The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 325: Struck it Rich

Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Struck it Rich

Wang Yongfu, upon seeing his brother who hadn’t been home for years and hearing how concerned his brother was about his injury, was so happy that he cried, feeling a sense of relief in his heart. He patted Wang Yonggui’s shoulder, "Big brother’s leg is fine now, thanks to our little sister and the Song family brothers. It’s a long story. Laosan, it’s good that you’re back, really good..."

Wang Yongfu still had some brotherly affection for Wang Yonggui; mainly because Yongfu had a sweet mouth and could make people feel happy just by talking.

Moreover, Wang Yonggui knew how to behave himself. Whenever he returned from the town nearby, he would always bring little gifts for the whole family.

They weren’t worth much, but they made people feel good.

Otherwise, Wang Yonggui would be gone for a year and a half at a time. However, he remembered his brotherhood and took care of the wife and children left behind by Laosan.

Now, seeing Laosan return, Wang Yongfu was happy in his heart. Life at home was better now, and Laosan didn’t need to wander anymore.

In the past, Wang Yonggui’s excuse for going out was the family’s poverty. What success could come from scraping a living from the soil? One could only prevent starvation, and with so many people at home and the need to support the second child’s education, the expenses were too great.

He wanted to find an unconventional way to make some money and provide for the family.

At first, he would swindle some startup capital and mess around near the town; he would return home every month or two. The money he made was never seen, but at least he showed up.

Later, when he could no longer hang around in the town, his ambition grew, and he headed off to the county seat. After being cheated by Old Granny Zhang once, she held onto the money very tightly and wouldn’t budge, no matter how eloquently Wang Yonggui pleaded.

Out of options, he resorted to stealing Lady Jiang’s dowry and, eventually, to theft and blatant robbery.

Each time he left, he would swear to make a fortune and come back, but each time he returned, he looked worse than a beggar on the streets; evidently, he had suffered a great deal while away.

Now, with the family’s days improving and business opportunities arising, Laosan, who had the gift of gab, was there to help. The family, united in the mountain goods business, had no worries about the Wang family’s prosperity.

Besides, with Laosan no longer needing to go out and seek a living, staying at home to help, Lady Jiang and the children in the third household would probably be very pleased.

The whole family, living harmoniously and happily together—what could be better?

Wang Yonggui, unaware of Wang Yongfu’s thoughts, wiped his tears, felt his brother’s leg, and supported Wang Yongfu as he walked a few steps. Seeing no serious problem, he finally showed a relieved and settled expression.

"It’s good that nothing’s wrong! It’s good that there’s nothing wrong at home! It’s good that you’re all okay! Father, big brother, you don’t know how anxious I was when I heard that trouble had befallen our family and that you were paralyzed in bed. I really wished I could grow wings and fly back. My heart was in constant turmoil, as if it were being fried in a pan of oil. It’s just a pity I was too far away from home at the time. In my anxiety, I even broke out in blisters overnight. I regretted so much; if I had been home, I would never have let you and father suffer like this..."

The neighbors, gathered around to watch the excitement, all pricked up their ears to listen to the Wang family father and son, the brothers’ conversation. Hearing this, some of them laughed.

"Yo, Old Pillar, so it really is your Laosan who’s come back. Did he make a fortune this time out?"

"Your Laosan’s mouth is still as sweet as ever; even as a kid, his words were always honeyed."

"Isn’t that so? The Wang family is truly lucky these days. With everything so prosperous at home, even the prodigal Laosan could make a fortune!"

"I’d say what’s the use of you coming back early, Laosan? If it hadn’t been for your little sister, the Old Wang Family would have fallen apart long ago. Even if you came back, you’d just be suffering..."

Wang Yonggui’s heart stirred, but he wasn’t annoyed. He smiled and bowed to the people around, "Hello uncles, aunties, elder brothers, elder sisters, being away from home for so long makes me miss it, nothing feels right outside. Coming back and hearing all of you make fun of me, it sweetens my heart."

Meanwhile, he greeted familiar faces, "Uncle Dongzi, how’s your health? You still look very sturdy!"

"Oh, Xiao Yu, it seems like your squint has improved. You’re growing up to be quite handsome!"

"Aunt Er Ya, you seem to be getting younger and younger..."

After making his rounds of greetings, all the neighbors began to laugh.

Whether sincere or not, Wang Yonggui had the charm to make people feel comfortable with his words.

Even Wang Laozhu couldn’t help but let a smile creep up on his face.

Life at home had improved, and with Laosan back, they surely couldn’t let him go off to waste his life again.

The kids had grown up; it was time he acted like a father.

"Wang Laosan, looking all dapper, have you struck it rich somewhere?" one of the neighbors joked.

Wang Yonggui replied modestly, "Oh no, just scraping by, scraping by, barely making ends meet."

He didn’t want to talk much about that subject. Looking around, he pointed at the shed for receiving goods, "Dad, big brother, what are we doing here?"

After another glance, noticing the freshly received fox skins and various sundries on the table, it dawned on him, "When did our family start dealing in mountain goods?"

"That was your little sister’s idea. Your dad and I are getting old, and your brother’s leg, though it looks healed, certainly isn’t what it used to be; he can’t work the fields. With the whole family to support, what can we do but think about starting a small business..."

Seeing that people were all ears, Wang Laozhu covered his mouth, not mentioning it further, and reminded Wang Yonggui, "Why speak of this now? There’ll be plenty of time for that later. You scoundrel, you’re already at your own doorstep, why are you still rambling? Go meet your mother already, will you?"

Wang Yonggui blinked, smacking his forehead, "Oh right, my apologies everyone. I should go see my mother first, I’ve missed her so much after a year! We’ll catch up another day!" And with that, he bowed to everyone again.

He then started to show off in front of Wang Laozhu, "Out there, all I could think about was my mom and little sister. I remember my sister loves snacks, so this time I made sure to buy her several of her favorites..."

Wang Laozhu gave him a sidelong glance, torn between praising his no-good son for having a heart, remembering his mother and sister while away, and scolding him for being thoughtless—he had just voiced concern for his own father and brother, and now he had forgotten them already?

Wang Yonggui was just about to push the gate open when it creaked open on its own, and there stood Old Granny Zhang with a broom in hand. Wang Yonggui reflexively grinned, but Old Granny Zhang swung the broom at him right away.

As she hit him, she scolded, "You no-good wanderer, you scamp, didn’t you leave your soul outside? How dare you come back! What did you promise your old mother last time? That if you went away again you’d let her break your dog legs. And yet, no sooner had Shao Zi been born than you disappeared without a trace."

"Leaving behind your wife and children for your old mother to care for. What use was giving birth to you? Might as well have birthed a piece of cured meat! I’ve not enjoyed a single day of happiness because of you, always cleaning up your messes. Are you even human? Your wife had just given you a child, and you ran away at the drop of a hat. Even animals have more sense of family than you."