A Divine Farmer

C2 – Lu Xiaoya’s Father

“I assume you already know why I’m here,” Lu Dashan said, lifting the brim of his hat. “I came to discuss Xiaoloong and Xiaoya’s engagement. Given Xiaoloong’s current condition, what do you suggest we do about the engagement?”

Inside the room, Zhang Xiaoloong was still lying on the bed. Although he hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, every word from outside reached his ears, making it feel as if everything was going smoothly for him.

In rural areas, engagements occurred early in life, and people married young. Many had families and children before reaching the legal age. His parents had mentioned this to him before, but Zhang Xiaoloong was determined to attend university, so he hadn’t given it much thought. He never expected that both families had already decided on their own.

“If you want to call off the engagement, just say it!” Despite having a hunch, Zhang Daniu stared at him with wide eyes.

“Zhang Dashan, that’s not what I meant. What do you mean I want to break the engagement? If your son doesn’t wake up, do you expect my daughter to marry him and become a widow?” Lu Dashan retorted, trying to match Zhang Daniu’s imposing manner, even though he wasn’t as big.

“You can talk about your daughter, but my son will never wake up,” Zhang Daniu fumed, becoming angrier. He held his chest and coughed repeatedly. “Lu Dashan, who was the one chasing after me back then? She kept calling him ‘brother’ and even said that if Xiaoya were to die, she would only choose Xiaoloong…”

“Honey, let it go,” Liu Mei hurriedly pulled Zhang Daniu back. “Given our child’s current condition, how can we proceed with the engagement? We shouldn’t force things.”

“If you want to back out, then do it…” Zhang Daniu began, but eventually waved his hand fiercely and muttered, “Don’t think your daughter is so precious. Our Xiaoloong is a top scholar in the golden science field. If he wakes up, he might look down on your daughter.”

Lu Dashan didn’t mind the other party’s muttering, but his small eyes darted around. “Brother Daniu, you initiated the withdrawal of the marriage. Let’s not say that Xiaoya is unwilling to marry outside.”

Liu Mei felt helpless. At this point, she didn’t want to argue anymore. With her son gone, arguing seemed pointless. “Yes, we initiated the withdrawal. Is that acceptable?”

“That’s a simple matter,” Lu Dashan finally broached the topic with a proud smile. “According to the customs in my hometown, if the man breaks off the marriage, the betrothal money won’t be refunded.”

Zhang Daniu and Liu Mei exchanged puzzled glances. “But we didn’t ask for a refund of the betrothal money!”

Lu Dashan’s shrewd eyes gleamed as he replied, “If you give it to me, I won’t speak bluntly. So now, you have to pay the betrothal money. My daughter, a Lu Dashan’s daughter, can’t be left with nothing.”

“What are you saying?” Zhang Daniu and his wife thought they misheard.

“We villagers speak straightforwardly. Since we’ve already agreed to Xiaoya’s marriage with Xiaoloong, now you have to back out. You can’t just return it for free. Consider the betrothal money as compensation for my daughter,” Lu Dashan chuckled and said.

“Lu Dashan, are you money-crazed?” Zhang Daniu understood his intentions and coughed harder. “Or do you think I, Zhang Daniu, am easy to bully? Do you take me for a fool?”

“Brother Dashan, you’re taking this too far. It’s obvious that she was trying to extort money from him.” Liu Mei quickly began massaging her husband’s back. “My Xiaoloong is still lying in bed. Even if he had money, he wouldn’t give it to you. Your mood swings are faster than flipping through a book. Aren’t you afraid of getting struck by lightning with such behavior?”

“Your words are rather unreasonable. Earlier, you yourself admitted to the engagement with my Xiaoya and then asked for a refund. I didn’t even ask for the betrothal money back. And now, you blame us? Not to mention there’s no lightning in sight, even if there were… You two would still be a pair.” Lu Dashan asserted righteously, his eyes shifting slyly. “Besides, with your children in such a state, why do you need so much money? It’d be better to give it to me. I’ll support my family’s Xiaoya to study well. That way, you can consider it a good deed, accumulating good karma…”

“You…” Zhang Daniu was trembling with anger. “Lu Dashan, Lu Dashan, everyone says you enjoy playing tricks on others. You’re taking advantage of me. I simply liked Xiaoya’s daughter, so we agreed to this. Now, my son is lying in bed because of you suggesting to cancel the engagement, and then you went ahead and did it. How could you so shamelessly twist your words?”

“I speak from my conscience. I say things as they are, without sugar-coating. I fear nothing, not even if I were to challenge the heavens,” Lu Dashan said fearlessly. “Everyone knows your family has engaged in many immoral activities. Otherwise, why would Lei have targeted others and ended up harming your son, Dan Pi?”

Zhang Daniu was already in poor health, and these words struck him to the core, leaving him breathless. He panted heavily, “Lu Dashan, if you dare to spout nonsense again, do you believe I won’t slap you?”

“Come on, then! If I don’t slap you today, you’ll be my grandson. Do you really think you’re the father of the top scholar in the Gold Science? Now, you’re just a father struck by lightning!” Lu Dashan marched forward, showing no fear, looking like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water.

Pa!

Liu Mei was the one who launched the attack, and it was no mere slap; she struck Lu Dashan repeatedly across his face and body.

“You’re the one who got struck by lightning… You have no right to curse our family, nor our sons…” she seethed.

Usually gentle and composed, Liu Mei seemed to have undergone a dramatic transformation. Lu Dashan, already thin, stood there in shock.

Lu Dashan had anticipated that Zhang Daniu and his wife would be submissive and that they could exploit the situation to receive some money before leaving. To his surprise, they not only refused to give them any money but also faced a barrage of slaps from Liu Mei. This left Lu Dashan feeling deeply aggrieved.

“If you want to fight again, I will fight back.”

Despite being small and slight, Lu Dashan was still a man, and if he were to retaliate, Liu Mei would find herself in a disadvantaged position.

Zhang Daniu held his breath, about to advise Liu Mei when suddenly, there was a loud bang. A door flew open, and Zhang Xiaoloong emerged, looking dazed.

“Xiaoloong?” Zhang Daniu and his wife were astonished, thinking they might be dreaming.

Liu Mei, too amazed to hold back, pinched her arm as hard as she could. Zhang Daniu yelped, “Why did you pinch me?”

“If you feel pain, that’s because my son is truly awake!” Liu Mei exclaimed tearfully, overjoyed.

Zhang Xiaoloong remained stunned in place. He had heard the commotion outside, becoming so anxious that he leaped off the bed and pushed the door. To his surprise, the wooden door burst open with a loud crash. Even he was taken aback by the immense force.

Gazing at the almost broken wooden door, he wondered to himself, “Could a person really have done this?”

“Xiaoloong, how do you feel?” Liu Mei nervously looked at her son, who remained silent, and asked with concern in her heart.