Two Unexpected Guests

With work still ahead of them tomorrow, the men didn't overdo it on alcohol. After finishing their meal, they helped clean up the excavation site. With many hands on deck, the cleanup was swift. Everything was soon organized, and each item was brought home by the respective family whose property it was.

Back at home, everyone crashed for the night.

Wen Manor

"I never saw this coming! I honestly never imagined it!" Magistrate Wen exclaimed with unbridled excitement.

Madam Wen was even more thrilled: "I really regret not showing my face back then—i.e. not beg Wenwu's mother to make this marriage happen, regardless of the humiliation it would have caused me!"

Magistrate Wen responded, his voice brimming with confidence: "Wenwu's prospects are limitless—he has the brains for top honors. Madam, we made the right choice in befriending the Xus!"

"Die'er was so thrilled upon hearing the news, she practically jumped three feet high!" Madam Wen gushed: "I've never seen her this happy!"

"Madam." Magistrate Wen pondered: "... What do you make of this turn of events?"

"What else can I say?" Madam Wen countered: "I truly adore Wenwu. If he's to become my son-in-law, I'd wholeheartedly support it."

"The yamen will be dispatching soldiers with official good tidings in two days." Magistrate Wen declared: "I'll personally go over at that time!"

"Good." Madam Wen said: "But you have to stand up for our daughter! Die'er has been out of her mind with worry lately, probably because of Wenwu."

"I understand." Magistrate Wen replied: "I'll go and try to get some information."

Still unconvinced, Madam Wen insisted: "No, I must come too. We need to make sure Wenwu is committed to our Die'er!"

Magistrate Wen was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and said: "Madam, you've always been so composed. How come you're getting so worked up now?"

Madam Wen shot her husband a sharp look: "Enough! Die-er's happiness is at stake here. How could I not care?"

"Are you sure Wenwu likes our Die'er?" Magistrate Wen asked.

"Don't worry, I've already checked with Wenwu's mother." Madam Wen explained: "Wenwu doesn't have a girlfriend yet. So our Die'er still has a chance. If the two of them spend more time together, they'll surely develop feelings. Should we bring Die'er along?"

Magistrate Wen thought it over and said: "Alright, I guess it's fine. Die'er doesn't have anything else to do. You can talk to her tomorrow. I think she'll be thrilled."

Madam Wen smiled and agreed: "Great! It's getting late. Let's go to bed. I'll tell Die'er about it tomorrow."

......

Xujia Village

Early the next morning, Xu Chunsheng gathered a few men to build a simple village gate. They planned to make a wooden arch and fix it to the stone path on both sides.

On the arch, they wrote in big letters: Welcome to Xujia Village! Below it, in smaller letters: Entertainment, Fishing, Spiny Crayfish, Fruits, Scenic Views, All-Inclusive Fun and Dining Awaiting You!

It was noon by the time Xu Chunsheng and his men returned. He took a moment to tell the old man about their work. They had hoped to stay for lunch, but the workers dashed off even faster than rabbits.

Just as the Xus were sitting down to eat, a commotion outside caught their attention.

When Uncle Fu opened the door, he found a young master standing there. The young man was dressed in fine clothes and held a folding fan.

"Who are you looking for?" Uncle Fu asked, puzzled.

"Are you the new gatekeeper for the Xu Family?"

"The gatekeeper, yes, but I'm not new!"

"Oh!" The stranger brushed past Uncle Fu and started walking toward the main house.

"Hey! You haven't told us who you are!" Uncle Fu cried out: "You can't go in!" He grabbed a wooden club from the wall and hobbled after the stranger, now convinced he was dealing with an intruder.

The scent of good cooking wafted through the air. "What a wonderful aroma!" the stranger exclaimed: "Grandpa and Granny Xu, are you eating? I've arrived just in time!"

The Xu family stared in silence. They had watched in astonishment as this newcomer, without waiting to be invited, pulled up a stool and squeezed into their midst. Then he grabbed the chopsticks and began to eat.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Even Uncle Fu, who stood there with his walking stick, mouth agape, took a long moment to snap out of it.

"Chenyu! It's you! How come you're here?" Grandpa was the first to react.

Su Chenyu, utterly famished, said: "Grandpa Xu, wait till I finish eating. I'm starving to death."

"Alright then!" said Grandpa: "Go ahead and eat to fill your stomach. Here, have some tea so you don't choke."

Mrs. Wang quickly poured Su Chenyu a cup of water: "Drink this to help you breathe easier."

Su Chenyu picked up the teacup and mumbled through mouthfuls of food: "Thanks, Granny Xu." Then he lifted his head and gulped down the cup of tea.

The others stopped eating and just watched Su Chenyu devour the meal.

After a while, Su Chenyu let out a hearty burp, finally feeling satisfied.

It was then that Grandpa Xu asked: "Chenyu, what happened to you? How did you get like this?"

Su Chenyu, looking crestfallen, said: "I lost all the silver I'd brought with me!"

The Xu family exchanged glances, unsure how to comfort him.

"Oh no, oh no! Grandpa, there's another person outside! He looks really tough! He's as big as two of me!"

Uncle Fu's voice rang through the doors.

Su Chenyu blurted out: "Don't open the gate! Whatever you do, don't let her in."

He looked puzzled and asked little Chenyu: "What's going on, child? This—this isn't like you."

Su Chenyu replied: "Grandpa Xu, do you remember that letter I wrote to you?"

The old man responded: "Of course, you mentioned your grandfather arranged a marriage for you."

Su Chenyu felt like crying, but no tears would come.

The Xu family suddenly realized what was happening. Mrs. Wang asked: "Are you saying that the person outside is that girl?"

Su Chenyu nodded.

Mrs. Wang continued: "Leaving her out there isn't right. She followed you all the way from the capital just to be turned away? Where would she go?"

Su Chenyu sighed and said: "Fine! Let her come in."

Uncle Fu opened the door and led the young girl inside.

When the Xu family saw her, their mouths dropped open. This girl must be really overweight!

Cui Cancan felt awkward. She didn't know the Xu family at all, she had just seen Chenyu enter this house. It took her a long time to muster the courage to knock on the door.

Seeing Cui Cancan, Su Chenyu's anger grew. He said: "Why did you have to follow me? Does General Cui know about this?"

Cui Cancan mumbled quietly: "I asked one of the maids to tell my dad I'd be back later."

When the Xu family heard that, they were astonished. This girl was actually the daughter of a general!

Qibao looked at Cui Cancan and thought, This girl looks to be only about ten years old. She might be overweight because of her health or her eating habits. Either way, this isn't good for her in the long run.

Mrs. Wang asked: "Young lady, have you eaten yet?"

Cui Cancan hadn't eaten since that morning. She was afraid of losing Chenyu, so she'd been starving all day.

The smell of food on the table made her drool, but she shook her head.

"Regardless." Mrs. Wang said: "Fill your stomach first. Whatever problems there are, we can talk about them after you eat something."

Mrs. Zhang quickly scooped out a bowl of rice for Cui Cancan, grabbed a clean pair of chopsticks, and placed them in front of her.

"Thank you." Cui Cancan took the chopsticks and started eating.