Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 298 - 297: Difference

Chapter 298: Chapter 297: Difference

Chu Lingxuan’s idea was that Chen Ming should keep the 2,000 taels of silver as his own asset. He reasoned that everyone in the neighborhood knows that the Chen Afu is not Chen Ming’s biological daughter. It wouldn’t be right for people to think that he had raised and then sent his daughter to marry into a wealthy family, leaving him with such a significant dowry. This could provoke unnecessary gossip about both the Chus as well as Chen Afu.

Previously, Chen Afu had considered leaving Chen Ming an additional 2,000 taels of silver prior to her wedding to help improve his living condition.

Many of her assets were given to Chen Ming privately, mainly out of fear of catching Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu’s attention. Outsiders only knew about Lu Garden and the 100 acres of land in Laohuai Village in Zhongning County that Chen Afu had given to him. They knew nothing of the shares in the wine-shop or the money invested for the dowry. Chen Ye’s family wouldn’t dare disclose that the shares of Xinglong Wine Shop in Dingzhou were acquired by Chen Ming through Chen Afu’s help; they didn’t even mention that they had obtained their main residence as a free share.

Mrs. Hu was not the only one eyeing Chen Ming’s wallet with great interest; everyone in the neighborhood was curious to see how Chen Afu would repay the kindness she had received.

In an incredibly destitute family, an unexpected "golden phoenix" had landed. It was intriguing to see what this bird would leave behind as it flew into another family nest...

Regardless of how much Chen Afu could give Chen Ming, if it weren’t known to the public, they would sympathize with him.

This exemplified common human psychology. She might not care about others’ opinions, but Chu Lingxuan, being a local youth, couldn’t afford to ignore the reputation of his wife.

However, Chen Ming was steadfast in his refusal to keep the dowry of 2,000 taels of silver. He stated that he wanted to set an example for everyone in The Chens’ family, including Alu, by refusing to take what he shouldn’t.

Naturally, he didn’t want Chen Afu to be criticized either. After some consideration, he suggested, "Let’s separate issues. I won’t keep a penny of the betrothal gift from the Chus. But Afu can give the same amount of silver for Mr. Zeng to buy some land on my behalf. Thus, everyone will know that Afu, a good daughter who appreciates and acknowledges the kindness she has received, has granted me many lands before her marriage."

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu thought it was better: both the foster father and daughter were demonstrating love and righteousness.

Chen Afu and her child, together with Chu Hanyan, were expected to have lunch in Lu Garden. After presenting the betrothal gifts, Chu Lingxuan returned to Dingzhou to prepare for the trip to Capital City.

Dabao arrived at Lu Garden, where he absolutely ignored these betrothal gifts, not asking a single question or even glancing at them.

At lunch, Dabao enthusiastically discussed with Alu the lessons taught by the Master that morning. Everyone could see that he was trying to smile despite the red rims around his eyes, showing he was forcing himself to be cheerful.

Halfway through the meal, he said he needed to use the privy. When he emerged, his eyes were even redder.

Seeing him like that, Chen Afu, Mrs. Wang, and Chen Ming all felt a deep pain in their hearts.

Rubbing his head, Mrs. Wang comforted, "Dabao, after your mother gets married, she will love you just as she has before. Your grandmother, your uncle, and I will also continue to love you as we always have. Your life will not change."

Alu added, "The only difference is that we will have one more father in the house. And I will have one more brother-in-law. That’s better."

Chu Hanyan quickly chimed in, "There is also another difference: the brother will have an additional sister, and Uncle Chen will have an extra niece."

Those two children, one silly and the other astute.

Everyone began to laugh.

Dabao also smiled. Thinking to himself - as if these are the only differences. They fundamentally change everything. After the laughter, he put down his chopsticks and said, "Mother, I don’t feel well. I don’t want to eat anymore."

Chen Afu sighed, "Then don’t eat. Go back and rest. In the late afternoon, you don’t need to attend class. I will have someone ask for leave on your behalf."

Dabao rose from the bed and said, "Alright, I will go back to my room first. Enjoy your meal."

With his head down, he left the room.

Chu Hanyan wanted to follow him but was stopped by Chen Afu. Perhaps Dabao wanted some time alone. Better let him sort out his thoughts.

Chu Xiaoniu and Qiu Yue knew their little master was in a foul mood, so they dared not stay close to him, instead following him from a distance.

After returning to his room, Dabao bolted his door and lay in his bed with a quilt covering his head, whimpering and crying.

He heard the commotion during his class and knew that Daddy Chu was at Lu Garden to present the betrothal gifts.

In the recent days, his mother had told him many things. She explained that even though she was marrying, she still loved him, and his life would be even happier in the future.

Mom was going to the Capital City to get married to Daddy Chu. Not only couldn’t he accompany her but Yan’er was not allowed to accompany her either. Moreover, she had asked him to wait for them at home with Yan’er...

He knew that, whether he liked it or not, the day that he was afraid of was soon to arrive. His mother was getting married. She wouldn’t just be his mother anymore, but also Yan’er’s mother, Daddy Chu’s wife, Abbot Liao Chen’s daughter-in-law, and the granddaughter-in-law to old Master Chu...

In the future, his family will not consist of only him and his mother, but a whole new family. His mother’s closest person will no longer be him but Daddy Chu.

Was he not aware? He knew more than enough, even more so than Uncle Chen.

A husband and wife are a pair who will never separate. Even though his granny lived with his grandpa, they would never sleep together because Mrs. Hu was sleeping in the same room as grandpa. Likewise, his Aunt Hu was not sleeping in the same room as Uncle Agui, but rather with his wife, Mrs. Gao.

The thought of the sketch he made for his mother broke his heart even further. Afraid that his cry would be too loud, he decided to muffle himself with the quilt.

He knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold his mother’s hand forever. At some point, he would have to let go. The only person who could always hold his mother’s hand forever would be Daddy Chu.

He was aware that his mother’s love for him would never change, and that Daddy Chu was a good person. Nevertheless, he was not pleased with another man inserting himself in between him and his mother.

But he was not his mother’s son-in-law, nor was he her biological son, but just an orphan his grandmother found in the small woods! He had no qualifications to object, not even to be discontented.

His mother had been extremely kind to him, which was quite challenging. He had heard stories about a wicked woman in Shui Village that ended up crippling her step-son and knew that his own grandmother’s stepmother had sold her little brother for five taels of silver. Countless cruel women showed no mercy towards their non-biological sons, with the only exception being his mother, whose kindness and love towards him was innumerable.

He should be content and should not make his mother dislike him. In the future, he likewise should not make Daddy Chu dislike him...

When Chen Afu returned with Chu Hanyan to Fu Garden, she saw Qiu Yue standing by the window of the east wing bedroom, listening to the noise from inside.

Seeing Chen Afu return, Qiu Yue carefully approached and whispered, "Big Miss, I heard the young master crying under his quilt for a while. Now it’s quiet, he has probably fallen asleep."

Listening to this, Chen Afu felt a heart-wrenching pain. She sent Qiao’er and Chu Hanyan to the main room to rest, while she herself headed towards the east wing.