Wheat Seedlings - Chapter 5

"Chen Li, what the hell are you scheming?!"

A loud voice echoed from the courtyard.

Chen Li had rejected yet another girl yesterday, and Wang Jinmei could no longer hold back—she stormed over early in the morning to give him a piece of her mind.

Chen Li let her rant for a while before deciding he needed something to do, so he grabbed a rag and started cleaning.

Mai Miao sat on a small stool in the yard, mixing soap with water. An old dog lay lazily at his feet, tethered by a rope.

"That girl from the Sun family, the one who went to college do you even know what college is?" Wang Jinmei wasn't about to let him off the hook and pressed on. "The only female college student in the village! The commune introduced her to you several times—good heavens, she turned down so many good matches just to give you a chance. And you still refuse? What kind of sin are you committing here?"

Chen Li paused his cleaning and glanced at Wang Jinmei.

She immediately fell silent. For some reason, even when Chen Li did nothing at all, he could make her uneasy without explanation.

In the yard, Mai Miao, his hands covered in soapy water, blew bubbles with a soft "whoosh."

Chen Li turned his attention back to scrubbing the table, the vigorous motions clattering loudly. His expression was indifferent. "I'm just a toad—I don't deserve her."

Wang Jinmei was so furious she nearly toppled over.

She finally understood her golden reputation as a matchmaker was truly going to be ruined by Chen Li!

As she stepped out the door, she glanced at Mai Miao sitting on the stool.

Since she was the matchmaker, she had naturally done some digging into the Chen brothers and their situation.

She sidled up to Mai Miao and poked his shoulder with her sharp fingernail.

Mai Miao winced at the sting before finally turning his face toward her.

"My, my," Wang Jinmei scrutinized him closely. "Such a pretty little thing—prettier than any girl I've ever seen. No wonder your brother dotes on you."

Her eyes roamed over Mai Miao, and she became increasingly convinced that Chen Li's refusal to marry was because of this younger brother holding him back.

An idea struck her, and she nudged the dazed boy. "Mai Miao, how about Auntie finds you a wife? Would you like that?"

Wang Jinmei thought it was a brilliant plan—if she started with Mai Miao, once the younger brother had a wife, wouldn't the older brother have to follow suit?

So she triumphantly called into the house, "There's a girl in the next village, twenty-five years old. Poor thing lost an arm working in a factory, so she can't farm, but she can still cook and take care of a man. Her family was planning to marry her off to an old widower, but I'll take the donkey cart over now and put in a good word for your Mai Miao. Who knows? Maybe it'll work out."

Mai Miao rubbed his shoulder, frowning at her with a pout, unsure if he even understood.

"Oil for sale—bean oil for sale "

A vendor's cry drifted through the alley.

Suddenly, Wang Jinmei was unceremoniously shoved out of the courtyard in a flurry of chaos.

Planting her hands on her hips, she screeched outside the gate, "Chen Li! You bastard! You're cursed!"

Before she could get another word out, the latch rattled again. The paper tiger that was Wang Jinmei jumped in fright and stumbled away, still shouting over her shoulder, "You Chens are all lunatics! Ugh!"

In the backyard, Chen Li turned on the faucet and bent down to scrub the laundry. Mai Miao crouched beside him, catching the floating soap bubbles in his hands.

"Mai Miao," Chen Li spoke without looking up, as if casually, "Do you know what a wife is?"

Hearing his name called, Mai Miao turned to look at his brother.

Chen Li turned off the faucet and paused.

Mai Miao might not know much, but he did know what a wife was.

He actually knew quite a bit: "A wife... is someone who sleeps under the same blanket with you at night. Sleep together every night." He patted his belly and grinned at Chen Li."—Then you get to hold a baby!"

Chen Li was infected by Mai Miao's smile and couldn't help but curl his lips.

Both brothers had faint dimples on their cheeks.

Chen Li asked again, "Tell me, do you want a wife?"

Hearing this, Mai Miao grew conflicted—he'd heard Aunt Liu's sons say that these days, getting a wife wasn't easy. You needed chickens, geese, and a lot of money.

Besides, their family didn't have any geese, only two chickens.

Mai Miao... wasn't willing to part with their chickens.

Chen Li watched him silently, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.

Before Mai Miao could make up his mind, his butt was suddenly smacked.

He yelped with an "Ow!"

"You little ingrate!" Chen Li picked up a basin, blocked Mai Miao's butt, and smacked it several times. "Sleep under the same blanket every night! I cook and wash clothes for you, sleep with you every night!"

He threw down the washboard and went to tickle Mai Miao's belly. "Holding a baby, huh? Dream on, you little ingrate."

Mai Miao was most afraid of being tickled. He shrieked and tried to run away.

Chen Li lunged after him, catching Mai Miao like a rabbit, pulling the warm bundle into his arms and squeezing him relentlessly.

Late at night, mosquitoes buzzed noisily.

Chen Li smacked one dead and drowsily opened his eyes.

Mai Miao lay beside him, head tilted, limbs sprawled, sweating from the heat.

His clothes had ridden up, revealing his soft, pale belly.

Chen Li propped himself up to adjust Mai Miao's clothes.

He glanced down.

Mai Miao's chest was bare, two small nipples exposed, flushed red from the heat-a tender, ripe color. As if begging to be sucked.

Chen Li pulled Mai Miao's clothes down and lay back, taking a deep breath. Just then, Mai Miao rolled over, pressing his entire body against his brother.

Chen Li meant to push him away but suddenly froze.

Mai Miao curled up, his ankle brushing against Chen Li's crotch.

The sleeping Mai Miao remained oblivious.

That ankle rubbed against him, again and again.

In the dim moonlight, the man's hand slid downward. The pale, slender ankle was a size smaller than his palm.

The toes curled silently in that scorching grasp.

Deep in the night, the sound of splashing water came from the backyard.

Chen Li scrubbed his pants, the washboard creaking under his force.

"Beast..." he muttered.

Abruptly, he spat out, "Beast!"

***

At noon, the workers rested under the trees in the wheat fields.

This year was especially hot, and everyone was sluggish, lacking energy.

Everyone except Chen Li.

Under the blazing sun, he spread out the wheat, sweat pouring onto the ground.

Someone lazily remarked, "Why's he working so hard?"

Another, puffing on a cigarette, smirked suggestively. "Too much pent-up energy. That's what happens when you're cooped up at home."

The whole village knew Chen Li had offended Wang Jinmei—this year, he probably wouldn't find a wife.

Chen Li bundled up the wheat he had dried the day before, hoisting two bundles at once, and carried them to the granary.

When he reached the warehouse, he set the wheat down.

Just then, a hand holding an embroidered handkerchief gently wiped the sweat from Chen Li's face.

Chen Li glanced to the side.

It was the young mistress of the Zhang family.

The young mistress, formerly known as Fang Cuiyun, had married the sickly son of the Zhang family six years ago. She was strikingly beautiful, rumored to have once been a singer in a brothel before her marriage. Even after entering the household, she remained restless, driving her in-laws to their graves with her behavior. Earlier this year, her husband had finally succumbed to his illness.

Fang Cuiyun swayed a round fan and asked softly, "Brother Chen, are you alone?"

The cicadas screeched in the afternoon heat.

The workers in the wheat fields were still busy.

Inside the house, the stifled cries suddenly ceased.

A moment later, the door opened, and Chen Li stepped out.

Apart from a sweat-drenched hand hanging limply outside the bed curtains, nothing inside the room could be seen clearly.

Chen Li went to the commune, where Chief Li wanted to speak with him.

The fan spun weakly, blowing out a faint, warm breeze.

Chief Li offered him a cigarette, and soon both were smoking, exhaling clouds of smoke.

"Comrade Chen, I understand," Chief Li said amiably. "People like you... aren't the same as ordinary folks. It's hard to find a match."

"Your kind of partner is rare—maybe one in a thousand. And even if you meet one, chances are you won't get your turn." His tone turned nostalgic. "I grew up with your father, shared pants with him. He never met one in his lifetime, yet he still ended up with your mother and had you two brothers."

Chen Li occasionally responded with a vague hum.

At dusk, Chen Li returned to the compound.

Mai Miao, knowing he was back, happily ran out holding the dog's leash.

Chen Li had just called out "Mai Miao" when his brother stopped a few steps away.

Mai Miao tilted his head up, staring at Chen Li as if his soul had left his body.

"Mai Miao?" Chen Li called again.

Mai Miao's lips trembled, then he dropped the leash, turned around, and ran off with quick, light steps.

"Mai Miao? Mai Miao?" No matter how Chen Li called after him, Mai Miao didn't look back.

He ran back into the house and even shut the door behind him.

The dog barked furiously. Chen Li stared at the closed door, utterly baffled.

By evening, Mai Miao still hadn't calmed down.

Chen Li had no clue what was wrong—he'd never raised a child before.

Apart from calling Mai Miao to eat, he didn't know how to coax him.

Chen Li finished tidying up and entered the room. The food on the bed remained untouched.

Mai Miao sat curled in the corner, hugging his knees like a mushroom facing the wall.

Chen Li sat on the edge of the bed and coaxed, "Mai Miao, eat first. You can throw a tantrum after."

Mai Miao tightened his arms around himself, burying his head between his knees.

Chen Li couldn't stand seeing Mai Miao like this. He leaned over and grabbed Mai Miao's arm.

But Mai Miao struggled violently—not the usual weak resistance, but a wild thrashing of legs, screaming, "You stink! Get away! You stink, you stink!"

Chen Li felt as if ice water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone.

His scalp prickled. "Chen Mai Miao!"

Chen Li had trained for this his roar could shake a person, make their legs go weak.

Mai Miao froze, eyes wide as saucers.

A moment later, Aunt Liu knocked on the door and asked, "Brother Chen, what's going on? Such a commotion."

Everyone in the compound knew how well Chen Li usually treated Mai Miao.

But Chen Li had been a soldier what if he lost his temper and hurt the boy?

As soon as Chen Li loosened his grip, Mai Miao bolted.

He was lightning fast in the blink of an eye, he dashed out the door and hid in another resident's house in the compound.

Chen Li stared fixedly at the spot where the boy had disappeared, his chest heaving so violently it felt like his heart condition might flare up right then and there.

Aunt Liu had never in her life seen siblings quarrel like this: "You came from the same womb what could possibly have driven you to this? It's not worth it."

Chen Li's eyes were bloodshot. He wished he knew—more than his late mother ever had—why Mai Miao was tormenting him like this.

Aunt Liu reassured him, "Don't worry, he's staying at Quan'er's place tonight. Back when you weren't home yet, he and Quan'er got along well. The boys often slept in the same room—it's nothing."

"Brother Chen... Chen, what's wrong with you?"

Dark spots swam before Chen Li's eyes. He couldn't even muster a reply.

That night, Mai Miao really didn't come home.

The next day, Chen Li went to the wheat fields.

The whole day, the other workers barely spoke to him.

It was the first time they'd seen Chen Li with such a grim expression. None dared approach him, not wanting to invite trouble.

At the end of the workday, Chen Li went to the shopping street outside the commune and bought a box of chocolates.

It was an imported Western product—eight yuan a box.

Chen Li brought the chocolates back to the compound. Such a rare treat had to be stored in the fridge, but the Chen family didn't have one.

If the chocolates melted, they wouldn't look presentable anymore. So, he had to bring Mai Miao home immediately.

When Quan'er saw Chen Li at his doorstep, he knew he'd come to fetch Mai Miao. Not daring to delay, he scurried back inside. "Mai Miao!" Chen Li craned his neck, catching only a glimpse of a pale, slender arm and Quan'er tugging at Mai Miao inside the room.

Chen Li's eyelid twitched, his fists clenching.

"Mai Miao, your brother's here to take you home!" Quan'er pulled at him.

Despite his scrawny frame, Mai Miao was surprisingly strong. Though Quan'er was also a young man accustomed to farm work, he couldn't subdue him right away.

Then a shadow loomed over them like a mouse spotting a tiger, Mai Miao wrenched free and scrambled under the bed.

Chen Li wasn't about to let him escape again.

He reached out and grabbed Mai Miao's clothes.

Mai Miao barely had time to blink before his brother hoisted him over his shoulder.

Chen Li shoved the chocolates into Quan'er's hands, then carried the shrieking Mai Miao out of the Liu family's courtyard.

With a brush in hand, Chen Li hauled Mai Miao straight to the river without pause.

Then, abruptly, he let go.

Mai Miao tumbled from his shoulder and landed in the shallows.

As Mai Miao scrambled to get up on all fours, Chen Li suddenly yanked off his shirt.

Mai Miao sat in the water, panting as he watched.

Chen Li tossed the shirt aside, undid his belt, and stripped off his pants right in front of Mai Miao.

Now, Mai Miao finally saw his brother clearly—

Unlike his own body, Chen Li's muscular frame, the raw strength in his limbs, and the manhood between his thighs all bore witness to a fully matured man.

Where Chen Li couldn't see, Mai Miao clenched his fingers.

He sniffled, his face burning so red it looked about to drip blood.

He watched as Chen Li cupped water in his hands and splashed it over his head, then grabbed the brush and scrubbed his body and arms as if scraping off grime.

Chen Li treated himself like an enemy, scrubbing so hard it seemed he might peel off a layer of skin.

Mai Miao scrambled up in a panic, his lips moving soundlessly.

Chen Li threw down the scrub brush and grabbed Mai Miao.

Mai Miao crashed into his chest, and immediately, a wave of hot breath brushed his ear: "Smell me. Do I still stink?"

Chen Li pressed his neck closer.

As if struck by some scent, Mai Miao's eyes reddened, his body nearly going limp against Chen Li.

Chen Li tightened his embrace, his scorching palm pressing against Mai Miao's back.

Mai Miao's face was pressed against Chen Li's bare chest, his entire body trembling.

"Come on, take a good sniff."

Chen Li's hands kneaded Mai Miao relentlessly, his breath ragged in his throat.

"Miao Miao, smell me."

Chen Li lowered his head, rubbing his face against the top of Mai Miao's head and hair like an addict, greedily inhaling the fragrance emanating from him, his hardened arousal pressing against this pliant body.

Mai Miao was like prey caught by a monster.

Wanting to flee, but unable to escape.

The hands on his back had already slipped under his clothes, roaming roughly over his skin.

Trembling all over, Mai Miao let out a thick, nasal whimper: "Ge..."

Chen Li snapped out of it.

He panted heavily, wrestling with himself internally before finally releasing Mai Miao.

Mai Miao staggered back into the water.

Chen Li snatched up his clothes and pants, slipping them back on in an instant. He walked over, hauled Mai Miao out of the water, and carried him bridal-style in his arms.

When the Chen brothers returned to the compound, Aunt Liu and a few other women were playing mahjong.

"Brother Chen, you're back?" one of the women called out.

The only response was the sound of the door slamming shut.

"What's going on?" someone asked.

"What else? After all that commotion yesterday, they must've had a fight."

"Honestly, how could Brother Chen stoop to arguing with that little fool?"

"You can say that in front of us, but don't let Mai Miao's brother hear you," Aunt Liu said, half-joking, half-serious. "He'll kill you." The women all burst into laughter.

***

For several nights in a row, Chen Li slept on the floor.

He still went to the fields during the day to dry the wheat, returning before dark to cook for Mai Miao.

The two brothers ate separately—one squatting on the bed, the other sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Once the village's wheat was dried, to prevent moisture, the first batch had to be delivered to the factory. Since Chen Li could drive and had a license, the task was honorably assigned to him.

Before dawn, Chen Li drove the communal truck to deliver the wheat to the grain factory in the nearest provincial city. He spent the whole day there, waiting for the factory's accountant to settle the books before collecting the villagers' winter funds and driving back to the village.

On the road, Chen Li hummed a tune.

The payout this time wasn't much, but he had some savings. Combined, it would be enough to build a house.

He imagined laying cement floors, tiling them, and installing a couple of ceiling fans.

Most importantly, Mai Miao needed his own room—with a lock on the door to keep thieves out.

The wind brushed his face as Chen Li hummed.

Whatever he was thinking about made him lick his canine teeth several times.

After driving for over seven hours, Chen Li returned to the village in the dead of night.

He parked the truck at the commune, pulled out his bicycle, and leisurely pedaled past the wheat fields.

"Brother Chen!" It was Aunt Liu's eldest son. Spotting Chen Li from afar, he waved and shouted, "Brother Chen! You're finally back!"

Chen Li's expression instantly turned grave. He sped back to the compound.

The courtyard was brightly lit, and at this hour, everyone was still sitting outside, not yet asleep.

"Brother Chen, just an hour before you came back, we were all sleeping soundly when Mai Miao suddenly had an episode!" Aunt Liu's family member hurried after Chen Li, anxiously recounting the whole sequence of events.

The others watched as Chen Li strode into the house, and the hushed conversations that had paused now resumed in lowered voices: "What kind of episode was it, with all that screaming? Scared us half to death."

"His own mother died in that house. Tomorrow we should get someone to check if there's something unclean lurking around..."

Before Chen Li even stepped inside, he caught a whiff of that scent.

He recognized that smell it was the same fragrance that had been tormenting him day and night lately.

But now, the fragrance had changed. It used to be somewhat light, but now it had grown so strong.

What was even more unusual was that, clearly, he was the only one in the entire courtyard who could smell it..

<<Chapter List