Linxia

Chapter 76, Embarrassing Things

Fang's mother felt pity and distress for Xin You. She waved him in and asked, "Youzi, is there anything wrong? Tell your aunt."

"Aunt, I want to borrow a hemp rope." Xin You said mysteriously, without saying what he wanted the rope for.

Fang's mother asked, "Is it your father who wants it? Or is it you who wants it? Don't do anything bad."

"Don't worry, auntie. I'll use it myself. I know." Xin You said hurriedly, fearing that Fang's mother would not lend it.

"That's good. How thick do you want?"

Xin You took a look and saw a hemp rope hanging on the wall, so he said, "I want this one."

With Fang's mother's approval, he hurried there with the hemp rope.

Fang Lin looked at Xin You's back, and thought of the 'wisdom' in Xin You's eyes just now. He always felt that this guy was going to do something stupid and ridiculous.

At this time, Fang's father came back and Tian Xuan was shouting "Dinner is ready" in the kitchen, so he didn't think much about it.

Tonight's meal was dry rice, and the dish was the stir-fried meat. There wasn't much, just a small bowl, so I didn't give it to my neighbors.

The family sat around the table, enjoying the delicious food. Although the meal was relatively simple compared to that of a wealthy family, the atmosphere was warm because of the people eating there, and the food seemed even more delicious, turning it into a feast for the taste buds.

During the meal, Fang Lin mentioned that the shopkeeper Liu provided him with pens, ink, paper and inkstone, and he copied books after work. He sold the book he copied yesterday and received eight cents of silver.

This was actually a trick on his part. What he copied was "A Supplement to the Great Learning", a Confucian work and the best-selling book in Xuan Mo Zhai. It was roughly equivalent to "Three Years of Simulations and Five Years of College Entrance Examination" and a must-read for imperial examination preparation. His handwriting was excellent and the book was cheap, so a scholar with little money bought it.

"It takes nearly ten days to copy one book, and I get eight cents of silver. If you calculate it this way, I copy two or three books a month, and the money from selling the books alone is more than your father's monthly salary!" Fang's mother didn't know until she did the math.

Fang's father was eating in silence. Upon hearing this, he looked up and gave Fang's mother a resentful look. What a woman! She only talks about her son. Why compare him with him? Doesn't he have any face?
Tian Xuan noticed this scene, and she covered her mouth with a smile, her expression lively and cute. Then, she picked up a piece of stir-fried meat for Fang Lin with her chopsticks: "Brother Lin is awesome!"

"My son is very capable."

Fang's mother said, ignoring Fang's father's little mood, counting on her fingers, still happily calculating: "I'm calculating, if we save for two or three years, we can buy a house in the capital city!"

After hearing this, Fang's father and Tian Xuan were both shocked, but after a rough calculation, it seemed... really true? Suddenly, they couldn't help but feel hopeful. Since ancient times, people in this land have habitually associated houses with homes. They seek a living everywhere, but only for a place to live. It seems that only when they have their own house, a family can be truly settled.

Only Fang Lin felt stress-induced physical discomfort when he heard about buying a house. Fortunately, he quickly realized that this was not his previous life. On second thought, the housing prices in this era did not seem to be that high.

In the countryside, such as in Xiaohe Village, a nice house can be built with ten or twenty taels; the housing prices in the city are not too expensive, the house his family lives in is only seventy or eighty taels; a slightly better house would cost one or two hundred taels; let’s not talk about the better ones for now.

'House prices are closely related to the country's economy and policies. In the early years of the founding of the country, due to the household registration policy of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, houses were difficult to buy and sell. There was no market, so the transaction price was naturally not high. Now, with the implementation of policies similar to the Single Whip Law, the people are no longer tied to the land, but farmers still do not want to leave the land. However, as the buds of capitalism continue to ferment, the housing prices in the capital city are likely to rise.'

Fang Lin understood the historical trend, and naturally figured it out. He came to this conclusion after analysis, and thought: "If the capital for opening a bookstore is not enough, hoarding houses may be an alternative way?"

'You can consider it.' He suppressed the thought: 'I have made progress in my literacy, and I am doing part-time copying work. This will lead to a positive feedback, and the speed of accumulating capital will become faster and faster. That day is not far away.' At this time, Fang's mother was still saying: "If we don't go out to watch a play or do those things, and save some time, this time can be even faster!"

"Mom, didn't I tell you last time? You can't make enough money. There's no need to save it. Let's go to the theater tomorrow to celebrate my part-time job as a copywriter."

"Okay, okay, my son, I'll do as you say." Fang's mother was scared and stopped talking.

In fact, why wouldn't she be happy to go? In this era, there was not much entertainment, and watching a play, an activity suitable for all ages and the refined and popular, was very attractive.

Not only Fang's mother, but also Fang's father and Tian Xuan likes her.

The family chatted and laughed, Fang Lin shared the joy, everyone was in a very good mood, and time passed by.

……

The next morning, Fang Lin got up and handed the toilet to the dung man who came over. When he was about to go back, he happened to see Xin You who came over to return the hemp rope.

At this time, Xin You was walking like a crab, with his legs apart, taking 8-shaped steps, one fork after another. Seeing Fang Lin, he said dejectedly: "It's useless. I peed on the bed again today, and I will do it again in the future."

"Pee on the bed?" This sentence was incoherent. Fang Lin looked at the rope in Xin You's hand, and thought about his walking movements just now, and seemed to understand something.

Sure enough, Xin You nodded and gestured: "Just tie the bird up with the hemp rope tightly. I really used all my strength, and the bird was tied up red. It hurt, but the urine still came out."

Fang Lin understood something and wanted to laugh, but he didn't. He said seriously, "That's not urine, it's... well, anyway, Xin You, don't do this kind of thing in the future. It can't be tied together. Be careful not to break it, otherwise it will be a big trouble."

"By the way, hasn't your father been talking about a wife for you these past few days?" He added, "Everything will be fine once you have a wife in the future."

After hearing what Fang Lin said, Xin You happily returned the hemp rope.

He has indeed been looking for a wife recently. Dad said he will find one soon, and then he won't pee on the bed anymore.

"What's the matter? I heard Xin Jiayouzi's voice." At this time, Fang's mother heard the voice and came out to ask.

"It's okay, Xin You is here to return the rope." Fang Lin thought about it, but in the end he didn't tell Xin You about his embarrassing story. It's hard not to tell him about it!

After breakfast, the Fang family prepared to go out to see a play. When they left the house, they happened to meet the old couple from the Qiu family next door who were pushing a cart with vegetables on it. It was obvious that they were going out to sell vegetables.

"You two old people, why are you going out so early? You don't even take a day off." Fang's mother greeted them.

"I can't stay idle." Grandma Qiu said with a smile and went out with her husband.

……

(End of this chapter)