Chapter 19: Tie Jia Dongxu up and drive him along with a stick

“Mom, you’re not going to make me go steal tomatoes, are you?”

Jia Dongxu was very reluctant.

What if he got caught? What would he do?

“What do you mean, steal?”

“It’s taking. I’ve told you many times, it’s taking. Haven't you remembered that yet?”

“That little brat Wan Ping’an has a bumper crop of tomatoes, yet he won't share any with the neighbors. He’s just a stingy miser.”

“If he won't give them, can’t we just take them ourselves?”

“I’m telling you, you must go. Go now, go early and come back early. Take a big bag, do you hear me?”

Jia Zhang ordered Jia Dongxu.

She didn't think there was anything wrong with stealing. She thought being able to steal was a skill. Not only did she steal herself, she made Jia Dongxu go steal too.

“Mother of the child, I think you should stop making things difficult for the boy.”

“It’s just tomatoes, isn't it?” ===== CHAPTER 40 =====

“So what if we don’t eat them?”

Jia Gensheng couldn't listen anymore.

Jia Zhang was getting more and more excessive.

If Jia Dongxu got caught, wouldn't his whole life be ruined?

“Shut your mouth. You have no say in this.”

“Dongxu, why aren't you leaving yet?”

Jia Zhang didn't care about Jia Gensheng’s opinion at all. Ever since they got married, she had made all the decisions for the Jia family, big or small.

Jia Dongxu was helpless and could only set off with a bag.

He had been to Wan Ping’an’s six mu of land.

“Hey, why is there a thatched hut in the field?”

Jia Dongxu soon noticed something was wrong.

Then, his eyes widened, revealing an expression of disbelief.

Under the moonlight.

In Ping’an’s six mu of land, there was a sea of red—all tomatoes, emitting a unique, intoxicating fragrance.

“Wan Ping’an is really too stingy. With so many tomatoes, there must be tens of thousands of jin, right?”

Jia Dongxu guessed.

He guessed right.

Wan Ping’an had planted one mu of tomatoes.

With the help of the farming system, the yield was very high, reaching twenty thousand kilograms per mu, far exceeding the limit for ordinary tomatoes.

Finally.

Jia Dongxu couldn't resist the temptation and quietly crawled into the tomato field.

He picked a tomato and took a bite.

“Delicious, it’s really delicious!”

“This afternoon, Xu Damao bought one for fifty cents. I thought he was a big fool, but now it seems fifty cents each isn't expensive at all!”

“Haha, Xu Damao has to pay fifty cents for one, but I can eat my fill for free. I’m much better off than him!”

Jia Dongxu was very happy and prepared to eat his fill first!

Bang!

Just as he took his second bite, he was struck on the head, everything went black, and he lost consciousness.

“A thief?”

“Tie him up first, and we’ll deal with him when Ping’an comes.”

Cai Quanwu held a stick, which was stained with a bit of blood.

He was afraid he wouldn't be able to handle Jia Dongxu, so he used a bit too much force, breaking Jia Dongxu’s head and successfully knocking him out in one blow.

In the morning.

Ping’an arrived at the six mu of land.

Just as he reached the edge of the field, he saw a wooden pole standing outside the thatched hut, with a person hanging from it. The dew had soaked his clothes through.

“Jia Dongxu?”

“Why is he tied to the pole?”

Wan Ping’an was very surprised.

“Ping’an, I’m sorry!”

“It’s my negligence that let a thief sneak in. He gnawed on a tomato last night.”

Cai Quanwu looked at Wan Ping’an, feeling very embarrassed.

“It’s fine.”

“We have over twenty thousand jin of tomatoes; this little loss isn't worth mentioning.”

Wan Ping’an waved his hand with a smile.

“I’ll take the thief away.”

Wan Ping’an picked some tomatoes and filled the bag Jia Dongxu had brought.

Jia Dongxu had already woken up. Seeing Wan Ping’an fill the bag he had brought, he was full of confusion. What exactly did Wan Ping’an want to do?

He didn't think Wan Ping’an would be kind enough to give him a bag of tomatoes.

“See this?”

“Caught red-handed. This is the stolen goods.”

Wan Ping’an held up the bag in his hand.

On the bag, the character “Jia” was written in ink.

“Wan Ping’an, you’re framing me! I didn't steal a single one.”

Jia Dongxu wouldn't have it!

“Who can prove you didn't steal?”

Wan Ping’an smiled.

If you dare to come and steal, you have to be prepared to be caught and go to jail.

Wan Ping’an carried the bag of tomatoes in his left hand and a stick in his right.

He tied Jia Dongxu’s arms and made him walk in front. Whenever he walked a little too slowly, he would give him a whack with the stick, like driving livestock.

The two returned to the Sihe Academy.

It was broad daylight.

Most people had gone to work.

Those left behind were either unemployed, elderly, women, or children.

During work hours, the Third Aunt replaced the Third Master Yan Fugui to guard the only gate of the Sihe Academy.

Seeing Wan Ping’an driving the bound Jia Dongxu like livestock, she was stunned for a moment, unable to even speak.

It wasn't until the two entered the gate that the Third Aunt reacted.

“Ping’an, what’s going on with you two?”

The fire of gossip burned fiercely in the Third Aunt’s heart.

“Caught a thief!”

Wan Ping’an held up the bag in his hand.

He specifically showed the side with the “Jia” character to the Third Aunt and opened the bag so she could see the tomatoes inside.

The Third Aunt understood everything.

Jia Dongxu had gone to steal tomatoes.

Whack!

Wan Ping’an struck Jia Dongxu’s backside with the stick.

“Aren't you going to walk?”

“Walk faster, to your house.”

Wan Ping’an urged.

Ah!

A group of children playing wildly in the courtyard saw Jia Dongxu tied up. Very curious and surprised, they gathered around to watch the fun.

Jia Dongxu’s face turned red, and he lowered his head, unable to face anyone.

On the way.

He begged Wan Ping’an for mercy repeatedly, but Wan Ping’an didn't want to let him off.

He didn't want to return to the Sihe Academy, so he played the rascal and lay on the ground, refusing to move.

Wan Ping’an just gave him a fierce beating with the stick. It was too painful, and he couldn't take it, so he had to stand up and keep walking.

Soon.

A large crowd gathered, and they arrived at the Jia house with Wan Ping’an.

“Dongxu...”

Jia Zhang was startled.

She hadn't slept well all night. ===== CHAPTER 41 =====