Chapter 35: Old Zhang’s Wife
Xue Dongting cocked her pretty eyebrow up at that. After all, she was a young woman, hearing the old man say that made her ask, “Who?”
He beamed. “My wife, of course.”
Song Yuming was getting a kick out of this, though Xue Dongting didn’t get why, but she suddenly heard a woman go “Pooh!” Then, “You dirty old man!” Dongting turned and saw a woman coming towards them from the bank. She was around forty with clear features and a voluptuous build, especially her bust, which was nothing short of spectacular.
Xue Dongting couldn’t help but look down at her own chest, embarrassed.
Song Yuming cupped a hand over his fist in salute, smiling. “Sister, you’re free today?”
It was none other than Old Zhang’s wife. She gave a halfhearted “Mm” to Song Yuming’s greeting. Must be still sore about that drunken sea outing. She looked at Xue Dongting and her face instantly changed to all smiles. “You must be Lady Song?”
Xue Dongting nodded, daintily returning the greeting with a smile. “Greetings, Sister. Just call me Dongting. My husband has much offended you in the past. For my sake, a newcomer here, please don’t take it to heart.”
“Oh!” Old Zhang’s wife said, dismissing it with a waver of her hand. “Not only pretty, but also so polite! Song Yuming is a fortunate one. If he bullies you, come tell Sister and I’ll help you take it out on him.”
Xue Dongting pursed her lips in a smile, though Song Yuming’s was forced. “Dongting, with Sister’s backing, I won’t dare offend you from now on.”
Old Zhang’s wife put on a smug look. “Sinc you haven’t eaten, let’s eat together.”
Song Yuming set up a small table in the cabin and the four of them sat. Old Zhang’s wife had brought a pitcher of wine and a few side dishes, which she laid out along with Xue Dongting’s steamed perch. Old Zhang ate fish soup while applauding it endlessly. Even Old Zhang’s wife couldn’t stop praising Dongting’s cooking.
Over the meal, Xue Dongting learned that Old Zhang’s wife was surnamed Xu, her given name Ying. She was a bold, uninhibited woman, always speaking her mind and holding nothing back, not at all like most village women. Talk turned to Song Yuming’s wedding and she apologized that she had went with her son to the capital where he was sitting for the imperial examination and had not made it back in time.
Xu Ying held Xue Dongting’s hand and talked on and on. The two had already become close, their talk becoming less and less formal. After the meal, Song Yuming gathered the dishes and washed them with river water. Xu Ying was still going on and on; he was worried Dongting might catch cold if she stayed on board too long. He signaled to Old Zhang with a look, but Old Zhang pretended not to notice, his eyes roaming about, not planning on noticing.
Song Yuming had no choice but to glare hard at Old Zhang, who gave him back a “I can’t do anything either” look. The fisherman coughed. “Sister, the wind is on the river is strong, why don’t you and Dongting go back together?”
“Mm,” Xu Ying said, smiling at him.
Song Yuming was not sure what to make of that smile. He knew Sister was laughing at him. Sure enough, “Have you become so trifling after taking a wife? Don’t even want me chatting with her?”
“Dongting’s still weak; she’s been sick the past two days, otherwise I would have already taken her to see you. Why else would I wait?” He was quick to change the subject.
Xue Dongting tugged on Xu Ying, smiling. “Sister, do you hear him! He just cares about his game out on the deck, not me!” Xu Ying nodded. “Young Sis, come back with me to my place where we can talk privately. We wouldn’t want to disturb these two!”
Hearing them say they were going, Old Zhang quickly put on an innocent face. “Won’t you stay a bit longer?”
Xu Ying rolled her eyes, ignoring him. She took Dongting by the arm and they went ashore and headed back.