Chapter 82

After buying some things and bidding farewell to Xie Yuan, Cheng Duo and Yong Ge rode their horses back to Yang Village the next afternoon.

Everything in Yang Village was as usual. Not only did Aunt Qian clean up Cheng's courtyard thoroughly with his son and daughter-in-law, but she also didn't allow anyone to enter the main house where Cheng Duo and Yong Ge were supposed to stay. Instead, they stayed in a side room for these past few days.

Yong Ge had initially wanted to treat Aunt Qian to a hotpot, but Cheng Duo reminded him. In the end, they gifted Aunt Qian a pack of oil-paper-wrapped hotpot base, a smoked chicken, and two kilograms of pork, teaching them how to eat it.

It wasn't that Cheng Duo was being stingy, but hotpot was known to cause excessive internal heat when consumed in large quantities. During their stay at twenty li Slope over the past seven or eight days, Cheng Duo avoided letting Yong Ge eat heavy and spicy food after they were intimate.

Although Yong Ge enjoyed eating hotpot, he was evidently more willing to avoid it when compared to being close with Cheng Duo.

Aunt Qian was overjoyed when he received the gifts and couldn't stop smiling. He had only helped with the house for a few days; there was no need for him to receive these items. However, since Yong Ge insisted on giving them, he declined for a while but eventually accepted.

In truth, Aunt Qian also wanted to taste the delicacy that the young master of twenty li Slope admired, a food that the village people talked about with awe, claiming that when they smelled its aroma, everything else would lose its taste.

To Yong Ge's surprise, on the day Aumt Qian's family had hotpot, Yu Ge personally invited Liu Shusheng.

When Yong Ge came out to go to the outhouse, he happened to overhear it. He saw Liu Shusheng getting scolded and then walking away, rubbing his head. Yong Ge poked his head out and asked Yu Ge with a smile, "Did Aunt Qian really ask you to invite him?"

Yu Ge was taken aback and stuttered, "O-of course, it was m-mother's request… since my elder brothers were working with him, during their free time, Liu Shusheng taught them some simple arithmetic, and I sometimes went to listen too, it's quite interesting."

Though he said that, his face turned red.

For such an occasion of treating someone, his elder brothers or even second brother could have handled it, but his father wanted him, a little brother, to be the one to call him. Yu Ge felt that his father might be up to something, but on the other hand, he thought he might be overthinking it.

After all, lately, there were many girls and young men who came to his father to act as matchmakers, and not all of them were for him. Since Liu Shusheng found a job as an accountant in the brick and tile factory, he became a highly sought-after person in the village. Cheng Duo even advanced him his wages, so he didn't have to worry about food and clothing anymore. Liu Shusheng's behavior also became more restrained, and being literate, he became the target of admiration for many people. Wasn't it natural for someone to start having ideas about him?

Yu Ge didn't dare to think further. For some reason, he couldn't control his temper whenever he was with Liu Shusheng. Despite being not particularly brave, sometimes when he saw Liu Shusheng's inflexible and unchanging demeanor, he couldn't help but want to scold him awake.

Maybe it was because Liu Shusheng seemed even more delicate than he did, causing Yu Ge to subconsciously not see him as a man. Today, he had agreed to invite Liu Shusheng to sell a good image, but who would have thought he couldn't hold back… Yu Ge felt a little embarrassed. "Don't be like my father, liking to meddle in others' love affairs."

"I didn't say anything yet, why are you acting so guilty, Yu Ge?" Yong Ge teasingly shook his head.

"I-I'm not telling you anymore, I need to go make mud bricks," Yu Ge, unable to argue further, slipped away.

"What are you secretly laughing about?" Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind. Yong Ge turned around to find it was Cheng Duo.

Yong Ge wanted to share with someone, so he happily told Cheng Duo about what happened earlier.

Cheng Duo, however, was less optimistic, shaking his head and saying, "Liu Shusheng's preferences are not something that can be changed easily."

It was obvious that Liu Shusheng was into appearance, and he had also admired Yong Ge. Moreover, most educated people tended to like gentle and tender individuals who were skilled in conversation. Yu Ge was simple-minded and not the type who was good at understanding men's thoughts.

As Cheng Duo had anticipated, after the hotpot feast, Aunt Qian didn't mention Liu Shusheng again. Instead, Yu Ge went about his usual business and occasionally went to listen to Liu Shusheng's lectures.

Feeling that it wasn't appropriate for him to inquire further, Yong Ge refrained from doing so. He didn't want to spread any unfavorable gossip that might harm Yu Ge.

Once the new courtyard was almost ready, Cheng Duo found an auspicious day and officially moved in, inviting familiar people for a feast.

After the banquet, Yong Ge lay on the heated bed in the new room, still a bit dazed.

The house was spacious and bright, and the heated bed was large and sturdy. He couldn't have dreamed that one day he would live in such a courtyard.

Cheng Duo came in and saw the "sleeping beauty" on the heated bed. He leaned in and kissed him on the face. "How does it feel? If you can't get used to it, we can continue sleeping on the bed, and we'll switch to the heated bed in winter."

Their bedroom was large enough to accommodate a bed as well. Besides, there was a lounge by the window where they could sleep if they wanted to.

Yong Ge quickly sat up and said, "Cheng Duo, this heated bed is so big. Shall we… shall we share the same bedding?"

If Cheng Ge said they would share, he would say that he wasn't used to it and request to continue sleeping on the bed.

Cheng Duo chuckled and pinched his nose, saying, "We just moved into the new house, and you already want to share the bedding with me?"

"No, I don't want to share the bedding!" Yong Ge quickly shook his head. "If we share, what if I sleep restlessly and roll away, I might catch a cold."

"Haha!" Cheng Duo burst out laughing. It was still warm autumn, and Yong Ge was already worried about catching a cold in winter.

"Got it, we won't share the bedding. Come on, let me make the bed."

"I'll do it!" Yong Ge quickly got up.

The two husbands worked together to make the bed, experiencing the sturdiness of the large heated bed. Finally, they confirmed that the bed was indeed sturdy, no matter how they tossed around, it wouldn't collapse.

After planting the winter wheat, Yang Village collectively joined the ranks of chopping firewood to earn money. Some even went to other villages to collect firewood and sell it in their own village.

With the villagers making money and seeing Cheng Duo's beautiful large courtyard, some relatively affluent villagers also had some ideas, whether it was to live in a big house before they were buried or to think about the house for their sons' marriage. As a result, the brick and tile factory had several more transactions.

As a result, several families in the village gritted their teeth and bought ox carts or donkey carts, which were useful for both collecting firewood and transporting bricks and tiles.

After a few autumn rains, the weather gradually cooled down, and several red-brick houses stood tall in Yang Village. Although they had built the houses, they weren't willing to decorate the interiors much. However, compared to the low and dim earth and grass huts, these newly built houses made these families stand out in the village.

On this rainy night, Cheng Duo and Yong Ge washed up early and sat on the heated bed. They set up a small table and an oil lamp, ready to begin their daily study session.

At first, Yong Ge listened attentively, but gradually, his eyes wandered to Cheng Duo. His husband knew so much!

How did he manage to memorize so many characters?

Moreover, his voice during the lectures was pleasant, deep and low. Yong Ge especially liked the sound of his chest vibrating when he held him close…

Oh, did Cheng Ge just furrow his brows?

Yong Ge quickly sat upright, looking innocently at Cheng Duo, pretending that he wasn't lost in thought just now.

"Did you remember the two passages I taught you just now?" Cheng Duo asked.

Yong Ge, with a stiff smile, replied, "I remembered…"

"Then read it out loud."

Yong Ge reluctantly started reading, stumbling along, "Jade uncut, cannot make vessels. If people don't learn, they won't know, there-therefore…"

Cheng Duo rubbed his forehead, saying, "I think you'd better not continue, or there might be an accident."

"Cheng Duo, I know I was wrong, don't punish me…"

He remembered a time when Cheng Duo was teaching him to read, and Yong Ge blushed at the memory. He was about to act coquettish, but Cheng Duo's expression changed rapidly.

"Don't say anything."

Cheng Duo gestured to silence him and then blew out the oil lamp. He quietly got off the bed.

After getting off the bed, Cheng Duo immediately picked up Yong Ge. Their big heated bed was by the window, and if someone attacked, the thin window wouldn't offer much protection.

Cheng Duo took out his iron spear from the space and also gave Yong Ge his bow and arrows. The footsteps of the intruders outside were well-trained, and he feared that he might accidentally let someone in. It was good for Yong Ge to have some means of defense as well.

In the blink of an eye, the room became pitch-dark and silent. Wei Ling knew well that Cheng Duo had already discovered them.

He was aware of Cheng Duo's combat power and didn't want both sides to accidentally hurt each other in the dark, so he raised his voice and said, "Cheng Duo, Yong Ge, it's me, Wei Ling."

After speaking, Wei Ling glanced helplessly at his pale-faced uncle Wei Zhenyuan, who was sitting on the slide. Although the slide had a rain cover, it couldn't block the heavy rain, and both of them were soaked, with Wei Zhenyuan still holding on with great effort.

"Wei Ling, I remember we have no grievances or grudges, right? Why did you bring so many people and barge into my house without even knocking on the door? What do you want?" Cheng Duo tightened his grip on the iron spear in his hand. If Wei Ling couldn't give him a good reason, he wouldn't hesitate to act.

"Cheng Duo, you misunderstand, we have no ill intentions. My uncle should be Yong Ge's biological father, and he came specifically to see him for the last time after suffering serious injuries."

As for why they entered stealthily, it was because Wei Zhenyuan had heard that Yong Ge got married and wanted to see how he was doing. Otherwise, he would have trouble dying in peace.

Wei Ling felt embarrassed as well. It was late at night… Luckily, Cheng Duo and Yong Ge were diligently studying, otherwise, even if his uncle closed his eyes immediately, the indignant Yong Ge probably wouldn't easily accept him!

The room rustled for a moment, and soon Cheng Duo lit the lamp again and opened the door.

He was tall, and his face couldn't be seen clearly due to the backlight, but holding the iron spear in one hand made him look imposing. However, there was someone who refused to believe that and charged at him with a knife.

Cheng Duo raised his hand to block, and the heavy sound of metal piercing through the rain curtain resonated, spreading far away in an instant. A flock of birds fluttered in the forest, and the sound of insects seemed to stop.

"Uncle!" Wei Ling was startled and turned his head, just in time to see his uncle's right hand falling.

Meng Ji simply didn't dare to look. He was afraid that Cheng Duo would kill each of them with a spear. But if he were to step forward, he wouldn't dare either, cowering at the back.

Seeing Cheng Duo kicking away the leader of the black-clad men and preparing to pierce another person's chest with his spear, Wei Ling panicked and hurriedly shouted, "Cheng Duo, don't hurt them, we really have no ill intentions!"

Then he turned to his uncle urgently and said, "Uncle, if you don't want them to die in Cheng Duo's hands, tell them to retreat quickly!"

Cheng Duo hesitated for a moment, slightly adjusted the direction of the spearhead, and knocked down another agile opponent with a stick. The person clutched his chest and convulsed for a while, but from the sound of it, his bones shouldn't be broken.

Cheng Duo showed restraint, but the other black-clad men were still relentless, raising their knives and surrounding them.

"Tell them to stop, or I'll shoot an arrow through your neck!" Yong Ge tensed the bowstring, and his fingers holding the arrow turned slightly pale.

It was his first time aiming an arrow at someone, and this person might be his biological father.

"Are you Yong Ge?" Wei Zhenyuan's voice was hoarse, but he quickly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"… "Yong Ge didn't hesitate and reiterated, "Tell them to stop!"

In the time it took them to exchange these words, Cheng Duo had kicked out three more people in the midst of the battle, showing no sign of weakness. If he hadn't held back, he would have already broken through the encirclement.

Seeing that his purpose had been achieved, Wei Zhenyuan coughed while waving his hand.

The ten or so black-clad men who were about to attack retreated as if they had been saved, helping their injured comrade off the ground.

Cheng Duo returned to Yong Ge's side, and Yong Ge quickly positioned him behind himself, still holding the bow and arrow firmly.

Wei Zhenyuan furrowed his brow, seeming a bit dissatisfied. But since this made it convenient for him to talk to Yong Ge, he didn't say anything, focusing on observing Yong Ge's facial features, as if trying to find traces of another person in him.

After a while, he seemed to have confirmed something and said contentedly, "Yong Ge, I am your father."

Wei Ling: "…Now you realize you're his father? Though you wanted to test Cheng Duo and earn the admiration of your subordinates, have you considered that Cheng Duo might not want to go down this path at all?"

"Oh, how do you know you're my father?" Yong Ge was almost infuriated. This person brought people to attack his beloved husband and dared to claim to be his father?

Wei Zhenyuan was unconcerned. "Wei Ling said you have a tiger bone whistle?"

"No!" Yong Ge was about to hide the whistle, but Wei Zhenyuan continued, "That whistle was made from the bones of the first big prey I hunted when I was sixteen. I personally carved a 'Wei' character on it. You can take it out and see for yourself."

"Ha, that's easy to say. Maybe you're just tricking me because you know I can't read." Yong Ge hesitated for a moment, lowered his bow and arrow, and handed the whistle to Cheng Duo. "Cheng Ge, can you take a look?"

In fact, he already believed it. He had been wearing the tiger bone whistle for so many years; how could he not know there were characters on it? But he couldn't read, and he didn't dare to show it to anyone else.

As for Cheng Duo, didn't Wei Ling borrow the whistle from him earlier? He was afraid Cheng Duo might feel unhappy about it, so he didn't mention it at all.

As for confirming what he was going to do, of course, it was to return the whistle to his deadbeat father. He thought it was his mother's keepsake, but it turned out not to be!

"Yong Ge, don't!" Seeing Cheng Duo confirming its authenticity, Yong Ge snatched it back, tossed it to Wei Zhenyuan with disdain, and Wei Zhenyuan hurriedly stood up to catch it.

However, due to his injury, he sprayed out a mouthful of blood while grabbing the whistle, then collapsed in pain.

"Uncle!" Wei Ling and the others rushed to surround him.

"Young Master, why do you have to do this? The general's internal injuries are severe, and the military doctor said there's no cure…" A black-clad man looked worried.

"Cheng Duo." Yong Ge felt at a loss. He only wanted to return the whistle to him, and he never expected him to recklessly catch it…

Cheng Duo was a bit annoyed with Yong Ge's biological father. If he died like this, wouldn't it make Yong Ge bear the burden of patricide?

But seeing how anxious Yong Ge was about a whistle, Cheng Duo felt there must be more to the story of his biological father. 

"Forget it, bring him inside." No matter what, he had to save him first, and even if Wei Zhenyuan was going to die, he couldn't die at their home!