Chapter 012: Crazy? No, You Just Need a Beating

Fish!

Fresh fish at that!

How could Su Yanwen, this useless lunatic, have managed to catch fish?

All around were the sounds of swallowing.

This group of people, who normally ate wild vegetables and gnawed on tree bark, had all developed a fierce hunger.

Their terrifying gazes seemed ready to pounce at any moment and devour these ten or so fish whole.

Dalang was clearly a bit scared and quickly clutched the fish in his arms more tightly.

Su Yanwen looked around silently, pulled out the small knife he had carved from his own flesh, and casually tossed it to Dalang.

Dalang yelped, almost dropping it.

He was intimidated by the gleaming blade and stammered, “Wh-what’s this for?”

“To sharpen it. It’s not sharp enough.”

“I’m worried some of the fish have tough skin and thick flesh; my knife won’t cut through.”

As Su Yanwen spoke, his sharp gaze swept over everyone present.

The hungry wolves among them averted their eyes but muttered, “It’s just a few fish, who cares?”

“Yeah, in a good harvest year, my family feeds these little fish to the cats.”

“Such arrogance from a madman.”

“These fish aren’t even edible. If those two fools caught them, their brains must be faulty.”

“Exactly, anyone who eats these fish must be crazy.”

Listening to the sour remarks around him, Su Yanwen wanted to laugh.

He shook the fish in his hand and sighed, “Ah, I wonder if these fish taste better stewed or grilled?”

“Boss Su, don’t get too carried away.”

“Yeah, and you, Dalang, do you have fish too?”

“Show it quickly; I’ll check it for you so you don’t eat something that’ll mess with your brain.”

“Yes, Dalang, show us your fish.”

Faced with a pack of fierce village women, Dalang hesitated but still held the fish close to his chest.

Su Yanwen was about to intervene when Aunt Zhang suddenly appeared, wielding a large broom.

With both hands, she swept snow vigorously, covering those village women from head to toe.

As she swept, she shouted curses at the top of her lungs, “Your men are useless, can’t even dig up a blade of grass, and now you’re bullying my man!”

“If you want fish, I spit on you—go sell some!”

“See if anyone in town would want women like you country bumpkins.”

“These fish are no good. In this day and age, you trash aren’t even worth these few fish.”

Aunt Zhang cursed with her eyes closed, unleashing a torrent of insults like a machine gun, with words that could bury eight generations.

Even Su Yanwen kept rubbing his ears, pretending not to hear.

The once arrogant village women gasped for breath in anger and slunk away in defeat.

Dalang chuckled and shyly approached Aunt Zhang.

He revealed the corner of his clothes, inside which were three fish.

“Wife, Dalang brought these.”

Though only three, in the current circumstances, they were extremely precious.

As Aunt Zhang said, perhaps even people’s lives weren’t worth these three fish.

Aunt Zhang opened her mouth, glanced at Su Yanwen with a complicated expression, and finally said, “Thank you.”

“But if you ever dare to poison those two again, I’ll curse you to death.”

Su Yanwen shrugged, speechless.

They went home.

“Daddy!”

Upon hearing the noise, the little girl dashed out.

Standing two meters away from Su Yanwen, her bright eyes fixed on him, her small hands nervously clutching her clothes, yet she dared not come closer.

Her cotton jacket was still Miao Qin’s, though skillfully altered by Zhao Yue’e to fit better.

Caor’s expression seemed to want to ask if Su Yanwen looked well but feared being scolded, so she stood there anxiously, unable to speak.

“You… you came back alive.”

Zhao Yue’e hurried to the doorway upon hearing the commotion.

Seeing the living Su Yanwen, her eyes filled with tears.

“Mm.”

Su Yanwen took down the string of fish from his back and handed them forward.

“Clean up, we’re having fish for dinner tonight.”

“Daddy’s amazing, really caught fish!”

“My daddy is the greatest hunter.”

“My daddy is super awesome.”

“My daddy…”

The little girl was overjoyed.

Clapping her hands and twirling on the spot, she spewed out every exaggerated compliment she could think of.

Wow.

This feeling was truly wonderful.

Is this the emotional value that a little daughter brings?

Su Yanwen felt as if he was floating on air, willing to endure any hardship or fatigue, even bursting with energy, eager to get back to work for several more hours.

“What’s all this noise? Always so loud and annoying. You should’ve been drowned in a ditch the moment you were born.”

A ruthless voice came directly from the doorway.

Miao Qin pushed the door open.

Leading was a young woman.

She was five years younger than Su Yanwen, a child Miao Qin had brought in and later renamed Su Cuilan.

Since arriving, Su Yanwen’s father had treated her as his own and constantly taught Su Yanwen to treat his siblings well.

Any slip-up meant a beating.

Miao Qin’s gaze at Su Yanwen still held some fear.

The prior events had left a persistent shadow, causing her to suffer nightmares night after night, which led her to bring her daughter here.

Su Cuilan was only eighteen but dressed with a maturity beyond her years, already a mother.

Upon entering, she strutted arrogantly like a peacock, looking down on Su Yanwen’s family.

Then her gaze landed on the string of fish in Zhao Yue’e’s hands.

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly said, “Oh, my mother said your family eats meat every day—I didn’t believe it, but look at all these fish.”

“Boss Su, if there’s food and you don’t share with your mother, but send it to me, you’ve really grown some skills.”

“Has it been so long since I married out that you’ve forgotten how painful a slap is?”

Su Cuilan rolled up her sleeves and started walking toward Su Yanwen.

Su Yanwen shot her a sharp, murderous look.

Startled, Su Cuilan stopped before approaching and heard Su Yanwen say, “Since you’re married out, you should understand that water spilled is water wasted.”

“Besides, what are you to me? Are we close?”

“Even if I dislike you, can’t I say something nice?”

Su Yanwen pondered, then turned to Zhao Yue’e and asked, “By the way, wife, in this era, do beggars not have to kneel?”

Zhao Yue’e was terrified and dared not speak.

She didn’t even dare to look Su Cuilan in the eye, uncontrollably covering her face with her hands.

This subtle gesture spoke volumes about how many slaps she had endured.

Caor was afraid too.

She shrank back and looked at her mother.

Then glanced at her father.

Bravely stepping forward, she whispered, “Auntie said that when eating, you have to kneel and kowtow, or else there won’t even be wild vegetable soup.”

“And you’ll get beaten more—more beatings mean more food.”

Caor’s eyes were red as she slowly rolled up her sleeves.

Her arms were like withered tree branches, crisscrossed with bruises from whip lashes.

Su Yanwen’s anger flared instantly.

His aura turned chillingly fierce.

Su Cuilan was startled; today’s Su Yanwen was truly different.

A bit frightening.

“What… what do you want to do?” Su Cuilan said, “If you dare hit me, I’ll immediately fall to the ground. I’m pregnant.”

“If anything happens, my husband’s family won’t spare me, and even your father would beat you to death.”

“Oh, you’re pregnant, huh? Judging by your looks, you’ve been pregnant for several cycles, right?” Su Yanwen smiled.

Su Cuilan grew more suspicious.

“Wife, what are you waiting for? Kill the fish. Kill them all and stew the soup.”

Zhao Yue’e pouted but smiled helplessly.

She had thought Su Yanwen had changed, but it was the same as ever.

Would all these fish again go to Su Cuilan?

Though reluctant, she resigned herself to the task.

“I don’t like fish soup,” Su Cuilan waved her hand dismissively. “It’s not tasty at all.”

In an age where people barely had enough to eat, the oily fish taste and fishy smell were unbearable to many.

“Yes, yes, you’re right.”

Su Yanwen quickly nodded. “Caor, start a fire. We’ll grill the fish.”

Caor felt wronged.

Sniffling, she obediently complied.

Su Yanwen patiently skewered a fish on a wooden stick.

The aroma of the fish wafted far and wide, awakening appetites.

Something felt off about this scene.

Miao Qin was puzzled.

Su Cuilan raised an eyebrow and smugly said, “Mom, I told you, only after some beatings do they listen.”

“I thought she was crazy, but turns out she just needs a good spanking.”

“Alright, Mom, go get a stool. I’m waiting to eat fish.”