Rebirth Married The Control group Fulang Chapter 124 Part 1

Chapter 124

    After Tongsheng exams, Luo Yan went on a long trip, leaving the private school temporarily closed. The holiday stretched on for quite some time.  

    For Ruili, life without school was pure bliss. He could sleep in until the sun was high in the sky, and on top of that, he could go out and play in the streets whenever he pleased.  

    But there was one downside. For some inexplicable reason, his brother who used to be as dull as a wooden fish, buried in books all day, had suddenly grown close to Xing ge'er. Back when the three of them shared a classroom, Ruijin barely spoke to Xing ge'er. But ever since their teacher helped the family with the lawsuit, Ruijin and Xing ge'er had become inseparable.  

[木鱼 (mù yú): Lit. wooden fish, a percussion instrument used in Buddhist chanting; Fig. Refers to someone dull or unresponsive]

    Now, even during this break from school, when Xing ge'er visited, he didn't always seek out Ruili alone. Sometimes, he and Ruijin would spend the whole morning in the study discussing poetry, literature, or painting.  

    Ruili, ever the social butterfly, would join them to pass the time, but his enthusiasm never matched theirs. At most, he lasted an hour before sneaking away, leaving him to find his own entertainment.  

    Fortunately, his two fathers had been making frequent trips back to the village lately, and Ruili happily tagged along.  

    Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He had indeed been busy shuttling between home and the village. The family was considering buying a mountain, which required careful comparison: checking the size of the land, the types of trees, whether it was sunny, and so on. There were many factors to weigh.  

    Though the family could now be considered wealthy, money didn't grow on trees. Big expenditures still required careful consideration.  

    Ruili followed his two fathers from one mountain to another. The early winter wilderness wasn't too cold yet, and sunny days were still plentiful, perfect for hiking and scouting.  

    "This mountain has lush trees and plenty of sunlight. Why overthink it? Let's just pick this one," Ruili said after half an hour of climbing. He plopped down on the ground, heedless of his expensive clothes.  

    Pulling a blade of grass from the roadside, he twirled it between his fingers, already daydreaming. "We could raise rabbits and other small game here. When autumn comes and they're plump, we could open the mountain to the public like the polo grounds, charge people to come hunt. It'd be another attraction near our village. How great would that be?"  

    Zhang Fangyuan glanced at him. "You've got quite the business mind."  

    "Of course! I'm going to manage the family's ventures someday."  

    Xu He shook his head. "First, learn to manage yourself."  

    As they chatted, rustling sounds came from the steep mountain path. Ruili perked up, eyes sparkling. "Could it be a wild animal?"  

    But when a young boy emerged from the bushes carrying two bundles of firewood, Ruili deflated and sat back down.  

    He studied the boy, his face was youthful, probably around his own age, but his stature was tall, almost like Ruijin's.  

    Dressed in patched clothes and looking somewhat disheveled from trekking through the mountains, the boy struck Ruili as hardworking and capable. With little interest, he shifted aside to make way. But as the boy drew closer, Ruili squinted and smacked his lips. This village boy was... interesting.  

    How did the books describe it? "Standing like an orchid and jade tree, smiling like the bright moon entering one's embrace."  

    Unable to resist, Ruili struck up a conversation. "Better gather more firewood while you can. Who knows this might become private land in a few days."  

    The boy glanced at the bored-looking young master lounging on the ground. "Thanks for the warning."  

    "No need for thanks. If this mountain becomes ours, I'll still let you come chop wood." Ruili grinned. "Our family has always been generous to talented people like you, refined as the clear moon and gentle breeze."

[霁月清风 (jì yuè qīng fēng): Lit. "Clear moon and gentle breeze"; Fig. Symbolizes purity and elegance]  

    Before he could finish, a smack landed on the back of his head. "I told you not to hang around that chubby kid next door! Look at the nonsense you've picked up! When the teacher returns, you'll get a beating for sure."  

    Ruili rubbed his head. "I was just saying hello! It's not like I said anything weird."  

    "What kind of ge'er greets people like that? Only street ruffians and lecherous scoundrels talk that way!"  

    Xu He was furious. If this were a boy instead of a ge'er, he'd grow up to be a frivolous wastrel!  

    Ruili covered his head, embarrassed to be scolded in front of someone. But his worries were unnecessary, the villager didn't stick around to watch. By the time he looked up again, the boy was already far away.  

    He caught only a glimpse before turning back to his father. "Was Dad like this when he was young?"  

    Zhang Fangyuan stifled a laugh. "What does that have to do with me?"  

    "Weren't you a street ruffian back then?"  

    "Hey, who told you that? I've always been a proper man. Otherwise, your little dad wouldn't have given me the time of day."  

    Xu He, seeing the conversation devolve, stepped forward to discipline them, but the two troublemakers bolted.  

    Amid the laughter, a voice called from the mountain path: "Master Zhang seems to be in high spirits."  

    Father and son turned. Zhang Fangyuan's expression tightened. "Young Master Qin is also here to survey the mountains?"  

    "Since money can buy anything, why shouldn't I take a look if Master Zhang can?"  

    "You flatter me."  

    Xu He approached upon hearing the exchange. Since Zhang Fangyuan addressed him as "Young Master Qin" and it clearly wasn't Qin Shang, he guessed this must be Qin Zhong, Qin Shang's cousin. With his sharp features and shrewd eyes, this man was clearly not a useless bully like Qin Shang, who relied solely on family influence.  

    The brief exchange was thick with tension. After Qin Zhong left, the previously relaxed atmosphere turned uneasy.