Chapter 129: Encountering the Second Uncle of the Tang Family on the Boat

Du Yun walked to the riverbank, gazing at the shimmering ripples of the Lotus River, her mood exceptionally bright. She had acted swiftly, urging her mother to pack their belongings before bidding her grandmother farewell. While the sun was still high, they had already embarked on the journey to her maternal grandmother’s home.

"Mother, how do we cross the river?" Du Yun held a small bundle containing a piece of fabric—a gift her mother had prepared for her grandmother. This cloth was a trophy Du Yun had brought back from the zombie world; her mother had kept it tucked away in a cabinet for so long, unable to bear using it, until now.

"Keep walking; there is a ferry," her mother replied with a gentle smile. Although typically quiet and reserved at home, she seemed much more at ease once they were out.

"Oh! We get to ride the ferry!" Du Bo and Du Yin, trailing behind, skipped ahead, their faces full of excitement.

"A ferry?" Du Yun possessed the memories of the original owner, but honestly, since arriving in this world, she had never actually ridden one. Watching the sparkling water and breathing in the faint, cool mist, she found herself filled with anticipation.

After walking along the riverbank for about half an hour, they reached a spot that resembled a small pier. A solitary boat sat there, and the ferryman, wearing a short cloth tunic, sat at the bow smoking. Two middle-aged women were waiting nearby, looking quite bored. When they saw Du Yun’s group approach, their eyes lit up, and smiles broke out across their faces.

"Mother, why are they smiling at us?" Du Yin, young and curious, tugged at her mother’s hem, finding the women's reaction strange.

"The small boat carries seven or eight people. To cover his costs, the ferryman won’t set sail with fewer than five passengers. Since there are two of them and four of us, we make enough to get the boat moving," her mother explained with a smile.

It was the unspoken rule of the Lotus River and the villages along its banks: the boat only departed when full. After all, rowing was no easy task, and the ferryman always hoped to carry more passengers—not only to earn a bit more but also to conserve energy and save on food costs.

"Any more passengers? We’re setting sail!" the ferryman called out, not addressing them directly but shouting to the air as he picked up his long pole, feigning the start of their departure.

"Yes, yes! Wait for us!" her mother called back quickly. The boatman remained at the bank, waiting with a grin.

Once they boarded and paid their fare, the ferryman, in high spirits, pushed off. "Where are you headed? I’ll see if I can drop you off right at your destination!" Usually, his route was simply from one pier to the other, but since this family of four were big spenders, he didn’t mind offering better service.

"My parents live in the Old Xia family home in Hexi Village, right by the river at the east end!" her mother replied, happy to be visiting her maiden home.

"Oh, the Old Xia family! They are honest, salt-of-the-earth people. Everyone in the village speaks well of them," the ferryman said, looking genuinely proud as if he were part of the family.

"By the way, I haven't asked your name, sir," her mother said, her smile widening at the praise for her family.

"I’m surnamed Tang, the second in my family. I only settled in Hexi Village a few years ago to join my older brother," the boatman chuckled. "Do you know my brother? He lives not far from the Old Xia family. His eldest son is actually betrothed to one of the Old Xia family’s granddaughters!"

"Oh! You’re from the Tang family?" Du Yin exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

"What a coincidence! The one engaged to Tang Jun is our niece. We’re practically relatives by marriage," her mother said, pleasantly surprised. She was glad she could get a sense of the family her niece would be joining.

"Then we truly are family!" The ferryman, Uncle Tang, beamed. He hurriedly pulled the coins he had just collected from his pocket and offered them back, saying sheepishly, "We’re close kin; I can’t take your money. Here, take it back!"

"That won't do. Business is business, and you have a family to feed," her mother insisted. She was not one to take advantage of others, especially not her daughter’s future in-laws. She didn't want them to think poorly of their family.

"I can't accept this. If I take money from my brother's future in-laws, what kind of person would that make me?" Uncle Tang was an honest man, and he didn't want the Du family to look down on his own.

The situation reached a stalemate.

Seeing the two middle-aged women whispering to each other, Du Yun knew this couldn't continue. She whispered to Du Bo, who wobbled his way to the stern to offer a polite bow to Uncle Tang.

"Just take it, please!" Uncle Tang shoved the money into Du Bo’s pocket as if it were a hot coal.

"This... this really isn't right!" her mother protested, but seeing Du Bo smiling and thanking him, she realized the matter was settled and felt uneasy, preferring to pay for the ride.

"Uncle Tang, the school says that courtesy demands reciprocity. Since you’ve waived our fare, we must make a gesture in return," said eleven-year-old Du Bo, his voice clear and articulate. "You have children of your own, and since we’ll soon be family, please take this to buy some sweets for your younger brother and sister."

"I really can't—" Uncle Tang hesitated, though he was truly tempted by the eighty cents—enough to cover his family's meals for two or three days.

"Please, just take it!" her mother said, smiling. She felt Du Bo had handled it perfectly: he had saved face for Uncle Tang without letting the Du family appear to be freeloading.

"Very well then," Uncle Tang finally accepted the money. After all, a full stomach for his family was more important than pride.

However, he found it curious. Few families these days could afford the eighty-cent fare. Everyone said the Du family was drowning in debt, which was why even though the niece was a fine girl, few dared to propose. Yet, looking at their clothes and demeanor, they didn't look like a family struggling to put food on the table. Could it be that the Old Du family wasn't as broke as the rumors suggested?