Xu Daniu didn't know what was going through her mind. Originally, she might have married Xiao Shan...
Xiao Shan's gaze swept over her, his tiger-like eyes sharp and piercing, making it impossible to look directly at him.
Xu Daniu, nervous, stammered, "Xiao, Brother Xiao, is Xue Niang home? I want to ask her to wash clothes together."
Xue Niang?
Was she already that familiar with Xue Niang?
Xiao Shan furrowed his brow. The little woman was getting familiar with the villagers a bit too quickly, he hadn't even known.
However, why this girl? Her parents were a bit unreasonable.
"Don't go. Xue Niang naps every day, and besides, she's afraid of the cold, so I don't let her go to the river."
Zhuzi and another man smacked their lips.
Xu Daniu was completely bewildered, not knowing how she had left.
Wasn't this like the pampered young ladies in the plays?
No wonder her hands were so delicate, her whole body so clean, and her head held so high.
Her life was truly blessed.
Xu Daniu arrived at the riverbank. The women beside her had changed, and someone was talking about their own daughter.
"My future son-in-law is really diligent, coming over every few days, all to see my girl. Oh, once they're married, I don't know how much he'll dote on her. Her father and I are finally at ease."
"He'll surely dote on her. The girl is beautiful and sweet-tongued. I heard her future mother-in-law has a bad temper and has broken off engagements with several families, but she took a liking to this girl."
Wang Shuzhen pursed her lips, smiling a little smugly. When she spotted Xu Daniu beside her, her eyes filled with sympathy.
"Daniu, don't be anxious. Your mother is surely looking for a good match for you. Finding a good man is a lifelong matter, and you can't be careless."
Xu Daniu smiled, "I know, Auntie. I met Hunter Xiao on my way here. I wanted to ask his wife to wash clothes together, but Hunter Xiao said Xue Niang was napping at home!"
"Napping?"
Several women perked up their ears.
"Yes, Auntie. I've never napped in my life, and I don't know if the women in the village have a habit of napping."
Who would dare to nap when their mother-in-law might grab their ear and call them lazy?
"Hunter Xiao also said Xue Niang was weak and didn't let her wash clothes. I went to his house before, and they were cooking then. Hunter Xiao didn't let Xue Niang lift a finger. You should have seen it, the soles of her shoes were cleaner than my face."
"Auntie is right, finding a good man is too important. Everyone used to say Hunter Xiao was no good, but he truly cherishes his wife, like in the stories. He bought her a silver hairpin and silver earrings. And they're building a house now, so they're not as poor as people say."
"I need to tell my mother to find me a man like Hunter Xiao."
Xu Daniu finished speaking and fell silent.
The women listened in disbelief. Wang Shuzhen suddenly felt her future son-in-law wasn't so appealing anymore. After all, the son-in-law always came empty-handed. Forget silver, she hadn't even seen iron.
Not before marriage, and would he have it after?
Forget it!
Every time he came, she had to contribute a pot of rice.
"Where in the world is there such a good man? I've lived for most of my life and never even heard of one. A man who doesn't beat his wife is good enough..." one woman muttered.
Xu Daniu glanced at the old woman with disdain.
Ignorant.
She would definitely make them realize that what she said was true.
News of Xiao Shan's house construction quickly spread through the village. Everyone went to see. It was behind Granny Hua's house. The plot wasn't large, perhaps enough for three rooms, but there was a lot of prepared timber, indicating they intended to build upwards. That would require more materials. After all, he had hunted tigers and bears and had some savings.
The villagers started to feel envious.
Some even spread rumors that it was ill-gotten gains from his days as a bandit.
Xiao Shan paid them no mind. However, the five hired helpers, after interacting with him, found him to be generous. The daily wages he paid were more than others.
Although he appeared stern, he wasn't one for trivial matters. He quickly pointed out any problems, and everyone discussed modifications.
The next day, a small figure joined the workers.
When Xiao Shan arrived, he saw the boy huffing and puffing as he shoveled dirt.
Where did this child come from? He didn't look like he was here to play.
"Xiao, Brother Xiao, can I help here? I, I don't want any pay." The child was quite clever. Seeing Xiao Shan arrive, he immediately ran over.
He was dressed in rags, but his features were regular, with thick eyebrows and big eyes.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Yutou."
"You're Yutou?" Xiao Shan looked him over again. Wasn't he supposed to be fourteen? Why did he look so small and thin?
Oh, right. An orphan, a wild child. It was good enough that he survived. No wonder Xue Niang said he was a child.
"Yes, Xue, Sister gave me money. I didn't want it, but she... I thought I could help out here, is that okay?"
Yutou thought about it again at home. The money felt hot in his hands. Although the pearls were from the mussels he found in the river, he always felt it was Xue Niang's clever words that brought him this good fortune. By rights, they should have split it, but she gave it all to him.
How could he accept it with a clear conscience?
So, as soon as he heard they were building a house here, he ran over.
"Yes, you can. Do some odd jobs! Don't touch anything heavy."
He seemed like someone who knew how to repay kindness. It wasn't in vain that Xue Niang treated him sincerely. If he wanted to help, let him. He was just wandering around the village when he had nothing else to do.
"Okay, Brother Xiao. I'm going to work." Yutou grinned happily and ran off to continue shoveling dirt. kuAiδugg
The stones were insufficient, so Xiao Shan and a villager went to a stone beach in a neighboring village to fetch them.
Just after they left, three men with full beards and fierce expressions arrived from Tianjia Village.
They were the three notorious brothers of Tian Lihua from Tianjia Village.
"Sister! Tell us, where is that hunter's house!?"
"Brother! Your sister has suffered greatly this time!" Tian Lihua extended her hand, which was heavily wrapped in white bandages, and cried as if the sky and earth were collapsing.
"That murderer, he's terrible! He even threatened to kill Sister!"
"What! Who is he!? Doesn't he know who we are? We are the Three Tigers of the Tian family!"
Tian Lihua's husband, Liu Suotou, stood by timidly, "Perhaps we should let it go. That hunter is not to be trifled with."
"What?" Tian Dahu glared with his bell-like eyes. "Useless! You couldn't stand up for our sister when she was bullied, and now that we're here, what are you afraid of? Truly pathetic!"
Liu Suotou dared not speak out of anger, his face turning ashen.
These troublemakers, they deserved to die. That Xiao Shan, who hunted tigers and bears, had pierced Tian Lihua's hand from a distance.
Could he be someone to be trifled with?
Perhaps he was indeed a bandit. He himself said he kicked heads around like balls. This foolish woman never learned her lesson and instigated these three to come.
At that time, he hoped they wouldn't implicate him and his son.
"They are building a house at the head of the village. That surname Xiao must be there. Brothers, let's go there and avenge our sister!"
Tian Lihua waved her arms and strode confidently at the front, leading the way.