Chapter 111: Everyday Life

So many delicious dishes were completely devoured by the several big eaters. After finishing, each one’s belly was so full and round that they didn’t even want to move.

Qin Huiyin was about to clear the table, but Li Taohua stopped her.

“Sit for a while, why rush?”

“Yes, Miss Yin, don’t be too diligent. We’ve all been tired today; rest well. Someone will clean up later,” Master Tang said.

“I’ll do the cleaning,” Tang Luwu offered.

“Me too. Second sister, just sit down for a bit. Let’s talk,” Tang Yixiao said as he brought over a stool.

So the family sat leisurely in the courtyard, watching the moon. Though the moon was not full tonight—it was a waning crescent—they still watched with great interest.

“Next time, have Zhang the carpenter make a few reclining chairs. After a full meal, you can lean back on the chair, gaze up at the moon, feel the night breeze—it would be such a beautiful life,” said Tang Dafu.

“Zhang the carpenter hasn’t been having a good time recently; he’s not in the mood to make you any chairs,” Master Tang remarked. “I was just about to talk about his family situation.”

“What happened to his family?” Li Taohua asked.

“The whole village knows their mess. Zhang Lei isn’t decent—he set his sights on his nephew’s fiancée. To grab her, he sent Zhang Erzhu off to repair the dam. Zhang Grandma even condoned her youngest son’s behavior, sending a matchmaker to negotiate with the Xiao family. The Xiaos were initially angry at Zhang’s absurd demands, but when they heard the bride price could be increased by two taels of silver, they started considering it. Xiao Chunni was adamant against the match, crying and causing a fuss at home, but it was no use. Just as the deal was about to be finalized, Dazhu went with us to the county seat today to talk with Erzhu about this. Erzhu said he wanted to separate from the family and live independently, and that he wouldn’t give up on this marriage. When Dazhu relayed Erzhu’s stance, the Zhang family erupted in conflict.”

“Grandma Zhang must be unwilling to split the family, right?”

“Of course not, but this time Dazhu is determined. Zhang the carpenter was hesitating, but Dazhu said that if they don’t separate, neither he nor Erzhu would come back home. This scared Zhang the carpenter, the kind-hearted man, into supporting his son’s decision. His wife has always cared for her sons, hoping for an early separation. Over the years, her husband and sons have struggled while the mother-in-law and youngest son lived off them comfortably. They’ve never even bought themselves new clothes; she’s long been tired of this life.”

“Zhang Grandma is quite fierce too; otherwise, she wouldn’t have the upper hand over Zhang’s family. It won’t be easy for them to separate because Grandma isn’t foolish. The eldest son is the family’s breadwinner. Without him, she and the youngest son can’t survive,” Qin Huiyin explained.

“So, it’s bound to be chaotic,” Master Tang said. “Your family is better—harmonious and peaceful. Even this lonely old man gets to enjoy the benefits.”

“You’re not a lonely old man; you’re our real grandpa. Remember that,” Qin Huiyin smiled.

“All right, you’re my real granddaughter,” Master Tang said, then looked at Tang Dafu. “Dafu, tomorrow you’ll learn to drive the ox cart from me. My granddaughter worries that driving for several hours tires me out and wants to share the burden, but I didn’t agree. Such hard labor isn’t for such a lovely girl—it’s your job as the stepfather.”

“Uncle’s right. I’ll learn to drive with you tomorrow. I knew a bit before and could manage, but your skills are better. Learning more from you will be safer,” Tang Dafu said.

After sitting for a while, Qin Huiyin got up and went inside, then began to prepare something.

Tang Luwu and Tang Yixiao followed to watch. Seeing she was brewing digestion tea and didn’t need help, they went outside to clear the dishes from the table for washing.

“Tomorrow we need to find someone to clean the dirty water from the well again,” Qin Huiyin said. “After a few cleanings, it’ll be usable, and then we won’t need to fetch water from elsewhere.”

“Next, we’ll start building the house, right?” Tang Yixiao asked, leaning closer. “Second sister, will I have a room of my own?”

“Of course. Not just a room—you’ll have a desk, a wardrobe, a big bed… It’ll be your own space. You can decorate it however you wish.”

“I suddenly hope time will pass quickly so I can have such a nice room soon,” Tang Yixiao said, his eyes full of anticipation.

“Where will we live while the house is under construction?” Tang Luwu asked.

“Aren’t there a few vacant houses in the village? I’ll ask the village head. If they can rent one to us temporarily, that’d be perfect.”

If not, she’d talk to Song Ruizhe to see if they could borrow a place for a while.

If that didn’t work either, they’d just work a bit harder and rent a house in the neighboring village.

Usually, renting is a win-win situation; only fools reject easy money. Their village head wasn’t stupid. Those vacant houses were officially deregistered properties, left to decay. Renting them out would bring income to the village. Of course, that income would be recorded as village revenue.

Qin Huiyin came out carrying the tea and poured a cup for everyone. “This tea aids digestion—drink it quietly. Next time, I’ll cook two fewer dishes. We shouldn’t eat until we’re this full.”

“No, no, no! I want to eat such delicious food again. At worst, I’ll eat less,” Master Tang said quickly. “Or maybe make smaller portions?”

“All right, I’ll make smaller portions next time so you can just taste the flavors,” Qin Huiyin smiled.

Suddenly, unfamiliar male voices came from next door.

Wang Shi’s voice sounded quite happy. These past few days she had been like a lit firecracker ready to explode at any moment; it had been a long time since they’d heard her laughter.

“Tang Mingkui is back,” Master Tang recognized the voice. “That kid works for a wealthy family and is sharp-witted. Now Wang Shi has a strong backbone.”

“What kind of backbone can bring that fool Tang Mingxiu back to being an unmarried maiden and make the child in her belly disappear into thin air?” Li Taohua sneered.

“I have to go,” Master Tang stood up. “A walk will help digestion.”

“I’ll accompany you, Grandfather,” Qin Huiyin said.

“No need, no need,” Master Tang waved her off and left.

After he left, Qin Huiyin took Tang Luwu and Tang Yixiao back to the room to begin today’s lessons. Needless to say, Li Taohua was giving Tang Dafu one-on-one tutoring.

“Are you all bones? I told you to write this character, why are you crowding next to me? Write properly!” Even when she scolded, Li Taohua’s voice was soft and melodic.

“Wife, this pen is hard to use…”

“It’s not the pen. I think your claws aren’t sharpened well. Come here, I’ll sharpen them for you. Listen, Tang Dafu, if you can’t learn to read faster than the two kids, I’ll divorce you and find a smarter man.”

“I’m learning, I’m learning, don’t be angry,” Tang Dafu immediately complied.

The three from next door: “…”

This silly father makes this scene every day. Can’t he just behave and study properly? Oh well, they don’t understand grown-up matters; maybe this is their idea of fun?

Favorite novel: “The Reincarnated Farmer’s Younger Stepsister, Spoiled by Powerful Brothers.” Please save it: (xiakezw) The Reincarnated Farmer’s Younger Stepsister, Spoiled by Powerful Brothers.