65: Chapter 65: Patience won’t turn into gold 65: Chapter 65: Patience won’t turn into gold Upon meeting Wufu’s gaze, Zhou Xuennian, a Big Man that he was, felt cold sweat coursing down his back and an involuntary chill, as he couldn’t help but take a step back in this Early Summer.
“You…” What kind of look was that in her eyes?
How could a young girl have such a predatory stare?
“Get out!” Wufu stepped forward, her fist cracking audibly.
She told him to get out!
This was the second time Zhou Xuennian had heard that word from her.
How dare she, how could she dare!
“You are presumptuous, how do you speak to your elders?” Zhou Xuennian’s anger made his face twitch, Madam Lu’s words were putting it mildly, this girl was downright crude and vulgar.
“Wufu, go inside.” Struck by Zhou Xuennian, Madam Zhou’s face swelled on one side as she pushed Wufu, her eyes pleading, “Please, go inside for mother’s sake!”
The swollen half of her face and the trace of crimson at the corner of her mouth made Wufu’s eyes redden too; her hand reached out, “He hit you!”
If it weren’t for Madam Zhou standing in front of her, she would have been the one struck.
She wasn’t afraid of being hit; rather, she found it despicable for a man to strike a woman.
Beating a woman, is this what they call a scholar?
Have all those books gone to the dogs!
Madam Zhou’s tears started to flow at the hint of concern in Wufu’s words, and turning her head, she said, “Big brother, you’ve hit her, I will see to it that Wufu is taught properly.”
“You can only teach out such a thing!” Zhou Xuennian, furious and offended at Wufu’s attitude, blurted out, “Fine, I’ll watch how she follows in your footsteps!”
Zhou Xuennian gave Wufu a sharp glare and stormed off, as if staying another minute would dirty his feet on this land.
Seeing him leave, Madam Zhou’s body softened, leaning into Wufu’s embrace.
Wufu closed the yard’s gate and helped Madam Zhou inside, her gaze briefly scanning over the small window of the firewood room, where a shadow flickered; she averted her eyes.
She pressed Madam Zhou to sit on the bed, fetched some water, twisted the handkerchief, and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
Madam Zhou winced with pain, turning her head away slightly.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Wufu frowned and said, “Let’s apply some medicine.”
Madam Zhou shook her head, “It’s nothing, no need for medicine over such a minor matter.” She then looked at Wufu, “But you, Wufu, you shouldn’t have spoken to your great uncle like that earlier.”
“How should I have spoken?” Wufu gently wiped her face, her voice calm, “He scarcely visits, and when he does, he acts all saintly and lectures us, by what right?”
“Wufu, he is your blood-related great uncle, an elder!” Madam Zhou’s tone grew a bit firm, “It is right for elders to reprimand the younger ones.”
“Is it also right to hit someone?” Wufu grasped the handkerchief and continued, “If he wants to act the part of an elder, he should at least behave like one.
He’s convinced we’re at fault, content to scold and even to strike.
Even if he is an elder, he’s no more than an uncle, and you’ve never hit me before!” So why should he be allowed?
Her heart aching, Madam Zhou embraced her and began to cry, “It’s all because I’m useless, Wufu, promise mother to endure a little longer, would you?”
“Mother, suffering in silence will not turn lead into gold, our forbearance only encourages their arrogance.
Do you think that by bearing it, they’ll start seeing us differently?” Wufu shook her head, “They won’t.
No matter how much we endure, our mere existence is a mistake in their eyes.
No matter how well we do, they will always find faults with us.
Haven’t you realized that after all these years?”
Madam Zhou stared back at her, tears flowing nonstop.