Chapter 558: Chapter 558: Playing the Whore and Erecting a Shrine
Zhou Xuennian was different from Madam Lu in this regard; he wanted silver, but he wanted face even more, for that was a piece of the dignity he held as an educated man.
Whatâs laughable was that such dignity of the so-called educated man wasnât supposed to be used this way. If you cared about face, you shouldnât shamelessly rush forward and throw punches, all the while acting as if, because you, Fu Gui, have become rich, it was only proper for you to help me, displaying a sense of supreme entitlement.
Zhou Xuennianâs aloof state of mind was exactly that of someone who plays the harlot but also wants to erect a shrine for herself, more disgusting than anyone else.
Madam Lu had no idea about her conceited husbandâs disgusting thoughts. Looking at the silver in her hand, it didnât take long before she pursed her lips and said, "Ying Mei is really too stingy. They are so wealthy, with such a big estate, and yet they give only this much, as if theyâre handing out alms to a beggar."
Zhou Xuennian glanced at it and quickly recalled everything he had seen when he visited Wufuâs house in the county, feeling a burning desire in his chest.
He thought such good days should be his to enjoy as well.
Yet, here he was, now, without even a title to his name. If he could find a lucrative job, surely he could fall into the nest of wealth and comfort.
But Zhou Yingmei gave no reply, even refused!
Zhou Xuennianâs face turned ugly.
"Husband, what are you thinking about?" Madam Lu nudged him.
Zhou Xuennian looked at her indifferently and said, "You heard what my younger brother said just now. From now on, weâll have to farm our own land. How do I farm?"
Madam Luâs face collapsed as she said, "Exactly, husband. Not to stir up trouble, but your brother is kicking us while weâre down. Making us farm the land ourselves, isnât that just like watching us starve?"
Zhou Xuennian had never farmed before, and he couldnâtâ not even the winter wheat; Zhou Xueli had helped him sow it. Just that task alone made him tired enough to wish he could die.
And this was something to be done year after year. Was he to spend his whole life as a mere farmer like his good-for-nothing brother?
Zhou Xuennian looked blankly at his hands, those hands that once held a pen, wondering when they had become so rough.
Thinking that they might only get rougher with time, his back bending more and more, his face turned towards the yellow earth and his back to the sky, Zhou Xuennian shuddered with fright.
He couldnât, he just couldnât become a farmer. He couldnât!
"Husband, husband, whatâs wrong with you?" Seeing the changing colors of his face, which was dark and heavy, Madam Lu became startled and pushed him a few times in quick succession.
"I canât farm!" Zhou Xuennian looked at her with a fierce expression.
Madam Lu was taken aback.
"Husband, if not farming, what can we do?" Madam Lu asked tentatively, "Right now, you donât have a title either."
Hearing this, Zhou Xuennianâs facial expression became even more fierce.
Madam Lu swallowed, saying, "How about... becoming a school teacher?"
"Canât you go beg Ying Mei again?" Zhou Xuennian glared at her and said, "As long as she speaks up, Wufu cannot disobey her, his mother. With their connections, it wouldnât be difficult to find me a position."
"Husband, mother just said not to go," Madam Lu pouted and said. "She was so stern as though going there would cost us our lives. How can I dare go? If she issues me a divorce letter, where would I go to cry?"
Hearing the words divorce letter, Madam Lu felt somewhat anxious; for a woman to be divorced was a serious matter, not to mention she had three children under her care. If she were divorced, who else would marry her?
Zhou Xuennianâs face darkened, and after a long while, he finally said, "Sheâs become a senile old fool. We cannot rush this matter, we should take our time to plan it out thoroughly!"