Chapter 107
The two little ones now had a fixed routine. After breakfast at chenshi (7-9 AM), they would go to the Luo family’s private school for lessons, return for lunch at wushi (11 AM-1 PM), take a short nap, and then go back to school at shenshi chu (3 PM), returning home at xushi (7-9 PM) after classes ended.
During the first few days of school, the children were full of energy and excitement, but Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He were constantly worried. They personally took the children to school several times a day and questioned the study companions about how the lessons went after each session.
What worried them the most was Little Ruili. While Ruijin was steady and well-behaved at home, they feared Little Ruili might cause trouble outside. However, their concerns were unnecessary. Away from home, Little Ruili was much more sensible and didn’t run around as he did at home.
After several days, the couple gradually got used to the children attending school.
In the mornings, they would sometimes hear the three children reciting their lessons. Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He enjoyed standing by the door to listen for a while.
With the children’s schooling on track, the couple finally found time to return to the village to check on their farmland.
It was early summer, and the crops had already been planted. The fields were lush and green. This year, the seedlings had been planted late and were growing slowly, but thankfully, there had been no disasters.
When the couple arrived at Haitang Bay, the tenant farmers were weeding the cornfields. Since it was the first year of cultivating the wasteland, the crops weren’t as robust as those of the other villagers. However, the tenant farmers were still satisfied. Seeing the crops grow gave them hope, and the landlord had provided farming tools, so they had no complaints.
With proper care, the wasteland could become fertile in a few years, barring any major disasters.
When the tenant farmers saw Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He, they greeted them politely.
Zhang Fangyuan called over Wang Youlian, the elder in charge of managing the farm. “Is there anything wrong with the farming?”
“Everyone has seeds and land. Everything’s fine.”
Zhang Fangyuan said, “If there’s any damage, you can go to the house to get replacements.”
Wang Youlian happily agreed. “Alright.”
Just as he was about to invite the landlord for a cup of tea, Zhang Fangyuan noticed Zhang Shicheng in the distance and called out to him.
“Fourth Uncle!”
Zhang Fangyuan saw Zhang Shicheng walking along the ridge with his hands behind his back, his face gloomy. He hadn’t even noticed the couple talking nearby, so Zhang Fangyuan hurried over to greet him.
“You’re back? Have Ruijin and Ruili found a teacher?”
“Everything’s settled. We came back to check on the crops.” Zhang Fangyuan tilted his head slightly. “Fourth Uncle, why do you look so upset? Did something happen?”
“Ah!” Zhang Shicheng wanted to explain, but seeing the tenant farmers nearby, he sighed and said to Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He, “Let’s talk at home.”
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He exchanged a glance, puzzled. Wang Youlian tactfully excused himself and returned to the fields.
The group returned to the house. After Zhang Fangyuan and his family moved to the city, they had asked Zhang Shicheng’s family of three to move into the village house. It was more spacious and comfortable, and it also made it easier to manage the tenant farmers.
The main rooms were still reserved, so the couple could stay there when they returned.
It had been a while since they last visited, and Xu He felt the house was unusually quiet. He Shi (Zhang Shicheng’s wife) was pacing in front of the eaves, and faint crying could be heard from inside.
Seeing the couple return, He Shi’s face brightened slightly, and she came forward to greet them.
“What’s going on? It’s driving me crazy.”
Zhang Fangyuan glanced toward the house. The crying was coming from Xiaomao’s room, which made him even more anxious.
“Ah, it’s hard to keep a grown child at home.” He Shi frowned. “This child just won’t listen.”
After Xiaomao came of age, suitors had come in droves. Zhang Shicheng and He Shi had been carefully considering the proposals, and there were some families they liked. However, Xiaomao had refused all of them.
The couple only had one son and doted on him. Since Xiaomao didn’t want to marry early and they could afford to support him, they were fine with it. Moreover, they had considered finding a son-in-law to live with them, so they hadn’t pushed the matter.
But recently, they had accidentally discovered that Xiaomao was close to a hunter. They kept an eye on him and eventually caught him in a relationship with the hunter.
Zhang Fangyuan chuckled. “Is the hunter Zhuang Qi?”
“Who else could it be?”
Zhang Fangyuan thought for a moment. He knew Zhuang Qi, who was a few years younger than him. Zhuang Qi had started hunting at a young age and used to go up the mountain with Wang Jiu. However, after Wang Jiu got married, he went up the mountain less often, and hunting had become less profitable in recent years.
The young man had always been brave and bold, which was why, despite being younger, he had hung out with Zhang Fangyuan and his friends. Zhang Fangyuan remembered him well.
“I remember he wasn’t much of a talker, but he was loyal and had a good character.” Zhang Fangyuan said. “In marriage, what matters most is a person’s character.”
Zhang Shicheng understood what Zhang Fangyuan meant. If Zhuang Qi had a good character and Xiaomao liked him, it could be a good match. He was a farmer, and although the Zhang family had risen in status, it was largely due to his nephew Zhang Fangyuan.
“Your aunt and I aren’t the type to look down on someone for being poor. We don’t object to them being together just because the Zhuang family isn’t wealthy. Zhuang Qi grew up in the village, and we all know what kind of person he is. He’s not lazy and can make a living as a skilled hunter. There’s nothing wrong with him.”
Zhang Shicheng continued, “As I mentioned before, we wanted to find a son-in-law to live with us. Most of the suitors were either from wealthy families or scholars, and they wouldn’t agree to let their son move in with us. When we found out Xiaomao liked Zhuang Qi, we thought the Zhuang family, being ordinary farmers, might be more open to the idea. But before we could even bring it up, the Zhuang family flatly refused.”
Zhang Fangyuan frowned, finally understanding why the family was in such an uproar. His fourth uncle was willing to accept the marriage, but he wanted Zhuang Qi to move in with them. However, the Zhuang family, being one of the poorer families among the suitors, refused.
“That’s understandable. Xiaomao is one of the most sought-after young ge'er in the village. We can’t expect everything to go our way.”
Xu He was puzzled. In their village, many ordinary families knew that Zhang Shicheng only had one son and wanted to find a son-in-law. Many families were willing, as everyone knew Xiaomao had a wealthy cousin who doted on him. Marrying into the Zhang family would bring many benefits.
Moreover, Zhang Shicheng had moved into the main house, and although nothing had been said publicly, it was clear that Zhang Fangyuan had entrusted him with managing the village affairs.
Marrying Xiaomao would bring many advantages.
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