TTLJDFL Chapter 16

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Because Li Jin was a considerate person, he knew how to return favors when he received help. Seeing this, Li Zhuzi insisted on helping Li Jin cut grass in the fields.

Originally, Li Jin had planned to spend four days cutting the grass, but with Li Zhuzi’s help, they finished in just two.

Li Zhuzi suggested, "Our village doesn’t raise pigs—those animals stink, and since our village is upstream, the villages downstream would complain if we did.

But the people in Xiatan Village raise plenty of pigs. This wheatgrass could be used as pig feed.

If you have time, you should go ask around in Xiatan Village. If they buy wheatgrass, you could sell the grass from these two acres of land."

Only then did Li Jin learn that some villages were named based on family surnames. For example, the neighboring village had a large number of people with the surname "Wu," so it was called Wu Family Village.

Other villages were named based on geographical features. For instance, the downstream village that raised pigs was located where the river formed several pools, so it was called Xiatan ("Lower Pool") Village.

The village where Li Jin lived had mixed surnames and wasn't named after any one family.

Based on its location, it should have been called Shanghe ("Upper River") Village.

However, twenty years ago, someone from the village passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. That person was named Li Fang, with the courtesy name Hongyan. The village head decided to rename the village "Hongyan Village" in his honor.

A golden phoenix had emerged from their humble village, and it was a source of pride for everyone.

Li Jin thought Li Zhuzi’s suggestion made sense. Even though he could earn money by gathering medicinal herbs, his household still had many expenses. If he could sell the wheatgrass, it would be a good opportunity.

The day after cutting the grass, Li Jin followed Li Zhuzi's directions to Xiatan Village.

Although it was June, the mornings in the countryside weren’t too hot yet. The dirt and pebble roads were mostly empty, with only a few people passing by.

Sparrows chirped noisily in the background, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Since he had been doing farm work lately, Li Jin no longer wore his long robe. Instead, he wore a dark blue coarse cloth tunic, just long enough to cover his hips, secured at the waist with a cloth belt.

The way this outfit worked depended entirely on how tightly the belt was tied.

If it was too loose and the belt slipped off, he would be left half-naked with no room for negotiation.

Although Li Jin had been wearing this tunic for several days—ever since his second day of gathering herbs in the mountains—he still had a deep-seated distrust of clothes that relied solely on a single cloth belt.

That morning, he tied and untied the belt several times, adjusting it repeatedly, until even the young boy in his home couldn't stand watching anymore.

Kneeling beside the bed, the boy carefully helped his husband dress. His hands skillfully wrapped the cloth belt around Li Jin’s waist and tied it securely.

The boy lowered his gaze, his long dark eyelashes casting soft shadows over his face. His delicate, attentive expression made him seem especially virtuous.

Finally, he retrieved two white cloth strips from his sewing basket, quickly twisted them into a rope, and used them to secure Li Jin’s sleeves as well, making him look neat and presentable.

In no time, Li Jin had been dressed properly from head to toe.

For as long as he could remember, no one had ever helped him get dressed before.

Especially not someone who took the task so seriously, as if it were the most important duty in the world.

Li Jin wasn't used to it, but deep inside, it felt like a tiny cat’s paw was scratching at his heart—not painful, but a tingling warmth that spread through his chest.

As he walked down the road, Li Jin kept looking at his hands.

He could tie surgical knots with precision and speed, so why couldn't he manage to tie his own clothes properly?

But he didn’t dwell on the thought for long. In less than half an hour, he arrived at Xiatan Village.

Li Jin spotted an elderly man sitting at his doorstep, eating from a bowl.

He stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Good day, sir."

The old man, seeing his polite demeanor, smiled and asked, "Are you here to buy pigs, young man?"

Li Jin chuckled. "No, I’m here to sell pig feed."

He carried a sample of the wheatgrass in his basket to show potential buyers and discuss pricing.

The old man didn’t seem the least bit offended. Instead, he said, "You’ve come at just the right time. Every household is busy harvesting wheat now—no one has time to cut grass for their pigs! Go ask at the second house by the village entrance. Just yesterday, they were looking for someone to gather pig feed for them."

Li Jin thanked the old man and went to the second house.

People in these old-fashioned villages truly had kind and honest hearts.

Sure enough, the family was in need of wheatgrass. When they heard why Li Jin had come, their eyes lit up.

They inspected the sample in his basket and said, "We'll take it at twenty pennies per cartload. How about that?"

Li Jin considered it. Li Zhuzi could sell a cart of firewood for thirty wen, and this was just wheatgrass. Twenty wen per cart wasn’t a bad deal.

Besides, he didn’t have to transport it himself or put in any extra effort.

Li Jin agreed. "Alright, let’s go with that price."

To ensure fairness, the buyer suggested going to their village chief to draft a contract, preventing either party from backing out.

However, when they arrived at the village chief’s house, they found that several other people were already waiting for contracts to be written.

The village chief said, "We have to do things in order. Either wait until I finish these, or write it yourself and bring it to me for review. If everything checks out, you can proceed with the trade."

The family invited Li Jin to rest at their house while waiting.

But Li Jin immediately asked, "Do you have extra paper and a brush?"

His voice was clear, and his pronunciation precise. The village head looked up, noticing that although this young man was dressed like a farmer, he carried himself differently.

The village head’s son brought over writing materials.

Without hesitation, Li Jin took up the brush and wrote.

Since his husband had mentioned taking the imperial exam next February, Li Jin had been trying to recall the original owner's education.

Although he only had scattered memories, he realized this world’s classical studies closely resembled ancient China’s.

However, the original owner had been truly uneducated—his calligraphy was probably worse than an eleven-year-old’s.

Fortunately, Li Jin had studied traditional medicine in his second year of university, which included an elective calligraphy course.

Fascinated by ancient culture, he had taken the time to practice.

Most people started with regular script, which had two major styles: Yan and Liu.

Li Jin preferred the slender, balanced strokes of Liu style and had trained in it.

As the saying goes, "Calligraphy is best when lean and strong—it touches the divine." This referred to Liu-style script.

Li Jin wrote the contract in a neat, flowing hand.

The village head reviewed it, found no issues, and returned it to the villagers.

Then, he stood up and bowed slightly to Li Jin. "I failed to greet you properly earlier. Please forgive my rudeness."

Li Jin quickly returned the gesture. "I am unworthy of such courtesy. I merely studied in town for a short while."

"You have not yet taken the imperial exam?"

"Not yet."

"When do you plan to?"

"Next February."

"That is wonderful news."

The villagers, overhearing their conversation, were stunned.

This young man was going to take the exam and possibly become an official?

Even the village head treated him with respect!

In the end, they loaded three carts full of pigweed. Li Jin and the villager took turns pulling the carts, finally transporting all the pigweed.

By the time they finished, Li Jin felt as though his shoulders were bruised from the rough rope of the cart.

Sixty pennies was not easy to earn.

After returning home and taking a bath, Li Jin counted his remaining money.

Income:

310 pennies (from selling medicinal herbs)

60 pennies (from selling wheat straw)

Expenses:

27 pennies (for pork)

53 pennies (for rapeseeds and candy)

3 pennies (for steamed buns)

202 pennies (for bedding)

10 pennies (for a dou of rice and flour, bought from Li Zhuzi’s family)

Final balance: 75 pennies.

But he still hadn’t repaired the house, bought a desk, or purchased new clothes for the young boy—all of which would require a large sum.

However, Li Jin wasn’t in a hurry. At least for now, their household had food and necessities, and he could support his husband and child.

All he needed to do was continue selling medicinal herbs while preparing for the imperial exam next February.

Still, he couldn’t rely solely on selling herbs. He needed to find other ways to make money.

Once summer ended and the autumn rainy season arrived, he wouldn’t be able to go into the mountains as freely.

That would cut off his main source of income.

Although ancient forests had abundant vegetation, making landslides less of a concern, the mountain paths would become slippery in the rain. If something happened to him, what would become of his husband and child?

Li Jin didn’t hide their household finances from the young boy. He briefly explained how he had earned the money, then placed the coins in a small hole on the inner side of the bed and covered it with the mattress.

This was a spot he had recalled from his fragmented memories—the young boy used to hide money there.

But ever since the original host discovered it, the money stored there had always mysteriously disappeared.

Now, Li Jin placed the money there again and said, “From now on, our family’s money will be kept here. Once you’re able to get out of bed, if you want to buy snacks, just take some.”

Seventy-five pennies—back then, the young boy would have had to work for seven days straight to earn that much, and that was if he didn’t spend a single coin.

The young boy had never imagined that one day, Li Jin would earn so much money and willingly place it in his hiding spot.

And he even told him, “This is our family’s money—you can spend it however you like.”

Suddenly, before Li Jin could react, the young boy threw his arms around his waist and buried his face in his chest.

Li Jin had never been this close to anyone before. He froze for a moment, his body stiff, unsure where to place his hands.

Until… he felt a dampness against his chest.

Was the young boy crying?

Li Jin rested his hand on the young boy’s shoulder, his palm brushing against soft hair and warm skin.

The young boy cried for a long time before finally pulling away, looking a bit embarrassed. Li Jin smelled fresh from his bath, while he himself hadn’t bathed in days. He probably smelled bad…

The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to cry again.

Li Jin had become so kind. What if one day, he found him repulsive?

Sure enough, Li Jin said, “You… are you a little…”

Chest swelling.

As a doctor, Li Jin could usually discuss medical topics with professionalism, but right now, he was too embarrassed to say those three words out loud.

The young boy almost burst into tears again. He was certain—he must smell bad, and now Li Jin was disgusted by him!

Seeing his distressed expression, Li Jin sat on the bed, turned his head away, and, after a long internal struggle, finally said, “Is your chest swollen and sore?”

The young boy was stunned, his grievances instantly forgotten.

He gaped at Li Jin in shock, unable to say a word.

Li Jin cursed himself internally. You beast.

The young boy was still so young—not even eighteen yet—practically a child.

Tl Notes:

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