The sunset cast a fiery glow across Shen Youwei’s face, making her look like a budding flower, delicate and dripping with charm. She clutched a piece of faded red silk in her hand and carried a cloth bundle on her back, her expression one of agitation.
Before Lin Moyang could even ask what was wrong, an impatient, scolding voice rang out from nearby: "You godforsaken money-pit! You have a cultured man like Third-younger Lin you could marry, yet you insist on choosing Second-younger Lin, who’s been kicked out of the house."
"He doesn't even have a roof over his head, are you out of your mind to come and suffer with him?"
A moment later, a woman with a short ponytail stormed up to Shen Youwei, looking utterly exasperated. It was Shen Youwei’s aunt, Zhang Cuihua.
"A-Auntie, I..."
"Don't you 'I' me! You can’t even string a sentence together, and you actually expect Second-younger Lin to treat you with sincerity?" Zhang Cuihua interrupted. "If you ask me, you should just be with Third-younger Lin. If he gets into university and lands a job later, you’ll have a lot less suffering to endure!"
Zhang Cuihua cast a disdainful glance at Lin Moyang, not bothering to hide her contempt. Lin Moyang, however, knew better. Though she made it sound like she was looking out for Shen Youwei, she had actually struck some sort of deal with Liu Huiru’s family.
Shen Youwei blinked her watery, almond-shaped eyes at Lin Moyang, silently pleading for help.
Seeing this, Lin Moyang looked calmly at Zhang Cuihua. "What does Auntie mean by that? Why shouldn't I be able to treat Xiaowei with sincerity?"
Shen Youwei was meant to marry him; the contract stated it in plain black and white. The only reason Zhang Cuihua was pushing her like this was because Shen Youwei’s adoptive father, Shen Dacheng, had passed away, leaving her without anyone to speak on her behalf. If not for the will drawn up by Director Wang to lock in her 120-yuan dowry, the poor girl wouldn't have seen a single cent. She likely would have even been sold off to someone else by Zhang Cuihua and her ilk.
Hearing Lin Moyang, the furious Zhang Cuihua put her hands on her hips and stepped forward aggressively. "If you can treat her with sincerity, then can you return the 20 yuan to me like the other side of the family—"
She cut herself off abruptly, covering her mouth with her hand. Her eyes darted around nervously as she glared at Lin Moyang.
Lin Moyang had already guessed most of it. He chuckled. "When the family property was divided today, in front of the entire village, the contract stated in black and white that I am to marry Xiaowei. Are you trying to back out of it now?"
"Who's backing out? I’m doing this for Xiaowei’s own good! No matter what, I will not let her marry you." Zhang Cuihua was adamant, leaving no room for discussion.
Shen Youwei, standing to the side, panicked. "Auntie, I..."
"Shut up!" Zhang Cuihua barked, cutting her off. "This isn't your place to speak!"
Stung by the shout, two large tears welled up and rolled down Shen Youwei’s cheeks. She looked at Lin Moyang, frantic. Her father had died suddenly, but he had fought to save her 120-yuan dowry before he passed. But now that her aunt had arrived at the Old Lin Family home, she refused to let her marry Lin Moyang, insisting she marry Lin Changming instead, claiming it would be better for both families. Zhang Cuihua would get her 20 yuan, and Shen Youwei wouldn't have to suffer with Lin Moyang.
But compared to Lin Changming, she preferred Lin Moyang. Lin Changming had always bullied her, whereas Lin Moyang had never once looked down on her. That was why she had run off to find him regardless of the consequences.
Seeing Shen Youwei’s distress, Lin Moyang turned his gaze to Zhang Cuihua and laughed softly. "The marriage was settled by Uncle Shen before he passed. Now you want to sell Xiaowei to Lin Changming for 20 yuan? Let me tell you, Zhang Cuihua, human trafficking is a crime."
"Don't think that just because we're in the village, there’s nothing to be done. If you dare force Xiaowei today, I’ll go to the township police station tomorrow and report you."
His words rang out, firm and resonant. The mention of human trafficking made Zhang Cuihua shudder; given her current actions, that was exactly what this looked like. She froze, her eyes wide as she pointed a finger at him. "You… you…" She stammered for a long while, unable to utter a single coherent sentence.
"You what? You can't even get a sentence out." Lin Moyang used her own words against her. "Xiaowei is my wife. Director Wang personally witnessed that. If you try to pull any more of these low-handed tricks, don't blame me for being impolite."
As he spoke, Lin Moyang pulled Shen Youwei behind him, shielding her as he stood tall and stared down Zhang Cuihua. Dealing with people like her required being either fiercer than they were or fiercer than a ghost.
Though Zhang Cuihua was unwilling, she had no desire to end up in jail. "Second-younger Lin, you win!" she spat, pointing at him before turning to leave, muttering under her breath, "Two orphans without a father or mother—you’ll starve to death sooner or later."
Once she was gone, Shen Youwei whispered, "Brother… Brother Yang, thank you!"
Hearing Lin Moyang use the same words her aunt had used against her to drive her away made her heart feel warm. Lin Moyang looked at her; this future princess, though covered in dust for now, could not hide her natural beauty.
He glanced at the desolate old house and gave a sheepish smile. "It’s nothing. Though, I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with some hardship for a little while."
"Mm!" Shen Youwei lowered her head, biting her lip, her right hand rubbing back and forth in the pocket of her blue trousers.
Suddenly, as if making up her mind, she pulled out a faded, white checkered handkerchief tied with three rubber bands and handed it to Lin Moyang. "My… my dowry!"
Lin Moyang was momentarily stunned. *Oh, she’s so obedient!* He felt a sudden urge to pat her head. His hand moved of its own accord, gently stroking her hair.
"This is your money. Keep it. And in the future, all the money I earn will go to you. You’ll be in charge of the family finances!"
Shen Youwei opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, staring at Lin Moyang, her bashful face filled with disbelief. Their wedding date wasn't supposed to be today, but her aunt's family hadn't wanted to keep her any longer and, hearing about the family property division, had dragged her over. They hadn't even registered their marriage yet, so why did he trust her so much?
Lin Moyang looked at the sky; it was already late afternoon. He turned his gaze toward the shed next to the old house and made a decision. "Xiaowei, rest for a moment. I’m going to go get our sleeping arrangements sorted for tonight!"
Shen Youwei blushed and nodded shyly.
Lin Moyang didn't dwell on it and went to clear out the shed. It was a stone-walled side room that had once been used for storing farm tools. Compared to the main house, it was relatively intact. If he cleaned it up and hung a tarp over the roof, it would work as a temporary shelter.
After resting, Shen Youwei came to help. They worked in tandem, and in no time, the shed was cleared. Lin Moyang brought over a bed from the old house, along with some usable cabinets and tables, making the room look much more cozy and organized.
After moving in the items he had received from the property division, Lin Moyang felt much better. "You go ahead and make the bed. I’m going to buy some oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar. We’ll have a good meal tonight to celebrate."
Shen Youwei agreed. Lin Moyang headed to the village store, bought the essentials, and hurried back. But as he drew closer, he heard a clamor of arguing coming from the direction of the old house.
Listening closely, he recognized the voice of Liu Huiru, screaming at the top of her lungs. A sense of impending trouble washed over him, and Lin Moyang picked up his pace!