Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 137

Shen Hefu nodded, looked at the old man, and said, “Father, I’ll take Changge home first. His mother hasn’t seen him for five years. Day and night she’s been longing for him. Now that Changge is finally back, I’ll take him home so she can see him.”

Hearing this, Old Master Shen’s expression grew even darker. He slammed his cane heavily on the ground, his face tight as he said, “Fine, then go home!”

His tone was very heavy. Those familiar with the old man knew this was a sign of anger. Shen Hefu’s heart tightened. Years of habit made him fearful, but thinking of the old man’s cold indifference over the past few years, Shen Hefu said gloomily, “Then Father, we’ll be going.”

Although Shen Changge didn’t know much, he naturally felt closer to his own family. He also knew his grandfather’s temper very well. Five years ago, it was the old man who repeatedly forbade them from finding little sister Cuihua and bringing her home, even saying that if she was brought back, she’d be drowned in the pond. 

No one in the old house spoke up to help. In private, he and his father went to ask their eldest uncle and third uncle for help, but they both found excuses to refuse. This matter had always been a knot in his heart.

Old Madam Shen quickly stood up and said, “Your father is just happy to see Changge back. Go home and call Sun-shi over as well. Today we’ll all eat together at the old house.”

Usually honest, silent, and easygoing, Shen Hefu did not agree this time. He pulled out the money pouch Ying Su had given him and said to Old Master Shen, “Father, I brought money. Please give me the deed from Widow Liu. I also want that piece of land next to it, and also those two mu of fields…”

Before Shen Hefu could finish speaking, Old Madam Shen interrupted him, saying, “Hefu, what are you doing? What your father said yesterday was just angry words, how could he really ask you for silver…”

Before Old Madam Shen could smooth things over, Old Master Shen cut her off coldly, his face still stern. He slammed his cane on the ground again and shouted angrily, “Fine! Fine! So you really want to sever ties with me! Heju, go bring the deeds and give them to your second brother. He truly doesn’t see me as his father anymore!”

Shen Hefu felt wronged, but being an honest and dull man, he wasn’t good at words. Clearly, it had been the old man who said if they wanted to bring Cuihua back, they would have to cut ties, and that the house and land must all be bought with silver. The old man had even named the prices himself. How could that have been just angry talk? Clearly, he had calculated it.

Shen Hefu wasn’t stupid. He knew this was because Changge had returned. Seeing him in military garb clothing unlike the ordinary soldier’s uniform from five years ago, it seemed he had gained some position in the army. The old man felt pride and now wanted to change his tune.

Shen Hefu stood there pretending to be dumb, silent, waiting for the eldest brother to bring the deeds.

The old man had originally thought that after saying this, Shen Hefu, with his soft nature and filial disposition, would never actually dare to ask for the deeds.

But he had forgotten that human hearts are flesh. No matter how gentle or kind a person is, after years of being worn down and hurt, the heart hardens and grows cold. Some people may look agreeable and easygoing, but once their heart makes a hard decision, it’s difficult to turn back.

Shen Heju actually went and brought over the deeds to the land and fields. Though he knew Changge was back, and that the old man felt pride and honor, Shen Heju also knew that even if Changge had gained an official post, however glorious, it had nothing to do with him. Besides, it was in the bitter cold northwest. A small military post there was useless in Jiangbei.

The third brother thought the same. If the second family really paid silver to buy the deeds, they would benefit as well. So the two of them eagerly egged the old man on. In this world, one is close to no one but silver.

Shen Changge didn’t understand what was happening, so he didn’t say much. He just stood there, observing the family he hadn’t seen in five years. He already knew his eldest uncle and third uncle’s dispositions. His parents were honest and simple; not being bullied at home was already rare.

In the past five years, he had often worried about his parents’ lives at home. Sometimes he regretted his impulsiveness back then, provoked by Liu An, he’d joined the army. Now, though he’d managed to gain a small post, he still hadn’t found his sister. He could only hope that Young Lord Su would bring good news.

Shen Hefu took the land and field deeds from Shen Heju’s hand, handed over the silver, and said, “Big brother, count it. I’ve paid according to the price Father said yesterday.”

Hearing this, Old Master Shen almost choked on a mouthful of phlegm. He coughed heavily several times, spat it onto the ground, and raised his voice, “You’re really trying to anger me to death!”

The third brother hurriedly went forward to soothe him, saying, “Father, calm down. Second brother didn’t mean anything. You’re already so old, it’s not worth it! Second brother has long set his mind on bringing Cuihua back. You know this.”

Hearing Cuihua’s name, Shen Changge’s eyes lit up. He eagerly asked Shen Hefu, “Father, you’ve found Cuihua? Where is she? How is she now? Why hasn’t she come home?”

A string of urgent questions spilled out of Shen Changge’s mouth. Shen Hefu knew Changge had always doted on Cuihua. Since childhood he’d loved her, and for years he had longed to find her. 

Quickly, Shen Hefu said, “We found her, we found her. She’s doing alright. Once our house is repaired, we’ll bring her back. She’s even given you a little nephew.”

Mentioning Cuihua, even Shen Hefu’s normally wooden face lit up, and his lips couldn’t help but curve.

Shen Changge was thrilled, wishing he could run to see Cuihua immediately. He had too many questions for his father, and didn’t want to linger at the old house. He quickly said to Old Master Shen, “Grandpa, I’ll go home with my father first. I haven’t seen Mother and Changyun for five years, I miss them dearly. I’ll come back to see you later.”

After saying this, Shen Changge turned to Shen Heju and asked, “Uncle, have you counted the silver? If it’s correct, we’ll be on our way.”

Shen Heju raised his head, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said, “It’s correct, it’s correct…”

Hearing this, Shen Changge turned, pulled Shen Hefu along, and left without another glance at the old house’s people.

Once the figures of father and son disappeared out the courtyard gate, Shen Changnian, the eldest son of the third branch, muttered quietly, “Grandpa has always doted on big brother Changge. Why did he just go straight home when he came back?”

Though his voice was low, everyone in the courtyard could hear. His mother, Wang Chunlan, who loved to stir up trouble, deliberately sighed loudly, “Ah! Our father had such good intentions, but look at Changge, what’s he got in his heart and eyes? I say it’s like stabbing a knife into tofu, such wasted affection!”

Hearing this, Old Master Shen’s face grew even uglier. Old Madam Shen shot a glare at the third son’s wife. In the courtyard, everyone’s thoughts differed. Though they were one family, each was thinking of their own matters.