Lu San came to borrow grain.
When Han Anniang opened the door and walked into the yard, Lu San was on his tiptoes, staring intently inside the house. Han Anniang hurriedly blocked him.
Lu San rubbed his hands sheepishly, "Lady Han, are you eating?"
She understood his intention perfectly, he clearly wanted her to invite him in for a meal.
After all, in previous years, when there wasn't a major disaster and every household had food, if someone came by during mealtime, they'd usually invite them in for a bite.
But these days, Han Anniang had to ration the stored grain when cooking. Plus, her uncle's appetite had increased lately; there wasn't any extra food to give away.
"We just finished eating and washed the dishes. I wonder why you're here so late, Third Brother Lu?"
"Lady Han, you might not know, but a few days ago, my mom had some money. She planned to buy some grain from town and repay Lady Han. But who would've thought, Hu'Er suddenly got a fever, and I had to pay for the doctor to treat him." Hu'Er was Lu San's son's nickname.
"Hu'Er got sick? Was it serious?"
"Not serious, he's already better now."
"Then it was indeed important to treat Hu'Er." Han Anniang nodded.
"But treating Hu'Er used up all the money. Now we have nothing to eat at home. So I came to ask Lady Han to lend us some grain again." Lu San finally revealed his purpose.
"I see." Han Anniang understood clearly. She didn't believe in Hu'Er's illness for a second. Looking troubled, she said, "Third Brother Lu, my family is also running low on food, there's really none to lend to you."
"Lady Han, don't lie to me. My mom told me you cooked at noon. How could you have no food? Please be kind and lend us one last time. Without grain, my mom and son will starve to death..."
Saying this, seeing Han Anniang unmoved, Lu San raised his hand to wipe his eyes, crying and sniffling, "Poor Hu'Er, his mother ran away with another man before he turned a year old, how pitiful..."
"Third Brother Lu, truly, we have no grain to lend to you." Han Anniang knew lending to Lu San was like throwing meat buns to a dog—it would never return. How could she dare lend?
Upon hearing this, Lu San frowned. Seeing no breakthrough, he reverted to old methods and shouted towards the house, "Brother Mo, Brother Mo..."
Saying this, he tried to bypass Han Anniang and charge into the house.
Han Anniang quickly stopped him, but a woman's strength is no match for a man's. Unintentionally, she was pushed by Lu San and fell down.
At this moment, Chen Mo suddenly rushed out from the house, holding a hatchet. Before Lu San realized it, he saw Chen Mo kicking towards him.
Though Chen Mo was weak and sickly, he was tall. Especially after training recently, his body was strong, and his aura fierce. Lu San, who hadn't eaten a full meal for a long time and looked emaciated, was kicked down by Chen Mo.
Chen Mo helped Han Anniang up, shielding her behind him. Looking at Lu San, who he had kicked to the ground, he pointed the knife at him and yelled, "Damn you, dare to bully my sister-in-law, do you have a death wish?"
Chen Mo heard everything Lu San said earlier.
Han Anniang recently married into Fu Ze Village, so she might not know Lu San well, but Chen Mo knew everything about him.
Lu San's real name is Lu San. His mother gave birth to three brothers, but the eldest two died young, leaving only him. Therefore, Lady Lu cherished him dearly, giving him the best to eat and drink, afraid he'd catch a cold or overheat, not even allowing him to do any hard work.
This resulted in Lu San developing a lazy and gluttonous habit from a young age. After Old Lu passed away, their life plunged into hardship.
When Lu San grew up, Lady Lu spent their savings to get him a wife.
However, this wife didn't live a good day after being married. Lu San still lived idly every day and even made his wife do the farm work.
That wife was someone who could endure grievances. She thought after having a child, Lu San would change.
But to her dismay, even after giving him a child, he remained the same. She couldn't bear it anymore and ran away under the cover of night after the child weaned.
For this, the Lu family became the village's joke.
They mocked Lu San for not even being able to keep a wife.
Clearly, it was Lu San's fault, but Lady Lu blamed the daughter-in-law for being flighty and unprincipled, for running off with a man from another village.
When the grandson could walk and talk, she bad-mouthed his mother daily, even attributing Lu San's laziness to her, which was evident to the entire village.
Chen Mo wasn't the "original" body, since his father was a battleground boss, Chen Mo had been exposed to all types of people in society from a young age and knew dealing with someone like Lu San required being tough.
The weaker you are, the more others think you're easy to bully and will push their luck.
Lu San lay on the ground, his stomach churning, unable to stop retching. In his eyes, Chen Mo was just a frail, easily manipulated bookworm who usually spoke in a refined manner. He never expected him to curse like this.
Lu San said, "I didn't mean it. According to seniority, you should call me brother. How can you talk to me like that, and even kick me..."
"Uncle..." Han Anniang was also startled by Chen Mo, hurriedly grabbing the hand holding the knife, fearing he'd lose control. However, her heart felt a strong sense of security.
Chen Mo naturally wouldn't lose control, just wanted to scare Lu San. He ignored Lu San's words, coldly stating, "You bastard, what's with the crying, cursing me to death?"
Lu San was a typical bully of the weak, and facing the "fierce" Chen Mo, looking at the gleaming hatchet in his hand, his bravado waned, "Brother Mo, you misunderstand, I came to borrow grain."
"No, I won't lend." Chen Mo refused mercilessly.
Upon hearing this, Lu San dared not speak further. He nodded, rubbed his chest, and got up to leave.
"Wait." Chen Mo called after him.
"What...what else?" Lu San paused, truly frightened by Chen Mo.
"When will you return the grain you borrowed before?"
"Hmm?"
Lu San was stunned; not only did they refuse to lend more, but they wanted their grain back too. This was too much. But he dared not act defiant against Chen Mo, replying awkwardly, "We have no grain at home."
"I don't care whether you have grain or not. I'm asking when you'll return it."
Lu San: "..."
This is unreasonable; how to return without grain?
"Some...sometime later."
"How long?"
"Just some time later."
"Specify the days?" Chen Mo said coldly.
"A... month..."
"Hmm?" Chen Mo frowned.
"Ten days?"
"Fine, ten days it is. When ten days are up, I'll come to your house to collect the grain." Chen Mo said.
Lu San didn't say a word. Seeing no further issues, he clutched his chest and left in embarrassment.
Watching Lu San's back, Chen Mo's expression was calm, "Indeed, a strong fist settles matters easily."
Coming back to his senses, he saw Han Anniang staring at him blankly.
"Sister-in-law, what's wrong with me?"
"Uncle, you were so... imposing."