Chapter 17: Breaking the Liar’s Leg Again

Fang Ning was both amused and exasperated.

She hurriedly explained, “Grandma, it’s not stolen. It’s the money from selling the tiger. We won’t cheat or deceive anyone anymore.”

“Really? A tiger could fetch a hundred taels?” Grandma Fang was skeptical.

Fang Ning waved her hand, motioning for the old lady to squat down, then whispered into her ear, “Grandma, in total, we sold it for five hundred and fifty taels. Father and mother plan to start a business, so we could only give you a hundred taels for now.”

Grandma Fang’s eyes widened in shock as she gasped, “Five... five hundred and fifty?”

“Yes.” Fang Ning nodded vigorously. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask my second and third uncles.”

“Could it really be worth that much?”

“If not, why would Li Dayong be so despicable as to claim the tiger was his?”

Grandma Fang finally believed her, though it still felt unreal.

Was this really the same eldest son’s family who had even tried to extort money from her?

“Grandma, from now on we’ll earn even more silver to honor you.” Fang Ning hugged her tightly. “You must believe in us.”

At her words, the hundred taels felt heavier than a thousand pounds in Grandma Fang’s hands.

Had she finally waited long enough for her eldest son to turn over a new leaf?

Fang Ning quietly slipped another twenty taels to Grandma Fang. “This is for you and Grandpa, not to be turned over to the communal fund. You two can buy some clothes or whatever you need. It was our whole family’s ignorance that made you worry so much before.”

Grandma Fang had been strong her whole life, but now her eyes welled up.

“Grandma, please keep the silver safe. Father and mother still have something to tell everyone.”

“All right, I won’t be polite—I’ll keep it.”

She wasn’t sure how long the eldest family would stay reformed, so she decided to keep the money safe for now, lest they squander it recklessly.

Grandma Fang turned away and quietly wiped her tears.

Fang Ning ran outside.

Grandma Fang put the silver away and followed.

Zhao and Chen had already washed the dishes.

When Fang Cinian saw everyone gathered, he nudged his wife, signaling her to speak.

Liang Anrong cleared her throat. “Father, mother, second uncle, third uncle, I want to say something. The fieldwork is mostly done now. Would you like to come pick bayberries with us?”

“Pick bayberries?” Old man Fang was puzzled. “Like the candied bayberries?”

“Yes, there are plenty on the back mountain. Quanweilou buys them for five wen per jin. Do you want to earn some money? The bayberries will start falling off in about ten days.”

“Five wen per jin?” Zhao couldn’t believe it.

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Fang Wenchang and his wife exchanged a glance, equally shocked.

“Yes, just pick them from the mountain. It’s easier than gathering firewood, and you can earn money to help the family.”

“Eldest uncle, is this really true?” Grandma Fang asked anxiously. “You’re not just teasing us, are you?”

“Mother, the second and third brothers are here today. You can ask them if Quanweilou really wants the bayberries.”

Everyone looked at Fang Wenqin and his brother.

Old man Fang asked, “Is what eldest uncle says true?”

Fang Wenqin nodded. “They do buy these bayberries.”

“Father, mother, even if Quanweilou doesn’t want them, my wife has other ways to turn these bayberries into silver. It depends if you’re willing to trust me. I know I wasn’t a good husband before, always causing trouble, but after nearly dying, I’ve come to my senses.”

Grandma Fang glanced at Old man Fang.

Zhao was eager, while Chen was timid but gently tugged at Fang Wenchang’s sleeve.

“All right, we’ll trust you again, but if you trick us one more time, I’ll break your legs!” Old man Fang said sternly. “The fieldwork is nearly done. Tomorrow, you two couples—eldest and second—go up the mountain. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Okay!” Zhao quickly agreed.

“I’ll say this upfront: you have to give three wen of every five wen to the communal fund. The rest is yours.” Grandma Fang wasn’t a despotic matriarch; she wouldn’t hoard all the silver and forbid them from having any private money.

Fang Wenqin and the others smiled broadly, nodding eagerly.

Fang Hong quietly asked Fang Ning, “Ning Ning, can we really make money this way?”

“Of course. Tomorrow you’ll come up the mountain with me.”

“Great!”

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu and Fang Fei raised their hands. “We want to go too.”

Fang Ling was silent for a moment. “Can I come?”

“Yes! We’ll make a big profit, and I’ll share it with you.”

Fang Ning was holding a little meeting herself.

The children were all fired up by the prospect of making money, practically itching for tomorrow to come.

Fang Yu said proudly, “Fang Ning, if you keep this up, I won’t dislike you anymore.”

“Oh, so you only dislike me because of money?”

“I’m not the type to be blinded by money. Haven’t you been annoying before?”

“No, I think everyone loves me.”

Fang Yu: “...Your nerve must be as thick as a wall.”

“Don’t bully Ning Ning.” Fang Hong protected Fang Ning. Anyone who tried to stop him from earning money would have him to answer to!

Fang Yu snorted and looked away.

Fang Ning didn’t bother arguing with these brats.

There was nothing she couldn’t handle.

After all, hadn’t she already won over these siblings?

Meanwhile, the adults had reached a consensus, and Fang Cinian and Liang Anrong prepared to leave.

Remembering the silver, Fang Ning pulled out another twenty taels and gave it to the second and third uncles. “Second uncle, third uncle, you helped us today. This is for you.”

The two brothers immediately glanced at Liang Anrong, worried she might throw a tantrum.

Fang Wenqin said, “No need, it’s no big deal. You’re letting us earn money picking bayberries—that’s enough. Keep the silver.”

Fang Wenchang agreed, “Second brother’s right.”

Old man Fang and Grandma Fang said nothing, watching the eldest family’s reaction.

Liang Anrong took the silver from Fang Ning.

Everyone’s expression said it all.

This eldest family never let anyone take advantage of them.

But no one expected Liang Anrong to divide the silver between Zhao and Chen. “Brothers are brothers, but what’s due should be given. You’ve helped us plenty before. Keep these.”

“This...” Zhao and Chen exchanged looks.

“Take it, no need to turn it over to the communal fund.” Grandma Fang spoke firmly. “Eldest, it’s not about how much you give. We just want you to behave from now on. If you keep scheming and cheating, you’ll get beaten to death sooner or later!”

Fang Cinian scratched his nose. “Mother, it won’t happen again.”

Grandma Fang said, “I hope you mean it. It’s late now, you should head back. Ning Ning’s probably sleepy.”

Old man Fang asked Fang Wenqin to see Fang Ning off, but Fang Cinian declined, lighting a torch and taking his wife and daughter home.

Back at home, Fang Ning took out the remaining silver to give to Liang Anrong.

Liang Anrong took the majority and gave the rest—five taels and five thousand wen—to Fang Ning. “Keep this. Do whatever you want with it.”

Fang Cinian looked enviously at his wife. “What about me?”