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Dabao’s words made Chen Feng feel somewhat melancholic. It was touching to see how this young child already knew the importance of gratitude. He was an orphan abandoned by his parents, one of the most pitiable children. However, he was picked up by a good family and led a peaceful life. Even before she had crossed over, despite the Chen family’s poverty, he had done his best to protect her.
But that little Wang Cheng had his biological father and so many relatives…
Chen Feng lifted Dabao onto her lap and said, “Good child, gratitude is a virtue. I’m very glad you can think this way. Regardless of your future success or wherever you go, remember that this home saved you, provided you warmth, and offered you protection.”
“Yes, I will remember.” Dabao replied.
After the midday break, Chen Feng went back to the old courtyard. Chen Ming had not left and had been speaking quietly with Mrs. Wang.
Seeing Chen Feng, Chen Ming spoke to her with great seriousness. Essentially, he emphasized that she was his legitimate daughter and asked her not to believe Mrs. Ding’s and her son’s nonsense. If anyone else said the same, he urged her not to trust them. He suggested that her resemblance to the magistrate, Chen Shiying, was merely a coincidence…
They chose to continue concealing the truth from themselves.
Chen Feng was content to play dumb. She quickly embraced one of Chen Ming’s arms and said, “Of course, I don’t believe those rumors. If I wasn’t my father’s legitimate daughter, how could he have been so good to me? I remember my father’s kindness. Even during those foolish years, I knew my father was the best in the world.” She added with a veiled reference, “I’ve never aspired to climb the social ladder. Our family’s harmony is so much better than the deceitful wealthy families.”
Her words moved Chen Ming, and he affectionately patted Chen Feng’s hand, saying, “Dad knows, A’Feng is a good daughter.”
Mrs. Wang, who was nearby, seemed relieved.
Chen Ming also reminded Chen Feng not to treat Mrs. Ding and Wang Cai in such a way. However bad they might be, they were still elders. If others found out, it would likely invite criticism, and it would also make it more difficult for her to find a good son-in-law in the future.
Chen Feng nodded and said, “Dad, don’t worry. I had no other choice when I dealt with them this morning.” She then looked at the scratch marks on Mrs. Wang’s face and asked, “Mother, did you do this to yourself?”
Mrs. Wang replied, “Yes, I had no other choice. I couldn’t let them spread rumors.”
To reward Zhui Feng, Chen Feng specially stewed two servings of its favorite soy pork ribs.
After dinner, Chen Ming led Lu and Dabao to the main house and Hu Laowu’s house to give gifts.
Chen Feng picked the pine nuts and entered the space. She remembered the principle of repaying kindness and also recalled how the Golden Swallow had retrieved Zhui Feng. However, instead of finding the Golden Swallow working, she found him lying on the ground, holding his stomach with his wing. When he saw Chen Feng come in, he didn’t even greet her, giving her a resentful look, then turned away.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong? Get up quickly, Mommy has brought pine nuts for you.” Chen Feng crouched down and poked the little bird’s body with her fingers.
Upon hearing this, the Golden Swallow quickly got up, his face turning red with anger. He chirped at Chen Feng, “How dare you talk about pine nuts! Humph, you’ve made me suffer.”
At this moment, he looked like an angry little swallow.
Perplexed, Chen Feng said, “What’s wrong with the pine nuts? They are delicious, and Mommy didn’t want to eat too many.”
The Golden Swallow retorted, “Delicious? All nuts are delicious! Only you would be so stingy, making me crave them. I’ve lived for nearly two thousand years and this is the first time I’ve been so embarrassed.” He then covered his little head with a wing.
Anxious, Chen Feng said, “Oh, you keep going in circles. I still don’t understand what you’re saying. Well, if you won’t tell me, I’ll leave.” She was very tired today and didn’t have the energy to coax a little creature.
Seeing Chen Feng’s reaction, the Golden Swallow muttered in a small voice, “I have diarrhea.” He then burst into tears and continued to lament, “In the past, whenever its winter, my previous owner would bring nuts for me to eat. They often did, so I didn’t crave them and didn’t eat too much. But you, not only do you seldom bring them, but when you do, they are oily ones. You are so mean, causing me to lose face. Boo hoo…”
Chen Feng felt very sorry, although she had considered giving the bird oily foods in the past, she hadn’t actually done so. She truly believed that pine nuts were good, as evidenced by how much Gray and Qiqi enjoyed them. Therefore, she kindly brought them in for the Golden Swallownto eat, but she hadn’t expected that it would upset his stomach.
Hastily apologizing, she said, “Goldie baby, I’m sorry. Mommy didn’t know it would be like this. How about this, Mommy will go out and bring in some water to clean your bottom.”
Then, she hurried out, fetched a damaged bowl, and filled it with half a bowl of water to bring into the space.
Seeing the broken bowl, the Golden Swallow wrinkled his little green eyes in disgust and said, “Mommy, even though I’m the great Golden Treasure, I can’t use this broken bowl, not even for washing my bottom.”
Chen Feng reassured her, “Okay, okay. When Mommy becomes wealthy, all your daily necessities will be made of pure gold.”
She then grabbed the Golden Swallow and saw a tiny bit of yellow feces on his long tail, so she carefully washed it in the big bowl.
After leaving the space, she couldn’t bear to pour out the water from the bowl, instead placing it on the stove.
Taking advantage of the bright moonlight in the yard, she scooped half a basin of soil and planted some garlic. Then, she poured the water into the basin, carried it to the old courtyard kitchen, where it was warmer.
Since the latter part of October, there had been no vegetables in the ground. Now, apart from eating radishes and bean sprouts, they only had dried vegetables. Longing for fresh greens, she hoped to grow some garlic sprouts to eat.
The next day, Chen Feng took Dabao to visit the new bride, Chen Lan, and offered some words of blessing. Without waiting for the bride’s return, they went to Tangyuan.
In the evening, upon returning home from Tangyuan, Chen Feng and Dabao heard from Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming about Chen Lan’s wedding. It was reported to be particularly lively, and her dowry was among the most substantial for a bride in the village, making Chen Ye feel especially proud. Those who brought the bride reported that the groom’s family was very satisfied with the dowry…
They also mentioned how Mrs. Hu had cried a lot. Although she usually favored Chen Jue more, she knew that the eldest daughter had to be more obedient.
Mrs. Wang looked at Chen Feng and chuckled, “A’Feng has a household of her own now and won’t need to marry far away. Otherwise, I would cry my heart out.”
Chen Ming chuckled, “Indeed, A’Feng lives right next to us. How convenient.”
Chen Feng laughed, “Of course. With Dad’s big voice, we can hear each other.”
Ten days later, the garlic sprouts in the basin had grown to over half a foot tall, densely filling the container, lush and green, with a delightful fragrance.
Mrs. Wang exclaimed, “I’ve planted garlic sprouts in a basin before, but they never grew this fast or looked so vibrant.”