In the past, Lu Dage’s wife would wash for the sons, and sometimes Lu Ping would help.

Now that his wife was not home, Lu Ping was washing for both brothers.

Lu Dage tossed his dirty clothes into the basin with a splash, getting water on his son’s face, and said, “Also, wash mine.”

He could only manage with what he had for now.

He changed into the least smelly clothes he had left and, while holding his collar and smelling the stink, saw Lu Ping staring blankly, not washing the clothes yet.

He laughed and said, “What are you staring at? Isn’t it only natural for your father’s clothes to be washed by his son?”

Lu Ping crouched on the ground, looking up at him, “Dad, did you wash Grandpa’s clothes?”

Brother Lu Dage was taken aback, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

He cleared his throat and said with a chuckle, “Are you teasing your dad? You little rascal, hurry up and don’t delay me. This is already getting stale.”

“Back when Grandpa was young, he had servants to wash his clothes. Why would he need me?”

At that moment, Second Brother Lu Erge came out and glanced at him without saying a word.

Just then, Fang Dihua came back from feeding the pigs, grabbed a firewood stick from beside the stove, and hit Brother Lu Dage with it, “You lazy bum!”

Brother Lu Dage quickly ran away, “Mom, Mom, let’s talk! Don’t hit me. My wife is a tractor driver now; she’s a valuable asset. You can’t hit her husband.”

He showed no shame for a man in his thirties with children.

Fang Dihua, even more enraged, chased after him and gave him a few more smacks on the back.

Brother Lu Dage knew that Fang Dihua was afraid of losing face, so he quickly climbed onto the east courtyard wall and began shouting, “Mom, dear mother, don’t hit me!”

He had always been slippery as a child.

Whenever his mother wanted to hit him, he would run away crying loudly so that everyone around could hear.

His mother, embarrassed by the scene, would usually refrain from hitting him.

But now that Fang Dihua knew his tricks, she wasn’t afraid of losing face and chased him relentlessly.

Cry all you want, shout all you want; if I’m afraid of losing face, that’s my loss!

She gave Brother Lu Dage several hard smacks.

Zhao Meifeng, Lu Shaocai, Lu Changfu, and others watched from next door, enjoying the spectacle.

Lu Shaocai, standing on a ladder, peeked in and laughed, “Second Aunt, why is it so chaotic early in the morning?”

Fang Dihua waved a twig at him angrily, “Behave yourself, or I’ll hit you too.”

Lu Shaocai said, “… I know you’re just angry. I won’t argue with you.”

Seeing Fang Dihua going to water the vegetables, Brother Lu Dage smiled at Lu Shaocai’s family and slid down, almost falling into the fish pond.

Fortunately, Second Brother Lu Erge caught him.

Brother Lu Dage put his arm around his younger brother’s shoulder, “Brother, you’re still good to me. Promise me, let’s never split up.”

He wanted Second Brother Lu Erge to lend him clothes.

But Second Brother Lu Erge was taller and sturdier, so the clothes wouldn’t fit right and would affect his look.

Brother Lu Dage also thought about borrowing clothes from their father.

He and his father were about the same size.

Father Lu came out with a coat and a pair of pants and said gruffly, “I’ll lend them to you for a day, but you have to wash them clean!”

Brother Lu Dage was like a monkey.

He ran over and said, “Dad, you’re the best to me.”

Old Man Lu grunted, “Go wash the clothes yourself, and wash the kids’ clothes while you’re at it. A father should at least act like a father.”

Fang Dihua had once said that when Lu Ping grew up and got married, they should divide the family.

If things continued like this, Fang Dihua and the kids would be bullied, and it would affect Lu Ping’s chances of finding a wife.

Lu Dage wasn’t very happy, but he still went to wash the clothes obediently.

Lu Ping wanted to say he could do it himself, but since his father had spoken, he followed his father’s orders.

Lu Dage felt very wronged while washing the clothes.

In his whole life, this was the first time he had ever washed clothes!

Lin Shu had already prepared a small teapot of tea for Old Man Lu.

After Old Man Lu had a few sips, he reminded Lu Dage, “Be careful, don’t tear the clothes.”

After a while, he added, “Don’t waste the soap; it’s expensive.”

Lu Dage sighed and resignedly continued washing.

His clothes were all dirty and needed washing.

After washing and hanging them out to dry, they would be clean by tomorrow.

Although he was lazy, he cared about his appearance and didn’t want to be seen as dirty.

Since he had to wash a whole basin of clothes, Lu Dage didn’t have time for a proper breakfast.

He could only nibble on a flatbread with pickles as he walked.

On his way past the village, he ran into the Widow from Sun Family, who had smiled at him before.

Widow Sun, carrying a basket, smiled again at Lu Dage, “Big Brother, running late today? Is it because your wife isn’t home and you’re not sleeping well?”

Lu Dage mumbled through a mouthful of flatbread, “Washing clothes.”

Widow Sun grinned, “A man shouldn’t wash clothes himself. Let me do it for you.”

Lu Dage quickly waved his hand, “No, no, I don’t have money to pay you.”

In the past, in the city, there were women who made money by washing and mending clothes for others.

He thought Widow Sun might be struggling and wanted to quietly make a living from this.

Widow Sun laughed even more, “I won’t charge you.”

Lu Dage was in a hurry to get to work; being late would cost him half a work point, and his mother would scold him harshly if she found out.

It wasn’t about the half work point, but about his attitude toward work.

If he wasn’t enthusiastic about working, it was seen as a problem, and he’d be in trouble.

As he hurried away, Widow Sun’s smile gradually faded.

In her memory, Lu Dage had been a handsome young man, very popular with both girls and older women.

She was no exception.

But now, many years had passed.

Her husband was gone, and she was getting old, and Lu Dage…

Yet, he still acts so… childishly.

It makes people… feel a bit of joy.

Living with such a man must be a lifetime of happiness, right?

In the evening, Brother Lu Dage and Second Brother Lu Erge headed home together.

---

Brother Lu Dage carried a hoe while Brother Lu Erge acted casually, chatting and laughing.

As they passed by the back of the village, Widow Sun suddenly appeared with a basket.

She tripped and fell onto Brother Lu Dage.

“Ah—” Brother Lu Dage seemed terribly frightened and jumped to Second Brother Lu Erge’s side with unprecedented speed.

Seeing Widow Sun on the ground, Brother Lu Dage patted his chest and said, “Oh my, I thought it was a big monkey. You nearly scared me to death.”

Second Brother Lu Erge: “…”

Widow Sun: “…”

She groaned as she tried to get up, but her sprained ankle made her sway and fall again.

She fell slowly, so anyone nearby could have helped her.

Second Brother Lu Erge stepped back two big paces, while Brother Lu Dage stayed half-hanging on him, watching her warily.

Two women came over, “Oh, Widow Sun, what happened?”

Widow Sun moaned and looked resentfully at Brother Lu Dage.

Brother Lu Dage immediately shouted, “I didn’t bump into her!”

Don’t try to frame me!

The two women helped Widow Sun up, “Oh, your ankle is swollen. You really need to be more careful.”

Widow Sun was helped up and limped home with a righteous expression.

Brother Lu Dage sighed in relief, patting his chest.

From now on, he would walk in the middle of the road to avoid being involved in any such incidents.

He was the poorest in the family, with no money to compensate anyone.

On the way home, Second Brother Lu Erge remained silent.

Once at home, Brother Lu Dage quickly got water to clean the clothes in the corner, changed into his own dry clothes, and soaked Father Lu’s clothes in a basin.

Seeing Second Brother Lu Erge washing clothes, Brother Lu Dage chuckled, “Second Brother, come here. I need to talk to you.”

Second Brother Lu Erge: “What’s up?”

Brother Lu Dage invited him into the room.

Second Brother Lu Erge went over.

Brother Lu Dage immediately shoved a basin of clothes into Second Brother Lu’s hands, “Hehe, Second Brother, help me wash these. You know I never learned to wash clothes. I’m afraid I’ll ruin them for Dad.”

Second Brother Lu Erge: “…”

He didn’t refuse and started washing.

Brother Lu Dage pulled him back, “Wash them here. Don’t wash them outside where Mom and Dad might see and scold me.”

Second Brother Lu didn’t refuse and helped wash in the main room.

Meanwhile, Brother Lu Dage lounged on the small northern kang (bed) with his legs crossed, enjoying the draft and talking to Second Brother Lu.

Second Brother Lu Erge asked, “Brother, what’s going on with Widow Sun?”

Brother Lu Dage was startled and sat up, “Second Brother, don’t say such things. I have nothing to do with her.”

Last time, even a smile had earned him a scolding from his father.

This time, he hadn’t done anything!

She fell by herself!

It’s not his fault!