Chapter 33: Arrangements

"Where exactly is it?"
"Injury is injury—do we really need to pick where it can be treated?"
Xiao Changgui’s expression grew darker.
"Xiao Fan, are you just finding it troublesome and don’t want to help your aunt with all this treatment?"
"She’s always been so good to you..."
"Oh, no, Uncle Changgui!"
"It’s really not a place I can touch..." Zeng Xiaofan grew anxious.
"Where, where—just tell me where!"
"You won’t explain it..." Xiao Changgui still didn’t believe him.
Zeng Xiaofan had no choice but to stammer,
"It’s... it’s your aunt’s little..."
"Little... ah!"
"I can’t bring myself to say it!"
"It’s just the place where your aunt... relieves herself!"
As these words left his mouth, Xiao Changgui was instantly dumbstruck,
"Wha... what!!!???"
"You mean Zhao Qinglong and his gang violated your aunt?"
"And injured her too?"
Zeng Xiaofan hurriedly waved his hands, "No... no, nothing like that..."
"It was probably from them kicking her..."
"But I’ve already avenged Aunt, Zhao Qinglong’s been dealt with!"
"As for her injury, it shouldn’t be too serious—she’ll recover after some rest."
Xiao Changgui nodded in realization, "So that’s why you can’t treat her..."
"I see..."
He smiled awkwardly, then a strange look flickered in his eyes,
"No... actually, you shouldn’t be so hesitant!"
"After all, you’re trying to heal her, it’s not like you’re taking advantage..."
"If you insist, she’ll probably agree..."
"Women... sometimes, when you’re treating them, feelings arise—you never know, she might..."
He didn’t finish his sentence, but grinned mischievously, raising his brows at Zeng Xiaofan.
Zeng Xiaofan was utterly shocked, "Uncle Changgui!"
"What... what are you saying!"
"Oh heavens, I dare not even listen to this!"

"You... how can you be like this!"
"Aunt is your wife!"
Xiao Changgui scratched his head and glanced toward the bathroom, where the sound of water splashing could be heard.
After confirming Bai Qingyao wasn’t listening, he pulled Zeng Xiaofan aside and whispered,
"Xiao Fan... have you forgotten what I asked you before?"
"To help us..."
"Enough, enough!"
"Uncle Changgui, stop right there!"
"Aunt already told me—she never agreed to it!"
"You tricked me!"
"And because of you..."
"Anyway, don’t ever mention it again!"
"It’s impossible!"
Zeng Xiaofan huffed and turned to leave, but behind him came a thud.
He turned to see Xiao Changgui kneeling on the ground.
"Uncle Changgui! What are you doing!"
"Get up, quickly!"
"This is not right!" Zeng Xiaofan rushed to help him.
But Xiao Changgui was resolute,
"No!"
"Xiao Fan, if you don’t agree today, I won’t get up!"
"Only I know how much your aunt longs for her own child!"
"And only I know how important a son is for a rural family!"
"It’s the foundation of survival for people in the countryside!"
He grew more impassioned, tears streaming down his face,
"People say it doesn’t matter if you have a son or daughter, but that’s just comfort for those who can’t have sons."
"If you can live your whole life in the city, then it’s true—son or daughter, it doesn’t matter."
"But the countryside is different. It’s a clan society. Without a son, your family line is cut off!"
He sighed deeply,
"Society isn’t as blunt or extreme as it once was."
"But essentially, it’s the same. If a rural family doesn’t have a son, and doesn’t marry in a son-in-law, over time their fields and houses get taken over."
"There’s no help for it; in the countryside, might makes right!"
"Look at what happened with Zhao Qinglong these past days..."
"If you hadn’t been young and strong enough to drive him off, your aunt would have suffered at their hands!"
"Even if you call the police, they might intervene once, but not every time. Those men cause trouble constantly, and the police can’t always be there..."

Growing increasingly emotional, Xiao Changgui gripped Zeng Xiaofan’s hands and spoke solemnly,
"So I’ve told you all this because, while I’m still young, I want you to give your aunt a child..."
"So our family will have someone to carry on the line, and your aunt and I will have someone to rely on in our old age..."
"Otherwise... life truly becomes unbearable..."
He couldn’t help but weep, clearly having suffered much in the village over the years.
Zeng Xiaofan was moved, "Uncle Changgui, please don’t worry!"
"If you don’t have a son, treat me as your son!"
"Aunt Yao is my godmother!"
"I’ll take care of you both, I’ll support you in your old age—is that enough?"
Xiao Changgui shook his head with a bitter smile,
"Xiao Fan, you’re still too young..."
"I know you mean it, but I also know it’s impossible!"
"I understand you; you’re talented—you won’t stay in the village forever!"
"As they say, a golden carp is never meant for the pond; when the winds rise, it becomes a dragon!"
"You’re destined to be that dragon!"
"And you haven’t found your real parents yet..."
"In short, your plan won’t work. Right now, the best solution is for you to give Aunt Yao a son..."
"I beg you!" He again tried to bow, but Zeng Xiaofan hurriedly stopped him.
"No, Uncle!"
"Ah... it’s not that I don’t want to help. Even if I did, there’s no guarantee it would be a son!"
"No matter! If the first isn’t a son, try again! Second time, third time..."
"Try with your aunt a few times, and you’ll succeed!" Xiao Changgui’s face was full of hope.
Zeng Xiaofan frowned deeply, utterly conflicted. He knew everything Uncle Changgui said was true, and he was keenly aware of how much the couple had helped him.
Without them, he wouldn’t even be alive.
By rights, whatever they asked him to do was not too much...
Thinking of this, Zeng Xiaofan’s heart softened at last,
"Uncle... I..."
"Alright~"
"I can promise to help you, but it’s no use! If Aunt Yao doesn’t agree, there’s nothing I can do!"
On hearing this, Xiao Changgui was overjoyed,
"Don’t worry! As long as you agree, leave Aunt Yao to me!"