CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: UNCLE, COULD YOU STOP TALKING?

Chen Mo returned home to find the house in darkness. Opening the door and noticing the tidy interior, he knew no one else had been there, and his sister-in-law was still in the cellar.

Zhang River was very sensible. Upon having some work in hand, he quickly lit the oil lamp inside and went to scoop rice from the storage tank to cook dinner.

Chen Mo placed the burlap sack in his parents’ room, crawled under the kang, lifted the mud board above, and pulled the latch on the door inside while calling out, "Sister-in-law."

"Is it Uncle? I’m here!"

In the cellar, Han Anniang held a hatchet, looking warily upward, until she saw Chen Mo’s face and breathed a sigh of relief, climbed up the ladder, and was pulled out from the cellar by Chen Mo.

"Uncle."

Like a swallow seeking refuge, Han Anniang dove into Chen Mo’s arms, hugging him tightly, her voice soft and tender, "Uncle, you’re finally back. I was worried sick about you. If anything happened to you, Uncle... I wouldn’t want to live, either."

Indeed, Chen Mo’s tone on the night before his departure was too much like a farewell, causing Han Anniang to stay in the cellar feeling anxious and uneasy all day.

Though the cellar was spacious and had a ventilation opening, it still felt cramped compared to outside.

The confinement, solitude, and darkness made the already worried Han Anniang extremely frightened.

Softness full in his arms, Chen Mo could feel the emotions inside Han Anniang.

Han Anniang was originally a frail woman. The consecutive deaths of her husband and mother-in-law made her, who already lacked a sense of security, get shrouded in a shadow.

The original position’s irresponsibility only forced her to become strong, supporting this on-the-edge family. However, she never developed a strong character, and his arrival provided her a shield, giving her a sense of security under his protection, but she gradually lost her independence and self-reliance.

Thus, whenever Chen Mo was not by her side for a period of time, if she did not see him, she would feel panicked, worried, helpless.

Actually, solving this problem isn’t hard.

Find her a companion, someone to talk to.

During this time together, Chen Mo discovered that Han Anniang’s personality was overly introverted, not much of a talker with people in the village, mostly staying at home, unlike other women who would drop by neighbors to chat.

If finding a companion, it definitely has to be a woman.

...

During dinner, Chen Mo said to Zhang River, "Shui, in the future when I’m not home, have your wife come over to chat with my sister-in-law."

"Sure, Brother Mo."

It wasn’t troublesome at all, and Zhang River agreed without even thinking about it,

"Starting tomorrow, after digging the tunnel, take out an hour every day to practice sword technique with me."

After observing for some time, Chen Mo thought Zhang River had shown good performance, and since he had just broken through to the Eighth Grade, it was perfect timing to give his little brother some practice with the sword technique to enhance his own strength.

If anything unexpected happened when he was not in the village, Zhang River could also help.

Upon hearing this, Zhang River paused, then his eyes lit up, thanking Chen Mo profusely, "Thank you, Brother Mo, thank you, Brother Mo..."

He had witnessed Brother Mo’s sword technique.

Now hearing that Brother Mo wanted to teach him, Zhang River was incredibly excited, almost on the verge of kneeling down.

"I went to the city today and bought some provisions. Take some with you when you leave." Having acknowledged Zhang River as his little brother meant he should occasionally show some favor.

Zhang River, full of gratitude, even washed the dishes before leaving.

"Sister-in-law, from now on if I’m not in the village, just call Zhang River and the others if anything happens. They wouldn’t dare disobey you," Chen Mo said to Han Anniang.

Having given the favor, it was only natural to expect reciprocation.

Chen Mo had thought about buying a few maids.

These days, human life had become cheap.

Frankly speaking, he could exchange food for virgin girls.

But, upon careful consideration, he dismissed the idea for the time being, feeling the time was not quite right, with more disadvantages than benefits.

Besides, purchasing maids in the countryside was indeed quite conspicuous.

...

Under the endless dark dome, the crescent moon was dim, and the snow had lightened somewhat.

At the Chen Family, the flames on the lamp flickered and danced, enveloping the entire room.

On the kang, a well-put-together woman, after applying rouge, held a copper mirror in a kneeling position, scrutinizing herself from the mirror’s reflection.

A woman adorns herself for the one she loves.

Han Anniang was no exception.

But she never had this standard of living before, so Han Anniang naturally didn’t dare to yearn for them, although deep down, she still longed for and liked them.

Looking at the exquisite face in the mirror, Han Anniang was filled with undisguised joy, and then she asked about the price of the rouge.

Chen Mo had purchased the finest rouge. The shopkeeper mentioned it contained pearl powder, costing more than one tael of silver.

"Not much, just about a hundred cents." Chen Mo didn’t tell the truth, fearing Han Anniang would be distressed about the cost and wouldn’t dare to use it.

Even so, Han Anniang still felt it was too expensive. She gazed at Chen Mo with deep affection and said, "Uncle, don’t buy such things for me anymore. They’re too expensive. Money should be used wisely. I don’t value these things..."

Her already radiant face, now adorned with rouge, looked exquisite and enchanting. Her delicate skin seemed to glow under the dim light, appearing smooth and translucent.

Chen Mo held her soft hand, placed the copper mirror on the windowsill, and gently said, "Silly, to me, sister-in-law, you are the sharp edge."

"Uncle..." Han Anniang’s voice was soft as silk. At this moment, she was wearing a close-fitting undergarment, her long and round legs tucked beneath her, forming a soft and harmonious curve.

Her figure was full and ripe like a mature peach, excessively tempting, with a silhouette curve brimming with the beauty of a mature woman, stirring an uneasy warmth in one’s heart.

Chen Mo patted Han Anniang’s lovely legs, gesturing her to turn around.

Chen Mo embraced her from behind, a rustle later, and took a deep breath, saying, "Sister-in-law, while I’m here, don’t feel distressed over silver. When the rouge runs out, I’ll buy more, lots and lots."

Han Anniang mumbled a barely discernible reply.

"Also, I bought glutinous rice yeast. Sister-in-law, you can start making sweet ferment tomorrow," Chen Mo stated.

"Hmm, tomorrow... I will."

"Sister-in-law, open your eyes and look at the mirror; you are so beautiful now."

Upon hearing it, Han Anniang opened her eyes to look.

Reflected in the copper mirror was herself, hair disheveled, face flushed, a lock of her hair bitten between her lips.

Her face turned crimson with shame, feeling that wasn’t her at all.

Chen Mo embraced her tightly from behind, "It’s getting late; let’s rest, shall we?"

"Hmm."