Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Volume 4 Chapter 14

The tightly closed main-room door opened, and the group inside filed out.

Unlike Ge Shiyan’s pleased face, Fu Shichun and Ma Meifang’s expressions were black as charcoal. Someone unaware might have thought they had just lost their parents.

One glance told everyone that the First House had not come out ahead in today’s split.

Villagers exchanged knowing looks. So much had happened today—there would be enough gossip to last for weeks. Especially the mystery surrounding the two children raised by the Fu family’s second wife repeatedly falling into the water. That alone would be picked apart endlessly.

What the First House was most furious about now was the unfair division. But in time, they would realize the biggest disaster waiting for them would not be the split itself, but the words Ge Shiyan said in front of everyone before the split.

It was true she had no evidence. But only magistrates needed evidence to judge cases. These rural folk who had never read a book relied more on gut feeling than proof.

A seed of doubt had already been planted in their hearts.

If—if—Ge Shiyan’s guess was true, and this couple could even harm their own younger brother, then their children growing up to be equally vicious was only natural. With such a family, who would dare get close? Who would dare let their children play with the Fu family’s twins?

The answer was obvious.

Too bad Fu Shichun and Ma Meifang hadn’t realized this yet. By the time they noticed that their reputation in the village was worsening day by day, it would already be too late.

“Uncles, aunties, stay and have a meal before leaving.”

Normally, splitting the family was a joyous event—representing the parents letting go and the sons establishing their own households.

But for the Fu family today, joy was the last word anyone would use.

The First House looked like they were at a funeral; Fu Dayan was gloomy; the clan elders didn’t have the face to stay and drink, so they excused themselves one after another.

“Hmph!”

Now that the split was done and outsiders gone, Ma Meifang no longer bothered pretending. She shot Baobao and Lin Yu a vicious glare before turning on her heel and stomping back to her room.

“Father, Big Son and Big Girl can’t be left alone. I need to check on them.”

Fu Shichun explained to Fu Dayan, but didn’t spare even a glance at his stepmother, and hurried after his wife.

Soon after, from behind their closed door came muffled shouts, children crying, and the thumps of things being thrown.

Fu Dayan’s expression worsened. His whole posture sagged.

“Shinian… from now on, Father will live with your big brother and sister-in-law. But Father is still your father. You can come find me anytime, and I’ll come see you too.”

He felt he had wronged his youngest. His eldest always complained he was biased toward the late-born son, but the truth was the opposite—Fu Dayan’s favoritism leaned toward the eldest. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to live with the First House.

But fairness was impossible for a parent. The youngest was sensible and followed his mother. He wasn’t worried that child would suffer. The eldest, however—he was already going down a dark path. If the father didn’t stay and rein him in, he might truly never turn back.

“Your mother has a strong temper. She never complains. I know you’re smart—keep an eye on things. If anything seems wrong, come tell Father.” He said this to his son Fu Shinian, but also for Ge Shiyan to hear. He was telling her he still acknowledged her as his wife. They were only splitting households, not divorcing. She could always come to him for matters that needed a man’s support. “You can’t manage that many mu of fields alone. Rent out some. For the rest, when it’s time to sow or harvest, I’ll come help. Don’t tire yourself out.”

He wanted to contribute what he could. He couldn’t give them much, but he could give labor.

“Mm.” Ge Shiyan’s emotions were mixed. Nearly twenty years of marriage—of course there was some feeling. Sometimes she was angry at his bias, sometimes she remembered his good points. “Well then, keep some strength for yourself. Don’t let that First House work you like an old ox until you’re drained dry. Otherwise, when I need your help, you won’t even have the strength left.”

She thought bitterly—her son was his son too. The property could be separated, but not the feelings. She intended to use his guilt like leverage, to make him promise one unequal agreement after another. Spring planting, autumn harvest—she’d make him work her fields until he dropped. Let’s see if the First House still found him useful then.

Those two brats only liked that he was strong and could work. When he couldn’t work anymore, she wanted to see how they would treat him.

“Yes—yes… yes…” Fu Dayan responded repeatedly, almost relieved.

He wasn’t afraid of being ordered around by her—he was afraid she wouldn’t let him help at all.

“A-Yu…” When he finished speaking to his son and wife, he turned to his niece Lin Yu with guilt. He had agreed to take her in, but now she would move out with her aunt instead of him. Outsiders might see it as strange—why would she not stay with her blood relative? “You’ll live with your aunt from now on. She’s kind-hearted—sharp-tongued sometimes but soft-hearted. Don’t mind what she says. Just watch what she does.”

He wanted to cherish his sister’s only child, but didn’t know how. “Uncle may not have much ability, but I will save up a decent dowry for you.”

He had already decided—he could take odd jobs during the slow seasons. Lin Yu still had ten years before marriage; he could definitely save several taels by then.

“Hmph.”

Ge Shiyan snorted. At least the old man’s heart wasn’t completely tilted toward the First House. He still remembered his niece.

Hearing her snort, Fu Dayan looked embarrassed.

Lin Yu felt torn inside.

She had to admit—hearing that she would live with her aunt made her heart light and relieved. Though she hadn’t known her aunt long, she already treasured the warmth.

But she couldn’t ignore her uncle either. If she said she wanted to stay, she could easily get her way.

But after that?

Would she hurt her aunt? And even if she stayed, what chance did she have to mend her uncle and aunt’s relationship?

Maybe she should follow her aunt—then perhaps someday she could help bring them back together once he fully saw through the First House.

So she kept her silence, tacitly agreeing.

“As for…” The one Fu Dayan truly didn’t know how to face was Baobao. He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

“All right, all right. You old man just babble endlessly. Are you done being dramatic?” Ge Shiyan cut him off. She didn’t want him speaking to her daughter. She feared he would start pleading for his grandchildren. “You don’t need to worry. I’ll look after all three children. If you still have a conscience, you can help when we fix the house. But let me be clear—this is your youngest son’s house. If you help, you won’t be paid.”

She waved him off. She hadn’t taken the old house, but she had already chosen where the new one would be.

At first she had considered moving back to her natal village. Her brothers and clan were there—no one would dare bully her. But moving back right after splitting would invite gossip.

Besides, her natal village was far, and so was the school in the neighboring village. If she moved, her son would have to walk two or three times the distance every day.

So staying in Da’ao Village was best. And there was a ready laborer here too.

She chose an abandoned house near the village entrance. The owners had moved to the county town long ago and wanted to sell. The house was worn and poorly located, but she only needed a temporary place to settle. With repair, it would be fine. Most importantly, it was near her eight mu of land and far from the First House.

When she worked in the fields, the children could yell and she would hear. She wouldn’t need to work while worrying about them.

She planned to ask the village head about the price later. If reasonable, she would buy it. If not, she’d buy land nearby and build.

“I won’t take money from you.” Fu Dayan shook his head. Thinking of them living elsewhere soon made his heart ache.

The old house at the village entrance wasn’t expensive. After paying at the village head’s office, she transferred ownership and hired people to repair it.

The first completed rooms were two bedrooms and the kitchen. Once those were done, she took the children and moved in.

Although she’d said she wouldn’t take furniture, she still carried some tables, chairs, and cabinets out of the Fu house.

Those were her dowry items, not Fu family property. 

When the First House realized she was playing word games, they flew into a rage, slammed the door, and embarrassed themselves in front of all the villagers helping move the furniture.

When she married, her siblings had done their best. The redwood cabinet coated in tung oil still gleamed after more than ten years—beautiful and imposing. Ma Meifang had long planned to move it into her room once they moved out.

But as long as Ge Shiyan lived, that dream would stay a dream.

The kitchen was made usable on the first day. In the countryside, when hiring villagers to help, besides paying a token wage, the most important part was providing a good meal. Whether the host was generous depended entirely on the food.

For a newly split woman with three children, building a good reputation mattered most. So she spared nothing.

Every table had four vegetable dishes, one meat dish, and one soup. Even the vegetable dishes had minced meat or slices mixed in—fragrant and oily.

The meat dish might be just one bowl, but the portion was large. Many families padded their dishes with cabbage or radish, but not her. Her potato chicken stew was half chicken, and the preserved vegetable pork slices were thick and satisfying.

Villagers who worked for her for several days didn’t get tired. Instead, some even gained weight. Everyone praised her generosity.

As promised, Fu Dayan came every day to help repair the house. He obediently returned to the First House to eat during mealtime.

Even though she had taken much during the split, he still felt she had a harder life ahead and wanted to save her as much as he could.

Bound by filial duty, the First House could only grit their teeth and watch him work for his second wife while returning home to eat their food.

Within days they were fuming so hard that their mouths erupted in sores.

Once the house was finished, Fu Dayan visited daily—fetching water or splitting firewood. Ge Shiyan never stopped him.

She understood now—this man was trying to balance things. He felt choosing the First House meant giving his heart to them, so he had to give his labor entirely to her side.

Who knew if the First House would be happy with that?

As the house was completed, their lives settled down.

Fu Shinian was the busiest. He woke before dawn to go to the next village for school and returned at dusk. Two older children also studied there, so the three walked together. This reassured Ge Shiyan.

Next was Lin Yu.

The eight mu would soon enter harvest. She wasn’t going to rent them out before then. Even with the old man secretly helping, she still had to hire two villagers to help. She was constantly busy.

Lin Yu took on house chores—washing clothes, boiling water, cooking. 

At first Ge Shiyan refused to let her work with fire, but the girl was steady and skillful, so she let her be.

Baobao was not lazy either. She wasn’t as good as Lin Yu, but she helped where she could.

Everyone was busy. The sadness of the split soon faded.

It was at this time that unexpected visitors arrived.

“Is this the Fu house?”

A few raggedly dressed men and women peered into its courtyard. When they saw Ma Meifang emerging, they rushed toward her.

“Who are you looking for?”

She frowned. She didn’t recognize them. But one timid middle-aged woman looked vaguely familiar.

Maybe distant Fu relatives?

Her expression darkened. Great—more freeloaders. As if Lin Yu weren’t enough, now this batch had come too.

“You’re the Fu family’s daughter-in-law, right?”

The familiar-looking woman stepped forward, uncertain.

“I’m Tao Lamei. Do you remember me? From the Lao Tao family—Tao Larou is my cousin. I’m his father’s eldest daughter.”

The Tao clan wasn’t a big name here. One branch had escaped here during a flood years ago. Their old home had been washed out, but this area was on higher ground and safe. After some of them left, one family remained—Tao Larou’s family.

Tao Larou had another identity—he was Baobao’s father.

“I came to find my second uncle and cousin, but I heard my uncle passed away long ago, and my cousin and cousin-in-law died years back. Only one daughter remained, and she was taken in by your family. I’m her elder cousin. I need to see her.”

Now Ma Meifang understood why the woman looked somewhat familiar. Looking closely, the little freeloader and this woman indeed had some resemblance.

She had been stewing in resentment and now saw a perfect outlet. Looking at this shabby group of relatives, her lips curled into a malicious smile.

“So you’re Tao family relatives!” She said warmly.

“Relatives?” Tao Lamei blinked, confused. She had heard her uncle had only one son, Tao Larou, and that Larou’s daughter was only five or six. What “in-laws”?

“Oh yes, relatives. Don’t you know? Baobao was chosen by my mother as a child bride for my little brother. My mother adores her—treats her like her own daughter. But you’ve come to the wrong place. We’ve already split households. My mother lives with my little brother now. Go toward the village entrance—the newest house.” She pointed. “If my mother knew Tao family relatives had come, she’d be delighted. The Tao family did our family a great kindness.”

Hearing her sweetened words, the Tao family brightened—especially upon hearing they were regarded as benefactors.

“Back then…” Without delay, Ma Meifang told them everything.

Tao Lamei’s eyes lit up more and more. After profuse thanks, the group hurried grandly toward the village entrance.

Ge Shiyan’s house stood out clearly among old, weathered houses. When Tao Lamei arrived, Ge Shiyan was working in the nearby field. Baobao and Lin Yu sat on stools in the yard washing clothes.

Lin Yu scrubbed diligently. Baobao, in contrast, looked busy but contributed almost nothing—just soaking clothes and pretending to be tired by wiping her forehead dramatically.

Tao Lamei instantly identified Baobao. Compared to thin, dark Lin Yu, Baobao looked plump, fair, and healthy. Her clothes were high-quality cotton. Clearly, she had been cherished.

Tao Lamei no longer doubted Ma Meifang’s story.

If this household didn’t really like the child, how would they raise someone without blood ties like this?

Seeing this, Tao Lamei’s eyes filled with fake tears as she rushed in. “My poor niece! Auntie finally found you!”

She cried as she ran toward Baobao. The simple twig fence was nothing to these people—they pushed it open easily.

“Mother! Kidnappers are here to steal Baobao!” Baobao’s first instinct was to scream, and she immediately splashed a whole bucket of dirty wash-water at them.

She didn’t recognize these people. How could she know they weren’t abductors?

A cute little girl crossing into a strange world needed to protect herself!