Chapter 61: Wanting It All

Jiang Chengyan disliked crowded occasions like this; their excuse about going to the fields was nothing but a pretense. In truth, after leaving home, Jiang Chengyan carried Bai Yan on his back and went straight to Zhao Chujiu’s house.

Much like Jiang Chengyan’s home, Zhao Chujiu’s house was tucked away in the most remote corner, only his was at the far west end. Zhao Chujiu was an orphan; since his grandparents passed away, he lived there alone.

When the couple pushed open the door, Zhao Chujiu was standing in the yard, sawing wood. The spacious courtyard was stacked with trees still bearing their roots, looking very much like fruit trees.

“What brings you here?” Zhao Chujiu asked, lifting his saw in surprise.

Jiang Chengyan replied offhandedly, “We’re here for a meal. Go make something.”

The remark was shameless, to say the least. Zhao Chujiu tossed his saw aside with obvious disdain and said, “You want me to cook, and what will you do?”

Jiang Chengyan put Bai Yan down, then pointed to the person squatting beside the tree stump. “I’ll keep her company.”

Zhao Chujiu muttered an expletive, but despite his grumbling, he resignedly took some money and went out to buy meat.

…

Lately, Jiang Chengyan had noticed something: whenever Bai Yan took an interest in something, she would stare at it intently.

Much like now, she was gazing fixedly at the big tree stump.

“These fruit trees were bought for a hefty sum by the county magistrate, but after three years, they never bloomed or bore fruit. To clear space, he had all the trees dug up. Chujiu picked them up for firewood,” Jiang Chengyan recalled Zhao Chujiu mentioning this a few days ago.

“They’re apple trees,” Bai Yan suddenly said.

“You recognize them?” Jiang Chengyan asked, then realized—after all that time on the mountain, she must know plants and trees better than anyone.

Bai Yan nodded, glanced around to make sure they were alone, and promptly lifted one big fruit tree with both hands.

Jiang Chengyan was speechless.

“Want to take it home?” he asked.

Bai Yan nodded, then confidently drew a circle to indicate: “All of them.”

…

Zhao Chujiu had bought two pounds of meat from the butcher and brought home a jar of spirits. As soon as he opened the door, he saw his cart being pulled by Jiang Chengyan; seated on it was the little wife from the Jiang family, with two large fruit trees beside her.

“Are you shameless or what? I’m cooking for you, and now you want to steal my firewood?” Zhao Chujiu was at his wit’s end with these two.

Seeing Zhao Chujiu’s anger, Bai Yan quickly gestured toward him, “We’ll split fifty-fifty.”

Zhao Chujiu blinked, “What? What fifty-fifty?”

“Husband, it’s fifty-fifty, right?” Bai Yan turned to confirm with Jiang Chengyan.

Jiang Chengyan smiled, “No, thirty-seventy. He gets thirty, we get seventy.”

“What are you talking about?” Zhao Chujiu was thoroughly confused.

“In short, I want all these fruit trees. Now grab your hoe and help me plant them in the fields. While the soil on the roots is still moist, there’s still time.”

“Brother, are you out of your mind? These fruit trees were planted by order of the county magistrate for three years and produced nothing. You treat them like treasures?” Zhao Chujiu felt Jiang Chengyan had lost his wits since marrying!

“It’s all your fault! You troublemaker, look at what you’ve turned my brother into!” With Jiang Chengyan unmoved, Zhao Chujiu turned to Bai Yan and shouted.

Bai Yan swung the small radish in her hand—and knocked down the six-foot-three man in one swift move.