44. Envy

Today was the birthday of Zhang Yue's daddy. Zhang Yue went back with his sons to celebrate for his daddy. Unexpectedly, he ran into his parents and elder brother in the town, so they walked together.

Zhang Yue bought a bolt of indigo blue coarse cloth for his daddy, which cost him a lot. All was paid with Zhang Yue's own money as the Xu Family didn't give him any, which made Zhang Yue felt upset for quite a while.

Just out of the cloth store, without any expectation, Zhang Yue saw Xu Ran and his family coming out of the bookstore. Xu Ran was holding some books and stationery. His two sons were having a kite each in their hands, and Liu Tong with his hands full of groceries.

Seeing the kites, Xu Hui and Xu Qiang clamoured for one, but Zhang Yue had no more money for kites. Zhang Yue stared at the happy family, the books in Xu Ran's hands, green with envy.

He knew very well how expensive these books were. Ordinary families couldn't even afford the tuition, not to mention books. And Xu Ran bought several thick books.

The only thought in Zhang Yue's mind was, Xu Ran became rich.

But the money wasn't for him, nor would it be for him, but for Liu Tong the bitch.

It drove Zhang Yue crazy at the thought that Liu Tong was living a better life than he was. He almost pinched his fingernails into his palm.

Sunk in thought, Zhang Yue didn't notice his sons at all. Seeing the kids crying, Zhang Yue's daddy held the little one and comforted, very unsatisfied with Zhang Yue. "What are you doing? Can't you hear the kids are crying?!"

Zhang Yue was even more annoyed seeing the kids crying. "What are you crying for? Just two kites, right? Go home and let your father buy for you."

"They are only kids. How can you be mad at them? And what kites?" Zhang Yue's daddy was not happy to see his favorite grandsons being shouted at.

Xu Hui wiped his tears, pointing at Xu Ran's family not far away, "The little idiots have kites. I want one too."

Zhang Yue's daddy was not familiar with the Xu Family, so he asked. "Who are the little idiots?"

Zhang Yue explained reluctantly, "It's Xu Ran's sons. They were standing across the steet just now with kites. Xu Hui and Xu Qiang want kites as well."

Zhang Yue's daddy was not familiar with Xu Ran, so he didn't recognize him.

"Didn't you say that they got nothing from the family division? Where did he get the money for the kites? He's really a black sheep of his family. You are so lucky that you didn't marry him." said Zhang Yue's daddy angrily.

"Daddy, buying kites is nothing to them. Xu Ran has just bought 30 mu of wasteland. That's not a small amount of money."

Speaking of this, Zhang Yue was even unhappier. Xu Ran was not a fool anymore after the family division. He could be able to afford 30 mu of wasteland in just a few months, and now he could even have spare money to buy kites for the kids. He must have lived a better life than now, if only had married Xu Ran.

In the past, all the hosework was done by Liu Tong. Zhang Yue did nothing as Xu Cheng was his parents' favorite. Love Xu Cheng, love Zhang Yue.

But after the family division, millions of housework had fallen on Zhang Yue. He hadn't cooked for seven years since he got married to Xu Cheng. Before marrying Xu Cheng, Zhang Yue could cook, but he almost forgot everything after seven years. The food he cooked now tasted terrible, either overcooked or not well-done. No dish was edible.

He was scolded every day after the family division, even by Xu Cheng. Now he needed to be very careful every day. He was much busier during the harvest time, doing both housework and the grain collection.

What's more, he hadn't eaten any meat since the family separation.

Life was so difficult that Zhang Yue began to regret his marriage, especially when he heard that Xu Ran had bought 30 mu of wasteland.

Feeling wronged, Zhang Yue told his parents and brother what had happened in the past few months.

Hearing this, all got stunned. They knew that Zhang Yue lived a good life at the Xu Family, but never knew it was because of Zhang Yue's brother-in-law's spouse. Now the Xu Family showed their true colors after the family division.

But what could he do apart from suffering? He had two sons and had to make the life continue no matter how hard it was. He never expected that Xu Cheng was such useless.

Zhang Yue's parents also regretted this marriage. What a good life if Zhang Yue married Xu Ran. Xu Ran was not stuipid now and he used to be well-educated.

It would not only benefit Zhang Yue, but also them.

That was really a good plan, but he never thought about that if Zhang Yue married Xu Ran at first, Xu Ran wouldn't live long till today.

Zhang Yue's daddy felt more satisfied with Xu Ran. He forgot that at the beginning it was because Xu Ran was a fool that they married Zhang Yue to Xu Cheng.

Xu Ran felt a chill on the back when he walked, like someone was watching him behind.

He didn't feel well until they got to Mr. Chen's restaurant. It was their first time to eat in a restaurant. He had eaten in restaurants in the modern world, but not once after he came here. Needless to say, it was more impossible for Liu Tong and other family members. They had been suffering from hunger when lived in the Xu Family, not to mention eat in a restaurant.

Xu Ran ordered a few dishes rare seen in their daily life. The dishes were seasoned with their hand-made chili sauce, which wa so delicious! The whole family finished the meal with great satisfaction.

Xu Ran still insisted on paying for the meal. He said he would accept the free meal only because he didn't want to refuse the hospitality of Mr. Chen at that time, but for him, there was no such thing eating without paying.

After the meal, the family went to buy quilts with cotton wadding. The price was good because it was not cold now.

Liu Tong had planned to buy some cotton and got someone made the quilts. Xu Ran thought it troublesome and decided to buy ready-made ones directly. He bought three quilts, one for Tangtang and Guoguo, one for Liu Tong and him, and the third one as a spare.

Afterwards, they bought some refined grains, rapeseed oil, then meat and chops, white sugar, and a bottle of wine for the village head.

Also snacks for the kids. Xu Ran bought a lot of edible seeds. Tea was luxurious to villagers while edible seeds were affordable. They were grown by the villagers themselves, and the price was not expensive.

Finished the shopping, Xu Ran and his family headed home on an oxcart.

The large pile of stuff on the ox cart attracted many people's attention.

But all were unfamiliar, so Xu Ran didn't care.

Back home, Liu Tong returned the ox cart and took Wu Mei as well as others some meat they had just bought.

He also took them many edible seeds.

Xu Ran went to the villiage head's house with the wine and meat to express their gratitude. He had saved much money for Xu Ran. Besidess, it would be very helpful if Xu Ran built a good relationship with the head villiage.

Seeing the wine, the head villiage liked Xu Ran more, and the spouse of the head villiage kept speaking well of Tangtang and Guoguo, inviting them to come over again.

Surely Xu Cheng accepted the invitation.

Xu Cheng didn't have enough money at this time, so he was thinking if he should remodel his house first or hire someone to work his land.

Xu Ran kept thinking all the way home. When he got home, Liu Tong was back too. Xu Ran decided to discuss with Liu Tong about the money spending issue.

"Tongtong, what do you think we do first, work the land or remodel our house?"

Liu Tong thought about this and then said, "Ran, let's hire someone to work the land first. We can remodel our house next year. Our money is not enough yet for the remodelling, and I'd like to send Tangtang and Guoguo to school next year."

Xu Ran fell silent. In this case, their money was too limited. Their house was still okay to live, while the only problem was not warm enough in winter. Maybe they could buy some more firewood.

Next year, when they had more money, they could consider the remodling thing then.

He really wanted to live a good life in this world, even if it was so different from his previous world before.

Decided hiring someone to work the land, Xu Ran was planing to go to the villiage head's house again tomorrow.

Since related to money, Wu Mei and several others must be hired. For other hires, it would be up to the villiage head. Xu Ran didn't care about the money he paid, as long as he was satisfied.

In the evening, Xu Ran made bone soup noodles with the bones bought during the day. It was so tasty. Everyone ate his fill.

After that, Xu Ran had sex with Liu Tong andthen fell asleep.