Chapter 26: Jealousy and Raised Eyebrows

News that the Bai family had brought a fish to the Chen residence spread swiftly, and in no time, the entire street where Chen Jiusi lived was abuzz with talk.

Everyone knew about the Bai family's prestigious status in Xiantao Village, admired by the common folk, not only for the capable Doctor Bai but also for the influential Fishery Manager Wu Zhong.

With such a standing, who in Xiantao Village, or even the whole of Xiantao Town, would dare disrespect the Bai family?

Even Yu Biao from Yu's Treasure House had to be polite to the Bai family.

At the very least, he had to appear polite on the surface.

And now, the Bai family had unexpectedly visited a notorious gambler, which instantly sparked wild speculation among the villagers.

"Hey, did I see that right just now? Was it the Bai family visiting Chen Jiusi's home?"

"Yeah, has someone in Chen Jiusi's family fallen ill?"

"What are you talking about? Even if someone were ill, they'd call for Doctor Bai, not the Bai family lady. She doesn't practice medicine."

"Right, plus, don't forget that Doctor Bai and Chen Yongwang have a feud. How come their families are visiting each other now?"

"Exactly, exactly, it's just so odd."

As everyone talked at once, someone spoke up amidst the speculation.

"I know what happened!"

Everyone looked at him, and he said, "Yesterday, I saw Chen Jiusi carrying Doctor Bai back home. It seemed Doctor Bai had hurt his foot while gathering herbs in the mountains and ran into Chen Jiusi..."

Upon hearing this, everyone else looked on with envy.

Chen Jiusi's luck was just too good.

Having saved Doctor Bai meant he had done a favor for the Bai family; if they were to treat him differently, his status in Xiantao Village would skyrocket.

Talk about dumb luck.

Why couldn't it have been me who saved Doctor Bai?

How great it would be if this stroke of fortune had fallen on my own head.

In no time, countless people started envying Chen Jie, wishing they could curry favor with the Bai family—something many aspired to. Take Doctor Bai's son-in-law, Wu Zhong, for example.

He was the manager of the fishery. On the Mianshui River, he was the absolute local authority. If the common folk wanted to fish in the river, they needed his permission and had to pay a fee.

The fishery was a place everyone in Xiantao Town wanted to get into, not only because the work was easy but also because it paid well. More importantly, if one did well, there was a chance to join the Fishing Guild.

And once in the Fishing Guild, one truly became a person of status.

Thus, countless villagers used personal connections and showed gratitude, trying to get into the fishery, though few ever succeeded.

The surrounding neighbors were green with envy, feeling that Chen Jiusi had indeed stumbled upon a streak of dumb luck, with fortune falling right into his lap.

Some even stomped their feet in frustration, like Chen Sanliu, who found it harder to stomach seeing Chen Jiusi prosper than to handle his own misfortunes!

...

There were rarely things worthy of note amongst the rural populace; hence, when this incident was discovered, it spread rapidly, drawing more onlookers curious about the commotion.

At that moment, the door opened, and the Bai family lady was escorted out. Chen Jie, standing at the door with Su Yunjin, said, "Aunt Bai, I'll come over after lunch."

The Bai family lady replied, "Hmm, no rush. There's nothing pressing today; you can also come tomorrow if you like."

Chen Jie responded, "Aunt Xie, thanks for your concern. However, I happen to be free this afternoon, so I'll come over to see if there's any way I can be of help."

The Bai family lady was pleased with Chen Jie's attitude and said, "Alright then, that's settled. I'll be taking my leave now."

After she had finished speaking, she left. Watching Aunt Bai walk away, Chen Erba approached with Hu Zi.

"Uncle Erba,

Chen Jie greeted him, and Chen Erba asked, "Jiu Si, what did Aunt Bai want? She didn't give you any trouble, did she?"

Seeing Uncle Erba's concerned expression, Chen Jie laughed and said, "Hehe, uncle, don't worry, it's good news. Yesterday, I encountered Doctor Bai in the mountains... As it happens, Doctor Bai needed an apprentice and he chose me..."

Chen Jie explained the situation.

"What, Doctor Bai wants to take you on as an apprentice!"

Chen Erba's face beamed with joy as he laughed, "Haha, that's great, a really good turn of events! Gaining Doctor Bai's favor and learning skills, in the future, you could be respected like your great-uncle; excellent, excellent. This also doesn't let down your great-uncle's expectations!"

"Haha, Jiu Si, congratulations."

Hu Zi also grinned and added. Hearing this, Chen Jie laughed and said, "Uncle Erba, we're cooking fish at home for lunch. Please come and bring Aunt Erba too, it's a good opportunity for a celebration."

"This..."

Uncle Erba hesitated, these days every household was just scraping by.

In later generations, inviting someone over for a meal wouldn't be a big deal, but in this era, it was a significant favor!

Uncle Erba hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded and said; "Alright, at noon, I'll definitely be there."

Chen Jie smiled and nodded, then turned and headed back into the courtyard.

Chen Erba also headed back, leaving behind a crowd of onlookers, among whom someone nudged Chen Sanliu and said, "Hey, San Liu, we're all uncles here, why did they invite Erba to eat but not you?"

At this moment, Chen Sanliu's face was the color of iron, and he said with a dark expression, "Who needs his meal? The ingrate."

"Hey, San Liu, that's being mean-spirited, just because he didn't invite you for a meal doesn't mean you should insult him."

"Hmph, was I wrong in my words? Doctor Bai has a grudge against my great-uncle, and now he's taken Chen Jiu Si as an apprentice. It's clearly meant to humiliate my great-uncle, and yet he just accepts it without consideration for my great-uncle's reputation. I've said it before, outsiders cannot be relied upon... Ah~"

With a sigh, Chen Sanliu walked home with his hands behind his back, appearing quite content to watch from the sidelines.

The few people behind him spat disdainfully watching Chen Sanliu's display; he truly was despicable. When he wanted his son to enter the fishery and was bribing the Bai family with gifts, his smile was as open as a lotus flower, addressing Doctor Bai as "uncle" in such a sycophantic manner. Then, he had forgotten about his great-uncle's face.

Now to speak these words, pah, no sense of decency.

At noon, Chen Jie stewed a big carp, a carp that weighed seven or eight jin but still six or seven after gutting. The organs were also edible, like the swim bladder, liver, and roe.

A large pot had been simmered, and another pot of sorghum rice cooked. When it was time to eat, Chen Erba arrived, and he brought Chen Xiaohu and Aunt Erba with him.

However, Chen Erba didn't come empty-handed; he brought a jar of yellow wine. Judging from the earthy smell, it must have been recently dug up. Uncle Erba said that this was buried when Xiao Hu was born, two jars in total.

Today, being a joyous occasion, one jar was dug up to drink. In terms of value, this jar of wine was worth far more than a single fish.

Chen Erba was not the kind to take advantage of others; he brought his family to eat fearing that Chen Jie would refuse the wine. This way, with his whole family eating Chen Jie's fish, and Chen Jie drinking his jar of wine, no one could say that either had taken advantage of the other.

Unable to refuse any further, Chen Jie agreed to the wine. During the meal, Chen Jie and Uncle Erba sat in the main seats, with Xiao Hu standing by obediently. Su Yunjin and Aunt Erba were too modest to sit at the table and busied themselves in the kitchen instead.

Little Douding, although enticed by the food, could only stand by. Chen Jie stood up and invited Aunt Erba to sit, and then also urged Su Yunjin and Little Douding to sit. They were reluctant, but Chen Jie was insistent, so they had no choice but to take their seats.

During the banquet, Chen Jie thanked Uncle Erba for taking care of his family during his foolish days, especially looking after Yunjin.

Uncle Erba said, "Yunjin is a good girl. She's suffered with you and you must treat her well..."

Su Yunjin's eyes brimmed with tears as he spoke. Aunt Erba quickly tried to lighten the mood, while Hu Zi and Little Douding seemed to have met their match, fervently devouring the stewed carp.

In the end, Uncle Erba showed his age; he didn't drink well and was clearly intoxicated by the end, clutching Chen Jie's hand, earnestly urging him to learn medicine well from Doctor Bai and not let the family's skills die out.

Then, with tears mixed with laughter, he said, "Jiu Si, I'm truly happy if you learn well, truly!"