Female Farming Pond Fish

On the third day of the Chinese New Year, Chen Shang and Chen Yu were going back to the county town. Chen Shang was going back to work. Chen Yu's restaurant would also have to resume business in a few days.

I'll go back and pack up, and then visit relatives. Time is still a bit tight.

Chi Xiaotong was very curious, why Chen's mother's eldest sister and third sister were both in the county town, but she lived in the village. They seemed to have a good relationship. It should not be difficult to bring Chen's mother and her family to live in the county town.

Out of curiosity, Chi Xiaotong secretly asked Chen Chengyu.

Chen Chengyu really knew. Her grandmother was from here. She lived in the village all her life. Even when her daughters became successful, they were unwilling to move away.

When Chen's mother was young, she loved to travel around the country to sell goods, so Chen's father stayed in the village to live with the elderly.

Later, Chen's mother stopped going out and settled down in the village to take care of the elderly. After the two elderly people passed away, Chen's mother and father got used to the life in the village and stayed there.

Chi Xiaotong finally understood and was glad that Chen's mother liked the life here. Otherwise, she would not have met them.

When Chen Yu's restaurant first opened, Chen's mother helped a lot and got a lot of dividends. She could make money just by staying at home.

It was Chen's mother who went out to make a living and supported the Chen family. She was also the one who took care of the elderly in the end. Now, Chen's mother just wants to have a good rest. Chen Shang and Chen Yu naturally support her.

Otherwise, he would not come back from the county town every New Year to spend the New Year with Chen's mother in the village.

Before leaving, Chen Yu specifically looked for Chi Xiaotong and asked, "Why don't you come with me to the county?"

Chi Xiaotong shook her head: "No, if there is a problem with the formula, please send a message and I will go over there!"

"Okay." Chen Yu would not force it. He got in the carriage and left.

Chi Xiaotong didn't have anything good to give them, so she divided the remaining sesame candies at home into two portions, one for each family.

Both families accepted it.

Now that she had some free time, Chi Xiaotong resumed her habit of staying in bed every day.

The two families became sworn brothers and their contacts became closer.

There was nothing going on at the Chen family. Chen Chengyu and Chen Chengshan went to Chi Xiaotong's house all day. They didn't do anything. Chen Chengshan pulled Tian Yu to talk in private. Chen Chengyu even brought a book to read.

Occasionally, a few of them would invite other people in the village to go out and play together.

Most of the time, she stayed at home. Chi Xiaotong was a little puzzled. Couldn't Chen Chengyu read at home? Why did he have to come to her place to read?

Out of curiosity, Chi Xiaotong borrowed a copy and looked through it. Upon closer inspection, she realized that Chen Chengyu was reading a travelogue.

"Do you like reading these?" Chi Xiaotong asked while flipping through the travel book in her hand.

Chen Chengyu put down the book and answered seriously: "Yes, I like it very much. I also want to go and see the beautiful scenery described in the book!"

Chen Chengyu went on to say: "I don't want to stay in this small place all my life. I want to go somewhere farther away. Just like my mother did when she was young!"

When saying this, Chen Chengyu's eyes lit up and his face was full of longing.

Chi Xiaotong also became serious and gave affirmation: "That's good, walk more and see more. See the beauty of this world."

Chen Chengyu was a little excited: "Do you really think so?"

Chi Xiaotong nodded affirmatively: "Yes."

"My mother said that only by studying can one have a future. But I don't like reading those boring books. I prefer travelogues. When I have the ability, I will definitely travel around!"

"Godmother is right. Studying is indeed a way out for ordinary people like us, but it is not the only way out!"

"That's right! My mother also said that merchants have the lowest status among the 'scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans'. But she and my third aunt are both merchants, aren't they?"

Chi Xiaotong knew that in ancient times, although merchants were rich, their status was very low. After thinking for a while, she said, "It depends on the individual. Merchants are indeed of low status. Godmother doesn't want you to run into obstacles in the future!"

"But I don't like the imperial examination. I want to go out and sell goods like my mother did when she was young. I can make money and see a lot. Besides, I feel like I'm not cut out for studying!" Chen Chengyu was a little discouraged. She studied very hard. Even if she didn't like it, she had tried her best. But it still didn't seem to work.

"Don't be discouraged! Have you told your godmother and godfather about these thoughts?"

"No, my mother has high hopes for me. I have taken the county exam, but I am not sure about the provincial exam! I don't want to let them down!"

"I think you should still tell your godmother what you want. Your concerns and worries! Your godmother and godfather will understand you!"

"is it?"

"Yes, they love you so much! They won't force you to do something you don't like! But I think you should still prepare well for the provincial examination! What if you pass? Taking the imperial examination doesn't mean you can't travel around!"

"Well, I'll tell my mother. The last time my eldest sister and her friends came, my eldest sister had already passed the prefectural exam, so I felt too much pressure."

"You don't have to compare yourself with others, just walk your own path!"

"Then Sister Xiaotong, is there anything you want to do?"

Chi Xiaotong smiled and said, "I just want to live a good life with Tian Yu now!"

"Now? What about before? I see you're also very interested in this travelogue!"

Chi Xiaotong pondered: "In the past, I was probably the same as you!"

"Like me, do you like running around?"

"Not really, I just thought about it. If I'm alone, what should I do after I make money? It's not bad to look around!"

"Ah?" Chen Chengyu didn't understand.

"No matter what you want to do, the premise is that you can support yourself and your family. You won't let your loved ones suffer because of you! Under this premise, you can do whatever you want!"

"So, when you have a good life, would you like to travel around?"

"Maybe! It depends on whether Xiaoyu is willing to go out and play with me!"

"Oh! So, why are you in such a hurry to get married?!"

"Because I like her! I just want to marry her as soon as possible! You'll know when you find someone you like!"

"I don't want to know! I'm still young! I don't want to get married too early, and I still have to take the imperial examinations, so my family is not in a hurry!"

"Yes, you are still young, don't worry! In the future, find someone you like and get married. Then you will understand the feeling of wanting to see him all the time and keeping someone in your heart!"

"Oh, anyway, I won't look for someone whose family is unreasonable. If you're not careful, you might get yourself into trouble!"

This was a reference to Tian Yu. She always had a problem with Tian Yu's family of origin.

Chi Xiaotong said patiently: "A person cannot choose his or her birth. But he or she can choose how to live and what kind of life he or she will become."

Chen Chengyu thought it made sense. Chatting with Chi Xiaotong, she really felt that many of her ideas were different from others. It gave her a lot of inspiration.