[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-abandoned-woman-busy-farming":3,"chapter-abandoned-woman-busy-farming-abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-161":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Abandoned Woman Busy Farming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},537826,790,"Chapter 161 - 161 161 The Whole Family Cries","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-161",161,"\u003Cp>Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Whole Family Cries Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Whole Family Cries Knowing it’s an unfair request, why would he still press ahead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the old man leveraging his age for sympathy, or is he ready to go all out for Bai Yibo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he not afraid of offending Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu wanted to stop him from speaking but not out of selfish concerns about the old mansion gaining an advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because Bai Yibo had been such a huge embarrassment today that they had already greatly offended Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie and his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the old man made any more unreasonable demands, it would make the Bai Family look presumptuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zepei’s face darkened, his moody expression almost dripping with gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had invited his mentor for a visit to express his gratitude, but now it seemed like his family was attempting to manipulate Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone would be upset in this situation, wouldn’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, today is Erlang’s thank-you banquet for his mentor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We should be expressing our gratitude to him, not troubling him,” Bai Yihong said through gritted teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He projected an air of authority that was both reasonable and decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the rage bubbling within, and then heaved a disheartened sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know my request is over the line, but as an old man nearing the end of my life, I have held your elder brother back for many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I hope he can find someone to support him, so he can gain some insights when he goes to the Study Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhub rolled her eyes discreetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like he had been bedridden from a long-term illness, and Bai Yibo had been taking care of his every need, which is why his Imperial Examination had been delayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was, Bai Yibo had just been loafing around at home, failing the exam time and time again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, now that he finally passed, that must be just dumb luck, Bai Ruozhu bitterly thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s more, the old man was acting as if he were on his deathbed, giving his last words with heaviness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie would feel uncomfortable refusing such a plea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you say such things, sir?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re still fit and healthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such remarks will only worry and upset your children and grandchildren,” Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being an experienced officer, he wisely refrained from making rash promises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old illness acts up every so often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t ask for much, just hope for Yibo to have a promising future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Erlang, he is still young and his foundation is solid, so I don’t worry too much,” the old man said again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he claim “not worry too much”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He obviously couldn’t care less!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but grumble silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the old man staring at him, Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie found it hard to refuse out of face and had to speak bluntly: “Sir, I don’t like to make empty promises that I cannot fulfil, leading to people’s big dreams being ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given my current status, I can only recommend one person to the Study Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zepei is my top student, he is naturally my only choice, I really can’t help anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie shook his head, seeming somewhat regretful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, what…” The old man was at a loss for words, realizing that Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie wouldn’t lie to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some contemplation, he said, “Erlang’s recent success in the examination has indeed paved a promising path for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie’s recommendation and support, he’s bound to enter a decent study place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his uncle has been striving for years and finally has an opportunity now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t have time to waste because of his age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he finished, the old man turned to Zepei and, with a sincere and pleading tone, said, “Erlang, perhaps you could give way to your uncle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your uncle and his family will always remember your kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he becomes an officer someday, it will be a good backup for you as well, isn’t it so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu felt she was on the brink of losing her cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She genuinely wanted to lash out: You’re being totally shameless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie promised to look after his star pupil, so where does Bai Yibo come into this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Bai Zepei succeeds one day, it would also reflect well on Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie as his mentor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Bai Yibo, it was even doubtful whether he would be grateful and return the favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the Rural and Provincial Examinations to come were even harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Zepei topped this examination, it didn’t mean he could definitely pass the future ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still a lot he could learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could enter the best provincial school, it would certainly be a great chance for progression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yibo’s academic ability was mediocre, and he had a slim chance of passing the Rural Examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to him would be a waste and cause Zepei to lose out, wasn’t this unfair?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie didn’t say anything; his face was completely still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hongxiu was also very discontent, but she closed her mouth after opening it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a sensible lady from Jiangnan, well aware that it was inappropriate for her to speak out in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man gazed at Zepei intently, as if he wouldn’t be satisfied unless Zepei gave him a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ruozhu even suspected that if Zepei refused, the old man would immediately faint or have a fit, playing the victim, blaming Zepei for being selfish and unfilial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zepei also looked at the old man, his gaze steady and unperturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath and asked, “Grandpa, do you remember how I practiced writing when I was six?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was taken aback by the sudden question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I used the broken brush leftover from Uncle, dipped it in water, and wrote on a table,” Zepei continued without waiting for his reply, “Even to this day, I practice in the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve worn out so many brushes, and spots on the desk where the lacquer wore off, I’d switch to another spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, there’s not a single spot with lacquer left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zepei then glanced at big brother “Actually, it wasn’t just me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Brother studied the same way when he was little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, our family was poor and there were endless tasks for us to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Brother voluntarily gave up his studies and left the opportunity to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From then on, every time I read and practiced writing, I did double portions, feeling like I owed it to Big Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zehao’s eyes welled up, and he had to turn away to wipe his tears secretly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Ping’er was already crying uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the family was poor, many times they’d save dried food stealthily, in order to buy me a paintbrush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was even a period of agricultural slack when mother skipped dinners covertly just so I wouldn’t need to do jobs like letter writing in the town to earn money and could focus on studying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For some, studying is to acquire more knowledge, for others, it’s to rise in society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all I want is to provide a better life for my family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ensure that my parents, my brother and sister, have someone to rely upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know if I will be able to become a Juren (successful candidate in the Provincial Examination) in this exam, but I know I need to learn more and continually move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cannot give up on the principles I have adhered to for years for any reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zepei’s tone was always calm, his expression still cold, but tears streamed down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s said that real men don’t readily shed tears, well, only when they get truly heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yihong covered his face and sniveled, Bai Ruozhu began to cry too, Yu Hongxiu passed her a tissue, her own eyes were also reddening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie had taken Zepei in as his student when he was thirteen, and knew well about his poor family background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also felt a pang of sorrow at this moment, his eyes were a bit itchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, loud, wailing cries erupted from Bai Ruozhu’s hut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great, the second family was crying too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the youngest and most naive, Dengdeng, followed suit and started crying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I guess I was really invested in the story, as I was writing, I was shedding tears myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How does everyone feel?\u003C\u002Fp>",1429,"2026-05-30T14:08:51.305Z","2026-06-01T04:31:25.023Z",1,"novelbin.me","f6dfa3cee4174eaebb3c420c7adac496d0f5b3a3398bae4fc0bf5e10014a35be","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-162","abandoned-woman-busy-farming-chapter-160",2707,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabandoned-woman-busy-farming-cover.jpg"]