Fang Qing was stunned for a moment. According to Douya's memory, she knew that this person was Douya's second uncle, Fang Eryou.
"Second Uncle, you're back."
Fang Er was surprised to see someone return home at this time, and his expression showed obvious panic for a moment.
"Okay, I'm back to collect my tuition fees. I'm leaving now."
"Doesn't the academy have a holiday?"
Normally, the academy would be closed during the harvest season.
"I have other things to do. Tell your grandma I'm leaving."
With that, Fang Er ran out without looking back.
Fang Qing frowned as she watched his retreating figure.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
When the old woman returned that evening, Fang Qing told her what had happened. The old woman rushed into the main room, and then her shouts could be heard from inside.
"That bastard took all the money in the house."
Da Niu sensed something was wrong with what he was saying and went inside.
"Didn't you leave a single penny for your family?"
"No, they didn't leave me a single coin of the two taels of silver!"
The old woman sat on the ground and slapped her thigh.
"I'll go get it back."
The old woman, however, disagreed.
"Stop right there. I am worried about the money, but it wouldn't be a waste if this money were spent on Eryou. What do you want?"
"But we also need to leave some money for the family. After the wheat harvest, we need to plant corn, and money is needed everywhere."
The old woman wiped away her tears and glared at him fiercely.
"If you don't have money, why don't you earn it yourself? Why should you take your brother's money?"
Fang Daniu was shocked.
How did it become Fang Er's money? That was clearly money he earned through hard work.
It's heartbreakingly cold.
Seeing Fang Daniu's appearance, Fang Qing pulled him out.
"Dad, don't be sad. When I have money in the future, we'll move out and stop being treated like this."
Fang Daniu would have reprimanded him for saying this in the past, but today he remained silent for a moment.
Meanwhile, the old woman inside the house, distressed by her money, secretly pinched her thigh.
She felt uneasy because the family had run out of money.
Suddenly, she remembered what Fang Guangzong had told her before.
They want to exchange Zhao's belongings and bean sprouts for a cow.
A cow can sell for at least five taels of silver.
What else is there to consider?
That evening, the old woman invited Fang Guangzong to the grove and told him about her decision.
"Alright, then you figure out a way to get them to my bed tonight." Fang Guangzong was itching to do it.
"You wish! I did agree, but not now. We have to wait until after the wheat harvest. Otherwise, if that jinx loses his innocence and starts causing trouble for our family, who will want to live like that?"
"Okay, whatever you say, but since we're already out today, why don't we stay?"
"Hmph, you bastard."
As they struggled, they pushed their way deeper into the grove. Just as they reached a critical moment, a bright white light flashed across the sky, followed by a series of thunderclaps.
After a day of brewing rain, the two of them ran home soaked to the bone.
The rain stopped in less than half an hour, and the next day was another bright and sunny day.
Fang Qing followed Fang Daniu and the others to the wheat field.
Families with the means could use oxen to pull the stone mill, but Fang Qing's family could only use pure manpower.
Fang Qing sat under the shade of a tree, watching Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi, their faces flushed red from the sun, large beads of sweat dripping onto their feet.
She felt sorry for him.
"Grandma, why don't we buy a cow?"
Fang Qing looked at the old woman who was also resting in the shade.
"Buy, buy, buy! Can our family afford it? Does your second uncle not have to pay for his schooling?"
Fang Eryou and Fang Qing curled their lips in disdain.
"Grandpa Sanhua's son, Big Tree, is also in school, so how come his family can afford to buy a cow?"
Fang Sanhua was their neighbor, and their threshing ground was next to each other. Right now, their family was using an ox to pull a stone mill, while Fang Dashu, who was studying in the county town, had also come home to help with the work these past few days.
The old woman glanced over there with her nose.
"Hmph, their family just can't bear to spend money on Dashu, so Dashu isn't as smart as your second uncle. Just you wait, next year your second uncle will pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, while Fang Dashu will be nothing."
Fang Qing rolled her eyes at her.
I don't know why the old woman has such a strong misconception about Fang Er.
“Since you’ve spent all your money on your second uncle, then let him come back and pull the stone mill for you.”
"What nonsense are you spouting, you little slut? Get to work!"
As she was saying this, she picked up a can of water, but Fang Qing snatched it away and went to deliver it to Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi, telling them to finish their water and then give the old woman an empty can.
The old woman was cursing and swearing when Fang Qing, who was about to help with the work, heard someone calling her.
Fang Qing looked up and saw Zhao Shi'an, whom she hadn't seen for several days.
He was standing not far away, holding a jar and watching her.
"Zhao Shi'an, what brings you here?"
Fang Qing was pleasantly surprised.
Zhao Shi'an frowned in displeasure.
"Didn't you send me?"
Fang Qing suddenly remembered that she had told Zhao Shi'an a few days ago that she would visit her during the busy farming season and bring her some water if she came over.
Fang Qing was just saying it casually, but she didn't expect Zhao Shi'an to take it seriously.
"You're so kind, I was just thirsty."
Fang Qing flashed him a row of small white teeth, her eyes crinkled, and her sun-reddened face was especially endearing.
Zhao Shi'an snorted and handed the jar to Fang Qing.
It turned out to be mung bean soup.
"Thank you, Zhao Shi'an. Let's sit down and have a drink together."
Fang Qing pulled Zhao Shi'an to the base of the tree, and they each shared a bowl.
The mung bean soup had sugar added and was chilled in well water; drinking it made me feel refreshed.
Although the old woman was thick-skinned, she wasn't thick-skinned enough to snatch food from the child. She endured it and waited until Fang Qing called Fang Daniu and his wife over to rest and drink mung bean soup. The old woman also came over.
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