Chapter 33 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]
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Down by the shore, Father Wu and Brother Wu joined the villagers of Haining in collecting the seafood that had washed up with the waves.
Nearby, other villagers had found shade under a large rock, where they sat enjoying the meals their families had brought. When they saw Wu Bai and two others approaching with baskets, one of them called out, "Brother Wu! Your Bai-ger's brought you lunch!"
Hearing the shout, Father Wu and Brother Wu paused their work, looking up to see Wu Bai coming.
Hai Zan, who was also at the shore, perked up as he heard that Wu Bai had arrived. Since childhood, Hai Zan had always admired Wu Bai, so seeing him now brought a smile to his face. Then he noticed his younger brother Hai Zhu had tagged along to deliver food as well. But Hai Zan's smile faded slightly when he saw Hai Shi trailing behind them, his eyes fixed intently on Wu Bai. Frowning, Hai Zan moved to intercept him, pretending to take the meal basket from Hai Zhu's hands but positioning himself to block Hai Shi's view of Wu Bai.
Wu Bai, unaware of this exchange, greeted Hai Zan as usual and continued on his way, heading toward Father Wu with his own basket.
Caught off guard by the sudden obstruction of his view, Hai Shi's heart skipped a beat, assuming Hai Zan had done it on purpose. He glanced over to see that Hai Zan wasn't even looking his way and felt relieved.
"Bai-ger, let me take that for you!" Brother Wu reached out, taking the basket from Wu Bai.
Wu Bai handed over the basket and joined Father Wu, making his way to the shaded spot beneath the rocks.
Hai Zan and the others settled nearby, gathering together under the rocky shelter for lunch. Despite the hot summer day, the ocean breeze provided a refreshing coolness, and they ate leisurely, chatting about the day's catch.
Hai Shi, having been in the village for two days now, was known to have amnesia, and no one expected much from him in conversation. After some polite questions, they left him to sit quietly in the corner with his meal.
Wu Bai took his bowl and some vegetables, sitting to eat alongside the others. Suddenly, a shadow fell across him, and he looked up to see Hai Zan watching him.
"Brother Zan, is there something you need?" Wu Bai asked.
Hai Zan smiled. "Bai-ger, my little brother brought extra fish soup today. Would you like some?"
"Thank you, Brother Zan, but we have fish soup as well. Please enjoy it yourself," Wu Bai replied politely.
Seeing Wu Bai decline, Hai Zan looked a bit disappointed, but he still returned to his seat.
The other villagers, witnessing the interaction, began teasing Father Wu. "Old Wu, your Bai-ger has grown up in the blink of an eye! With that fair skin of his, I'd say only a capable young man like Hai Zan would be a good match for him."
Hai Zan straightened proudly at the compliment, sitting a little taller.
Hai Shi, who observed Hai Zan's posture, rolled his eyes in silent disdain. As if someone as dark as Hai Zan is worthy of Bai-ger. Only someone like me is suited to someone as fair as Bai-ger.
The villagers laughed, with one elder chuckling, "Haha… Old Wu, these two have grown up together, almost like childhood sweethearts! When will you plan the wedding so we can come drink the celebratory wine?"
Father Wu was quite fond of Hai Zan, a hardworking young man he'd watched grow up. Knowing Hai Zan's good character and temperament, he wouldn't mind marrying Bai-ger to him. Smiling, he nodded. "I know a child can't stay by your side forever. But Bai-ger's elder brother is still unmarried, so we'd like to arrange his marriage first before thinking about Bai-ger's."
Hearing that Father Wu didn't object to him marrying Bai-ger, Hai Zan couldn't hide his joy.
Hai Zhu, picking up on the hint, felt thrilled for his brother and nudged Wu Bai, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Wu Bai sighed inwardly. Not wanting to embarrass Hai Zan in front of so many people, he decided he'd find a private moment to explain things, not wanting to raise his hopes unnecessarily.
The conversation soon turned to Brother Wu's future, with everyone asking what kind of fulang* he had in mind. Not used to being the center of attention for such a personal topic, Brother Wu simply focused on his meal, his dark skin masking any blush.
[T/N: This is just a reminder: Fulang means "ger spouse" in this story.]
The lunch passed unhurriedly. Once they'd finished, they washed their dishes in the nearby stream, planning to rinse them once more with well water back at home.
After packing up the baskets, Wu Bai and Hai Zhu headed back to the village together.
Hai Shi, as before, trailed a short distance behind.
Since Hai Zhu's family and Wu Bai's home lay in opposite directions, they parted ways at a fork in the road. Once Wu Bai was out of sight, Hai Shi took the opportunity to start asking Hai Zhu about him.
Hai Zhu, who'd grown up with Wu Bai, knew all about him. After hearing Father Wu's earlier comments, Hai Zhu was thrilled at the prospect of Wu Bai eventually marrying his older brother. Overcome with excitement and with others around to ask questions, he happily started sharing what he knew about Wu Bai.
Hai Shi hadn't expected it to be this easy to learn about Wu Bai from Hai Zhu. He now knew that Wu Bai lived on the east side of the village with only his father and older brother, both of whom Hai Shi had seen earlier.
As Hai Shi thought of Wu Bai's fair, delicate face, he couldn't help but glance at Hai Zhu's own tanned skin with a flash of disdain.
Just then, Hai Zhu seemed to recall something and turned to look at him. Hai Shi quickly concealed any expression on his face.
Hai Zhu clapped his hands and said, "Oh, let me tell you! Wu Bai's family also saved someone who had been swept ashore the same day we rescued you. Don't you think that's a remarkable coincidence?"
Hai Shi was momentarily stunned by this unexpected news.
But he quickly recovered, saying in a flat tone, "Yes, that's quite a coincidence. I wonder what this person looks like?"
"I managed to sneak a look earlier," Hai Zhu replied, genuinely admiring. "He's a man, very handsome, with skin even fairer than my brother and the others'. No, I should say it's even whiter than Bai-ger's!"
Though Hai Zhu's main point was to praise the newcomer's fair complexion, Hai Shi fixated on another detail: he was a man. Now that Wu Bai was home, it meant the two might be alone together. He quickly suggested, "Isn't Bai-ger supposed to marry your brother? It wouldn't look right for him to be alone with another man. Maybe you should go keep him company?"
True to form, Hai Zhu considered Hai Shi's point, finding it reasonable. Besides, he had nothing else to do at the moment, and he'd enjoy spending time with Wu Bai. He nodded in agreement.
Hai Zhu sped up his pace, returned home briefly to rinse the dishes in well water, and put them away. He grabbed a bolt of fabric and some sewing supplies, preparing to set off.
Hai Shi, eager to go along, followed him out the gate.
"Why are you following me?" Hai Zhu asked, puzzled.
"Didn't you say Bai-ger's family rescued someone?" Hai Shi explained. "Since I was washed up here around the same time, it's possible we were on the same boat. I'd like to see if I recognize him."
"But didn't you lose your memory?" Hai Zhu pointed out, wondering if Hai Shi was a bit dim-witted along with amnesiac.
Hai Shi was stumped by Hai Zhu's logic, mentally cursing his timing. Of all times for him to be sharp!
After a brief pause, he replied, "Yes, I did lose my memory, but he might not have. If he recognizes me, then it'll be a happy reunion, won't it?"
Seeing the sense in this, Hai Zhu agreed and led Hai Shi toward Wu Bai's home.
In the courtyard, Wu Bai had just finished washing the dishes and was now tidying up, checking on the dried fish and seafood laid out in the sun. In Haining Village, people often dried extra seafood for preservation to be ready for stormy days when the sea couldn't be fished.
Hearing a knock, Wu Bai put down his broom and went to answer the door.
Opening it, he found Hai Zhu at the head, with Hai Shi standing behind him.
"Bai-ger, my father brought me back a bolt of fabric from town a few days ago. Your sewing skills are the best around, so I thought you could give me some pointers – I'd like to make some clothes for my brother," Hai Zhu explained, holding out the fabric. He was careful not to mention his real concern about Wu Bai being alone with a stranger, and a man at that.
Wu Bai, who recalled that he often discussed sewing with Hai Zhu, didn't doubt his intentions and agreed readily.
However, he turned his gaze to Hai Shi, clearly waiting for an explanation of his presence.
Meeting Wu Bai's questioning look, Hai Shi quickly explained, "I just came to see the person your family rescued. Since I lost my memory, he might recognize me, and then I could find my way back home."
After considering Hai Shi's reasoning, Wu Bai decided to let him in. If Xiao Zimo did recognize Hai Shi, it would be best to notify his family and send him on his way sooner rather than letting him linger in the village and stir up trouble.
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