CHAPTER 174: CHAPTER 174: HIS LEG HAS HEALED

After regaining his ability to walk, Jiang Youzhi adapted for two days, then went to the county town.

He left in the morning and didn’t return until evening.

He got off the carriage, carrying a small parcel, and entered the door.

In the main house, Mrs. Liu was helping Mrs. Zhou with a urinal, and Mr. Jiang was braving the cold wind to smoke a pipe under the corridor.

Seeing Jiang Youzhi walking in steadily, Mr. Jiang was so surprised that he nearly dropped his pipe.

He couldn’t help but ask, "Sanlang, is your leg better?"

Jiang Youzhi smiled at him, "Yes, it is."

Mr. Jiang stared at Jiang Youzhi in a daze, a wave of regret almost drowning him.

Shouldn’t have divided the family, shouldn’t have divided the family!

Jiang Youzhi carried the parcel into the kitchen.

The whole family was in the kitchen.

It was cold, but the kitchen was warm with a fire.

Yun Jiao was cooking, Mrs. Chen sat nearby sewing clothes.

Gu Chuan and Sanya sat by the stove, feeding the fire.

Ah Tie and Liulang were drawing grids on the ground, playing Go with black and white stones.

Jiang Youzhi entered, set down his bundle, and took the spatula from Yun Jiao’s hand, "I’ll cook."

Yun Jiao happily stepped aside, watching from the side.

His wrist flipped skillfully, looking quite professional.

He was stir-frying twice-cooked pork, which didn’t need long. Yun Jiao watched for a while and then said, "It’s done."

Jiang Youzhi served the dish, turned his head, and called to Liulang, "Move the table and chairs, bring the chopsticks and bowls."

Liulang and Ah Tie ran off, but Yun Jiao quickly stopped them, "Wash your hands first, you’ve been touching the ground for so long, filthy."

Liulang and Ah Tie washed their hands, then went to the main room to move the table, making several trips to bring over the bowls and the dish.

Ah Tie also brought over the charcoal brazier.

The door of the main room was shut, no wind inside, the brazier placed under the table, and the family enjoyed their meal noisily and warmly.

Mr. Jiang stood outside the main room, listening to the laughter and shouts inside, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

He had been there for quite a while, planning to talk to Sanlang for a bit, to reconnect.

Looking through the window, he saw Sanlang actually cooking!

And Mrs. Chen didn’t say anything, but how could a man be in the kitchen?

He then saw Liulang helping too.

When they ate, the family talked so freely, as if there was no hierarchy.

Mr. Jiang thought it was improper.

But then he immediately thought of his own family.

Their dining table was always suffocating; either everyone ate in silence, scrambling for food, or listened to Mrs. Zhou scolding.

There was never laughter.

Mr. Jiang stood outside for a while longer, then walked away sadly.

After the meal, Jiang Youzhi signaled Yun Jiao to follow him into the room.

As Yun Jiao entered, she saw him take out a ten-tael silver ingot from the bundle.

Jiang Youzhi was a bit embarrassed, "You’re supporting the household now."

"As a man, I should be providing for the family. I know this little bit of silver isn’t much, but take it to help with the household expenses. I’ll think of ways to earn more later."

Yun Jiao took the silver, curiously asking, "Where did this silver come from?"

Jiang Youzhi’s face showed a strange blush, "You don’t need to worry about that. In the future, the responsibility for supporting the family will be mine. Keep the money you earn as your private savings."

Yun Jiao saw he wouldn’t elaborate, so she didn’t press him further. She tucked the silver into her bosom, smiling, "Alright, then I’ll count on you from now on."

Jiang Youzhi then went to Mrs. Chen’s room, where she was still sewing. Seeing Jiang Youzhi enter, she put down her work, smiling warmly, "What brings you here, son?"