The mention of farming still fills Chen Zhancai with lingering fear; it is an expression of his deep-seated aversion to it.
That year, during his summer vacation, out of guilt towards his family, he unusually volunteered to work in the fields, only to find that farming was an extremely arduous task.
The heavy hoe felt like it weighed a ton, and his shoes were covered in thick mud; every step required all his strength.
By the end of the day, I was covered in dust and dirt, and every bone in my body felt like it had been crushed by a heavy object.
From then on, he was filled with a deep fear and disgust for farming.
Seeing how easily he had persuaded his parents to sell the land, Chen Zhancai was quite pleased with himself. "Father, Mother, now that we've come to an agreement, I'll head back to town first. I still need to review my lessons this afternoon."
"Alright, drive carefully. When you get back, tell Fengjiao not to worry. Just say everything is fine at home and don't let her worry." Old Mrs. Chen smiled and stood up. "I'll see you off."
"Mother, you don't need to see me off. You can all rest in the house. I can walk by myself." Chen Zhancai got up to leave.
Chen Zhanliang hurriedly said, "Third brother, we haven't finished dealing with things at home yet, why are you in such a hurry? Since we're going to sell the land, you should write a notice and post it at the entrance of the village, otherwise how will anyone know that our family is going to sell the land?"
"Second Brother, how many people in the village can read? What's the use of writing that stuff?" Chen Zhancai said with some displeasure. "Besides, if we post a notice, everyone in the village will know we're selling our land. That would be so embarrassing."
"Let Mother talk to Wu Baoan and see if any family in the village is planning to buy land. If they have the means to come up with fifty taels of silver, they can sell it quietly. Why make a big fuss and let everyone know?"
These words struck a chord with Old Mrs. Chen, who nodded in agreement. "What the third son said is true. Selling land is not something to brag about. The fewer people who know about it, the better."
Sun pursed her lips and muttered under her breath, "There are no secrets in the world. They've already sold it, why are they afraid of being laughed at? They're just fooling themselves."
Chen Zhancai pretended not to hear and said to Old Mrs. Chen, "Mother, then I'm leaving. You and Father can decide on the sale of that piece of land."
He was secretly anxious. The carriage was still waiting for him at the village entrance. What if the driver got impatient and went back into the village to look for him?
He wouldn't be able to explain it to his family, and thinking of this, he turned to leave.
Seeing his impatient look, Chen Zhanliang grabbed his arm and said, "Third brother, wait a minute. The trouble at home started because of you. Don't even think about going to town to find peace until you've resolved this."
"Oh, my dear second brother, what do you mean by 'avoiding troubles'? I'm going to town to study." Chen Zhancai glared, his face dark. "Father and Mother will handle things at home. I can't help if I stay. I have classes this afternoon!"
"Give me a break! The academy isn't even open yet, what kind of study are you going to have?" Chen Zhanliang was furious and pointed at his nose, coldly questioning, "The people at the academy all said they won't start classes early. Tell me the truth, have you been having a good time in town these days and haven't been studying at all?"
"You, you, you, what nonsense are you talking about? Let go right now!" Chen Zhancai didn't know what excuse to make for a moment, so he quickly looked at Old Madam Chen, "Mother, look at my second brother, what is he doing!"
"Second brother, let go! What kind of older brother are you?" Old Mrs. Chen glared angrily. "You're such a grown man, and you're still hitting me! If you scare the third brother, I'll skin you alive!"
Chen Zhanliang let go, feeling resentful. "Mother, don't protect the third son. He's a complete liar, not a single word of truth. I just went to the academy, and the people there told me that classes weren't even being held. If he wasn't just wasting his time and trying to find peace, what was he doing in town?"
Old Mrs. Chen frowned. "Third son, what's going on? You're not really lying to your mother, are you?"
Chen Zhancai stamped his foot and said, "Mother, don't you know what kind of person your son is? When have I ever lied to you?"
“Of course I believe you, but your second brother isn’t one to lie. What exactly happened? Tell me clearly,” Old Mrs. Chen pressed.
Chen Zhancai's eyes darted around as he racked his brains for a plausible explanation to get away with it. Then, a brilliant idea struck him—an excuse.
"Mother, this is what happened. The old teacher gave me special tutoring. He was afraid that it would cause gossip at the academy, so he sent me to study at their house alone."
"I see. It seems the old master has high hopes for you!"
"Yes, that's right. The old master saw that I was studying hard, and he would often invite me to stay for meals at his house."
"Oh dear, he's a great benefactor to our family, you mustn't let the old master down!"
"Don't worry, Mother, I guarantee I'll pass the imperial examination next year." Knowing he couldn't delay any longer, Chen Zhancai quickly said, "Mother, I'll be going now."
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone outside the gate called out, "Is anyone here? Is the gentleman who just took the carriage staying here? If you're not leaving, hurry up and settle your bill, I need to go back and wait for work!"
Chen Zhancai felt his head buzz. Oh no, the driver really came looking for him. What should he do?
Old Mrs. Chen was taken aback. "Who is this? Why are they looking for someone at our house?"
Sun glanced at Chen Zhancai and sneered, "Third brother, is he looking for you?"
"Stop messing around, Second Sister-in-law, she's not looking for me." Chen Zhancai shook his head, denying it.
Grandma Chen was furious. "It's outrageous! Blocking someone else's front door and shouting like that. People who don't know better would think something bad has happened to our family. No way, I have to go and chase him away."
Chen Zhancai broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "Mother, you rest in the room. I'm leaving anyway. I'll just tell him on my way out. You don't need to come out."
Madam Sun smiled slightly, "No need for Zhancai. You stay here and rest. I'll go and chase him away. I have experience dealing with this kind of person."
Chen Zhancai tried his best to stop her, "No need, Second Sister-in-law, you stay inside. It's quite hot outside, I'll go instead!"
Old Mrs. Chen's face was ashen. "Second son's wife, hurry up and go. Don't show him any mercy. Teach this blind fool a lesson."
"Mother, none of you should go, I'll go." Chen Zhancai stamped his feet anxiously.
Seeing his unusual behavior, Madam Sun was certain that something was amiss.
As the saying goes, if a person is not normal, there must be something fishy going on; if something is abnormal, there must be something sinister going on.
Her husband rushed back from town, exhausted, covered in sweat, and panting heavily.
But Chen Zhancai remained calm and energetic, showing no signs of fatigue. The driver outside must be looking for him.
Fine, I'll expose your lies and your cowardly act.
Having made up her mind, she chuckled softly, "Zhancai, don't argue with your second sister-in-law. I'll just go out and chase him away, so he won't keep yelling at me."
"Second sister-in-law, it's still me..." Before Chen Zhancai could finish saying "I'll go," Sun had already turned and left the room.
Fearing that his wife would be bullied, Chen Zhanliang followed her out.
Seeing that no one responded for a while, the coachman outside the gate shouted loudly again.
"Is anyone inside? Come out and say something. If you're not taking a carriage back to town, hurry up and pay me the fare. You said it would take the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, how long have we been waiting?"
......
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