Chapter 111: Which Path to Take

Suddenly, Qiqi and Gray, who had been circling above their carriage, swooped forward with a “caw” and a faint sound of Zhui Feng could be heard.

Dabao, who was sleeping in Chen Feng’s arms, suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed, “Zhui Feng, I hear the sound of Zhui Feng.” He then sat up, stuck his head out of the window, and shouted, “Zhui Feng, we’re back!”

Zhui Feng dashed over and as it reached the carriage, it was about to jump onto it, but the coachman quickly pulled the horse to a stop. Zhui Feng hopped onto the carriage, poked its head into the compartment, and licked Dabao, Chen Feng, and Chen Lu. There seemed to be a glint of tears in its eyes, and it whimpered as if expressing feelings of separation. It wasn’t as affectionate towards Mrs. Wang, and while licking the others, it also rubbed against her leg.

Qiqi and Gray followed Zhui Feng into the carriage. After they had enough affection, they stretched their necks and began howling like dogs, expressing their joy. Seeing Zhui Feng looking at them with a puzzled expression, everyone laughed. Silly dog, after so many times, he still hadn’t figured out how that sound was made.

When the carriage reached the outside of the fence, Chen Ming was already waiting there. Since noon, he had been standing in the yard, gazing eastwards. When he saw Zhui Feng suddenly dash out of the yard and head east, he vaguely saw a carriage heading towards the village. He knew it was his wife and children returning.

The carriage stopped, everyone got off, and Dabao ran over to hug Chen Ming, while Lu happily called out “Dad.” Mrs. Wang and Chen Feng unloaded the things from the carriage and gave a package of snacks to the coachman before sending him off.

After they brought the things into the house and had a chat, Chen Ming had Dabao take a few packs of candies and snacks to deliver to their relatives and to Shitou’s house. Then he went to the main house to invite Old Lady Chen, Chen Ye, and Chen Gui to dinner that evening, along with bringing some gifts.

Zhui Feng happily followed Dabao outside, while Qiqi and Gray flew off into the sky towards the west.

Later, Mrs. Wang handed over the deed for a hundred mu of paddy fields to Chen Ming and talked about how Chen Feng had earned the money.

Chen Feng said, “That money was earned in the city, and this land is a filial gift from daughter to parents. Dad, please accept it without worry. If you want to tell Uncle Yi and Aunt Hu, go ahead. After all, Third Uncle’s family knows about it too. Now, our family doesn’t have to fear being looked down upon by others.”

Holding the deed with his name written on it, Chen Ming sighed, “Thank you, A’Feng. Since you recovered from your illness, our family’s life has been getting better and better. Now, I’ve even become a landlord.” Then, he said dejectedly, “Ah, a scholar is good for nothing. Apart from studying, I can’t do anything. I’m not good at farming, nor do I understand business. When I was unwell, it was your mother who supported me. Now that I’m better, I still can’t earn money, and it’s our daughter who supports me. I feel ashamed.”

Mrs. Wang scolded, “Look at the head of the household saying such things. Regardless of whether you are healthy or not, because of you, this home feels like a home.”

Chen Feng chuckled, “Dad, it’s not that you can’t do anything. It’s just that when you were healthy and young, you were too engrossed in studying. Later, due to your illness, you didn’t have the energy to learn new skills. Now that our family has bought so much land, and will continue to acquire more, Mom and I are women, and A’Lu and Dabao are still young. In the future, it will be up to you to manage these family assets. Dad, you even passed the provincial examination, so as long as you are willing to set aside your pride and learn, you will surely master these skills.”

Chen Ming’s health gradually improved, and now, apart from not being able to do strenuous work or travel long distances, he was no different from an ordinary person. He needed to be instilled with confidence, to learn the art of survival, and to shoulder the responsibilities of an adult man.

Chen Feng had been pondering about the path Chen Ming should take in the future for a long time. He had been studying until the age of fourteen, and then he fell ill with lung disease, leading to prolonged bed rest until now. It could be said that before the age of eighteen, he was supported by Chen Ye, and after eighteen, it was Mrs. Wang who supported him.

Although he had a kind heart and a broad mind, in terms of survival, he was indeed “good for nothing.” Apart from being able to recite classical literature and weave straw baskets and shoes, he was not skilled in anything else.

Seeing Chen Ming lost in thought, Chen Feng deliberately probed, “How about, Dad, you continue your studies?”

Deep down, Chen Feng didn’t want Chen Ming to continue his studies, to take the imperial examinations or anything of the sort.

Once just a student, he had given up books for so many years, and now he was already in his thirties, not the scholarly type. Even if he were to resume his studies, it would be impossible for him to pass the examinations. Even if, by some chance, he were to pass the examinations in his fifties, it simply wouldn’t be worth it.

Chen Feng felt that one of the most absurd things in ancient times was the “gray-haired examinee,” those “martyrs in their twilight years, with undiminished aspirations,” but it was using the hardships of several generations to fulfill their elusive “champion dreams,” which was the most selfish form of parasitism.

After all, Chen Ming was already in his thirties. He shouldn’t push the burden of livelihood onto his wife and children for the sake of his uncertain future. Besides, his wife had nearly blinded herself from worrying about his illness and taking care of the family, and he also knew full well that Chen Feng was not his flesh and blood.

If he did choose this path, then giving him a hundred mu of land and a grand house would be enough, at most providing some living expenses each month. This way, it would not only repay his protection of young Feng, but also ensure that their family could live comfortably, allowing little Lu to study diligently.

If Chen Ming could face the current situation, be willing to stand on his own, and bear the burden of life for his wife and children, then Chen Feng would be extremely willing to help him achieve prosperity.

Of course, abilities have their limits, and it’s not possible to make a 40-watt light bulb shine with 100 watts of light.

If Chen Ming could stand on his own, like Chen Shi, handling many affairs in the forefront, after all, in this era, it’s not good for women to be too prominent. It’s better for her to stay at home or manage things behind the scenes.

If he isn’t that capable, as long as he’s willing to learn, they could hire someone knowledgeable in household affairs to teach him or work alongside him.

Perhaps Mrs. Wang was also afraid that Chen Ming would choose to continue his studies. She was so nervous that her hands were trembling, and she didn’t even dare to look up at Chen Ming, afraid that her healthy husband would really let their daughter continue to support him.

After pondering for a while, Chen Ming looked up and firmly said, “Although it seems that so far, the best thing I’ve done is to study, I can’t continue studying. At my age, I can’t achieve much through studies. The dream of becoming a successful candidate or scholar, let A’Lu and Dabao fulfill it. I’m in the prime of my life and in good health, I can’t let my wife and children support me any longer. Ah, because of my illness, I’ve already caused too much hardship for wife, A’Feng, A’Lu, and Dabao. I can’t continue to burden you all.”

Mrs. Wang’s eyes welled up with emotion, and she said, “Head of the household, as long as you are healthy, any hardship is worthwhile.”