Axiang rubbed her eyes again. It was almost dark now, and she guessed it was really just a hallucination.
So she simply shut the door.
The first thing to do when she got back was, of course, to cook, but Axiang noticed the trash in the yard had piled up half a basket full of potato peels and chicken and duck bones. Since there were no chickens or dogs at home, it would rot and start to smell, so she took it outside to dispose of it.
She had just dumped the trash when she heard someone quietly calling her, “Axiang, it’s me!”
She turned around and saw Zhao Datu.
In the twilight, Zhao Datu was grinning at Axiang.
Seeing Zhao Datu, Axiang instinctively stepped back and then asked coldly, “What are you here for again?”
Zhao Datu quickly took a box out of his pocket, opened it, and inside was a jade bracelet that seemed quite nice from its color and texture.
“Axiang, this is for you!” Zhao Datu said.
Axiang did not take it, merely asking faintly, “Zhao Datu, why are you giving me this? I don’t want it!”
“Axiang, think about it, you’ve been married to me for so long, and I haven’t given you anything decent. Today, I saw this bracelet at the market, thought it suited you well, so I asked the seller how much it was. The seller wanted eighty coins, but after talking for a while, he sold it to me for seventy coins. As soon as I got it, I came to find you,” Zhao Datu finished, offering the bracelet to Axiang again.
Axiang still did not take it.
Seventy coins, it was indeed worth more than that old wooden hairpin.
He really had spent a lot this time to deceive her into ing back.
“Zhao Datu, I don’t want this thing. Take it back. No matter what you give me, I will not go back with you!” Axiang said and then started to return, but Zhao Datu suddenly blocked her way, looking very pitiful, “Axiang, haven’t I admitted I was wrong? Why won’t you give me a chance to make amends? Recently, many villagers have been criticizing me, and I really can’t stand it anymore. My mother hasn’t left the house for a long time; she also feels she has done something too excessive before. Axiang, please e back with me!”
But Axiang still looked coldly at Zhao Datu, “Whether the villagers blame me or how often your mother goes outside, I don’t care. Every time I see you, I remember the days I spent working like a horse in your house without any kindness, those times you wouldn’t even deign to look at me straight.”
“But I’m looking at you now!” Zhao Datu looked at Axiang.
Previously, Zhao Datu only had eyes for Xia Dabao, who was like a Fairy, and he disregarded all other girls. But now, looking at Axiang seriously, he only saw how large and delicate her eyes were, exuding a gentle charm, especially when she lowered her head, it was utterly tender and loving.
How had he not cherished such a wonderful girl before just for a few days and nights? Letting her bear a child would have been good.
“Axiang, I’m looking at you now, and I think you are really beautiful,” Zhao Datu said again, then without any hesitation tried to embrace Axiang.
Axiang quickly pushed him away and then started screaming, “Silly Root, Silly Root!”
Zhao Datu, afraid of Silly Root ing out to beat him, reluctantly let go of Axiang but shoved the jade bracelet into her hand before turning to leave, “Take this, remember what I said, I regret it, and now, it’s you I love!”
Zhao Datu had just slipped away when Silly Root came out from inside.
User Comments
0 comments from readers