Chapter 47: The Ugly Ger’s Farming Story

“What are you doing?”

The sudden questioning voice startled Luo Jiao, who was engrossed in her own imagination. Startled, he forgot that he was eavesdropping and turned around, ready to shout with his hands on his hips. However, when he looked at the person speaking, he instantly retracted his hands and assumed a gentle and pleasant demeanor.

Lin Fangliang’s complexion wasn’t very good. Anyone would feel uncomfortable being stared at by eyes that seemed to want to undress them, except for a few individuals with peculiar preferences.

“Do you have any business with this family?” If there’s nothing, then leave quickly and stop staring at me! Considering this was Xu family gate, and he was unsure if Luo Jiao was a guest of Xu Qing, Lin Fangliang refrained from expressing his bad mood.

Luo Jiao didn’t mind Lin Fangliang’s expression and deliberately shifted his position, presenting his self-proclaimed most beautiful side in front of Lin Fangliang’s eyes. “I placed an order with the Xu family for something, so I wanted to see if anyone is home.”

This person is obviously not a villager. If he guessed correctly, this person is the Young Doctor Lin who previously helped the Xie family and the Xu family with spring farming. This was a big catch! He didn’t expect to encounter him today.

Having grown up in the town, Lin Fangliang naturally had a broader perspective. The disdain in his eyes grew stronger as he observed Luo Jiao’s behavior. If he wasn’t mistaken, this guy had pierced earlobes, indicating that he had become married. Yet here he was shamelessly displaying such a flirtatious appearance. Truly shameless!

Without responding to Luo Jiao, Lin Fangliang passed by him and prepared to knock on the door. But to his surprise, just as he raised his hand, the courtyard gate opened. “Who are you?” Opening the door was a handsome boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old. The bright red mole between his eyebrows added to his charm.

Lin Fangliang took a few steps back and carefully examined the appearance of the house once again. Yes, it was the Xu family, no mistake. He had stayed here for a few days last time. But why did this boy who opened the door look so unfamiliar?

“Second brother-in-law! Someone is here!”

It was Li Xiao’er who rushed to open the door upon hearing voices outside. He thought it was his second brother who had returned, but it turned out to be two unfamiliar individuals.

Upon hearing Li Xiao’er calling Xu Qing “second brother-in-law,” Lin Fangliang understood the identity of the person in front of him. “You must be Li Changfeng’s younger brother. I’m Lin Fangliang, one of his good friends.”

Li Xiao’er only knew that Chen Qi from the village was good friends with his second brother. “Second brother.” Li Xiao’er stepped aside to let Xu Qing out.

Xu Qing completely ignored Luo Jiao, whose face had already stiffened, and smiled lightly, inviting Lin Fangliang to enter the house. “He’s right, so let’s go with that address. You should call him Brother Lin.”

Li Xiao’er, being astute, didn’t need any reminders from Xu Qing. He immediately understood from Xu Qing’s words who was genuinely welcomed and who was an uninvited guest at the door.

“Brother Lin, please come in. Let me pour you a cup of tea.”

“Thank you.” After Li Xiao’er and the others entered the courtyard, Xu Qing looked at Luo Jiao with an expression that said, “So you’re here too.” “I apologize for not noticing you earlier. My eyesight must not have been good. I didn’t see that there was someone here!”

Luo Jiao was infuriated to the point of almost exploding! Did they all treat him like air?! And he never would have expected that Xu Qing was with another ger!

“It’s fine!” Xu Qing couldn’t be more satisfied hearing Luo Jiao’s gritted teeth. “Changfeng isn’t home, but we’ll deliver your items to you once they’re ready. If there’s anything you’re unsatisfied with, we can make improvements.”

Luo Jiao tried to speak several times but was continuously interrupted by Xu Qing’s statements. This only fueled his already boiling anger, dousing it with scalding hot oil!

“Now that I have guests at home and no time to entertain you, I apologize. But someone as considerate as you will surely understand my predicament! Next time, I’ll treat you well! Goodbye!” After saying this, Xu Qing gracefully closed the courtyard door, leaving Luo Jiao almost rolling his eyes in exasperation.

“Xu Qing! I’ll remember this debt!”

Luo Jiao spat fiercely towards the gate of the Xu family, then turned around in anger and left.

Xu Qing leaned against the gate, listening to the fading footsteps of Luo Jiao as he walked away, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Let you see how I can make you seethe with anger!

***

Brother Xie’s body had completely recovered, and now he could help with any tasks that weren’t too strenuous. Currently, there was a shortage of vegetables at home, so he had just brought some back from the field to prepare lunch.

Luo Jiao returned to the village seething with anger. Coincidentally, he ran into Xie Yu, who was returning home with vegetables. Seeing that the most popular ger in the village got divorced and returned home, Luo Jiao didn’t feel any pity or the like; for him, his own enjoyment is the most important thing.

“What happened? Who made you angry?”

Being fellow villagers and with Xie Yu being well-mannered and amicable, it was hard for one to harbor any resentment towards him. Even the infuriated Luo Jiao, upon hearing Xie Yu’s gentle voice and seeing his handsome face, unknowingly had his anger subside by half.

“Who else could it be? Apart from my own worthless husband, who else could make me so angry?” Even if someone did anger me, they won’t get off easily! Since everyone in the village knew about the close relationship between the Xu and Xie families, Luo Jiao didn’t foolishly mention Xu Qing’s matter to Xie Yu. If he did, it would be like telling Xu Qing directly!

“It’s normal for family members to have arguments. Come in and sit for a while.” Xie Yu opened the courtyard gate and called out to Luo Jiao, but Luo Jiao shook his head. “Maybe another time. I have something to attend to. Goodbye.”

Xie Yu watched Luo Jiao’s retreating figure without paying much attention. As he closed the courtyard gate, he failed to notice a pair of greedy and lustful eyes that were fixed on him from beginning to end.

***

The weather was gradually getting hotter. The villagers who had nothing to do either started making straw shoes or sewing summer clothes. Although it was a bit troublesome to make them oneself, it was still a great pastime to pass the time.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

After staying at the Xu family for a while, Lin Fangliang went to the back mountain. Since Li Changfeng wasn’t at home, and there were only two gers in the house, his presence could potentially invite gossip, so he decided to go to the back mountain. However, Xu Qing had also advised him not to go too far in case something happened. It wasn’t worth it. Lin Fangliang took this opportunity to explore. Last time, he was in a hurry and didn’t have a chance to go up the mountain, which resulted in a scolding from Old Man Lin when he returned home.

Meanwhile, Li Changfeng was sitting in the main hall with the elders of the Li family.

Li Ama frowned with regret in his eyes. “If the Ma family is really like that, this marriage won’t work out. Forget it, it’s just that our Xiao’er’s fate hasn’t arrived yet. When you go back, tell him to come back soon. He’s running around everywhere before finding a suitable match!”

“I understand. Ama, Father, I’ll go back first.” Li Changfeng saw that Li Ama had taken his words to heart, so he wasn’t too worried. When it came to the marriages of the Li family children, as long as Li Ama spoke, regardless of agreement or disagreement, as long as he expressed his attitude, things would work out.

Old Man Li shook his tobacco pipe and wasn’t pleased when he heard that Li Changfeng wanted to leave. “Why the rush? Eat lunch first before leaving!”

Li Ama also persuaded Li Changfeng, “Exactly, it’s been such a long time, and you’re in a hurry to leave without thinking about having a meal and chatting with us.”

Helpless, Li Changfeng had lunch in the Li family’s courtyard before leaving.

Li Laosan didn’t go home for lunch. He has been visiting several families in the village for the past few days. The imperial examination is in next month. The younger generation of some families who has all been admitted as Tongsheng were looking for someone who was admitted as Xiucai to give some pointers.

(T/N: The following is the breakdown of scholar rankings, from lowest to highest, per wikipedia.

Tong sheng – child student; an entry-level examinee who had passed the county/prefecture exams.

Shengyuan / Xiucai– student member; an entry-level licentiate who had passed the higher level (like college) exam.

Juren – recommended man; a qualified graduate who passed the triennial provincial exam.

Gongshi – tribute scholar; a recognized scholarly achiever who passed the triennial national exam.

Jinshi – advanced scholar; a graduate who passed the triennial court exam.)

Similarly, in the Zhou family, the old Zhou couple who have exactly this intention to let someone tutor their son, he was reluctant. “The master has already said the rules to be followed for the exam, so there is no need to go to the trouble of inviting others to come and give me pointers, delaying their time.”

Zhou Ama, who had insisted on continuing to invite people, was a little moved, and said, “Then we’ll listen to you, I’m confident you can study by yourself.”

Zhou Wen nodded quickly. This was the best solution. After all, he already knew everything he needed to know. Why bother burdening others by repeating the same information?

By the time Li Changfeng returned home after sending Li Xiao’er to the village’s outskirts on a donkey cart, it was almost evening. The slanting sunlight bathed the village, giving it an especially beautiful and leisurely atmosphere.

“So you’re saying that as long as Ama expresses his stance, this matter won’t be brought up again?” Xu Qing and Li Changfeng arrived near the house, each carrying a basket. Li Changfeng was gathering pigweed while Xu Qing was looking for vegetables.

Li Changfeng nodded. “That’s right. This matter can be considered settled.” But Li Changfeng felt increasingly uneasy as the Ma family had yet to find a suitable match. He needed to come up with a way to prevent Ma Fugui from causing harm to the innocent unmarried gers in the village.

Li Changfeng was efficient and quickly harvested a basket of pigweed. He also checked the growth of the seedlings. Xu Qing had already found vegetables and went home to boil water. After running around for so long today, Li Changfeng felt it was time to take a hot bath and relax.

Lin Fangliang went to stay at Second Wei’s house again, saving Xu Qing a lot of trouble. They didn’t need to prepare a big meal, so they simply ate something and went to bed.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Thingyan: Changfeng ah, I was thinking the exact same thing. We need to unite and stop Ma Poopgui.