BTYFOV Chapter 31

 

Chapter 31: A Poor Person Suddenly becomes Rich

Has Wang Genbao been possessed by a ghost or something?

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Aunt Qin recalled her husband’s exact words: "It's not something from around here. The style is bright and trendy, like its goods brought from the south. I’ve heard that hairbands from that region are much more fashionable than ours."

"Then I understand."

Aunt Qin was curious. Just one sentence, and she figured it out?

Madam Zhou said, "You have no idea. A lot has happened in my family over the past six months." She glanced around both sides before continuing, "Neither of my eldest or second brother’s family knows about it."

Later, Qin Feng's eldest paternal uncle’s wife went to tell Qin Ying that Qin Feng had a biological son. Qin Ying and Wang Genbao came by to talk about it, and the conversation drifted to how Uncle Zhou made a living selling popsicles. Qin Ying came over to ask how to get supplies and how to sell them.

There seemed to be a lot going on, but Madam Zhou summed it all up in just a few minutes.

Madam Zhou originally thought her sister-in-law would be shocked, but she only showed a hint of surprise. Instead, Madam Zhou was puzzled. "You already knew?"

Aunt Qin replied, "My eldest and second brothers don't know. How would I know?"

"But why don’t you seem surprised?"

Aunt Qin smiled, a smile of relief. "Honestly, I’ve wanted to say something for a long time. But you and Third Brother really liked Wang Genbao. No matter what I said, it would’ve seemed like I was begrudging your happiness."

Madam Zhou stared at her, scrutinizing her expression.

—What does that mean?

Aunt Qin explained, "Back when Xiao Ying got engaged, you asked Third Brother to invite me over for a meal, and I met Wang Genbao. I already felt back then that something was off. He talks too smoothly — flattering words flow from his mouth like they’re free."

She paused for a moment. "But Xiao Ying seemed satisfied, and you both said that marrying into the city would save her from hardship. I didn’t dare say much. I even wondered if maybe I just didn’t understand young people these days. On Xiao Ying’s wedding day, you told me, ‘Xiao Feng was not satisfied at first, but look, isn’t Wang Genbao great?’ I couldn’t believe it. Do you remember saying that?"

Madam Zhou thought carefully but couldn’t recall.

Aunt Qin continued, "It’s been so many years. It’s normal for you to forget. Over the years, Wang Genbao has treated Xiao Ying well. He’s been well-behaved and honest, so I thought maybe Xiao Feng and I misjudged him.

"But after hearing what you just told me today, I finally understand. It wasn’t that we were suspicious of him. It’s that society back then didn’t allow it. Back then, you had to go to state-owned stores to buy even a grain of rice or a piece of candy. Giving him money was useless compared to giving him a few eggs or a few pounds of grain. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve been secretly helping her out over the years, haven’t you?"

Madam Zhou was speechless.

After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but ask, “Did we really misjudged him?”

Aunt Qin nodded, “Don’t blame me for speaking harshly. Wang Genbao is exactly the kind of person Third Brother often talks about—someone who becomes arrogant once they gain success. Is that what he said?”

Madam Zhou was practically blind to it all, having no idea whether it was 'arrogant after gaining success.' She was even less perceptive than Aunt Qin, at least Aunt Qin could recognize a few characters and write her full name.

“What should we do?” Madam Zhou couldn’t help but worry.

Aunt Qin replied, “Do whatever needs to be done. Besides, don’t you have Xiao Feng?”

Madam Zhou shook her head, “You don’t know, Xiao Feng’s temper. If Wang Genbao does something else, he really might cut ties with Xiao Ying.”

“That’s also your daughter’s own doing.”

Madam Zhou sighed deeply, “How did she become like this, so ungrateful?”

Aunt Qin didn’t think Xiao Ying had changed. People have many sides, and maybe this side of Xiao Ying just hadn’t had a chance to show itself before.

“Xiao Feng said she couldn’t live without a man, and I thought Xiao Feng’s words were harsh.” Madam Zhou shook her head, her face looking apologetic for her son.

Aunt Qin almost laughed. Her most accomplished nephew, a Phd graduate, really spoke directly, “Actually, it’s not entirely that. I think Xiao Ying believes she’s clever. You all don’t understand her family situation. You didn’t just refuse to help her, but you even asked her to divorce Wang Genbao.”

Madam Zhou thought for a moment, “Xiao Feng once advised her to study, not to rush into marrying Wang Genbao. She seemed to have said that Xiao Feng didn’t understand.” She couldn’t help but feel regretful, “Why didn’t I see it before?”

Aunt Qin thought to herself, your daughter seems perfect in your eyes, so of course, you couldn’t see it.

“It’s not too late now. At least you two old folks haven’t been swindled out of your money. If Wang Genbao really doesn’t want her, she’ll have to return to her family, and you’ll be able to support her.”

Madam Zhou immediately grabbed her hand, “In the future, if you think anything is wrong, you must tell me.”

Aunt Qin didn’t know how to respond. She wouldn’t meddle in other people’s family affairs, not even her own brother’s. If she wasn’t careful, she might end up being caught in the middle. Besides, Qin Feng was back, and he didn’t need her reminders.

It seemed like her third sister-in-law couldn’t even trust herself. In order to comfort her, Aunt Qin nodded.

Madam Zhou was very happy, “Don’t leave, stay and have dinner at my place?”

Aunt Qin shook her head, "I can't not give sister-in-law face." As her words fell, she heard the laughter of children and couldn’t help but turn around—Qin Feng was holding Miaomiao with one arm and dragging Gu Xiao'er with the other.

Aunt Qin looked closely and realized that Qin Feng wasn't dragging him, but rather, Gu Xiao'er was holding onto Qin Feng's arm with both hands. She was suddenly surprised by how close their father-son relationship seemed.

"Xiao Feng is back?" Aunt Qin stood up and greeted him.

Qin Feng nodded and gave a look to his eldest son.

Gu Xiao'er let go of him and loudly shouted, "Aunt!"

Aunt Qin smiled and nodded, "Where's Xiaoda?"

Qin Feng replied, "He went to the bathroom. Aunt, won't you sit for a while longer?"

"Your aunt must be preparing the meal," Aunt Qin glanced at the next room, then walked over to Qin Feng, lowering her voice, "The things I brought are all at her house, I should at least eat them there."

Qin Feng smiled and nodded, "Then I won't see you off."

"Why be polite with your aunt?" Aunt Qin waved her hand and, as she reached the door, ran into Gu Wuyi. Gu Wuyi stopped and greeted her, and she couldn't help but ruffle his little head, "What a good child."

Gu Wuyi, stunned by the pat, dazedly asked, "What did I do?"

Qin Feng replied, "Maybe she thinks you’re more sensible than my sister."

Madam Zhou was surprised.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow.

Madam Zhou couldn’t help but ask, "How did you know we were just talking about your sister?"

"Your expression isn’t right. Looking at Aunt Qin, her family probably has no problems. Nothing's been happening at our house either. The only thing that could make you change your expression like that is probably Qin Ying, right?" Qin Feng didn’t want to talk about his sister, and before his mother could say anything, he had already motioned for her to serve the rice.

However, he didn’t want to bring it up, but someone was eager to bring it to him.

On the 18th of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, early Sunday morning after breakfast, Qin Feng took a few children with him and his parents to the fields to check if the soybeans had ripened. They also took the children for some fresh air, calling it an autumn outing.

It hadn’t even been three minutes at the field, and Qin Feng hadn’t yet released the kites he bought for the kids when his eldest uncle’s eldest grandson came running to tell them that Xiao Ying and her family had arrived, including the Fu brothers who had changed their surname to Wang.

Madam Zhou stumbled forward in a panic.

Old Qin quickly supported her, "What’s the rush?"

"How can I not be in a rush?" Madam Zhou pushed his hand away, "As soon as those two kids arrive, who in the village won’t know that your daughter is crazy for a son? Since she couldn’t have one herself, she adopted someone else's, and now she’s adopted two at once."

Qin Feng couldn’t help but say, "Since they’ve already arrived, do you think you can just kick them out, or pretend like no one saw them?"

Madam Zhou paused, and especially in front of the children, especially the two poor little ones, she couldn’t bring herself to say that Xiao Ying should take the children and leave, "Then what do you think we should do?"

Qin Feng asked his nephew, "Where are they now?"

The boy immediately replied, "They’re right outside your door. They brought a lot of stuff. There are two big boxes of White Rabbit Candies."

Qin Feng was surprised, "Did they strike it rich?"

The boy subconsciously nodded, "My dad said he—" He suddenly remembered what his grandfather always said about "wealth should not be shown," otherwise, distant relatives who hadn’t been in touch for eight generations would come looking to borrow money, and he quickly stopped talking in a panic.

Qin Feng glanced at his nephew, "Looks like your aunt was right a few days ago, the clothes you and your big aunt's family are selling are all from the south. The person who took your dad and your uncles to buy them must be Wang Genbao, right?"

The boy opened his mouth slightly. How did Uncle Feng figure this out so quickly?

Is this the difference between an ordinary person and a PhD graduate?

Qin Feng smiled, "Looks like I was right." He turned to his parents, "Let’s go, let’s meet them."

Madam Zhou grabbed Qin Feng, stopping him from leaving, "You, don’t—don’t go meet him."

"Mom!" Qin Feng interrupted her, "I’m annoyed by him, not by his things. As long as he doesn’t run his mouth and provoke me, I’ll treat him like my own brother-in-law."

Everyone, old and young, didn’t believe him.

Qin Feng smiled, "Wang Genbao always takes the chance to say I’m arrogant and old-fashioned. Am I really arrogant and old-fashioned? An arrogant and old-fashioned person wouldn’t be able to go out for six years and come back in one piece." He lifted his chin toward his nephew, "Lead the way!"

The boy stood frozen, "Uncle Feng, when we see my dad, can you—can you—"

"Of course!"

The boy was stunned and opened his mouth but couldn’t speak, "You... you know what I was going to say?"

"Don’t tell your dad that I figured out they went to the south to buy goods based on those four words you said, right?"

The boy was speechless.

Qin Feng ruffled his hair, "You’re young but sharp. If you applied this cleverness to your studies, you’d be making more money than your dad even if you didn’t do business."

The boy didn’t believe him, but since Qin Feng was an elder and a PhD graduate, he bit his lip and didn’t dare to argue.

Gu Wuyi curiously asked, "Dad, what can make more money than doing business?"

Qin Feng picked up the little one with short legs who was walking slowly, "Selling patents. Business involves risks, but patents don’t."

Gu Wuyi was stunned and opened his mouth wide.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, "Didn’t expect that, did you?"

Not only in the previous life, but even in this life, Gu Wuyi had never considered that they could make money through patents.

"Grab the kite and follow me."

Gu Wuyi quickly picked up the kite and ran to catch up.

The elderly couple exchanged glances.

Old Qin whispered, "We should trust our son."

"Then let’s hurry up. If Wang Genbao talks back, we should tell him to leave first, that way we can avoid a fight."

Wang Genbao didn’t talk back. When he saw Qin Feng and the others returning, he greeted them with a smile, "Dad, Mom, going to the fields? If it were up to me, those four acres of land could be given to someone else to farm. You two are old enough, you should enjoy your golden years."

The elderly couple exchanged another look.

—Did Wang Genbao get possessed by a ghost or something?

Wang Genbao said seriously, "I’m serious. If you run out of money, just ask Xiao Ying."

Madam Zhou, fearing that he was setting a trap again, didn’t dare to continue the conversation and pointed to the big and small bundles outside the door to change the subject, "Did you buy all this?"

"Yes." Wang Genbao looked back for a moment, then turned to Qin Feng, "In the past, you two always helped us out. Now we finally have a bit of spare money, it’s time to show some respect and repay you."

Qin Feng suspected that Wang Genbao was waiting for him to get angry, but he really had no grudge against the things, and in fact, he wouldn’t mind more of them. "Then we'll accept it."

Wang Genbao’s smile froze. This wasn’t what he had imagined.

Qin Feng gave a signal to his two older sons.

The two brothers said in unison, "Thank you, Uncle."

Qin Feng smiled, "Take it inside."

"Okay!" Gu Wuyi took the keys from Old Qin, opened the door, and immediately grabbed a box of White Rabbit candies. "Miaomiao, come over and eat candy with your brother."

Qin Feng hurriedly reminded, "You’re teething, don’t eat too many."

"I know." Gu Wuyi noticed that his third and fourth younger brothers from his past life were staring at him. "Let’s go inside."

Qin Ying's two daughters subconsciously looked at her and Wang Genbao.

Wang Genbao glared, "Hurry up!"

The two sisters were scared and followed them inside.

Qin Feng sneered.

Wang Genbao suddenly turned toward him.

Qin Feng said, "You only dare to yell at kids. A grown man taking out his frustration on children—what kind of ability is that?"

"You—" Wang Genbao pointed at him.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Is your temper acting up again?"

Wang Genbao suddenly realized that his purpose here was to show off and make things difficult for Qin Feng, not to give him a chance to hit him.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Genbao squeezed out a smile, picked up the soy milk powder from the ground, and said to the elderly couple, "Dad, Mom, this is for you."

The elderly couple felt like it was a ticking time bomb, unsure when it would blow up, so they didn’t dare take it. Their first instinct was to look at Qin Feng.

Wang Genbao seized the opportunity, "You elders are still afraid of him?"

Qin Feng replied, "They’re afraid you poisoned it. After being my family’s son-in-law for so many years, this is the first time you’ve bought so many things, right? My parents are frightened and feel undeserving."

Wang Genbao frowned, "Don’t try to act all scholarly. Is it just because you’ve read a few more years of books than me?"

Qin Feng shook his head slightly, "It's not a few years, it's nearly ten years."

Wang Genbao was momentarily speechless, not daring to curse or hit him. "I don’t have time to bicker with you." He stuffed the things into Madam Zhou's hands and then picked up a cigarette. "Dad, this is for you?"

Qin Feng glanced over and clicked his tongue. "Seeing how serious you are, I thought it was Zhonghua cigarettes."

Wang Genbao’s breath caught, and he instantly wanted to kill him.

Qin Ying couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Feng, did we offend you today?"

Qin Feng didn’t want to respond to his sister, but since she asked, he didn’t mind explaining, "What’s the meaning of you all? It's the 15th of August, and the things you're bringing are more than the betrothal gifts for marrying a wife. And you say before it was always our parents supporting you, now it’s time for you to repay them."

"If you really had that in mind, when dad and mom were working day and night cutting wheat, where were you?" Before she could answer, he continued, "The soybeans are ripe, the corn can be harvested in a while, and then you can properly repay them. After all, you’ve had plenty of soybean sprouts and porridge made with crushed corn kernels in the past."

Qin Ying was speechless.

Because she didn’t dare to respond to Qin Feng.

Ever since Wang Genbao started earning money, she stopped selling cakes and stayed home to take care of the kids.

The village school had a busy season break, but the city’s elementary school didn’t, and now that she was here, who was going to take care of the four children?

Qin Feng withdrew his gaze and turned to Wang Genbao, "Aren’t you rich? Why not hire a couple of helpers for your parents when the time comes?"

Wang Genbao opened his mouth but couldn’t get a word out.

The whole point of him spending so much money today was to show off that he was rich. Forget about two kids; he could even afford to adopt more. Who would dare to look down on him?

But hiring help for his in-laws was not something he wanted to do. It wouldn’t allow him to show off, and he wasn’t the kind of person to harm himself to benefit others.

Qin Feng’s older cousin was standing at his door, and when he saw Wang Genbao looking awkward, he immediately said, "Isn’t that making things difficult for your brother-in-law? The helpers from the city haven’t done farm work before. Those who know how to work the land will have to help their own families in a few days anyway."

Wang Genbao nodded, "Right, right, Big Brother is right."

Qin Feng: "If you can't hire help, you should at least be able to buy some things, right? When the time comes and Dad and Mom are exhausted from working, don't forget to get them something nice to help them out."

Wang Genbao's face changed slightly.

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and scanned him from head to toe. "You don’t just have this little money, do you?" He pointed at the remaining gifts that hadn’t been taken yet.

"How could that be!" Wang Genbao blurted out.

Qin Feng: "Looks like you've made quite a bit of money recently?"

Wang Genbao proudly lifted his chin.

Qin Feng was concerned that he might squander the money now that he had it, like spending it on something wasteful, and end up unable to pay for the kids' tuition fees. "Did you even make enough to pay for all four of their college tuition?"

Wang Genbao froze, not sure how to respond.

Qin Feng feigned shock: "You didn’t think about paying for their college tuition, did you?"

"You’re the one who didn’t think about it."

Qin Feng shook his head: "You’ve guessed wrong, I started saving money earlier this year."

Wang Genbao couldn’t believe it, those three kids were still so young.

Qin Feng sneered, "Only someone like you, who’s so pleased with his little bit of money, wouldn’t know better. People like us, when we get money, think about how to allocate it properly. Like how much to save, how much to keep for daily use, how much to put in a fixed deposit, since the interest is higher, and how much to keep in a regular account." He raised his chin toward him, his face full of contempt. "Didn’t know that, did you?"

Wang Genbao’s face turned red, because when he had little money, he only knew how to save it, never considering the difference between fixed and regular deposits. "I just haven’t had time to think about it. Besides, the money isn’t even mine to manage, it’s all with your sister."

Qin Ying nodded.

Qin Feng couldn’t be bothered to look at her and stared at Wang Genbao. "Dare to say you don’t have a single cent on you? No, not even a hundred yuan?"

Wang Genbao was shocked, not believing that Qin Feng knew he still had money. "That’s for my capital."

Qin Feng said everything he wanted to say. "You can say it’s whatever you want." He bypassed him and headed inside.

Wang Genbao grabbed him. "What do you mean by that?"

"Otherwise, how would you like me to say it?" Qin Feng glanced at him, lowering his head to stare at the hand on his arm.

Wang Genbao hurriedly pulled his hand back in fear.

Qin Feng glanced at him indifferently before heading inside again.

Qin Ying couldn’t help but point at him and report to her parents, "What’s wrong with him?"

Madam Zhou asked, "So, is your brother right or not?" She then looked at Wang Genbao.

Wang Genbao opened his mouth, unsure how to rebut. "He’s just relying on the fact that he’s studied a few more years and stayed abroad for a few years."

Old Qin replied, "Did your parents not let you study, or did we stop Xiao Ying from studying? You’re lazy, and now you blame others for studying more?"

Wang Genbao immediately regretted buying so many things.

Old Qin said, "Aren’t you going inside? Haven’t you shown enough of your ‘sudden riches’ face?"

"I… I—" Wang Genbao stammered, trying to retort, "How am I showing off sudden wealth?"

Old Qin suspected he didn’t even know the meaning of that phrase. "You had no money before, and suddenly you have some, not knowing what to do with it. Isn’t that you right now?"

Wang Genbao was at a loss for words. "I—this—is to show respect to you."

"Whether it’s respect, you know it yourself," Old Qin glanced at him, as if saying, "I can’t be bothered to expose you."

Wang Genbao’s face turned red, and he couldn’t help but mutter to himself, "What a joke."

Madam Zhou saw him blocking the door and asked, "Are you going in or back to your own home?"

Wang Genbao took the remaining items inside.

He had spent thirty yuan on things. Wasn’t it a waste to go back without even eating a meal?

"Daddy!"

Wang Genbao suddenly looked up and saw Little Miaomiao rushing into Qin Feng’s arms. He couldn’t help but glare at him.

The child wasn’t paying attention to him. After being picked up by Qin Feng, he clung to his neck and acted spoiled, "Daddy, my candy is gone."

Qin Feng looked at Gu Wuyi.

Gu Wuyi pointed to the child’s pocket, "There’s one in his pocket. He just ate one."

Qin Feng asked in understanding, "Isn’t three enough?"

The child shook their head.

Qin Feng turned to the other children, "How many do each of you have?"

His niece responded, "Five. Brother Wuyi said, Miaomiao is still small, so he can’t eat too many. If he eats too much, he won’t eat lunch."

Qin Feng turned to the child.

— Did you hear that?

The child shook their head, "Mine isn’t sweet, but brother’s is sweet."

Qin Feng tried to scare them, "Then give me yours."

The child quickly protected their pocket, "Mine’s not sweet, I won’t let Daddy eat it. Daddy, eat brother’s." He looked at Gu Wuyi and Gu Xiao'er.

Qin Feng held back his laughter and asked, "How about I ask for one more for you? Let’s see if it’s sweet?"

The child nodded and held up two fingers.

Qin Feng’s eyes widened.

— Is this the same child who was abandoned by the old monk at the gate of the staff residence, looking so anxious and helpless?

"Isn’t one enough?" Qin Feng asked.

The child nodded, "Big brother has one, second brother has one. I want to try them all." 

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