Chapter 10: The Poor Little One Finally Has Someone Who Cares

Chapter 10: The Poor Little Thing Has Someone to Spoil Him Now

With two new barred rock hens at home that couldn't be kept with their own chickens, Yan Shichang was up at the crack of dawn the next day. As soon as it was light, he went up the mountain to cut a few bamboo poles, planning to build a coop for the two newcomers.

Chen Lanfang couldn't stand the Zhao family, and that meant she couldn't stand the sight of those two chickens either.

If it weren't for the fact that the household had plenty of food these days and she wanted to collect two extra eggs daily, she'd have wrung their necks by now.

Listening to her grumble under her breath, Yan Shichang said, "What do you mean yours or his? Once they come to our home, these animals are ours."

"You've got a point there." Chen Lanfang helped Yan Shichang cut the bamboo into strips, listening to the two hens clucking, and said, "Actually, folks ain't much different from animals sometimes."

Yan Shichang glanced at her: "We've been married all these years—when did you start beating around the bush with me?"

Chen Lanfang smiled at him: "If you can catch my drift, then I haven't been too roundabout. That Wen Shishan and Li Qiaozhen pair are bad news, but Xi Geer's a good egg. He's a solid, down-to-earth guy. Since he came, Feng'an's illness has not only improved, but he's mellowed out too. He's got a bond with our family—we shouldn't shortchange him."

"We haven't stinted on his food or clothes—what have we denied him?"

"Forget the food—just look at his clothes. They don't fit and his shoes are falling apart. Folks say clothes make the man. That bastard Zhao Shoutian probably picked on him 'cause he looked so ragged."

Could be. Yan Shichang didn't stop working, his tone casual: "Then buy him a few new outfits."

"I was thinking that, but I figured I ought to run it by the man of the house first."

Hearing the teasing in her voice, Yan Shichang smiled: "I'm not that stingy. Do whatever you think is right. The doctor said once Feng'an finishes this round of medicine, he can stop. With that expense gone, we'll have a little more breathing room. Tomorrow I'll take the two older boys to find more work—things'll pick up."

Yan Shichang was a carpenter, and of his three sons, all except Yan Feng'an—who was still in school—worked with him.

Those three knew their craft, and on top of that, the youngest son had passed the imperial examination, which meant the family didn't have to do forced labor. Who in the village wouldn't tip their hat to them?

A few years back, their family had indeed enjoyed a period of prosperity. But somehow, after Yan Feng'an passed the exam, their luck started to run out.

The old folks didn't want to lay all the blame on Yan Feng'an, but to be honest, the reason their good life went downhill was definitely because of him.

It was already hard enough for a farming family to support a scholar. On top of that, Yan Feng'an loved competing with his classmates at the academy—he had to have the best brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, dressing in fancy clothes, and even copying the rich city boys by wearing jade pendants and sachets, and carrying fans inscribed by famous calligraphers.

When all was said and done, he was still just a farmer's son. Even as a scholar, he had no call to be so showy. Yan Shichang and Chen Lanfang loved him but didn't spoil him rotten. Seeing that his wants were a bottomless pit that could never be filled, the old couple stopped handing him extra money.

Yan Feng'an toed the line for a while after that. Then, somehow, he took a shine to Wen Liu, showering him with jewelry and baubles, and even promising a whopping thirty taels of silver as a betrothal gift.

Remembering all this, Yan Shichang felt a heavy weight in his chest. His son had been clever and sharp since childhood—even a traveling Taoist priest who passed through had said he'd amount to something great. Who'd have thought the kid would turn out like this?

One look at his face and Chen Lanfang knew what he was thinking, and offered words of comfort: "After this scare, I think Feng'an's learned his lesson. He'll break all those bad habits."

Yan Shichang let out a long sigh, praying his son had really changed.

After talking it over with Yan Shichang, Chen Lanfang took Wen Xi to town the next day.

Before leaving, Wen Xi made sure to put on the new shoes his two sisters-in-law had made for him. Yan Feng'an watched him pacing around the room like a kid who'd gotten a treasure, and couldn't help teasing: "The poor little thing has someone to spoil him now—new shoes and all. How enviable."

Wen Xi was overjoyed at the new shoes, but the comment made him a bit embarrassed.

Out of gratitude toward the man who'd helped him, he worked up the courage to offer Yan Feng'an a favor: "I know how to paste shoe soles. Next time, I'll make you a pair too."

"No need—I have plenty of shoes." Yan Feng'an opened the cabinet, revealing the bottom layer, which was stuffed full of shoes of every kind.

Most of these shoes had been bought from shops in town—Wen Xi's humble craftsmanship couldn't compare. Looking at them, he silently told himself not to embarrass himself like that again.

"Forget it—go ahead and make me a pair anyway. I'm getting rid of all these."

The person who had occupied his body certainly knew how to enjoy life—not only were most of the clothes made of silk, but he even had several pairs of boots. This shameless bastard had not only taken over his body but had also squandered the family's money with abandon, relying on his parents' affection and his brothers' and sisters-in-law's tolerance. Just looking at the clothes and shoes he'd worn made Yan Feng'an feel disgusted.

Wen Xi had lived a hard life and hated waste above all. Hearing Yan Feng'an's words, he said anxiously, "These shoes are still in such good condition—how can you just get rid of them?"

Yan Feng'an said, "Don't misunderstand—I didn't mean I'd throw them away."

Seeing Wen Xi still looking worried, he explained patiently: "I recall there's a shop in town that buys old clothes and shoes. I plan to sell these there."

So that was it. Wen Xi asked him, "Then... would you like to come to town with me and Mother?"

Yan Feng'an nodded, pulling out the clothes he no longer wore from the cabinet: "Help me pack these up first. I'll go tell Mother."

Selling old clothes wasn't anything unusual in the countryside. Poorer families would pawn their winter cotton clothes in spring and redeem them when the weather turned cold again.

Of course, a family like the Yans had no need for such measures. Their circumstances weren't that dire, even if they weren't what they used to be. Chen Lanfang was puzzled: "Why on earth would you want to sell your clothes all of a sudden?"

Yan Feng'an had his excuse ready: "These clothes are flashy but impractical—not suited for a family like ours. I don't want to wear them anymore."

"That's the best way to think about it." Seeing that he truly seemed intent on reforming, Chen Lanfang naturally supported his decision. "Do you want to sell them yourself, or should I do it?"

"I'll go myself." Having been cooped up at home for so long, Yan Feng'an was eager to get out and see the world.

His body was still a bit weak, but aside from that, there was nothing seriously wrong anymore. A trip to town wouldn't hurt, though he still couldn't overexert himself. Chen Lanfang said, "Your father took your eldest and second brothers to work in the neighboring village, so there's no one to hitch the ox cart. If you're coming, we'll head out early and wait on the main road."

Daoxiang Village wasn't far from Yongle Town—on foot, it would take about half an hour at a brisk pace. Chen Lanfang had originally planned to walk with Wen Xi.

But with Yan Feng'an joining them, and considering his health, taking the ox cart was the better option.

After mother and son finished talking, Wen Xi had already packed Yan Feng'an's clothes and shoes into a bundle. It looked fairly large, and Yan Feng'an reached out to take it, but Wen Xi shook his head: "It's not heavy. You're still weak—I'll carry it."

Though Yan Feng'an wanted to prove himself, he had to admit the truth: right now, he was indeed a sickly man in need of his husband's care.

After giving a few instructions to Li Wan, Chen Lanfang led the young couple out the door. As they walked out of the village, they encountered many neighbors along the way.

In the past, Chen Lanfang wasn't one to chat with them much, but now that her son had recovered, she held her head high.

A few days earlier, when people heard the two children in their family say Yan Feng'an's madness was cured, most had been skeptical. But seeing him in person today finally convinced them.

Many people on the road greeted Yan Feng'an, the scholar. He nodded politely, addressing them by name from memory.

Once the three of them had walked off into the distance, a group muttered among themselves: "How strange—this Yan scholar took a knock to the head and knocked some manners into him."

Leaving the village, a short walk brought them to the main road. It happened to be market day, and before long, an ox cart came along. Besides the driver, there was a young man and a thirty-something-year-old male spouse on board.

When Wen Xi and the others climbed on, they ended up sitting directly across from the pair. Since these two were from an upstream village and Chen Lanfang didn't know them, neither side exchanged greetings.

Wen Xi always felt awkward and shy around strangers. After getting on the cart, he didn't dare look around, keeping his legs together and staring fixedly at the bundle in his hands.

A damp morning breeze drifted by, carrying a rich osmanthus fragrance to his nose. The osmanthus flowers had already withered by now—it must have been scented balm the male spouse across from them was wearing.

Judging by his age, that male spouse was likely already married. Unlike Wen Xi's shyness, his eyes had been fixed on Yan Feng'an since he boarded the cart, sizing him up from head to toe.

If a man stared at a woman or a male spouse like that, it would be considered extremely rude. But with the roles reversed, no one said much—they just silently thought the male spouse was a bit forward.

Especially when Yan Feng'an's gaze happened to meet his, the male spouse tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and winked at him.

Yan Feng'an closed his eyes and leaned toward Wen Xi.

Seeing his furrowed brows and troubled expression, Wen Xi assumed he wasn't feeling well. Though unaccustomed to his closeness, he braced his arm firmly so the taller man could lean more comfortably.

The cart was indeed faster than walking. It rattled along, stopping and starting, and reached town in under half an hour.

As the dust settled and the cart rolled away, Chen Lanfang covered her nose and spat: "What a piece of work."

Wen Xi had no idea why his mother-in-law was suddenly upset. He thought she might be annoyed at the two-copper-coin fare per person. Just as he was feeling anxious, Chen Lanfang smiled and took his hand: "Come on, let's go look over there."

Chen Lanfang came to town for market often, and with her scholar son, many stall owners knew her. After exchanging cheerful greetings and looking around, she casually led the young couple to the secondhand clothing shop.