Chapter 3. The Life of a Despised Stepbrother, The Life of a Despised Stepbrother…

In the late night, Cheng Qingzhi finally couldn’t stay awake and fell asleep.

He had a long dream, and even in the dream, he could feel a sharp pain gripping his heart, making it hard to breathe.

After his birth mother died, his father Xu Lan always treated him as a burden. Even after remarrying into the Cheng family, his status in the Cheng household remained low, living like a servant.

The old Cheng house only had two rooms, one for his father and stepmother, and one for Cheng Songer.

As for him, he had to get up before dawn every day to work, sleeping curled up in a corner of the kitchen.

That night, there was a heavy rainstorm with roaring thunder.

Cheng Songer was not home, and Mother Cheng had gotten drunk outside.

She stumbled into the kitchen, drunk, looking at him with lustful eyes: “A boy in his teens is so tender, not like your father, who’s already an old thing… Come, let mother touch you…”

Mother Cheng’s eyes were full of sickening evil thoughts, approaching him step by step, her huge shadow turning into claws grabbing him.

Only fifteen years old, he screamed in terror, constantly backing away.

Xu Lan in the room heard the commotion and rushed over. Seeing the drunken Mother Cheng and the frightened Cheng Qingzhi, he immediately understood everything.

Xu Lan managed to persuade Mother Cheng back to the main room, and soon embarrassing sounds came from the room.

The sound of pouring rain, the woman’s pleasured gasps, the man’s painful and suppressed voice.

Cheng Qingzhi covered his ears in pain, tears streaming uncontrollably.

After serving the stepmother’s release, Xu Lan finally put on his clothes and came to the kitchen.

Seeing his father who had protected his chastity, Cheng Qingzhi couldn’t help but rush to hug him, crying softly.

Little did he know, the father he trusted now had cold eyes.

His hand gradually tightened, and he slapped Cheng Qingzhi hard across the face, his nails painted with balsam juice scratching a bloody mark on his face.

Blood trickled down in the thick darkness of night, his father’s eyes looking at him with disgust and hatred, like staring at an enemy.

“…Father?” Cheng Qingzhi murmured, covering his face, the slapped side of his face stinging hotly, his ears ringing violently.

“Don’t call me father.” Xu Lan’s brow was full of deep disgust, he gritted his teeth: “Seducing your stepmother, shameless.”

Seducing stepmother, shameless…

Seducing… stepmother…

Cheng Qingzhi suddenly woke up, looking around in terror, gasping for air like a drowning person, tears flowing uncontrollably, half the pillow soaked wet.

He trembled as he wiped away his tears, enduring the pain in his heart as if being flayed alive, and got out of bed.

—

When Cheng Songer woke up groggily, Cheng Qingzhi had already gotten up.

He carried a basin of hot water to her, looking cautious like a servant, and said: “Songer, wash your face.”

Cheng Songer nodded, still as gentle as yesterday.

Cheng Qingzhi’s clenched heart relaxed a little.

She hadn’t changed, that’s good.

He didn’t ask for Cheng Songer to truly reform and stop abusing him. He only wished that Cheng Songer’s pretense could last a little longer, allowing him to enjoy a few more days of illusory peaceful life.

He had already prepared breakfast, but since the last of the millet had been eaten, it was still just vegetables boiled in plain water.

Eating the bland vegetables, Cheng Songer thought they couldn’t go on like this, she had to change the situation. The family was so poor they could barely afford food, she must earn money quickly.

“I’m going to town later,” Cheng Songer said after finishing her meal.

“…Alright.” Cheng Qingzhi replied while facing away, cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks.

His thin and frail body, wearing summer clothes despite the approaching winter, clothes worn out and full of patches, tied at the waist with a belt, as if boneless, so thin both hands could wrap around, pitifully skinny.

—

Cheng Songer went to Chengyang County town. When the shop owners saw Cheng Songer coming, they immediately became vigilant, guarding against her like a thief.

It’s no wonder these shop owners were so alert, who told the original owner to be so unruly before, often going to these shops to fight and cause trouble?

When Cheng Songer tactfully expressed that she was here to find work, these shop owners were all stunned.

Surprised as they were, due to past records, these owners still didn’t give her a chance.

“Sigh – could it be that I really have to go hungry today?” After repeatedly being rejected, Cheng Songer thought disappointedly.

But suddenly, Cheng Qingzhi appeared in her mind.

It’s fine if she goes hungry for one meal, but that poor little Cheng Qingzhi hasn’t had a full meal in years.

Somehow, Cheng Songer suddenly felt full of energy, and began to look for work again, undaunted.

She asked from one end of town to the other, and although no shop owner was willing to hire her, there were still kind people who pointed her in the right direction.

“The big landlord Liu Huan in Liu Family Village is recruiting laborers. If you really want to turn over a new leaf, go try your luck there.”

When Cheng Songer heard this, her eyes immediately lit up.

Liu Family Village was not far from Chengyang County town, and the land was fertile and prosperous, with many rich farmers in the village. Moreover, it was nearing the end of the autumn harvest, and they were in urgent need of manpower.

More importantly, the original owner had never caused trouble in Liu Family Village, so not many people knew about her black history.

Cheng Songer hurried to Liu Family Village.

Liu Family Village presented a scene of rich harvest and prosperity, incomparably more affluent than the barely self-sufficient Cheng Family Village with its poor soil.

Following the villagers’ directions, she arrived at the big landlord Liu’s home. The landlord’s house had high walls and a large courtyard, unmoved by wind and rain, with walls built three meters high with stone, clearly showing strong economic power.

Cheng Songer had just stood at the gate for a moment when she saw the landlord’s gatekeeper come out and ask her: “What are you here for?”

Cheng Songer directly confessed: “I’m from the neighboring Cheng Family Village, hoping to find some work as a helper at Master Liu’s house.”

The servant looked at her and said: “Then wait a moment, I’ll go find the housekeeper.”

Shortly after, the housekeeper came out. Her clothes were much better than those of ordinary villagers, befitting a wealthy household.

The housekeeper looked Cheng Songer up and down and said: “From Cheng Family Village?”

“Yes.”

“Want to be a helper?”

“Yes.”

The housekeeper thought for a moment. This year’s harvest was good, and the field helpers were all busy, indeed short of hands.

“How’s your strength?”

Cheng Songer smiled when she heard this: “Don’t worry, housekeeper. I’m naturally strong. Whatever you want me to do, just say the word.”

The reason why the original owner could get away with fighting and causing trouble was because of her brute strength, but unfortunately, that strength wasn’t used in the right place.

Seeing her look of sincerity and her sweet talk, the housekeeper gave her this opportunity.

“Then go to the cassava field to move cassava. You’ll get 15 wen a day, with two meals provided.”

The cassava field was a tough job, requiring both strength and delicacy. You couldn’t use brute force. Many people would rather cut wheat or corn than move cassava.

The landlord’s daughter was about to get married, and they needed to harvest all the grain before the wedding. The housekeeper was worried about not finding enough people.

Cheng Songer accepted the job and followed the housekeeper to the cassava field. Regardless of the wage, at least she had three meals a day secured.

She worked from noon until evening, exhausted with aching back and legs, but was extremely happy when she received her wages.

“Cheng Songer, you did well,” the housekeeper smiled, handing her two coarse wheat buns and 15 wen.

As a supervisor, the housekeeper would occasionally inspect. Moving cassava was a hard job, and many people slacked off. The housekeeper was also worried that she was young and might slack off behind her back, unable to endure the hardship.

But after watching for an afternoon, seeing her quick and diligent work, the housekeeper was even more satisfied with her.

Cheng Songer took the money and buns, and even though her stomach was growling with hunger, she only wolfed down one, saving the other for Cheng Qingzhi.

That poor thing probably hasn’t eaten yet.

“Housekeeper, can I use this money to buy some coarse flour from Master Liu’s family?” Cheng Songer suddenly asked.

The housekeeper was stunned, then smiled: “Of course you can.”

Most of the helpers working for the landlord’s family were villagers. What do villagers care about most? Nothing but food to eat.

Seeing Cheng Songer so eager, not wanting money but only flour, she knew that her family must be so poor they could barely afford food.

What kind of helpers do landlords like most?

Naturally, those who are honest, hardworking, and so poor they can barely afford food.

Such people are the easiest to control.

Cheng Songer looked at the dry, shriveled bag of coarse flour. Fifteen wen could only buy a small bag of coarse flour in the end.

But it was still okay. At least this bag of coarse flour could last for three days, and coarse wheat buns were more filling than millet.

Cheng Songer excitedly returned home, wanting to share with Cheng Qingzhi her first earnings since coming to this world.

Who knew that as soon as she entered the door, she saw Cheng Qingzhi kneeling on the cold ground, with a row of thorny brambles placed in front of him.

Cheng Songer was stunned: “What are you kneeling on the ground for?”

“I’m sorry… I… I broke the bowl at home…” Cheng Qingzhi’s lips trembled, whether from cold or fear of her was unclear.

During the day, after Cheng Songer finished eating and left, he began to clean up the bowls and chopsticks. But his already tattered shoes completely fell apart when he lifted his foot. He stumbled, and with his existing injuries, he fell to the ground, shattering the clay bowl.

Cheng Qingzhi had never been so afraid before, terrified to the extreme.

But he knew that Cheng Songer would definitely not let him off.

According to past experiences, if he made a mistake…

Cheng Qingzhi’s body instinctively trembled, the desolation and despair in his eyes almost overflowing.

He didn’t dare touch the only remaining cabbage at home, starving for a whole day.

As soon as Cheng Songer pushed open the door, just one footstep made him tremble with fear.

He waited and waited, waiting for Cheng Songer’s storm-like scolding and beating, but nothing came.

Instead, what he got was Cheng Songer’s puzzled inquiry.

Then he was pulled up by a force, and something warm was stuffed into his hand. He looked down and saw it was a coarse wheat bun.

His eyes flickered a few times, and a glimmer of hope gradually rose in his fear-filled eyes. He slowly looked up.

He saw Cheng Songer’s clear eyes filled with a smile.

“I worked at the landlord’s house for a day and got a bun and some coarse flour. You won’t have to go hungry anymore.”

She smiled gently, her voice soft and tender.

Cheng Qingzhi’s hand holding the coarse wheat bun trembled slightly, and his nose suddenly felt sour.

“You’re not angry with me? I broke the bowl…”

“It’s just a bowl, it’s fine if it’s broken. You’re not hurt, are you?” Cheng Songer asked gently.

Cheng Qingzhi shook his head in confusion, his hand clenched tightly into a fist, his nails digging deep into his palm, his heart violently contracting.

Why… isn’t she angry? Shouldn’t she be like before?

“It’s good that you’re not hurt.” Cheng Songer opened the coarse flour bag in front of him, her gentle voice chattering: “This is what I earned from a day’s work. Though it’s not much coarse flour, I’ll be working as a helper at the landlord’s house, and they provide meals, so I won’t eat at home.”

“This coarse flour should be enough for you to eat for a few days. When I save up some money during this time, I’ll buy all the food, firewood, rice, oil, and salt that we’re short of at home… Oh right, and your shoes. Winter is coming soon, I’ll find time to go to town and buy you a pair of thick, warm shoes. Don’t get cold.”

There was a faint glimmer of moisture in Cheng Qingzhi’s trembling eyes, his pale, thin lips quivering… No one had ever been so kind to him before, even his father never cared whether he lived or died… Why did she still remember about the shoes? He thought it was just something she said casually… Why did she still remember… Why was it her…

He suddenly felt a great sourness attacking his heart from all sides. Looking at Cheng Songer’s downcast profile in the moonlight, tears he could no longer hold back streamed down his face.

As tears dripped onto the back of his hand, Cheng Qingzhi quickly turned away, wiping the tear stains from his face.

He didn’t want her to see him like this, and hurriedly walked towards the door.

Cheng Songer tied up the coarse flour bag, only seeing his back as he was about to leave, and asked, “Where are you going?”

Cheng Qingzhi clutched the coarse wheat bun tightly in his hand, his eyes slightly red, suppressing the nasal tone in his voice: “I… I’m going to the kitchen to get some water.”

“Eating dry coarse wheat buns can indeed be a bit choking. Go ahead.” Cheng Songer didn’t notice Cheng Qingzhi’s unusual reaction and agreed without asking much.

Cheng Qingzhi hurriedly hid in the kitchen. He wiped away his tears, closed the door, and the coarse wheat bun in his hand still had some warmth.

The autumn wind was cold, and the journey from Liu Family Village to Cheng Family Village was over ten li. The bun should have been completely cold by now…

He vaguely remembered that she had taken this coarse wheat bun out from her bosom.

Cheng Qingzhi’s hand unconsciously tightened, and he carefully took a bite.

The coarse flour was soft, with some unground wheat grains inside. It felt a bit rough going down the throat, but the subtle sweetness of the bread itself filled his entire mouth.

This was the most delicious food Cheng Qingzhi had eaten in all these years.