Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 111 - 110: Which Way to Go

Chapter 111: Chapter 110: Which Way to Go

Suddenly, the pair of Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who had been circling above their carriage, swooped down, cawing boldly. The faint howl of Zhui Feng could also be heard.

Dabao, who had been sleeping in Chen Afu’s arms, instantly opened his eyes. "Zhui Feng, I hear Zhui Feng," he exclaimed. Then he sat up, sticking his head out of the carriage window, and bellowed, "Zhui Feng, we are back."

Zhui Feng darted towards them, aiming to jump onto the carriage. The coachman quickly pulled the reins to halt the horses. Zhui Feng leaped onto the carriage, squeezing into the compartment, licking Chen Afu, Dabao, and Alu with its tongue. Its eyes seemed filled with teardrops and whimpering noises came from its mouth, as if expressing the emotions of the parting. It was not as affectionate to Mrs. Wang, while licking everyone else, it merely brushed its body against her leg.

Qi Qi and Hui Hui followed Zhui Feng into the carriage. After they had their fill of petting, the pair craned their necks and started to mimic the dog’s howling, expressing their joy. Seeing Zhui Feng gaze at them in confusion, everyone burst into laughter. The foolish dog was still clueless about the source of the noise after all these times.

When the carriage reached the outside of the Fence Wall, Chen Ming was already waiting there. That day, he had begun standing in the courtyard, looking towards the east around midday. When he saw Zhui Feng suddenly dart out of the yard, racing towards the east, and caught a vague sight of a carriage approaching the village, he knew his wife and children had returned.

The carriage halted and everyone climbed down. Dabao ran over to hug Chen Ming, while Alu greeted him joyfully, "Dad." Mrs. Wang and Chen Afu unloaded everything from the carriage and handed the coachman a bag of pastries before sending him off.

After they had brought in and arranged everything, had a chat, Chen Ming asked Dabao to deliver a few packets of sweets and pastries to third grandpa and some other relatives, as well as to Shitou’s house. He was also to invite Mrs. Chen, Chen Ye, and Chen Agu to dinner at their house and to receive some items.

Zhui Feng followed Dabao out of the house cheerfully, while Qi Qi and Hui Hui took to the sky, heading west.

Thereafter, Mrs. Wang handed over the deed to the hundred-acre paddy field to Chen Ming and explained how Chen Afu had earned the money.

"Those silvers were earned in the capital city, and these fields are a token of the daughter’s filial respect to her parents. You can accept them worry-free, Dad. If you wish to inform Uncle and Grandma, go ahead. Uncle’s family already knows, anyway. Now, there’s no need for us to be afraid of people’s prying eyes," Chen Afu said.

Chen Ming took the deed bearing his name and sighed, "Thank you, Afu. Ever since you recovered, life at home has been getting better and better. Now, even your dad has become a landlord." He continued, somewhat despondent, "Alas, I am utterly useless, except for studying. I can’t farm or trade. When my health was poor, your mother took care of me. Now that I’m healthy, however, I still can’t earn money, and I’m dependent on my daughter. I am so ashamed."

Mrs. Wang retorted, "What nonsense are you saying! Whether you’re fit or not, this house wouldn’t feel like a home without you."

Chen Afu laughed, "Dad, it’s not that you’re incapable. When you were healthy, you were still young and occupied with studying. Later, when your health deteriorated, you didn’t have the energy to learn other things. Now, we have bought so much land, and I’m sure we will buy more in the future. Mom and I are women, and little brother and Dabao are small. We will need you to look after these possessions in the future. You even passed the child student’s examination; I am sure you can learn all this as long as you are willing."

Chen Ming was gradually recovering. Now, apart from being unable to do physical labor or travel long distances, he was more or less like any normal person. Afu needed to instill confidence in him and teach him the ways of survival so that he could shoulder the responsibilities that an adult man should.

Chen Afu had contemplated for a long time about the path Chen Ming should take. Up until he was fourteen, he had been studying. At fourteen, he got tuberculosis and has been bedridden, resting since. Up until he was eighteen, he was reliant on Chen Ye. After eighteen, he was dependent on Mrs. Wang.

Although he has a kind heart and generous nature, when it comes to survival, one could say he is "useless". Apart from being able to recite scholarly classics, he could only weave baskets and straw sandals.

Seeing Chen Ming lost in thought, Chen Afu intentionally tested him, "Or should Dad continue studying?"

Deep down, Chen Afu didn’t want Chen Ming to continue studying to take the imperial examinations.

Once, he was just a child student who had put down his books for many years. Now in his thirties, he was not a scholar like Mr. Chen. Even if he continued studying, he wouldn’t pass the imperial examinations. Even if he, taking great steps back, passed the examination in his fifties like Fan Jin, it would not be worth it.

Chen Afu believed that one of the most ludicrous aspects of ancient times was the "gray-haired candidates". They were "aged warriors with unyielding hearts", but they relied on the hardships endured by several generations to fulfill their elusive "dream of being a top student". They were the most selfish parasites.

After all, Chen Ming was already in his thirties. He shouldn’t leave the responsibility of providing for the family to his wife and children for the sake of his uncertain future. After all, his wife has almost gone blind in her eyes from embroidery as she provided for him during his illness and took over household responsibilities. He also knew that Chen Afu was not his biological daughter.

If he did choose this path, Chen Afu would present him with a hundred acres and a large house as a token of filial respect and give him some monthly allowance. This would repay him for sheltering little Afu, provide his family with a worry-free life, and allow little Alu to go to school.

If Chen Ming could face up to the current situation at home, stand on his own and be willing to shoulder the burden of providing for his wife and children, Chen Afu would be more than willing to take him along in the journey to achieve prosperity.

Of course, people’s abilities varied. Asking a normal light bulb to emit the light of a high watt bulb was impossible.

If Chen Ming could stand on his own, show the same competence as Chen Shi, Chen Afu would hand over many of the front office tasks to him. After all, it wasn’t favourable for women in this era to be in the limelight for too long. She could guard the home or take care of things behind the scenes.

If he wasn’t that competent, as long as he was willing to learn, they could hire someone with administrative knowledge to teach him or make him work along with them.

Perhaps Mrs. Wang was also afraid that Chen Ming might choose to continue studying. Her hands were trembling so much that she did not dare to look up at Chen Ming, for fear that her healthy husband might indeed let her daughter continue to provide for him.

Chen Ming pondered for a while, then lifted his head and said resolutely, "Although it seems that the thing I’ve done best up to now is studying, I cannot continue. I’m too old and it’s unlikely that I will succeed. I’ll leave the dream of becoming a scholar to Alu and Dabao. I’m healthy and in the prime of life. I cannot let my wife and children support me any longer. Alas, because of my illness, I have caused too much trouble and hardship for my wife, Afu, Alu, and Dabao. I can’t continue to be a burden to you."

Mrs. Wang’s eyes welled up with tears, and she said, "As long as you’re healthy, no matter how hard it is, it’ll be worth it."