Chapter 33: Carrying the Big Pig’s Head Home

The two grew flustered at once and hurried to explain, “We believe you, big brother, we believe you. We’re the foolish ones, we don’t speak well. We’re not like you, big brother, you’ve been clever since childhood.”

Wen Xiuyi recalled the deeds from the original owner’s memory. If it weren’t for the fact that this fellow hadn’t reincarnated yet, he’d truly want to spit in his face. What a mess he’d made—since he was young, relying on his intelligence, he’d bullied his two younger brothers with schemes and tricks. Once the family sent him to study, he became even more domineering, making the two brothers do everything for him under the excuse that he was preparing for the imperial exams.

The two brothers, from childhood, had been brainwashed into thinking that they were just country bumpkins, inferior to their scholarly brother, never as good as him in anything.

Wasn’t this just emotional manipulation?

Manipulating his own flesh and blood brothers—what an accomplishment.

“What are you two planning to do next?” Wen Xiuyi shifted the topic, lest the pair remain tense.

The two had planned to return home in the afternoon; their mother, Mrs. Luo, had sent them to check whether Wen Xiuyi was truly earning money at his stall. Now that they’d seen for themselves, it was only natural to go back. Yet, seeing how busy things had been at midday, they thought perhaps they should stay and help their big brother, then head home together after closing up in the evening—after all, there was little work to do in the fields now.

After hearing them out, Wen Xiuyi waved his hand, “It’s only busy at noon. The afternoon is much quieter. You should go home; Xiao Jun is enough here.”

“Big brother, are you sure you don’t need our help?” The two persisted, eager to assist.

“No need, truly. I can manage. Oh, wait a moment.” With that, Wen Xiuyi called Wen Jun over and instructed, “In a bit, take the stewed intestines to Boss Zheng, then use some money to buy two pounds of pork from him for your second uncle to take home to your grandparents.”

“Alright,” Wen Jun replied, heading off to count the money.

Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing quickly protested, “Big brother, there’s no need to buy meat. Father and Mother said it’s hard for you to earn money, no need to buy them anything.”

Wen Xiuyi had no patience to listen and simply waved them off, “It’s settled. Take the goods and go with Xiao Jun. I need to catch a nap now while it’s quiet. Go on, hurry up.”

Wen Jun, having collected the money, thoughtfully brought over the baskets for them. “Second uncle, third uncle, let’s go. If you stay, my father will keep worrying about you. He’s been up since dawn, and if he doesn’t rest, he won’t make it through the afternoon.”

With Wen Jun saying so, the brothers had no choice but to shoulder their baskets and leave in haste, fearing they’d delay Wen Xiuyi’s rest.

Wen Xiuyi reclined under the big tree, watching the three depart, and finally exhaled slowly.

Ah, family. No matter what you’ve done, as long as you sincerely repent, they’ll always stand by your side.

The old man and old lady were like this; his two brothers were like this, too.

Wen Jun led Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing to the vegetable market, where Butcher Zheng recognized him at once.

“I was just thinking of closing up and heading to the pier to find you. What’s the word from your family? Are you still buying today?” Butcher Zheng asked.

Wen Jun handed over the stewed intestines he’d brought, smiling, “Uncle Zheng, my father sent these for you to try.”

“What’s this?” Butcher Zheng curiously took it and opened the package, finding cooked pig intestines. He paused, “Is this the one you and your sister bought yesterday?”

“Yes,” Wen Jun nodded with a smile. “Try the flavor.”

Wen Jun had confidence in Wen Yao’s cooking. At first, no one dared to taste the stewed intestines at their stall, but once the first person tried it, others couldn’t resist. It was cheap, after all—only ten coins a pound. A few people could chip in, order a plate, and each get a good share.

Aside from the portion reserved for Butcher Zheng, everything else had sold out.

Butcher Zheng, doubtful, took a piece, steeling himself to swallow even if it tasted awful. To his surprise, it was delicious.

He raised his brows, “Not bad! How did you make it? There’s no trace of the usual smell.”

Wen Jun smiled, “I don’t really know how—it’s my sister’s recipe. I shouldn’t say too much.”

Butcher Zheng realized his gaffe and offered an awkward smile, “No worries, I was just curious. So, do you still want intestines today?”

“Yes, and the pig head, too. Uncle Zheng, you still have it, right?” Wen Jun asked.

Butcher Zheng nodded, “Still here. Should I deliver it later, or do you want to take it now?”

Wen Jun looked at his uncles, “Let’s take it now, Uncle Zheng. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Alright.” Butcher Zheng happily weighed the pig head—after all, this might become a regular business. He was quite pleased, since pig heads usually went to restaurants, and they didn’t always want them. As for the intestines, they hadn’t sold before, and his family never ate them, so they’d just been thrown away.

“Today’s pig head is big—twenty-two pounds. All the intestines are here, still fifteen coins,” Butcher Zheng said.

Wen Jun was a bit surprised. Butcher Zheng knew they’d made the intestines tasty and marketable, yet he stuck to their agreed price, not trying to raise it. That honesty was rare.

Perhaps, in the future, when Butcher Zheng learned how much they were selling the intestines for, he’d raise the price. But that would be understandable. At least for now, he kept to their original bargain.

Once everything was weighed, Wen Jun pointed to the two strips of pork belly on the counter. “Uncle Zheng, weigh those, too.”

“Sure, I’ll give you the meat at eleven coins,” Butcher Zheng replied, not one to quibble. The two strips were three and a half pounds; Wen Jun quickly paid.

Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing watched with jaws dropped as Wen Jun bought so much, spending so many coins. Seeing Wen Jun’s natural manner and easy conversation, they reflected that it was no wonder—he was truly the child raised by big brother and sister-in-law.

“Second uncle, third uncle, could you help take the pork and intestines back to Yao Yao? You can carry the meat home, too—the money’s paid, so you can’t refuse,” Wen Jun said, placing the meat in Wen Xiuzhu’s basket.

Butcher Zheng chimed in, “Hold steady,” as he stuffed the pig head in as well, kindly covering it with large leaves.

Wen Xiuqing’s basket was loaded with a tub of pig intestines; Butcher Zheng lent them the tub, to be retrieved tomorrow when he delivers meat to the pier.

Wen Jun escorted Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing out of the city before returning to the pier.

For the first time, Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing carried so much meat. Whenever anyone glanced at their baskets, they grew nervous and nearly jogged all the way back to the village.

Once there, they didn’t go home first; instead, they went straight to Wen Yao’s place, dropped off the pork and intestines, and only then dared to return home at ease.