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They entered the house, laid Chen Lu on the kang, wiped his sweat, changed his clothes, and reheated the meal for them.
While eating, Mrs. Wang recounted their trip to the capital. The treatment process went relatively smoothly, but Alu suffered greatly. He fainted from the pain when his bones were set and woke up crying from the subsequent agony, which even brought tears to Chen Ming and the others.
However, his recovery was remarkable, even the doctors at Qianjin Medical Hall said he was recovering faster than most. They spent a total of 12 taels and 5 maces on treatment and medicine, and brought back over twenty packs of medicine and a dozen medicinal pastes.
Mrs Wang also mentioned that they had stayed at Chen Shi’s house for over half a month, and the Chen family’s third branch had been a great help, refusing any money offered to them.
As they still had some money left, before leaving, Mrs Wang went to the cloth market to buy fabric for clothes for their family of five, leaving the two maces at their house quietly.
She also mentioned that life at Chen Shi’s house was not as comfortable as others had described. The courtyard was extremely small, and they lived frugally, only cooking a little meat each day for Chen Lu, leaving the three children at home hungry. Chen Shi borrowed some silver to repair the main house, and only managed to repay it a few months ago. Chen’s wife, Zhang, was full of complaints against Hu’s family and vowed never to return to Xiangluo Village again…
Chen Shi was concerned about his reputation. Before, he always shared his joys and worries with Grandma Chen and his brothers. When he made money, he willingly showed filial piety to his mother and two brothers, often bringing money and gifts home. However, after being heavily extorted by Hu’s Family, especially Mrs Hu, he no longer cared about his reputation and let Zhang disclose their financial situation. They were running a small business in the capital, working tirelessly from dawn to dusk, yet they barely earned ten taels of silver a month. Life in the capital was expensive, and they also had to support their two sons’ education…
Upon hearing this, everyone sighed.
After some discussion, Chen Dabao reported that his mother and he had earned some money again, and they had also established a relationship with the Xile Restaurant, which delighted Mrs Wang and Lu.
Chen Lu looked at his sister with even more admiration, saying, “Uncle Shi’s business isn’t easy, and money isn’t easy to come by. How is it that sister is so capable and effortlessly earns so much?”
Chen Feng chuckled and said, “To succeed, you have to be resourceful and do things others haven’t thought of, that’s the way to earn more money.”
Chen Ming then advised Chen Lu and Dabao, “Did you hear that? A’Feng’s words are invaluable. Whatever you do, including studying, you must be resourceful.”
Chen Lu and Dabao nodded in agreement.
After Mrs Wang and Chen Lu rested for a while, they asked Dabao to invite Grandma Chen to the main house, and also asked Chen Ye to join them for dinner.
In no time, Grandma Chen arrived.
The old lady embraced Chen Lu and wept again.
Mrs. Wang handed the old lady a pound of candy she had bought in the capital and the snacks that Chen Shi had bought for her.
Then the old lady inquired about their expenses this time. Mrs. Wang honestly stated that it was twelve taels of silver.
Surprised, the old lady asked, “How did you have so much money?”
Chen Ming whispered, “We earned some money from selling needlework baskets, and A’Feng earned some money making needlework bags.”
The old lady looked at Chen Feng with greater satisfaction and said, “A’Feng is indeed capable. You must remember how your father raised you and be filial to him for life.”
Chen Feng smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ve always remembered. I not only have to be filial to my father but also to you, grandma.”
The old lady became even happier and cautioned, “Absolutely do not mention how much money you earned from making needlework bags, or how much was spent on A’Lu’s treatment. That woman, Hu, is shallow-minded.”
Mrs. Wang also shared the actual situation of Chen Shi’s family, which moved the old lady to tears.
The old lady also complained to Chen Shi, “That silly child, his own life isn’t easy, yet why did he have to spend so much to renovate such a big courtyard for us.”
Mrs. Wang held back, not daring to mention the incident of Hu secretly crying and demanding a house.
While they were speaking, Chen Ye, Mrs. Hu, Chen Dahua, and Chen Daya arrived.
Before entering the house, Mrs. Hu loudly exclaimed, “Oh, how much money have you made? Even during non-festive times, there’s such a large piece of meat hanging under the eaves?” Upon entering the kitchen and seeing the remaining half pot of pig trotter soup and two small bowls of leftovers on the table, she called out again, “Wow, you’ve cooked so much meat, where did you get the money from?”
Chen Feng explained, “We didn’t buy this meat. Young Master Yang came to our house this morning, and they brought it.”
Chen Ming then explained that Young Master Yang was the young master of the Xile Restaurant and got along well with Chen Dabao. Then, disregarding Hu’s curiosity, he directly spoke to Chen Ye about Chen Lu’s treatment.
After the meal, as they were leaving, Mrs. Wang handed them the candy she had bought for the main house, and the snacks Chen Shi had bought.
Mrs. Hu, looking at the snacks with disbelief, asked, “Third brother-in-law didn’t only give us this one pack of snacks, right?”
Mrs. Wang’s face turned red, and she said loudly, “If Sister-in-law doesn’t believe it, you can ask Chen Shi when he returns. I’m not so shallow as to covet what others bring for you.”
Chen Ye hurriedly explained, “Sister-in-law, don’t be angry, A’Gui’s mother didn’t mean that.” Then he scolded Hu, “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you speak properly? You’re getting more and more confused. Just now, Sister-in-law said that third brother’s family is also not living well.”
Mrs. Hu muttered, “Even if it’s not good, it’s still much better than living in our countryside.”
Grandma Chen didn’t spare her any face, scolding, “You’re always asking for things from your little brother, only someone like you could do that. My third son only brought me one pack of snacks, do you think his filial piety to you should surpass his filial piety to his mother?”
Chen Ye’s face turned red, and he glared at Hu.
Mrs. Hu remained silent, but from her expression, it was clear she did not believe that Chen Shi had only brought one pack of snacks for her.
This distressed Mrs. Wang.
The next day, Chen Feng planned a nutritious diet for Lu, including drinking milk in the morning, having bone soup for lunch and dinner, alternating between lean meat and pig liver, and spending more time outdoors in the sun.
Every day when Mrs. Wang went to buy meat, people would envy their family’s improved circumstances. Wang would say, “We buy necessary foods to improve A’Lu’s health.”
During leisure time, Chen Feng taught Mrs. Wang how to make clothes and pants. Watching Mrs. Wang cut the pants, she advised her on how to cut them for a better fit and comfort. Initially hesitant, Mrs. Wang was surprised when she practiced cutting the fabric she had bought for Dabao and found that the resulting pants not only fit well but also looked good. Although they were loose-fitting, they were more tailored and had a slightly shallower waist and crotch.
After making a pair for Chen Feng, she made one for Chen Ming. Upon trying them on, Chen Ming remarked, “These pants are much more comfortable than the ones we had before.”
Delighted, Mrs. Wang proceeded to make the rest of the pants in the same way.
On the 26th, Shitou ran over and said, “Aunt Feng, your furniture is ready. My father and Uncle will bring it over soon.” Then, he ran off to play with Dabao, who was out bird-watching and gathering firewood at the west end of the village.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang hurried to the new courtyard, opened the gate, and Chen Ming and Lu, leaning on a crutch, followed to take a look.