Chapter 129: The Bootlicking Has Begun
Wen Yao had plenty of fine wine in her space—of the highest quality, no less—but of course she couldn’t let the old lady know that. She simply told her that the jar of good wine had been a gift from Qiu Rongrong, meant especially for her father, and she had tucked it away. Now was the perfect time to take it out for Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin.
Old Madam Luo never doubted a word Wen Yao said, especially after she truly started doing business with Qiu Rongrong. So, she asked no further questions.
After spending quite a while browsing the market, Old Madam Luo, Lady Li, Lady Cai, Wen Ying, and Wen Di all returned to Jishi Hall with their hands full of groceries.
Seeing how much they bought, Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin teased them.
“Are you trying to wear poor Yao Yao out?”
Lady Li and Lady Cai hurried to respond, “Of course not! With so many of us around, how could we let Yao Yao do all the work? She just needs to man the stove.”
Their words made Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin laugh heartily.
They all stayed at Jishi Hall until the afternoon. When the patients had cleared out, Manager Qiu had Hong Hai fetch Jin Xiuyi, and the whole group headed back to Gutong Village.
Though only a day had passed, the news that the Wen family had sent three children to the academy had already spread through the village. The village chief even came to the entrance to wait, hoping to find out if it was true.
If it was, then the Wen family would truly be something in Gutong Village. And if even one of those three kids succeeded in the exams, it would be a huge honor for the whole village.
Seeing the Wen family’s ox cart in the distance, the village chief stood up—then spotted the carriage trailing behind it at a leisurely pace.
The sight made the corner of the village chief’s mouth twitch.
The Wen family… they really weren’t the same anymore.
“Uncle, Auntie, you’re back?” The village chief stepped forward to greet them as the ox cart neared.
Old Man Wen tugged on Dahuang’s reins and looked at him. “Oh, what a coincidence, Chief. Out for a stroll?”
The village chief gave an awkward smile. “Not really. I came here specifically to wait for you and Auntie.”
Old Madam Luo, sitting on the cart, subtly rolled her eyes.
Since when was she his “auntie”? He’d never been this courteous before.
She turned slightly to face him. “What wind blew the chief here to wait for us personally? Something you need?”
The village chief, long used to Old Madam Luo’s fiery nature, didn’t take offense. He cut straight to the point. “Word has it you sent Da Nong, Wen Fa, and Wen Jin to the academy today. I just wanted to ask—how did it go? Did they make it in?”
Old Madam Luo thought to herself: whether they got in or not is our family’s business, since when did it become the chief’s concern?
But thinking about it further, it made sense. In Gutong Village, they hadn’t produced a real scholar in generations, and even then, the only one was half-baked. Now they were sending three kids to the academy? If even one made it, it would be a huge deal for the village.
After all, in these rural clan-based communities, glory and shame were shared. One family’s success lifted all boats.
Just then, her eldest son peeked his head out of the carriage behind them. Old Madam Luo glanced at the village chief, then motioned for her second and third sons to make room for him on the cart. “Come on up, Chief. We can talk more at home.”
The village chief gladly hopped on. The added weight made Dahuang start up more slowly, which made Old Man Wen visibly distressed.
Once they arrived home, Old Man Wen hurriedly stopped the cart and urged everyone to get off. He lovingly unfastened Dahuang’s harness and had his two sons move the cart aside while he personally led Dahuang to the animal pen in the back.
Old Madam Luo sneered. “Look at your grandpa fussing over that ox.”
Wen Yao suppressed her laughter and helped the old lady into the house.
Wen Xiuqing and Wen Xiuzhu resignedly unpacked the goods and carried them into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, the village chief finally saw Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin stepping down from the carriage. He couldn’t help thinking of what had happened to the Li family. His usual official airs disappeared instantly as he greeted them with enthusiasm.
Old Man Wen finished tending to Dahuang and invited everyone into the house. Old Madam Luo brewed tea and brought it in. Looking at the village chief, she finally asked, “Chief, you don’t have any plans tonight, do you? Stay for dinner.”
The chief immediately straightened up. “Then I’ll take you up on that, Auntie.”
“It’s no trouble, just another pair of chopsticks. You all sit tight—I’m taking Yao Yao to prep the meal,” Old Madam Luo said as she left the room.
Only then did the village chief ask Old Man Wen about how the three boys’ enrollment had gone. He’d been anxiously waiting for confirmation all day.
Thankfully, Old Man Wen’s response made the chief breathe a heavy sigh of relief. “That’s excellent news! Gutong Village is finally going to make a name for itself.”
He turned to the Three Hopes with a big smile that wrinkled his whole face. “Da Nong, Wen Fa, Wen Jin—you all study hard, you hear?”
“Yes,” the three of them replied with a nod.
Looking at the Wen family’s current status, the chief felt a complex mix of emotions. Of course he wanted to see more promising youths from the village. But not every family had the means to send kids to school.
“What a pity we’re such a poor village. Hardly any families can afford to send their kids to school. Look at Li Family Village—they have their own village school,” the chief muttered, not even realizing he was voicing his inner thoughts aloud.
Just mentioning it made his envy flare. Because of that school, every time he reported to the county office with other village chiefs, he had to act humble around the Li Family chief.
He’d even tried asking if their village’s kids could attend that school—but was promptly turned down. Gutong Village didn’t have the grain output or the money.
Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu sipped their tea in silence—village matters weren’t their place to comment on.
Old Man Wen, though, could relate. Even when they worked outside the village, they were often looked down on by folks from Li Family Village.
Who wouldn’t resent that?
Then Wen Xiuyi chimed in, “So why don’t we start one ourselves?”
Smack. Old Man Wen slapped him and gave him a fierce glare.
But the village chief’s eyes lit up immediately, though he tried to play it cool. “Well, we don’t have a teacher. And as you know, Old Wen, not many families here can afford tuition.”
Old Man Wen now wanted to kick the chief out—he just knew this old fox wouldn’t visit for nothing.
Sure enough, the chief added, “Not every family has a visionary like Old Wen here, who knows how to plan ahead!”
Old Man Wen: “…”
Wen Xiuyi got the message and shut up. He’d clearly underestimated the politics of the village—best keep quiet.
“Ahem,” Old Man Wen cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Let’s not talk about that. The three boys were admitted to Qingfeng Academy. Whether they achieve anything will depend on their own efforts. Hey, Chief, I heard your family switched to a curved-shaft plow too. How is it? Working well?”
With that abrupt pivot, Old Man Wen successfully blocked the chief’s stream of flattery.
