TFWYH – Chapter 169 Something Happened in My Mother’s Family

However, the Jiang family’s eldest brother and sister-in-law were very supportive of the idea — they didn’t even ask Ling Chen’s opinion before deciding to send him to Qingshan Academy.

Ling Chen: (o﹏o)! What did I do to deserve this?!

No matter how much he rolled around or acted cute, it was useless. The next day, Madam Jiang took him — and a pile of gifts — straight to Qingshan Academy and handed him off to Zhu Ling.

Normally, Qingshan Academy didn’t accept just anyone. But since this was the younger brother of the famous scholar Ling Yu, Zhu Ling was willing to make an exception for him.

And so Ling Chen’s grueling student life began, leaving him so miserable he almost wanted to cry.

If he’d known it would end like this, he’d never have laughed at his second sister’s misfortune.

That evil Second Sister!

—

With Ling Yue now busy studying, she could no longer manage the family business as thoroughly, and much of the burden fell on Tang Wan.

In the mornings, the whole family went to the shop to help, while Tang Wan stayed home to rest.

By noon, Ling Yue would head to the shop to roast beef jerky, then rush home to continue her lessons.

That meant Tang Wan couldn’t stay idle — she had to go oversee things at the roasting workshop.

Business for the beef jerky was booming. Li Dashan, Zhang San, and Li Si were even discussing expanding to nearby towns to earn more money.

Naturally, Tang Wan had no objection. “A good man’s ambition lies beyond his hometown — if it’s time to explore, then explore.”

Madam Yang was reluctant to see her sons go, but she didn’t stand in their way.

Only Ling Sheng hesitated.

He wanted to go, but with so many matters at home, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Madam Qian alone to deal with troublesome members of the Ling family.

Watching the three men enthusiastically discuss their plans for expansion, Ling Sheng couldn’t help but feel a twinge of longing.

Tang Wan, always perceptive to people’s emotions, noticed that he’d grown quieter by the day — and she knew that wasn’t good.

That day, when Ling Sheng came by to pick up another batch of beef jerky after selling his share, Tang Wan stopped him. “You should go to the neighboring town too.”

Ling Sheng froze, shaking his head quickly. “Madam Wan, I can’t. My mother, she’s alone—”

“Tell your grandmother that your father found your mother a job in town — five hundred coins a month,” Tang Wan interrupted. “That old woman only cares about money. She’ll let her go.”

Ling Sheng hesitated. He had thought of that solution before, but he still felt uneasy.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to give money to his elders — supporting one’s parents was only right. He just didn’t want to keep subsidizing his lazy brothers.

Tang Wan said calmly, “A good man’s ambitions shouldn’t be bound by home ties. Don’t let your mother’s situation hold you back.”

“I’ll discuss it with my father,” he said after a pause. He knew she was right… but still —

With things as they were at home, neither his grandfather nor grandmother could be relied on.

Ling Sheng truly couldn’t stop worrying about Madam Qian.

If only they could split from the family!

If they did, their household would finally have the same freedom as the second branch.

Seeing that he was thinking it over, Tang Wan said nothing more and went back to wrapping beef jerky.

Just then, Li Si was carried back by Li Dashan and Zhang San — his face swollen and bruised all over.

“What happened?!” Madam Yang gasped, rushing over to help get him into her room to rest.

Tang Wan immediately stepped forward to check his injuries.

Li Dashan said anxiously, “Madam Wan, something’s happened to your mother’s family.”

Tang Wan froze. “What happened?”

“It’s like this—” Zhang San quickly explained.

Yesterday, Tang Hongba had said his stock of beef jerky was sold out and asked Zhang San to bring him a few more packs.

So when they went to the neighboring town today to promote their product, they stopped by to deliver some.

But when they got there, they saw a group of people smashing up Tang Hongba’s pork stall.

Tang Hongba hadn’t fought back — not wanting to hurt anyone, and because he was technically in the wrong.

But just because he didn’t fight back didn’t mean Zhang San and Li Si wouldn’t.