Chapter 14 - Gone too Far
Even though Lin Xuanzhi misses Yan Tianhen’s food, he knew that he definitely had ample time to taste it again in the future. He wasn’t impatient, and honestly, Yan Tianhen’s cooking was really lacking – he either had inadequate heat control or his food would have a weird taste.
Lin Xuanzhi just wanted to show off his skills in front of Yan Tianhen right now, and let this silly boy who didn’t even know that he was starving eat a good meal.
Lin Xuanzhi took the knife from Yan Tianhen’s hand and said, “Go and steam some five yuan rice.”
Yan Tianhen rubbed his nose, he lowered his head and stood to one side as he said said, “We’ve run out of five yuan rice.”
Lin Xuanzhi’s hand paused. He recalled that five yuan rice was considered quite expensive and a typical cultivator wouldn’t be able to afford it, but as the eldest son of the Lin family, he naturally had a steady stream of five yuan rice sent to him every month. However, it seems like he hadn’t seen someone send five yuan rice over for almost a whole month now.
Lin Xuanzhi asked, “When was the last time they sent rice over?’
Yan Tianhen said, “The first day of the last month.”
Today was already the 30th of this month, and yet they hadn’t even glimpsed the shadow of any five yuan rice.
Lin Xuanzhi looked at Yan Tianhen.
Yan Tianhen quickly said, “Dage, tomorrow I’ll go and hurry the steward.”
Lin Xuanzhi said, “When did we run out of rice?”
Yan Tianhen said, “Yesterday.”
Lin Xuanzhi frowned and said, “We get a fixed amount of five yuan rice every month, the amount we get is just nice for two people for one month, how could our supply last for two months?”
Yan Tianhen rubbed his nose, then softly said, “I gave my portion to Dage.”
Lin Xuanzhi was startled, then his heart immediately softened.
“Then for the past two months, what did you eat?” Lin Xuanzhi put down the knife in his hands and looked towards Yan Tianhen as he asked.
Yan Tianhen didn’t know why Lin Xuanzhi was suddenly concerned about this, so he truthfully answered, “I found some wild potatoes growing at the back of the mountain, so I would roast or cook them. They’re quite filling.”
Lin Xuanzhi didn’t say anything for awhile.
This silly boy would casually find random things to eat for himself everyday and make do with it, and yet he would leave the best things that belonged to him in the first place for this unreliable Gege to eat. And he had even done it for two months…..no, it definitely wasn’t only for two months!
If it was for two months, then Yan Tianhen definitely wouldn’t look for potatoes to eat just as they had sent the rice over!
Lin Xuanzhi stared into Yan Tianhen’s eyes and asked, “How long has it been?”
Yan Tianhen understood what Lin Xuanzhi was asking, and said, “From the moment the medicinal master said that it was impossible for Dage to show any form of improvement, they started to send us rice once every two months.”
Lin Xuanzhi immediately flew into a rage and slammed his hand against the table. He gritted his teeth and said, “They’ve gone too far!”
No matter how useless he was, he was still the eldest son of the Lin family. Even if he will no longer receive resources for cultivating, but just based on the contributions his Dad made towards the Lin family when he was alive, plus the aid he had given the Lin family when he was at his peak, the Lin family should at least guarantee that he would be well-fed and clothed.
But he didn’t expect the Lin family to be this petty……
In his past life, because Lin Xuanzhi never bothered to ask about these matters, he didn’t even have a clue about what was going on!
He wasn’t angry because he was being looked down on, but because his heart ached for Yan Tianhen!
Yan Tianhen was frightened by Lin Xuanzhi. Ever since Lin Xuanzhi turned into a good-for-nothing, he often became quite moody. It was still okay when he would keep to himself and not say a word, but once he gets angry, the Qi that was originally restless in his body would be agitated even further and the aftermath would be horrible.
“Dage, don’t get angry.” Yan Tianhen was worried that the damage done to his body would become even more serious, then hurriedly said, “I’ll go find the steward to request for five yuan rice now. Even though he isn’t very reliable, but Dage is the Lin young master, he wouldn’t dare to step out of line.”
“No need.” Lin Xuanzhi narrowed his eyes, then toned down his anger and said to Yan Tianhen, “We’ll make do today. As for the rest, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
He wouldn’t do something as simple as just requesting for rice. Whatever belongs to him, he’ll definitely get all of it back, and whatever debt other people owe him, he’ll definitely make them pay!
Lin Xuanzhi calmed down, then slowly said to Yan Tianhen, “Go out and wait for awhile first and rest, I’ll make you something to eat.”
How would Yan Tianhen dare to leave at this kind of timing, he shook his head and said, “I’ll accompany Dage.”
Lin Xuanzhi looked at Yan Tianhen’s skinny and short body. He held the kitchen knife again, and spoke as he chopped the vegetables skilfully, “If you encounter any problems in the future, make sure to tell me, don’t think that you can resolve everything on your own. Especially when you’re being taken advantage of, you definitely cannot stay silent and endure it, understand?”
Yan Tianhen was confused but he nodded obediently, he didn’t really understand what was happening– is his Dage angry or not angry? Is he angry about his inaction or because the steward looked down on him?
In any case, he’s really changed.