The auntie cursed the thief’s ancestors eight generations back, making the six eavesdroppers realize they were in Taohua Village.
Not someone to mess with. Next target.
Lu Chao sacrificed half a piece of dried rations to bribe a toddler in split pants. He asked if there was a school nearby, but the kid shook his head. Asked if anyone from the village went to the city to buy things—another shake. The child knew nothing, and fearing they’d take the food back, he wolfed it down so fast he nearly choked, his eyes rolling back. Lu Chao panicked, ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver on the spot, but the kid bolted as soon as he finished eating, leaving the group staring at each other in disbelief.
Too wary. Next.
Li Shoucheng, yawning and dragging his feet, was kicked out by his fierce wife, shovel in hand, grumbling, "I’m supposed to attend a wedding today! Why am I being sent to work?"
"What, you wanna drag the whole family along?! Your parents are already going, so who’s gonna tend the fields?! You think me and our son don’t need to eat? Marrying into your family was the worst luck in eight lifetimes!"
With a loud bang, the wooden door creaked and wobbled violently.
A few steps later—
"Huh?"
Li Shoucheng rubbed his eyes, looking at the ground, then around.
In one swift motion, he scooped up the dried rations on the ground and stuffed them into his shirt, smooth as silk.
"Hehehe, knew I was born lucky—finding food just by stepping outside! Some idiot must’ve dropped it on their way to work. Better eat it quick, hehehe."
He pulled out the rations, found a secluded spot, and chomped away. But for some reason, his back felt oddly cold—probably just the morning dew.
The six observers hiding nearby exchanged glances.
"This guy’s scared of his wife. Can’t be that bad."
"But he didn’t even share the food with his family."
"Let’s test him again."
After finishing the rations, Li Shoucheng patted his full belly, his mood instantly brighter. Whistling, he headed toward his field.
Ah, the empty stretch of land—looked like he was the earliest today! Ha! Let’s see who’d dare call him lazy now!
"Huh??!!"
Coins sprouting from the ground?!
Same routine, same smooth move. His grin stretched ear to ear.
"Hahaha!! Today’s my lucky day!! The village chief’s daughter’s wedding is a blessing!!! First in Taohua Village to marry into Yingchuan City!"
Lu Chao kept a straight face, but internally, he was dancing. Just when things seemed bleak—a stroke of luck!
Soon after, Li Shoucheng, still humming, spotted a group of well-dressed kids reciting poetry with hands behind their backs.
Holy smokes, were these celestial children? The shortest one was especially pretty, like an immortal’s attendant. And the chubbiest—goodness, rounder than the New Year’s glutinous rice balls! How much rice did that kid eat in one meal?! And their clothes—fancy!
"Uncle, are you weeding?" Lu Chao asked with a smile.
"Ah, yes! Where are you young masters from?"
"We came with the wedding procession. Our teacher said we’re clueless about farming, so we’re touring the fields. Hope we’re not disturbing you?"
"Not at all! Never met scholars before—today’s an eye-opener!" Li Shoucheng laughed heartily. Who knew Chuntao’s in-laws had so many learned folks?
"Uncle, what’s planted here? When’s the harvest?"
"Young master, this is millet. Ready by autumn!"
...
"Uncle, today’s Chuntao-jie’s big day, huh?"
"Sure is! The village chief’s only daughter, marrying the Xu family’s youngest son—she’s set for life! Oh, and her youngest brother, Wen Bin, studies too. Know him?"
"Different schools, I’m afraid."
"You’ll meet him at the banquet. Wears white robes, has a mole by his eye. Acts all high and mighty, never talks to us."
"That’s not right. Our teacher says, ‘Among three, there’s always a teacher.’ Like these crops—we know nothing, but you could teach us."
Flattered, Li Shoucheng couldn’t resist sharing more.
Lu Yuanyi watched his little brother’s attentive expression, then the chatty uncle, and finally understood the saying "trouble comes from the mouth."
This was just like after school—except the uncle was him. Aghast, Lu Yuanyi flushed red. Lu Chao, you little fox!
After the group left, Li Shoucheng felt wistful. It’d been so long since anyone listened to him so earnestly. They even called him "teacher"—such polite kids.
At the wedding feast—
Lu Chao nodded to his friends as villagers bustled about. Operation "Flying Tigers Return" commenced.
Spotting the old man tallying gifts at the entrance, Lu Chao handed over a silver fragment.
"Elder, our teacher sent us to congratulate. Here’s our gift. Ah! Yuanyi, I see Wen Bin-shixiong!"
"Ohhh, you’re from Yunkai Academy? Please, come in!"
Indeed, this "Wen Bin" stood out—a stark white robe amid a sea of red, his dark skin and bushy eyebrow mole impossible to ignore.
"Look at those little scholars! The Xu family’s impressive. Who says merchants don’t have scholars?"
"Such a dazzling display—Chuntao’s face is made!"
Lu Chao smiled sweetly at the gossiping aunties.
"Aunties, you’ve worked hard."
"Not at all! So refined, these scholars."
"Wen Bin-xiong, congratulations."
Li Wenbin, who’d been bored stiff with no one to talk to, perked up at the sight of fellow scholars—even if they were kids. He returned the greeting.
"Did my brother-in-law send you to handle my gate-blocking riddles?"
"Hahaha! Wen Bin-xiong sees all."
...
The village chief’s family thought: What fine in-laws—so cultured.
The Xu family nodded: We merchants have money, but lack scholarly prestige. This bride’s family is perfect!
When the wedding procession departed, the group’s recited blessings drew thunderous applause.
As Lu Chao and friends feasted at the banquet, their fathers found the half-dead sixth member of their group.
"Where’s my son?!"
No matter how they shook him, the boy just fainted.
Staring at the empty hideout, the two fathers wept in each other’s arms.
