A Household

This was a household of five, three generations under one roof. The masters of the house were surnamed Sun; the old man and old woman were both hale and hearty. Now the one in charge was the old man's son, a woodcutter, who had just returned home after chopping firewood. His wife was inside the house and did not come out to receive guests. Hearing the child's shout, Sun Dage went out and led Fang Shuwen and Zhou Qingmei into the house. Fang Shuwen claimed to be a traveler who had missed his lodging for the night; seeing a household here, he had boldly knocked on the door, begging them to take them in for one night. As he spoke, he took out silver. Sun Dage had an honest face; seeing the silver, he repeatedly declined: "When away from home, even a tall horse stumbles sometimes—inconveniences are unavoidable. "Little brother, don't stand on ceremony. "You two, husband and wife, will stay the night in our wing room. No need for silver." He finished speaking and didn't give Fang Shuwen a chance to refuse, turning back into the house: "The boy's mother, we have honored guests. Go catch a chicken from the backyard and slaughter it to entertain our guest." "I know." The woman's voice was full of coldness. Only under Sun Dage's urging did she come out of the room. Fang Shuwen looked up at her, and the corner of his eye twitched slightly. It wasn't that this daughter-in-law of the Sun family was particularly beautiful, but rather that her face was crisscrossed with many scars. One eye was fine, but the other was a ghastly white, presumably blind. Her hands trembled slightly, and she couldn't hold things steadily; it was unknown what injury she had suffered. When she walked, she dragged her left foot—a lame woman. Fang Shuwen and Zhou Qingmei exchanged glances, and both could see surprise in each other's eyes. This wife of the Sun household was clumsy with her hands and feet; outside she fussed for a long time, and all they heard were the chicken's cries and her exclamations. Seeing this, Sun Dage smiled apologetically at Fang Shuwen and Zhou Qingmei, then went outside. Fang Shuwen had sharp ears and clear eyes, so he heard that Sun Dage, who before them had been affable and honest-looking, once in the backyard began cursing furiously: "You slut, I told you to do this one thing, and you can't even do that right? "They know it's to kill a chicken; those who don't know would think you're fighting that chicken to the death. "Good-for-nothing, what can you do at all? "Someone like you—I was kind enough to take you in; otherwise, you'd starve to death within three days of leaving! "Tell me... did you see these outsiders and want to run away again? "Did you?!" By the end, it wasn't just cursing; it seemed he had also struck her. But Sun's wife remained silent throughout. Fang Shuwen's expression turned gloomy, and that last sentence seemed to expose some truth. Though by rights, other people's family matters were none of an outsider's business, he still stood up, gave Zhou Qingmei a look to be alert, and then strode out of the room himself. In the courtyard, that boy was holding a wooden stick, beating their family's big yellow dog with all his might. Seeing Fang Shuwen come out, he threw away the stick and looked at him with shining eyes: "Big brother, why did you come out?" "Nothing." Fang Shuwen smiled and casually answered, then walked straight toward the backyard. The boy hurriedly followed, but his steps weren't as long as Fang Shuwen's, so he couldn't keep up and could only shout from behind: "Big brother, wait for me. What are you going to do in the backyard?" Fang Shuwen had only taken a few steps when he had already reached the backyard. Looking up, he saw Sun Dage hurriedly pulling back his hands. Sun's wife was covering her neck and coughing repeatedly. Through the gaps in her fingers, clear finger marks could still be seen. Just then Sun Dage hurriedly said: "How did the honored guest come to the backyard? Just wait in the front." "Oh, I need to relieve myself... I thought there might be an outhouse in the backyard." As Fang Shuwen spoke, he looked around: "There isn't one here..." "Hahaha, you don't lift your head when you squat to shit—there's a place to go everywhere. "In our area, what outhouse? Just go outside and find a deserted spot." Sun Dage once again showed that honest expression. Fang Shuwen then said: "By the way, Sun Dage, Old Master seemed to call for you just now." "Really?" Sun Dage half-believed it, but didn't dare neglect it, and hurried to the front room. Only the older boy remained here. "Sister-in-law, do you need help?" Fang Shuwen asked Sun's wife. She glanced at Fang Shuwen with her one good eye: "Aren't you going to relieve yourself?" "Suddenly not so urgent." "Not so urgent—then best leave quickly. We're poor and don't have so much food for you pampered folk." Her voice was full of coldness. But then the older boy, whose eyes had been shining, suddenly glared fiercely at his mother. So much so that Sun's wife instinctively stepped back. Fang Shuwen nodded: "Very well, since you don't need help, I'll go back and wait." "Sister-in-law, don't worry. We'll pay for the chicken we eat. Sun Dage is a good man and doesn't want to accept it. Later I'll quietly leave some silver behind. After we leave, remind him then." After speaking, he ruffled the boy's head: "Come on, I suddenly need to go again. Take me to the outhouse." "Oh, oh." The older boy nodded repeatedly and led Fang Shuwen out of the room. When they returned, the chicken had already been killed. Fang Shuwen and Zhou Qingmei walked in the main hall and could already smell the aroma. After so long of roughing it outdoors, at first it hadn't mattered, but over time it had become a torment. Now, smelling this aroma, they truly couldn't resist. After more than an hour had passed, the food was finally served. Old Master Sun and Old Mistress Sun were both seated. The table was mostly wild vegetables, the most fragrant being that basin of chicken meat. Held in both hands by Sun's wife, it was slammed down hard onto the table, splashing soup everywhere, almost splashing onto Fang Shuwen's hand. Sun Dage was now in an unusually good mood, apologizing repeatedly in place of his wife. But his wife could not let go of her anger; finally she gritted her teeth: "I'm going inside to lie down. I can't eat." Saying this, she left. Sun Dage forced a smile: "Misfortune in the household, letting the honored guests see a joke. Come, come, come, let's eat ours and not mind her." Fang Shuwen smiled, then used chopsticks to pick up a chicken leg for the older boy. The boy didn't eat immediately, but looked toward his father. Sun Dage hurriedly said: "This can't be done, can't be done. "Honored guest, you eat it yourself. He's not worthy of this." Saying this, regardless of what Fang Shuwen said, he put the chicken leg back into Fang Shuwen's bowl. Fang Shuwen smiled at this, but his foot was lightly bumped by Zhou Qingmei, and her voice, faint as a mosquito's hum, came to his ear: "There's something off about that boy." Fang Shuwen just nodded, then, in Zhou Qingmei's surprised gaze, picked up the chicken leg and took a bite: "Mmm, truly fragrant."