Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Dawn was just breaking when someone knocked on the door of the Liu family in Dashu Village.

Outside gathered a group of simple, honest men, grinning ingratiatingly as they asked Auntie Liu when she opened the door when they would head out to work.

Ever since it became known that the village’s Shen Yuan was hiring people to build a walled courtyard, there wasn't a single household in Dashu Village that didn't want to apply for the work.

However, because the village head had laid down the law—declaring that anyone who went to the Shen house on their own to bother Shen Yuan would have their family immediately cut from the list—Shen Yuan was able to remain undisturbed as usual.

Thus, Shen Yuan could take his time finishing his meal with his younger siblings and go to sleep as he always did, resting and recovering.

On the way to the Shen household, Village Head Liu stressed again and again, "Don't try to act chummy with Xiao Yuan casually and put him in an awkward position. Just work honestly and earn your pay. Anyone who gets any funny ideas or acts dishonestly will be replaced immediately. There are plenty of people who want this work, understand?"

Having landed such a good job, who would want to be replaced?

The villagers following behind all nodded obediently.

Shen Yuan was accustomed to rising early. He got up early as usual and opened the door, only to find a group of people standing outside.

Village Head Liu stood at the front. Auntie Liu was there with her daughters-in-law, and Auntie Ping stood there with her daughter-in-law and her own daughter.

Behind them were the other villagers, dressed in simple, ragged clothes heavily covered in patches.

Shen Yuan’s gaze swept over them. They all looked familiar; he knew every one of them by name.

It wasn't hard to see that Village Head Liu had helped call together people who were honest, hardworking, and reliable.

Those who were somewhat lazy, hot-headed, or had slightly sticky fingers were all absent.

Because Village Head Liu had briefed the workers beforehand, they now, upon seeing Shen Yuan, were all so earnest they hardly dared look him in the eye.

If their eyes met his, they would break into a simple, honest grin, not daring to make any extra movements.

Having lived in Dashu Village during this time, Shen Yuan knew that tax collection was only a month away, not to mention the recent forced levy of five hundred wen for the "corruption tax." Every family was strapped for cash. A job that could earn money at this time could save an entire family.

They were all from the same village. Refusing and suppressing those who hadn't been selected would require considerable effort and energy.

He took Village Head Liu's hand, knowing how tough it must have been for him. Then he looked at Auntie Liu and the others, his heart aching a little for them. "Uncle Liu, why didn't you knock when you arrived? How long have you been standing outside? Aren't you tired?"

Village Head Liu and the others gazed at him affectionately. Village Head Liu grinned, sincere and plain-spoken. "Ah, it wasn't long, and we're not tired. Everyone knows we're working today, so they're all full of energy. It's fine as long as you slept well, Xiao Yuan. By the way, are your little Dong and the others awake yet? If not, Uncle will have someone carry them to our house to keep sleeping."

Now that the family's future livelihood was more secure, the Liu family no longer skimped excessively on the children's food.

The children ate their fill and slept soundly. Village Head Liu also wasn't worried that Huahua would disturb anyone anymore.

Village Head Liu had Eldest Brother Liu, Fourth Brother Liu, and Liu Ping go carry the children.

Worried Shen Yuan might get tired, he naturally handed Beibei into Shen Yuan's arms.

Shen Dong was a bit older and more alert.

When picked up, his eyes flew open immediately, though his mind was still foggy with sleep. Shen Yuan, holding Beibei with one arm, freed a hand to pat his younger brother's head. "It's okay, Dongdong. Be good, go back to sleep."

Shen Dong unconsciously nuzzled lightly against Shen Yuan's palm, then settled back to sleep peacefully in Eldest Brother Liu's arms.

Shen Nan also woke briefly, similarly soothed by Shen Yuan back to sleep.

Only Shen Xi was carefree, sleeping soundly with his little fists clenched. He even threw a punch at Fourth Brother Liu in his dream, not knowing what he was dreaming about.

It made the few of them chuckle involuntarily.

Sending the younger siblings to the Liu household worked out perfectly, as the Liu family's fourth and fifth daughters were at home looking after the children anyway; four more was just a convenient addition.

Shen Yuan kissed each of his younger siblings on the forehead one by one before reluctantly leaving.

The Liu family siblings watching from the side were stunned.

This Xiao Yuan doted on his younger siblings even more than biological parents doted on their children.

Thinking of Shen Yuan's encounter with the immortal fate and how remarkable he was now, they couldn't help but look at Shen Dong and the others with envy.

But then, remembering how Shen Dong had nearly kowtowed himself to death, indifferent to his own life, just to beg for grain to save Shen Yuan, they could understand why Shen Yuan doted on his younger siblings so much.

It was mutual.

No wonder the Shen family's life was turning around.

After settling his younger siblings, Shen Yuan headed for the teahouse.

Wang Sanhu waited for him at the village entrance to walk together.

Today, Wang Sanhu and Fang Zaoshang were going to try narrating the first part of *Love Between Human and Ghost*. Wang Sanhu was so nervous it was comparable to the day of his trial narration at the teahouse.

On the way, Wang Sanhu practiced narrating for Shen Yuan. Apart from his voice being a bit soft due to walking and some initial nervousness causing slight stumbles, there were no other issues.

Shen Yuan encouraged him, "Brother Sanhu, you're amazing. In just three days, you've not only memorized the story but also understood the emotions within it and can express them. That's really, really impressive! Don't be nervous, relax. Just think of the tea guests as the uncles, aunties, elder brothers, and sisters from our village. Imagine you're telling the story to them."

Wang Sanhu blushed at the praise and tried thinking as Shen Yuan suggested. "Hey! Thinking of it that way, I really don't feel scared anymore!"

Who would have thought that just as Wang Sanhu shifted his mindset and prepared himself, a problem arose at the teahouse.

When the two arrived at the teahouse, they found that the usual dense crowd of tea guests waiting outside was completely absent.

Ever since the teahouse started storytelling, the entrance had never been this empty!

Not only that, but the shopkeepers and clerks from the surrounding stores, who usually peeked out frequently to watch the teahouse, were also completely quiet today.

Curious, Shen Yuan and Wang Sanhu entered the teahouse. As soon as they stepped inside, Shen Yuan was pulled upstairs by Ji Xingwang, who was so busy he barely touched the ground.

In the main hall, Fang Zaoshang, Auntie Chun, and the others were cleaning. Not only them, but there were also several unfamiliar faces, their hair wrapped up and their hands gloved.

Auntie Chun and the others wiped the floors, tables, and chairs for the first pass, and these new people followed behind, wiping a second time with meticulous care.

Wang Sanhu was also pulled by Fang Zaoshang to help.

Upstairs, Ji Xingwang said, both anxious and excited, "Xiao Yuan! Today, the master sent word that Fifth Grandfather Xie and the master himself are coming to the teahouse to listen to the storytelling!"

"You are to be in charge of storytelling for Fifth Grandfather Xie and the master today. Hurry up and get ready."

At the same time, at the Ji residence.

Ji Mingfeng and Zhao Yueyun stood respectfully at the gate, watching the Xie family carriage depart.

Then the Ji family carriage arrived. The couple pulled along Ji Pingan, who stood behind them looking grim and suppressing his anger, and quickly boarded the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Ji Mingfeng looked at Ji Ping'an, in high spirits. "My son's really something! You've quietly managed to build up the teahouse so well that even your Fifth Uncle wants to go there to listen to storytelling!"

Zhao Yueyun smiled proudly beside him. "Look whose son he is! I've always said our An'er has great capabilities!"

Although Ji Mingfeng disliked his principal wife, he didn't deny her words at this moment.

Sitting by the carriage door, Ji Ping'an crossed his arms and sneered. "Do you even know what storytelling is? You talk about it nonstop, but do you even understand it? And I've already said—the storytelling belongs to Shen Yuan. I advise you both not to harbor any inappropriate schemes!"

Hearing this, the couple's expressions changed. Zhao Yueyun said with exasperation, "Ji Ping'an! Have you lost your mind? Such a great opportunity is right in front of you, and you just want to throw it away? Just who is this Shen Yuan anyway? Why are you so protective of him?"

Ji Mingfeng also angrily retorted, "He's just a commoner, a nobody! Without the Ji family as his backing, could Shen Yuan have achieved what he has today? Could he perform... storytelling! What do you mean it's his? In the Ji family teahouse, it belongs to the Ji family! Even if it isn't, it must be!"

Knowing her son best, Zhao Yueyun calmed down slightly and tried to appeal to his sense of reason as well as his emotions.

"Ji Ping'an, I'm warning you not to act recklessly at this critical moment. If you care about that Shen Yuan so much, just give him some extra silver to send him away. But whatever Fifth Uncle Xie is interested in must remain with our Ji family. No matter the methods or reasons, it must stay with the Ji family. Do you hear me?"

Unexpectedly, Ji Ping'an turned a deaf ear. He listened quietly, his lips downturned, casting a cold gaze at his parents.

Finally, he threw out one sentence: "Just try it." Then he directly jumped out of the carriage.

He left Ji Mingfeng and his wife inside the carriage, blaming each other for failing to raise their son properly.

After jumping out, Ji Ping'an ran swiftly, taking the alleyways to reach the teahouse faster.

Early that morning, the Ji family's gate had been knocked open. To everyone's surprise, Xie Yulin, who they thought would never set foot in the Ji household, had actually sent someone.

The entire Ji family sprang into action. Ji Mingfeng and Zhao Yueyun were so startled they instantly woke up, hurriedly washing up and dressing to greet the Xie family's envoy.

When all the Ji family members stood at the gate to welcome them, the Xie family carriage arrived shortly after, fashionably late.

However, Xie Yulin did not come in person. It was Song Zijun who arrived.

Dressed in a blue robe, he strolled leisurely up to the Ji family. As the saying goes, a powerful dragon shouldn't provoke a local snake; when operating locally, it's better to keep a low profile.

Song Zijun spoke with a smile, appearing very polite. "Patriarch Ji, today Young Master Yulin wishes to visit the Ji family teahouse to listen to storytelling. The young master values his peace and quiet, so I must trouble you to have someone clear out the teahouse."

Ji Mingfeng and Zhao Yueyun were baffled. What teahouse? What storytelling? What was that?

Seeing the confused expressions on the Ji couple's faces, Song Zijun raised an eyebrow, looking like someone who enjoyed stirring up trouble. He turned to Ji Ping'an and said, "Seventh Young Master Ji, do your parents not know about storytelling?"

Previously, when the Ji family planned to sell the teahouse, Ji Ping'an had stopped them and exchanged it for another shop.

He had mentioned to his family that he intended to run the teahouse, but Ji Mingfeng and Zhao Yueyun hadn't paid much attention.

Because the Xie family was about to visit, the Ji family, not wanting to be used as a stepping stone, had recently kept their doors closed to guests and avoided going out.

Moreover, Ji Ping'an had deliberately kept it secret, forbidding the servants from discussing it. Therefore, the storytelling performance "Love Between Human and Ghost," which had gradually spread among the elite circles of Qingyun County, was something Ji Mingfeng and Zhao Yueyun genuinely didn't know about.

Song Zijun's question made the Ji couple focus their attention on Ji Ping'an. It didn't take a genius to guess that their son had kept something from them—something that had attracted Xie Yulin's interest.

This was a fantastic opportunity!

Ji Mingfeng's mind worked quickly. Without waiting for Ji Ping'an to speak, he immediately said, "We know, we know! Storytelling, of course we know. Ping'an handled it all himself. It's his good fortune that it has caught Fifth Uncle's eye. I'll send servants to clear out the teahouse right away."

Observing the undercurrents among Ji Mingfeng, Zhao Yueyun, and Ji Ping'an, Song Zijun pretended not to notice.

He raised a hand, and five people carrying wooden boxes stepped out from the group. "These five are responsible for cleaning. They'll go along to clean first."

As he ran, Ji Ping'an recalled Song Zijun's words and actions at the gate.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Song Zijun.

It seemed as if he was deliberately stirring up trouble. If that were the case, then he had succeeded.

Previously, keeping it from his parents was to give Shen Yuan more time to build up his reputation, making his parents think twice before trying to take what belonged to Shen Yuan.

But now, with Fifth Uncle showing interest, his parents would undoubtedly be even more determined to claim it for themselves.

Worst of all, even he might not be able to stop them.

Ji Ping'an ran faster and faster, a sense of urgency and dread welling up inside him.