Chapter 4 - Transmigration: The Farm Life of a “Fool”

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well. This chapter is a Bonus release to thank you all for your support on my Patreon. If you enjoy this type of surprise release, I'll do more of it. Don't hesitate to tell me in your dms which projects you'd what me to boost.

The next chapter will still be released on Monday.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

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A New Plan

 

 

Liu Tong returned home close to noon, holding a wild chicken in one hand and two packets of medicine in the other—medicine for Xu Ran.

 

As he entered the yard, Zhang Yue saw him and immediately brightened at the sight of the wild chicken. They hadn't had any meat for days, as Liu Tong had been too busy with the fields to go hunting.

 

But as soon as Zhang Yue noticed the medicine in his other hand, his face fell. "You bought medicine again? That worthless fool never gets better, no matter how much he takes. You'd be better off using the money to buy more meat for the family."

 

Liu Tong looked at him without expression. "Move aside, or I'll sell this chicken too."

 

Zhang Yue opened his mouth to argue but, seeing the chicken in Liu Tong's hand, reluctantly stepped aside.

 

Liu Tong took the chicken to the kitchen before heading toward their room.

 

Life in the Xu household was hard. Xu Cheng, the eldest, spent his days idling, doing nothing. Zhang Yue was someone who only knew how to eat without contributing. The family's fields were tended by the elderly Xu couple and Liu Tong. But the old couple were getting on in years and couldn't do much, so most of the burden fell on Liu Tong.

 

Even so, the Xu family disliked Liu Tong, feeling that it was his duty to bear this load.

 

For the sake of Xu Ran and the children, Liu Tong endured everything—every insult, every hardship.

 

The Xu family had five rooms in total, but Liu Tong's family was given only one. The elderly couple had one room, and Xu Cheng's family occupied two. The last room served as a storage area.

 

The kitchen, if it could be called that, was nothing more than a small thatched shed.

 

When Liu Tong reached the doorway of their room, he saw Xu Ran gently telling a story to the children. There was such tenderness in his expression. However, Liu Tong hadn't noticed any change in Xu Ran and certainly hadn't imagined that Xu Ran might suddenly no longer be a fool. After all, he had been by Xu Ran's side for seven years, and during that time, had come to know him only as a fool.

 

Watching from the doorway, Liu Tong found the scene beautiful. No matter what happens outside, at least in this room, with his family, they can always share warmth and happiness.

 

"Ah-mo!"

 

"Ah-mo! You're back!"

 

The sharp-eyed children spotted Liu Tong and immediately jumped up from their stools, running to the door.

 

Liu Tong caught both of them in his arms, holding one on each side. "Ah-mo is back. Did anyone bully you today?"

 

The two children shook their heads in unison. "No, Ah-mo, no one bullied us."

 

Xu Ran, hearing that the first thing Liu Tong asked upon returning was whether the children had been bullied, felt a sharp pang in his heart. It was his own uselessness that caused this.

 

Xu Ran reverted to his usual foolish demeanor as he walked to the door, stretching out his arms toward Liu Tong. "Tongtong…"

 

In his memories, Xu Ran had always called Liu Tong "Tongtong," and he was the only one who did so. Perhaps it was this very name that made Liu Tong willingly care for him for seven long years. From now on, it was Xu Ran's turn to care for Liu Tong.

 

After setting the children down, Liu Tong placed the medicine on the bare table before giving Xu Ran a quick embrace.

 

"Ah* Ran, Tangtang, Guoguo, Ah-mo caught a wild chicken today. We're having meat tonight!"

 

[T/N: 阿 (ā) is a common prefix in Chinese, often used before names or titles to indicate affection or familiarity. It softens the tone of the word that follows and adds a sense of closeness.]

 

The children's eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of meat, but Xu Ran's gaze fell on the medicine packets, and his brows furrowed.

 

Liu Tong led the children into the room and closed the door. From his pocket, he took out a small package of pastries. There were only four pieces—he gave one to each of the children and handed the rest to Xu Ran.

 

The pastries looked delicate and clearly expensive. The children were thrilled to see them, but instead of eating them right away, they broke each one in half. They ate one half themselves and handed the other to Liu Tong.

 

It seemed they had grown used to this, and Liu Tong didn't refuse. He took the two halves from them, but instead of eating them, he wrapped them carefully in a piece of cloth from his pocket.

 

Xu Ran knew this was so Liu Tong could save the pastries for the children to eat later.

 

Looking down at the two pastries in his own hands, Xu Ran also offered one to Liu Tong. He then took the other, broke it in half, and while he ate one half, he pushed the remaining piece directly into Liu Tong's mouth.

 

Caught off guard, Liu Tong had no choice but to bite into the pastry, smiling helplessly.

 

The family happily shared the two pastries, and after carefully storing away the rest, Liu Tong stood up, announcing he was off to prepare dinner.

 

He told the children to keep an eye on Xu Ran.

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