abnabooks 18. Buy, buy, buy!
18. Buy, buy, buy!
the other side.
The news of Chu Xuan's breakthrough to become a martial artist spread quickly after he left the martial arts school.
"Uncle Chu, Uncle Chu, congratulations! Your family is about to become rich!"
A middle-aged woman shouted loudly as soon as she entered Chu Laoguo's courtyard.
Old Master Chu was smoking his pipe, frowning as he pondered how to raise money for Chu Ming to buy blood-tonifying pills, when he was startled to see who had arrived.
Isn't this the matchmaker Jiang from the outer city?
I used to call him "Old Chu" whenever I saw him. Why did you change your address today?
"Jiang, what are you shouting about? Are you about to lay an egg?" Old Master Chu said irritably.
"Oh my, Uncle Chu, this is such a wonderful thing! Your grandson has become a martial artist! From now on, you'll be Master Chu!" Madam Jiang said with a fawning smile.
"What? Ming'er has become a martial artist?"
Hearing the commotion, Auntie ran out of the west room, her face immediately lighting up with joy. "My son has become a martial artist? Haha, I knew Ming'er would become a martial artist! Haha, he truly is the son I gave birth to!"
Old Master Chu dropped his pipe with a thud, his lips trembling with excitement: "Ming'er has become a martial artist? Good! Excellent! Our Chu family is finally going to prosper!"
"Father! It's only natural for Ming'er to become a martial artist!" Second Aunt said arrogantly, hands on her hips. "This is just the beginning! I've said it before, Ming'er is destined to become a martial arts master!"
"Yes, yes, you're right."
Old Master Chu grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. "Second son's wife, you are the greatest contributor to our Chu family! From now on, you'll be in charge of this household!"
Second Aunt didn't mince words, snorting, "Father, since you've asked me to make the decision, then I'll be frank! You saw how the eldest son's family treated us back then. Now that Ming'er has become a martial artist, I absolutely won't allow the eldest son's family to take advantage of us!"
Upon hearing this, Old Master Chu's face darkened as he said, "They were given a chance, but they couldn't seize it! Don't worry, I won't interfere anymore. From now on, let them fend for themselves!"
Watching the two of them exchanging pleasantries, Jiang blinked and said, "What...what are you talking about? Uncle Chu, I'm talking about your eldest grandson, Chu Xuan, becoming a martial artist, not Chu Ming!"
"What the hell?!" Auntie's voice suddenly rose, completely dumbfounded.
Old Master Chu's expression froze, somewhat taken aback, and he stammered, "Big...big grandson? Chu Xuan...has become a martial artist?"
"Sister-in-law Jiang, are you mistaken? Chu Xuan's aptitude is the worst, how could he possibly become a martial artist?!" Auntie suddenly screamed.
"You're kidding me! You're kidding me!"
Jiang shook her head and said, "Today in the inner city, I saw Xuan-ge carrying big bags and small bags, buying so many things! When I passed by the Lu family martial arts school on my way back, I specifically asked about it, and it turns out that Xuan-ge has become a martial artist!"
The second aunt was completely dumbfounded.
Jiang looked at Old Master Chu and said, "Uncle Chu, congratulations on raising such a fine grandson! Your grandson bought a lot of things in the inner city, worth several taels of silver. He must have come to show his respect to you, his grandfather."
"If you ask me, you should hurry up and prepare dinner. Don't wait until your eldest grandson comes over tonight to start preparing, or you'll be neglecting Xuan-ge'er!"
Old Chu's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.
Yes!
Chu Xuan is also his grandson!
To his grandfather, it made no difference whether Chu Xuan or Chu Ming became martial artists!
"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!" Auntie kept muttering.
"What do you mean it's impossible?!"
Old Master Chu roared angrily, pointing at his second aunt's nose and scolding, "Second sister-in-law, look at you, always making a fuss, do you have any manners as an elder?!"
"Xuan'er was able to become a martial artist thanks to the blessings of our Chu family ancestors, how could it be impossible?!"
"If you keep spouting nonsense, believe me, I'll hit you with the sole of my shoe!"
Second Aunt stared blankly at Old Man Chu, somewhat unable to react.
That's not what you just said!
Old Master Chu glared again and said, "What are you all standing there for? Go and stew the hen. My grandson will be here soon and wants to eat it!"
My second aunt said reluctantly, "Dad, that hen still lays eggs!"
"It's just a hen! My grandson has become a martial artist, why would he care about such a small thing? Hurry up and go!" Old Master Chu said with a look of disappointment.
The second aunt had no choice but to leave.
Old Master Chu then rushed to Madam Jiang and said, "My dear niece, thank you so much for coming to inform me, otherwise I would have truly neglected my eldest grandson. Please stay and have dinner with us."
"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Jiang said, but showed no intention of leaving.
"Haha, we're all neighbors, there's nothing inappropriate about it." Old Chu laughed heartily and waved his hand, "Stay and eat with us."
Jiang's face immediately lit up with a smile: "Then I thank Uncle Chu very much!"
For the entire afternoon, Old Master Chu was directing his second aunt around, occasionally scolding her. He also went out and bought two fish, and asked someone to send a message to his second uncle and Chu Ming in the inner city, telling them to make sure they came back for dinner.
After returning, he changed into his most presentable clothes and sat in the main hall, eagerly waiting for Chu Xuan to arrive.
By evening, a large table of dishes had been laid out, even more lavish than during the Chinese New Year.
But they didn't see any sign of Chu Xuan's family.
After waiting for another half hour, Chu Ming and his second uncle returned one after another, but they still did not see Chu Xuan's family.
It wasn't until it was completely dark, and the food had been reheated for the third time, that Jiang finally sensed something was wrong and quickly said, "Uncle Chu, I have something to do at home, so I'll head back now."
After saying that, he quickly ran away.
The rest of the family just stared at each other blankly.
Auntie scoffed, "Now that he's a martial artist, his attitude is completely different. He makes us elders wait for him, a junior!"
Old Chu didn't say anything, then picked up his pipe and went outside somewhat irritably, where he saw a group of neighbors talking excitedly.
This is extremely rare.
In the past, everyone would have gone home long after dark, either to make babies or to sleep.
Because they couldn't bear to waste lamp oil.
Old Master Chu heard the name "Chu Xuan" from afar and knew they were talking about his grandson. He immediately dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes and walked over with a smile.
"Hey, Uncle Chu, haven't eaten yet? Waiting for your grandson to come over?" someone said with a smile.
Old Master Chu looked surprised: "How did you know?"
"Haha, of course I know! I saw Xuan-ge and the others carrying big bags and small packages to Butcher Hu's house a long time ago. You probably won't be able to wait for them." The man said with a hint of schadenfreude.
Old Master Chu's face immediately stiffened.
A neighbor feigned ignorance and asked, "What does Xuan-ge'er mean by this? He's become a martial artist, but instead of coming to his grandfather to share the good news, he ran to his aunt's house?"
"Haha, look at what this grandfather has done! Not only did he seize his eldest son's house, but he also used the money the escort agency was paying his eldest son to support his grandson!"
"I heard that when Xuan-ge wanted to learn martial arts, his grandfather, who didn't pay a single penny, made a huge scene and almost overturned the table!"
"His aunt secured the opportunity for Xuan-ge to learn martial arts!"
"I also heard that Xuan-ge was forced to bring back the herbal medicine that the martial arts school gave out to Chu Ming..."
"As a grandfather, it's one thing to be unfair, but to be so biased is unacceptable. If I were Xuan-ge'er, I would have disowned him long ago..."
Old Master Chu blushed with embarrassment and turned to leave.
One of them grabbed Old Master Chu and said, "Uncle Chu, aren't you going to wait for your eldest grandson? He might come over in a little while."
Old Chu's face was ashen. He ripped open his clothes and turned to leave.
A burst of laughter came from behind him.
Inside the house, the second uncle's family also looked very grim.
The people outside were talking without any restraint, even deliberately raising their voices, and they could hear everything clearly.
Auntie scoffed enviously, "He just got lucky and became a martial artist! What's so great about that?"
When Chu Ming saw the old man return with a dark expression, he snorted, "A bunch of ignorant country bumpkins, all they know is martial arts! My goal isn't just some Ming Jin, but the future martial arts examination! Otherwise, I would have already broken through to the next level."
"Ming'er, you mustn't be anxious!"
Old Master Chu was startled and quickly said, "Your brother Xuan only became a martial artist because of luck. He only has a C-grade aptitude, and that's it for him! You, on the other hand, have a B-grade aptitude. You must build a solid foundation and wait until you have accumulated enough before breaking through!"
Chu Ming nodded and said, "Grandpa, I understand. Don't worry, I'll definitely get revenge for you! By the way, what about those blood-replenishing pills..."
Old Master Chu's heart trembled slightly.
My second uncle said with a worried look on his face, "One blood-tonifying pill costs seven or eight taels of silver! Where would we get the money..."
"Buy it!" Old Master Chu said fiercely.
Thinking about what his neighbors had said earlier, he felt a surge of passion rush to his head, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Even if I have to sell everything I own, I have to buy it! I'll mortgage this house tomorrow..."