His sister actually married well; her husband's family was quite well-off. In the first few years after her marriage, she often sent messages back home through intermediaries.
For some reason, their family has had a particularly difficult time having children. His sister has been married for several years but has not yet had a child, so she inevitably suffers some complaints from her mother-in-law.
Fortunately, his sister and brother-in-law had a good relationship, and his sister was a rare and capable person. Although they had never had children, the couple did not have any disagreements because of it.
Mr. Wu thought that even if he sent his son to stay with his sister, it would be better than leaving him here to live in fear, not knowing whether he would live or die tomorrow.
He told his wife about his idea, and although she shed a lot of tears on the spot, she quickly compromised for the sake of the children.
Once the Wu family parents had discussed it, they gathered up all the valuables they had and sent them to the family they were leaving to.
After the two men pleaded with them, the family, unable to bear the long-standing relationship with the villagers and grateful for the Wu parents' good intentions for the child, finally took Wu Wen, who was not yet two years old.
Wu Wen's departure lasted for more than twenty years.
Wu's parents had actually prepared themselves for their son not to come back, because Wu's father had asked someone to convey that if his sister and brother-in-law didn't mind, the child would be adopted by them.
When Wu Wen was sent to his aunt's house in Maocheng, he received a warm welcome from his aunt's family. Even his aunt's mother-in-law, who was usually very difficult to talk to, couldn't help but soften when she saw such a little boy.
For the next ten years or so, his uncle and parents treated him as their own son.
When Wu Wen reached school age, his aunt sent him to study at a nearby teacher's house. As soon as he entered the school, Wu Wen immediately showed his eagerness to learn. He was not only talented but also very diligent, and he quickly gained the teacher's approval.
Upon seeing this, the family realized that the child was actually a rare talent for studying, and they grew even more fond of Wu Wen.
When Wu Wenchang turned eight, things changed a little. Wu's aunt, who had been infertile for many years, finally became pregnant that year, and gave birth to a healthy baby boy the following year.
That wasn't all. In the following years, Aunt Wu gave birth to a son and a daughter in succession, and the family suddenly became lively.
At the same time, it is inevitable that with more children, the resources allocated to each child will naturally decrease accordingly.
Moreover, Wu Wen was not Wu's aunt's biological son. After having a biological child, both his uncle and aunt would inevitably have to consider their own child more.
When Wu Wen was twelve years old, he learned that his family could no longer afford to send him to school.
Wu Wen did not complain at all.
When he was brought here, he was just an infant who knew nothing. All he knew was that his family had been very kind to him since he could remember, and he always thought that his aunt and uncle were his parents.
Wu Wen felt it was normal that his family had many children and couldn't afford to send him to school, so he went home to help with chores.
The teacher who taught Wu Wen sighed repeatedly and said to the Wu family elders, "Wu Wen can take the county examination this year. With his talent, he can definitely pass the preliminary examination and become a scholar. In a few years, he might even pass the county examination. Are you really not going to reconsider? I can waive his tuition fee."
The Wu family's focus was no longer on Wu Wen, and they were counting on him to come home and help, so they firmly declined the teacher's kind offer.
When Wu Wen was sixteen, a large restaurant opened in the city and was hiring. When his family mentioned it to him, he agreed to give it a try without hesitation.
Seeing that Wu Wen looked refined and learned that he had studied for several years, the shopkeeper immediately asked him if he would like to become an apprentice under the accountant. Once he learned, he could keep accounts independently, and his salary would be calculated according to the accountant's salary.
The family was overjoyed to hear the good news and let him go.
He worked as an accountant for over ten years, during which time many matchmakers came to his door to propose marriage to Wu Wen.
Wu Wen is good-looking, the right age, and has a respectable job that doesn't require him to be exposed to the elements. Many families think it's a great son-in-law, and that their daughters wouldn't have to suffer if they married him.
But getting married means giving a substantial dowry.
Aunt Wu wasn't truly unable to afford it, but she was thinking that her two biological sons were growing up day by day. Now that she was arranging things for Wu Wen, what would she do when her own children got married?
If Wu Wen doesn't get married, he'll take all his salary home. But if he does get married, how much of his salary will he be able to contribute to the household expenses?
This delay meant that Wu Wen was already in his twenties.
Wu Wen was kind-hearted. He was single-minded in his work and in his dealings with people, and he never thought that his family would have any ill intentions towards him.
His family didn't arrange a marriage for him, and he didn't urge them either. He always thought that his family had worked hard to support his education when he was young, so he should naturally do his part to help his younger brothers with their education now.
Later, when Wu's aunt's eldest son turned seventeen, she arranged a marriage for him first, citing his brother's poor health. Wu Wen accepted this explanation and did not express any dissatisfaction.
It wasn't until someone from Sanping County went to Maocheng on business that Wu Wen was able to deliver a message.
It was quite a coincidence. Wu Wen was always out doing errands, so there was no way someone could deliver a message to him directly. They would definitely have gone to his aunt's house to say it.
As fate would have it, the villager who delivered the message was a hunter. Upon entering the city, he immediately went to a large restaurant, eager to sell the game he had hunted along the way.
He entered the restaurant where Wu Wen worked, and while chatting with the owner, the topic of delivering a message somehow came up, and he mentioned which family it was to be delivered to.
The shopkeeper clapped his hands and said, "What's there to look for? His eldest son works as my accountant. Waiter, go and call Wu Wen down here!"
By sheer coincidence, Wu Wen received firsthand information and was shocked to learn from this person that he was not his family's biological child.
Wu Wen was incredulous and kept asking, "Brother, are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else? Or have you remembered the wrong family you're supposed to deliver the message to?"
The hunter grew anxious and firmly stated that he could not possibly have misremembered.
The hunter not only explained why Wu's parents had sent Wu Wen away years ago, but also clearly stated the names of his aunt and uncle. He added, "Your father passed away last year, and now your mother is all alone at home. She's hoping you'll come back to see her!"
The man's name was correct, and the meaning behind his words was so shocking that Wu Wen felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Wu Wen, in a daze, asked the shopkeeper for leave and went home with the hunter.
Upon arriving home, as soon as the hunter finished delivering the message, Wu Wen's aunt immediately covered her mouth with tears streaming down her face. After all, she only had one younger brother, and hearing the news of his death naturally made her very sad.
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