Jiang Zhengxu had been belittled to the point of worthlessness. Though the words were harsh, they struck a chord deep within him. He had originally sought someone to confide in, hoping to unburden his mind, but now... his heart felt even more clogged up.
He took a slow breath and slowly stood up. He didn't bother arguing with Fang Zichen. Official business at the government office was busy. Hiding for half a noon was his limit.
Fang Zichen saw him out: "I've made myself perfectly clear now. Since we're all family, you're welcome to drop by anytime to strengthen our bond. But next time, don't show up empty-handed again—it's just not proper to visit your elders without a gift."
Jiang Zhengxu: "..."
Fang Zichen said: "But don't bring overly expensive gifts either. When visiting elders, just bring things like ginseng, bird's nest, silver ear fungus, that sort of thing is enough. Don't waste silver recklessly, okay."
Jiang Zhengxu: "..."
He really wanted to order someone to arrest Fang Zichen, take him back, and lock him in a cell.
___
They sold nine ducks today, over four hundred pumpkin cakes, and over three hundred pumpkin sushi.
Zhao Ger's whole body ached, but his face was full of smiles. He felt that if business could be like this every day, he would be willing to work himself to death.
Zhou Ger also didn't go back, staying overnight with him at the shop.
Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu had been to the shop. Seeing the business was good, they were also happy for Zhao Ger. They didn't object to Zhou Ger not returning. On the contrary, with him together with Zhao Ger, the two elders were even more reassured.
Otherwise, a ger guarding such a large shop alone... At noon, there were many customers. Just thinking about it, one knew he must be earning a lot. They were afraid someone might have bad intentions and sneak in at night.
One more person meant at least one more helper.
With money to be made, Zhao Ger was beaming. But Fang Zichen was not happy.
Why did he buy this shop in the first place?
First, to make money. Second, thinking that when it got cold and the rainy roads were hard to travel, he and Zhao Ger could rest in town, without having to travel back and forth.
Now Zhao Ger was indeed resting in town, but pitiful him, he had become the second Madam Gu, guarding an empty room.
When he said Madam Gu was pitiful before, it was just talk. Now, experiencing it personally, he realized Madam Gu wasn't just pitiful; she was truly, truly pitiful.
"Father, sleep sleep," Guaizai lay under the quilt, which was pulled up to his nose, only his two round eyes visible, calling out in a milky voice: "Guaizai has warmed the bed." He stretched out a hand, like a girl soliciting customers at the entrance of a brothel: "Father, come quickly, come quickly~"
It had rained a few days ago, and the temperature had plummeted. Although it hadn't snowed, it was probably only three or four degrees. It hadn't been this cold before.
Fang Zichen blew out the lamp and dashed into the bed like a wild dog was chasing him.
"Son, come here, let me hug you."
The child had a high body temperature, warm and toasty. Sleeping next to him at night was like having a living heating pad.
After the temperature dropped, Zhao Ger wanted to keep Guaizai in town. The bed in the back courtyard was big, bought specifically for the three of them to sleep in. Guaizai was small, sleeping between him and Zhou Ger wouldn't be crowded.
Fang Zichen slept restlessly. Previously, when the nights were a bit cool, Zhao Ger would get up in the middle of the night to cover him with the quilt, but by the next morning, the quilt would always be kicked to the floor.
Now it was very cold. He was afraid Fang Zichen would also kick the quilt off the bed at night.
Fang Zichen was tall and strong, freezing for one night wasn't a big concern. But Guaizai was still young. The year before last, when it was cold, he caught a chill, developed a high fever, and it took over half a month to get better. The village's barefoot old physician said his son was born prematurely, had a weak constitution, and that he needed to pay more attention. This time he pulled through, but next time might not be certain.
The day the temperature dropped, he wanted to keep Guaizai, but Guaizai missed Liuliu, missed the puppy, missed the goat, and wasn't willing. Zhao Ger had no choice but to give Fang Zichen strict instructions.
Fang Zichen patted his chest: "With our son following me, you can rest assured!"
Zhao Ger held his waist, buried his head in his chest, and said in a low, unhappy voice, "It's cold. Don't kick the quilt off."
"I never kick the quilt." Fang Zichen said.
Zhao Ger looked up at him: "A few days ago when we slept together, you just kicked it."
Fang Zichen looked sheepish and mumbled, "That was the me from a few days ago. The current me has grown up and won't kick the quilt."
Zhao Ger didn't believe him. That night he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, worried that the father and son would freeze.
Fang Zichen would bring Guaizai to him in the morning, then go to Zuixiao Restaurant. But the next day, he waited for a long time and didn't see him and Guaizai come. He ran to Zuixiao Restaurant to ask. Shopkeeper Yang said Fang Zichen hadn't come in today.
Zhao Ger's face turned deathly pale. He hurriedly ran back home.
He wasn't worried that Fang Zichen had left again. He was worried that the two of them might have kicked off the quilt, caught a cold, gotten a fever, and were too sick to get up.
Arriving home, the house was quiet. He opened the bedroom door and went in. Fang Zichen was wrapped in the quilt like a silkworm cocoon, sleeping soundly.
Zhao Ger was about to sigh in relief when he saw the inside of the bed wasn't bulging up. His son was nowhere to be seen. He was frightened again.
He called Fang Zichen's name twice. Fang Zichen's chest area moved. Guaizai rubbed his eyes and emerged from inside.
Guaizai, who was accustomed to being with him, usually woke up early every morning. The fact that he had slept until almost noon that day was truly unusual. When Zhao Ger asked about it, he discovered that the father and son had played until midnight before finally going to sleep.
After that incident, Zhao Ger remained concerned. He asked Uncle Liu to take a detour to wake Fang Zichen when he delivered vegetables in the morning.
___
Now, holding his son, Fang Zichen started playing with him under the quilt again.
One played the monster, the other played Ultraman.
Guaizai was pinned down firmly by him. Using all his strength, he scrambled out from his embrace. He stuck his head out from under the quilt, his little butt still under the covers, lying prone on the bed, his face flushed: "Big monster, let Guaizai show you his power~"
Fang Zichen was still completely covered under the quilt. Hearing this, before he could react, he heard a 'bang' sound, followed by a wave of foul stench.
Fang Zichen: "..."
Guaizai's butt was like a firework launcher, bang, bang, bang, letting out three farts in a row.
That day, when he had returned home, Liuliu had come over to play, bringing a few baked sweet potatoes. The two little boys had sat on the doorstep, facing the cool, whistling cold wind, and had eaten them with great relish.
Fang Zichen had heard that eating sweet potatoes made farts smelly. He had never experienced it before and didn't know if it was true. Now, he felt the stench was comparable to a nuclear weapon.
Wherever it passed, probably not a blade of grass would grow.
It could kill someone!!
Fang Zichen crawled out, took two sharp breaths, then dragged Guaizai under the quilt, firmly pressing down the covers so he couldn't get out.
"You little brat, you dare bomb your old man with farts? I'll make you consume your own product. How is it? Does it smell good?"
Guaizai laughed cheerfully, his voice coming from under the quilt, still crisp: "The flavor is very authentic~ Father, you try too."
Fang Zichen's face turned green: "Try your head."
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