Chapter 101

Wang Dashan, as if struck in his weak spot, hastily defended: “Nonsense, I’m just worried about the kid. He’s only just turned four—what happens when your sister goes out to earn money? Besides, I don’t earn so little that we can’t get by. You know, the foreman said just the other day he’s promoting me soon—then I’ll earn even more, more than enough for the three of us.”

“You’re just stubborn. All those marital tips I taught you—you didn’t listen a single word. How many times have I told you? A pure, untouched girl married you, a poor man five years older—what did she see in you?”

“To be blunt, if she really wants to leave, can you stop her? She’s already given you a son—she’s repaid your ancestors. Be content.”

“You’ve shared a bed for years, your son’s four already—don’t you know who she is? More money has its perks. Let her go trade if she wants. If all else fails, you can quit your job and come home to raise the child.”

As he spoke, Wang Yan finished his work, clapped his hands, and stood up: “Enough. Stop overthinking. Work’s done. Let’s go home.”

You’re still a bachelor yourself—what right do you have lecturing me on marriage? And you want me to quit and raise the kid?

Wang Dashan was speechless, rolled his eyes, ignored Wang Yan, and squatted down silently to pack his tools.

Seeing he wouldn’t speak, Wang Yan didn’t press it. He walked over and picked up their water flask and lunch box.

Wang Dashan had limited exposure and little education—he was just an ordinary, hardworking commoner, naturally anxious about sudden good fortune.

Even when he himself received the system, though he didn’t overthink it, he still feared waking up one day to find it all gone, leaving only empty joy.

As they packed, a group of five or so workers came laughing and chatting from the other side of the railway—all laborers on this stretch.

The leader, wearing a blue worker’s cap tilted sideways, swaggered with the air of a petty thug, shouting from afar: “Hey, Dashan, finished work already? Why aren’t you rushing home to check if your little wife’s still there? Don’t end up losing her while you’re chasing money, huh?”

“Yeah, Dashan, your little wife’s really something—she earns as much as we do.”

“Absolutely. That station’s always packed—she must sell a ton. Business must be great.”

“Hahaha…”

This wasn’t the first time. Wang Dashan ignored them entirely, stood up, and turned to Wang Yan: “Let’s go.”

Wang Yan knew who started it—Zhao Jiaqing, the one who made Wang Dashan take his shift and then denied responsibility when trouble came. But why did Wang Dashan still cover for him?

Then it clicked. Luo Yuzhu was always itching to go out and earn money, and these guys kept nagging. Wang Dashan’s pride couldn’t take it anymore, and with the family’s expenses mounting, extra overtime to earn more made sense.

But Wang Yan didn’t like Zhao Jiaqing. After thinking a moment, he had an idea: “Enough. You’re acting like a gossiping woman—why so chatty every day?”

“Hey, Wang Yan? What’s that supposed to mean? How are you talking?”

“Can’t we say it?” Wang Yan waved off their hostile glares: “No night shifts tonight, right?”

The men exchanged glances. Zhao Jiaqing said: “You wanna play cards? Wait—I thought you never played?”

Wang Yan smiled: “I’ve heard you all talk about it so much. I’ve got no wife or kids, nothing else to do—thought I’d join you for some fun.”

Zhao Jiaqing didn’t fully believe it, but didn’t care. Meat on the plate—couldn’t let it slip away.

“Fine, come with us. Zhang Jun’s older brother brought some wild boar meat—let’s eat together.” He gave a subtle nod to someone beside him.

“Yeah, yeah, come to my place—my brother brought some homemade liquor too. Don’t underestimate it—it’s better than Maotai.” Zhang Jun caught on, then turned to Wang Dashan: “Dashan, you coming for a drink too?”

“I’ll pass. You know—I don’t play cards or drink.”

Wang Dashan opened his mouth, then closed it, staring at Wang Yan. He wanted to warn him. He’d seen Zhao Jiaqing’s sly glances clearly—they were up to no good.

Seeing this, Wang Yan grinned and waved: “Alright, you go on home.”

Wang Dashan stepped forward, pulled Wang Yan aside, and whispered: “Are you stupid? They’re teaming up—”

Wang Yan patted his arm, cutting him off: “Relax. Nothing’ll happen. You’ll see tomorrow. Go home—your wife and kid are waiting.”

With that, Wang Yan turned and walked off with Zhao Jiaqing’s group.

Honestly, by his usual standards, he’d have kicked them all senseless right then. But he remembered the Keliande 200 yuan in his space—so he let them off easy, sparing them a beating.

Wang Dashan stood gaping as Wang Yan’s group vanished. He hung the flask around his neck, picked up his things, and walked off muttering: “Wait till they swindle all his money—you’ll see what ‘nothing’ means. And when that happens, I won’t lend you a cent…”

His home was right beside the railway, not far from the worksite. Soon, he reached the door.

He inhaled deeply the aroma of food drifting through the crack, then opened the door and stepped inside.

“Back? Wash your hands and eat.”

Seeing Wang Dashan enter, Luo Yuzhu got up from bed to greet him, taking his things.

On the bed, Wang Xu, his short legs unable to reach the floor, knelt anxiously at the edge and cried: “Dad, you’re back! I’m starving—next time come home faster, okay?”

“Alright, alright, it’s all Dad’s fault.” Wang Dashan handed his things to Luo Yuzhu, strode to the bed, and picked up the child: “Dad promises—next time I’ll come home early. Let me put your shoes on. Now, let’s eat.”

As he slipped the shoes on, Wang Dashan grumbled: “Don’t wait for me to eat—you should eat first.”

“You don’t know our son? He’s faking it. I bought him snacks this afternoon,” Luo Yuzhu said, putting her things down, clapping her hands, and shaking her fist playfully at the child making faces.

“No problem. My son misses me, right?” Wang Dashan laughed, ruffling his son’s head, and led him to the washbasin by the door.

After washing, the three sat at the table, eating warmly.

Luo Yuzhu placed a piece of meat in Wang Dashan’s bowl: “Why so late today? Anything happen?”

“Nah, nothing. I worked with Wang Yan—he was feeling off today, maybe tired, worked slower. Then we chatted with Zhao Jiaqing and the others, wasted some time.” Wang Dashan moved the meat to his son’s bowl, shoveled in a big mouthful of rice: “Oh, Wang Yan went drinking and playing cards with Zhao Jiaqing’s crew. I tried to stop him—he wouldn’t listen. Those guys clearly mean him harm—what if they clean him out? He’s almost thirty, still single—what’s he gonna do?”

Luo Yuzhu snorted, rolled her eyes. Almost thirty, still single? If I hadn’t married you, you’d be a bachelor for life.

Luo Yuzhu liked Wang Yan—he was the only one who’d ever encouraged Wang Dashan to let her trade. He was reliable too—whenever their family needed help, he came without hesitation.

“Stop worrying about him. I know Wang Yan—he’s sharper than you. He won’t do anything without a plan. Don’t worry, nothing’ll happen. Here, eat your meat—you’ve lost weight. People’ll think I’m mistreating you.”

“It’s fine. I eat anything. The kid’s growing—he needs the meat.” Wang Dashan grinned foolishly, shoveling rice with pickles.

Glancing at her son, Luo Yuzhu ate a bite, then said: “Dashan, I still want to go into the city to trade. I can’t earn much at the station.”

At the mention of earning money, Wang Dashan’s head throbbed. He stopped eating, set down his bowl, swallowed: “Didn’t we agree? I’ll handle the money—what I earn now is enough for the three of us. And our foreman said he’ll promote me by year-end—then supporting you and the kid will be easy.”

Seeing Luo Yuzhu jabbing her rice with her chopsticks, staring silently, Wang Dashan softened: “Wait two more years. When the kid’s older, you can work outside. I know… you’re worried I’m overworked, tired. Just two more years, okay?”

Luo Yuzhu gave him a look, placed a piece of meat in his bowl: “Eat.”

Seeing he’d dodged it again, Wang Dashan beamed and shoved rice into his mouth.

“Hey, slow down—no one’s stealing your food.”

Wang Dashan looked up, grinned at Luo Yuzhu, then went back to shoveling.

She gave him a sideways glance and turned to feed their son…