NOVPUB"It’s you who are going to town, where everything is more expensive," said Uncle Erba, "so your Aunt Erba and I have prepared some silver for you to take with you."
Speaking, Aunt Erba took out a small red cloth pouch and handed it to Su Yunjin, saying, "Yunjin girl, this is from your aunt."
Seeing this, Su Yunjin quickly demurred. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Chen Jie also tried to refuse, saying, "Uncle Erba, this is the hard-earned money that you and Aunt Erba have saved. I can’t take it, I just can’t..."
"Jiu Si, I don’t have much," insisted Uncle Erba. "Just use it for travel expenses. It’s said that a poor family should have rich roads. You’ll need money for everything in town, so you can’t let yourself be laughed at for being penniless. Take it, and you can pay me back after you earn some silver in town..."
Uncle Erba was adamant about giving the money.
Chen Jie truly couldn’t accept it. He could take Wu Zhong’s money because, as Fishery Manager, Wu had many ways to make money.
But Uncle Erba was different. He was a bamboo craftsman; how many baskets must he have weaved for such a sum?
He was indeed giving away his entire savings.
After much persuasion and back-and-forth, Chen Jie finally convinced Uncle Erba, who sighed, instructed his wife to put the money away, but said to Chen Jie, "I’ll keep this money for you. Come and ask me for it whenever you need it."
"All right," Chen Jie replied.
After Chen Jie had left, Uncle Erba gave the money to Hu Zi.
"Hu Zi, take this money. Don’t squander it. If your Brother Jiu Si needs money, take it out to help in an emergency."
Hu Zi opened the red pouch and found inside three rather dull silver ingots, which together might weigh just over three taels.
Knowing these savings were accumulated from the old couple’s day-and-night labor, Hu Zi intended to refuse. But after thinking better of it, he pocketed the money.
"Fifth Master."
Si Xi saw Chen Jie come out, followed by Su Yunjin and Ruirui.
When he saw Su Yunjin, Si Xi was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected such an elegant young lady to emerge from this backwater hamlet.
Jiu Si sure is a lucky man!
While Si Xi thought so, he swiftly placed a mounting block down. Chen Jie helped Su Yunjin into the carriage, then lifted Ruirui in, and finally got in himself. At that point, Si Xi put away the block.
Chen Jie called Hu Zi, who then came over and sat on the other shaft of the carriage.
Thus, the carriage moved away under the watchful eyes of the villagers.
Everyone sighed with emotion—Xiantao Village had produced someone promising at last!
The people discussed and envied, returned to their homes amid loud chatter, all the while admiring Chen Jiu Si’s success and lamenting their own less fortunate fates.
Chen Jiu Si had become one of Xiantao Village’s illustrious figures.
And as Chen Jie’s status continued to rise, he slowly became the pride of Xiantao Village.
Mention Grandpa Chen, and countless elders of Xiantao Village would say, "Back then, he lived in our village. We used to greet Grandpa Chen often!"
The carriage pressed forward.
Inside, Ruirui pushed aside the curtain and curiously peered out, watching the familiar scenery grow further and further away.
She said with a mixture of hesitance and anticipation, "Brother-in-law, do you think we can eat delicious buns, wontons, and candied haws in the town?"
Hearing this, Chen Jie replied, "The ones there are even tastier."
Chen Jie then noticed Su Yunjin’s spirits weren’t high and asked, "What’s wrong, wife?"
"Nothing," she replied.
Seeing his wife like this, Chen Jie gently took her hand, understanding that this was her first time leaving this familiar place for a strange new one, and that she was understandably anxious.
Chen Jie had felt the same when he left his hometown to study elsewhere, sitting on the train, watching as it pulled away, seeing the familiar landscapes through the windows as they receded into the distance—the alienation indeed brought melancholy.
In such moments, no amount of consoling could help. All he could do was hold her hand, letting her know, "I’m here, and this time it’s for real."
The carriage creaked and clattered all the way to Xiantao Town.
Upon arriving at the entrance to the town, the carriage stopped. Chen Jie got out, only to see Peng Shizhong and others waiting there.
After greetings were exchanged, Peng Shizhong mounted his horse with a splendid yellow mane, looking majestic. Behind him, Feng Xuan and Zheng Chuan also had horses to ride, while the rest of the elite disciples would have to walk.
The send-off party included the Bai family father and son, as well as many from the fishery.
Chen Jie said farewell to them, particularly to Doctor Bai, Wu Zhong, and the Bai family, with special fondness.
Doctor Bai then said, "Alright, it’s time to go. We’re not saying goodbye forever. It’s not that far away. Come back to visit when you can."
"Yes, Master," Chen Jie responded.
Mrs. Bai added, "Yes, and when you do, bring Yunjin and Ruirui to visit. I’ll cook their favorite braised carp for them."
"Thank you, Aunt," replied Chen Jie.
Wu Zhong said, "Well, Jiu Si, the situation at White Tiger Hall is also quite complicated. Be careful there; none of your sworn brothers is to be taken lightly."
Chen Jie nodded.
Wu Zhong continued, "But you don’t need to fear them too much. The entire fishery of Xiantao Town has your back. If they push you too far, they’ll have to consider the consequences."
Hearing this, Li Sanding, who was being carried over not far away, also spoke up, "That’s right, Brother Jiu Si, don’t be afraid. From now on, we’re all behind you."
The others echoed the sentiment.
It should be noted that before Peng Shizhong left, he made a series of personnel appointments.
For instance, Wu Zhong continued as the Fishery Manager of Xiantao Town and also took on the role of Village Chief.
Li Sanding was promoted to Big Ship Leader, and other staff were also promoted one Level accordingly.
However, Fifth Brother Zhou Chu was absent from the send-off party. Where could that scoundrel have gone?
Chen Jie was curious, after inquiring, it seemed Zhou Chu had gone home.
