Take Me Away, My Love - Chapter 12 - The Farce
When Zhang Xiang and his group stormed into Li Minchun’s home, almost everyone in the village knew about the incident that happened tonight.
As the story spread, it gradually became more detailed and vivid, almost as if narrated with sound effects.
The story was about what happened during the day: Jian Yiqing bore a grudge against Xiu’er and took advantage of the night to turn pretense into reality, aiming to finalize the situation directly.
Now, this group of people is rushing to catch the adulterers red-handed.
Such a drama was rare in the relatively secluded Zhenmu Island.
As the crowd hurried towards that direction, no one noticed someone following right behind them.
Patting a young man on the shoulder, with a puzzled expression, he asked, “Where are you all heading?”
The one who got patted was the patriarch’s son, Zhang Qiu. As he needed to notify Juanzi, he was the first to know about the incident but the last to arrive.
Seeing Jian Yiqing’s confused face nearby, Zhang Qiu quickly explained kindly, “Shangguan-Ge1, you might not be aware, but there’s big trouble at your house. It’s said that Xiu’er she…”
At this point, Zhang Qiu seemed to think of something, his eyes suddenly widened in shock, staring at Jian Yiqing as if he’d seen a ghost. His mouth hung wide open and didn’t close for a while: “You, you, you, how are you here?”
After a momentary daze, Zhang Qiu realized that he wasn’t seeing things. He then asked with even more disbelief, “If you’re here, then who could be in the room?”
“No idea.”
Jian Yiqing looked puzzled. In fact, he really didn’t know who was in that room.
“Ah… How could it be you?”
Right at that moment, a loud shout erupted from the room.
Those who had rushed into the room clearly saw, under the light, the two naked individuals on the bed were none other than their village’s Xiu’er and Zhang Bin.
“How could it be you?”
Even more shocked were the two people on the bed. Previously, the dim light kept them from recognizing each other’s faces. Now that they could see clearly, their eyes widened in disbelief.
One was Xiu’er, who coveted Jian Yiqing’s handsome appearance, and the other was Zhang Bin, an old bachelor who lusted after Li Minchun’s beauty.
The story goes that Zhang Bin, along with Xiu’er’s brother Zhang Xiang, had previously harassed Li Minchun. The events of the day reignited a flicker of hope in Zhang Bin that had long been extinguished.
He thought that Li Minchun would inevitably get into an argument with Jian Yiqing that night. At that moment, he could make his appearance and offer some appropriate comfort; perhaps Li Minchun would then harbor feelings for him.
By then, any other plans he had in mind would become much easier to accomplish.
However, he didn’t expect that as he stealthily approached the vicinity of Li Minchun’s home, he would be struck by an unknown object and knocked out. When he regained consciousness, he felt a pair of delicate small hands exploring his chest.
Combined with the room’s eerie, dim lighting, it seemed as though he was looking at Li Minchun’s beautiful face. Overcome with emotion, he ended up doing something he shouldn’t have.
But what shocked him even more was the scene that unfolded once he opened his eyes.
Not only were there a roomful of people staring at him, but even the patriarch was harshly demanding, “What is going on here?”
How would I know what’s going on?
Still bewildered and not quite clear on what exactly had transpired, Zhang Bin was soon slapped across the face by Zhang Xiang, followed by a barrage of punches and kicks that rained down on him like a relentless storm.
It left him completely dazed and disoriented.
Amid the chaos, Zhang Xiang quickly pulled his sister aside and quietly asked, “What happened? Didn’t I tell you to do that with Jian Yiqing? How did it turn into Zhang Bin?”
Xiu’er was already frightened stiff by the day’s events, so nervous that even her speech became stuttered. It took a while before she finally managed to continue, “I… I don’t know what happened… sob sob…”
As she spoke, she burst into tears even more fiercely.
She had originally wanted to marry the handsome Jian Yiqing, but it unexpectedly turned out to be Zhang Bin. If she were truly interested in Zhang Bin, would she have gone to such lengths to climb into his bed?
“Who ruined our sister? Which scoundrel did this?!”
From afar, Juanzi could already be heard barreling toward them, gripping a feather duster in her hand with the clear intent of beating the scoundrel senseless.
When people heard her coming, they hurriedly made way for her. This allowed Juanzi to rush into the room smoothly, spotting the “Jian Yiqing” who was being pummeled by the crowd.
She charged in, arms flailing, and shouted, “Step aside, all of you! I will personally deal with this bastard!”
After pushing everyone away, Juanzi pounced on top of him. While pretending to beat him with the feather duster, she was secretly feeling his body.
Having long coveted Jian Yiqing’s attractive physique, she finally seized her opportunity. Her hands ventured to private areas, and before long, “Jian Yiqing” began to react.
This scene was observed by everyone, and some laughed and mocked, “Strange things really happen nowadays! Who knew someone likes getting beaten so much that his body even reacts!”
“Haha!”
Some people joined in the laughter, egging it on.
Even more infuriating was when Zhang Bin sat up and said to Juanzi, “If you want to feel, just do it openly. Don’t worry, I, Zhang Bin, welcome all with open arms.”
“Haha…”
Such shameless words once again stirred another round of laughter from the crowd.
When Juanzi realized that it wasn’t Jian Yiqing but Zhang Bin in front of her, she felt like the sky was falling on her head.
Luckily, her husband Zhang Xiang rushed over, grabbing his wife with one hand and his sister with the other, and finally led them away amidst the laughter.
Since the main characters had left, there was no point for the others to stay either.
At that moment, Li Minchun, who had been absent the entire time, returned home accompanied by Xiao Ru’s mom.
Seeing the sudden liveliness in her house, she widened her eyes in surprise, “Why are you all here in the middle of the night? Did something happen?”
Upon seeing Li Minchun, everyone eagerly began explaining the events of the night, each offering their version of what had transpired.
Hearing their words, Li Minchun’s face turned red and then white, clearly frightened. She clutched Xiao Ru’s mom’s arm tightly.
Noticing Li Minchun’s terrified demeanor, Xiao Ru’s mom quickly interjected, “Folks, you might not know this, but tonight Li Minchun received a letter from Zhang Bin saying he would come to see her. That’s why she didn’t dare stay home and hid at my place.”
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone immediately understood. It seemed that those despicable individuals had each set their sights on the female and male homeowner of this place, respectively. But with both not being home, this absurd misunderstanding ensued.
“But where is my husband? How could he allow something like this to happen?” Li Minchun was filled with indignation, clutching her stomach in frustration.
Knowing she was pregnant, Xiao Ru’s mom became even more concerned.
At this time, Jian Yiqing finally appeared before her. He said helplessly, “I must’ve eaten something bad today; I kept needing to run to the bathroom. Little did I know that in such a short time, something like this would happen…”
“Patriarch, how did you end up here?” Since Jian Yiqing had shared what he knew, it was only natural to ask the patriarch next.
The patriarch responded honestly, “It was Zhang Xiang…”
Mid-sentence, he smacked his forehead and hurriedly added, “I must have been out of my mind. I apologize to you all. At the time, I was wondering why Zhang Xiang, knowing something was happening with his sister, would come to me instead of helping fend off the troublemaker. In hindsight, it seems it was all planned from the start.”
The truth of the situation had finally come to light.
And with that, everything was explained.
Watching the group finally leave, Jian Yiqing closed the door and poured a glass of water for Li Minchun, who was seated on a chair. With a smile, he said, “Wife, your plan was truly brilliant.”
“It’s not that I’m clever; it’s those people’s guilty consciences. If they faced the situation honestly, they wouldn’t have taken the bait,” Li Minchun replied, glancing disdainfully at the bed. “I don’t want these things anymore. Please help me replace them.”
Jian Yiqing understood his wife’s sentiments perfectly and readily nodded in agreement.
After all that had transpired, Xiu’er, albeit reluctantly, had no choice but to marry Zhang Bin.
Zhang Bin, having unexpectedly landed a beautiful young wife, was understandably thrilled.
Having lived his entire life without family ties, any property, and being rather lazy, Zhang Bin had resigned himself to being unmarried well into his thirties.
Yet, because of a fleeting lustful impulse, he seized this unexpected fortune, leaving him so delighted he couldn’t tell direction from delight.
Walking down the street, countless people congratulated him, and he responded to each with a smile.
Even when faced with sarcasm, he just laughed it off. “I’ve just gotten lucky in love. Go ahead and be envious.”
In these times, marrying a pretty wife usually required a significant investment. Finding one as easily as I did is unheard of.
With two dried fish in hand, he headed to Zhang Xiang’s house.
In the past, he’d visit merely to drink with friends, but this time was different. He approached with the demeanor of a groom visiting his father-in-law.
“Xiu’er, Zhang Xiang, I’m here!” he announced loudly, true to his usual style, even before he was within sight.
Initially standing by the door, Xiu’er, upon hearing his voice, turned and went inside, refusing to come out again.
No worries, brides are always shy. Give it some time, and she’ll open up, Zhang Bin thought.
However, it wasn’t just Xiu’er. Both Zhang Xiang and his wife, Juanzi, seemed unusually cold towards him. Detecting things were amiss, Zhang Bin placed the dried fish on the table and asked, “What’s this? Are you trying to back out of the marriage?”
“Back out? You’re dreaming. When did we ever agree? Besides, did you and my Xiu’er even get engaged? You accuse us of backing out; we should accuse you of assault!” Juanzi, notorious on Zhenmu Island for her fierce tongue, retorted, leaving Zhang Bin stunned. Her reputation for her ability to counterattack was well-deserved.
While Zhang Bin felt uneasy, he maintained his composure and replied, “How is it an assault when she came to my bed willingly? That’s what I want to understand. How did I become impulsive for no reason?” he said, shifting his gaze to Zhang Xiang beside him.
Feeling guilty, Zhang Xiang couldn’t meet Zhang Bin’s eyes.
Observing this, Zhang Bin felt even more triumphant.
Footnote:
- -Ge(-哥): Ge, in Chinese, using “xx哥” to address someone is quite common, especially in Mainland China and other Chinese-speaking communities. This way of addressing typically carries a sense of affection and friendliness, indicating respect and amiability towards the person.
