Chapter 23
Blessed by the Gods
Lu Jiao was speechless and her lips twitched, “Can we please hurry up and finish this? I still need to go and kill the chicken.”
Xie Yunjin didn’t move and shouted angrily, “You, get out. I’ll do it myself.”
Lu Jiao glanced at him, then at his legs. His legs were crushed into pieces and he could not stand up. If it weren’t for the fact that she held onto him, he wouldn’t even be able to stand still. How could she just leave and let him take care of this himself?
Lu Jiao was about to speak when Xie Erzhu’s voice arose from outside, “Third brother, how are you doing?”
When he walked in, he found Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao wrapped around each other tightly.
Xie Erzhu’s face instantly turned red as he subconsciously walked backward.
Inside the room, Xie Yunjin called out, “Second brother, wait a second.”
Xie Erzhu was between a rock and a hard place as he peeked back into the room. Xie Yunjin called out again, “Second brother, come and help me out.”
Lu Jiao saw how persistent Xie Yunjin was and knew that this guy truly didn’t want her help. If that was the case then Xie Erzhu could help.
This time, Lu Jiao also spoke up, “Second brother, help us out.”
Since both of them asked for him, Xie Erzhu walked in.
When he saw the bucket behind Xie Yunjin, Xie Erzhu understood right away. So he was just trying to use the washroom. Not sneaking around doing the other thing.
Lu Jiao asked Xie Erzhu, “Hold onto him until he’s on top of the bucket. His legs are broken and he cannot stand up. He’ll have to rely on you holding him.
Xie Erzhu instantly nodded, “Sister-in-law, no worries. I know what to do.”
Lu Jiao handed Xie Yunjin over to Xie Erzhu and left the room. As she left, she took the four little ones.
The four little ones were nice enough to know that their dad didn’t want to be watched. So they followed.
Lu Jiao didn’t rush into dealing with the pig organs. She first slaughtered a chicken before she cleaned up everything. The pig head and hocks were nicely cut by Xie Hu. Most of the boar could be boiled but the intestines were difficult to clean.
Lu Jiao used wood ash to clean the intestines. Flour and salt were precious to be used to clean but wood ash was just as effective.
After she cleaned up the intestines, she snuck everything into her space when nobody was paying attention. It was summer so they could go bad easily if not dealt with.
It was times like this when Lu Jiao realized how great having a space was. In the summer, it could be used as a fridge.
Inside the east bedroom, Xie Yunjin was done. Xie Erzhu carried him to bed and cleaned him up. He then took out the bucket.
Lu Jiao very much wanted to give Xie Erzhu some good food. However, since he lived with the other Xie’s, whatever food she gave him likely will end up with the rest of the family.
Lu Jiao thought about it and said, “Second brother, I should give you some pork ribs. But if I give it to you, I doubt you will get to eat much of it. How about you come visit again tonight. I’m going to braise the pork and I’ll pack you a box to bring home for your wife and kids.”
Xie Erzhu waved his hand, “No, no need. Save everything for my third brother.”
Lu Jiao smiled, “I have a lot of food. Plus, tell your daughters, Da Ya and Er Ya to come and play. I have good food to give them. If they don’t come, it’s impossible for me to give those to you.”
Xie Erzhu instantly shook his head, “There’s no need. They’re eating at home.”
Lu Jiao unhappily stared at Xie Erzhu, “Second brother, are we strangers? I originally wanted to ask a favor from you. If you act like this, it’s hard for me to ask.”
Xie Erzhu asked right away, “Sister-in-law, what do you need?”
Lu Jiao eyed Xie Yunjin and said, “I don’t need much help taking care of Yunjin. But it’s a hassle to help him use the washroom. I hope it’s not too much trouble for you to come every night and help out with that.”
Xie Erzhu was in a daze, “Washroom?”
Lu Jiao turned to look at Xie Yunjin, whose face was pressed into a line as he stared at her coldly.
His reaction made Xie Erzhu understand what “washroom” meant. He nodded, “Okay, I will come over every night.”
“Great, then remember to come tonight.” Xie Erzhu was about to wave his hand to decline and say that the third brother had already gone today so there was no need.
However, on the bed, Xie Yunjin opened his mouth, “Second brother, come tonight. In the future, tell Da Ya and Er Ya to come and play with the quadruplets.”
Xie Erzhu had always respected Xie Yunjin. He had always found the third brother to be smart and he was always willing to listen to him. The moment Xie Yunjin asked, Xie Erzhu agreed, “Okay.”
“Then get back. Don’t let them find out and curse at you.”
Xie Yunjin didn’t even mention his parents by their titles. Xie Erzhu wanted to take their parents’ side and say something nice but in the end, he said nothing and left.
Inside the room, Lu Jiao walked to the bed and said to Xie Yunjin, “I’m going to the market this afternoon to sell the ganoderma. We are also running out of your medicine and grains. Plus, the four little ones don’t have much to wear so I plan on getting each one of them two new sets of clothes.”
Lu Jiao paused there before she cautioned Xie Yunjin, “Keep an eye on the four babies. Don’t let them run around too much.”
Xie Yunjin narrowed his eyes at the woman by the bed. Her face was obviously the same large face as before.
But these days, she’s been kind and bright. The words that came out of her mouth have been anything but exasperating. These days, when calm, he could tell that she cared about the four children. The way she cared for them wasn’t fake, but very genuine.
Xie Yunjin couldn’t understand how the same person could have such two different sides. He couldn’t help but to frown and respond lightly, “Okay.”
After he responded, he suddenly remembered what Lu Jiao said before. She was so delirious in the past because she loved him one-sidedly and received no affection back.
He quickly denied that thought in his head. The woman before him exuded confidence. That confidence was deep in her bones. Her every movement displayed her excellent upbringing and education. She definitely was not raised by a regular rural family.
Xie Yunjin felt like even the girls from the cities could not match her graceful mannerism. So there was no way that this woman was the Lu Jiao from before.
After she spoke to Xie Yunjin, Lu Jiao turned and left. Behind her, Xie Yunjin stared at her relaxed, elegant, and fearless silhouette.
A silhouette like that confirmed something in his head. This woman wasn’t Lu Jiao. So who was she?
Xie Yunjin pondered and finally, something clicked.
He thought of something he’s read before. There once was an idiot who woke up one day and was no longer stupid. This man ended up being the smartest of his class and went to school.
In foreign religion, there was a story that a mute one day suddenly started to speak. Not only so, the mute knew how to articulate every word, had perfect speech, and understood how to communicate clearly.
People called these cases people who’ve been blessed by the Gods.
When Xie Yunjin read those stories, he thought that those people were possessed by wandering souls. Could it be that Lu Jiao’s body had been inhabited by one of those lost souls?