Father, what did my grandparents say?" Chen He asked when he saw Chen Shou Ren enter the house.
Chen Shou Ren sighed and said, "Your grandparents are helping Jing out."
Chen He said unhappily, "Father, Cousin Jing owes 100 taels of silver this time! A hundred taels! The entire family toils all year round in the field for only has 20 taels of income. Honestly, what does the whole family work so hard for?"
Chen Shou Ren sighed and said, "Your grandparents and the entire family all know this is unreasonable, but son, the reality is even though we thrust aside your cousin Jing and he isn't able to repay the money, those people won't leave us alone! They will force us to repay the money anyways!"
Chen He gritted his teeth as hatred flashed across his eyes.
…
Chen Jing's thrashing had provoked much discussion among the villagers.
Quite a few people in the village were curious what Chen Jing had done, why he was beaten up.
"Chen Jing seems to have borrowed 100 taels of silver from someone."
"It was said that it was originally fifty taels of usury, and it has become 100 taels within a few days."
"In a few days? 50 tales has become 100 tales?"
"What did Chen Jing do? To thing he actually owed so much money!"
"Is he addicted to gambling? There's a gambler in Big Wind Village who has gambled his parents' pension money!"
"Geez, 100 taels of silver. How can he repay it?"
"I heard that Chen Chun'er was also called back. The Chens are counting on Chun'er to chip in as well."
"Chen Chun'er has been married for so long. How can they expect her to chip in?"
"There's no other way. This is 100 taels after all!"
…
Tang felt so great when she heard that Chen Jing owed someone 100 taels. The Chen family and Lu family were originally two big families in the village, and they had been competing against each other secretly. A while ago, the Lu family had been in bad luck, while the Chen family was doing good. Tang felt very uncomfortable. So she gloated over what happened to Chen Jing and the entire Chen Family.
The focus the villagers had shifted from Lu Cheng Yu failed the exam to Chen Jing's debt.
"Cheng Yu, do you know why Chen Jing owes money?" Tang asked.
Lu Cheng Yu said carefully, "He may have gone on a crooked road."
Tang asked suspiciously, "A crooked road?"
Lu Cheng Yu nodded and said, "I heard that some con artist said her had the examination paper before our exam, this isn't the first time that someone comes up with this scam, Chen Jing probably fell for it and bought the fake exam paper."
Lu Cheng Yu had a mediocre classmate who loved to be in the limelight. He and that classmate had a drink two years ago, 'when wine is in, truth is out', that classmate inadvertently blurted out that this year was going to be his year, he was going to get the title od Xiucai for sure.
Lu Cheng Yu tricked the classmate to confess why he was so confident. The classmate said he had bought the examination paper, Lu Cheng Yu disdain the classmate's behavior but he had secretly checked the paper bought by the classmate in case he missed out.
After entering the examination compound, Lu Cheng Yu found that the paper bought by the classmate was fake.
That classmate was so indignant after the exam, and he would keep quiet whenever others ask him why he was so angry.
That classmate was conned, but he didn't dare to say anything. He swallowed the bitter fruit. But he was a young master from a rich family, 50 taels was nothing to him.
Lu Cheng Yu found that every year, there seemed to be people who fell for this old trick.
Lu Cheng Yu suspected that Chen Jing had fallen for the trick when he heard that Chen Jing owed 50 taels of usury in the beginning which had become 100 taels in a few days. He suspected that Chen Jing was in the trap.
When Tang heard Lu Cheng Yu's theory, she couldn't help but feel triumphant, she felt that Chen Jing was delusional and he shouldn't have that wishful thinking in the first place. Tang had completely forgotten that Lu Cheng Yu wished to take the shortcut in the exam when he married Li Fang Yue.
"I'm afraid the Chen family is going to have a hard time," Tang shook her head and thought to herself, 'The Chen family is probably going to sell land this time. During this period of time, it seems like many people in the village have made some money by building kangs and selling embroidery products, they all have the capital to buy land. If the Chen family wanted to sell the land, I wonder who is going to buy them.'
…
In Chen family.
Chen Jing groveled on bed, feeling terrified. He secretly cursed the person who sold him the fake examination paper.
"Father, when will my grandparents repay my debt for me?"
Chen Jing was beaten savagely two days ago. He was terrified when he thought about how those people threatened to chop his arm.
"Your grandparents are trying to figure out a way. Your third uncle has been obstructing it!" Chen Shou Xin and Chen Shou Ren had many complaints against each other.
Hatred flashed across Chen Jing's heart. Chen Shou Ren's attitude made Chen Jing angry.
"Why didn't you investigate properly? You just paid 50 taels of silver for a fake exam paper!" Although Chen Shou Xin felt sorry for his son, he was still angry that his son owed such a large sum of money.
Chen Jing's face darkened. He had blamed himself for over 1000 times already, but there was a reason why a con artist being called a con artist! That con artist was such an eloquent speaker, he told Chen Jing that he and the governor were close friends and he was only selling the paper because his family had experienced some mishap. He even had described all kinds of beautiful prospects for Chen Jing, convinced Chen Jing that he would become a Xiucai as long as he bought this paper and life would be wonderful once he became a Xiucai.
Lu Cheng Yu was also part of the reason why Chen Jing bought the fake paper. Because Lu Cheng Yu married Li Fang Yue, many people in the village thought that Lu Cheng Yu had got the exam in the bag this year, and Chen Jing was so anxious. When Chen Jing knew that he could know the examination questions in advance, he couldn't help but imagine how great it was going to be if he passed the exam and Lu Cheng Yu failed!
But the hard cold reality was neither of them had passed the exam.
Chen Shou Xin looked at Chen Jing and sighed, "That's a hundred taels they are asking for!" Chen Shou Xin had been a villager his entire life, 100 taels was an astronomical figure, but he had no choice but to save his son.
Grandma Chen sat on the bed and sobbed.
Grandpa Chen looked at her and impatiently, "Cut it out, why are you crying?"
"100 taels! How are we going to get you out of this debt?"
"Sell some farmland then."
Grandma Chen got so emotional, "How can we just sell the farmland so casually?" The Lu family had been selling farmland recently, and Grandma Chen had been laughing at them behind their back, but never had she expected that it would be her turn so soon.
"What else can we do if we don't sell the farmland?" Grandma Chen sighed.
Grandma Chen felt that the sky and earth were spinning round in front of her. They had to at least sell 10 mus of farmland for 100 taels of silver. Grandma Chen dreaded to think that they might be poor soon.
Grandpa Chen said sullenly, "What is Jing thinking? Falling for a scam like an idiot!"
Grandpa Chen always felt that Chen Jing was the brightest kid in the family. If anyone could bring glory to the family, it would definitely be Chen Jing. Therefore, Grandpa Chen favored Chen Jing since he was a kid, he had even allowed Chen Shou Xin and Grandma Chen to sell Xiao Cai for money years ago. Never has he expected Chen Jing to cause such a big mess for him.
Even though that was the case, he couldn't just refuse to save Chen Jing. Grandpa Chen had heard many people talking about Chen Xiao Mi recently.
Chen Xiao Mi was working in town now. Many people in the village relied on selling embroidery products to the store Sino Commercial House that Chen Xiao Mi worked at for money, so they had a high evaluation of Chen Xiao Mi. Grandpa Chen had mixed feelings when he heard Chen Xiao Mi, the grandson who he had kicked out, was doing great.
The Chen Clan Gathering
Chen Xiao Mi looked at Lu Lin, he puffed up his cheeks and said angrily, "You want me to lend some money to Chen Jing. No. I don't want to give him a cent."
'I have nothing to do with Chen Jing. Why do I need to help him out? I'm trying so hard to not to drop down a stone on him when he is down!'
"I heard Grandma Chen say that if you don't give him money, she will hang herself at our store." The farce in the Chen family became quite big, so the villagers liked to talk to Lu Lin when they came to deliver the embroidery products.
Chen Xiao Mi said with indifference, "If she wants to die, then die. See if I care."
Lu Lin said helplessly, "I know you don't care, as a matter of fact, neither do I. But we will be in trouble if she dies in our store."
Filial duty prevailed in this time and space. If Grandpa Chen really hanged herself in their store, others would not care about the truth and what previous grudges they had, they would accuse Chen Xiao Mi of being unfilial.
"She's just saying it. Don't I know her? In the past, when my father didn't listen to her, she would repeatedly attempt suicide. But that was all a show. Unfortunately, my father valued filial piety too much, he would just act at her beck and call even though it was at the cost of his own life."
Lu Lin rubbed his forehead and said, "You and the Chen family just have a verbal renouncement, and there is no conclusive evidence. This is an opportunity. You can ask them to write a renouncement letter. With the written letter, it will become a fact that you, Cai and Mai have nothing to do with them in the future, both parties should stay away from each other's life, they cannot harass us."
'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' One must observe the customs of a new place. Although Lu Lin found filial duty stupid, he decided to endure it now that he couldn't change the environment.
The Sino Commercial House belonged to Chen Xiao Mi on the document, and Lu Lin had been worried that the matter would be exposed sooner or later. Once it was exposed, it would definitely cause a great disturbance.
Chen Xiao Mi thought about it and said, "100 taels is too much."
Lu Lin pouted and said, "Of course, it doesn't have to be 100 taels. If we just give them the money too easily, they will inevitably take advantage of that and ask for more. Take this opportunity to dispose of our house in the village, what do you say?"
Chen Xiao Mi frowned and asked, "Do you want to sell our house in the village?"
Lu Lin nodded, "Yeah! We don't live in the village any more, it doesn't make sense to keep an empty house."
Lu Lin had been to the village house a few times and found that there were some suspicious marks. Some people must have sneaked into their house while they were away.
"We spent a lot of money on our house! It's a pity to sell it," Chen Xiao Mi muttered.
Chen Xiao Mi blinked. He and Lu Lin had spent a lot of effort to repair the house.
Lu Lin sighed and said, "If we stay in town, someone else in the village will definitely break into our house."
Chen Shou Ren had two sons, Chen He and Chen Qu. Chen He, the elder son, seemed to have reached marriageable age.
Their village house was hotly pursued by Chen Shou Ren. He didn't make a move at the moment, but as time went by, it was possible for Chen Shou Ren to take forcible possession of the house. And there was nothing they could do, they all lived in town now, no way would they had time to deal with the Chens.
Grandma Chen surely would make a scene, Lu Lin didn't want to have anything to do with that old woman, what if she fell on the ground and accused Lu Lin or Xiao Mi of pushing her.
There was too much drama in the village. Neither the Lu family nor the Chen family was easy to deal with, and Lu Lin did not like the lifestyle of village that much.
Lu Lin pondered it for a while and thought they better sell the house now to avoid trouble.
Chen Xiao Mi scratched his head. The village house was a retreat for him. Chen Xiao Mi still felt a little reluctant to say goodbye to the house.
" Let me think about it," Chen Xiao Mi said, then he thought to himself, 'I wish I hadn't worked so hard on that house, the renovation, the new room, the veggie patch… …'
…
Granny Shen was surprised to know that Lu Lin wanted to sell the village house.
" Lin! Are you guys so tight on cash?" Granny Shen asked.
Lu Lin shook his head and said, "No, Gran, it's just that we have no plan of moving back to the village, so it's a waste to leave it empty."
Granny Shen nodded in agreement, "That makes sense, Lin, if you and Mi need a place to stay in the village, you can live in my house."
Lu Lin nodded and said, "Thank you so much, Gran."
Granny Shen hesitated for a moment and said, "Lin! This is Chen Jing who owes money. It has nothing to do with you guys."
The news that Chen Jing owed money had already spread to Granny Shen's ears.
This was a topic that most villagers liked to talk about at the moment. Recently, when the villagers came to deliver the embroidery products, they liked to sound Granny Shen out first. They wanted to know if Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi would help Chen Jing, if they would, how much money they were willing to give Chen Jing. Many people sighed at what had happened to the Chen family.
Lu Lin nodded and said, "Granny, I know. But the thing is they won't leave us alone if we don't offer some money, I don't intend to satisfy their reasonable demand, I will give them 50 taels tops."
Lu Lin narrowed his eyes and was speechless in his heart. He thought to himself, 'Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen are really biased! Chen Jing has caused such a big disaster, and the two of them are willing to clean up the mess for him. But they forced Xiao Mi's father to venture his life in the deep mountain, and they had sold Xiao Mai for money!'
…
Chen Xiao Mi pondered for a while. He agreed with Lu Lin, the Chens would visit him sooner or later about Chen Jing's matter. However, if the Chen family didn't look for him, he would pretend he didn't know anything.
Soon there came the news that the Chen Clan Leader wanted to see Chen Xiao Mi in the ancestral hall.
"The Chen Clan Leader is looking for me?"
"The Clan Leader?" Lu Lin scratched his head. The Clan Leader was very powerful, Xiao Mi was supposed to respect the Clan Leader and do what he is told. However, they were now living in town, the Clan Leader couldn't force them to do anything.
Chen Xiao Mi had no idea what the Chen family had done to convince the Clan Leader to interfere. The Clan Leader had a high virtue and a glorious name, and he had secluded himself from society for a long time.
"The Chen family is holding a clan meeting in the ancestral hall," Chen Xiao Mi pouted, and his respect for the Clan Leader was limited.
Lu Lin frowned and said, "A clan meeting in the ancestral hall? Grandma Chen surely has drawn in a lot of people!"
Chen Xiao Mi narrowed his eyes and said, "Grandpa Chen must have bribed the Clan Leader." Most of the people in the village were people who only minded their own business. The more Chen Xiao Mi thought about it, the more he was sure that Grandpa Chen had bribed the Clan Leader.
"It is very possible," Lu Lin thought to himself 'The Clan Leader is a grand old man, but he is a human being, I won't be surprised that if he takes bribes.'
…
The news that the Chen family was about to hold a clan gathering spread across the village.
The villagers were very curious about the Chen Clan gathering.
"Why is there suddenly a clan gathering?"
"It's probably because of Chen Jing. Chen Jing has borrowed so much money and that needs to be solved."
"Why does Chen Jing owe so much money? Grandma Chen said that Chen Jing was conned by some people, but she couldn't explain it in detail."
"Let me tell you, but you need to promise me that you won't tell others! Chen Jing used that money to buy fake exam papers, that's why!"
"Fake exam papers?"
…
The villagers who had heard that were greatly frightened.
It had been a long time since the Lu family and the Chen family had been holding a grudge against each other, so Tang had spread her son's theory as the truth.
…
The next day.
Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin went to the village together and went straight to the ancestral hall of the Chen family.
"Xiao Mi, you're here."
"Brother Xiao Mi, long time no see."
The Chen clan held a clan gathering and many other clansmen came to watch.
Chen Xiao Mi had been living in town. Rumor had it that he saved the boss of the Sino Commercial House and got a job there. Quite a few people in the village were relying on Sino Commercial House to make money, so as soon as Chen Xiao Mi appeared, a lot of them greeted him warmly.
As soon as Chen Xiao Mi entered the hall, he saw a lot of elders in the clan.
Grandma Chen looked Chen Xiao Mi up and down with sharp eyes.
Chen Xiao Mi wore a light blue robe and his hair was tied up with a hairpin, he looked so handsome.
In Grandma Chen's impression, Chen Xiao Mi was just a punk in tattered clothes. Looking at Chen Xiao Mi's change, she felt very upset.
The space in the ancestral hall was limited. There were only a few elders in the clan who could sit and the others could only stand.
Chen Xiao Mi was one of the younger kids in the clan and naturally he could only stand.
"Xiao Mi, I heard you've made a fortune in town!" Chen Qi, who was sitting aside, looked at Chen Xiao Mi and called Xiao Mi.
Chen Qi was 70 years old. The villagers all respected him as 'the god of longevity', he was invited to attend this gathering.
Chen Xiao Mi replied casually, "Elder Chen Qi, you are flattering me. I'm just lucky enough to work for my boss and earn a wage."
"Xiao Mi, you should have heard about your cousin's matter. After all, you are a family member and blood is thicker than water. You are the only one who can help your cousin this time," the Clan Leader Chen Ding looked at Chen Xiao Mi and said.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at the Clan Leader and said with indifference, "I don't understand what you have just said, Clan Leader. Did something happen to Cousin Jing? I doubt it, Cousin Jing is privileged enough to read books and get education at school, unlike me, who had been hunting for a living. I don't think Cousin Jing will ever need my help, it doesn't make sense, right?"
Grandpa Chen sighed, "Xiao Mi! Your cousin is in big trouble this time. You can't just leave him alone and let him be!"
Lu Lin frowned when he heard this. Grandpa Chen was too biased. He directly accused Chen Xiao Mi of being heartless.
Lu Lin chimed in, "Grandpa Chen is Cousin Jing going to die? Is he critically ill? I think you need to send for doctors instead if me and Mi!"
Grandma Chen heard what Lu Lin had just said and suddenly exploded. "Shut up, who do you think you are! "
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Grandma Chen and said, "Ah, grandmother, you certainly look well! Cousin Jing must be fine, otherwise you will be too worried to raise a ruckus, so I don't have to worry about Cousin Jing."
The Clan Leader glared at Grandma Chen and said angrily, "Keep quiet."
The Clan Leader frowned. They called Chen Xiao Mi over in the hope of asking him to help out. Everyone was surprised that Grandma Chen still assumed great airs.
The Clan Leader could tell that Chen Xiao Mi was playing dumb. Chen Ding didn't believe that Chen Xiao Mi hadn't heard what happened to Chen Jing. However, the Clan Leader was at the end of his rope when Chen Xiao Mi played dumb.
"Your cousin owes someone 100 taels. We are holding this clan gathering in the hope of you helping him get out of debt. Otherwise, those people will probably take Jing's life!"
Chen Xiao Mi said unhappily, "Clan Leader, I just had a baby, I'm really struggling to support my own child, how do I have extra money to give Cousin Chen Jing?"
When Grandma Chen heard Chen Xiao Mi talking about his baby, she felt a little disdainful. 'You baby is just a useless Bio!' In Grandma Chen's opinion, a Bio baby was unworthy. But she didn't say it out loud for fear that Chen Xiao Mi would be offended.
Grandpa Chen glared at Grandma Chen angrily, he knew what his wife was thinking. But the situation was they were begging Chen Xiao Mi to help out, they couldn't afford to offend him, they literally could not.
The Renouncement Letter
"Clan Leader, why would Cousin Jing owe someone 100 taels? Is there some misunderstanding?" Chen Xiao Mi asked.
Clan Leader Chen Ding was not sure why Chen Jing owed 100 taels of silver. Grandma Chen just said that Chen Jing was conned, but she refused to explain it in detail. There were more rumors in the village that Chen Jing was addicted to gambling.
What the Clan Leader was sure was Chen Jing did owe money, and if he might be beaten to death if he couldn't return the money on time.
There were already many people in the village who knew that Chen Jing owed money because of the fake exam paper. However, everyone was tacitly hiding it from the Chen Clan Leader, so Chen Ding was still kept in the dark.
Grandma Chen said angrily, "Why do you care so much? You need to give us the silver. If you don't, I'll hang myself at your store tomorrow."
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Grandma Chen and said, "When you forced my father to venture his life in the deep mountain, you said the same thing. In the blink of an eye, my father has been dead for so many years, and you are still alive and kicking. Grandmother, if you want to hang yourself because of Cousin Jing, who am I to stop you?"
There were many villagers who were in the ancestral hall watching the Clan Gathering.
As soon as Chen Xiao Mi said this, some villagers from other clans burst into laughter. Grandma Chen was so angry that she shivered. "You, you…"
"Your grandmother is talking nonsense," Grandpa Chen came out to smooth things over, "Xiao Mi, help me. I know you are doing so great now, we are really struggling, please help us!"
"Everyone is responsible for their own business. Chen Jing is the one who created this disaster. Naturally, he is responsible for it. Why are you holding this gathering and forcing me to help him?" Chen Xiao Mi replied.
"Your cousin Chen Jing, he is just a poor student. He doesn't have any savings, it's our family who has been supporting him, but you are already working, two taels of silver per month, so capable," said Chen Shou Xin.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Chen Shou Xin and said, "Uncle, I'm so flattered!" Didn't you used to say that Cousin Jing would bring glory to our family, me and my brothers were just burdens?!"
Chen Shou Xin knelt in front of Chen Xiao Mi and said, "Xiao Mi! In the past, I've said a lot of wrong things, but please have mercy! If you don't help us this time, we won't be able to survive."
"Uncle, didn't you say that hunting can bring in some quick cash when you forced my father to do it? If you go into the mountain now and hunt a few bears, surely you can bring in enough silver to repay the debt," Chen Xiao Mi's lips curled.
"You uncle is not a hunter, how can he venture his life in the mountain? You bastard, do you want your uncle to die?" Grandma Chen broke out into curses.
"The first step is always difficult. My father wasn't a hunter either, but he still did it, didn't he?" Chen Xiao Mi said coldly.
The villagers couldn't help but talk about that story. Back then, Grandma Chen complained of being hard up and forced Chen Xiao Mi's father to venture his life in the mountain despite the fact that he was no hunter.
Grandma Chen looked at Chen Xiao Mi with hatred, she was angry at Chen Xiao Mi for raking up the past.
"Xiao Mi! Forget about the past, you are leading a great life now, that what matters," Chen Ding chimed in.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Chen Ding and said, "Clan Leader, I really don't have money. Isn't this gathering all about Cousin Jing? How come I don't see him anywhere?"
Chen Xiao Mi felt disdainful in his heart. Chen Jing hid behind others like a coward and benefited from other people's hard work.
"Your cousin is now bedridden, he got beaten up, Xiao Mi! Please pity your cousin," Chen Shou Xin sighed.
Lu Lin looked at Chen Shou Xin with disbelief, he knew his person was extremely cruel and merciless. It was him who sold Xiao Cai back then, but now he was bowing to Mi, surely he was able to stoop or stand erect at his will.
Lu Lin looked at Chen Ding and pretended to be confused. "Clan Leader, so Cousin Jing is not going to show up at this gathering held for him?"
Chen Ding frowned and looked a little embarrassed. The clan gathering was usually a discussion of important matters in the whole clan, and this time, the gathering was to discuss private matters of Chen Jing, and Chen Jing was hiding in his own house.
Chen Ding originally did not intend to hold a clan gathering for this matter, but Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen kept begging him and he didn't have the heart to decline his old friends.
"So Cousin Jing is now in trouble, we are here to offer advice and suggestions, right? Clan Leader, I understand the fire burns high when everybody adds wood to it, so how much silver are going to contribute?" asked Chen Xiao Mi.
Chen Ding's face darkened, so did the other elders.
Chen Ding only promised Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen that he would help to persuade Chen Xiao Mi to open his wallet, but he didn't intend to chip in.
Chen Shou Xin who was kneeling on the ground was in an awkward position for Chen Xiao Mi ignored him, he had no idea whether he should pick himself up from the ground or keep kneeling on the ground.
"Xiao Mi, you have been independent for years, but you are a Chen, your family is really having a hard time now," an elder from the Chen clan tried to smooth things over.
Chen Xiao Mi pouted and said, "My eldest Cousin has a son, right? Why not sell that kid? He could be worth a few taels of silver."
"You bastard, what nonsense are you talking about?" Grandma Chen fumed.
Chen Xiao Mi showed a cold smile. When his father died, his uncle Chen Shou Xin planned to sell Cai and Mai in the name of 'for their own good'. "My Uncle knows it the best, just like when he tried to sell Cai and Mai, we are selling this kid for his own good, otherwise he will be starved to death."
Most people in the village knew what happened in the past, and when they heard Chen Xiao Mi mention it, they could not help but feel 'what comes around goes around'.
Chen Shou Xin lowered his head, anger simmered inside him, but he couldn't talk back.
"Xiao Mi! Let's forget the past, like I said earlier, you are leading a great life now, Chen Jing is your cousin, you need to help him," Chen Ding chimed in.
Chen Xiao Mi pouted. Chen Jing had never regarded him as a cousin.
"I don't have money, but I have a house in the village, I spent 10 tales buying it, then I did some renovation and built one more room, now it is worth at least 20 taels, I can sell it at a reasonable price." Chen Xiao Mi said.
"No, you can't sell that house," Grandma Chen retorted suddenly.
Grandma Chen had sneaked into Chen Xiao Mi's house a few times already. Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin had been staying in town. Grandma Chen had long regarded the house as hers. She just waited for a suitable opportunity to pry open the lock and move in.
Chen Ding glanced at Grandma Chen and said to Xiao Mi, " You don't even have a place to live in the village if you sell it. Think about it."
The Clan Leader was worried what if Chen Xiao Mi lost his job in town, he would be homeless if he sold the house.
Chen Ding thought that Chen Xiao Mi was rich, and he felt sorry for Chen Jing, so he thought Chen Xiao Mi who was earning 2 tales of silver per month should make generous contributions to help Chen Jing out.
Rumor had it that Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin had commissions from selling products in the store, so Chen Ding was convinced that they were rich.
However, when he heard Chen Xiao Mi say that he wanted to sell the house, the Clan Leader felt that he shouldn't force a Bio like this.
After all, Chen Xiao Mi still had two younger brothers and a baby son.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at the Clan Leader and felt a little strange. Chen Xiao Mi knew very well that Grandma Chen didn't want him to sell the house because she wanted to take forcible possession of it, but the Clan Leader was doing it in case he ended up homeless.
Chen Xiao Mi suddenly felt that the Clan Leader didn't lose all his conscience.
What Chen Xiao Mi just said provoked an uproar from the onlookers.
"Chen Xiao Mi wants to sell his house!"
"Is Chen Xiao Mi really not rich?"
" Chen Xiao Mi has two brothers and a baby to support after all."
…
Grandma Chen bitterly regretted stopping Chen Xiao Mi from selling the house.
Grandma Chen had long regarded Chen Xiao Mi's house as hers. So she subconsciously rejected selling 'her' house on hearing Chen Xiao Mi's suggestion.
However, on a second thought, Grandma Chen realized that house was not hers, but the silver from selling the house would be hers.
"Sell the house, sell it," Grandma Chen corrected herself.
The villagers gazed at each other in speechless despair whispered to each other.
The villagers soon figured out what Grandma Chen was up to and they looked at Grandma Chen with a sneer.
Chen Ding looked at Grandma Chen angrily. "Keep your mouth shut before you make up your mind!"
Grandma Chen lowered her head after being scolded by Chen Bai. It was hard for her to convince the Clan Leader to hold this gathering, she didn't want to offend him.
"Xiao Mi, I agree. You don't live in this house anyways, it's a good idea to sell it," Grandpa Chen said.
Grandpa Chen noticed many villagers looked at him with a strange expression after he said that.
Grandpa Chen had no choice. What Chen Jing owed was not a few taels of silver, but one hundred taels.
Chen Xiao Mi's house was in great condition after the renovation. They would get a good price for it.
"Even if the house is worth twenty taels, there is still eighty taels left!" Grandma Chen said.
Chen Ding said angrily, "I can't let Xiao Mi repay all the money for Chen Jing."
The reason why Chen Ding agreed to hold the gathering was twofold, Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen went on and on about how poor they were, plus he secretly disliked Xiao Mi for his reputation.
However, seeing how Grandma Chen forced Xiao Mi to take the whole responsibility, he felt that they had gone too far. There were so many people in the Chen family, it didn't make sense to force someone who lived separately for so many years to take all the responsibilities.
Chen Ding felt like he needed to uphold justice.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Chen Ding and said, "Apart from the house, I can offer ten taels more, but I have a request…"
Chen Ding asked, "What request?"
"Renouncement Letter, I want to sign a Renouncement Letter. From now on, the Chen family and I will be strangers. If anything happens to the Chen family, if someone died or broke a leg, they shall not bother me. Likewise, my life has nothing to do with them. Please witness the renouncement letter, Clan Leader."
Grandma Chen looked at Chen Xiao Mi and said excitedly, "Clan Leader, he cursed my family! I can't believe I have such a grandson!"
"My father died because of you, and you are complaining about me. Aren't you afraid that he will come back to haunt you at night?" Chen Xiao Mi said disdainfully.
Chen Ding's face darkened. He vaguely felt that Chen Xiao Mi's words were too unpleasant, but thinking about Chen Xiao Mi's reputation, he wasn't that surprised to hear that.
Chen Ding looked at Chen Xiao Mi and said, "Xiao Mi! Is that really necessary?"
"If they don't sign the letter, they won't get one tael of silver from me. Clan Leader, you open your purse to help Chen Jing if you don't think that's necessary," said Chen Xiao Mi in a fearless way.
Chen Xiao Mi thought to himself, 'Everyone in the village knows I have renounced that family, but they still force me to give them money now, this is all because I have no written evidence!'
Chen Ding was indignant, no way would he give money to Chen Jing.
It didn't occur to Chen Ding that Chen Xiao Mi had nothing to do with Chen Jing either.
"If you want a Renouncement Letter, fine, but you need to give us 30 tales of silver besides the house!" Grandma Chen gritted her teeth.
Thirty taels plus the house, that was about 50 taels.
"Thirty!" The onlookers were shocked.
Chen Xiao Mi stared at Grandma Chen for a while and said, "Okay."
Grandma Chen felt she should have asked for more when Chen Xiao Mi said okay without a frown. Grandpa Chen shot a warning look at her and she shut her mouth.
Many villagers felt that Chen Xiao Mi had suffered great loss this time, they thought the Chen family had gone too far. It was Chen Jing who caused a disaster but Chen Xiao Mi was the one who had suffered.
Chen Xiao Mi was a Bio. It was not easy for him to support his family, and now he had to sell his house.
A few onlookers talked loudly that the Chens were so despicable. Grandma Chen didn't care what they were saying. All Grandma Chen had in her mind was Chen Jing was saved, they could cover the other 50 taels by themselves, Chen Jing didn't need to be beaten up again.
A Real Mess
Chen Xiao Mi and the Chen family officially signed the Renouncement Letter under the witness of the Clan Leader and the other elders.
The Renouncement Letter stipulated that Chen Xiao Mi had renounced the Chen Family at the cost of 30 taels of silver and a house. The Chen family shall stay away from Chen Xiao Mi and his two brothers.
Grandma Chen was thrilled that she got 30 tales of silver and a house, but she knew her family had become a laughingstock in the village.
It had been a long time since such a thing happened in this family. Many onlookers enjoyed the scene.
Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi left Big Stone Village after they got the letter.
Lu Lin looked at the letter and said, "With this thing, it doesn't matter if Grandma Chen really hung herself at our store."
Chen Xiao Mi said sullenly, "At the cost of 50 taels of silver."
Chen Xiao Mi felt that this letter was too pricy.
Chen Xiao Mi entrusted his house to the Clan Leader.
Lu Lin glanced at Chen Xiao Mi and said, "Sometimes, some investments are necessary, come on now, we should celebrate this."
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "A few days ago, the hooligans who practiced usury in town said Chen Jing owed them 100 taels. However, it has been a few days and I'm afraid it's more than 100 taels now."
Lu Lin nodded and said, "Yeah! This interest of usury develops like a snowball, many families have ruined due to that."
However, it had nothing to do with them now that they had got the Renouncement Letter.
…
In Lu family.
Grandma Lu said sullenly, "Chen Xiao Mi sold his house and gave Grandma Chen thirty taels of silver. This Grandma Chen is really shameless."
Grandma Lu interspersed her talk with curses, she wasn't feeling sorry for Chen Xiao Mi though, she just wished it was her who got the money.
Thirty taels of silver! Recently, the Lu family wasn't doing great, even one tael of silver was hard to get. Previously, Grandma Lu had even asked her son Lu An to do corvee, which had caused Lu An to feel extremely resentful.
In order to repay Chen Jing's debt, Chen Xiao Mi gave them 30 taels at once. This really made Grandma Lu feel as if a knife were being twisted in her heart!
In Grandma Lu's opinion, Chen Xiao Mi's silver was Lu Lin's silver. Lu Lin's silver was supposed to be hers. How could they give it to the Chen family just like that?
Grandma Lu felt so indignant that she walked out of her house and spread the word that the Chens were shameless, they asked a Bio who had renounced them to repay Chen Jing's debt, and the reason why Chen Jing was in debt was because he bought fake exam papers.
Chen Jing owed 100 taels of silver. It was an astronomical figure in the eyes of the villagers.
The villagers were also curious about why Chen Jing owed so much money. The Chens had never come up with a reasonable explanation, the villagers had become more curious.
Grandma Lu's 'inside story' had provoked an uproar among the villagers.
In fact, Tang had exposed the "inside information" in a sneaky way before, but she did it in a subtle way, there were still many people who hadn't heard it.
Grandma Lu did it differently, she gave enormous publicity to it, soon the news had spread across the entire village.
Cheating in the imperial examination was a crime, not only would the offender be banned from taking the exam for life, but also the offender would be sentenced.
Grandma Chen tried so hard to hide it, and she was furious when she found out all the villagers had known the truth.
However, the Chen family was busy getting Chen Jing out of debt, so they had no time to settle scores with the Lu family.
In the end, Chen Xiao Mi's house was sold for seventeen taels. Because they were selling it in a hurry, no one offered a high price.
Grandma Chen got 47 taels from Chen Xiao Mi in total.
Grandma Chen took out her entire saving, 20 taels of silver from the bottom of her case, and they were still 30 taels short. They sold 3 mus of farmland for that.
"Why is Chen Xiao Mi's house only sold for seventeen taels?" Grandma Chen said unhappily.
"It's sold in a hurry, that's why." Grandpa Chen said.
"This house was sold to the Clan Leader's nephew! I think he took a kickback," Grandma Chen said sullenly.
Grandpa Chen sighed and said, "Alright, let's keep it to ourselves, don't complain this to anyone!"
Grandma Chen said angrily, "Yes, yes, everyone in the village is looking at me as a joke. The Lu family sold their farmland for nine taels of silver per mu. When it came to me, those people are only willing to pay six taels per mu. Isn't that bullying?"
Grandpa Chen took a deep breath. He knew he could have sold the farmland for a better price, but the interest of the usury was scary, he wanted to repay the debt as soon as possible!
Grandpa Chen felt reluctant to part with the farmland he purchased when he was young, but he had no choice.
Grandma Chen estimated that she could ask her daughter to give her 10 taels of silver thus she could scrape 100 taels.
Chen Chun'er was tricked back to the Chen family last time. She went back home after she gave them 200 cents.
In Chen Chun'er's opinion, the Chen family was a bottomless pit that could never be filled. She couldn't believe her parents still wished to leech on her.
"I don't think Chun'er will ever come back," Grandma Chen said sullenly.
Chen Chun'er thought Grandpa Chen was critically ill and visited them last time, Grandma Chen didn't think she would fall for the same trick again. "I think this girl will stay away from us. It's impossible to expect her to give us money. Let's go to her house."
Grandpa Chen looked hesitant, " Chun'er married butcher."
Grandma Chen toughened up and said, "So what she married a butcher? Chun'er is my daughter. Chun'er has been married for so many years, she rarely visited us or sent us any presents."
Grandpa Chen thought about how difficult it was at home and said, "Then I'll find a few people to go with us together."
When the Chen family and their group arrived at Chen Chun'er's house, her husband was butchering a pig.
The butcher disemboweled the pig with a machete, he was covered all over with blood.
Butcher Zhang was ferocious looking in the first place, and now he was covered in blood. His look had frightened the villagers who accompanied Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen.
Butcher Zhang then started chopping the pig with a three feet long knife. Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen who were here seeking gratuitous financial help took their heels on seeing that.
…
The news that Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen went to their daughter's for money only to be scared away by their son-in-law had spread throughout the village, and the villagers disdained them even more.
"This Grandpa Chen bullies the weak and fears the strong. I heard that he almost peed himself on seeing his son-in-law's long knife."
"I heard that Chun'er's husband told them he had no silver, but he could consider giving them a piece of meat, ahaha. But Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen dared not take any meat from him!"
"They shouldn't have bothered Chun'er in the first place, they forced Chun'er to marry that butcher and now they wanted Chun'er to give them 10 taels of silver! It's unreasonable to bother a married daughter for their grandson!"
"Honestly, it was Chen Jing who caused this but he was nowhere to see. This person is a coward."
"That's right! He usually looks like a real man, but now he is showing his true colors."
" I don't know why Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen dote on Chen Jing so much."
"…"
The Chen family sold another mu of farmland. However, the debt had risen to 105 taels due to the delay. Grandma Chen directed a torrent of abuse when she heard that, but those hooligans were not to be trifled with.
The moment a few hired roughnecks appeared at their house, Grandma Chen muted herself. She had to try her luck from house to house and borrowed several taels of silver in the end.
The Chen family took out all of their savings, they had sold 5 mus of farmland, they needed a long time to recover.
Chen Shou Xin and Chen Shou Ren had completely fallen out.
Although Grandpa Chen had saved Chen Jing's life, he was completely disappointed with Chen Jing and didn't want to send Chen Jing to school again.
"The Chen family really did it! They managed to scrape over 50 tales within such a short period of time!"
"Yeah! However, they will have a hard life after selling five mus of farmland."
"They have so much money in hand. But they wanted to sell Chen Xiao Cai and Chen Xiao Mai for money, how could they! When Chen Xiao Mi and his brothers left the Chen family, they slept in the cave!"
"The Chen family originally wanted to ask their married daughter Chun'er to chip in as well, but Chun'er's husband had scared them away."
"Chun'er's husband is a butcher, very ferocious. I heard that the day when Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen visited them, the butcher was chopping a pig. The two elders took to their heels without saying a word."
"Chen Xiao Mi sold his house. Is he planning not to go back to the village?"
…
The villagers originally sympathized with the Chen family because of the unexpected trouble, but when they saw that they had managed to repay the debt, they felt jealous.
…
In Chen family.
"Father, Chen Xiao Mi sold the house, right?" Chen He asked.
Chen Shou Ren nodded, "Yeah! To the Clan Leader's nephew."
Chen He said excitedly, "Father, Grandmother promised me to get me that house."
Chen Shou Ren was also a little upset. "It's Chen Jing's cousin's fault, there's nothing we can do."
Chen He said angrily, "It's too unfair. Grandfather and grandmother are too biased. Why didn't Jing solve the problem by himself?"
Chen He and a girl from a neighboring village had fallen in love, they had been talking about getting married. However, the girl's parents had postponed it after they heard of Chen Jing's affair. In fact, even if the girl's parents agreed to proceed with the discussion, Chen He couldn't offer any betrothal present.
Originally, Grandpa Chen had promised Chen He to give him 8 taels of silver for betrothal present, but now the 8 taels all went to repay Chen Jing's debt.
Chen Shou Ren looked at his son and felt a little apologetic, but it was what it was.
Chen Shou Ren was also anxious about his son's marriage. Many girls were willing to betrothed with his son before this scandal, but they all had changed their mind after the Chen Family sold 5 mus of farmland.
Chen Shou Ren was worried about his son's marriage and hated Chen Jing more, his son would pass the marriageable age soon.
A Disastrous Decline
In Chen family.
Grandma Chen looked at her empty purse and sighed, "Why is my life so bitter?"
Before this, she was in a hurry to solve the problem for Chen Jing, she didn't really have time and energy to reflect on the consequence. Now that the matter was settled, Grandma Chen started to get sentimental.
50 taels was not a small sum. Grandma Chen had contributed all her savings. She looked at the absolutely empty purse and felt the heaven was revolving and the earth was spinning.
Grandma Chen used to dote on Chen Jing the most, but now she was angry at Chen Jing. She felt Feeling that Chen Jing was too stupid to be pardoned, how come he actually borrowed usury from those hooligans. What was more, he could have had confessed it earlier, thus they didn't have to repay so much interest. If Chen Jing had confessed earlier, they didn't have to sell 5 mus of farmland.
Grandpa Chen puffed on his pipe in silence, he had aged within a few days.
Grandma Chen looked at Grandpa Chen and said, " What are you going to do? How can we survive this?"
Grandma Chen sighed, "We really need to work hard now! At this moment, everyone is busy with sowing seeds. Let Jing get ready for farm work, he is so young, no way we can let him just sit idle at home." Grandpa Chen was mentally and physically exhausted.
Grandma Chen exclaimed, "Let Jing do farm work? But Jing is going to be a big official one day!"
Chen Jing was mediocre on his academic work, but he was very good at coaxing people. Chen Jing often talked about passing the imperial exam and becoming an official, Grandma Chen was convinced that Chen Jing would make her twilight years happy.
Grandpa Chen pulled a long face, "Enough, we've supported him for so many years, but look at him now! If he carries on like this, you and me will die with anger soon! There are only 10 mus of farmland left, let's work hard from now on, otherwise we will live in poverty forever. Other family members will complain if we support Jing to go to school."
Grandma Chen let out a sigh on thinking this whole thing, her husband was right, Chen Jing only had himself to blame. "Okay, the thing that bothers me is Chen Xiao Mi must still have money, I should have asked for more from him."
Grandma Chen was testing water when she asked for 30 taels, she deeply regretted it when Chen Xiao Mi said yes without hesitation.
Grandpa Chen sighed and said, "We have signed the Renouncement Letter already. Stop thinking this nonsense."
Grandpa Chen was actually very satisfied that Chen Xiao Mi was willing to give them 30 taels, he thought that must be all he had. Even though many people in the village said that Chen Xiao Mi had made a lot of money in town, Grandpa Chen was skeptical about that. Chen Xiao Mi was a Bio and Grandpa Chen despised Bios.
Even though Chen Xiao Mi was earning a good salary, he had only been doing that job for a short while.
Grandpa Chen was convinced that 30 taels of silver must be all Chen Xiao Mi had in hand.
The only thing that was bothering Grandpa Chen was the Renouncement Letter, dep down he didn't want to renounce any family member, but it had already happened.
…
Chen Ding had been in a bad mood recently.
Chen Xiao Mi entrusted him with the task of selling the village house to avoid trouble. Chen Ding sold the house for 17 taels, which was already quite a lot considering they wanted to sell the house as soon as possible. However, Grandma Chen thought that he had taken a kickback, the house was worth a whole lot more.
The villagers thought that Chen Ding had taken bribes from Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen and held that Clan Gathering to force Chen Xiao Mi. In private, the villagers all felt sorry for Chen Xiao Mi who was so strong and independent, they all judged Chen Ding for taking Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen's side and forcing Chen Xiao Mi to sell his house. The disaster was obviously caused by Chen Jing, but Chen Jing didn't seem to be affected at all.
Chen Ding felt so wronged, but everyone thought he had gained extra advantage by unfair means.
"Father, you shouldn't have gotten involved with Chen Jing's matter. It's just a waste of time. Grandma Chen claimed that this house could be sold for at least twenty taels, but she has only got seventeen taels, you have taken three taels as kickback." said Chen Yang.
Chen Ding sighed and said, "Son, I didn't expect their family to be like this."
"Father, Chen Jing borrowed usury to buy the fake exam papers for the Spring Imperial Examination. If the government knew about this, everyone would be in trouble, including us," Chen Yang said sullenly.
In this time and space, innocent people would be punished for being related to someone who committed an offence. If Chen Jing was caught cheating, the entire Chen clan would no longer be able to attend the exam.
Chen Ding frowned and asked, "Are you sure?"
Chen Yang shook his head and said, "I don't know, but all the villagers are talking about this. Some villagers try to hide this from us Chens, but how can it be done, everyone else is talking about it! I think it's true considering how Grandma Chen couldn't give us an explanation."
Chen Ding's face darkened and he said, "Chen Jing is too stupid." Chen Ding originally thought that Chen Jing was in debt due to gambling. There were cases where the villagers were conned by the professional gamblers in the casinos in town.
…
In Chen family.
Chen Jing complained to Chen Shou Xin, "Father, Grandfather wants me to do farm work! Can you believe that?"
Chen Shou Xin sighed and said, "We cannot afford to send you to school any more, just do farm work with us."
Chen Jing was utterly discomfited, "Father, how can I give up on my study!"
As a matter of fact, Chen Jing wasn't passionate about going to school at all. He would just doze off at class. However, there are many benefits in going to school. He could ask for money from Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen from time to time. Moreover, if he were studying, no one would ask him to do farm work. He surely enjoyed doing nothing.
Chen Shou Xin looked at Chen Jing and said sadly, "Son, accept it, we are now penniless."
Even though Chen Shou Xin loved his son, he was bitterly disappointed this time.
Chen Jing was indignant, "Isn't Chen Xiao Mi rich? Ask him for more money!"
"We have signed Renouncement Letter with Chen Xiao Mi already! We have become completely strangers," Chen Shou Xin said.
Chen Jing murmured, "How is that possible? I'll go talk to grandma and grandpa."
Chen Shou Xin said discontentedly, "Alright, you better not! Your grandparents are in a fit of anger. This time, they have offended the Clan Leader because of you. The Clan Leader's son has warned us off, they don't want anything to do with our family in the future."
Chen Jing was a little depressed. "What have we done to offend the Clan Leader?"
Chen Shou Xin shook his head, he couldn't be bothered to say anything more. He only said, "Just accept your fate."
The Clan Leader had lost the villagers' trust this time, the villagers all saw him as an accomplice who had forced Chen Xiao Mi to sell his house.
In Chen Ding's defense, he didn't take any bribes, so he wasn't taking sides. He just thought Chen Xiao Mi was in a position to be able to help, but to his surprise, the villagers were all disappointed at him.
Chen Xiao Mi had entrusted Chen Ding with the task of selling his house. If he were willing to wait for a while, the house could be sold for 20 taels of silver.
However, Grandma Chen was in a hurry to get the money because the interest of usury was scary. The potential buyers were all aware of that, so they had squeezed down the offer. Chen Ding's nephew had the highest offer, so Chen Ding sold the house for 17 taels o his nephew, fair and square.
However, Grandma Chen didn't think so. She thought the Clan Leader had colluded with his nephew, together they had taken advantage of their perilous state.
Grandma Chen felt more indignant whenever she thought she could have had taken forcible possession of that house, she felt like it was her loss that the house was sold at a sacrifice.
Grandma Chen had spread the word that Chen Ding had taken a kickback from his nephew who had bought the house.
Chen Ding fell ill after heard what Grandma Chen had said behind his back. He made it very clear that he would never get involved in Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen's business again.
Grandpa Chen knew that they had offended the Clan Leader, so he tried to make an apology. However, Chen Ding didn't receive him when he visited Chen Ding.
…
Grandpa Chen sat at the dining table, waiting for dinner.
After Chen Shou Xin and the others took their seats, there came a commotion from Chen Jing's room.
Grandma Chen frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
Grandpa Chen and others rushed to Chen Jing's room only to find Chen he and Chen Qu were exchanging blows with Chen Jing. Chen He and Chen Qu were younger than Chen Jing, but Chen Jing was at a disadvantage with two enemies.
Grandpa Chen asked angrily, "What do you think you are doing, the three of you!"
Chen Jing said excitedly, "Grandfather, look at He. He's crazy. He wants to kill me!"
Chen He's eyes were red. "You should've died a long time ago. You have cost us so much money, you know that? You bastard. Because of you! I can't offer any betrothal present to the girl in my dream or hold a wedding ceremony for her! You deserve a good beating!"
"Grandfather, look at him. For a little girl, he actually wanted to beat me."
Grandpa Chen sighed and said, "Alright, He, let it go, it is what it is. Forget it."
Grandpa Chen was very disappointed at Chen Jing. Although he had returned money for Chen Jing, he didn't want to see Chen Jing.
Grandma Chen looked at Chen He and Chen Qu with guilt. Their family conditions used to be good, and there were many people who came to propose marriage, but no one would come to propose marriage after Chen Jing's scandal. Grandma Chen felt sorry for the other two Grandsons, Chen He and Chen Qu.
Chen Qu was still young. But Chen He was already seventeen years old, he would have to pay tax next year.
Chen Jing sat on the bed, covering his mouth which was bleeding.
Chen Jing looked at his grandparents with disappointment. Chen Jing counted on his grandparents to defend him and punish the other two, but they didn't punish He and QU, they sounded like they didn't care about him any more.
The more Chen Jing thought about it, the more enraged he was. In a fit of pique, he said he would skip dinner.
Neither Grandma Chen nor Grandpa Chen urged him to not skip this meal, they just left his room.
Chen Jing lay in bed for a while, no one came to comfort him. Instead, he got hungry and went to the kitchen in the hope of finding some food. To his surprise, there was nothing left.
Chen Jing felt everything and everyone in the family had changed. In the past, even if he came home late, Grandma Chen would always save some food for him, she would always give him allowance to buy snacks in town. But now no one even remembered to save some food for him.
…
There was no secret in the world, the fight between the Chen brothers spread across the village.
"Isn't the issue all settled? Why did they fight?"
"Chen He's proposal seems to have been ruined. Grandma Chen took Chen He's betrothal present for Chen Jing."
"That's true! I've heard that too!"
"That's more than 100 tales of silver we are talking about! I'm afraid the Chens have scraped everything possible!"
"I heard that Chen Jing borrowed only fifty taels, and the interest alone is fifty-five taels. These people who practice usury are merciless."
"How could Chen Jing borrow usury? That's so stupid!"
"Chen He and Chen Qu will have a hard time getting married, no one wants to be betrothed with people who can't offer any betrothal present."
"Correct, they have sold five mus of farmland, their income will be less in the future."
"If Chen Xiao Mi hadn't given then 50 taels of silver, the Chen family would have been in serious trouble this time."
"Grandpa Chen shouldn't have asked Chen Xiao Mi for money, he is a Bio, and he has his own family to support now."
"That is so true! Chen Xiao Mi was kicked out by them, he used to live in a cave with his two little brothers."
"The clan leader of the Chen clan is foolish."
"He must have taken bribes. Otherwise, he wouldn't take Grandma Chen and Grandpa Chen's side."
"Chen Xiao Mi sold all his house. It looks like he is not going to come back to the village."
…
Several villagers were deeply affected by what Chen Xiao Mi had suffered.
Chen Jing is Forced to do Farm Work
In Lu family.
Lu An suddenly said at the dining table, "Mother, I saw Chen Jing in the field. The Chen family probably won't support Chen Jing's study anymore."
Grandma Lu heard Lu An's words and said, "I'm not surprised! Chen Jing had caused such a huge disaster this time. The Chen family had sold five mus of farmland for him. They probably don't have any money left."
The Chen family originally had 20 mus of land, now they only had 15 mus, their income would be greatly affected.
Lu An nodded, "So true!"
Lu Cheng Yu glanced at Lu An and vaguely felt that Lu An mentioned Chen Jing's matter to warn him, he was actually saying they should stop supporting him to save some money as well.
Lu Cheng Yu felt that he was different from Chen Jing. Chen Jing was ignorant and incompetent while all he needed was some luck.
Lu Cheng Yu's face darkened, and his heart became more prejudiced against Lu An. During this period of time, there had been constant conflicts between him and Lu An.
"Chen Xiao Mi must have embezzled the money in the store. Otherwise, how could he possibly take out thirty taels of silver at once?" Grandma Lu said sullenly.
When Lu An heard this, his eyes narrowed. In Sino Commercial House, there should be hundreds of silvers turnover every month. The Big Boss was nowhere to be seen, so it was not hard to embezzle some money. "I'm thinking the same thing. He can easily embezzle a few dozen taels in a month."
Grandma Lu looked at Lu An with disbelief and said, "Is that so? A few dozen taels in a month? He should have about two hundred taels in a year! They are so rich!"
Grandma Lu thought to herself, 'Lu Lin is useless! How can he let Chen Xiao Mi give Chen Jing 30 taels of silver! Lu Lin should have stopped Chen Xiao Mi from doing so.'
…
Not long after the Spring Imperial Examination Test, Lu Tong returned to the Lu family.
"Why are you back again?" Lu Tong always went home empty-handed, and Tang was a little impatient.
"Mom, I'm your daughter after all! How can you dislike me so much," Lu Tong said unhappily.
Tang asked sullenly, "Did you argue with your husband again?"
Lu Tong nodded and said, "Yes."
During this period of time, everyone was busy with sowing seeds in the field, so Lu Tong's mother-in-law asked her to do some farm work. When Lu Tong was at Lu Family, she rarely did any house chores, let alone farm work. Her mother-in-law had even asked her to fertilize the land.
Tang used to be nice to Lu Tong because Lu Tong knew Li Fang Yue's sister was just a concubine. But now it was no longer a secret, Tang just couldn't be bothered to be nice to her daughter any more. As a matter of fact, Tang had some resentment towards Lu Tong.
"Tong! Why are you always arguing with your husband and mother-in-law? You're already married, you have to respect your mother-in-law and your husband, you also need to assist your husband in teaching his son" Tang said.
Lu Tong pouted and said, "His son is so spoiled, I have no interest in teaching him."
Tang sighed and said, "If you don't like him, you can have your own baby."
Lu Tong's face darkened as she heard that. The boy at home said that he was afraid of darkness and always slept with her husband. Lu Tong was sleeping alone most days. However, this was a private matter. Lu Tong felt hesitant to tell her mother. She felt even if she did, her mother would only scold her.
"Mom! Did Chen Jing owe usury? Is it true that Chen Xiao Mi gave him 30 taels!" Lu Tong asked.
Tang nodded and said, "Yes! It's more than 30 taels, he has sold his house. Chen Xiao Mi must have embezzled the turnover in the store. The boss of Sino Commercial House is really a push-over. How come he still keeps Chen Xiao Mi?"
"I heard that the boss of Sino Commercial House has been on a business trip, so he probably doesn't know," Lu Tong said.
Tang pouted and said, "A push-over!"
…
Zhang Jin was busy in the field while his wife Liu Yue helped by his side.
During this period of time, Liu Yue had also saved some silver from selling embroidery products to Sino Commercial House. Zhang Jin had bought 2 mus of farmland for 14 taels from the Chen Family.
They were both thrilled for the 2 mus of farmland.
The other three mus of land from the Chen family were sold to three different families, and they all had been selling embroidery products to Sino Commercial House.
"I didn't expect Chen Jing to cause such a disaster this time."
Liu Yue nodded, "Yeah!"
Zhang Jin shook his head. He used to think Chen Jing was an honest man.
He was shocked when he heard that Chen Jing owed more than 100 tales of silver to the hooligans who practiced usury. The Chen family was reduced to sell farmland to repay Chen Jing's debt.
Liu Yue then said, "Chen Xiao Mi is so rich though! To think that he had given them 30 tales of silver and a house!"
Zhang Jin nodded and said, "Yeah!" Zhang Jin also attended the Chen Clan Gathering. He was there when Chen Xiao Mi took out 30 taels of silver after signed the Renouncement Letter, Chen Xiao Mi was clearly well-prepared.
"How much money do you think Chen Xiao Mi has?" Liu Yue was curious.
Zhang Jin shook his head, "I'm not sure."
Zhang Jin felt that Chen Xiao Mi was a little strange. If he was really that rich, then he shouldn't have sold his house! Once this house was sold, it would be difficult to buy it back. If he was not rich, how come he could give Grandma Chen right away.
Liu Yue hesitated for a moment and said, "I heard that Chen Xiao Mi has embezzled the turnover in the store."
Zhang Jin glanced at Liu Yue and thought to himself, 'Embezzlement is a despicable act just like taking bribes. Lu An has even lost his job due to taking bribes."
"Where did you hear the news?" asked Zhang Jin.
Liu Yue shook her head. "Just the villagers, a lot of them are talking about this."
However, it seemed to be Grandma Lu who first said that. It seemed like Lu Lin was the one who was actually managing the Sino Commercial House. A lof of people from Big Gulf Village had put the sweet potato chips in the store for sale, so Lu Lin must have made a lot of money.
Zhang Jin deep down trusted Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin, "Sino Commercial House is very successful, the store is always thronged with customers. They will lead a good life just from working hard."
Sino Commercial House had sold a few lifesize dolls. That was colossal profits! Each one was worth dozens of taels. The store must have already made nearly a hundred taels from selling those dolls alone."
…
Chen Xiao Cai who was in Willow Town only heard about Chen Jing's scandal ten days after.
Qin Lang, who was in charge of carrying the delivery, knew it, but Chen Xiao Mi told Qin Lang not to mention a word to Chen Xiao Cai.
After Chen Xiao Cai heard the news from someone else, he was a little agitated and he insisted that he should go back home and talk to his brother.
Shen Chi said that he could manage the store while Xiao Cai was away.
Chen Xiao Cai trusted Shen Chi and went back to Forest Town right away.
Chen Xiao Mi was surprised when he saw Chen Xiao Cai who was travel-stained. "You're back, Cai! What a nice surprise!"
Chen Xiao Cai hugged Chen Xiao Mi and followed him into the house.
"Big Brother, was Chen Jing in trouble?"
Chen Xiao Mi nodded, "Yeah! He owed those hooligans100 taels of silver. The Chen family scraped so hard to pay his debt."
The Chen family sold five mus of land in a hurry for only thirty-five taels of silver. Chen Xiao Mi had given them forty-seven taels in total. Grandma Lu has contributed twenty taels. It seemed that they have borrowed here and there as well.
Chen Xiao Cai said unhappily, "Big Brother, it was Chen Jing who caused trouble. Why do you have to pay for him?"
Chen Xiao Mi sighed and said, "Because we might not be able to hide the fact that we own the commercial house. So, we need to sign the Renouncement Letter and save any potential trouble."
Chen Xiao Mi hoped he could hide the truth about the commercial house for as long as possible.
Chen Xiao Cai lowered his head and he understood where his brother came from, but he still felt indignant. "They're getting cheaper."
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "You've let them off lightly this time!"
"Big Brother, as long as we don't mention it to anyone, no one will know that this commercial house is ours," Chen Xiao Cai said.
Chen Xiao Mi shook his head and said, "They can always investigate."
When the store was transferred in this time and space, the new owner was supposed to go to the Prefecture Yamen to do a notary. Only after paying the transfer tax would the store be protected by the government.
When Chen Xiao Mi bought the commercial house, he didn't attract the Secretary-General's attention. However, the commercial house was becoming more and more famous. He was worried the Secretary-General might be interested in this commercial house soon. No way could he hide it any longer if that was the case.
If Li Ru had been found favor with the Secretary-General, chances were they had already found out the truth. Fortunately, the new concubine of Secretary-General was pregnant and attracted his attention.
Chen Xiao Mi pondered. Recently, his business had become bigger and bigger, but the "Big Boss" of the shop had never showed up.
Chen Xiao Cai lowered his head, how he wished he and his brothers had nothing to do with the Chens in the first place.
Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "You don't have to worry about anything else. Just manage the shop for us."
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "I got it, thank you, Big Brother."
Chen Xiao Cai looked at the Yuan Bao in the cradle and said, "Big Brother, look at Yuan Bao, he is so chubby now!"
Chen Xiao Mi smiled and said, "This little one surely has a good appetite."
Yuan Bao tended to cry a lot at night, both Chen Xiao Mi and Lu Lin were so worried for him.
There were a few feeding bottles in Lu Lin's convenience store, he tried to pacify Yuan Bao with one the other night and it worked miracle. He slept like a little angel that night.
Lu Lin soon found out that as long as he pacified Yuan Bao with a feeding bottle, Yuan Bao would be able to sleep the whole night until dawn.
Lu Lin would stuff a feeding bottle to Yuan Bao's mouth before sleep, and Yuan Bao would drink a whole bottle of milk in his sleep. Yuan Bao grew very quickly thanks to such nourishment.
Chen Xiao Cai returned to Willow Town this day.
Shen Chi looked at Chen Xiao Cai with concern, "You're back. What did Big Brother say? Is everything all right?"
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and comforted Shen Chi, "Everything is fine. Big Brother wants us to manage the store and think nothing else. He has signed the Renouncement Letter for me and Cai, the Chen family has nothing to do with us anymore."
Chen Xiao Cai then curled his lips. He was annoyed by Chen Jing, this Cousin Jing always thought himself superior to them just because he was the only kid in the family who went to school. And Grandma Lu doted on him the most.
However, he didn't believe that was the case anymore. He thought Chen Jing must be out of favor with Grandma Lu now. Then he shook his head, it was none of his business now.
"Big Brother has sold the house in the village."
Seeing that Chen Xiao Cai was feeling a little down, Shen Chi said, "It's fine if the house is sold. My grandma has a house. You can live with us if you go to the village again."
Chen Xiao Cai nodded and said, "I know, Chi. Thank you."
Chen Xiao Cai thought to himself, 'Brother and brother-in-law must have a good reason to sell that those, we don't plan to go back to the village anyways. It's fine. I should stop thinking about that."
Cousin Rui
Everything went very smoothly for Sino Commercial House after signing the Renouncement Letter.
Chen Xiao Mi was busy with business and gradually forgot about the Chen family.
"Brother Xiao Mi, you Aunt is here," Qin Ming quickly walked in and reported.
Qin Ming had long recovered and he was always so energetic and vigorous.
Qin Ming was very envious of his brother Qin Lang's work, but he was still a little young and Lu Lin didn't assign him any work. Qin Ming wanted to follow Qin Lang whenever Qin Lang went for a delivery trip, but they all thought it was too challenging for a boy like him.
Qin Ming now only wished that he would grow up soon.
"Please invite her in," Chen Xiao Mi said.
Previously, Chen Chun'er borrowed 5 cents from him and Chen Xiao Mi wanted to give her more, but she didn't accept it.
Chen Chun'er walked in with a basket in hand.
Lu Lin glanced at the things in the basket and said, " Aunt, we are so happy to see you, no need to bring anything for us, families don't stand on ceremony with each other."
There was a chunk of meat in Chen Chun'er's basket. It was more than 5 kilos. It was a lavish gift for the villagers to bring.
However, Chen Xiao Mi's life was good, he didn't value meat as much as he used to.
Chen Chun'er smiled and said, "Your uncle is a butcher, this is very fresh, so I just brought this for you."
"Aunt, thank you so much for this," Chen Xiao Mi said hurriedly.
Chen Xiao Mi noticed Chen Chun'er's slightly embarrassed expression and guessed that Aunt must have some favor to ask. " Aunt, Can I help you with anything?"
"Xiao Mi, I heard that you're in charge of this store now?"
Chen Xiao Mi nodded, "Yeah! Me and Lu Lin are managing the store."
"This store is huge, are you guys constantly hiring?" asked Chen Chun'er.
Seeing how nervous Aunt was, Chen Xiao Mi now was certain what was going on, and he decided to do his Aunt a special favor. "There are still a few vacancies, I can't seem to find the right people, do you have some recommendations, Aunt?"
As a matter of fact, they had been delivering goods to Willow Town, they needed a group of trustworthy people for the job. Sometimes, Lu Lin had to do that job himself due to the lack of manpower.
Chen Chun'er was overjoyed and said, " Your cousin Rui. He's almost sixteen. Although he's a little simple, he has a lot of strength. Maybe I'll bring him here next time so you can have a look at him and decide whether he suits that job."
Chen Xiao Mi was confused, "Isn't Cousin Rui supposed to help out uncle in butchering?"
As far as he knew, the butcher Chen Chun'er married was called Fast Blade Zhang, he was the most famous butcher in the neighboring villages.
Even though no butcher took pride in his occupation, they could make a decent amount of money. Aunt had a son and a daughter, the son Zhang Rui was supposed to become a butcher like his father.
Chen Chun'er sighed and said, "This son of mine… is afraid of blood. His father has been very patient with him in teaching, but he couldn't handle it. Recently, he went to other towns to do business, then he came back home penniless."
When it came to her son, Chen Chun'er couldn't help but sigh. It wasn't that her son had been idling about all day long, but he still hadn't found a job that he liked.
When he and his friends were doing business in other towns, some scoundrel had withhold their goods, they all suffered great loss.
Chen Xiao Mi widened his eyes in shock. The son of the butcher's was afraid of blood.
"Rui is sixteen already. We are so anxious to find him a job."
In the past few years, there had been many battles over the years. Butcher Zhang and Chen Chun'er had been worried about their son, they desperately wanted to find a good job for their son.
It was not good for a young man like Zhang Rui who had reached marriageable age to stay home and not do anything! He would have a better chance on finding a good girl if he had a decent job.
The last time Chen Chun'er came to the Sino Commercial House, she was amazed by how spacious and well-decorated it was, so she couldn't help but wish her son could work here. After pondering for a while, she decided to ask her nephew whether they were hiring.
Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "Okay, Aunt, if my cousin is willing to give it a try, just let him come. At the first few months, it's just one tael of silver. If he does a good job, I can give him a raise any time."
Qin Yi's salary was two taels, but Qin Yi was great at martial arts. Besides, Qin Yi was very experienced, he was like the team leader whenever they delivered goods to Willow Town.
Chen Chun'er immediately said, "One tael of silver is too much for him," Chen Chun'er hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, you can pay him less.. Your cousin has a huge appetite, he eats like a horse."
Chen Xiao Mi smiled and said, "This is fine. I will pay him his wage and I will also let him have three good meals every day."
Chen Xiao Mi had earned a lot of money, he didn't care how much money they spent on food. He was like Lu Lin now, he believed the workers would work harder and happier if they had good food.
Lu Lin was glad to hear that Chen Chun'er was here to look for a job for her son. The store was growing bigger and bigger, so they were constantly hiring. From what Xiao Mi told him, Lu Lin really liked this Aunt Chen Chun'er and her family.
"Your cousin is afraid of blood, that's kind of funny, isn't it?" Lu Lin grinned.
Chen Xiao Mi nodded, "Yeah!"
Lu Lin curled his lips and thought to himself, 'Blood phobia is a real thing.' He had a neighbor in his hometown who was admitted to the best medical school, but he had to quit because he had blood phobia.
…