Chapter 5 - Transmigration: The Farm Life of a “Fool”

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

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

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Heartache

 

 

Liu Tong had stewed the chicken into a hearty soup, served in a large earthenware bowl. But just as the dish was placed on the table, Xu Cheng's two children already had their chopsticks out, reaching for the chicken.

 

Then came Xu Cheng and Zhang Yue, followed by the elderly couple.

 

Xu Ran, along with Tangtang, Guoguo, and Liu Tong, hadn't even sat down yet.

 

Seeing this, Xu Ran felt a wave of disgust.

 

He led the two children to the table, joining the frenzy for the chicken, quickly filling the children's bowls before anyone else could take more. His movements were swifter than the others.

 

"Xu Ran, you fool! What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to eat all the meat? What about the rest of us?" Zhang Yue couldn't hold back any longer after Xu Ran had taken several portions.

 

Xu Ran ignored him and continued serving food to his children.

 

Zhang Yue was about to continue when Liu Tong shot him a fierce glare. He begrudgingly fell silent.

 

The old couple, always partial, took this opportunity to intervene. When Xu Ran reached out for more food, Ah-mo smacked his chopsticks away. "What are you eating for? It's wasted on you! You're useless and contribute nothing. Why didn't you just die when you had the chance?"

 

Xu Ran's heart ached for the Xu Ran who had passed away. From the lack of surprise on anyone's faces, he could tell that this kind of abuse had been repeated countless times. With an Ah-mo like this, Xu Ran's life had indeed been bitter.

 

"Chicken… Tongtong… hit…"

 

The others didn't understand his words, but Liu Tong did. He calmly said, "Ah-mo, I caught the chicken. If Ah Ran wants to eat, let him."

 

Ah-mo shot a sharp glare at Liu Tong. "Let him eat then! Let him eat himself to death!" He scooped up another piece of meat from the chicken soup as he spoke.

 

Xu Cheng and his two children, Xu Hua and Xu Kai, remained silent throughout, but they ate the most, focused on outdoing each other in the race to finish the chicken.

 

Xu Ran knew that sooner or later he would separate from this family. He didn't hold back—continuing to fill the bowls of his children and Liu Tong. If anyone said anything, Xu Ran would just keep calling out for "Tongtong, Tongtong."

 

Liu Tong would then glare at them, and they would fall silent again.

 

Xu Ran knew that the more he behaved this way, the more they would come to hate his little family, considering them freeloaders.

 

But that was exactly what Xu Ran wanted. The more often this happened, the sooner they would push for a split in the family. And splitting the family was exactly what Xu Ran was waiting for. He wouldn't suggest it himself, but he was certain it had to happen.

 

By the afternoon, the July sun was at its peak. Liu Tong stayed inside, preparing to do some embroidery work.

 

His embroidery was skillful, and the pieces he made could fetch a good price in town. But all the money he earned went toward buying medicine for Xu Ran.

 

As Xu Ran looked down at his clothes, which were just barely presentable, he glanced at Liu Tong and the children, noting the many patches covering their worn garments.

 

Suddenly, Xu Ran grabbed Liu Tong's hand and pulled him outside.

 

The two children were napping, and Xu Ran didn't intend to disturb them.

 

Liu Tong didn't know what Xu Ran was up to, but he followed obediently.

 

When they reached the kitchen, Xu Ran poured all the medicine out of the pot. "Tongtong, I won't drink... anymore."

 

Liu Tong watched Xu Ran's actions but didn't stop him. He only tightened his grip on Xu Ran's hand, the callouses from years of hard labor rough against Xu Ran's soft skin.

 

The grip was uncomfortable, but Xu Ran didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Liu Tong. "Tongtong, no more… no more…"

 

In Xu Ran's memory, Liu Tong had once injured himself while hunting to gather money for his medicine. He'd been bedridden for days, and during that time, Xu Ran had thrown a tantrum, refusing to take his medicine. Liu Tong had eventually given in and stopped buying his treatment. It was only a year later, after Xu Ran had forgotten all about it, that Liu Tong resumed buying the medicine for him.

 

But today, Liu Tong was at a loss. This time, he hadn't been injured. So why was Xu Ran acting out?

 

Liu Tong guessed that perhaps Xu Ran had been upset by something earlier in the day, leading to his outburst.

 

Seeing that Xu Ran wouldn't stop until he agreed, Liu Tong finally nodded. He planned to soothe Xu Ran tonight and make the medicine again tomorrow, knowing that Xu Ran's treatment could not be interrupted.

 

Only when Liu Tong agreed did Xu Ran finally relax, pulling his hand free from Liu Tong's grip and holding it up to show him. "It's red… it hurts…"

 

Guilt flashed in Liu Tong's eyes as he saw the redness on Xu Ran's hand caused by his grip. Gently, he massaged it, softly blowing on it to soothe the pain while whispering comforting words.

 

On the other side, Xu Ran felt deeply ashamed of his behavior, even though he was merely imitating the foolish actions of the previous Xu Ran.

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