CFGF 10
After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c10
Sickened by anger
~
Jiang Ling'er trotted over eagerly, her attention initially caught by the new house. However, she suddenly caught a whiff of an enticing aroma in the air, awakening the glutton within her. "Mom, the food in that house smells incredibly delicious!" She pointed towards Lu Lizhi's house, causing both Lee Shi and Old Man Jiang to involuntarily salivate. It's not that they had never tasted anything good in their lives. Given their family background, they could afford to have meat every few days. But this aroma was on another level of extravagance. Even the finest restaurants couldn't compare. Lee Shi's thoughts wandered, knowing that a person named Lu Tongsheng was staying there, someone whom Jiang Yueming often mentioned. As the only two scholars in the surrounding ten miles and eight townships, they had both passed the examination simultaneously. However, Lu Lizhi, at only seventeen years old, had achieved remarkable success. He had topped the county and prefecture examinations, securing first place in both. He was even favored by a prestigious academy in the county, and the dean personally extended an invitation to him. It had caused quite a stir at the time. Although Lee Shi couldn't help but feel envious back then, fearing that Lu Lizhi would overshadow her son. Now, witnessing that he still had the luxury of thinking about food and creating such fragrant dishes, Lee Shi couldn't contain her joy. It seemed that this person was destined to fall off the rankings this year! Her smile vanished within seconds as Jiang Baiye pushed open the courtyard door, emerging with a plate of freshly cooked food in his hand, intensifying the enticing aroma. A "gudong" sound was heard as someone's mouthwatering caused their saliva to make a noise. With keen eyes, the three of them observed the pile of white rice, each grain crystal clear and distinct. It was unlike the stale and broken rice given by Old Man Jiang. There was also a bowl of bright yellow steamed egg soup, garnished with emerald green onions, emanating a fragrant aroma. A cold coleslaw with fungus, paired with red spicy millet wrapped in sweet vinegar, provided a sour and appetizing flavor—a combination of flavors they had never encountered before. Additionally, there was a braised spring shoot with soy sauce, featuring actual slices of meat and a savory gravy. Wide-eyed, Lee Shi couldn't help but exclaim, "Jiang er, is this the meal from your household?" Jiang Baiye examined them from head to toe and responded slowly, "What else?" "Impossible! Where did you get the money to afford such a lavish meal?" Old Man Jiang couldn't resist swallowing his saliva. "And this house, how did it come into existence?" It was an impolite question, as if Jiang Baiye was still the ignorant and easily mistreated person he once was, whom anyone could beat and scold at will. "Yeah, Jiang er, if you don't have enough to eat, we can always lend a helping hand. It's not right to steal from others, as it tarnishes the reputation of our entire Jiang family," Lee Shi said with a frown, expressing her bitterness. Inside, Lu Lizhi anticipated Jiang Baiye's visit and took the initiative to step out of the gates, but he halted upon hearing the loud complaint. "Idiot!" He Shi rushed out angrily. "Who stole anything? It's our own money, and we even built the house ourselves! If you dare to falsely accuse us again and frame our senior, I'll make sure you all regret it. Let's bring this matter to the patriarch and the Village Officer!" "You woman..." Old man Jiang was about to curse when Jiang Baiye interjected, "Causing trouble in front of the county magistrate is not a big deal." Upon hearing the mention of the "County Magistrate," the expressions of Old Man Jiang and Lee Shi immediately changed. "I recall the laws of this dynasty. Falsely accusing others of theft is a crime, and if you are in the wrong, you will be punished for falsely implicating me... By the way, I also want justice for the past injustices and request the county magistrate's assistance in identifying the true culprit behind those malicious acts committed in my name!" Each word struck a chord in Lu Lizhi's heart as he stood behind the slightly ajar door, his expression tense throughout. Although Lee Shi lacked knowledge about the true nature of the situation, observing Jiang Baiye's intense and resolute gaze made her inexplicably anxious. The elderly Jiang stammered even more, expressing, "Who... who mentioned reporting to the authorities? My dear child, the family simply wanted to offer guidance and remind you to choose the right path, fearing that you might encounter difficulties." Jiang Baiye seemed oblivious to the old man's good intentions and so the old man angrily waved his sleeves while proceeding towards the house. He exclaimed, "I only came to check on everyone! What about the second child? It's already noon, and the second child is still sleeping this late?" While shouting, Old Man Jiang swiftly surveyed his surroundings. Having worked as a craftsman in his youth, he could discern the notable changes in the area. Apart from the tall surrounding wall encompassing a spacious and well-maintained courtyard, the kitchen on the western side had also been expanded twice. Unlike other houses made of mud, which were riddled with imperfections, each wall of Jiang Baiye's house was meticulously built, appearing straight and smooth. While it wouldn't be unusual for a skilled craftsman to design such a fine structure, the issue lay in the fact that local resources alone wouldn't yield such flawlessly constructed walls. Rumor had it that only a group of idle individuals had assisted the second family in building the house. Maybe they were being led by a master craftsman? Old man Jiang quickly pictured Liu Yi, the village's ageing foreman. He came from a wealthy family and amassed wealth by assisting others in building homes. He even established a family business in the community. Old man Jiang usually licked his face on weekdays, but the man still didn't pay him any mind, could it be that he still came to help the second family? Lee Shi hurriedly entered the house, examining various objects. While many believed that a mud house was inferior to one made of bricks and tiles, she couldn't allow herself to think that way if she wanted to maintain a clear conscience. However, her heart couldn't help but be filled with jealousy and envy. He Shi felt such disdain towards their relatives that she desired to drive them all away. However, Jiang Baiye intervened, saying, "Let them have a look. I wonder who will be the first to get angry." As expected, just as the elderly Jiang was about to unleash his scolding, he caught sight of Jiang Dazhu in a well-lit main room, crafting furniture with a saw and a planer. In the span of a single morning, he had already made two stools, leaving his hands slightly calloused. He worked diligently, completely unaware of the presence of the elderly Jiang and the others as he assumed it was Jiang Baiye. "Jiang Er, is this how you make the deck chair you mentioned? Draw another one for me to see." "Second child?" Old man Jiang seemed to no longer recognize him. His second son had always been lazy and prone to sleepiness. It seemed like his inherent nature from childhood to adulthood. Despite complying with the elders' instructions, he never took the initiative to do more things. Even his marriage to the daughter-in-law had been forced upon him. Was he truly so changed now? "Father?" Jiang Dazhu was taken aback instinctively, but as he recalled Jiang Er's words to them that day, his smile suddenly vanished. "What brings you here?" The old man Jiang's expression darkened, but he still believed he knew how to handle his son best. "Can't I visit? It seems you are no longer the son I once knew after the division of the family." "Do you expect me to remain your dutiful son even after the cruelty you have shown me? Are you willing to return the rightful silver we have handed over throughout the years, even if it's just half?" Jiang Dazhu spoke bluntly, his mind consumed by thoughts of money even in his dreams. The old man Jiang almost struggled to catch his breath. "Second brother, what kind of behavior is this? Your own father traveled from afar to see you, and you couldn't even offer him a glass of water or sit down to have a meal together. What will others think of you?" Lee Shi, adopting the role of the elder sister-in-law, began to put on airs and made it clear that she expected to have lunch at his house. Jiang Dazhu failed to grasp the intention behind her words and replied with surprise, "Everyone outside is praising us. Go and ask them. They admire our well-built house, the stairs, doors, windows, these new rooms, and upstairs, hey..." However, his excitement did not spread to others. "You're not Dazhu!" The elderly Jiang pointed a trembling finger at him, shocked by Dazhu's audacity. Where did he find the courage to speak to them like this? The typically timid and submissive Dazhu now appeared like a demon in the eyes of the elderly Jiang. Yes, the entire family must have been enchanted. How else could such a magnificent house be constructed in such a short time? They were now enjoying sumptuous meals and witnessing a change in people's attitudes towards them. Observing the confusion in his eyes, Jiang Baiye kindly poured him a glass of water and spoke in a calm tone, "What's the matter? Please have a drink of water." "Ah!" The elderly Jiang was so startled that he accidentally knocked over his glass, causing it to shatter. He broke out in a cold sweat and exclaimed, "I'm leaving. Hurry back. I can't bear to stay here any longer!" Lee Shi still desired to uncover the truth behind the second family, but her shock was difficult to conceal. Thus, she was promptly summoned away by the elderly Jiang. Jiang Ling'er bit her lip and reluctantly cast a glance at the second floor of the Jiang household. She yearned to go inside and take a look, but unfortunately, she had to depart with the others. As soon as the three of them exited, Jiang Dazhu collapsed. It was evident that a deep-rooted fear still resided within his heart. "Father, you did an excellent job!" Jiang Baiye praised, "From now on, this family will rely on you." Jiang Dazhu instantly felt revitalized. "I have long desired to do this. I have always favored your uncle since childhood, and it was fine to assign him the esteemed role in the accounting house. But when it comes to you, why are you smarter than Yueming but unable to read? If you had studied diligently like your cousin, things would have undoubtedly been better." Ultimately, Jiang Dazhu regretted not being able to provide his son with an education. However, He Shi had already let go of this matter and expressed her concern, saying, "What happened to your father just now? He seemed a bit off." "He simply can't come to terms with the fact that he no longer has control over us, and that we have improved," remarked the narrator. Despite being the elder of the family and quite aged, old man Jiang still possessed the mindset of oppressing the weak and yielding to the strong. Now, with the sudden loss of control, it was no surprise that he fell ill when contemplating the situation. As expected, upon returning home, old man Jiang felt dizzy and extremely uncomfortable. He struggled with feelings of guilt and other emotions, spending three days confined to bed before gaining clarity and resolving to take action once again. "The land deed and title deed are still in my possession. I refuse to believe that they dare to challenge me!" Lee Shi even entertained a mischievous thought, "Their house appears quite appealing. If Yueming uses it for his studies, it would feel clean and pleasant." However, this was a story that would unfold later. In that moment, Jiang Baiye carried the hot food to the neighboring house and found Lu Lizhi already waiting there, seemingly anticipating his arrival. Jiang Baiye felt a touch of joy and said, "Are you hungry? You haven't fully recovered yet, so lie down for a while and don't strain yourself by reading too much. With your abilities, you will undoubtedly achieve a good score this time." Listening to Jiang Baiye's continuous stream of concern, Lu Lizhi felt a familiar and reassuring presence. This warm feeling, long absent from his life, took some getting used to. He scrutinized Jiang Baiye with a mix of curiosity and inquiry, wondering why he was being so kind to him. Jiang Baiye, perceptive of his doubts, paused and spoke candidly, "There are several reasons; the most significant being that we share a common enemy, and helping you is a way of dealing with him." Jiang Yueming?" Jiang Baiye nodded in confirmation. "This person is narrow-minded and selfish. One cannot coexist peacefully with him. He targets people within the same village without hesitation, even if they are his own family. He shows no mercy, as he considers them potential rivals for family resources." This explanation was the primary reason that put Lu Lizhi's mind at ease. He was relieved to know that Jiang Baiye was not deceiving him. "Of course, if you don't mind my forwardness, perhaps we can become friends?" Jiang Baiye grinned and boldly extended his hand. Lu Lizhi was taken aback. Friend? He had friends in the past, but once the negative rumors about him spread, they all avoided him as if he were a terrifying monster. He promptly took two steps back. Jiang Baiye was unfazed by the reaction and retracted his hand. He contemplated how to persuade Lu Lizhi to accept the meals when unexpectedly, Lu Lizhi took the initiative. He handed Jiang Baiye the few remaining copper coins he had found at home, a meager dozen in total. Lu Lizhi had seen the leftover medicinal dregs in the house and realized that he unintentionally owed Jiang Baiye a great deal. Nevertheless, he firmly believed that he had the ability to repay this kindness. After some consideration, Lu Lizhi decided to be forthright. Jiang Baiye was puzzled. "So, would you like to be friends with me?" In response, Lu Lizhi abruptly closed the door without uttering a word. Jiang Baiye remained unfazed. He was well aware of the changes happening within Lu Lizhi. As long as he could find even a slight opening, he refused to believe that he couldn't penetrate Lu Lizhi's inner world! Filled with longing and anticipation, Jiang Baiye returned home and devoured two large bowls of rice, which turned out to be their final "meal." Once again, a furrow formed on his brow as he contemplated how he could sustain his family and earn money as quickly as possible. "Father, mother, I'm thinking of going to the mountains," Jiang Baiye casually mentioned as he picked up the rice. "You go," the two of them replied nonchalantly. Little did they realize that the mountain Jiang Baiye referred to was not the familiar one commonly explored by the villagers. The Daheng Mountains stood tall and mighty, adorned with numerous treacherous and steep peaks, teeming with wild beasts. Many individuals were unable to set foot in it, and those who did often found themselves entangled in perilous situations, never returning unscathed. Yet, the mountains also held abundant possibilities...
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