Chapter 16: Caught in the Act, Turning the Tables!

Chapter 16: Er Niu’s Sharp Edge Revealed

Er Niu was resolute. He knew that Father had changed.

Before, there was no way around it.

But now that Father wanted to change, they naturally wouldn’t hold him back.

“Go close the main gate!”

“From now on, at home, we listen to Father. Whatever he says, we do!”

“When we’re outside, we have to show respect to our elders. San Niu, teach Si Niu and Wu Niu. Da Ya, you teach the younger girls!”

“Starting today, we have to change too!”

Da Ya and the others nodded in agreement, all promising to follow through.

Children of the poor must grow up fast, especially given the hardships they faced—it was no exaggeration to say their lives were full of trials and suffering.

Since Father had changed, they had to straighten up as well.

With plans made, under Er Niu’s leadership, the group of youngsters sprang into action.

Those who needed to work the fields went out; those responsible for cooking prepared the meals; others cleaned the house.

It appeared no different from usual.

Only, Da Gou and Er Niu weren’t as serious as before. When the sun got too hot, they returned home.

Hungry? Go home!

Thirsty? Go home!

Father had said that sooner or later the family would split up; there was no need to be laboring like beasts of burden for the eldest and third uncles.

Their strength had to be reserved for other things.

Like practicing hunting.

Like pondering the principles Father at least had taught them.

Inside the house, Li Feng was unaware of the changes in his children.

He sat in the main room, watching Li Wangshi apply the bone-healing ointment he had bought from the herbal hall onto Old Li.

Like Li Wangshi, it was changed every three days.

Once the medicine was applied, Li Feng quickly stepped back.

Damn, it stinks!

If he weren’t afraid of being seen neglecting to change Old Li’s dressing, he wouldn’t want to come near it at all.

Today, he still had to keep up appearances.

After all, when a clan member was injured, everyone came to see and offer comfort.

In front of the clan elders, Li Feng had to put on a show while planning his next move.

“Old woman, the 100 wen you gave me is all spent!”

“When Da Gou returns, I’ll have him change Grandfather’s bedding.”

“You rest well for now. It seems there was a theft next door; I’m going out to check!”

Ignoring Li Wangshi’s scolding, Li Feng closed the door, changed clothes, and stepped outside.

Seeing the noisy crowd, Li Feng began to inquire about the news.

Though everyone lived in the village, they were usually busy with their own affairs and rarely gathered like this. Now that something had happened, a swarm of people had gathered.

Li Feng saw Da Gou and Er Niu returning and told them about Old Li’s condition.

“Father, I’ll go back now and take care of Grandfather!”

Da Gou smiled at Li Feng and went inside.

Er Niu followed without asking questions.

They obeyed Li Feng unconditionally.

Watching them enter, Li Feng listened to gossip while waiting for the clan members.

Around midday, they all came to the house.

Seeing the visitors arrive, Li Feng quickly had his family prepare.

Those who boiled water did so; those who found stools did likewise.

Naturally, Li Feng stayed inside to receive the guests.

Old Li couldn’t get up, and Li Wangshi lay in bed as well, so Li Feng was left to entertain.

“Second uncle, third uncle!”

“Eldest uncle, second uncle, youngest uncle!”

“Uncles from other branches, please sit!”

There were too many guests for the house to provide enough seats; Li Feng and the younger generation all stood.

The elder uncles sat, each in their sixties or seventies, considered quite aged.

These men were sensible, first asking about the situation, then sending someone to check on Old Li and Li Wangshi.

After confirming both had their medicine applied and seeing Li Feng was attentive, they asked if he faced any difficulties.

As clan members, helping was expected.

Li Feng politely declined.

Of course; they were just being courteous. If he took advantage of their kindness, that would be another matter.

Third uncle, having grasped the basic situation, leaned on his cane and entered Old Li’s room.

The elderly man’s sense of smell was diminished and couldn’t detect much.

He looked at the frail Old Li and said, “You have a good son. Take good care of him; you’ll recover soon.”

“Your family has faced many troubles lately. Once better, you should find someone to read your fortune, see if there’s a way to break this curse. This can’t go on.”

Old Li’s cloudy eyes brightened instantly.

Indeed, the household had been unlucky recently.

He and his wife falling ill one after the other was undoubtedly a bad sign.

“I understand, third uncle. When I recover, I’ll seek someone out.”

“Thank you all, clan members, for your trouble today. When Old San returns, I’ll have him come visit you.”

“Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality today.”

Third uncle shook his head and sighed.

It was no use; people past their fifties still hadn’t seen through certain things—a pity.

Only poor Old Li Er was pitied.

The gathering was brief; no one intended to stay for a meal.

Everyone knew Old Li’s situation. Now was a time to spend money, so who could afford to eat at someone else’s home?

These days, grain was precious.

Li Feng politely saw them off.

Er Niu closed the door.

Once the dust settled, Li Feng entered the house and took out the grain and roast chicken he had purchased from the system store.

“Start cooking the grain and heat up the roast chicken!”

“Also heat these big meat buns!”

“Steam some eggs too. Let’s have a good meal today!”

He took out cooking oil, all pressed from rapeseed, indistinguishable from ordinary oil.

Seeing the bounty Li Feng laid out, everyone was stunned.

Their eyes widened.

Si Niu swallowed hard. It smelled so delicious!

Er Niu and San Niu exchanged glances: This is it, Father really isn’t planning to live an ordinary life anymore!

Da Ya thought: Looks like the day she’s sold is moving closer.

Da Gou thought: Father’s amazing; we’re about to have a full meal again!

Er Ya said, “Father is really impressive!”

The family was filled with warmth.

Old Li and Li Wangshi lay and sat, both weak and exhausted.

After a while, Old Li twitched his nose and said, “Old woman, do you smell that? It’s so fragrant!”

Li Wangshi replied, “I do. Do you think we’re about to starve?”

“That bastard second son—how did I give birth to such a useless child? If only he were half as capable as the eldest, would we be living like this?”

“Maybe he’d already be enjoying life in town!”

Old Li’s eyes flickered.

He knew well what kind of people the eldest’s family were—a pack of ungrateful wolves, utterly unreliable.

Second son was diligent, filial, and obedient.

Though sometimes stubborn, he could be reasoned with.

He would never contradict his wife; she was always the bad cop.

When second son was scolded harshly and upset, that was when Old Li stepped in.

Second son would then open his heart to him.

Over the years, Old Li had used this tactic to extract quite a bit of silver from second son.

Expenses in town were not small, but even so, Old Li had saved two taels of gold secretly.

Even if second son abandoned him in the future, he would never starve.

“It smells even better now! Wait—this scent seems to be coming from outside the door!” Li Wangshi exclaimed.

Old Li snapped back to attention.

Upon closer sniffing, indeed, the aroma came from outside.

…