Chronicle of a Blood Merchant

CHAPTER SIX

Xu Sanguan sat back in a rattan chair, his feet resting on a stool.

Xu Yulan approached him and said, “Xu Sanguan, we’re running out of rice. There’s just enough for tonight. Here are the grain coupons, the money, and the rice sack. Go down to the store and buy some rice.”

Xu Sanguan said, “I’m not going to buy the rice. I’m not going to do anything around here anymore. As soon as I come home, all I’m going to do is sit back and enjoy myself. You know what that means? I’m going to sit in this chair, with my feet up on the stool, just like I’m doing now. You know why I’m going to sit back and enjoy myself? To punish you. You made a serious mistake. You slept with that bastard He Xiaoyong behind my back. What’s even worse is that he knocked you up with Yile. It makes me angry just to think about it. You want me to go buy you rice? Dream on.”

Xu Yulan said, “I can’t lift one hundred pounds of rice by myself.”

Xu Sanguan said, “Then get fifty.”

“I can’t handle fifty pounds either.”

“Try twenty-five.”

XU YULAN said, “Xu Sanguan, I’m going to wash the sheets. Will you help me move the trunk? I can’t move it by myself.”

Xu Sanguan said, “Nothing doing. I’m sitting back in my chair and enjoying myself.”

XU YULAN said, “Xu Sanguan, time to eat.”

Xu Sanguan replied, “Bring me my bowl. I’ll sit in my chair and eat.”

XU YULAN asked, “Xu Sanguan, are you done enjoying yourself yet? I can’t keep my eyes open much longer, so when you’re finished enjoying yourself, get your ass out of that chair and come to bed.”

Xu Sanguan said, “I’ll be right there.”