SPMT : Chapter 71: Visitors

 

“Inheritance deeds are all here,” Xiao Jinfeng said to Mu Shuyu.

 

Mu Shuyu looked at the deeds in her hand and flashed a bright smile. “With these deeds, as long as we cultivate the land well, our lives should be secure.”

 

Xiao Jinfeng smiled bitterly and said, “Third brother’s land is twice the size of mine, and big brother’s land is four times mine.”

 

Mu Shuyu patted Xiao Jinfeng’s shoulder and said, “It’s okay. We wouldn’t be able to take care of so much land anyway. This is already enough.” Although Mu Shuyu felt somewhat unfair for Xiao Jinfeng, this was ultimately the family’s matter, and Mu Shuyu didn’t want to say much about it.

 

Xiao Jinfeng nodded and said, “You’re right.”

 

“In fact, your big brother won’t have time to cultivate so much land!” Mu Shuyu said.

 

“Big brother probably intends to lease it out. Actually, big brother probably hasn’t cultivated land before,” Xiao Jinfeng said.

 

Mu Shuyu looked at Xiao Jinfeng in surprise. “Your big brother, at the fifth level of Qi cultivation, has never cultivated land?”

 

Xiao Jinfeng nodded and said, “Yeah.”

 

Mu Shuyu was stunned. Xiao Jinfeng continued with a sour tone, “Big brother doesn’t worry about food or drink. There’s no need for him to cultivate land. Our parents always felt that when his strength is stronger, it’s not too late for him to cultivate.”

 

“I see. Let’s not talk about him,” Mu Shuyu said. Thinking about the scene where Xiao Qingyan mentioned the precious treasures, Mu Shuyu felt both angry and amused.

 

Feeling a bit irritated, Xiao Jinfeng took out a jug of wine and opened it. “Third brother is generous. He gave me a lot of spirit wine. But lately, there’s been no increase, and the spirit wine is getting less and less every day. It’s really unsettling.”

 

Watching Xiao Jinfeng’s distressed expression, Mu Shuyu said helplessly, “Just drink a little less every day.”

 

Xiao Jinfeng smiled awkwardly and said, “I want to, but I can’t help it!”

 

“You…” Mu Shuyu shook his head with a smile, feeling amused.

 

…

 

Early in the morning.

 

Xiao Xiaodong held Xiao Dan’s hand and walked towards Xiao Chengfeng’s residence.

 

Xiao Xiaofan’s face flushed with excitement, bouncing as he walked. “Big brother, you’ll see me soon!”

 

“Yes, we’ll see your performance later. If Aunt won’t give you money, you should throw a tantrum, roll around, grab her legs, and bite her…” Xiao Xiaodong suggested.

 

Xiao Xiaofan blinked, somewhat puzzled. “If I throw a tantrum, roll around, and grab her legs to bite her, what will you do?”

 

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

 

Xiao Xiaofan nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

 

Seeing Xiao Xiaofan agree so readily, Xiao Xiaodong couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

 

After promising to pay the money, Xiao Jingting had been thinking about the two thousand taels. He wasn’t worried that Liu Xian would default on the debt, but he believed that it was better to have money in hand to avoid any uncertainties.

 

Owing money wasn’t dignified, and Xiao Jingting, recalling the hardships of collecting debts in his previous life, decided to pass this honorable yet challenging task on to the two youngsters.

 

Xiao Xiaofan, who rarely received tasks assigned by his father, was excited when he received the task, pledging to complete it and making Xiao Jingting feel ashamed for employing child labor.

 

“Here we are,” Xiao Xiaodong brought Xiao Xiaofan to the door of Xiao Chengfeng’s residence.

 

Xiao Xiaofan nodded and eagerly said, “I’ll knock on the door.”

 

Before long, someone came to open the door. The guard’s face brightened with a smile when he saw Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan.

 

“Master Dong, Young Master Fan, what brings you here?” the guard asked.

 

In the past, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan had low status in the Xiao family. If they had appeared a year ago, the guard would have kicked them out immediately. But now, he greeted them with a friendly smile.

 

“We’re here to get money,” Xiao Xiaofan said straightforwardly, hands on his hips.

 

“Two thousand taels,” Xiao Xiaodong added.

 

Hearing the commotion, Liu Xian walked out from inside the door. When Xiao Xiaodong saw her, he ran towards her like a cat smelling fish, clinging to her legs and said, “Grandma, Grandma, two thousand taels. I’m here to get the money.”

 

Liu Xian hadn’t figured out the situation yet. When she heard Xiao Xiaodong’s words, she suddenly realized what was happening. She cursed Xiao Jingting in her heart for sending two children to collect debts so early in the morning.

 

Xiao Xiaofan hugged Liu Xian’s legs tightly and rubbed against her, making her feel irritated.

 

“Here… two thousand taels,” Liu Xian impatiently handed over the silver bills.

 

Xiao Xiaofan took the bills and happily handed them to Xiao Xiaodong. “Brother, see if it’s enough.”

 

Seeing Xiao Xiaofan’s greedy expression, Liu Xian sneered.

 

Xiao Xiaodong counted the silver bills repeatedly and then confirmed, “It’s all here, exactly two thousand taels.”

 

Liu Xian smirked. “What an idiot. Does he think I would shortchange him? Xiao Jingting is shameless. He only paid one thousand five hundred taels in fines but asked me for two thousand taels. How audacious.”

 

Hearing Xiao Xiaodong’s words, Xiao Xiaofan turned around and threw himself at Liu Xian’s legs again. “Grandma, Grandma, red packet, red packet.”

 

Liu Xian gritted her teeth. Not only did they demand an extra five hundred taels, but now they also wanted a red packet.

 

Seeing Liu Xian’s displeased expression, Xiao Xiaofan immediately lay down on the ground, rolling around and crying, “I want a red packet, I want a red packet.”

 

Unable to bear Xiao Xiaofan’s stubbornness, Liu Xian reluctantly handed a red packet to him.

 

After receiving the red packet, Xiao Xiaofan said without hesitation, “We have two people.”

 

Reluctantly, Liu Xian gave another red packet to Xiao Xiaodong.

 

Having achieved their goal, Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan left in high spirits.

 

After counting the red packets, Xiao Xiaodong muttered, “She only gave twenty taels.”

 

“What a stingy grandma!” Xiao Xiaofan shook his head and said.

 

Xiao Xiaodong nodded in agreement. “Yeah.”

 

“But twenty taels can buy a lot of candy,” Xiao Xiaofan said cheerfully.

 

…

 

Xiao Xiaodong led Xiao Xiaofan back, feeling somewhat uneasy despite having a large sum of money. His steps quickened unconsciously.

 

Xiao Xiaofan held onto the red envelope tightly as he followed Xiao Xiaodong.

 

“Where are you guys heading?” Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaofan were stopped at their home’s doorstep.

 

Xiao Xiaofan noticed Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling pouting involuntarily.

 

Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling were distant cousins of Xiao Jingting, the son of Aunt Xiao Yi. Originally, Xiao Jingting had a fondness for this cousin, and whenever Aunt Xiao Yi occasionally visited, Xiao Jingting treated her children very well, despite them not being directly related to him.

 

Although Xiao Xiaodong was very clever, he still longed for paternal affection. Seeing Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling being pampered by Xiao Jingting even though they were not related to him, Xiao Xiaodong felt jealous.

 

Once, when Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling were bragging about the gifts Xiao Jingting bought them, Xiao Xiaofan couldn’t bear it and tried to snatch them away, which resulted in Xiao Jingting punishing Xiao Xiaofan severely. Even Xu Mu’an was punished because of this incident. After that, Xiao Xiaofan avoided Xiao Jingting for half a month, but soon forgot about it.

 

Chen Xijin was puzzled when he saw Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaodong. When they arrived, Aunt Xiao Yi told Chen Xijin and Chen Yueling that Xiao Jingting had changed this time. Chen Xijin thought his mother was exaggerating, but now he realized she was right.

 

Chen Xijin admired Xiao Xiaofan’s clothes, which were very fancy and looked beautiful.

 

Children like bright and shiny things, and Xiao Xiaofan’s clothes were of good quality, with some colorful patterns embroidered on them, making them look very festive.

 

Thinking about how his father had spent all the family’s money on the Dan medicine for breakthroughs, only to fail, leaving the family a little tight on cash, Chen Xijin felt envious.

 

Chen Yueling noticed the red envelope in Xiao Xiaofan’s hand and immediately asked, “What do you have there? Show it to me.”

 

Xiao Xiaofan’s hand tightened, and he lifted his chin, saying, “I won’t give it to you.”

 

“If you act like this, Uncle Jingting will come out and scold you later,” Chen Yueling said arrogantly.

 

“Little fool, you’re just daydreaming,” Chen Yueling said, eyeing the red envelope with envy, then rushed forward to snatch it.

 

During this period, Xiao Xiaofan had been eating things made from Ling Spring, and although his spiritual energy hadn’t improved much, he had gained some brute strength. He easily pushed Chen Yueling to the ground.

 

Xiao Xiaofan panicked and said, “I didn’t use force! She fell by herself, it’s not my fault!”

 

Chen Xijin’s shouting attracted Xiao Jingting out.

 

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

 

“Nonsense, Xiao Xiaofan is frail and often sick. He’s the one being bullied, not the other way around,” Xiao Jingting said.

 

Xu Mu’an lowered his head and chuckled quietly. Xiao Xiaofan used to be frail and often sick, but since Xiao Jingting changed, Xiao Xiaofan’s health had improved a lot.

 

Xiao Yi’s expression changed instantly. Xiao Jingting rubbed his forehead. If it weren’t for Xiao Yi’s sudden visit, Xiao Jingting would have forgotten about this woman long ago. The things the original owner did were sometimes too unbearable for Xiao Jingting to think about. But now, people from the original owner’s past kept popping up, and he couldn’t ignore them.

 

Xiao Jingting couldn’t understand how the original owner’s mind worked. His own son wasn’t being treated well, yet he wanted to dote on someone else’s son.

 

Xiao Yi came here to complain about her financial situation. Xiao Jingting felt annoyed by her complaints, but could only tell Xiao Yi that he was in debt now, and if he didn’t pay it back next month, he would be in trouble. There was nothing he could do to help.

 

After crying for a long time and seeing that Xiao Jingting remained unmoved, Xiao Yi felt disappointed.

 

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

 

Xiao Jingting coldly replied, “Cousin, my son is also sensible and wouldn’t cause trouble for no reason.”

 

Xiao Yi forced a smile and helped Chen Yueling up. When Chen Yueling heard Xiao Jingting’s words, she felt angry. “Uncle, you won’t even help me for the sake of a little idiot. I hate you,” she said.

 

Xiao Jingting chuckled and said, “Go home quickly and ask your father to spoil you.” Such a silly girl, threatening him like that. The original owner spoiled her, treated her as someone important, and whenever she threw a tantrum, he would pamper her. But he wasn’t as foolish as the original owner.

 

“Yueling, don’t talk nonsense,” Xiao Yi scolded, but her eyes were full of grievances as she glanced at Xiao Jingting.

 

Chen Yueling snorted angrily when she saw Xiao Yi not speaking up for her.

 

Xiao Yi awkwardly smiled at Xiao Jingting and said, “Sorry, the child doesn’t understand.”

 

Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “It’s okay. My Xiaofan and Xiaodong are sensible now, which puts my mind at ease.” Xiao Jingting reached out and ruffled Xiao Xiaofan’s furry head.

 

Xiao Yi’s face twisted slightly upon hearing this.

 

Chen Yueling widened her eyes, looking at Xiao Jingting with a hurt expression.

 

Xiao Jingting avoided the hurt gaze of the little girl.