Chapter 17 - 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.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

Morning

 

 

The next day, Liu Tong awoke at the first crow of the rooster. Seeing Xu Ran, who was still sleeping soundly in his arms and sweating profusely, he carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead and gently moved his body, trying not to wake him. Xu Ran was a light sleeper, and just a few days ago, he had been ill. But seeing him improve over the past few days, Liu Tong felt reassured.

 

After getting up, Liu Tong went to check on Tangtang and Guoguo in the other room. The three children were sprawled out across one bed, deeply asleep. Seeing them so peaceful, Liu Tong quietly left the room.

 

When he reached the kitchen, Wu Mei was already up, busying himself with lighting the fire and preparing breakfast.

 

Seeing Liu Tong, Wu Mei asked, "Why are you up so early? You worked hard all day yesterday, plus you're injured. You should rest a bit more."

 

Liu Tong shook his head. "No, I'm used to waking up early. Let me help you with the cooking."

 

Seeing that Liu Tong looked energetic, Wu Mei didn't object. "Alright, you can help me stoke the fire. I'm making steamed buns this morning. We'll need a hearty meal if we're going to work hard today."

 

Liu Tong nodded and added wood to the stove.

 

By the time the sun was fully up, the children had all woken up. Dahu led the younger ones to wash their faces before they ran eagerly to the kitchen door, waiting for breakfast.

 

Tangtang and Guoguo had never experienced anything like this. Back when they were with the Xu family, they only got to eat in the morning if there were leftovers, and sometimes they skipped breakfast altogether. Hunger had become such a familiar feeling to them. But today, following Dahu to the kitchen to look for food felt strange, and there was a hint of longing in their hearts. When would they be able to do this freely?

 

Seeing how timid Tangtang and Guoguo were, Liu Tong felt a pang of sadness. In the Xu family, he had been powerless to change their fate, but now, things would be different.

 

Wu Mei noticed the children but didn't chase them away. He simply said, "Tangtang, Guoguo, you must be hungry. Just wait a little while longer, breakfast will be ready soon."

 

The two children obediently nodded.

 

Meanwhile, Dahu and Yueya'er, seeing that their Ah-mo wasn't paying attention to them, began to act a little spoiled. "Ah-mo, Ah-mo, we're hungry too! We want to eat!"

 

Wu Mei playfully smacked Dahu on the head. "Go wait outside! If only you were as well-behaved as Tangtang and Guoguo."

 

Dahu rubbed his head in mock hurt and led the others outside.

 

Liu Tong chuckled at the scene. "Wu Mei, Dahu seems like a good boy to me. Why are you always scolding him?"

 

"That rascal! If I don't keep him in line, he'll be climbing onto the roof before I know it. He's only obedient in front of you."

 

"He's still young. Don't be too strict with him. Tangtang and Guoguo are only quiet because they've been repressed for so long. Otherwise, they'd be just as mischievous."

 

"You're right about that. But things will get better now."

 

The two of them continued chatting as they busied themselves in the kitchen, and soon breakfast was ready.

 

Liu Tong sent Tangtang and Guoguo to wake Xu Ran for breakfast. When they entered the room, Xu Ran was still sound asleep.

 

The children hesitated. Their father hadn't slept enough—should they really wake him up?

 

But the thought of the warm breakfast waiting outside convinced them. They decided to wake him, thinking he could always go back to sleep after eating.

 

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…"

 

Tangtang and Guoguo took turns calling out to Xu Ran, their voices like a little chorus. After several tries, Xu Ran finally stirred.

 

In his half-asleep state, Xu Ran sat up, momentarily confused by the sight of the two children standing at the foot of his bed. It took him a second to remember where he was, and when he tried to speak, he realized his mouth ached.

 

Finally, Xu Ran became fully aware of his surroundings. The sun was already high in the sky, and even the children were up, while he was still lying in bed. He suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

 

Seeing their father sitting in a daze, Tangtang and Guoguo couldn't help but push him again. "Daddy, get up! It's time for breakfast!"

 

They tugged on his arms, and Xu Ran, still groggy, allowed himself to be pulled up. He dressed himself, though in the past, when he was still a "fool", Liu Tong had spent a long time patiently teaching him how to manage on his own.

 

When they led Xu Ran to the table, the dishes and chopsticks were already set. Liu Tong was carrying over the food, and as soon as he saw Xu Ran, he wiped his hands and approached him. "Ah Ran, does your mouth still hurt?"

 

Xu Ran shook his head. Even if it hurt, he couldn't admit it now. He wasn't that fool anymore—he had to bear it, no matter how painful.

 

Thankfully, the bite marks on his leg didn't hurt anymore, and Xu Ran was satisfied with that.

 

Seeing him shake his head, Liu Tong assumed the pain had subsided. Xu Ran wouldn't lie to him. After all, he still treated Xu Ran as if he were the same as before.

 

But once breakfast began, Xu Ran felt truly miserable. The food was too hot, and every bite made his injured mouth ache terribly. Yet, he couldn't say a word and had to endure it, grimacing as he swallowed. Wu Mei, noticing his discomfort, even thought it was his cooking that didn't suit his taste.

 

"Xu Ran, is the food not to your liking? Should I make you something else?" Wu Mei wasn't one to beat around the bush and asked him directly.

 

Xu Ran shook his head quickly. "No, it's not that."

 

Liu Tong, too, noticed that something wasn't right. He figured Xu Ran must have burnt himself, as his mouth was still healing.

 

With a smile, Liu Tong explained, "Wu Mei, don't worry. Ah Ran must've scalded himself. His mouth hasn't fully healed yet, that's why he's looking pained."

 

Wu Mei remembered that Xu Ran had been injured the day before and immediately stood up. "In that case, let the food cool down first. I'll get you a bowl of cool water."

 

"No, no, you sit and eat. I'll get it," Liu Tong quickly stopped him, heading to the kitchen himself.

 

Only now did he realize that Xu Ran had been trying to reassure him earlier. He wasn't completely healed, but he had still said his mouth didn't hurt. The change was so sudden that Liu Tong wasn't quite used to it yet.

 

After breakfast, when both Wu Lan and Liu Qing arrived, they brought their axes and machetes, ready to head into the mountains. The children would stay at Wu Mei's place, with Xu Ran watching over them, while the rest of the adults would go off to work.

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