Chapter 17: Choosing Me Was the Right Decision

After seeing the doctor off, Mrs. Gao stood by her son’s bedside in a daze, unable to attend to anything else.

In the main room, all the children were sent out, leaving only the adults inside.

Mao Dan was about to pull Wang Xuezhou away but was instead dragged by him to sneak quietly beneath the window and eavesdrop.

Wang Lanyue bit her lip upon seeing this, struggling internally before following silently.

Wang Chuyue’s curiosity clawed at her heart; seeing someone take the lead, she eagerly followed as well.

The others exchanged glances and decided to join in the eavesdropping together.

Inside the room, Wang Chengzhi spoke with a hint of anger, “Big brother, all those years you’ve buried yourself in virtuous books, yet you treat such a questionable woman like a treasure. You even dared to lay harsh hands on your own son! If Xuewen suffers any harm, how do you intend to explain that to your wife?”

Though Zhang and Ma disliked Mrs. Gao’s usual behavior, on this matter, they stood firmly on her side.

Ma, however, was hesitant—though she disapproved of Wang Chengzu, she dared not speak against him.

Zhang was less restrained and sneered, “Big brother, you’ve truly been blinded by pig’s grease, being played around by a woman! It’s astonishing—are you trying to cut off your own line by mistreating Xuewen so severely?”

Wang Chengzu clenched his jaw tightly upon hearing this.

Wang Lao calmly spoke, “Eldest son, I’ll give you two choices.”

“Either you stay with this woman, and I will personally seek the clan elders, open the ancestral hall, and expel you from the family. From then on, whether you live or die, we will have nothing to do with you.”

“Or you confess everything truthfully, sever ties with this woman completely, repent, and start anew—go find work and support the family. The choice is yours.”

Wang Chengzu abruptly looked up, “Father! I have studied diligently for over ten years. How can you stop my education over one mistake? I’m just one step away from becoming a scholar!”

But Wang Lao, full of disappointment, was clearer than ever in his mind.

Their eldest son had been spoiled by their own partiality.

If only they had cultivated all three sons equally from the start, things wouldn’t have come to this…

He resolved to discipline his eldest harshly. “Study? What use is your studying? Even if you were lucky enough to pass the exam, your mind will only bring disaster to this family.”

“For all these years, your mother and I have spoiled you too much, and look what you’ve become!”

“Enough nonsense. What’s your choice?”

Wang Chengzu looked anxiously at Old Mrs. Liu, “Mother! Please say something. Today’s fault is mine. I was blinded by that wretched woman. I truly regret it… Mother!”

Old Mrs. Liu wept bitterly, frustrated beyond words, and struck his back a few times. “Eldest son, you’re foolish! How could you be so harsh on your own child for the sake of such a woman? This time, your mother cannot help you.”

Wang Chengzu collapsed to the ground and confessed everything in full detail.

Half of what he had told Wang Lao before was true.

Liniang’s parents had passed away; her brother sold her to a widower thirty years her senior as a wife.

After the widower died, Liniang’s stepson drove her out at night.

Liniang felt returning home meant only to be sold off again, so she quietly rented a place in the city.

A woman living alone was naturally unsafe; it was on such a day when Wang Chengzu saved her from abuse.

Liniang clung to him like a lifeline, often bringing him clothes and food under the pretense of gratitude, and gradually, they became involved.

“Where did you get the money to support her?” Wang Lao’s gaze sharpened.

He had no interest in their affair.

“It’s… it’s from the family,” Wang Chengzu answered with weak confidence.

His suspicion was confirmed; Wang Lao sank heavily into his chair. “Because of Mao Dan’s matter, I gave you seven taels of silver…”

Wang Chengzhi immediately grasped the situation, his face darkening as he confronted Wang Chengzu, “Big brother! You used the money our parents gave you for connections to support some woman outside? Did you even arrange for Mao Dan to learn a trade?”

Wang Chengzu, seeing his younger brother’s furious expression, hastened to explain, “Second brother, you know it’s not easy to learn a trade. We have no close ties with the masters, so they naturally refuse. It’s better to spend the money on me than throw it away, don’t you think?”

“Shut up!” Wang Lao took a deep breath, looking at Wang Chengzhi and Zhang’s expressions with difficulty. “This matter is on the eldest son.”

“Since the apprenticeship is not possible, I cannot neglect things. I will send Mao Dan to school just like Niu Dan!”

The siblings crouching under the window all turned to Mao Dan, who stood up anxiously. “Grandfather, I won’t study! Let my younger brother go instead!”

The room fell silent as all the adults turned their eyes toward the window.

Wang Lao’s voice came from inside, “Mao Dan, Choudan, come in.”

Wang Xuexin grabbed his brother’s hand, lifted the window, and slipped inside. “Grandfather, I got dizzy looking at big cousin’s books. I heard that at school you have to sit and study all day—I can’t sit still. Let my brother go; he’s always wanted to learn.”

Wang Lao looked at him, “Do you understand what giving up this chance means? You will spend your life doing fieldwork, just like your father and me, living a hard and aimless life.”

“But… even if I study, I won’t amount to much. I’m not cut out for it! Grandfather, I know what you mean. My brother and I share the same mother, and he’s always been smarter. If he can succeed, he won’t watch me struggle through life. If even he fails, then it’s our fate—whoever goes won’t change it.”

Wang Xuexin’s face was earnest, leaving all the adults in stunned silence.

No one expected Mao Dan, only ten years old, to be so perceptive.

Though this was no moment for laughter, Wang Xuezhou still showed his two big front teeth with a grin. “Grandfather, when I learn, I’ll come back and teach my siblings. That way, one penny can teach several people. Isn’t that economical? Choosing me is the right call.”

Looking at the two boys, Wang Lao was silent for two seconds before sneering, “Teach your siblings? We’ll see when you’ve learned first. Both of you, get out.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengzhi and Zhang’s faces showed some excitement.

Wang Xuexin obediently left, holding his brother’s hand, knowing the adults needed to settle matters and that children shouldn’t eavesdrop.

Wang Xuezhou’s mood brightened instantly—if not for the occasion, he would have happily run around.

Wang Yaoyue saw her brothers come out and excitedly rushed over, “Choudan, you can study now! You must cherish this opportunity and become someone worthy!”