Not long after entering the village, Xu Tongdao saw Xu Weizu sitting in front of his house as usual, holding a teacup in one hand and a cigarette in the other, lounging on a small bamboo chair while listening to the radio.
Who was Xu Weizu?
Xu Weizu was one of only two teachers in the village, and he was also the principal of Shiba Primary School. Back when he wasn't yet the principal, Xu Tongdao had studied at Shiba Primary School, and Xu Weizu had been his homeroom teacher.
But Xu Tongdao had always looked down on Xu Weizu.
It wasn't mainly because Xu Weizu was sly or liked putting on airs. What Xu Tongdao despised most about him was that Xu Weizu was greedy and gluttonous.
Xu Tongdao still clearly remembered his school days in Xu Weizu's class. During morning self-study, Xu Weizu would often sit on the podium, munching on big meat buns or other snacks, eating until his mouth was shiny with grease, making many classmates—who couldn't even afford meat buns—swallow their saliva in envy.
Whenever Xu Weizu noticed this, he would say smugly, "What are you staring at? Read your books properly! Books contain golden houses, books contain beauties, and books contain big meat buns!"
Infuriating, wasn't it?
As far as Xu Tongdao knew, no one in their class respected Xu Weizu.
Absolutely shameless.
Not only that—Xu Weizu also had athlete's foot. His toes were often itchy, and every week during PE class, he would lazily drag over a chair, sprawl his fat body on it, then call over the worst-performing boy in the class to scrub his toes for him…
There was simply no way to respect a person like that.
Yet Xu Weizu's teaching position remained rock-solid, and he later even became the principal of Shiba Primary School. Xu Tongdao believed there were two main reasons for this.
First, Shiba Primary School simply lacked qualified teachers. Some teachers only had the equivalent of a second-grade education yet taught first and second grade; others hadn't even finished primary school but taught fifth grade.
By comparison, Xu Weizu's vocational-school diploma made him stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
Second—Xu Weizu knew how to play the system. It was said he maintained good relationships with higher-ups.
Of course, none of that mattered to Xu Tongdao right now. Seeing Xu Weizu sitting there smoking, drinking tea, and listening to the radio, Xu Tongdao's first thought was whether the softshell turtle in his fish basket could be sold to that man.
He thought there was a good chance.
At the very least, the black fish weighing over two jin in his basket should interest Xu Weizu.
After all, Xu Weizu wasn't short on money—and his mouth was greedy.
With that thought, Xu Tongdao put on a faint smile and walked over briskly. In his past life, at this age, he would instinctively avoid Xu Weizu from afar whenever he saw him.
But now?
Before his rebirth, Xu Tongdao had already been nearly forty. He no longer felt any fear toward Xu Weizu.
As soon as he approached, Xu Weizu opened his half-closed eyes, glanced at the fish basket at Xu Tongdao's waist, and his eyes immediately lit up. He raised his chin and asked, "Xu Tongdao! Got fish in that basket? Big ones?"
As he spoke, he even licked his lips.
Xu Tongdao's smile widened. He put down the shrimp rake and stepped closer, letting Xu Weizu look into the basket.
"Teacher Xu, I caught a softshell turtle and a black fish. They're fresh and lively—guaranteed delicious when cooked. Do you want them?"
"Oh? You got lucky, kid! You really caught a softshell turtle. Mm… this one's nice. Great for soup—very nourishing. Say, you're willing to give it to me?"
Xu Weizu wasn't just greedy—he also loved taking advantage of others. Xu Tongdao knew this well.
Dream on. I wouldn't even afford to eat it myself—why would I give it to you?
Xu Tongdao chuckled inwardly, though of course he didn't say that aloud.
"Teacher Xu, you're joking. My family can barely afford food right now, and you still want to take my turtle for free? Heh. With your character, even if I really offered it to you, you wouldn't take it—right?"
Xu Weizu looked up at Xu Tongdao in surprise, probably startled that the boy could talk back so smoothly now.
He liked taking small advantages, yes—but he also cared about face.
So he nodded and laughed. "You really do know me. I used to be your teacher, and I've heard about your family's situation. Don't worry—I wouldn't take advantage of a kid like you. How about this: leave the black fish and the softshell turtle with me, and I'll give you 150 yuan. Deal?"
"Deal! Of course it's a deal! After all, you were my teacher."
Xu Tongdao spoke politely while quickly untying the fish basket. "Teacher Xu, go grab something to hold them. The black fish won't get away, but the turtle's got legs…"
"Right, right!"
Xu Weizu agreed repeatedly, though he didn't move at all. Instead, he turned toward the house and shouted, "Xiaomei! Xiaomei! Bring a bucket out—quick!"
Xiaomei was his wife.
Because she was registered as an agricultural household and worked the fields, Xu Weizu treated her like a servant at home.
"Coming!"
A pleasant voice answered from the back of the house.
Before long, a still-graceful woman came out carrying a red plastic bucket. When she saw Xu Tongdao, she smiled warmly. "It's Xiaodao! How did you do on the exam this year? Did you pass?"
She had a delicate oval face, but after years with a glutton like Xu Weizu, she had become fuller-figured. Still, among women her age in Xu Family Village, no one looked better. Though plump, she wasn't overweight, and her temperament far surpassed that of other village women.
Her clothing was also more city-like.
For example, she was wearing a sleeveless short dress that showed off her figure nicely.
It was just that years of farm work had darkened her skin somewhat.
Seeing her, Xu Tongdao's first thought was of her niece.
He remembered that her niece would come stay here every year for a while—she resembled her aunt but was even prettier.
Of course, love of beauty is human nature. Xu Tongdao had once harbored a quiet crush too.
But that was long in the past.
Now, he had no such thoughts.
As he answered her question, his hands moved quickly, pulling the softshell turtle and the big black fish from the basket and placing them into the bucket she held.
After that, Xu Weizu told him to follow his wife inside to get the money.
Once he had the cash, Xu Tongdao politely took his leave, carrying his fish basket in one hand and the shrimp rake in the other as he headed home.
Earning another 150 yuan steadied his heart.
Prices were low these days, and junior high tuition wasn't expensive either. With this money, plus what he had recovered yesterday, his family should be able to get by for now.
At the very least, his younger brother's and sister's tuition for next term was no longer a problem.
TL: If you want to read ahead by at least ten chapters, patreon.com/EdibleMapleSyrup