31-40

Chapter 31

Seeing him come in, Brother Zhao sat by the stove and asked, "Is the good boy asleep?"

"Yes!" Fang Zichen was a little absent-minded.

"What's wrong?"

"No, I'm just thinking about how I can teach that horse to be filial and make my son angry!" Fang Zichen said bitterly.

"It's Ma Xiaoshun," Brother Zhao corrected him.

Fang Zichen said: "Whatever his name is, whether he is filial or obedient, if he bullies my son, he will be called a bastard."

"Forget it! When it comes to children, you can't do it like beating Liu . If you're like a leper, come and beat Ma Xiaoshun!" Brother Zhao said.

"Who do you think I am!" Fang Zichen said: "I am a civilized person, caring and conscientious, and I never do anything to the old, weak, women and children." Brother Zhao seemed a little unbelievable, looking at him questioning what he thought. After thinking about it, there have indeed been some frequent fights recently, and he explained: "The Ma family deserves a beating, and Liu Laizi... I feel like he deserves a beating too."

Brother Zhao lowered his head and said softly: "Today When I went out, I heard some aunties saying that you went too far. "

Fang Zichen frowned: "What's wrong with you?"

"They said Liu Lezi didn't hit me much, but you beat him so badly," Brother Zhao said.

Fang Zichen almost laughed in anger.

"Oh! Does that mean I have to hit you so that I can beat him up? He has this intention for you, but I didn't deal with him. What if one day I'm not around and you don't pay attention and he succeeds? What if you fail? If you lose your virginity, will the people in the village care whether you are innocent or not? Like the last time you fell into the water, you were obviously kissed by me while you were unconscious, but look at them, I don't know the difference between right and wrong, so I'm going to dip you into the pig cage. Liu Lezi is a man, and he can only be beaten a few times. In the end, it's the man who takes advantage. I also nip it in the bud, and he can't be beaten. "Unjust."

"Then do you regret marrying me?" Brother Zhao suddenly asked.

Fang Zichen's face suddenly turned red: "Why do you ask so suddenly?"

Brother Zhao looked at him.

The man in front of him had an unruly and handsome face, and his youthful youthfulness had not yet faded away. He usually smiled brightly and had a warm-hearted look, but when he was fighting, his posture was very ruthless.

Brother Zhao said: "I just want to know."

Fang Zichen's eyes were a little wandering.

We've only known each other for a little over a month, but Brother Zhao is so considerate and obedient that it's hard to resist. He's like a spider that has spun a web. Anyone who gets close to him will be glued to him and unable to escape. .

He has big eyes and looks cute and cute. He is looking at me with a red face... He really can't stand it anymore!

Fang Zichen swallowed and shook his head: "I don't regret it."

"Then..."

"Oh, don't ask," Fang Zichen stood up eagerly, his ears turning red: "I already called you husband. I still regretted it."

Brother Zhao couldn't help laughing softly when he saw him saying "I'm going to see my son" and then hurried out.

Fang Zichen went back to the room and took a look. He was still sleeping. There was some sweat on his forehead. He wiped it off gently. The boy moved his mouth and squinted his eyes slightly. He knew it was him and immediately shouted: "Father~"

Fang Zichen couldn't help but kissed his little cheek: "Let's sleep a little longer!"

He found his wallet in the house, took out twenty coins, and went to the village chief's house. He deliberately turned a road that passed by the door of Ma's house. Ma Erzhu knew that his son had beaten the good boy, and he was so frightened that he was about to urinate. He hid Ma Xiaoshun at home and squatted at the door to guard.

Seeing Fang Zichen coming from a distance, he ran into the courtyard in a panic and closed the door tightly.

"Master," Li's legs were trembling: "Is Fang Zichen here?"

Ma Erzhu nodded: "Yes!"

Ma Laosan glared at them: "I told you not to mess with him last time, don't mess with him He, if your Shunzi is tired of living, don't harm us!"

"Third brother, you can't say that!" Ma Erzhu was a little dissatisfied: "My Shunzi is so young, what can he understand?"

"I don't care anyway! ," Ma Laosan hid in the room: "Your Shunzi caused trouble, if he wants to beat him, just beat him, just don't get involved with us."

Ma Erzhu looked at Ma Dazhuang, who didn't speak, and seemed to acquiesce to this. One statement.

"Brother," he said anxiously: "My Shunzi calls you uncle! You can't just ignore death."

"Save? How to save? Didn't you get taught enough last time?" Ma Dazhuang frowned and came to the door. Looking through the gap, he saw Fang Zichen passing by the door. He seemed to feel something, paused in his steps, turned around, smiled half-heartedly at the courtyard door, and made a gesture of wiping his neck.

Ma Dazhuang's hair stood on end and he didn't dare to breathe.

"Dad?" Ma Wen shouted.

"Go back, go back to the room." He pulled Ma Wen back to the house in a hurry.

Fang Zichen didn't kick in the door, as if he was just passing by.

The Ma family waited bravely for a long time, and then they dared to breathe a sigh of relief when they saw him wandering around for a while and then leaving.

Fang Zichen went to the village chief's house and bought ten eggs. He also visited the old man and chatted with someone for a while before going back.

The good boy had woken up and was in the kitchen. He heard some noise coming from outside and ran out.

Fang Zichen's calf was hugged.

"Father, where have you been?"

"I bought you eggs." Fang Zichen shook the basket in his hand, squatted down and asked, "Does your hand still hurt?"

It must have hurt.

The good boy raised his hand and put it to his mouth: "Father, blow it, and it won't hurt anymore."

"Okay, father, let me blow some fairy air for you."

In the evening, Brother Zhao listened to his words and specially gave it to the good boy. Boiled egg custard, this thing is not unusual in the village and cannot be eaten often, but if any family has a child, the child who is ten and a half months old will also steam a bowl for the child. The good boy smells the smell and puts it in Fang Zichen's arms. He stretched his neck and asked Brother Zhao,

"Dad, it's fragrant. What's it about?"

Brother Zhao replied: "It's egg custard."

"I know," the boy said, "I saw Ma Xiaoshun eat it before. It's delicious. Yes!"

Fang Zichen pinched his little face and said, "Have you ever eaten it?"

The boy's face became lonely and he shook his head and said, "No, they don't give it to me, and they don't give it to daddy either."

Fang Zichen kissed him . : "My poor son, from now on my father will work hard to make money and buy lots and lots of eggs for you to eat, okay?"

"Okay," the good boy laughed again, rubbed his neck, and said stickyly: "Boil them. It's delicious. My father eats it, my dad eats it, and my little boy eats it too."

Fang Zichen was so loving to his father that he held his sweet boy in his arms all night, fed him custard, and even washed his feet himself. He was an all-round good father.

Brother Zhao spent the whole night listening to them say "Father is the best", "Father is the best", "Baby", "My darling", back and forth, back and forth. He was so tired that he couldn't stand listening until midnight. .

Before going to bed, Zichen patted Guaizi's chest and promised: "Go to sleep! When you get up tomorrow, father will take you to find a place."

Guaizi nodded obediently, holding one of his fingers with his left hand, and holding Brother Zhao with his right hand, sleeping .

Fang Zichen stared at him for a while and suddenly said: "Brother Zhao, he doesn't look much like you!"

Chapter 32

Guaizi's eyes look just like Brother Zhao's. They're big, but there's really no resemblance in other places.

Brother Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

"Then who do you think he looks like?"

"I don't know!" Fang Zichen shook his head and said, "It looks strangely familiar."

The good boy has such good facial features. To be able to look like this, it's hard to imagine the beast who raped Brother Zhao. It's certainly not bad either.

He had no intention of mentioning the matter again, so he talked about what happened at the dock today.

Because the incident in Zuixiaolou was not settled yet, he did not mention it to Brother Zhao. He only said that all the work at the dock was done and he might have to find a new job.

"I don't want to be a soldier." He said dullly. Fighting and killing were really unbearable for a modern man like him.

Brother Zhao said: "We have a three-year conscription here, and we just had one in March this year. Let's save more money now, and then we can use the money to offset it."

Fang Zichen thought for a while, and whispered to him He mentioned the possible conscription next year, and finally told him not to talk about it outside.

Brother Zhao nodded in agreement: "I know." He was a little uneasy: "Husband, what should we do?"

There are two men in the family, and one of them will definitely go to the army.

If you don't want to go, you have to pay money, but with nine taels of silver per person and your family being extremely poor, where can you go to get it?

Now it's on a voluntary basis. If you don't want to go, you can still pay money. But if the border fights continue for more than ten years and the number of people is not enough to make up, then it will be mandatory. What will happen?

Fang Zichen was not familiar with the regulations of this era and asked: "Do you have any ideas?"

There was silence for a moment in the darkness.

After a while, Brother Zhao said: "You can take the scientific examination."

"Huh?"

"If you have meritorious service, you can get rid of the corvee and taxes." Brother Zhao said.

Fang Zichen stood up and looked over in the hazy moonlight: "Isn't that what I want to study?"

"Yeah!"

"If I take the imperial examination, who will support the family?"

"I will support the family," Brother Zhao said firmly Said: "I can support the family."

Fang Zichen smiled: "How? Are you going to help Aunt He dig sweet potatoes?"

"I can help people wash clothes," Brother Zhao racked his brains to think of a way: "I can go To chop firewood, you can also find some wild vegetables to sell. You can also..."

"Stop, stop," Fang Zichen said with a smile, "How much does it cost to help others wash clothes? And you are so skinny, but you still chop firewood? You can chop firewood."

Brother Zhao was a little unconvinced again: "I can do it. I used to chop firewood at Ma's house." In order to increase his credibility, he raised two fingers and said: "I will do it once. I can pick two big bundles."

"Okay, I know you are good," Fang Zichen said without arguing with him, "Let me check the situation first! If it doesn't work, I will just feed you and be your little nanny.

" His face turned red: "What nonsense are you talking about."

The Ma family was frightened for a long time. Seeing that Fang Zichen didn't come to seek revenge, they just regarded the matter as a matter of course.

The next day, as soon as Ma Erzhu and Li got off the ground, Ma Xiao rushed out of the house.

He grew up strong, and he used to be the king of children, but because of his domineering attitude, most of the children stopped playing with him. Now, only three or four of them still hang out with him, and their character is similar to his, without any education. .

The children in the village divided up their play. Ma Xiaoshun and his rival Liu Dali just got together a few days ago. The two of them each took their friends to build a house out of mud, and let others evaluate it to see who built the biggest and best house in the end.

The loser has to call Grandpa.

In order to win, Ma Xiaoshun collected mud until his palms were bald. He even wanted to lick the walls of the house with his tongue to make them smooth. After three days of hard work, a big house was ready to take shape.

Today I cut out the courtyard wall and surrounded a big yard, and it's done.

Liu Dali's group was not good. The house was extremely rough, not smooth at all, and the windows were crooked.

It's a sure win.

Ma Xiaoshun was feeling very happy and was working hard with a few friends. Someone beside him shouted,

"Boss Ma, the good boy is here."

"Come here." Ma Xiaoshun said nonchalantly.

"No! He came with his father."

Ma Xiaoshun stood up and looked back with a stiff neck.

The good boy sat on Fang Zichen's shoulder, his face flushed with excitement, and he pointed with his little hand: "Father, tie him up."

Ma Xiaoshun was about to run away, but Fang Zichen held on to the good boy, ran over in three or two steps, and grabbed his clothes. Leader,

"Still want to run away?"

Ma Xiaoshun was so frightened that he cried loudly. Several friends who were playing with him huddled together, not daring to express their anger.

Liu Dali and the others were stunned, thinking that Fang Zichen was awesome.

Ma Xiaoshun was so big that he could lift it with just one hand, just like a chicken.

Ma Xiaoshun struggled fiercely. Fang Zichen threw him to the ground, but the force was not strong. Ma Xiaoshun didn't even fall. He scolded: "Shut up, if you cry again I will pull your teeth."

Ma Xiaoshun stopped immediately, and the yellow stripe The snot was about to flow to his mouth. As soon as he sucked it in, the big yellow worm went back into the hole.

Fang Zichen: "..."

I almost vomited the breakfast I just had.

Fang Zichen scanned around and found several children covered in mud and two large houses standing on the edge of the field.

I didn't even see one, but the other one was pretty good and presentable. The wall is smooth, but it would take a lot of effort to knead the rough mud to create this effect.

Children in the countryside love playing house with mud. He knew it and asked, "What are you doing?"

Liu Dali did not discourage him and said, "Uncle, we are building a house." He told Ma Xiaoshun about the bet he made. Fang Zichen walked to the mud house built by Ma Xiaoshun and touched it lightly with his toes.

Ma Xiaoshun was so nervous that tears were about to fall again.

"Good boy, let's see how father avenges you." After Fang Zichen said this, he bent and stretched his knees and exerted force. The house that Ma Xiaoshun worked hard and took three days to build flew away, fell to the ground with a bang, and immediately fell into pieces.

For children, frying meat on the butt is not the most painful or painful lesson. Sometimes the words "Go do your homework" and "I lost your Transformers" are more fatal.

Fang Zichen specializes in hitting snakes within seven inches.

Ma Xiaoshun burst into tears.

My heart was broken to pieces, and several partners also started sobbing.

The good boy clapped his hands and was so happy that his feet kept flapping: "Father hates being hurt~Father hates being hurt the most~"

Chapter 33

The children cried loudly, which attracted some parents. After Fang Zichen left, they called Liu Dali. When he asked what the whole story was, they started a heated discussion.

One parent was dissatisfied. Her child was close to Ma Xiaoshun, and she cried just now, saying: "As for that! They are not biological children. There is a little friction between the children, and the adults will also compete with each other. Really, I don't think whose children will dare to do it in the future." "Playing with his children."

"That's right," someone echoed: "I went to beat up Liu Lezi a few days ago, and today he came to bully the children. Isn't his family just a brother and a bastard? Why should I protect him?"

"What a bastard, don't talk nonsense." "

Bah, you are the only ones who are kept in the dark by the Ma family and Brother Zhao. I heard Ma Wen say it myself last time outside the Ma family. Guaizai is not his son. So what is this

? What's going on?"

"Who knows, it's none of our business. It's better to say less, lest Fang Zichen comes to the house."

After hearing this, Brother Zhao turned around and left silently.

Small friction?

There was not a single spot on the back of his son's hand that was good, and he was kicked a few times. Is this called a minor friction?

When he came yesterday, he saw the good boy curled up and being kicked and beaten, with tears on his face. He felt very distressed.

Fang Zichen has a young master's temper that he can't tolerate the most. Yesterday, he deliberately downplayed the matter. If the truth was told, Fang Zichen would have allowed Ma Xiaoshun to go home lamely

just as a mild punishment.

Zuixiaolou was relatively free at noon. Fang Zichen was waiting outside the door. He had originally made an appointment with the ship steward, but after thinking about it, he decided to move it ahead of time.

When the ship steward arrived, he smiled when he saw him: "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Fang Zichen could not tell the truth, and said: "I just arrived."

"Okay, let's go in quickly! My brother has been waiting for a long time. I even came here to remind you last night! "

These days, most ordinary people are illiterate, and only the scholars who have entered school can read and calculate accounts.

But most of the scholars jumped to the dragon gate for the sake of the imperial examination. They don't have enough time to study normally. How can they have time to do odd jobs as a bookkeeper? If there is a scholar in any family, they are closely guarded and are not allowed to do anything. They can't wait to eat, drink or even eat. Sadhu went to take his place.

Nowadays, most of the people working outside are those whose families are well-off and studied in elementary school, or those who failed to pass the exam and retired to support their families.

These two types of people are also scarce.

Shopkeeper Yang was originally smiling, but when he saw Fang Zichen's slightly green look, his smile faded a bit.

The ship steward had greeted him before and said that the guy he wanted to introduce was young. He thought he was in his mid-20s, but it turned out that he was not as good as a weakling.

"Boy Fang, please sit down for a while." The ship steward pulled Shopkeeper Yang aside and said, "What's wrong with your face? Didn't I tell you beforehand that he was young?"

"Yes, I told you. But I didn't expect Xiao Cheng to be like this! Aren't you kidding me?"

Ancient times and modern times are similar.

Accounting is similar to accounting. They all like to look at their qualifications and their tender faces. Big bosses often don't trust them. They always feel that if they don't have a few wrinkles on their face and a few gray hairs on their head, they won't be practical in their work.

Fang Zichen sat aside, watching them whispering, and couldn't help but curl his lips.

The ship steward talked to shopkeeper Yang for a long time: "Brother, you believe me. If Mr. Fang doesn't have any skills, I won't let him introduce it to you. Don't you understand how I do things?"

Steward Yang still has some doubts . He hesitated, but because he had promised in advance, he could not go back on his words now, and said: "I have an account book. You can show it to him and I will see if it works."

Fang Zichen flipped through the account book. This account book is thin and has a top. I don't remember much.

Shopkeeper Yang originally planned to wait all afternoon, but before he finished a cup of tea, Fang Zichen closed the account book and handed it over: "Forget it."

Shopkeeper Yang: "..."

You're not kidding me, I'm afraid . ?

He didn't even hear a sound from the abacus.

Is this okay?

He took the account book without hesitation and turned to the last page. The amount was exactly the same as the result he calculated yesterday.

Just as a table of people came down from upstairs, the person who came to pay was the owner of the pawn shop in the town. One table ordered twelve dishes.

He took the abacus and counted. Fang Zichen raised his head and glanced at it, and said: "A total of sixty-two and thirty-six cents." After saying that, he couldn't control his eyes and glanced at the guest.

He has a big belly, is dressed in silk and satin, and has jade rings on all five fingers. He looks like "I'm not short of money."

Fang Zichen felt a little sad.

He thought with emotion that he had carried the big bag at the dock for more than a month and only made more than one tael of silver. As a result, he ate more than six taels in one meal.

But it's normal. He used to go to big hotels and a meal would cost him two or three months' salary.

Shopkeeper Yang raised his head and glanced at him, keeping his hands on the table. The customer leaned on the counter and laughed, "Are you so awesome, kid?"

"It's not bad!" Fang Zichen said.

"Have confidence." The guest patted him on the shoulder, took out two taels of broken silver and slapped it on the stage: "If you win, I will give you two taels of silver."

"This is not good!"

"What's wrong? I'll give you two taels of silver if you win. " Not short of this little money." The guest's eyes fell on his face and he said with a smile: "I like good-looking people, and I like whoever is handsome."

Fang Zichen backed away with a look on his face. enemy.

The ship steward couldn't help but laugh: "Don't be afraid, Boss Lu is not a man of sex."

Everyone in the town knew that Boss Lu was a good-looking person. He liked whoever was good-looking. He liked to play with flowers and birds. He just likes to look at beautiful women.

Typical face control, appearance association.

Shopkeeper Yang just finished the calculation and said with a slightly strange expression: "Exactly sixty-two thousand and thirty-six cents."

"Hey, little brother, your calculation is really accurate!" The guest said in surprise.

Fang Zichen waved his hand and replied: "It's not difficult."

The guest pushed the two taels of silver in front of him: "I'll give it to you." Fang Zichen was not polite at all: "Thank you." The guest smiled while waving his fan

.

After he left, the ship steward asked his cousin: "How is it? Is Mr. Fang suitable?"

Of course it is suitable.

The matter was settled like this. The first three months were three taels of silver per month, and if we performed well in the future, we could get more money.

Fang Zichen was happy and walked around the street.

Brother Zhao saw him carrying a backpack when he came back, so he went to pick it up, but it was heavy.

"What did you buy?"

"Well, just some small things," Fang Zichen picked up the top kite and said, "It's all some food, you can take care of it." There were

many and miscellaneous things in the basket.

There are six pounds of suet, two pounds of pork belly, eighteen/nine pounds of rice noodles, and some salt sauce.

Brother Zhao was surprised: "Where did you get the money?" He originally thought that Fang Zichen had lost his job and needed to save money, but before he could say anything, all the more than three hundred yuan that Fang Zichen had with him was probably lost. .

Fang Zichen handed the purse over and he took it. Although it looked a little flat, the weight did not decrease.

There are still 22,080 coins left in it.

He kept half of the money he earned previously, and gave the other half to Brother Zhao to add things to his family.

"Where did this come from?" Brother Zhao blinked and asked.

Fang Zichen said.

This is a high-paying job. At three taels of silver a month, the villagers earn more than half a year or even a year, which is really enviable.

Brother Zhao was happy, but he didn't know what he thought of, and he was a little hesitant.

After entering the kitchen, he asked,

"Then you don't plan to take the imperial examination?"

"Take the exam!" Fang Zichen took the water he handed over and took a few sips. His thirsty throat was relieved: "It's not troublesome for students to take the exam. In your free time, Just take a look."

Brother Zhao hesitated.

How could Fang Zichen say it so easily?

There is a scholar in Xiaorong Village who is studying in the school in the town. He is twenty-six years old this year. He has taken the child examination eight times and has not yet passed!

Fang Zichen looked confident when he said this. Brother Zhao felt uneasy when he saw it, fearing that he was blindly confident.

After scanning around and not seeing the good boy, Fang Zichen followed Brother Zhao to sort out the things and asked in confusion: "Where did my son smash it?"

Chapter 34

"Going to find Liuliu."

"Oh!" Fang Zichen picked up the kite and pulled Brother Zhao: "Let's go fly the kite."

Brother Zhao looked at the oil board on the chopping board and hesitated: "I Let's not go! We're going to fry some oil later."

His hesitation proved that he wanted to go.

As soon as Fang Zichen comes back, the good boy will cling to him, and Brother Zhao is no exception, but he is an adult after all and has a sense of shame. He cannot be like the good boy who only follows Fang Zichen with his eyes.

It was not late, it was around four o'clock. Fang Zichen took a bag of dried fruits and pulled him out, saying that it was more important to play and we would do it together when we got back.

It was not easy to make money. A kite cost sixteen cents, and no one in the village would spend money on something that would not fill their stomachs.

Because I asked Aunt Liu for help last time, Brother Zhao went back to cut a pound of pork and bring it back before leaving.

If you buy this pork belly well, you can get it for thirteen cents per kilogram at least.

Brother Zhao took so much on his own initiative and was a little nervous on the way, but thinking about Fang Zichen's personality, he was not so scared anymore, but he still explained: "Last time, Aunt Liu helped us make clothes. There was nothing at home before, so you bought meat. "I, I thought I should send some over."

"Oh!" Fang Zichen fiddled with the kite in his hand, without raising his head: "It's up to you. You have the final say in matters at home, and I don't know much about people's ways. , but Aunt Liu helped us, it's not too much to give something as a courtesy!"

Brother Zhao smiled.

Thinking back to the time when he and Fang Zichen lived together more than a month ago, he had some habits from staying in Ma's house for more than ten years. At first, he didn't dare to touch things in the house.

Fang Zichen saw it, and said with a nonchalant and confused look: "You can build whatever house you want, as long as you don't climb on top of me to pee, you can tear the house down. It's not ours anyway."

Guaizi and Liuliu were doing it . Playing in the Liu family's yard, when he saw Fang Zichen, he immediately threw away his friends and rushed towards him.

"Father~"

He was not as tall as Fang Zichen's calf. Fang Zichen squatted down and took his hand to check: "It doesn't hurt anymore?"

Aunt Liu and Brother Zhou came out of the house when they heard the sound. Fang Zichen followed Brother Zhao and shouted politely. ,

"Hello Aunt Liu, hello Brother Zhou."

Aunt Liu smiled and said, "Come in and sit down, I'll get you a bowl of water."

Fang Zichen just drank water at home and was not thirsty, so he shook his head and refused.

Brother Zhao chatted with them for a while and handed the meat over, but Aunt Liu refused to accept it.

"Take it back quickly. It's just a few clothes. It's not worth it. Take it back and take it back."

Brother Zhao didn't hold back: "Liu Aunt, just accept it! Otherwise, I won't dare to come to you again if I have something to do. "

Aunt Liu really doesn't want to accept

such a large sum, at least more than ten yuan. Brother Zhao's family is not rich, and Brother Zhou came back yesterday. It was said that the goods at the dock were moved, and Fang Xiaozi had no work to do.

Brother Zhao knew that she was worried, so he told Fang Zichen about finding a job again.

Aunt Liu and Brother Zhou were stunned.

Zuixiao Restaurant was no stranger to them. It was the largest restaurant in Fu'an town. It was splendid inside, and the people who ate in and out were all rich people, all dressed in luxurious clothes. When they went to the town to sell vegetables and buy things, they would sometimes pass by the door, but they would not dare to go in. Look inside, I'm afraid of bumping into the nobles.

Working as a bookkeeper there earns three taels of silver a month, which is very honorable!

It's like being a senior executive in a foreign company. Aunt Liu and Brother Zhou's eyes changed instantly when they looked at Fang Zichen.

Be good.

Not only is this man a good fighter, he actually has such abilities!

The village chief had a tight mouth, and the village knew nothing about him except that he came from overseas. Aunt Liu pulled Brother Zhao into the house and asked excitedly: "Is your man literate?"

How can you be an accountant if you can't read?

Fang Zichen told Brother Zhao before that after fourteen years of reading, he could speak the language of birds and ducks, which was amazing.

Brother Zhao nodded.

Except for the village chief, there is no one who can read in the entire Xiaohe Village. Of course, it is a bit reluctant to say that the village chief can read, but compared to them who can't even read a word, knowing two or three words is considered promising, otherwise he would not have been able to read at the beginning. I can't be the village chief.

Scholars have a high status these days. Regardless of whether they are talented or not, those who can read can be looked upon and respected.

Outside, Fang Zichen explained everything about kites, but Brother Zhao hasn't come out yet.

Liuyou was so excited that she couldn't help it anymore and ran in quickly: "Uncle Zhao, let's go fly a kite!"

There is a stream at the east end of the village. Fang Zichen, Brother Zhao and Guaizi had gone there to pick water celery before. , there is a wide open space by the stream, just right where you can play.

Brother Zhou also followed, and the kite flew high against the wind. It was shaped like a swallow, very big, like an overlord flying in the sky to inspect the territory.

Fang Zichen was like a child king. He was holding on to the thread and running ahead, while Guaizi and Liuyou ran behind.

They had never played like this before. Fang Zichen taught them and let them take turns playing once. They were very excited.

Brother Zhao took out some of the dried fruits he brought and shared them with Brother Zhou.

He stared at Fang Zichen with burning eyes, a smile on his face. Brother Zhou couldn't help but joked: "I've come back to my senses. I can't see enough at home, but I still watch fiercely when I come out."

"..." Brother Zhao's face He suddenly became hot: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Guaizi and Yoyo laughed non-stop, running with sweat all over their heads.

Kites are a rare thing in the village, and many children and women were attracted to watch them from a distance.

Ma Wen was carrying firewood and his eyes fell on Brother Zhao, with an unknown light shining in his eyes.

Brother Zhao is becoming more and more dazzling.

A group of people went crazy.

Later, Fang Zichen even pulled Brother Zhao and Brother Zhou over to play together. They didn't play anything, they just followed the kite like idiots.

Although Brother Zhou is married, he and Fang Zichen should avoid suspicion, but Fang Zichen insists on dragging him along based on the idea that "my wife's buddies are my buddies".

After running all afternoon, Brother Zhao was thinking about his oil board. Halfway through the hour, he dragged Fang Zichen and Guaizi back to

Guaizi. His clothes were wet from running, the little tug on his head was crooked, and his face was as red as a monkey's butt. Holding Fang Zichen's hand, he raised his head and said, "Father, come and play again next time~"

Fang Zichen responded: "Aren't you tired?"

The good boy smiled: "You're not tired, it's fun."

When he got home, Brother Zhao rested for a while. , and went into the kitchen to work.

Cut the suet into pieces. It doesn't need to be very small, just as big as a fist. The pot is new and big enough. The aroma will come out after frying for a while.

Fang Zichen used to never touch Yangchun water with his fingers, and the nanny at home used imported oil for cooking. How could he have smelled this kind of oil? Now, he and Guaizi seemed to have smoked something terrible, and their faces were intoxicated and a little dazed.

The good boy couldn't help it anymore, he looked into the pot while slobbering: "Daddy, it's fragrant."

Fang Zichen felt something wrong in his stomach after smelling it for a while, and his intestines kept churning. He ate a bowl of Chaos in the town at noon, and was afraid that There is something wrong with eating.

He put down the firewood, told Brother Zhao to watch alone for a while, and rushed out the door.

The good boy blinked his big eyes and ran out after realizing it.

Halfway through the grain cycle, a rustling sound came from outside the latrine.

Fang Zichen looked through the crack and saw that the boy was squatting outside with his back to him, a small lump.

"······"

"Good boy? What are you doing outside?" Like a prisoner serving a severe sentence in a labor camp.

The good boy stood up and turned around: "Give dad a stick~"

Chapter 35

"..." Fang Zichen's forehead jumped suddenly, and when he saw that he was actually holding a few bare wooden sticks in his hand, his face was burning: "Thank you!"

Using wooden sticks for pooping is really cool. Once back before liberation.

Fang Zichen had forgotten it several times before. When he was not wearing clothes, he was used to preparing paper in the toilet. He didn't pay attention when he came here. There were several times when he squatted in the pit, only to find that there was no paper after squatting. The first time He didn't know what to do, so the little angel went to the roadside and folded some sticks and gave them back to him.

But the roots of the wood that Guaizi broke were peeled off and were slippery, making it impossible to clean them. In the end, Brother Zhao had to step in and pick a few leaves for him.

He stretched out his hand from the latrine, stared at the leaves in his hand, and subconsciously asked: "How to use this?"

After he came out, Brother Zhao looked at him... as if he was looking at a mentally retarded person.

However, using leaves is within the acceptable range.

I remember when he first came here, he was relieving himself at the village chief's house. There were two baskets of corncobs in the hut. He didn't understand it at first, but Hexi later explained...

One basket contains used corncobs, and one basket contains new corncobs.

He asked: "Use that thing to wipe your butt. Doesn't it hurt?"

The corn cob looked rough! It hurts my hands to touch.

"It doesn't hurt!" Hexi scratched his head: "Everyone in our village uses this and is used to it."

"..."

Your chrysanthemums are so strong.

"If the conditions at home are poor, we can only use leaves and sticks." Hexi said.

"..."

At that time, Fang Zichen was speechless.

We had a rich meal in the evening. The small vegetable seedlings grown in the yard were ready to eat. Brother Zhao pinched a handful and cooked them with a few pieces of oil residue. It was the best meal. There was no farm at home, so he was not idle at home and often went out. Dig wild vegetables.

Fang Zichen was a little picky, so he thought of ways to get him some delicious food.

Now in July, there happened to be some bamboo growing on the mountain. He went to dig a basket a few days ago, cut it and soaked it in water. If he couldn't finish it, he could put it in a jar to make sour bamboo shoots.

This thing consumes fuel and people in the village don't eat it often.

I copied some yesterday and found out that Fang Zichen especially likes to eat it. Tonight, it is fried with oil residue and served with white rice. The taste is even more amazing.

"Is it delicious?" Brother Zhao asked.

"It's delicious!" Fang Zichen replied. Brother Zhao had been picking vegetables to eat, so he picked up a piece of greasy residue and said, "You can eat it too. It's not like it's gone. Don't be reluctant. Once you finish it, I'll buy it next time." Brother Zhao

felt warm in his heart: "Yeah!"

He hasn't eaten white rice for more than ten years and almost forgot the taste.

After dinner, the boy sat on the threshold, nodding his head.

After running for so long in the afternoon, I will feel full now, just like a piglet, which makes me sleepy when full.

Brother Zhao gave him a bath, carried him to the bed, and fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Fang Zichen was also very sleepy.

It was around eight o'clock now, and the moonlight was hazy. Before, he never dared to think that he would go to bed so early. He returned to the room covered in moisture, and found the good boy lying in the back, still alive. Didn't notice anything wrong.

Until Brother Zhao came back and suddenly approached him when he went to bed. His warm breath brushed his neck. Fang Zichen was so excited that most of his sleepiness disappeared.

"What are you doing?"

Brother Zhao didn't say anything. He was silent for a long time, groping for his hands. She reached his hand, intertwined her fingers with his, and held it firmly.

Skin against each other, his palms were slightly rough, but slightly warm and soft. Fang Zichen could clearly feel his fingertips trembling faintly. His voice sounded in the dark night, like the first night, with uneasiness,

"... ····Do you want it?"

Fang Zichen breathed unsteadily and replied: "No."

Brother Zhao stopped talking.

The two of them were still holding hands. His face looked a little ugly. He was rejected again. Brother Zhao closed his eyes in shame and tried to withdraw his hand. All the sensory sensitivity in the darkness would be amplified. He heard Fang Zichen turn over. , and then warm breath sprayed over the ears.

Fang Zichen tightened his grip and buried his head in the crook of his neck. His voice was muffled and unhappy,

"Do you know what duplicity means?"

"...I don't know."

Fang Zichen buried his head tighter: "I just want it in my heart, but I said I don't want it."

Brother Zhao suddenly wanted to laugh, but suddenly his body trembled and his whole body froze.

Fang Zichen bit his ear, soft and hoarse: "Ask again."

Brother Zhao's face seemed to be on fire, but he was glad that Fang Zichen couldn't see him in the darkness. He forced his voice to calm down,

"Then what do you want? " No?"

Fang Zichen said firmly.

"...Duplicity," Brother Zhao laughed sullenly. Fang Zichen let go of his hand, touched his face, squeezed it hard, raised his forehead to touch him, his eyes were burning like fire, Brother Zhao was stunned. Feeling very hot.

"Ouch... I'm going to turn into a beast," Fang Zichen's voice was deep, a little hoarse, and as menacing as a beast that had been suppressed for a long time, ferocious and undeniable: "Don't blame me."

The young man was full of youth, She is hot and intolerable towards her lover, easily impulsive and unable to stand teasing.

He turned over and fell on top of Brother Zhao, making the wooden board sway and creak.

Brother Zhao raised his hand to help him undress. His initiative made Fang Zichen's blood boil. He swallowed and kissed him.

Men know some things without a teacher. Brother Zhao put his arms around his neck and kissed each other affectionately.

They all seemed a little eager, their breaths intertwined, their saliva mingled, and ambiguous voices sounded in the dark night.

The air around him seemed to be heating up. Fang Zichen's whole body was extremely hot. The air that came out of nowhere in his body surged into his abdomen. Brother Zhao could clearly feel something pressing down on him. Fang Zichen was kissing him. He started to untie his clothes. Brother Zhao raised his body slightly so that he could take them off, but Fang Zichen suddenly stopped.

Brother Zhao was panting slightly and his eyes were moist: "What's wrong?"

Fang Zichen buried his head in the crook of his neck again, his voice full of grievance,

"...I don't know what to do."

"You weren't before. ," Before Brother Zhao could finish his words, Fang Zichen jumped up with a shout and almost fell under the bed.

"Fuck..."

Brother Zhao tilted his head and was almost frightened.

Guaizi was sitting next to them, his expression could not be clearly seen, and he could barely make out a small outline.

I don't know how long he looked at it.

The good boy rubbed his eyes: "Father, daddy, why do you sleep on top of each other?"

Fang Zichen: "..."

Brother Zhao: "..."

Chapter 36

was still not finished in the end, so Fang Zichen went out to take a shower again.

Brother Zhao coaxed the boy to sleep, hesitated for a while and asked, "Why did you wake up suddenly?"

Except for getting up at night, the boy usually slept until dawn.

The good boy was close to him, pinching his clothes, and said in a sleepy voice: "The bed is moving, it's noisy!"

Before Fang Zichen came in, he asked again with energy: "Where is father?"

"He went to take a bath." Brother said.

"I want to wait for my father to go to bed together."

"Be good, go to bed first, and then get up and play with your father tomorrow."

"Oh!"

Fang Zichen came in after he fell asleep.

Brother Zhao had long since noticed that he had been standing outside the door. He was probably embarrassed, fearing that the obedient boy would pester him with questions.

But he was only half right.

Fang Zichen felt embarrassed facing him now.

To not even know about the instinctive behavior of procreating offspring is simply detrimental to a man's face.

Fang Zichen was still thinking about a profound question in a daze before going to bed.

[Are brothers the same as women? If so, where should I insert it? 】

The next day, Brother Zhao shouted for a long time, and Fang Zichen got up wandering.

He didn't start work until eight o'clock and had to leave the house at seven-thirty.

Brother Zhao cooked the porridge, cut some leftover oil residue from last night and put it in. He also added some salt and chopped green onion. It smelled delicious.

There was movement in the room, it must have been that the boy had woken up.

Fang Zichen thought of the shock last night and just wanted to slap his butt twice.

Brother Zhao led him in. The good boy rubbed his eyes. He seemed to be sleepy and not energetic even after washing his face. But the next second he saw Fang Zichen, he immediately smiled.

"Father~"

Fang Zichen caught his son who was rushing towards him. Seeing his smiling face, he couldn't bear to slap those two slaps again.

Brother Zhao served him half a bowl of porridge. Fang Zichen thought about it and said, "From now on, you can fry two eggs in the morning!"

There were still six eggs in the house. Brother Zhao thought he wanted to eat them, so he nodded and said, "Okay," Fang Zichen said. He said: "One of you, smash one."

Brother Zhao shook his head: "I don't need it."

"Why don't you use it? Look at how thin you are. Last night, cough, I thought I was crushing a white-bone spirit."

Brother Zhao said Listening to him mention last night, my face couldn't help but get hot.

"Don't talk here, the good boy is still here!"

Fang Zichen shrugged: "He doesn't understand."

"What?" The good boy raised his head from the bowl, his eyes wide open.

"Eat yours," Fang Zichen pinched his face: "Be careful, it's hot."

The good boy suddenly stopped his chopsticks, jumped off the stool, ran to Fang Zichen, stood on his toes, and blew into his bowl.

Really filial.

But...

Fang Zichen's face turned pale. Brother Zhao looked on with amusement. He patted the good boy and said, "Okay, your father can play it himself. Stand up quickly and go drink porridge."

Good boy . Zai raised his head and looked at Fang Zichen, asking him with his eyes, "Do you need my help to blow it?"

Fang Zichen pinched his butt: "Listen to your father."

The good boy covered his butt, a little frustrated: "Oh~"

Fang Zichen stirred the porridge in the bowl and smiled: "This porridge is already rich enough, please add two more After two mouthfuls of water, I can hardly see where the grains of rice are."

Brother Zhao was afraid that he would dislike it, so he said, "How about we change it?"

"No," Fang Zichen snored, "Hey, don't say anything. "It tastes better if you add some saliva."

"..."

Another bluff.

Fang Zichen went to work, and Brother Zhao was not idle either. The water at home had bottomed out, so he took two buckets and a load to the river to carry it.

Most people in the village carry water to drink, and only a few people from well-off families ask people from the town to dig wells.

A job like digging a well cannot be done by professionals.

The Ma family had thought about having a shot in the yard before, but when they thought about Brother Zhao, why waste the money? Now they wanted to do it, but they didn't have the money.

Today it is Aunt Ma's turn to carry water. She has not worked for more than ten years. The two wooden barrels are only half full and she cannot even lift the water.

When I saw Brother Zhao, I remembered that Ma Wen had spent the entire day not thinking about food, food, or even working for such a bitch, and he became very angry.

She looked at Brother Zhao's back and muttered a bitch.

Without deliberately lowering his voice, Brother Zhao paused and turned around.

"What are you looking at? I didn't scold you." Ma said.

Brother Zhao: "Then who are you scolding?"

"I will scold anyone who is mean."

"Oh!" Brother Zhao said coldly: "Why are you scolding yourself like this? You are quite self-aware."

"You... "Mother~ "

Ma Wen came up from behind her.

Knowing that Ma Wen was protecting Brother Zhao, and because of Brother Zhao's incident this time, Ma Wen was not so affectionate towards her, Aunt Ma did not dare to scold her anymore, she just asked: "What are you doing out here, go back quickly!" "

Most of the water in her bucket was spilled. It was not full to begin with, and now it was even less full. Ma Wen took the burden on his shoulders and said, "Mom, you go back first, and I will help you carry water." "

He. There was no one there at the moment, Brother Zhao was still there, but Aunt Ma was not happy,

"No, go back first! It will be the same if you come back in the afternoon."

Brother Zhao had already left when Ma Wen came, and he could hardly see his back. After disappearing, Ma Wen hurriedly said, "Mom, please go back first" and hurriedly chased after her.

Chapter 37

"Brother Zhao," Ma Wen called out. Brother Zhao didn't stop. Ma Wen chased after him until he was shoulder to shoulder before asking, "Do you really don't want to see me?"

Brother Zhao didn't say anything, just minding his own business. When he was fetching water, Ma Wen grabbed his wrist and the barrel fell to the ground with a clang: "Brother Zhao~"

"Let go."

"Brother Zhao, I miss you very much these days, please come back..." "

Brother Zhao pushed him away and said sternly: "Ma Wen, I have nothing to do with you now, please don't say such things again."

"Why not, Brother Zhao, I like you! Ma Wen covered his face and his voice came out from between his fingers: "I have liked you since I was a child. I have liked you for so many years. Why doesn't it matter anymore?"

Brother Zhao exhaled and picked up the barrel: "That's you." "I told you from the beginning that I don't like you. It's because you didn't listen."

He said decisively. Ma Wen's voice was choked and she looked at him with red eyes: "How have I treated you all these years?" You don't want to look at me, why? "What's wrong with me?"

Brother Zhao didn't say anything, so he began to pray: "Tell me, what do you don't like about me, and I'll change it, okay?" I really... really like you, come back with me!"

"Go back?" Brother Zhao sneered, and asked with no warmth in his eyes: "Will you go back and work as a horse for your Ma family?"

"..." Ma Wen's throat was dry and he couldn't say a word in reply.

"You say you like me, and I believe it, but it doesn't mean that if you like me, I must also like you. You ask me what's wrong with you. In fact, you are very good. You are obedient, filial, and diligent. But these are the same things as me. What's the relationship?" Now that things have happened, Brother Zhao has revealed everything and said,

"It's not that you don't understand the life I live in the Ma family, and it's not that you can't see how your parents, uncles and aunts treat me. "When I was beaten and scolded, did you ever stand up to defend me?"

"Brother Zhao."

"You didn't. You only asked me to endure it," Brother Zhao was emotionally unstable. , recalling that dark past, the mention of the Ma family can make him lose control of his emotions,

"You always ask me to be patient, saying that it is not easy for them to raise you, but what does it have to do with me? They have a way of raising you. Yes, but not to me. I was bought by your Ma family and you treated me as a slave. I had no choice but to swallow my anger. You have the right to insult and command me, but I also have the right to hate you. If I can, ..." His voice was deep and his expression was serious,

"I really want to kill your whole family. Look, I hate you all so much. Do you think I will go back with you?"

Ma Wen was stunned when he heard this. He didn't seem to have expected that Brother Zhao would resent them so much that he wanted to kill them all. After a long silence, he asked in a low voice: "Do you hate me too?"

Brother Zhao. The son didn't hesitate at all: "Hate."

"Why? Is it because I won't help you?" Ma Wen clenched his fists and tried his best to restrain himself,

"My parents are the only son left. It's not easy for them to raise me. How can I not listen to them? Do you think I don't feel bad when they beat and scold you? Brother Zhao," Ma Wen said, his words began to turn into begging,

"If you hate them, I will do it when I go back." Separate your family from them and stop living with them. Can you go back with me? I beg you, I really beg you."

Brother Zhao didn't say anything.

He knew what Ma Wen was thinking.

When Ma Dazhuang and the others bought him back, they pointed at their youngest son Ma Tao and told him, "This is your future husband. You must serve him well, or I will beat you to death."

At that time, the little fool was still young, only two years older than him. He was silly and silly, but he was well-raised and fat. When Aunt Ma went out to work, he would watch the little fool at home and do some more. When it comes to housework, the little fool has a bad temper and is not sensible. He will kick and hit him when he is angry or does not go his way, and his attacks are always ill-measured.

At that time, Ma Wen sat aside and watched silently. If he was beaten really seriously, Ma Wen would come over and say a few words of advice: "Don't play like this."

In his eyes, this was just playing.

Later, one time, Aunt Ma and Ma Dazhuang went to work in the fields. The little fool clamored to follow him. If he didn't agree, he would make a big fuss. Aunt Ma had no choice but to take him with him in the end.

When they got to the field, Aunt Ma ordered him to mow the grass. She took the little fool to the river to pick wild celery. However, she didn't pay attention and the little fool fell into the river. When she found him downstream, Ma Tao had already drowned.

At that time, Ma Auntie and Ma Dazhuang were crazy, beating him constantly, blaming him for not taking good care of the little fool.

But what does this have to do with him?

Brother Zhao could see that Ma Wen also complained about him. Later he kept saying that he liked him, but when he saw him being beaten, he never stood up to stop him once.

Ma Wen always felt that his parents beat and insulted Brother Zhao to avenge his younger brother. If he stopped him, he would make his parents unhappy on the one hand, and he would feel sorry for his younger brother on the other.

He felt sorry for Brother Zhao, but he just watched. One time he even said to Brother Zhao: "Just think of it as atonement, just bear with it!"

Brother Zhao thought it was ridiculous at that time, atonement? What sin does he atone for? What is his crime?

What didn't Ma Wen do to him? But just because he is the son of Ma Dazhuang and his wife, it is worthy of his resentment.

His ideological consciousness is not very noble, and he cannot be so sinful that his children cannot be burdened by his sins.

Ma Wen watched him being beaten and abused for so many years and remained indifferent. How good a person could be.

It's true that I like him, but it's also true that I have a grudge against him.

Someone is coming this way.

Brother Zhao didn't want to talk to him anymore, so he got some water and left.

Ma Wen called him, raised his foot and started to chase him again, but Brother Zhou ran towards him.

Chapter 38

"Brother Zhao, so you are here!" Brother Zhou glanced at Ma Wen and said pointedly: "Don't come here to carry water at this time in the future. There are many people at lunch and dinner. Did you forget? What happened to Liu Lezi?"

Ma Wen paused.

Several aunties carrying baskets to dig wild vegetables passed by. Brother Zhao lowered his voice: "What do you want from me?"

"It's okay." Brother Zhou looked back, and Ma Wen said Looking blankly in their direction, he clicked his tongue in frustration: "What did you just talk to him about? Is he pestering you again?"

Brother Zhou knew exactly what Ma Wen was thinking about Brother Zhao. He didn't wait for Brother Zhao to reply and said to himself: "Don't get so close to him in the future. People will look at you and gossip about you."

People in the village are very gossipy. Who should I get closer to? They can all talk about seven or eight different versions of the topic.

What's more, Ma Wen is still Brother Zhao's 'ex-husband'. As soon as Ma Wen comes back, the villagers are staring at him!

If he and Brother Zhao stay together, will their old relationship rekindle? Will Brother Zhao abandon his new love and find his old one again?

"I know." Brother Zhao said.

"I'm just afraid that you will be confused," Brother Zhou followed Brother Zhao to his house: "Fang Zichen is not in the village, and he doesn't understand some things. You should remind him about Ma Wen first. Ma Wen just pulled you. It's ridiculous, but many people saw it. I'm afraid that if something happens later, Fang Zichen will be dissatisfied with you."

Brother Zhao nodded: "Yes!" He

walked into the yard and listened . There was a cooing sound coming from behind the house. Brother Zhou was just curious when he saw the boy coming out holding an egg.

"Uncle Zhou." The boy called sweetly.

Yo Liu is a few months older than Guai Zai. To be honest, if Liu Liu was not his own son, Brother Zhou would probably like Guai Zai more.

Brother Zhou always feels that Guaizi is different from the children in the village. As for what is different, he can't say. Although Guaizi is thin and not well-dressed, his face is very delicate and beautiful. He is almost When she was a baby, a midwife in the village happened to see her and praised her for having delivered babies in so many years, but she had never seen such a beautiful child, even more beautiful than the other girls in the town.

Brother Zhao is poor, so she doesn't need to rush to please him.

Many people were there at the time, and they could see that her words were not a compliment, but she meant it sincerely.

As the boy got older, he became even more handsome. He had big eyes, spoke with a milky voice, and was soft and waxy, which made him even more rare.

Brother Zhou treats him no worse than Liuliu.

"Where did the eggs come from?" he asked.

"It's from the cock." Guaizi pointed towards the back of the house.

Brother Zhou touched his head and smiled: "Well, how about your father cook it for you later?"

The good boy put away the eggs and said without hesitation: "I want to leave them for father." Eat."

Brother Zhou was stunned for a moment and said slowly, "Our good boy is so filial."

The good boy smiled, seemed a little shy, and ran into the kitchen to put the eggs.

Brother Zhou went to the back of the house and saw a small straw shed built in the corner, with an old hen lying inside.

Brother Zhou raised his voice and asked, "When did your family buy a chicken?"

"It was a gift from the village chief." Brother Zhao came over and said, "My husband said he would keep it for laying eggs. Oh, by the way, do you know whose family in the village it is?" Are there any eggs for sale?"

"I know! Do you want to buy them?"

"Yes!" Brother Zhao said, "My husband asked me to buy some eggs to eat."

Fang Zichen left some money for him when he left. He looked at buying it and said that if it was not available in the village, he would buy it from the town.

Brother Zhou said: "Uncle He's family has it."

He was referring to He Da .

"How many do you want to buy?"

In summer, eggs can't be kept for long. Although Fang Zichen asked him to fry two every day for himself and his children, Zhao What I want is to eat the three of them together.

"Buy twenty first!" Brother Zhao said, "Wait until you finish eating."

When Brother Zhou heard this, he choked on his saliva and coughed until his face turned red.

Buy twenty first and pay them back! !

Just now I thought I would just buy two or three dozen toothpastes!

The people in the village don't want to eat the eggs, so they save them and sell them in the town.

Normally, if the market is good, you can get one penny a piece, but if the market is bad, you can get two pence or three, which is not cheap either.

These twenty can be eaten at his house for half a year.

After Liu Xiaowen was drafted, Aunt Liu's family had a very difficult time. Although the conditions at home were not very good before he left, at least they were not as stretched as they are now. There was not even one fishy meal in a month. Liu Xiaowen would go out during the off-season. I can still make some income at home by doing odd jobs, but now it all depends on Brother Zhou.

Liu Dali is a typical banker's man, honest and dull, with a dull mind. Apart from his strength and ability to farm a little, he is not very good at anything else.

Brother Zhou asked tentatively: "Do you have any money?"

"Yes!" Brother Zhao said.

Most of the money Fang Zichen earned was left to him.

"Did Fang Zichen manage the money for you?" Seeing Zhao nodding, Brother Zhou was surprised. Brother Zhao had only been with Fang Zichen for more than a month, but Fang Zichen already managed the money for him? ? ?

In the village, the conditions of He Da Leng's family are indeed relatively better. They raise four hens at home, which are dedicated to laying eggs. They can collect a few every day, and now they have almost a basket.

Brother Zhao has a good relationship with Uncle Liu, the stupid husband of Heda.

As soon as Uncle Liu saw Guaizi, he immediately laughed. He waved Guaizi over, picked him up and kissed him twice,

"My darling, Grandpa Liu hasn't seen you for a long time. Do you miss Liu?" "Grandpa?"

"I thought so," the boy smiled so hard that he kissed him on the face.

Uncle Liu smiled with wrinkles on his face and led Brother Zhao in. He teased the good boy a little, grabbed a handful of peanuts he had just dug up from the field and stuffed them into his pocket, letting him play with himself,

"It's been a long time since I've seen you here. "What are you busy with these days?" He seemed to think of something, and without waiting for Brother Zhao to reply, he asked hurriedly: "I just came back from the field, and I heard that Ma Wen was looking for you."

What's this? Unexpectedly, Brother Zhao nodded: "Yes."

Uncle Liu didn't know what happened between him and Ma Wen, but Brother Zhao had stayed in the Ma family for more than ten years, and he was afraid that he would treat Ma Wen badly. Have feelings.

Moreover, when Ma Wen had a rare quarrel with Ma Dazhuang and his wife, it was because of Brother Zhao. At that time, he said in the yard that he would not marry anyone other than Brother Zhao. This word spread throughout Xiaohe Village.

Now that I'm back, I'm afraid there will be trouble.

"Does he want you to go back with him?"

This wasn't something that couldn't be said. Brother Zhao said "hmm" again.

Uncle Liu pulled the stool closer and sat closer, patting the back of Brother Zhao's hand: "Don't be confused

. Do you know what happened last time when Ma Dazhuang and the others went back on their word and went to the village chief to get their money back?" "I know. "

Then you know why not?"

Brother Zhao frowned.

Ma Dazhuang and his wife felt very sorry for Ma Wen, their only son. Ma Wen had told them before he went out that he wanted to marry him when he came back from this trip. Ma Dazhuang and the others regretted it, probably because they were afraid that Ma Wen would know that he was not around when he came back, and they might have resentment in their hearts!

Unexpectedly, Uncle Liu said: "After you left, no one did the work in their house, no one cleaned the yard, no one fed the pigs, and no one cooked the food. It was a mess. Ma Lao San came up with a bad idea and said he would kill you." I want to go back and work for their family again!" The aunt who lived next door to Ma's house also heard about this, so she told him because she was friendly with him.

Brother Zhao didn't guess this, and Fang Zichen didn't tell him when he came back.

"Whether Ma Wen really likes you, I won't say that for now. Anyway, that's how it is in the village. Those with decent conditions will marry. No one has feelings at first, but you should know what the situation is in the Ma family. "

Uncle Liu said: "He asked you to go back, he just treats you sincerely, so what? When he is gone, the family will eat your bones, and his strong couple will do whatever they say. , to put it mildly, it means filial piety, but to put it bluntly, it means that you are very soft-hearted, so don't be confused. "

Families are not allowed to separate in the village. Unless there are special circumstances, the whole family usually lives together."

It is not easy for a married daughter-in-law to be a good person. Not only does she have to serve her parents-in-law, she also has to serve her uncle, aunt and a bunch of other people.

If you have a higher seniority, you can't help but do the work you are asked to do.

What's more, Brother Zhao is not the married man, so the family really doesn't treat him as a human being.

Now that he has come out of the fire pit, I am afraid that he is young and cannot bear the rhetoric, so he will jump in again.

Although many women in the village said behind their backs that Fang Zichen was not very good and that it was nothing to ask for anything. She was penniless and had no land. Living with Fang Zichen, apart from not being beaten or scolded, was probably no better than the Ma family.

But Uncle Liu didn't think so.

He had seen with his own eyes the scene where Ma Dazhuang beat Brother Zhao. He hit him with a wooden stick as thick as his arm. It was really a beating to death!

Uncle Liu is getting older. Seeing that Brother Zhao is hardworking and capable, and his life is hard, he can't help but feel a little pity.

"That boy Fang should be pretty good to you! I heard your uncle said that he even beat Liu Lezi for you last time. I guess he cares about you."

The good boy sat and peeled peanuts quietly. The peanuts were half-dried and hard in the sun. He had little strength, so he put some that he couldn't peel in his mouth and bit them. If he peeled them, he wouldn't eat them and put them in his pocket. He was still very thin, but he was wearing new clothes and his face was white. A little rounder, unlike before when I followed Brother Zhao up the mountains and down to the fields. Not only was he dressed in rags, but he was as thin as a monkey.

Brother Zhao followed him and looked at Guaizi with a gentle and soft expression,

"I won't go back. I'm living a good life now. My husband cares about me and Guaizi. This time he will give me back." I have money, let me buy some eggs to eat."

"I said so! No wonder you came to the door." Uncle Liu smiled: "I still have a few eggs at home. I'll buy them for you. "He was about to get up, and Brother Zhao hurriedly said: "I want to buy twenty."

"Huh?" Uncle Liu paused: "Why did you buy so many?"

Brother Zhao was embarrassed to tell Fang Zichen. She thought he was too thin and uncomfortable to press, so she just said, "My husband wants me and my good boy to replenish our bodies."

"Your man is thoughtful." Uncle Liu sighed.

What the man wants is to carry on the family line and provide for Brother Zhao. He can also say that he wants to be raised and have children. But when there is nothing at home, he still remembers a stepson like Guaizi, which is intentional. .

Uncle Liu picked twenty eggs that had been laid in recent days and put them in the basket brought by Brother Zhao. They were sold to the villagers relatively cheaply, three for two cents.

As soon as Brother Zhao stepped out, Uncle Liu's daughter-in-law said in a weird voice: "Dad, you are really a good person. You picked big ones and paid two cents for three. You are so generous."

Liu A Shuzhi, the daughter-in-law, had her own way and said calmly: "Then I'll tell Brother Zhao to come back and let you sell them in the town! If you can't sell them for a penny each, don't come back."

The daughter-in-law immediately became speechless. .

This was not a New Year holiday, nor was it a busy farming time. No one was buying eggs to make up for, so how could they sell them for a penny each?

Uncle Liu glared at her and said nothing.

The wife here is not bad-hearted, but she has a bad mouth and is a bit picky.

But they are all poor. As long as the family has some money, who would care about it so much.

Chapter 39

Brother Zhao didn't rush home and took the boy to the carpenter in the village,

his face burning all the way. He's going to book a bed.

Old man Wang asked him what he wanted, but before he could say anything, the old man smiled and said, "It should be stronger and bigger."

Brother Zhao's face became even hotter: "Yeah!"

"No, no. "Sorry," Old Man Wang said, "all the new and old couples in the village like to book beds from me. They don't have any other requirements. They just need to be sturdy and big."

The yard is just that big, with rooms next to each other and earthen walls. It's not soundproof and it's not sturdy. If we move at night, wouldn't it just tell everyone that we are having a goblin fight!

When I get older, if I have children in the future, sleeping on one side won't bother me.

Old Wang is not very good at carving dragons and phoenixes, but he can still carve some uncomplicated patterns. Plus he sells them cheaply and uses good materials, so there is no shortage of business.

After all, we are all from the village. When buying something, the first thing we look at is whether it is practical, followed by whether it looks good or not. After all, if we put it in the house, outsiders cannot see it.

The bed was a big deal, and the deposit was large. When Fang Zichen came back in the evening, Brother Zhao didn't tell him about it, otherwise he would laugh at Fang Zichen's impatience.

Waiting until dinner, I just asked him as usual: "Are you used to working today?"

Tonight is stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork belly. The bamboo shoots are cut into shreds and fried very delicious. Fang Zichen used to love bamboo shoots, but he is busy today, so there are two for lunch. The bowl of porridge was gone as soon as I soaked it in my urine. After walking for such a long time, I was so hungry that the bamboo shoots tasted even better.

He didn't even bother to talk. He chatted for a while before saying, "I'm used to it! It's just a matter of customers coming over to settle the bill after dinner, and the cashier looking for money. It's such a trivial thing, and I got started in no time."

Brother Zhao picked up a bamboo shoot with chopsticks for him: "Are you tired?"

"Not tired, just a little busy." Fang Zichen returned the courtesy and gave him a piece of pork belly. Seeing the sweet boy looking at him longingly, he gave him another piece.

The good boy immediately smiled: "Thank you, father, father is the best."

He always liked to stick to Fang Zichen. When Fang Zichen was still carrying big bags at the dock, he would ask Brother Zhao several times a day, "Why don't you, father?" Come on, I miss my father.'

Brother Zhao also gave him a piece while chatting with Fang Zichen.

It was his first time to go to work today. Fang Zichen really adapted well. There were many customers at lunch. In the past, customers lined up to pay the bill. When Fang Zichen came, he didn't even need an abacus. He just took a look and made two strokes of his pen to calculate it. Yang The shopkeeper hadn't even settled the accounts for one table of guests, but he had already settled the accounts for four or five tables of guests.

At first, some customers saw that he calculated too quickly and were afraid of making a mistake, so they asked shopkeeper Yang to calculate it again. After several calculations, there was no difference, so he was convinced.

Let's not talk about how much money you can make in a month by working in a restaurant. Anyway, the food is good. But to be honest, Brother Zhao is not bad at what he does. Although the ingredients are not complete and there are not so many tricks, but Fang Zichen was very satisfied with the taste of the stock house.

After dinner, Brother Zhao gave the boy a bath. When Fang Zichen came into the room, he sat on the edge of the bed and said hesitantly: "Husband, you are so busy at work, do you still have time to read? Next year, in February next year. Is it time to take the exam, or do you want to wait until later in life? "

Tongsheng takes the exam twice in three years.

Fang Zichen didn't even buy the book yet, so he was just reading.

However, seeing that Brother Zhao seemed to be very concerned about his scientific examination, he said: "The restaurant is not busy all day long. There are more people at lunch and dinner, and the rest of the time is free. This time is enough. You don't have to worry."

Brother Zhao still looked melancholy, and Fang Zichen said his plan,

"I want to take the exam next year. I won't wait until the next year. I'll check with shopkeeper Yang today, and Tong Sheng will take the exam. What about eight-part essays, policy essays, classics, etc., these are not difficult. I have learned some before, so I just need to buy some books and read them twice."

Fang Zichen still said it easily, as if he was just a child student. It's as simple as eating and drinking.

Brother Zhao couldn't help but said: "There is a scholar in Xiaorong Village. He has passed the child student test for the first time, and he hasn't passed it yet! Moreover, he is still studying with an old scholar in the town, and there are people who teach him specially. "

He poked Fang Zichen and finally emphasized: "Tongsheng's exam is very difficult."

"I know!" Fang Zichen grabbed his rebellious hand and squeezed it gently: "Just put a hundred. Don't worry! I'm not sure about taking the exam now, but I can still pass the exam if I'm just a child. I don't dare to tell you that if I don't have that much confidence. I'm also afraid of being slapped in the face." "

Father. ~" The boy held the clothes he wore during the day and took out a handful of peanuts from his pocket: "For father, and for dad."

"Where did it come from?" Fang Zichen threw one into the air and opened his mouth. Go pick it up.

Accurate, the good boy exclaimed, clapped his hands, and turned into a flatterer again: "Father hates being hurt."

"What does this mean? Father will show you his skills." Fang Zichen told him to open his mouth, stood up and walked to the end of the bed, shooting like a basketball. Throw one into the good boy's mouth.

The peanut hit his mouth, and the boy subconsciously swallowed it. He smashed it in his mouth, but he couldn't taste anything: "... I swallowed the peanut."

"Real or fake?" Fang Zichen looked horrified. He got up, took a few steps to sit next to Guaizi, and touched his belly: "Barbie has Q, it's over."

Guaizi didn't understand the first sentence, but he did understand the last sentence, but he didn't understand what it meant.

Brother Zhao didn't understand what he was doing, but after living there for so long, he finally figured out Fang Zichen's temperament.

At this time, he is probably going to make up lies again to tease the good boy.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished thinking about it, he heard Fang Zichen say: "Peanut seeds will sprout in your stomach from now on."

The boy tilted his head and looked at him, not quite understanding.

Fang Zichen said: "When it sprouts, it will come out of your nose, ears, and mouth. It's over, it's over, it's over, my son is going to turn into a peanut monster."

Brother Zhao: "..."

This These words are really meant to amuse fools, no normal person would believe them.

"Ah~" The good boy covered his stomach, got up and threw himself into Fang Zichen's bad room. His eyes were so frightened that his eyes filled with tears: "Father, wuwuwu, I don't want to become a peanut monster, wuwuwu~"

Brother Zhao said: " · · · · · "

He stood up and said, "I'm going to wash my feet. Good boy, you can comfort me!"

Fang Zichen didn't expect that the good boy would be so careless. He coughed and started to make up again: "It's okay, I'll go. Pour some water for you, let's drown it with water, so that it won't sprout."

Guaizi sniffed: "Okay."

It doesn't matter if you drink more water. Fang Zichen sneered under Zhao Geer's glare. I fed the good boy half a bowl of water.

He touched Guaizi's belly and comforted him: "Don't worry, Erzai, I feel it. It's dead."

"Well," Guaizi burped and became happy: "Guaizi doesn't have to be a peanut monster anymore."

Fang Zichen was serious, with no hint of guilt: "Have you remembered the lesson? You have to chew your food before swallowing it, you know!"

"You're good boy."

"Well! My son is so good. "

Brother Zhao looked at Guaizi with an expression that was hard to describe.

In the middle of the night, Fang Zichen felt something was wrong. He touched his pants in confusion, and the feeling...

he woke up with a start.

Why are your pants wet?

The wet part is still there, and the clothes are also half wet.

At first, Fang Zichen thought he had wet the bed because of his sleepiness. The boy happened to turn over and attract his attention. The smell of urine came along, and Fang Zichen suddenly realized it.

The good boy was lying on his back, with long eyelashes like cattail fans, and his hands were clenched into fists on both sides of his head like a baby. He loved sleeping like this. Fang Zichen felt itchy and squeezed his face as if to vent his anger.

The good boy muttered, and like a little piggy, he turned over and continued to sleep with his butt facing him.

The good boy usually doesn't wet the bed, and Brother Zhao will take him to the latrine before going to bed. Today, like this... Fang

Zichen can't get angry again, he's doing it all!

He got out of bed gently and had just put on his shoes when Brother Zhao's sleepy voice came: "What's wrong? It's not even bright yet. Do you want to go to the latrine?"

"Did I wake you?" Fang Zichen asked in a low voice.

Brother Zhao shook his head, vaguely remembering that there was no moon tonight in the middle of the night. He was afraid that he could not see it, and said: "No."

Fang Zichen bought some materials before and brought them back. Brother Zhao took them to Aunt Liu to help them. Everyone put on another piece of clothing, otherwise they might have to sleep naked tonight.

There is a small wooden box in the corner of the room. Brother Zhao just bought it last month. After washing and drying his clothes, he would fold them and put them in it.

It was neat and tidy, and there were few clothes. Fang Zichen didn't have to look for it. He took out the short-sleeved shirt he wore when he traveled through time and handed it to Brother Zhao: "Please help that little brat change his clothes."

His tone was a bit itchy, Zhao Brother was also awake now, and it suddenly became clear when he thought about how much water he drank before going to bed.

He just wondered how Fang Zichen, who was usually such a sleepy person, knew?

Fang Zichen turned his back to him and took off his shirt a few times. A burst of laughter like a silver spirit came from behind.

He said gloomily: "You're still laughing."

He sat down on the edge of the bed depressedly, and the good boy was lying naked. He flicked the good boy's little meat bug: "This little bastard peed all over me. When I first woke up, I thought it was me who wet the bed.

"I'm not blaming you." He didn't wake up, so he just let Brother Zhao do whatever he wanted.

Chapter 40

During the lunch break the next day, Fang Zichen said to shopkeeper Yang and headed to the bookstore with his wallet in his pocket.

Children generally read enlightenment books, such as The Thousand-Character Essay, Hundred Family Surnames, Disciples' Rules, Li Weng's Rhymes, etc.

There is only one bookstore in town, and it is quite large.

There was no one around at the moment. The clerk was sorting out the bookshelf. When he saw Fang Zichen coming in, he was startled and quickly asked what he needed.

Fang Zichen had inquired about it in advance and even reported a list of book titles. The clerk led him to the two bookshelves on the left and said, "Young Master, the books you want are all here. Look, all the books above are It was shipped from Beijing. The printing is super clear and the paper is good. It can be stored for a long time. "

What's the use of keeping it for a long time?" He didn't want to keep this thing as a family heirloom.

Fang Zichen asked: "How much silver?"

"It's not expensive. If you buy all six books, it will cost you twelve taels of silver."

Fang Zichen: "..."

I don't know if you are too loud or if I am too poor.

"...I only have a little more than one tael of silver."

"Huh?" The boy reacted immediately, but his attitude remained unchanged. He stuffed the book back and took out a few more from the lower floor: "Then you can buy these, these are all It's hand-copied, and the paper is not very good, but the writing is clear, and it's relatively cheap."

"How much cheaper can it be?" The clerk smiled and said, "You can buy two copies for more than one tael

."

There is a reason why it is difficult to have a noble son.

Shopkeeper Yang saw him come back with two books and put them on the counter. He looked surprised when he saw the titles of the books. Thinking of what he asked yesterday, he said,

"Are you preparing to take the children's examination?"

Fang Zichen picked up the thousand-character essay and After flipping through a few pages and browsing them quickly, he found that there was no difference from what he had learned before: "Yes," he said in a decent manner: "When I get paid this month, I will go to the Yamen to get the household registration and identity documents. By then, I will be considered a citizen of our Daxia Dynasty. I have to study hard and serve the motherland!"

"Okay," Shopkeeper Yang patted him on the shoulder, looking very pleased: "Work hard. Don't forget you when you succeed in the future ! "Uncle."

Fang Zichen was very loyal: "That's for sure!"

"This study is very expensive!" Shopkeeper Yang has only been in contact with him for a short time, but this determination is very valuable, so after thinking about it, he said: "There will be difficulties in the future. You can tell me. "

For the next half month, Fang Zichen has been living a life of two points and one line. During this period, he was scratching the surface of those two books. It's not that he hasn't finished them yet, but he has finished them early. My wages haven't been paid yet, and I still can't buy the few remaining books I must read.

At noon that day, there were only a few tables of guests in the building. He was lying idle on the table. Shopkeeper Yang sat aside and tapped his fingers on the table: "Aren't you going to read today?"

Fang Zichen raised his head and supported his chin with his hand: "I've finished reading it a long time ago."

"Isn't it! I've finished reading all of them? Two books?"

"Yes!"

I only read a few times during my free time. How can I finish reading it in half a month?

Shopkeeper Yang said thoughtfully: "This reading does not mean that you are done after reading it, but that you have to understand and recite it."

Fang Zichen couldn't help but roll his eyes.

He has been reading books for more than ten years, but he still doesn't understand this?

"Don't talk about understanding and reciting, I can recite it backwards and forwards."

"So good? Then I'll test you."

Fang Zichen took the book on the side, threw it on the table, and said nonchalantly: "Test, let me show you something. He is called a true scholar."

"..." Shopkeeper Yang turned a page at random and read another sentence casually: "'Taibai Study Hall, a waterfall falls three thousand feet to the ground.'"

As we all know, the previous sentence is memorized . The easiest way to do a spot check is to read along the previous sentence. It will be much more difficult to recite the previous sentence.

Fang Zichen thought for a moment and said: "Raise a glass to the moon and ride back through the flowers. Huang Gai can achieve the victory of Chibi, and Chen Ping can solve the crisis in vain."

Shopkeeper Yang was shocked. He turned the page and drew another sentence: "The previous sentence. " Fang Zichen seemed to have turned on the awesome mode, and he opened his mouth to answer.

He checked a dozen sentences in a row, and Fang Zichen recited them all without any doubt, and also explained what the sentences he recited meant.

I really know it by heart and understand it thoroughly.

"You're amazing," Shopkeeper Yang closed the book and said with admiration, "I'm afraid I won't be able to remember it after reading it for a month."

"Normal people are like this." Fang Zichen said.

"Then why do you remember it?"

Fang Zichen shrugged and said nonchalantly: "Because I am a genius!" "

..."

Fang Zichen's handwriting is quite good. Although Shopkeeper Yang is just a shopkeeper, He has seen a lot of the world: "I don't think you need to practice your handwriting. I don't know how those young scholars write, but you are the one I have seen." He gave a thumbs up.

Fang Zichen nodded and said seriously: "Uncle Yang, you are really discerning."

"You boy," Shopkeeper Yang laughed: "You are really not humble at all."

Fang Zichen had a good meal in the restaurant and spent a lot of money on books last time. I didn't have the nerve to ask Brother Zhao for it when I got back. I only had more than sixty pennies left in my pocket, and it wasn't enough to buy another book. It wasn't hot anyway, so I just kept it. Every now and then, he would cut some meat and feed it to Brother Zhao and Guaizi.

Eggs in the morning and meat in the evening. Which family in the village can eat like this? Zhao Geer wanted to save him, saying that he and Guaizi didn't have to eat like this, as long as they had eggs. But every time he opened his mouth, Fang Zichen was interrupted in the middle of the sentence. Fight back.

"If you buy it, you can eat it," Fang Zichen finally figured out Brother Zhao's temperament. This person was used to being obedient and negative.

He was not at home to eat at noon, so Brother Zhao cooked wild vegetable porridge. Fang Zichen didn't know what was going on in the kitchen, but he was not a fool.

Brother Zhao always said that he and his son ate well at home, but after eating six pounds of pork suet for almost a month, they didn't even get a third of it, and they didn't eat much rice. He coaxed the boy and found out after asking. , they only had wild vegetable porridge for lunch.

"My dear boy and I didn't do any work at home. We don't need to eat such good food. We need to save money..." Fang Zichen put down the bowl and stared at him. Brother Zhao became quieter and softer as he spoke.

It's not enough to speak softly at this time. Fang Zichen raised his left palm and said, "Look at it and repeat it again."

Brother Zhao held his chopsticks and blinked at Fang Zichen, not daring to speak.

"Is your butt itchy? If you say that again, I won't slap you." Fang Zichen said with a serious face: "You're not joking!"

The good boy didn't even eat his favorite meat, so he jumped off the bench and ran over, hugging him. Holding Fang Zichen's arm, he begged Brother Zhao,

"If father doesn't hit daddy, daddy will be in pain. Don't hit daddy."

Fang Zichen said, "But daddy is very angry now, what should I do?" The

boy tilted his head and thought . After thinking about it, this seemed to be a big problem. His little brain was spinning so fast, and his face almost wrinkled like a little old man. Fang Zichen suppressed his laughter and was about to say, "I'm just going to tease you," but he didn't open his mouth. , the good boy jumped up between his legs, supported his thighs with both hands, pouted and stood on tiptoes:

"Kiss, good boy, and you won't be angry if you kiss him."

Fang Zichen bent down happily, and the boy put his arms around his neck and kissed his left and right cheeks twice.

He had just eaten meat and his mouth was oily. Fang Zichen wiped it away, his face was livid and he couldn't laugh anymore.

"You bastard." He stood up and pretended to hit someone. The good boy raised his hands and ran around the table screaming.

"The big monster is going to beat the kid, help me~ run~"

He started playing again before finishing his meal.

The noisy scene was something he couldn't even imagine. Brother Zhao couldn't help but smile.

The boy is becoming more lively day by day. In Zhao Geer's opinion, Fang Zichen treats the boy not like a father and son, but like brothers who are about the same age.

No man in the village played with children like him.