A faint smile appeared on Xie Jinnan’s lips.
He answered honestly,
“Grandma struck first.”
“Under normal circumstances…”
“The one paying compensation wouldn’t have been Granny Bai.”
He paused before continuing,
“The village chief’s eldest grandson, Song Jin, is a scholar.”
“We’re on good terms.”
“Perhaps the chief did me a favor because of that.”
He had shared his carefully compiled examination notes with Song Jin precisely because he had anticipated a day like this.
After all…
People are reluctant to offend someone they owe a favor.
And Song Jin’s future success in the imperial examinations meant everything to the village chief.
Selling Xie Jinnan a favor cost him very little.
Even if Granny Tian hadn’t exploded today…
Xie Jinnan had already intended to make whoever spread those rumors pay a price.
“So that’s the advantage of being a scholar.”
Jinxiu was in an exceptionally good mood.
She skipped happily along the road like a carefree young girl.
Watching her…
The smile on Xie Jinnan’s face deepened.
He didn’t want his Jin’er to suffer any grievances.
A young girl should live exactly like this—
Happy.
Carefree.
Smiling every day.
After walking a while…
Jinxiu turned around and walked backward so she could face him.
“Husband…”
“Why didn’t you continue taking the imperial examinations?”
“Was it because of money?”
If that were the reason…
Then she’d have to work even harder to earn silver.
She wanted him to pursue his dreams without worrying about the family’s finances.
Xie Jinnan was silent for a moment before answering slowly.
“After one tragedy after another struck my family…”
“I couldn’t focus on studying.”
“That’s one reason.”
“But not the only one.”
“My teacher, Master Wu, once offered to support my education.”
“So money wasn’t the entire problem.”
He smiled faintly.
“The other reason…”
“I don’t like doing things unless I’m confident I’ll succeed.”
Jinxiu blinked.
“What about next year?”
Every February, Northern Yan held the Provincial Examination (Yuanshi).
Passing it meant becoming a Xiucai (Licensed Scholar).
This year’s exam had already passed.
The next opportunity would be next year.
Xie Jinnan smiled instead of answering directly.
“What do you think?”
Jinxiu stopped walking.
She looked straight into his eyes.
Her smile was bright and unwavering.
“My husband is so smart.”
“I’m sure you’ll pass.”
Her confidence came naturally.
Without hesitation.
For some reason…
Her faith in him moved Xie Jinnan deeply.
He gently rubbed the top of her head.
“Then…”
“I won’t disappoint you.”
Returning Home
When they reached the fork in the road…
Xie Fusheng spoke first.
“Father, Mother, Elder Brother…”
“I’ll head home now.”
Granny Tian shot him a look.
“What’s the rush?”
“Is your backside on fire?”
“Come home with us first.”
“We bought several jin of pork in town today.”
“I’ll cut half a jin each for you and your third brother.”
Among the three brothers…
The second wasn’t nearly as close to the family as the youngest.
Whenever he visited his parents…
He always left in a hurry.
Granny Tian knew the reason well enough.
Xie Fusheng thought about the argument he’d had with Zhang Yuying before leaving home.
Going back now…
Would only lead to another fight.
The more he thought about it…
The less eager he was to return.
Peace and quiet at his eldest brother’s house sounded much more appealing.
Just as he was about to agree…
Xie Tiansheng spoke first.
“No need.”
“You already gave us rabbit yesterday.”
“Keep the pork for yourselves.”
“If there’s extra…”
“Turn it into cured meat.”
“Elder Brother also needs proper nourishment.”
Xie Changsheng smiled helplessly.
“Third Brother…”
“You and your wife keep telling me to eat more.”
“I only injured my leg.”
“The rest of me is perfectly healthy.”
Then he added quietly,
“And besides…”
“No amount of nourishing food can fix this leg.”
His voice was calm.
But everyone heard the resignation beneath it.
Xie Tiansheng’s expression darkened.
“Elder Brother…”
“Don’t say that.”
“If the doctors in town can’t cure it…”
“Then we’ll go to the county.”
“The county physicians must be better.”
“If money becomes a problem…”
“I can—”
“I know your intentions.”
Xie Changsheng interrupted gently.
“I’ve already accepted it.”
“And gotten used to it.”
“My leg still works.”
“I’m just slower.”
“It’s not a big problem.”
Standing nearby…
Xie Fusheng suddenly felt out of place.
They were brothers…
Yet somehow…
He no longer belonged in conversations like these.
All he could do was awkwardly add,
“Third Brother’s right.”
“If town doctors can’t help…”
“Try the county.”
Granny Tian and Grandfather Xie exchanged a glance.
Both sighed silently.
Back at the Xie House
Just then…
Xie Eryong walked out of the main hall after hearing voices.
“Father?”
“Big Brother?”
“You weren’t home.”
He looked surprised upon seeing everyone gathered.
“Second Uncle.”
“Third Uncle.”
“Third Aunt.”
“You’re all here too.”
“Did something happen?”
Xie Tiansheng patted his shoulder reassuringly.
“Something did happen.”
“But it’s already been settled.”
As Jinxiu stepped into the courtyard…
A familiar mechanical voice suddenly echoed inside her mind.
【Ding! Wild Morel Mushrooms detected.】
【1 jin = 50 points.】
【Ding! Wild Pine Mushrooms detected.】
【1 jin = 8 points.】
Her gaze immediately shifted beyond Eryong.
Under the eaves…
Sat an overflowing bamboo basket full of mushrooms.
The system estimated—
Eight jin in total.
Her eyes lit up.
“Eryong!”
“You gathered all these from the mountain?”
Seeing her excitement…
Eryong smiled to himself.
Big Sister-in-law really does love mushrooms.
Good thing Xiaoyu and I searched so hard.
That morning…
The siblings had first dug half a basket of wild vegetables.
After returning home and resting briefly…
Eryong had persuaded Xiaoyu to head back into the mountains.
Partly because…
Yesterday’s yam and mushroom soup had been unbelievably delicious.
And partly because…
With his injured hand preventing heavy work…
He wanted to help gather more food for the family.
Today’s harvest had been excellent.
Little Xiaoyu had proven to be astonishingly talented at spotting mushrooms.
More than half the basket was thanks to her.
Granny Tian began assigning tasks.
“Jinnan.”
“Put away the grain from the baskets.”
“There’s also four jin of pork.”
“Cut half a jin each for your second and third uncles.”
“We need to save two jin for tomorrow’s return visit.”
“The rest we’ll cook tonight.”
Then she turned to Huang Mei.
“Third Daughter-in-law.”
“Your needlework is the best.”
“Please make two new outfits for Jinxiu.”
Huang Mei smiled confidently.
“That’s no trouble at all.”
“I’ll make the prettiest clothes in the village.”
When it came to embroidery…
She considered herself second to none in Dali Village.
More importantly…
She genuinely loved sewing.
Doing something she enjoyed never felt like work.
She beckoned Jinxiu inside.
“Come.”
“I’ll take your measurements.”
The Family’s New Supplies
Inside the main hall…
Xie Jinnan unpacked everything they’d purchased.
First came the vegetables.
Then oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
Next…
The pork.
Two large pork bones.
Then white rice.
Mixed grains.
White flour.
Soon…
The entire table was piled high.
After hearing the story from Xie Tiansheng…
Eryong stared excitedly at the supplies.
“I’d like to see who still dares speak badly about Sister-in-law now.”
Xie Tiansheng looked on enviously.
“It’s been ages since I’ve eaten white rice.”
“The last time was during New Year.”
There was so much white rice and flour.
Clearly…
This time they’d actually bought it to eat.
His own household also had white rice.
But they always exchanged it for cheaper coarse grain.
Except during holidays…
They almost never ate it.
Standing nearby…
Xie Fusheng remained silent.
Thinking back to the slap Zhang Yuying had received earlier…
He had to admit…
She’d brought it upon herself.
Dividing the Meat
Xie Jinnan carried the pork into the kitchen.
He carefully divided it into equal portions.
Each piece weighed exactly half a jin.
After tying them neatly with straw rope…
He handed them over.
Xie Tiansheng immediately pushed his portion back.
“It’s too much.”
“Cut it in half again.”
Granny Tian rolled her eyes.
“You grown man…”
“Why are you so fussy?”
“If I give it to you…”
“Take it.”
“It’s only half a jin.”
“It’s not as though we can’t afford it.”
“Besides…”
“Next time your wife brings eggs again…”
“I’ll feel embarrassed accepting them.”
Only then did Xie Tiansheng grin.
“What are you saying, Mother?”
“It’s only right for a son to honor his parents.”
Meanwhile…
Xie Fusheng stood awkwardly holding his own bundle of pork.
The third branch of the family constantly contributed—
Eggs.
Now new clothes for Jinxiu.
His own household…
Had contributed absolutely nothing.
Yet…
They received exactly the same amount of meat.
No wonder his face burned with shame.
Trouble at Home
Carrying the pork…
Xie Fusheng returned home in silence.
The moment he stepped inside…
His daughter-in-law, Zhang Qiuxia, hurried out of the room he shared with Zhang Yuying.
The instant she saw him…
Her eyes lit up as though she’d finally found a savior.