Chapter 44 - Transmigration: The Farm Life of a “Fool”

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Chapter 44: Jealousy

 

 

Zhang Yue's Ah-mo's birthday was today, so he had brought his children to town to celebrate. To his surprise, he spotted his father and older brother also out shopping. Naturally, their families met up and began walking together.

 

Zhang Yue had bought a bolt of indigo cloth for his Ah-mo—a considerable expense. Since the Xu family no longer provided him with money, every coin he spent came from his own savings, making him wince as he thought about it.

 

Unexpectedly, as they stepped out of the fabric shop, Zhang Yue spotted Xu Ran and his family exiting the bookstore across the street. Xu Ran was carrying books, ink, and paper, while the two children each held a kite, and Liu Tong was holding some small trinkets.

 

Seeing the kites, Zhang Hui and Zhang Qiang started clamoring for one. But where could Zhang Yue find the money to buy kites for his children? Zhang Yue's gaze remained locked on the Xu family, who were laughing and chatting together. His eyes turned red when he saw the thick stack of books in Xu Ran's hands.

 

He knew well how expensive books were. Ordinary families could barely afford the tuition to send their children to school, let alone buy books. Yet Xu Ran held several volumes in his arms.

 

A single thought consumed Zhang Yue's mind: Xu Ran has money now.

 

But it wasn't his money. He wouldn't see a single coin of it. All of it was in the hands of that lowly Liu Tong.

 

Whenever Zhang Yue thought about Liu Tong living a better life than him, his resentment flared up, and his nails dug into his palms.

 

Lost in his own thoughts, Zhang Yue didn't notice his children's growing distress. His Ah-mo, seeing the two children crying miserably, quickly scooped up the youngest to comfort him. He glared at Zhang Yue. "What are you staring off into space for? Can't you hear your children crying?"

 

Zhang Yue, already annoyed, snapped, "Why are you crying over a couple of kites? Go home and tell your father to buy them for you."

 

His Ah-mo, displeased with him scolding the children, especially his cherished grandchildren, frowned. "They're just children. Why are you being so harsh? And what kites are you talking about?"

 

Zhang Hui, wiping his tears, pointed to Xu Ran's family, who were nearly out of sight. "Those little fools have kites in their hands. I want one too!"

 

Zhang Yue's Ah-mo, unfamiliar with the Xu family's affairs, asked, "Who are the little fools?"

 

Reluctantly, Zhang Yue explained, "The little fools are Xu Ran's two sons. Both of his boys were just across from us, each carrying a kite, and now Zhang Hui and Zhang Qiang want one too."

 

Zhang Yue's Ah-mo didn't recognize Xu Ran, but he scoffed, "Didn't you say they didn't get anything in the family separation? Where did they get the money to buy kites? What a spendthrift. It's a good thing you didn't marry him."

 

Zhang Yue's mood darkened further. "This little money is nothing for him. A few days ago, he bought thirty mu of barren land. Even at the lowest price, each mu would have cost a few taels of silver."

 

Saying this only deepened Zhang Yue's bitterness. Ever since the family separation, Xu Ran had miraculously recovered his wits, and in just a few short months, he was able to purchase dozens of mu of land. Now he even had the luxury to buy books and kites for his children. Zhang Yue couldn't help but think how different life would be if he had married Xu Ran back then. His life would surely be far better than what he was enduring in the Xu family now.

 

Back when he lived in the Xu household, Zhang Yue never had to work. The elderly couple doted on Xu Cheng, and by extension, they treated him well too. All the household chores had been done by Liu Tong alone.

 

But ever since the family split, all the household duties fell on Zhang Yue's shoulders. In the seven years he had lived with the Xu family, he had barely ever cooked. He had known how to before he married, but after seven years of not lifting a finger, he had forgotten most of it. Now, whenever he cooked, the food either burned or remained half-raw, and his dishes turned out even worse.

 

Since the family separation, he was scolded daily. Even Xu Cheng had begun to harbor grievances against him. He lived in constant fear, especially during the harvest season, when he had to not only manage the household but also help gather the crops.

 

On top of that, their meals had been meager since the separation—there hadn't been any meat on their table for months.

 

Life had become bitter, and Zhang Yue regretted more and more each day marrying Xu Cheng, especially after hearing that Xu Ran had bought thirty mu of land.

 

Feeling wronged, Zhang Yue recounted the hardships of the past few months to his family.

 

When he finished, his parents and brother exchanged looks. They had known that Zhang Yue had lived comfortably with his in-laws before, but they hadn't realized it was due to the competence of his brother-in-law. Now that the family had split, the true nature of Xu Cheng and his family's shortcomings had come to light.

 

But what could they do? Zhang Yue had two children, and no matter how tough life got, he had to endure it. It was only now, after witnessing Xu Ran's success, that his parents began to regret marrying their son to Xu Cheng. If only they had married him to Xu Ran. Now that Xu Ran was no longer a fool, surely their lives would be far better. Moreover, Xu Ran was educated.

 

Not only would Zhang Yue's life have been easier, but Xu Ran might have even helped their family.

 

They entertained these thoughts, but they failed to realize that if Zhang Yue had married Xu Ran back then, Xu Ran likely would have starved to death under his care.

 

Still, Zhang Yue's Ah-mo couldn't help but feel a growing sense of admiration for Xu Ran, forgetting entirely that they had only chosen Xu Cheng because they thought Xu Ran was a fool.

 

Meanwhile, Xu Ran felt a shiver run down his spine as he walked, as though someone was thinking about him.

 

It wasn't until they reached Manager Chen's restaurant that the feeling subsided. This was the first time Xu Ran's family had ever dined at an inn. Though Xu Ran had eaten at many in the modern world, it was a rare luxury in this ancient time. As for Liu Tong and the children, such a thing was unimaginable—there had been days when they could barely fill their bellies, let alone dream of dining at a restaurant.

 

Xu Ran ordered several dishes that they would normally never get to taste, spicing them up with his homemade chili sauce. The fragrance was intoxicating, and the family ate until they were completely satisfied.

 

Despite Manager Chen's insistence that there was no need to pay, Xu Ran still handed over the silver. He had only agreed to eat for free out of politeness, but there was no such thing as a free meal in this world.

 

After their meal, the family went to buy quilts. Since the weather hadn't yet turned cold, the prices were still reasonable. Liu Tong had intended to bring the cotton home and have it carded, but Xu Ran found that too troublesome. Instead, they bought three pre-carded quilts—one for the children, one for themselves, and a spare.

 

Next, they bought white rice and flour, plenty of rapeseed oil, meat, and large bones. They even purchased some white sugar. Xu Ran also bought a jar of wine as a gift for the village chief.

 

Snacks for the children weren't forgotten either, and Xu Ran bought a considerable amount of sunflower seeds. Rural folk couldn't afford tea, but nibbling on sunflower seeds was still a common pastime, as they grew them themselves, making them quite inexpensive.

 

Once they had finished their shopping, the family loaded everything onto the ox cart and made their way home in grand fashion.

 

The sight of the cart piled high with goods attracted plenty of attention, though most of the onlookers were strangers, and Xu Ran paid them no mind.

 

Upon arriving home, Liu Tong went to return the ox cart and deliver the meat they had promised to Wu Mei's family. He also brought them a large portion of sunflower seeds.

 

Meanwhile, Xu Ran carried the wine and meat to the village chief's house. The chief had saved his family a great deal of silver, and Xu Ran intended to show his gratitude. Additionally, currying favor with the village chief would make future dealings in the village much smoother.

 

When the chief saw the gifts Xu Ran had brought, his opinion of Xu Ran grew even more favorable. His spouse couldn't stop praising Tangtang and Guoguo, complimenting them for being so well-behaved, and even invited the children to come over and play more often.

 

Xu Ran, of course, nodded in agreement.

 

Back home, they only had a few dozen taels of silver left. Xu Ran pondered whether to first tend to the house or hire workers to cultivate their new land.

 

As he walked home, deep in thought, Liu Tong returned as well. Xu Ran decided to discuss the matter with him.

 

"Tongtong, what do you think we should do first? Cultivate the land or tend to the house?"

 

Liu Tong thought for a moment before replying, "Ah Ran, we should probably hire people to clear the land first. We can think about the house after the New Year. We don't have enough money to build a good house just yet. Besides, I want to send Tangtang and Guoguo to school next year."

 

Xu Ran fell silent. With everything added up, the money they had was indeed too little. The house they lived in now wasn't bad, though it would get cold in the winter. However, if they bought extra firewood, it should be manageable.

 

By the following year, they would have more money on hand, and they could consider building a new house then.

 

Xu Ran was determined to live a good life in this era, even though it was nothing like the world he had come from.

 

Since they had decided to hire people to cultivate the land, Xu Ran planned to visit the village chief again the next day.

 

He needed to discuss payment, and Wu Mei's family would definitely need to be hired. As for the others, it would depend on whom the village chief could find. Xu Ran wasn't concerned about the cost; all that mattered was that the work was done to his satisfaction.

 

That evening, Xu Ran made a bone broth noodle soup with the bones they had bought earlier. The rich aroma filled the house, and the family ate to their hearts' content.

 

Afterward, Xu Ran pulled Liu Tong into bed, and the two shared an intimate night before falling into a deep, restful sleep.

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