CFGF 3.2

 

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c3.2









Managing a Big Bowl of Rice

~

Lu Lizhi, similar to Jiang Baiye, was considered a promising and talented individual who could benefit from participating in the imperial examination. However, he also faced various challenges and obstacles along the way.

As Jiang Baiye carefully analyzed each situation and broke it down, his parents were amazed, as they had never considered these aspects before. They had always been fixated on the goal of success, influenced by those around them who believed that studying was the only path to achieve it.

Jiang Baiye understood that simply discussing these issues would not quell their desire to return to Old Jiang's house. Thus, he began sharing the grievances he had endured over the years, revealing the things he couldn't express before due to certain reasons.

In the midst of listening to Jiang Baiye's revelations, Jiang Dazhu's anger surged uncontrollably, prompting him to leap to his feet and exclaim, "Is what you're saying true!?"

As tears streamed down his face, he received a forceful blow from He Shi's hand, who exclaimed, "How could our son deceive you? Wu wu, Jiang er, I will go reason with them on your behalf!"

Jiang Baiye hurriedly approached to console his parents and proceeded to outline his comprehensive plans, ensuring they would be fully aware of what lay ahead.

Gradually, both parents became captivated by the details they heard, unaware of the latent abilities possessed by their beloved son. Most importantly, they pondered whether they could truly lead a prosperous life, surpassing the prosperity of their eldest son, Dafang, and his family "Can we really live a good life, better than Dafang's (eldest son's) family?"

According to their perspective, once Jiang Yueming succeeded in the examination, they would be left in the dust, unable to measure up.

"Let's wait and see. They may be full of pride now, but what will their future hold?" 

Observing Jiang Baiye's resolute and confident demeanor, the couple found themselves momentarily taken aback, perceiving a newfound strangeness in him. Simultaneously, they contemplated whether Jiang Baiye's promises could truly come to fruition.

"As long as our family stands united, no one will be left behind," Jiang Baiye emphasized once again.

At last, they began to grasp the gravity of their present situation.

Surprisingly, the detailed conversation consumed the entire morning.

The three of them settled for a modest lunch, stir-frying the greens and spinach that Jiang Baiye had gathered. He also sliced the radish into strips and marinated half of it. Although they had brought salt from Old Jiang's house, other ingredients were in scarce supply.

As they contemplated their meager resources, with only 400 Wen to their name and numerous essential items missing from their home, He Shi's worry resurfaced.

In the afternoon, the usually lethargic Jiang Dazhu finally mustered some energy and used a hoe to clear the weeds and roots around the house. In the process, he stumbled upon a plentiful supply of earthworms, which were quickly gobbled up by the vigilant Little Red, who had been following him.

As Jiang Dazhu completed his task, Jiang Baiye returned from his exploration of the nearby mountains. He urged his father, "Father, come with me to gather some firewood."

Unbeknownst to them, the villagers were covertly observing their every move, anticipating that they would scurry back to Old Jiang's house to seek further assistance. Even Old Jiang and Da Fang believed this to be the case and were prepared to expel them at any moment.

To their astonishment, as night fell the following day, not only did they fail to catch a glimpse of the family, but they also overheard numerous villagers discussing their actions.

"The weeds surrounding Jiang LaoEr's house have been completely cleared. It seems like Jiang Lao is putting in a lot of effort. Perhaps he genuinely wants to settle there."

"You're right, I also noticed He Shi drying a substantial amount of old radishes."

Moreover, Jiang Baiye skillfully crafted a simple chicken coop using bamboo strips. Next to the stove, a neatly arranged pile of branches, weeds, straw, and dry firewood caught the attention of passersby, leaving them pleasantly surprised.

In these times, having an ample supply of firewood signifies good household management. Some young women even take note of this detail when considering marriage prospects, as it implies that the family is likely well-provided for in terms of food and sustenance.

Jiang Baiye concentrated on writing and drawing something on the ground using a branch, completely engrossed as if no one else was present. He didn't let these people interfere or distract him; this was just the initial phase of their transformation.

However, as he glanced at the tightly closed wooden gates of the neighboring house, he couldn't help but think of that distant and aloof individual who would likely become his enemy in the future.

Jiang Baiye clicked his tongue softly, recognizing that the person probably possessed his own stubbornness.

In the dimly lit night, he once again scaled the wall, propping himself up with his arms. He noticed that the rooms adjacent to his own were illuminated by a faint yellow candle, indicating the diligent and conscientious nature of a male protagonist, lighting the night lamp (studying at night/being studious).

In contrast, Jiang Baiye had no intentions of pursuing the imperial examination. Studying again was simply out of the question for him, and he had no desire to engage in academic pursuits in this lifetime.

Speaking of which, the reason these thatched huts were constructed adjacent to the Lu family's house was because the old man Jiang shamelessly encroached upon a shared wall, taking advantage of the Lu family's agreeable nature.

To elaborate, the thatched hut furthest to the right was situated right next to the Lu family's residence, and Jiang Baiye occupied this particular room. He had noticed earlier that Lu Lizhi likely resided on the other side of his wall.

Presently, Jiang Baiye refrained from turning over indiscriminately, fearing that the creaking of the broken bed board would disturb someone and result in a note being recorded in his small notebook.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Lizhi, who was engrossed in his nighttime studies, also realized the close proximity of the two rooms and the poor sound insulation between them.

It was so inadequate that he could discern the identity of his neighbor simply by the sound of their breathing.

He wondered whether it was due to the heightened hearing abilities of those born without the ability to speak, but Lu Lizhi silently thanked his luck that the person next door didn't have the unpleasant habit of snoring or grinding their teeth. Otherwise, he would have surely devised a plan to rid his family of the disturbance.

After a brief slumber of less than three hours, Lu Lizhi awoke at the crack of dawn, at the beginning of MaoShi (around 5-7 am).

To avoid any encounters with his neighboring resident, Lu Lizhi decided to remain indoors the previous day. Instead, he adjusted his routine to wake up before dawn and ventured to the nearby river to wash his clothes. He brought along a bucket of well water to quench his thirst during the outing.

Lu Lizhi wasn't one to fear others, but he had a strong aversion to unnecessary hassle. The person next door, with their sinister grin, gave him a foreboding sense of impending trouble.

This premonition materialized the moment he cautiously opened the door, fully prepared to step outside.


Previous   Index   Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CFGF 1.1

  After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c1.1 After the tragic death of the village tyrant  ~ During the spring plowing season, as the land warmed up and nature awakened, the valley flourished with vibrant greenery, accompanied by the cheerful melodies of warblers and the lively chirping of birds perched on the budding branches. Scattered across the mountainous landscape, clusters of villages could be found, with Qingshui Village residing in the southernmost part of Xuanhe Province. Qingshui Village consisted of nearly two hundred households, the majority of whom relied on farming for their livelihood. At present, half of the households were diligently engaged in agricultural activities, tending to the soil, harvesting wild vegetables, and bustling around with a sense of prosperity. In the midst of this scene, a tall and thin figure stumbled towards the village from a distance. As several sharp-eyed village women caught sigh...
Read more

CFGF 1.2

  After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c1.2 After the tragic death of the village tyrant  ~ As soon as the old man Jiang saw this soft egg of a son, he became furious, "Take your useless son and get lost!" Jiang Dazhu barely dared to protest, but before he could act, He Shi grabbed hold of him. Her eyes turned red with anger, and she longed to curse, but she was also afraid of the repercussions. She couldn't afford to offend anyone to the point of no return. Just as she clenched her teeth and prepared to kneel down, a pair of hands firmly and resolutely supported her from behind. "Mother, let's leave," Jiang Baiye calmly suggested. The sight before him was all too familiar. In his previous life, his mother had knelt on the ground, kowtowing countless times, yet it had failed to soften Old Man Jiang's heart. This was not the first time such a scene had unfolded; it had become a recurring occurrence. O...
Read more

CFGF 2.2

  After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c2.2 Moving next door to the hero  ~ Regarding the document for the family separation, Old Man Jiang had not taken it seriously, fearing that Jiang Baiye, whom he regarded as a good-for-nothing and a village bully, would disrupt his eldest grandson's imperial examinations. This was why the second son's family had resisted leaving. Initially, the villagers also viewed the second son's family as shameless parasites, like blood-sucking insects, and thus had been pointing fingers at them to depart. However, observing Jiang Baiye's lively and relieved demeanor, as if he had shed a heavy burden, even Jiang Dazhu and his wife followed suit, leaving the villagers utterly bewildered. Old Man Jiang and the eldest son's family had seemingly achieved success, yet they were left feeling deeply frustrated, harboring an indescribable sense of regret. They couldn't help but question wh...
Read more

CFGF 2.1

  After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c2.1 Moving next door to the hero  ~ The color drained from Old Jiang's face. He hadn't expected his usually unremarkable second grandson to be so sharp-witted now. "None of it was provided by you, nor did you contribute to their care..." "Is that so? Then return to us all the harvest we've labored for all these years." Jiang Baiye remained composed, but his words choked Old Jiang. Old Jiang wanted to dismiss them quickly to avoid the prying eyes of the villagers who had gathered to witness the spectacle and pass judgment. Suppressing his frustration, Old Jiang reluctantly converted the family's two-hundred-jin pigs, nine chickens, and seven ducks into silver coins, along with an additional two hundred Wen, and handed it over. "You can stay in that old house on the back mountain. Clean it up, and it will still be suitable for living. There's half an...
Read more

CFGF 3.1

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c3.1 Managing a Big Bowl of Rice ~ Jiang Baiye was abruptly awakened from his drowsy state by He Shi. He eagerly devoured two large bowls of rice without minding its aged quality or poor taste. The satisfaction on the faces of the family of three was evident. "It's been so long since I've had such a filling meal, hiccup~" Jiang Dazhu, satiated and content, felt the urge to lie down on the bed. "Father, let's clean the house together," Jiang Baiye interjected. The previous task assigned to him had not been completed satisfactorily. Rubbing his stomach, the lingering hunger gradually subsided. He grabbed a broom and attached it to a bamboo pole, sweeping away the cobwebs and dust within the house. Now that the entire village had their eyes fixated on their family, eagerly waiting for them to stumble or reveal an unsightly side, Jiang Baiye, awakened with memories fr...
Read more

CFGF 4.1

   After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c4.1 Stealing the male protagonist's chicken ~ "Morning!" Jiang Baiye greeted with a glint in his eyes, showing a hint of comprehension. It seemed that the male protagonist was genuinely avoiding him. This wasn't a positive indication. "Are you going to fetch water too, shall we go together?" Jiang Baiye raised the wooden bucket he held in his hand, observing the young man briskly moving ahead without acknowledging him. After some consideration, he leaned forward slightly. "Did our movements yesterday disturb your reading? As a neighbor, you can put forward your opinion, and we will try our best to change it." But please, don't hold grudges and resort to covert attacks. Recalling his initial fondness for "The Rise of Powerful Minister," Jiang Baiye had read it once, then twice, without minding the annoyance caused by the cannon fodder...
Read more

CFGF 5.2

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c5.2 Buying delicacies and preparing chicken soup for the soul ~     After stir-frying the vegetables, he proceeded to cook a large pot of rice and half-steam the cured duck legs. With everything prepared, Jiang Baiye was fully ready. He began by filling the most abundant bowl in the house with rice. Then, he carefully sliced the cured duck leg meat into thin slices and placed about five or six of them on top of the rice. He garnished it with finely chopped greens using a chopstick. As for the chicken soup, he selected the best chicken thighs and wings, stewing them until they were tender but not overcooked. A generous bowl was filled with mushrooms, green onions, and red dates. The combination of red, yellow, green, black, and white colors created a visually appealing dish that was not greasy or oily, but rather incredibly sweet and delicious. Finally, two additional dishes were ar...
Read more

CFGF 4.2

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c4.2 Stealing the male protagonist's chicken ~ No wonder Wang Lizheng was taken aback. In the past, he had often advised Jiang Er to work harder, reminding him that he wasn't young anymore. Many young men in the village, around seventeen or eighteen years old like Jiang Baiye, had already started families. However, his words seemed to have been ignored, as if they were mere whispers in the wind. Could this newfound determination be his ultimate awakening? Jiang Baiye held a positive view of Wang Lizheng. While many villagers feared that he would hold grudges or bully them, Wang Lizheng fulfilled his duty as a village official. He was dedicated to guiding Jiang Baiye back onto the right path, without any prejudice in his actions. "Uncle Wang, I have brought all the money. If we don't cultivate the land, we will starve without food," Jiang Baiye explained. His main intentio...
Read more

CFGF 5.1

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c5.1 Buying delicacies and preparing chicken soup for the soul ~         Jiang Baiye rummaged through the narrow and crowded stove room, but all he found were a few white radishes and a handful of withered greens. Although it wasn't explicitly stated in the book, he assumed that Lu Lizhi would likely prefer a delicate and mildly sweet flavor, much like the impression he left on others. Lu Lizhi was akin to a serene cup of tea, exuding an air of tranquility and purity, like the lingering mist that gracefully curls. He possessed courage, resilience, grandeur, pride, and an unbreakable spirit... Coincidentally, with limited food remaining at home, Jiang Baiye glanced at He Shi, who seemed disheartened like a child who had committed a mistake. Softening his tone, he suggested, "Mother, take some money with you and try to buy some vegetables to bring back." "Ah? Buy vegetable...
Read more