“The deeds are all here,” Xiao Jingfeng said to Mu Shuyu.

Mu Shuyu looked at the land deeds in her hand and smiled brightly, “With these deeds, as long as we farm well, life should be secure.”

Xiao Jingfeng gave a bitter smile, “Third brother’s land is twice as much as mine. Big brother’s land is four times mine.”

Mu Shuyu patted Xiao Jingfeng on the shoulder, “Alright, that much land? We can’t take care of it all anyway. This much is enough.” Though she felt a bit sorry for Xiao Jingfeng, this was after all a family matter, so she didn’t say more.

Xiao Jingfeng nodded, “True.”

“Actually, your big brother took so much land but probably can’t farm it all!” Mu Shuyu said.

Xiao Jingfeng replied, “Big brother probably rents most of it out. Actually, I don’t think he’s ever farmed.”

Mu Shuyu was surprised, “Your big brother has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining but hasn’t farmed before?”

Xiao Jingfeng nodded, “Yup!”

Mu Shuyu was stunned. Xiao Jingfeng continued sourly, “Big brother doesn’t worry about food or drink; he doesn’t need to farm. Our parents always think it’s okay for him to wait until he’s stronger to farm.”

“I see! Let’s not talk about him.” Mu Shuyu smiled. Thinking back on how Xiao Qingyan looked so agitated when talking about the rare treasures, she found it both funny and infuriating.

Xiao Jingfeng seemed annoyed, took out a jar of wine, tapped it open and drank. “Third brother is loyal. He gave a lot of spirit wine, but lately there’s been more outgoings than income. The spirit wine is steadily decreasing, which worries me.”

Mu Shuyu looked at Xiao Jingfeng’s worried expression and said helplessly, “Just drink a little less each day.”

Xiao Jingfeng laughed awkwardly, “I would like to, but I can’t help myself!”

“You!” Mu Shuyu teased as she shook her head.

Early morning

Xiao Xiaodong held Xiao Xiaofan’s hand as they walked toward Xiao Chengfeng’s villa.

Xiao Xiaofan’s little face was flushed with excitement, hopping along cheerfully, “Big brother, watch me later.”

“Yeah, I’ll watch you show off. If you ask great-aunt for money and she refuses, you just throw a tantrum, grab her leg, and bite her…” Xiao Xiaodong suggested.

Xiao Xiaofan blinked in confusion, “But big brother, if I throw a tantrum, grab her leg and bite her, what will you do?”

Xiao Xiaodong cleared his throat, “I’ll be on the side cheering you on!”

Xiao Xiaofan didn’t quite get it but nodded, “Okay.”

Xiao Xiaodong felt a bit shy that Xiao Xiaofan agreed so quickly.

After Liu Xian agreed to give money, Xiao Jingting was already thinking about those 2,000 taels. He wasn’t too worried about her reneging but preferred to secure the money quickly to avoid trouble later.

Owing money made one anxious. In his previous life, Xiao Jingting had lent money to others and knew the pains of collecting debts all too well.

Thinking it might be undignified to collect himself, Xiao Jingting shamelessly assigned the honorable but difficult task to two little ones.

Rarely entrusted by his father with a task, Xiao Xiaofan was extremely excited when given this mission. He beat his chest, promising to complete it, making the employer Xiao Jingting feel ashamed for using child labor.

“Here we are.” Xiao Xiaodong led Xiao Xiaofan to Xiao Chengfeng’s villa entrance.

Xiao Xiaofan nodded eagerly, scampering forward, “I’ll knock now.”

Soon someone came to open the door. The guards were surprised but smiled kindly after seeing Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan.

“Master Xiaodong, Master Xiaofan, what brings you here?”

Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan used to be very lowly ranked in the Xiao family, and a year ago guards would have kicked them out. Now, however, they smiled and greeted them warmly.

“We’re here to collect money,” Xiao Xiaofan said bluntly with hands on hips.

“2,000 taels,” Xiao Xiaodong added.

Hearing the noise, Liu Xian came out from inside. Seeing her, Xiao Xiaodong ran over like a cat smelling blood and clung to her leg, “Grandma, grandma, 2,000 taels, 2,000 taels! We’re here to get the money.”

Liu Xian hadn’t understood what was going on at first, but upon hearing Xiao Xiaodong, realized. She cursed Xiao Jingting inwardly for shamelessly sending two children early in the morning to collect debt.

Xiao Xiaofan hugged Liu Xian’s leg energetically, rubbing hard — which made Liu Xian’s anger rise.

“Here… 2,000 taels,” Liu Xian impatiently took out silver notes and handed them over.

Xiao Xiaofan received the notes and happily brought them to Xiao Xiaodong, “Brother, look, we got the full amount.”

Liu Xian looked at Xiao Xiaofan’s money-crazed expression and sneered.

Xiao Xiaodong recounted the silver repeatedly and then confirmed, “Nothing missing, exactly 2,000.”

Liu Xian sneered internally, thinking: What an idiot! Does she think I’d give less money? That jerk Xiao Jingting only paid a 1,500-tael fine but is demanding 2,000 from me—what nerve!

Hearing Xiao Xiaodong’s words, Xiao Xiaofan pounced again and hugged Liu Xian’s leg, rubbing hard. “Grandma, grandma, red envelope, red envelope.”

Liu Xian grit her teeth. Even with the extra 500 tael fine, now these kids want a red envelope?

Seeing Liu Xian’s face turn sour, Xiao Xiaofan collapsed on the ground, rolling around and crying out, “I want a red envelope! I want a red envelope!”

Forced by circumstances, Liu Xian gave a red envelope to Xiao Xiaofan.

Without hesitation, Xiao Xiaofan said, “There are two of us.”

Liu Xian could only give another red envelope to Xiao Xiaodong.

With their mission accomplished, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan left triumphantly.

Xiao Xiaodong counted the red envelopes quietly, grumbling, “Only twenty taels.”

“This grandma is really stingy!” Xiao Xiaofan shook his head.

Xiao Xiaodong nodded, “Yeah!”

“But twenty taels can buy a lot of candy.” Xiao Xiaofan immediately cheered up again.

Holding the large amount of silver, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan walked back. Even inside the Xiao family, Xiao Xiaodong felt somewhat uneasy and quickened his pace.

Xiao Xiaofan clutched his red envelope and trotted behind Xiao Xiaodong.

“Where are you two going?” At the gate, Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling stopped them.

Xiao Xiaofan pouted unconsciously.

Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling were the sons of Xiao Jingting’s distant cousin, Xiao Yi. The original Xiao Jingting liked this cousin very much. Xiao Yi occasionally stayed at the Xiao residence, and Xiao Jingting treated her two sons very indulgently. Others who didn’t know would have thought Xiao Yi’s children were Xiao Jingting’s own.

Though precocious, Xiao Xiaodong deeply craved fatherly love. Seeing Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling, who had nothing to do with Xiao Jingting, being spoiled by him, but he and his brother, Xiao Jingting’s real sons, receiving no love, Xiao Xiaodong felt very jealous.

Though still young and reserved, Xiao Xiaodong never showed his dissatisfaction. Xiao Xiaofan was different. Once, Chen Xijin bragged about the gifts Xiao Jingting bought him, making Xiao Xiaofan angry enough to snatch them away. Surprisingly, Xiao Xiaofan succeeded.

But before Xiao Xiaofan could relish his victory, Chen Xijin reported the incident to Xiao Jingting. Xiao Jingting severely reprimanded Xiao Xiaofan, and Xu Muan was punished alongside. After that, Xiao Xiaofan developed some fear towards Xiao Jingting and hid whenever he saw him for half a month. But Xiao Xiaofan soon forgot the matter.

Chen Xijin looked at Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaodong confusedly. Before coming, Xiao Yi had told Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling that Xiao Jingting had changed this time, and that Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaodong were different. Chen Xijin thought his mother exaggerated and considered the two “poor little beggars” wouldn’t be that different.

Seeing the two, Chen Xijin thought his mother was right. Looking at Xiao Xiaofan’s clothes, he thought the luxurious outfit was very handsome.

Children all liked flashy things. Xiao Xiaofan’s clothes were already good quality and embroidered with colorful patterns, looking quite festive.

Chen Xijin remembered his father recently spent all their money on pills for breaking through cultivation levels but failed, tightening the family’s finances, which made Chen Xijin quite jealous.

Chen Yueling noticed the red envelopes in Xiao Xiaofan’s hand and immediately said, “What’s that in your hand? Let me see.”

Xiao Xiaofan pulled his hand back, holding his head high, “Not giving it to you.”

“If you act like that, Uncle Jingting will come out and beat you.” Chen Yueling said arrogantly.

Xiao Xiaofan snorted, “Dad doesn’t hurt you now, he loves me the most. I just helped Dad with something big, Dad wouldn’t hit me.”

“You little idiot, always daydreaming.” Chen Yueling looked enviously at the red envelope in Xiao Xiaofan’s hand and leapt to grab it.

Xiao Xiaofan, having been nourished on spirit spring food lately, hadn’t improved his spiritual power much but had gained brute strength. He pushed Chen Yueling down with a single shove.

Chen Xijin loudly shouted, “You little idiot, you pushed my sister!”

Xiao Xiaofan panicked, “I didn’t use force! She fell on her own, it’s not my fault!”

The noise attracted Xiao Jingting.

“Uncle Jingting, he’s bullying people,” Chen Xijin pointed at Xiao Xiaofan.

“Nonsense. Xiaofan is weak and sickly. Only others bully him, he doesn’t bully anyone,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Muan lowered his head and smiled secretly. Xiaofan used to be weak and sickly, but since Xiao Jingting became who he was now, Xiaofan’s health had greatly improved.

Xiao Yi’s face twisted. Xiao Jingting rubbed his forehead; if not for Xiao Yi’s sudden visit, he would have already forgotten her. The original host’s deeds sometimes made Xiao Jingting shudder to think about. Old acquaintances of the original host kept popping up, so he couldn’t help but think about them.

Xiao Jingting truly didn’t understand how the original host’s mind worked — no love for his own son, but doting on others’ kids.

Xiao Yi came crying for money. Xiao Jingting was tired of crying and could only tell her that he was deeply in debt and if he couldn’t repay next month, he’d be done for. He was powerless to help.

After crying for a long time and seeing Xiao Jingting unmoved, Xiao Yi was greatly disappointed.

“Jingting, my son doesn’t lie,” Xiao Yi said.

Xiao Jingting said coldly, “Cousin, my son is also sensible and wouldn’t cause trouble without reason.”

Xiao Yi forced a smile and helped Chen Yueling up. Chen Yueling was angered by Xiao Jingting’s words, “Uncle, you don’t help me because of a little idiot. I hate you.”

Xiao Jingting smiled, “Go home soon and act cute to your father.” Such a silly girl to threaten him like that. The original host spoiled and cared for her — and always coddled her when she was willful. But he wasn’t the original host.

“Yueling, stop talking nonsense,” Xiao Yi scolded, but her eyes looked at Xiao Jingting with grievance.

Chen Yueling snorted in anger, upset their mother wouldn’t defend her.

Xiao Yi gave a strained smile and said, “Sorry, the child is immature.”

Xiao Jingting smiled, “It’s fine. My Xiaofan and Xiaodong are very sensible and not troublesome.” He reached out and rubbed Xiao Xiaofan’s fluffy head.

Xiao Yi’s face twisted.

Chen Yueling glared wide-eyed, looking hurt at Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Jingting avoided the hurtful gaze of the little girl.

 

Edited by: Tetsu

Proofreader: Taalia

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