Chapter 004 Am I still able to rob your things at my age?

Yang Zi pointed at the split log on the ground and said, "There are several of these worms, and Yang Zi also wants to eat one."

He often joyfully smiled while patting his head, "Alright, let's go together, but you must not run off recklessly; your uncle won't be able to catch up with you."

Chang Xile smiled and said, "At my age, can I still snatch your things?"

Yang Zi patted his small chest and assured, "I will not run around."

After walking for about 15 minutes, Chang Xile began to feel a bit out of breath and was sweating. Although Shan Zi appeared to be quite simple-minded, he was actually very attentive and quickly urged Chang Xile to take a rest

Yang Zi's eyes lit up, and he happily exclaimed, "It tastes so delicious when roasted!"

Chang Xile did not dare to show off his abilities and found a shady spot to sit down

Chang Xile woke up to see so many people, regardless of gender or age, all wearing straw sandals, none of whom had cloth shoes like him. Moreover, Chang Xile discovered that his long robe was not made of cotton, but of linen, and his shoes were the same. He thus asked his family and learned that this world surprisingly did not even have cotton

Chang Xile felt even more hesitant to wear this outfit to touch the snails after hearing these words. He currently had only two sets of clothing suitable for going out to meet people, which the Chang family had put in considerable effort to make for him so that he would not appear too shabby when he went out.

Xing Er immediately fell silent, lowering her head and daring not to speak further

Upon hearing this, Yang Zi became excited and quickly joined in, "I want to go too! I want to go too!"

Chang Xile was momentarily at a loss for words, putting the stick he held back down, realizing he had made a mistake. The screams just now were not out of fear, but rather excitement. The bugs in the firewood were of no concern to someone like Chang Xile from the city; they were not like the impoverished farmers who would see them as a delicacy, their eyes gleaming with delight. This was one of the children's favorite snacks!

After dinner, the three elder brothers each came to talk to Chang Xile. Although their words conveyed similar sentiments—expressing concern for his health and advising him not to overthink, reminding him that there are still many days ahead—their different expressions allowed Chang Xile to gain a deeper understanding of each brother, giving him a general sense of their individual personalities.

Chang Xile was aware that, whether in terms of manual skills or physical condition, he found it difficult to perform agricultural tasks like others. Therefore, he did not force himself to join in but instead planned to go out for a walk to personally understand the entirety of Taoyuan Village

Shanzi glanced at Chang Xile and said, "Uncle, if you go like this, you might end up tearing your clothes. There are too many wild grasses along the way, and the path is not very good. Wearing these shoes on such roads can easily lead to them being worn out."

The children in the courtyard and library suddenly let out a scream, startling Chang Xile, who was drinking vegetable soup. He quickly set down his bowl, pulled out a burning stick from the fire pit, and rushed outside. The children from the farm were not afraid of insects, but if they were screaming so loudly, it must be a very dangerous situation

Chang Xile walked through the village and realized something was amiss. He had been so eager to take a stroll that he forgot to consider other matters. He was currently wearing a round-necked long robe and cloth shoes, which felt awkward to him back at the Chang family home, as his attire was the finest in the family. The others, including the children, wore tattered clothing, each adorned with patches on both sides. The men typically wore sleeveless short jackets with small-cuffed trousers that barely reached the knees; the women were not as particular, opting for hip-length front-opening garments for convenience while working, and it was rare to see anyone in long skirts. When working in the fields, they would even roll up their trouser legs, only dressing more formally when going out or during festivals.

Chang Xile looked around and plucked a few blades of foxtail grass nearby. His slender fingers moved swiftly, and before long, a lively little dog appeared. However, upon closer inspection, Chang Xile was not entirely satisfied, as his right hand still hindered his performance

Xing'er murmured softly, "It's not like I haven't snatched before"

However, generally, unmarried women tend to be more particular. Most of the time, they are busy with household chores, such as washing clothes and cooking, and only during busy farming seasons do they go out to the fields to help. In contrast, married women are less concerned about such matters. Recently, Chang Xile saw a woman sitting at the door, openly breastfeeding, and when she noticed someone approaching, she did not shy away, which made Chang Xile feel somewhat embarrassed

Huaizi glared fiercely at Xing'er and said, "What nonsense are you talking about! If you keep this up, I won't find you any more bugs!"

The original self's memories do not provide a deep understanding of the character of these three brothers, and their impressions are vaguely summarized as good people who treat him well. The original self initially intended to pursue the imperial examination, a path fraught with difficulties, so it is understandable that he focused solely on studying the classics, ignoring the affairs of the outside world. However, the current situation does not allow for such a mindset; if he wishes to do something for this family and improve his own life, he must pay more attention to the people around him

A few children were directly stunned by Chang Xile's demeanor, and Yang Zi's face immediately fell, looking as if he were about to cry. "Uncle, can I eat one?"

Shanzi, is the place where the snails are far? Is it appropriate for me to go dressed like this?

Ah! So many large insects!

The elder brother Chang Xile is a simple and honest man, with a face full of worry, embodying the typical image of a farmer crushed by the weight of life. When he approaches Chang Xile to speak, he intends to express his concern, yet he always exhibits a sense of restraint in Chang Xile's presence. It is not like how he interacts with his own younger brother; rather, it resembles the demeanor of a humble farmer encountering someone of higher status. There is always a feeling of trepidation, as if he fears saying the wrong thing, and he stumbles through a few hesitant words of advice, clearly not eloquent, only knowing how to toil away at work.

These memories also exist in the original self, but Joyful often forgot them for a moment. Upon entering the village, he discovered that everyone was dressed in rags, especially those working in the fields, who had chosen the most tattered clothes to wear. This made him stand out starkly, which finally made him realize.

Yang Zi's tears immediately stopped, and while sobbing, he asked: "Uncle, can you also weave?"

Yang Zi, come over to your uncle's place, don't cry anymore, it's just a little dog, I will make one for you

I was mistaken, thinking that you were frightened by the insects. Please go ahead and eat.

"Uncle, Uncle, look at the little dog that Brother Gouzi just helped me make!" Yang Zi ran over from a distance, holding something and looking very excited. However, Keleji was suddenly filled with sorrow; just as he approached Chang Xile, he stumbled and fell hard, making a loud noise.

Yang Zi cautiously asked, "Uncle, are you really going to give us something to eat?"

Chang Xile has rested for two days and finally no longer walks as if he is stepping on cotton; he feels much more energetic and no longer requires others' care. However, even so, no one has assigned him any tasks, and he is still not regarded as one of the labor forces in the household as before

San Ge Chang Xi Wang is a carefree person who does not take anything to heart. He came to find Chang Xi Le not to discuss dinner for that evening, but rather to assure him with a pat on the chest that once this period passes, he would take him up the mountain to hunt wild chickens, so they wouldn't have to suffer through eating those coarse wild vegetables together. He had no idea what the incident during dinner that evening represented; he simply thought it was because there was nothing good to eat at home. He did not mention the family's situation at all, and he was cheerful, completely unbothered by the current hardships.

"Ahem, ahem," Chang Xile said awkwardly, "You all eat, I will go out for a walk."

Although these three brothers have different temperaments and their own little thoughts, they do not appear to be evil individuals at present

Breakfast consists of taro and vegetable soup, and the rice bran cakes, which are quite harsh on the throat, are much tastier. The rice bran in this world is not as finely milled as modern rice bran, but rather very coarse, with rough edges, making it not only unpalatable but also extremely unpleasant in texture. Yesterday, he managed to swallow it down with the vegetable soup after much difficulty. The taro is fragrant and glutinous, though a bit small; the good-looking ones have all been selected for sale, leaving only the misshapen ones.

Chang Xisheng also expressed his desire to venture out like his father did in his youth, but he was troubled by Chang Laosan's firm refusal, leaving him with no choice but to give up. Although he did not state it explicitly, his words constantly encouraged Chang Xile to act as a mediator, repeatedly hinting that if he could go out and explore, the family's debts could be resolved, alleviating their difficult daily life. Chang Xile did not understand why Chang Laosan would disagree, but he assumed there must be his own reasons, so he dared not make any guarantees, merely pretending to be confused. Chang Xisheng, too, did not dare to speak directly, and in the end, he could only leave with regret. Although he did not state it explicitly, his words constantly encouraged Chang Xile to act as a mediator, repeatedly hinting that if he could go out and explore, the family's debts could be resolved, alleviating their difficult daily life. Chang Xile did not understand why Chang Laosan would disagree, but he assumed there must be his own reasons, so he dared not make any guarantees, merely pretending to be confused. Chang Xisheng, too, did not dare to speak directly, and in the end, he could only leave with regret.

Chang Xile did not refuse; having someone to guide him can help him understand the situation more quickly. The memories from his original self are likely still limited, as he is only six years old, but the energetic Shan Zi knows much more.

Chang Xile watched as the thick, white worms in the firewood, resembling silkworms, were hard to imagine eating. However, the children were completely unfazed; they dug the worms out, roasted them in the fire until they turned yellow, and then put them in their mouths, chewing with great delight and satisfaction on their faces. After finishing, they looked eagerly at the locust trees, hoping to encounter more while chopping wood.

Taoyuan Village is renowned for its abundant production of ramie. The women in the village weave fabric from ramie, with the cloth they wear being relatively coarse, while the pieces they sell are meticulously crafted, much finer, softer, and more comfortable. The garment worn by Chang Xile is the finest and most exquisite type, made by several women in the family, as they did not want him to be ridiculed outside. Chang Xile takes great care of it, which is one of the reasons he does not run around carelessly.

Chang Xile's mouth twitched slightly; despite the terrible fall just now, it was nothing serious. However, the dog that had been made of straw was crushed, and he was heartbroken. Is this a compliment to the resilience of rural children, or a lament that there are too few toys, making them particularly cherish the small trinkets that are hard to come by

After hesitating for a moment, Xing'er ultimately did not go out with them, but instead went to find her own friends

The Chang family’s third branch is not only impoverished but also heavily in debt, owing at least fifty taels in external debts. This is an enormous sum for a farming family; in this era, it is already quite difficult for farmers to meet their basic needs, relying entirely on self-sufficiency with very little cash on hand. Excluding their own produce, many people go their entire lives without spending such a large amount of money

Although Chang Xile has recovered physically, he was seriously injured before, so he walks at a leisurely pace. Shan Zi has been following closely by his side, while Yang Zi runs here and jumps there, never stopping along the way

These two are for the kitten and the fat pig

Huai Zi immediately frowned, looking quite worried, "Uncle, you have just recovered; it would be better for you to rest at home."

Huai Zi still wore a disapproving expression, but it was not appropriate to meddle in the affairs of elders. He said: "Why not let Shan Zi accompany you? If anything happens, there will be someone to look after you. He is quite familiar with the village, so you can just tell him where you want to go."

The kitten is the younger brother of the dog, and usually plays best with Yang.

Chang Xile could not help but laugh; the names of these two brothers were indeed easy to come up with. He jokingly said, "They wouldn't have one named Little Pig, would they"

Yang Zi was so fond of it that he couldn't put it down. He glanced at his little dog and felt that perhaps these two were even better. His expression was one of deep conflict, but in the end, he decided to give them both away. He no longer paid attention to Chang Xile and Shan Zi, and ran off, bouncing with the little trinkets in hand.

Upon hearing his name mentioned, Shanzi nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, I will accompany you, Uncle. Don't you want to eat snail noodles? I will take you to find some."

Indeed, but instead of calling it Little Pig, we call it Fat Pig. Since birth, it has been quite chubby. The adults say that our village has never seen such a fat child; its eyes are almost squinted into a line. The little cat mentioned that when it was just born, everyone was worried it had no eyes, and they even peeled back the flesh to check. Only when they saw the eyeballs did they breathe a sigh of relief.

"Uncle, why don't you give it a try as well? It really tastes quite good." Huai Zi offered Chang Xi Le a large white worm, and Chang Xi Le instinctively took a step back.

Yang Zi shivered and immediately dared not say anything more, his eyes eagerly gazing at the plump, white worms in the wooden stump

Uncle, shall we sit in the front and take a break

Often joyful and lively, yet confused, "What shall we eat?"

I will just take a casual stroll and have a look around

"Uncle, where are you going?" several children asked simultaneously

However, Er Ge, who is much more astute, sought out Chang Xile to apologize to his wife and then recounted the current state of their household. His words subtly conveyed to Chang Xile that their family was not as well-off as before and that life had become exceedingly difficult. Although Chang Xisheng did not explicitly state that it was Chang Xile's fault, he was nonetheless indicating that they could no longer support him as they once did. These circumstances were unknown to both the original self and the current Chang Xile.

Chang Xile only pretends not to have heard, "How do you eat this bug?"

Yangzi's eyes lit up, and wiping away a tear with his sleeve, he joyfully bounced up with the book, "Wow! This little dog is even better than the one Brother Gouzi made up!"

Oh no, my puppy is broken, my puppy is broken

Chang Xile finished eating and patted his belly, feeling it was too little and still not full. If only it could be as big as the Lipu taro, one would be enough to satisfy hunger

Chang Xile laughed even more joyfully, and truly wanted to see for himself if there really was such a fat child. While Chang Xile spoke these words, his hands did not stop moving, and before long, he had crafted a small cat and a small pig.

Chang Xile was also reluctant to ruin this fine outfit, as he would still rely on it for future outings and business. He could only return home for the time being, but just as he arrived, he was greeted by an unexpected guest—Qian Jia's second young lady's younger brother, the precious Qian Xin.

Xing'er directly tapped Yang Zi's head, "Little glutton, Uncle said he wants to eat it, so let us not move. You still want to snatch it? Be careful, or else Nai will find out and beat you!"

Chang Xile laughed and said, "I am already grown up and can take care of myself. It's fine, I won't go anywhere, just walking around the village."

Do not move, where is the bug

Chang Xile did not respond when his wife said such things during dinner, which actually indicated his attitude. Later, he came to apologize, showing that he is quite shrewd. The couple deliberately played the roles of the good cop and the bad cop. This way, they could express their thoughts without alienating Chang Xile. Such shrewdness might make some people uncomfortable, but for an outsider like Chang Xile, although he inherited the original owner's feelings for this family, it is ultimately not a personal experience. Therefore, his attitude is more about gratitude, and he does not feel emotionally hurt. Instead, he thinks that if such a person can be utilized well, they can be a great help.

At this hour, there are not many people in the village; most have gone to the fields, leaving only a few elderly women in the courtyards basking in the sun while weaving cloth. Occasionally, hurried passersby go by, and regardless of their urgency, upon seeing Chang Xile, they will stop to greet him and inquire about his health. Chang Xile responds to each one with a smile. Although Shan Zi is still young, he can remember who is who and even articulate their relationships, preventing Chang Xile from feeling lost.

Chang Xile smiled as he handed it to him, and Yang Zi carefully cradled it, "Uncle, could you make another one for me? I want to give it to the kitten"

Chang Xile was taken aback and stood up, wanting to help Yang Zi up. He noticed that Yang Zi's expression did not change at all; like a monkey, he jumped up without any regard for his injuries. Instead, he was extremely anxious, looking at the straw-woven puppy that had been crushed. Upon seeing that the puppy was hurt, he immediately burst into tears.