When Xu Mu’an got up, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan had also awakened. Having eaten pork yesterday, the two brothers were somewhat energetic.
The two brothers lay by the window and, after watching Xu Mu’an leave, observed Xiao Jingting’s activities.
“Big brother, what is he doing?” Xiao Xiaofan asked curiously.
Xiao Xiaodong tilted his head and said, “It looks like he’s planting grapes.”
“Planting grapes?” Xiao Xiaofan’s eyes and nose scrunched up together.
“Grapes? Grapes are so sour—I won’t eat them,” Xiao Xiaofan said, puffing out his cheeks.
Xiao Xiaodong snorted with laughter and said, “Even if he plants them, they’re not for you to eat. Even if you wanted to eat them, you might not get the chance.”
Xiao Xiaofan puffed out his cheeks and glared at Xiao Xiaodong angrily.
Xiao Jingting looked over at Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan. Sensing Xiao Jingting’s gaze, Xiao Xiaodong closed the window and hid back inside with Xiao Xiaofan.
Xiao Jingting thought to himself: The shadow left by the original owner is hard to erase! I’ll have to take it slowly.
When villagers wanted to go to the city, most would take the Li family’s ox cart. Xu Mu’an was no exception—previously when Xu Mu’an had hunted larger prey, he had taken Li Sheng’s ox cart there.
“Young Master Xu, what a big pig! Just half is this big—a whole one would be incredible!” Li Sheng said with envy.
Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Yes!”
“Young Master Xu, are you taking the pig to sell?” Li Sheng asked.
Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Yes!”
“Such a big pig should sell for more than ten taels of silver. Young Master Xu, did you hunt this yourself?” Qiu Bai asked.
Xu Mu’an looked at the person who had emerged from the cart and frowned. Qiu Bai often rode the ox cart to the city. Xu Mu’an had never run into him before, but this time they had encountered each other.
Afraid of complications, Xu Mu’an directly nodded and said, “Yes! I hunted it.”
“Young Master Xu, how impressive! But why only half? If it were a whole one, it could sell for dozens of taels.”
“We ate the other half,” Xu Mu’an said.
Qiu Bai said somewhat jealously, “This pig’s spiritual energy is very rich—it must have been delicious.”
Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Very delicious.” Qiu Bai relied on his affair with Xiao Jingting to come begging for favors whenever he pleased. Xu Mu’an found this person very disagreeable, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“Alright, alright, everyone get on the cart. We should be going,” Li Sheng said.
The ox cart traveled for over an hour before finally reaching the city.
Xu Mu’an skillfully sold the pig to the restaurant. With the silver in hand, he bought rice, flour, and eggs, and also bought several pieces of clothing. Both his sons’ clothes were somewhat torn, and now that he had some silver, Xu Mu’an didn’t want to make them suffer anymore.
When Xu Mu’an returned home, he saw the courtyard full of lush grape vines.
A rich aroma of meat wafted from the house.
Xu Mu’an opened the door and saw Xiao Jingting bustling around the stove. Xiao Jingting glanced at Xu Mu’an and said, “You’re back. We can eat soon.”
Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Alright.”
This time Xiao Jingting had made a large pot of stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat. Although Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan couldn’t eat too much meat, eating more bamboo shoots flavored with meat was fine.
As Xu Mu’an ate the meat, he thought to himself: Xiao Jingting’s cooking skills are really good. But he doesn’t know what’s gotten into this person—actually inviting him and his sons to eat together.
Seeing that Xiao Jingting was in a good mood, Xu Mu’an took out twelve taels of silver and said, “I got sixteen taels for selling the pig. I spent four taels and have twelve left.”
Xiao Jingting put away six taels of silver and said, “You keep the rest. I didn’t expect this pig to be worth so much.”
Xu Mu’an nodded and said somewhat guiltily, “Alright.”
Afraid that Xiao Jingting would keep all the profits for himself, Xu Mu’an had said the eighteen taels were sixteen taels. He hadn’t expected Xiao Jingting not to notice and even give him half. Although he felt guilty, Xu Mu’an didn’t confess. He had two children to care for and couldn’t afford not to be cautious.
“What’s wrong? Eat up!” Xiao Jingting asked, looking at Xu Mu’an.
Xu Mu’an nodded and began eating.
“Eating meat feels so comfortable!” Xiao Jingting couldn’t help saying. In his previous life, eating meat was just tasty, but in this world eating meat could enhance one’s abilities. After eating, his whole body felt refreshed. If he could eat meat every meal, his strength would surely increase rapidly. No wonder people from great families saw their power grow so quickly.
“Yes, yes! Eating meat feels so good—meat is delicious,” Xiao Xiaofan said.
Xiao Jingting reached out and rubbed Xiao Xiaofan’s head.
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting’s gentle expression and hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the words about encountering Qiu Bai.
