Before he could even react, a crowd of people swarmed into the room.
Upon seeing the miserable state of Su Zhiguo’s backside, the villagers clicked their tongues in pity. Many frowned, feeling a sympathetic pang of pain for him. One middle-aged woman even slapped Su Fengchun on the shoulder. "Your father is in this state, yet you’re still standing there dazed? Hurry up and go get the village doctor!"
Su Fengchun realized she was right. With his mother and so many villagers here, he didn't need to worry, so he squeezed through the crowd to fetch the doctor. Those who had come to gawk and couldn't get inside were dying of curiosity, unable to see what was happening. Someone shouted impatiently into the room, "Come out once you’ve had a look! Those of us in the back haven't seen it yet!"
That one remark shattered Su Zhiguo’s composure. He felt incredibly humiliated; he was a man of his age, how could he endure having people point at his bare behind and treat him like a laughingstock? In a panic, he reached out to grab the wool blanket, desperate to cover himself up again. But Liu Fang, acting like an enraged lioness, was determined not to let him have his way.
Liu Fang had no interest in Su Zhiguo’s pride; her eyes were fixed on the large bloodstain on the blanket, and she was wincing in distress. This was no ordinary blanket—it was a rare item someone had mailed to her from out of town this year. It was the only one of its kind in the vicinity of Wansheng Village and simply could not be bought. She usually kept it displayed on the cabinet like a treasure just to show off and make their home look more sophisticated. Seeing Su Zhiguo try to use it again, she immediately flew into a rage. "Su Zhiguo, just how precious is your backside? Do you think you're worthy of covering it with this blanket?"
Su Zhiguo felt his dignity being shredded once more, and his anger surged. "It’s just a damn blanket! Why can’t I use it? Is the blanket more precious than a human being?"
The retort silenced Liu Fang. She felt guilty and didn't dare look at him. She knew all too well that Su Zhiguo was stubborn to the core; once he turned vicious, he cared nothing for their marriage and could beat her so badly she wouldn't be able to get out of bed for days. Thinking of this, her previous arrogance vanished, and her fire was instantly extinguished. She hurriedly adjusted her tone, softening her voice as she spoke to him with feigned concern. "Dear, I was just too anxious. I was only worried that the blanket would press against your wound and cause you even more pain."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside. It was Su Fengchun, who had finally jogged back with Village Doctor Fang in tow.
The doctor examined the situation and told Su Fengchun, "Ask everyone to step outside; I need to begin the treatment."
However, there were quite a few villagers who refused to give up this rare opportunity to gawk. Even though Su Fengchun tried to persuade them kindly, they turned a deaf ear and lingered in the room. Seeing this, Su Fengchun had no choice but to stop being polite. He rolled up his sleeves and started pushing them out. After a bit of a struggle, he finally cleared the Su Family home of all the spectators. Even then, many didn't give up; they gathered outside the gate, craning their necks to look in. Ignoring them, Su Fengchun turned and shut the door.
Before he could even step back into the room, he suddenly heard his father let out a shrill, piercing scream. Su Fengchun’s heart skipped a beat, and he bolted back inside. Once there, he saw a bamboo dragonfly lying on the floor, fresh blood dripping from it.
By now, Village Doctor Fang was disinfecting and cleaning Su Zhiguo’s wound. After finishing, he gave Liu Fang a few brief instructions and left with his medical kit. Thinking about the one yuan she had just spent on the medical fee, Liu Fang felt miserable all over. Not daring to lecture Su Zhiguo, she turned her frustration on her son. "Why didn't you warn your father, letting him suffer like this? What are your eyes for? Since it was already bleeding, why did you have to cover it with that blanket? It’s not your money you’re spending, is it?"
Su Fengchun felt deeply wronged. Was this what he wanted? Su Zhiguo, suffering from the fresh trauma, could only lie on the bed and groan. Seeing that neither her son nor her husband responded, Liu Fang fumed and stormed out of the room.
By noon, while Liu Fang was sulking in the kitchen, her younger brother, Liu Kun, showed up. "Sis, what are you making? Is there any meat?"
Liu Fang glared at him. "Meat? We can barely afford rice!"
Liu Kun was unsatisfied. "Brother-in-law is injured, he should be having something nourishing. Why don't you give me the money? I'll go buy some meat for you—I guarantee it'll be cheaper than what you buy."
"I have no money," Liu Fang sighed deeply. "Anyway, why are you here?" She could have guessed; every time her brother visited, it was only to get his hands on some cash.
Liu Kun said slyly, "I’m thinking of a business deal, but I need ten yuan. Can you help me out, Sis?"
Liu Fang was speechless, looking at her brother with resentment. If he had said he wanted to eat, drink, or play, she might have believed him, but business? Ha! Absolutely impossible. She replied directly, "Your brother-in-law is hurt and won't be able to get out of bed for ten days or a fortnight. The farm work is falling behind. Su Fengchun is getting engaged soon, we have no house ready, and we haven't saved enough for the bride price. I’m worried sick—where would I have money for you?"
She dared not agree to give Liu Kun money; the kitchen was right next to the bedroom she shared with Su Zhiguo. He might be listening to every word they said. She couldn't afford to risk it.
However, Liu Kun, sitting on a low stool by the stove, rolled his eyes and said, "About that thing I mentioned before, do you want to reconsider?"
Liu Fang’s hand paused in its chopping. She thought of that plan—selling Su Qianli to a remote mountain region. Not only would they get that house back, but they would also receive a large sum of money. She had been afraid before, but now, faced with her son’s impending marriage, her heart wavered. She looked at Liu Kun and finally made up her mind, asking loudly, "Kunzi, is that plan reliable? Are you sure you can find a good family for Li?"
Liu Kun, quick to read the room, immediately caught her drift. "Of course! As long as the girl is pretty, the bride price can be as high as two hundred yuan."
Lying on the bed, Su Zhiguo perked up at the mention of two hundred yuan. If he could really find such a wealthy family for Li, who could ever criticize him again? Although he was excited, he had to hear more.
Liu Fang continued, "And this two hundred yuan, does it have to be taken back by Li?"
"No! They aren't short on money. Once Su Qianli marries into the family, she’ll be living in luxury; why would she care about a mere two hundred yuan?" Liu Kun boasted.
Any normal person hearing this conversation would have spotted the flaws immediately. But Su Zhiguo only heard "two hundred yuan" and the fact that it didn't have to go to Su Qianli. In his mind, a girl was meant to be married off eventually; it was just a matter of who offered the higher bride price. If they could pay such a high price, they clearly weren't short on cash, and by introducing Su Qianli to them, outsiders would have to respect him, Su Zhiguo.
The more he thought about it, the happier he became. He decided to have a good talk with his wife that night. In the kitchen, Liu Fang didn't say much more, knowing that saying too much would only lead to mistakes—it was better to leave just enough to whet his appetite.
Afterward, Liu Fang secretly slipped ten yuan to Liu Kun and sent him on his way. Thinking of her son’s marriage, she settled on waiting for Su Zhiguo to take the bait.
On his way back, Liu Kun ran into a stranger. After only a few words were exchanged, fifty yuan appeared in Liu Kun’s hand. The man gave him a meaningful smile.