Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 20

A large tree branches out; as people grow up, they separate into their own families. The patriarch of the Xu family has already become a great-grandparent and naturally no longer interferes in the affairs of his children. Years ago, he divided the family property among his sons. However, the Xu brothers maintain a harmonious relationship, and when they build their houses, they specifically choose locations close to their parents’ home. This entire area has almost been carved out by this family.

Like many in the countryside, Old Man Xu and Old Lady Xu choose to live with their eldest son’s family. While the Eldest Xu may not be the most accomplished among the brothers, he is certainly the most filial and honest. Eldest Sister-in-law is also a kind and straightforward woman. When she sees Lu Jiafu arriving with his little boy, she happily mentions that she will go to Old Six’s house to buy some mountain products.

“Aren’t you just mocking me, Eldest Sister-in-law?” Xu Laoliu says as he walks into the house, holding a plump mountain chicken. “I set the traps this morning and didn’t expect to catch one so quickly. It seems our Baobao is indeed a little lucky star; as soon as you come home, there’s meat to eat.”

He hands the mountain chicken to his sister-in-law and then picks up Baobao, rubbing his cheek against hers.

“Fufufu, that tickles!” Lu Baobao giggles, pulling her neck away to avoid her sixth uncle’s beard.

“I’ll be bringing my wife over for dinner later, so please accept this pheasant, Eldest Sister-in-law,” Xu Laoliu says, finally putting his niece down after giving her enough attention. He returns her to the group of little cousins who have been glaring at him, including his two sons.

Those daring boys don’t know their father is secretly annoyed with them. They follow the other cousins and nephews to surround Lu Baobao, fearing that another elder might come to whisk her away.

“Then I’ll take it,” Eldest Sister-in-law Xu says with a smile, accepting the fat chicken. This is how brothers should be: human relationships matter, but business is business. The Xu family is large, and when the family divides, each branch receives very little land.

In addition to cultivating their own plots each year, the eldest branch of the Xu family also rents land from wealthy families in the village. With their hard work and diligence, they manage to save enough to purchase land after covering their daily expenses. The other branches also have their side jobs.

For example, the third son is skilled in carpentry, while the sixth son knows how to set hunting traps. These are their means of making a living. Even if the brothers sometimes ask for their help, they always ensure to compensate them for their work.

Of course, when the younger generation of the family gets married, the third brother gives a pair of boxes or a set of tables and chairs, while the sixth brother occasionally presents mountain products to his brothers when he has a good harvest. These gestures are considered favors. If they divide things too clearly at this time, it may hurt feelings.

In this regard, the seven brothers of the Xu family do a commendable job.

“Junsheng, why don’t you take your little aunt and the other uncles and brothers to play in the yard? Remember to take good care of your little aunt,” Eldest Sister-in-law Xu says to the oldest boy among the group. “And you several uncles, don’t bully her,” she adds.

When her gaze falls on Tang Dingyuan, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu hesitates for a moment. She has seen Lu Baojin and Lu Baoyin a few times, but this handsome young boy seems unfamiliar to her. Didn’t the Lu family have only three boys? This child doesn’t match up with the little boy from the third branch either.

“Eh!” Xu Junsheng readily agrees. They don’t want to stay inside with a bunch of adults staring at them; that is so boring. “Look, little aunt, this is a slingshot my father made for me! It can shoot really far. Do you like it? If you do, I’ll give it to you!”

“Cousin, do you like grasshoppers? I’ll catch some for you to play with!”

“Little aunt…”

“Cousin…”

Sometimes, a group of boys together can be more overwhelming than a thousand quacking ducks.

Lu Baobao feels a buzzing in her ears, unable to discern what everyone is saying.

Fortunately, Tang Dingyuan comes to Lu Baobao’s aid.

“Who are you? Why haven’t I seen you before?” A younger boy, who can’t get close to Lu Baobao, sucks his fingers and looks at Tang Dingyuan curiously. He has never seen this little brother before.

“Yeah, who are you? Are you also a cousin from the Lu family?”

Because of Xu Jiaoniang, many members of the Lu family are older than the Xu family. Xu Junsheng is about the same age as Lu Baojin, but since he is the grandson of Xu Laoda, he is supposed to refer to Lu Baojin and his brothers as cousins.

“I…” Tang Dingyuan feels the weight of more than a dozen pairs of eyes on him, making him feel like a little white sheep in a den of wolves.

“I should be your future cousin-in-law,” he says, recalling how Second Uncle Lu suggests he become the child husband of the pretty girl, so this status shouldn’t be wrong.

“Yes, Second Uncle wants Yuan Ge’er to be his son-in-law. When Lu Baobao is older, the two will get married,” Lu Baojin says with a smile, noting that Yuan Ge’er will indeed be his cousin-in-law in the future, allowing him to look after this little junior brother openly.

“What?!”

The group of little brats erupts in outrage. 

“Little aunt, didn’t we agree that I would marry you when I grow up?” a little boy who has just turned three and is still wearing open-crotch pants declares angrily.

Lu Baobao is confused. When had she agreed to this marriage with her nephew?

“Xiao Shiba, how can you marry Lu Baobao? She’s your aunt!”

Xu Laoliu’s son, who is one of Lu Baobao’s cousins, points at his little cousin in open-crotch pants and shouts.

“Why not? In the future, I’ll still call you cousin, and you can call me uncle. We can just keep it that way,” the little boy replies confidently for his age.

“You actually want me to call you uncle? Xiao Shiba, you’re asking for a beating!”

A group of older children are incensed by the arrogant words of this little brat and reach out to hit him.

“Twenty-fourth Uncle, how can you hit my little brother?” The little boy’s older brother can’t stand it anymore and steps in to defend him.

Just like that, everyone is throwing punches and grappling with one another. However, they are careful enough to steer clear of Lu Baobao’s position, directing their scuffle to the other side.

“Just get used to it,” Lu Baoyin pats Tang Dingyuan’s shoulder. He probably hasn’t seen a scene like this before.

“Do they… often act like this?” Tang Dingyuan takes a deep breath and asks Lu Baoyin.

“Today’s scene is nothing. You should see it during Second Cousin’s third birthday. Several uncles from the Xu family end up fighting with each other because they feel they haven’t held Second Cousin as long as their brothers have.” 

Lu Baoyin looks at Tang Dingyuan, suggesting he is too easily surprised. In fact, Lu Baobao is only just over a year old when he is born, and what he describes now is merely what he has heard from the elders.

“Second Cousin is very popular in the Xu family. When they play house games, they fight several rounds to compete for who will be Baobao’s husband. By the end of one play session, Er Ya’s husband can change several times.” Lu Baoyin pats Tang Dingyuan’s shoulder and smiles mischievously.

“Oh,” Tang Dingyuan replies.

Though he maintains a calm facade, panic stirs inside him. With his build, he is uncertain if he can withstand the beatings. At that moment, he recalls a description he has read in a storybook: beautiful women are like poison—does that mean that such a pretty child already has a strong poison within her at such a young age?

******

The adults in the room soon grasp the purpose of Lu Jiafu’s visit. Upon realizing that the child with the delicate features is the child husband chosen for Lu Baobao, the expressions of the men in the Xu family turn sour.

The women, however, think more deeply about the situation. With Tang Dingyuan being orphaned, Baobao can still live in her family after marriage, and the Lu family is now willing to pay for the boy’s education. Even if he can’t pass the imperial exams, he can still find connections to become an accountant, which will be more than enough to support a family.

Compared to dealing with the uncertainties of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship and the dynamics between sisters-in-law after marriage, this arrangement seems considerably happier.

Eldest Xu takes Lu Jiafu to the scholar’s home and agrees to send the three children to study after the autumn harvest. The couple also generously permits that if any emergencies arise, the three children can stay overnight at the Xu family.

During the meal, all the sons of the Xu family gather at the eldest brother’s house. Each family comes with food—some cakes, some bacon, plus the dishes carefully prepared by the eldest sister-in-law Xu, making for a very rich spread.

However, all the children are sent back to their own homes. The Xu family has too many descendants; if all the children from the other branches come, they would likely deplete the food rations of the eldest branch for the month.

During the meal, aside from the heartless Lu Jiafu and his daughter, who enjoy themselves, everyone else feels uncomfortable, especially Tang Dingyuan. The way the uncles look at him makes him uneasy. 

He finishes his meal while trembling and finally sighs in relief after leaving the Xu family.

“My dear, come back to play in a few days!” Uncle Xu calls out to his niece, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

Tang Dingyuan turns around and sees a sea of black-clad people; the Xu family has all come out to see him off. The breath he just released feels stuck in his throat again, as if he is choking. 

Just the thought of having to study in Shilipu from now on sends a shiver through him.

******

Having one more person in the household doesn’t significantly change life for the Lu family. 

Lu Miao gives the room originally intended for Lu Baobao to Tang Dingyuan, leaving Lu Baobao to share a bed with her parents for a while. This situation sparks the idea of building a new house for Lu Laotu and Lu Miao, as the existing home feels increasingly cramped with the birth of other grandchildren.

Lu Miao wants to buy the land behind the Lu family’s property to expand the house, ensuring that, even if the family splits up in the future, the children can live nearby.

However, the old couple has not yet revealed this idea to anyone, and life in the Lu family still seems peaceful.

“Sister, what is this?” Lu Baobao asks curiously, fiddling with some parts. 

Recently, her eldest cousin has been going out with their grandfather, and each time she returns, she brings back several iron items. After trying to assemble them for a long time, Lu Baobao still has no idea what they are for. 

According to the rules of the transmigrated girls, Lu Baobao figures this has something to do with food.

“You’ll find out in a few days,” Lu Xiuyu replies, pouring the fried pork offal into a bucket. She glances out the window and smiles when she catches sight of a shadow hiding in the distance. “When the time comes, I’ll make you something you’ve never eaten before.”

Lu Xiuyu has no intention of assembling the parts, and her mysterious demeanor only makes Lu Baobao more curious.

******

At mealtime, Lu Xiuyu pushes the cart and hurries to the stall with her food offerings.

As usual, she opens the lid to let the enticing aroma waft through the air. After attracting some merchants, she serves a bowl of rice to Lu Baobao, letting her lure in customers.

“Sour and spicy pork offal is six cents, braised large intestine is ten cents, and the double combination is nine cents.”

The prices haven’t changed, but since the pedestrians on the street are constantly moving, Lu Xiuyu has to introduce her dishes again every time she sells things.

“Delicious pig offal for sale! Sour and spicy pork offal is five cents a bowl, braised large intestine is nine cents a bowl, half and half is eight cents each. Come try our delicious big bowls!”

Today is clearly different from usual. Another pig offal vendor has set up shop on the main road, drawing diners who were initially attracted by Lu Baobao over to the new stall due to its lower prices.

Lu Xiuyu’s business has been thriving, much to the jealousy of the vendors near the main road. Others have tried going north to the county to buy pig offal and cook it, but unfortunately, they can’t replicate Lu Xiuyu’s unique flavors, forcing them to give up.

Lu Xiuyu has the foresight to carefully remove ingredients like chili and ginger from her dishes before selling them. Without these essential spices, others can’t replicate her unique taste.

However, this time is different. When the new vendor opens their lid, the sour and spicy aroma filling the air is almost identical to Lu Xiuyu’s.

With a similar taste and lower price, the customers naturally gravitate toward the other stall.

“Sister?” Lu Baobao tugs at her cousin’s clothes, silently asking if they should reduce their prices too.

Lu Xiuyu shakes her head, signaling Lu Baobao to focus on her lunch without panicking.

This is the demeanor that a standard transmigrated heroine should have. Lu Baobao feels that she should just concentrate on being her own little food streamer and wait for the heroine to reward her.

There aren’t many convoys passing through the street today, and Lu Xiuyu’s business doesn’t pick up until the rice bowls at the competing stall sell out. Even so, half of her food remains.

Lu Baobao is worried, not realizing that her cousin’s steps home are so light and joyful.