Chapter 34 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

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Chapter 34

 

 

Though Hai Shi had used Xiao Zimo as an excuse to enter the Wu family home, he did genuinely plan to see him, hoping the man might recognize him. After all, when he'd first awoken, he noticed he was wearing clothes made of silk, indicating he probably came from a wealthy family. If Xiao Zimo could help identify him, he could write home and arrange for someone to bring him back.

 

With this in mind, Hai Shi asked Wu Bai where Xiao Zimo was staying.

 

Wu Bai led him to his eldest brother's room, where Xiao Zimo was currently sitting up in bed, reading.

 

The book was a medical text Wu Bai had borrowed from the village doctor. Since there weren't any books at the Wu household and he'd noticed Xiao Zimo getting bored while bedridden, he'd gone to borrow it for him that morning.

 

Xiao Zimo had heard voices outside earlier but couldn't make out what they were saying. Now, as the door opened, he looked up to see Wu Bai entering with another man.

 

Immediately, he cast a sharp, discerning gaze over the newcomer before turning to observe Wu Bai's expression. Noticing that Wu Bai seemed impatient with the newcomer, Xiao Zimo withdrew his gaze and closed the book in his hands.

 

The two walked over to the bedside, and Wu Bai introduced them, "Brother Xiao Mo, this is another man rescued by a family in the village, brought ashore the same day as you. He's here today to see if you recognize him."

 

At this, Xiao Zimo looked surprised. "See if I recognize him? What do you mean?"

 

"He has amnesia," Wu Bai explained, "and doesn't remember anything about himself. Since you two were both washed ashore around the same time, there's a chance you were on the same boat. He's hoping you might know something about him."

 

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm afraid I can't help," Xiao Zimo replied, glancing at Hai Shi thoughtfully. "The boat I was on was quite large, with many passengers. I didn't get a good look at everyone on board, so I'm afraid I don't recognize him."

 

Hearing this, Hai Shi's eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment.

 

Since Xiao Zimo had clearly said he didn't know him, Hai Shi had no reason to linger at the Wu family home. With Hai Zhu still there to keep Wu Bai company, Hai Shi left, reluctantly glancing back several times as he went.

 

Once he'd left, Hai Zhu watched Wu Bai shut the gate, then came over and eagerly pulled Wu Bai aside. He wanted Wu Bai's advice on where to begin cutting fabric, as he planned to make clothes for both his father and Hai Zan. Since he needed to make two outfits from one piece of fabric, any wrong cut could prevent him from completing both.

 

Hai Zhu's family, though hardworking, wasn't particularly well-off. Rarely did they have a new piece of cloth, so Hai Zhu was hesitant to cut it hastily. He'd actually been hoping to ask Wu Bai for help with the sewing for a few days now, but with the recent commotion of rescuing Xiao Zimo and Hai Shi, he hadn't found the chance.

 

Fortunately, everything aligned today—Hai Zhu had some free time, and it seemed Wu Bai did as well. So, with Hai Shi's suggestion as an opening, he seized the moment to both check on Wu Bai and finally get the clothes started.

 

Wu Bai, who was skilled at sewing, happily agreed to help. In his past lives, he'd often sewn clothes for Xiao Zimo, feeling great satisfaction every time he saw him wearing something he'd made by hand.

 

Though Hai Zhu's technique wasn't as refined as Wu Bai's, he managed just fine with Wu Bai's guidance and help. Together, they quickly finished the first garment.

 

By now, however, the sun was beginning to set, and it was time for Wu Bai to start preparing dinner. Hai Zhu packed up his sewing supplies, along with the completed garment and remaining fabric for the second outfit, carefully placing everything into his basket before waving goodbye and heading home.

 

Entering the kitchen, Wu Bai swiftly began cooking. He put a pot of rice on the stove and caught a large, fresh fish from the water jar in the courtyard. After cleaning the fish, he added it to a pot with some wild herbs he'd discovered recently that made an excellent seasoning.

 

He then went to the small vegetable patch behind the house to pick some greens. After washing them with water from the well, he set them aside to stir-fry later, once his father and brother returned; they were best served hot and fresh.

 

With these tasks done, he moved the drying rack of seafood under the eaves to protect it from potential rain overnight. While rain wouldn't spoil the seafood, it could dampen the flavor when dried again.

 

Just as he finished, Father Wu and Brother Wu returned, carrying the day's catch. Noticing the now-empty rack, they took some thin rope from a corner of the yard, and began stringing up the newly-caught seafood in the courtyard. Having been kept in seawater all day, the fish and shellfish were still slippery to the touch.

 

Wu Bai joined in, and together, the three of them quickly hung the seafood on the rack. Some of the fish were still flopping around, but Father Wu and Brother Wu had tied the ropes so tightly that none could wriggle free.

 

The seafood, freshly caught and yet to be dried, wouldn't be affected by the rain, so there was no need to worry about it.

 

After they finished, Wu Bai washed his hands and went back to the kitchen to stir-fry the vegetables. Meanwhile, Father Wu and Brother Wu, exhausted from the day, drew cool water from the well and washed up in a small shed before changing into clean, comfortable clothes for dinner.

 

Since Xiao Zimo was awake, Wu Bai didn't need to bring his food to his room. Instead, he went in to help him out to a chair at the table, where they all ate together.

 

The chair was one Father Wu had crafted himself from bamboo he'd cut from a grove on the way back from the city.

 

Haining Village held a unique geographical position. Although it was part of Fenhe County under the jurisdiction of Yangjiang Province in the Great Qi Empire, it was actually closer to Yangjiang's provincial capital than to the county seat. As a result, villagers often chose to go to Yangjiang when they needed supplies.

 

Yangjiang, located in the southern part of the Great Qi, bordered the ocean along much of its territory and hosted a significant naval presence. Currently, the navy was commanded by a governor surnamed Tang.

 

Over dinner, Father Wu asked Xiao Zimo a few questions about his condition. When he heard that Xiao Zimo still needed time to recover, he nodded in understanding and said no more.

 

After dinner, Wu Bai helped Xiao Zimo to a stool in the courtyard, then fetched water from the well to wash the dishes in the kitchen. Only once everything was clean did he return to sit on a small stool outside and chat with his family.

 

Even though evening was falling and the sky was dimming, no one went straight to bed. Instead, they lingered in the courtyard, enjoying the cool air and each other's company, chatting until it was time to turn in.

 

Because Xiao Zimo was still recovering, Wu Bai's elder brother had been sharing Father Wu's room for the time being. However, the space was cramped, so his brother had set up a long bench in the room as a makeshift bed, placing a quilt over it to sleep more comfortably.

 

Remembering what Father Wu had said to him at the beach that morning, Wu Bai decided it was time to clear things up, especially since they were among family. "Father, I don't have that kind of interest in Brother Hai Zan," he said. "Next time, please don't go along with what the uncles in the village say."

 

Father Wu had been chatting with Xiao Zimo at the time. Since Xiao Zimo was from the capital, he was much more knowledgeable than them, well-educated, and, more importantly, had been making an effort to win Father Wu's favor. As a result, their conversation had been going quite well.

 

But then, he suddenly heard his ger son blurt out that statement. Father Wu was first a little embarrassed, then fell into silence. He hadn't expected him to bring this up—especially in front of an outsider. To him, discussing Wu Bai's future with someone outside the family felt improper.

 

Xiao Zimo, too, was momentarily taken aback. He turned to look at Wu Bai, curious to ask what he meant. But, realizing that his relationship with the Wu family was still somewhat distant, he thought better of it and held his tongue.

 

Fortunately, Wu Bai's elder brother quickly jumped in, looking surprised as he asked, "Why wouldn't you consider Hai Zan, Bai-ger? I think he's a fine choice."

 

Brother Wu, who had grown up alongside Hai Zan, knew well that Hai Zan held deep feelings for Bai-ger. He personally thought it would be a good match—after all, Hai Zan was one of the most diligent and capable young men in the village, and most importantly, he cared for Bai-ger.

 

"I know he's a good man, but I already have someone I like," Wu Bai explained. "I don't want to delay him, so I plan to find a way to explain that to him."

 

"What? You already like someone? Who is it?" Brother Wu's surprise quickly turned to anger. "Is it that fellow Hai Qing? I heard him talking to others about wanting to marry you—did he come to trick you?"

 

Seeing Brother Wu's fists clench, as if he were ready to fight, Wu Bai hastily reassured him, "No, Brother, of course not. You know Hai Qing well enough. How could I possibly like him?"

 

Hai Qing was known around the village as something of a troublemaker. His family owned a small fishing boat, which made them relatively well-off compared to others. Growing up pampered, Hai Qing had little skill or interest in work. Nonetheless, he fancied himself capable of marrying the best-looking ger in the village—who, in his eyes, was the former Wu Bai.

 

Since arriving, Wu Bai had spent most of his time at home caring for Xiao Zimo and had rarely gone out, so he hadn't run into Hai Qing. However, the previous Wu Bai had frequently encountered him in the village since he was thirteen. Luckily, he was usually accompanied by his elder brother or Hai Zhu, preventing Hai Qing from approaching him alone.

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