Chapter 48: Why Can't a Benefactor Teach?
As soon as the Fang family left, the atmosphere in the third branch grew heavy. Lin, Wen Lan, and Wen Yuan all stared intensely at the third Wen elder in the kitchen. The third Wen elder’s head was nearly bowed to his chest.
Wen Ye said, “Father, Granny brought you some bananas. Why don’t you bring them inside quickly?”
“Ye!” Lin bit her lip in frustration.
Wen Ye looked back and gave them a calming glance, signaling them to hold back their impatience.
Lin and the others swallowed their words but, out of respect for Wen Ye, remained silent.
The third Wen elder gazed at them blankly, hesitant to step out, unsure if what he had just heard was real or a trick of the mind.
Wen Ye continued, her tone coaxing and smiling gently, “Father, hurry and get them. I’m waiting to eat.”
Only then did the third Wen elder realize it was true. He let out a disbelieving “Ah” and, relieved, quickly went to fetch the bananas.
Lin watched his retreating figure and whispered, “This… this is infuriating! How can we still accept their things?”
Wen Ye whispered back, “Mother, do you no longer want Father? If we make things difficult for him, he’ll only turn back to the old household.”
The expressions of Lin and the others shifted slightly as they began to understand.
Lin bit her lip tightly and nodded, “You’re right.”
Wen Ye snorted softly, indifferent to whether they wanted their husbands or fathers anymore—she certainly did not.
But this was a patriarchal society. If the third Wen elder became worse, he might even sell her out.
So she had to keep a firm grip on him, ensuring he did not side with the old household.
Before long, the third Wen elder returned carrying the bunch of bananas.
He tried to please them by carefully breaking off each banana. “This one’s ripe, looks the sweetest. Child’s mother… you, you eat.”
He cautiously handed one to Lin.
Lin gave him a cold glance but accepted it with a simple “Hmm.”
The third Wen elder was overwhelmed by the favor and quickly broke off a few more bananas, giving the best to Wen Ye and her siblings.
They all took them.
Seeing this, the third Wen elder smiled broadly.
This matter was finally settled!
Moreover, the eldest and second brothers had not come to cause trouble and had even extended goodwill. Mother finally understood his kindness.
Everyone now had a way to earn money, and all were doing well.
This was truly good!
The third Wen elder ate the bananas, though the one he chose was somewhat unripe and astringent, its sweetness nonetheless warming his heart.
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After finishing the food, the third Wen elder busied himself with cooking again.
Soon, lunch was ready.
Because today had been unsettled, the meal was simple: stir-fried greens with sliced pork, steamed egg custard, and brown rice.
Lin and the others had little appetite.
Wen Ye scooped a spoonful of the steamed egg and said, “Father, your cooking is really delicious!”
The third Wen elder chuckled, “As long as you like it. Child’s mother, you eat too. Lan, Yuanbao, you all eat.”
He hurriedly served some steamed egg to Lin and the others.
Seeing his eager manner, Lin exhaled softly, thinking that life must go on, and her anger had lessened considerably.
Wen Ye continued, “Father, you are dutiful to Granny. We shouldn’t say anything against that. But beyond filial piety, I think gratitude is also important. Don’t you agree?”
The third Wen elder nodded earnestly, “Yes, yes.”
Wen Ye smiled brightly, “So, I want to teach Yuer’s family how to make cold dishes too. We can all earn money together.”
The third Wen elder hesitated, “But… today we still have dozens of pounds left unsold… if we teach others…”
Wen Ye smiled faintly, concealing her inner scorn, “Then sell less.”
Lin cast a cold glance at him, “When the families split, we left with nothing—no fields, no land, not even a grain of rice. It was Yuer’s family who lent us the house and food, or we’d be sleeping outdoors. If we can teach even our enemies, why can’t we teach those who helped us?”
As she spoke, her long-suppressed anger flared up again.
The third Wen elder was startled, “Child’s mother… I didn’t mean that… I just said it because we still have tens of pounds unsold today.”
He was merely voicing a reasonable concern, not doubting the need to teach those who helped.
Lin’s repeated mention of leaving empty-handed and enemies made him feel even more guilty, and he quickly apologized:
“Child’s mother… please don’t be angry… of course we should teach them. We’ll just make less and take it easy.”
Lin snorted softly, put down her chopsticks, and said, “I’m full… I’m going to rest in the room.”
With that, she turned and left.
Wen Yuan hastened to finish his meal, then quickly followed after Lin.
The third Wen elder’s eyes reddened with guilt, his emotions overwhelmed to the point of tears.
Wen Lan felt a heaviness in her heart but gently said, “Father, you eat quickly. I’ll wash the dishes later.”
Seeing his eldest daughter still showing him care, the third Wen elder let out an emotional “Ah” and buried his head to continue eating.
After the meal, the third Wen elder hurriedly went up the mountain to chop firewood.
Wen Ye, Wen Lan, and Wen Yuan all gathered in Lin’s room.
Lin sat against the bed, wiping her tears, “It’s not that I’m stingy—it’s that I truly hate it! Truly hate it… I’m unwilling!”
They had been treated like beasts of burden in the old household for over ten years, and their two daughters had nearly been sold into a brothel. That was an unforgivable grudge!
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The old woman had only said a few soft words, and yet he rushed to act like a dutiful son.
How could she accept that?
Wen Ye said, “Mother, rest assured, we won’t be the old household’s doormats. Don’t worry, I won’t let them keep making money! I’ll teach not just Yuer’s family, but many others.”
Lin hesitated, “But then… we won’t make money either!”
“We can do other things then.”
Lin struggled, unwilling for the old household to benefit, yet afraid they wouldn’t earn money themselves.
Wen Ye said, “I have a plan.”
Lin no longer had the energy to argue and could only nod.
“Yuanbao will stay home with you. My sister and I will go to Yuer’s family.”
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At Wen Yuer’s home—
Wen Shengli was out working in the fields.
Aunt Guihua and Yuer busily brought tea to Wen Ye and her sisters.
Wen Ye took out a bag of copper coins. “This is the money from selling bamboo shoots these past few days.”
Aunt Guihua had supplied them with bamboo shoots for six days, thirty pounds a day, five wen per pound, totaling nine hundred wen.
Aunt Guihua took the money, moved, “In just a few days, how did it add up to so much…”
Wen Ye smiled, “This is what you deserve.”
Don’t think this money was easy-earned.
The bamboo shoots in the mountains were thick and sturdy but hard to break off, and they caused itching all over.
After returning home, they still had to peel, cut, blanch, and soak them—an arduous process.
After taking the money, Aunt Guihua changed the subject, “The third Wen elder is such a fool.”
Wen Yuer looked at them sympathetically; she had gone to watch the scene earlier today too.
Yuer’s grandmother was also biased and troublesome, but since the family split, her father had always protected their interests with just a bit of filial respect and never stabbed anyone in the back.
Wen Ye smiled, “That’s why I want to teach you how to make cold dishes too.”
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