SNT Chapter 3: Cousin

"Xiao Heng has truly made something of himself."

Chen Jinhua's tone was complex, envy mixed with bitterness.

What do you mean you didn't have time to tell us? It's clearly favoritism.

Where would the second son get money to support Chen Heng's martial arts training? Wasn't it all from grandfather's pocket?

"If Heng can pass the martial scholar examination," Old Master's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice filled with expectation, "our family's tax burden could be reduced by sixty percent."

Chen Heng puffed out his chest, declaring confidently, "Grandfather, don't worry! I'll study hard, not only to reduce the family's taxes, but in the future when I've saved up silver, I'll bring you to live in the inner city and enjoy prosperity!"

He raised his head, his expression showing a trace of pride.

After all, he was still young, having achieved some success, how could he not be high-spirited?

"Good, good, good!"

Old Master's face was full of gratification, his smile so wide he couldn't close his mouth.

The inner city was the place he had dreamed of his entire life.

Thinking of this, Old Master Chen's gaze toward Chen Heng carried not just doting affection but also weighty hope.

Lady Han absent-mindedly made polite conversation, but eventually returned to the main topic, "Father, about Ah Qing learning a trade..."

"Sigh!"

Old Master Chen let out a long sigh, tapped his pipe on the table edge, and said, "Xiao Heng's martial arts training concerns the rise and fall of our old Chen family. We need to prepare more silver for it."

Having struggled for most of his life and been battered bloody by this world, he deeply understood that to make something of yourself in these times, the family must produce someone skilled in martial arts.

Chen Heng was the Chen family's only hope.

Regarding Chen Qing learning a trade, he truly felt powerless to help.

"Sister-in-law!"

Chen Wen put on an expression of deep concern, "You must think long-term! If Xiao Heng succeeds in the future, imagine what that would mean? Could he forget you, his aunt? You must look far ahead!"

Hearing this, Lady Han was immediately speechless.

"Xiao Heng,"

Chen Jinhua's mind became active as she quickly said, "If you have any difficulties in your martial arts training, just tell your eldest aunt! I'll definitely support you!"

She thought to curry favor early with this rising star.

Chen Heng said bluntly, "Eldest aunt, I don't have any difficulties right now. I just want to eat meat."

Gaolin County was situated by the river, with most people making their living by fishing, which made pork extremely expensive.

At the mention of "meat," even Chen Wen couldn't help but swallow.

"You child, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Second Aunt feigned anger and patted Chen Heng, then turned to Chen Jinhua with a forced smile, "His aunt, the child is just talking nonsense from greed, don't take it seriously."

Chen Jinhua's heart ached, but she forced a smile, "Wanting to eat meat is simple! Come to eldest aunt's house tomorrow, I'll make sure you have enough!"

"Thank you, eldest aunt," Chen Heng answered quickly, as if afraid Chen Jinhua might change her mind.

Lady Han looked toward Old Master with final hope, "Father..."

Old Master Chen took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaled thick smoke, and made his decision, "About Ah Qing learning a trade, we'll discuss it later."

Lady Han wanted to speak but stopped herself, ultimately saying nothing.

Thinking of all the cold treatment over the years, she couldn't help feeling wronged.

Chen Qing shook his head inwardly.

Old Master had placed all the family's chips on Chen Heng, hoping he would revitalize their family name through martial arts.

Right now, trying to squeeze even half a copper coin from Old Master was wishful thinking.

He was silent for a moment, then raised his head, "Grandfather, I also want to practice martial arts."

As soon as these words came out, the entire room fell silent.

Chen Wen was first stunned, then snickered, "Ah Qing, martial arts isn't something just anyone can practice."

Chen Jinhua also delivered a merciless blow, "Learning martial arts requires looking at bone structure and talent! Your build and brains... it's not that your aunt is criticizing you, but learning would just be wasting money! You should honestly find some livelihood instead."

She was convinced this nephew was dull and stupid, absolutely not martial arts material.

Chen Qing wasn't bothered by their discouragement and asked, "Grandfather, could I learn alongside Xiao Heng?"

Lady Han's heart stirred as she quickly nodded, "Right, just let Xiao Heng teach Ah Qing a bit."

If her son could follow behind Chen Heng to learn martial arts, that would also be a good thing.

"How could that work?"

Hearing this, Chen Heng shook his head like a rattle drum, "The martial hall has rules, techniques cannot be privately transmitted. Besides, I practice hard daily preparing for the martial examinations, where would I find leisure time to teach people?"

He was very busy daily, where would he find time to give Chen Qing basic martial arts instruction?

Moreover, his cousin wasn't cut out for it anyway, it would just waste his time.

Second Aunt frowned and chimed in, "Absolutely cannot delay Xiao Heng."

Old Master's face immediately darkened as he scolded, "Ah Qing, you're not suitable for martial arts, stop making trouble!"

Xiao Heng was now all his hope.

What if Chen Qing interfered with his training? What would they do then?

"Father..."

Lady Han still wanted to say something more.

"Cough cough cough, !"

Old Master suddenly began coughing violently. Second Aunt patted his back, then sneered coldly at Lady Han, "Sister-in-law, have you forgotten? Father cannot get agitated."

Chen Jinhua also glared at Lady Han, "Eldest's wife, stop talking quickly."

Lady Han's face went pale as Chen Qing pressed down on his mother's trembling hand.

He remembered that snowy night when second uncle clung to grandfather's legs wailing, while father silently shouldered his pack.

The bones of canal laborers could build a second city wall.

"Being a fisherman on the river isn't bad either," Old Master finally waved his hand, his pipe pointing toward the dust-covered oar in the corner, "Just like your father."

Lady Han's heart had now turned cold as ash.

Chen Qing kept his head down without speaking, he hadn't heard what Old Master said at all.

No matter what, he had to find an opportunity to learn martial arts.

That was the only way out.

Rippling light danced on the river surface.

The connected boats rocked gently with the waves, creaking.

Chen Qing sat on the boat planks, a bowl of rice bran porridge on the worn wooden table before him. The porridge was so thin you could see your reflection, accompanied by half a gray sediment cake.

The so-called sediment cake was made from wine lees discarded by breweries, mixed with rice bran and baked.

Lady Han felt somewhat guilty, "Today... I added a bit too much water. Tomorrow mother will buy more reed seeds to add."

"Let it stay thin, we can make it last longer."

Chen Qing took the bowl, the rough ceramic bowl's rim already had several chips knocked out of it.

Gurgle!

The rice bran became drier as he chewed, carrying the musty smell of old granaries. The bits scraped his throat painfully.

He gulped several mouthfuls of cold water to barely swallow it down, his stomach heavy as if stuffed with dry grass.

This stuff wasn't tasty, but fortunately he was used to it.

After all, in these times, having anything to eat was already good.

According to Uncle Gao, some people outside the city even ate tree bark, tree roots, and even Guanyin clay.

Guanyin clay was even more choking than rice bran, making people want to drink more water, but once you drank too much water, the Guanyin clay would expand and burst your intestines and stomach, suffocating you to death.

Chen Qing knew that in these times, if poor people didn't have enough survival experience, they would die even more miserably.

Compared to Guanyin clay, rice bran gruel was already a delicacy.

"Learning a trade wouldn't be bad either," Lady Han said quietly, "Not long ago when I went to Dawn Market, I heard Carpenter Li wants to take on an apprentice."

Although learning a trade might mean being a beast of burden for life, at least you could survive.

Most young people from Mute Bay were like this now.

Chen Qing took a deep breath and said slowly, "Mother, I want to learn martial arts."

In this world, fists were the foundation, silver was the umbrella.

Even learning a trade, you'd still be exploited.

These gangs had mastered a vicious balance, they wouldn't let you starve to death, but they wouldn't let you live well either.

Chen Qing calculated that if worst came to worst, he'd fish first to secretly save some capital, then pursue the martial arts path.

It was just a question of how much time that would take.

"Learn martial arts?"

Lady Han's lips trembled slightly, the gruel in her bowl rippling in circles.

She knew Chen Qing had his own ideas, but with their family's conditions, wanting to learn martial arts was really too difficult.

"Great-aunt, Ah Qing!"

Just then, a clear voice rang out from outside the cabin door.

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