51: Chapter 51 Protecting the Widow, Maki

Cao Kun listened for a while before he understood.

This woman was named Tian Zhenxi.

She was a clan Auntie of Ji Guangli's family, living right next door.

Her husband, Ji Chaoqun, had just passed away, and she had come to inform Ji Baoxiu's family so they could help with the funeral arrangements.

Ma Guilan supported Tian Zhenxi, patting her back to comfort her. "Zhenxi, don't be too sad. You've worked so hard taking care of Chaoqun for twenty years. He's finally found peace."

Ji Baoxiu sighed. "Go back and rest first. We'll head over to help right away. Just say the word if you need anything."

Tian Zhenxi nodded, wiping away her tears as she turned to leave. Just as she stepped out of the courtyard gate...

A system notification suddenly rang out in Cao Kun's mind.

[Ding! New mission released: Protect the widow Tian Zhenxi and ensure she is not bullied.]

[Mission Reward: 300,000 yuan in cash]

Cao Kun was suddenly overjoyed.

A new mission at last!

And the reward was 300,000 yuan in cash!

This was like a godsend to him. Although he already had a house and a car, who would ever complain about having too much cash?

But after the initial excitement, he felt a sense of bewilderment.

The mission description was too vague.

What did "bullied" mean?

Who would bully her?

When would it happen?

What counted as completing the mission?

Despite his many questions, Cao Kun was determined to complete the mission.

300,000 yuan—that was enough to do a lot of things.

Just as Tian Zhenxi left, Ji Baoxiu and his wife said to Cao Kun and Ji Guangli, "Guangli, Xiao Cao, you two stay home for now. We have to go to Chaoqun's house to help. He's a brother from our clan; we can't be absent for this."

After the two left, Cao Kun immediately pulled Ji Guangli back into the room, closed the door, and asked, "Guangli, that Auntie Tian from just now... can you tell me more about her situation? She seemed quite pitiful."

Ji Guangli sighed, sat down on the edge of the bed, and began her story. "Auntie Zhenxi... she's had a hard life..."

As it turned out, Tian Zhenxi had married Ji Chaoqun when she was twenty-five.

Less than three months after their wedding, Ji Chaoqun suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage due to excessive drinking with friends.

Although he was resuscitated in time to save his life, he became a vegetable and remained bedridden for twenty years.

"At the time, everyone thought Auntie Zhenxi would remarry," Ji Guangli said with admiration in her voice. "After all, she was only twenty-five and had no children; she had every reason to start a new life. But she didn't leave. Instead, she stayed to take care of Uncle Chaoqun."

"At first, the villagers said she was just putting on a show and would run off before long. But to everyone's surprise, she took care of him for a full twenty years. She went from being a twenty-five-year-old bride to a forty-five-year-old middle-aged woman."

Cao Kun was deeply moved.

Twenty years... how many twenty-year periods does one have in a lifetime?

Ji Guangli continued, "But these twenty years haven't been easy for her. A beautiful woman without a man's protection is easily bullied in the countryside."

"Some men would say inappropriate things to her face, and others would even climb over her wall at night... Fortunately, Uncle Chaoqun's parents were sensible people. They were exceptionally kind to Auntie Zhenxi, treating her like their own daughter and protecting her whenever they could."

"Now that Uncle Chaoqun is gone, Auntie Zhenxi is finally free. Even though she's forty-five, with her looks and character, it won't be hard for her to find another good family. She can finally live for herself now."

After hearing this, Cao Kun felt a heartfelt sense of respect and sympathy for Tian Zhenxi, a woman he had never met before.

At the same time, his doubts grew stronger.

When the system told him to protect Tian Zhenxi from being bullied, what kind of bullying did it mean?

Was it those ill-intentioned men in the village?

Around four in the afternoon, Ma Guilan returned from next door, her face etched with exhaustion.

She called Cao Kun and Ji Guangli into the Main Hall and said solemnly, "Guangli, there's something I need to tell you. According to our local customs, as a junior and with Chaoqun being your clan uncle, you have to act as a Mourner at home until he is laid to rest."

"So, your original plan to return to the city tomorrow has to change. You must wait until after Chaoqun's burial to leave."

Ji Guangli nodded. "Mom, I understand. It's only right."

Ma Guilan looked at Cao Kun with a bit of apology. "Xiao Cao, if you're in a hurry to get back, you can leave first."

"Our custom here is to keep the coffin at home for a Wake. If there's one son, the Wake lasts seven days; if there are two sons, it's fourteen days. And so on. However, since Chaoqun has no children and it's hot out, it's been simplified to three days."

Cao Kun said without hesitation, "Auntie, I'm not in a hurry. I'll stay to keep Guangli company and wait to head back with her."

What a joke! The mission wasn't finished yet—how could he possibly leave?

A gratified smile appeared on Ma Guilan's face. "Good boy, then I'll have to trouble you. The conditions in the countryside aren't as good as in the city, so please bear with us."

"Auntie, you're being too polite. I think it's quite nice here."

Around six in the evening, Ji Guanghui and Ji Guangke were also called back. All three siblings changed into white cloth trousers and white cloth shoes, the attire of Mourners.

"Brother-in-law, we have to go to Auntie Zhenxi's house for dinner. Why don't you come along?" Ji Guanghui called out to Cao Kun.

Cao Kun, wanting to observe Tian Zhenxi's situation up close, nodded and followed them.

There were many people at Tian Zhenxi's house, and it was bustling.

Cao Kun didn't know anyone, so he quietly stayed by Ji Guangli's side.

Tian Zhenxi had changed into plain white mourning clothes, her hair tied with a white cloth strip, and she was busy attending to the guests.

Her eyes were still red and swollen, but her expression had calmed significantly. Seeing Ji Guangli and the others, she forced a smile. "Guangli is here, and Guanghui and Guangke are here too... and this is?"

"Auntie, this is my boyfriend, Cao Kun," Ji Guangli introduced.

Tian Zhenxi nodded to Cao Kun. "From the city, right? It must be hard for you. The conditions here are quite simple, so please bear with us."

"My condolences, Auntie," Cao Kun said politely.

He observed Tian Zhenxi carefully. Although she was over forty, she indeed retained her charm, with a certain delicate yet resilient quality in her features.

A woman like her would indeed easily become a target for certain people right after her husband's death.

Dinner was the Large Mixed Stew commonly served at funerals.

Cabbage, tofu, vermicelli, and pork were stewed together, steaming hot.

Cao Kun served himself a large bowl and found a corner to sit and eat.

Surprisingly, the mixed stew at this rural funeral tasted quite good, having a unique smoky flavor of everyday life.

After dinner, the three Ji siblings stayed behind to burn spirit money and keep watch during the Wake.

As an outsider, it wasn't appropriate for Cao Kun to stay long, so he headed back to the Ji Family home first.

Back in his room, Cao Kun lay on the bed, his mind filled with thoughts about the mission.

How was he supposed to protect her?

When should he take action?

The mission required him to ensure she wasn't bullied, but what exactly counted as not being bullied?

Was someone harassing her enough to be considered bullying, or did there have to be actual physical harm?

After thinking for a long time without any clues, Cao Kun suddenly had a bright idea and asked silently in his heart, "System, how exactly do I complete this mission? Are there any hints?"

He was just giving it a shot, but to his surprise, the system actually responded.

[Mission Hint: Tonight, village hooligans will take advantage of the funeral to harass Tian Zhenxi. The host must drive away the harassers and ensure that Tian Zhenxi's physical safety and reputation are not harmed for the mission to be considered complete.]

...