sneered, "You never know."

...

Wu Ning said nothing, but in his heart he thought, "This woman might just do it!"

Huzi panicked. "Then what will I do?"

"What can you do?" Wu Qi joked half-seriously, "Either you go to Chen Family Village and accept a stepfather, or you stay here in the ravine, an unwanted child."

...

They expected this comment would make Huzi cry, but instead he pondered a moment, then grabbed Wu Ning’s arm. "Ninth Brother, I don’t want a stepfather in Chen Family Village. You take care of me!"

"Get lost!" Wu Ning thought, no wonder Wu Li was always hitting him—how could he be so shameless?

He drew Qiao’er close. "Don’t worry. Your mother won’t abandon you."

But unexpectedly, Qiao’er, head lowered and leaning against Wu Ning, whispered, "Mother won’t want me."

Wu Ning: ...

For some reason, his dislike of Seventh Aunt grew even stronger.

With the charcoal kiln now visible ahead, he consoled them, "It’s all right. If your mother really doesn’t want you, Ninth Brother will look after you both."

...