Chen Zhanliang frowned and complained, "Mother, if you don't want our family to get into trouble with the authorities, hurry up and go to town to find Lao San and get the money back to return to Butcher Li, otherwise our family will be in big trouble."
Sun agreed, saying, "Yes, the third brother has only been gone a few days. He probably hasn't touched the fifty taels of silver yet. We should get back whatever we can. If we're short of money, we can borrow from our neighbors to settle this matter first, so that Li the butcher doesn't demolish our house and take us to the county magistrate."
Old Chen nodded repeatedly, "Old woman, the second son and his wife are right. Right now, we can only go to town to find the third son."
Grandma Chen was at a loss for a moment, but after thinking about it carefully, she realized that it was the right thing to do. She should take the money back first to solve the immediate problem, and then find a way to pay for her third son's tuition later.
She sighed helplessly, "Second brother, you should go to town right away and tell them about what's going on at home. Tell the third brother to bring the money back first."
Chen Zhanliang was stunned. "Mother, where do you expect me to find Lao San? I don't even know where his house is. Where do you expect me to find him?"
"Are you stupid? If you can't find it, why don't you ask around!"
"Qingshui Town is so big, and there are so many people, who would know who Chen Zhancai is?"
Sun continued, "The third son hasn't told us where he lives for so many years, I've started to doubt whether he's really studying at the academy."
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at Madam Sun with displeasure. "What do you mean by those sour words? If Zhancai isn't studying at the academy, where else could he be?"
“That’s right, the academy.” Old Mrs. Chen’s eyes lit up. “Second son, if you go to town and find the Confucius Academy where the third son studies, you can find him.”
"Okay, I'll go right away." Chen Zhanliang didn't dare to delay and strode off to the town.
We arrived in Qingshui Town close to noon, and easily found out the location of the Confucius Academy.
Without taking a break, he rushed to the entrance of the academy, only to find it closed and deserted.
He went up to the door and knocked, "Is anyone home? Open the door quickly."
After a long pause, the door slowly opened, and a young man walked out. "Who are you? What do you need?"
Chen Zhanliang wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Young man, could you please help me find Chen Zhancai? Tell him his second brother is looking for him."
"Are you mistaken? The academy hasn't started classes yet, so why would Chen Zhancai be here?"
"That's not right. My third brother said a few days ago that the academy was going to start classes. How come he's not here?"
"You must be mistaken. The academy can't possibly start early. You'd better look elsewhere."
Just then, a man who had gone out to buy groceries returned and overheard their conversation. He stepped forward and said,
"I just went to the rice shop and saw Chen Zhancai leading his wife and children into Mengxianglou from afar. Go there and find him!"
Chen Zhanliang looked completely bewildered. "Mengxianglou? What kind of place is that?"
"You really don't know anything about the world. That's a famous restaurant in our town."
"What? They even eat out?"
Chen Zhanliang was quite surprised, cursing inwardly, "You little bastard, I always felt something was off about them!"
As long as they live in town for a while, their whole family becomes plump and healthy. It seems they're using their family's hard-earned money to enjoy a life of luxury outside!
He suppressed his anger, found out the location of Mengxiang Tower, and went there in a huff.
Since Chen Zhancai returned to town with his wife and children, he first hired an old woman to help with the housework, and then lived a life of luxury with plenty of meat and fish for every meal and fine wine.
Taking advantage of his wife's inattention, he went to Chunfeng Tower and had a few more nights of pleasure with Ruhua, completely forgetting his promise to study hard.
Liu Fengjiao wasn't idle either. Upon returning to town, she went to the best silk shop to have a new outfit custom-made, and also bought some fine rouge and face powder.
She spends all day applying makeup and dressing up like a rich young mistress.
This morning, my daughter started clamoring for braised pork knuckle at a restaurant, so she asked her mother to book a table at Mengxianglou Restaurant.
Around noon, the family went to a private room at Mengxianglou.
After ordering the food and drinks, Chen Zhancai looked at his two children and smiled with satisfaction. "Ruolan, today Daddy ordered you a clear stewed lion's head meatball. I guarantee you'll love it."
Chen Ruolan pouted, "I want to eat braised pork knuckle, not lion's head meatballs."
"Silly girl, Daddy has ordered some for you."
"I knew Father loved his daughter the most." Chen Ruolan smiled.
Chen Jiye then shouted, "Daddy, I want to eat Sichuan-style chicken and stir-fried fish."
Chen Zhancai laughed and said, "Good son, I've ordered all of these for you. You can eat your fill later."
Liu Fengjiao glared at him playfully, "You just keep spoiling them. You've spoiled both kids rotten."
"Madam, you're too kind. The children are growing, so let them eat whatever they want. I just ordered you your favorite cherry pork, so let's have a good meal together as a family today."
"Thank you, my husband, you're so kind."
"That's right. Your husband is the most loving husband in the world. After you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I will be able to obtain official rank. Then you will be an official's wife and can eat all the delicacies in the world as you please."
"Then I'll be waiting to enjoy life with you!" Liu Fengjiao said, her snot bubbles practically popping out of her nose.
......
Chen Zhanliang arrived at the entrance of Mengxianglou under the scorching sun.
Upon learning that the academy had not held any classes, he gave Chen Zhancai a thorough dressing-down on the way to Zuixianglou.
This heartless bastard actually deceived his family and came to town to live a life of leisure.
Looking at the customers coming and going in the restaurant, he felt a little apprehensive.
Having never even been inside a snack shop in his entire life, he trembled as he looked at the luxuriously decorated restaurant, fearing that the waiter would mistake him for a beggar and kick him out.
He wanted to turn back home, but his family was in dire straits. If he didn't take the money back, his family would definitely be sued.
Today, we must find Chen Zhancai no matter what and confront this treacherous parasite who eats our food but does nothing to us.
How could he be so heartless as to take his family's hard-earned money and squander it on food and drink at a place like this?
This is treating their family like fools while they live a carefree life outside. Is this something a human being would do?
Chen Zhanliang grew angrier the more he thought about it, and, disregarding everything else, strode into the restaurant.
Upon seeing a customer arrive, the waiter hurried over to wipe the table and chairs, warmly greeting, "Please sit down, sir. What would you like to eat?"
Chen Zhanliang ignored him and looked around. "I'm not eating. I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?" The waiter then looked Chen Zhancai up and down. Seeing his tattered clothes, he really mistook him for a beggar. His face immediately darkened. "This is not a place for you to beg. Get out of here."
"You're the beggar, I'm looking for my brother." After saying that, Chen Zhanliang saw that there were still guests upstairs. Ignoring the waiter's obstruction, he went upstairs and searched for Chen Zhancai's figure in each private room.
At this moment, Chen Zhancai saw that the food and wine had been served. He picked up his wine glass and said, "Madam, it's been a long time since we drank together. Come, let's have a drink."
Liu Fengjiao smiled and picked up her wine glass, "It's rare for my husband to be in such a good mood today, so let's drink until we drop."
"Alright, let's drink until we're drunk! Cheers, madam."
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