PCJ – Chapter 200 Chen Dianzi is back

“Qigao, why are you here instead of staying home with your wife?” Zhang Jiwang teased Zhang Qigao. Ever since his wife got pregnant, Zhang Qigao rarely left home, tending to all the household chores inside and out. But today, when the seedlings needed to be unloaded at Zhang Jiaohua’s horticultural field, he showed up.

Zhang Qigao chuckled, “Uncle Jiwang, didn’t you come too? You’re not young anymore. What if you hurt your back? There are plenty of young guys here to do the work.”

“Well, I can’t help it. Working at home, there’s no wine to drink and no wild boar meat from Jiaohua’s place to eat. Ever since I had the wild boar meat and their homemade wine at Jiaohua’s place, I’ve been craving it. But there’s no work at Jiaohua’s place for me. Now there’s a chance, how could I miss it?” Zhang Jiwang laughed heartily.

Despite the hard labor, the villagers of Meizi Village were full of laughter. They had learned how to endure their heavy lives and how to find inner joy amidst the burden.

“Jiaohua, these seedlings need to be planted early. Why haven’t you prepared the base fertilizer? Without it, the trees will have a hard time thriving,” Zhang Youlian found Zhang Jiaohua and asked.

“Don’t worry, just plant them as they are. I don’t have the money to buy so much base fertilizer right now,” Zhang Jiaohua didn’t plan to plant the fruit trees step by step like everyone else.

“The reservoir at the horticultural field is dry. Where are we going to get water? After planting, the seedlings need a thorough watering to survive,” Zhang Youlian added.

“You Lian, just follow Jiaohua’s method for planting. Let him figure out the rest,” Zhang Jiwang said.

At that moment, someone at the horticultural field started singing loudly.

“Descending the cliffs, looking at Mount Heng in the south, turning back to see the meandering plains. Houses spread out, fields cultivated by fire farming. Drums beat through the halls, songs echo between walls. Drinking wine from long vines, savoring the salt first… The cliffs of Meishan can have poems inscribed. This poem can be carved and not forgotten, the praises will last forever.”

Chen Dianzi! Zhang Jiaohua recognized the voice immediately.

“Chen Dianzi, you’ve come to join the fun too?” Zhang Jiwang laughed.

“You all are here for the fun, why can’t I be?” Chen Dianzi said with a grin, though he was looking at Zhang Jiaohua as he spoke to Zhang Jiwang.

Zhang Jiaohua looked at Chen Dianzi. Last time, Chen Dianzi had said he was leaving, but now he was back. However, Chen Dianzi had changed a lot. His messy hair was now cut short, and he was no longer wearing ragged clothes. Though his clothes were old, they were clean and neat. He no longer looked like his former crazy self.

“Chen Dianzi, if you don’t work, you won’t get any food. But if you sing for everyone and do a good job, we’ll make sure you get meat at Jiaohua’s place,” Zhang Qigao egged him on.

“No problem. Last time I wanted Jiaohua’s wine and meat, but he didn’t let me. You guys need to talk to him about it,” Chen Dianzi’s speech was also much clearer than before.

“Uncle Man, does my father and second uncle know you came back?” Chen Fenglian’s face turned red. During her wedding, Chen Dianzi had caused a scene, making her the talk of the village. It had only started to fade, but now with Chen Dianzi back, she feared her reputation would be damaged again.

“I’m not your uncle Man. Chen Shunzhang is your eldest uncle. You are my daughter, Chen Shunsheng’s daughter,” Chen Dianzi’s words embarrassed Chen Fenglian.

“Uncle Man, what nonsense are you talking about? How could Fenglian be your daughter? Stop causing trouble,” Zhang Jingbing quickly came over.

“Whether I’m talking nonsense or not, ask Chen Shunzhang,” Chen Dianzi said angrily.

Zhang Jiwang quickly pulled Chen Dianzi aside, “Chen Dianzi, are you here to cause trouble? Today is the groundbreaking day for Jiaohua’s horticultural field. If you cause trouble, the Zhang family of Meizi Village won’t let you have your way.”

“No way. I’m here for the wine and meat,” Chen Dianzi laughed.

“Then start singing. If you don’t sing well, there’ll be no wine or meat for you. The Zhang family of Meizi Village doesn’t care if you’re here or not,” Zhang Jiwang said, noticing that Chen Dianzi seemed different but still not interested in his past. As long as he didn’t cause trouble, that was enough.

“… In the second month, during the Jingzhe festival, girls keep their lovers. Under the veil, they pledge eternal love, giving flowered belts. In the third month, when peach blossoms bloom, lovers meet at the back door. The peach branches are blooming, promising shoes for their lovers…”

Chen Dianzi’s mountain song was truly good. As soon as he started singing, the Zhang family of Meizi Village stopped to listen.

“Master carpenter, how’s my singing?” Chen Dianzi stopped and asked.

“Really good,” Zhang Jiwang nodded.

“Then can I have wild boar meat and wine now?” Chen Dianzi asked.

“Of course,” Zhang Jiwang smiled. As long as Chen Dianzi didn’t cause trouble, he was fine with it. No one wanted to argue with a madman.

Zhang Jiaohua found it strange that Chen Dianzi had returned so soon. Last time, Chen Dianzi said he was leaving for a long time, but now he was back. He wanted to ask why.

Chen Dianzi saw Zhang Jiaohua approaching and smiled, starting another mountain song. When the others were cheering, he began talking to Zhang Jiaohua in a low voice.

“You’re wondering why I came back so soon. I’ll tell you. I went to find someone. That woman. Chen Fenglian’s mother. I found her, so I came back,” Chen Dianzi explained.

“You’re not pretending to be crazy anymore?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, more concerned about this.

“No more pretending. I’ll never pretend again. But my daughter won’t recognize me. Haha,” Chen Dianzi suddenly started crying. No one expected this outcome.

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t expect Chen Dianzi to cry like a helpless child.

“Don’t cry. I’ll make sure you have enough wild boar meat and wine from my place,” Zhang Jiaohua scratched his head.

“You said it,” Chen Dianzi immediately stopped crying and smiled.