Chapter 903: Investigating the Past
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“No, no. Uncle Chang, don’t worry about us. Fourth Sister and I are just taking a walk. “m
Chen Shi smiled and said.
Su Xiaolu also smiled. “Uncle, what was the situation with this fruit forest in the past? I heard that it wasn’t like this in the past. The fruits from two years ago could barely be eaten, right? Then what about before that? Was the harvest of this fruit forest good? Were the fruits delicious?”
Such a large mountain should have led to many people in the nearby villages. However, when she looked at it from the top of the mountain, there were not many families nearby. It looked a little strange.
Su Xiaolu smiled and warmed up.
She looked very easygoing, and the originally reserved family relaxed a lot.
Old Chang sighed and said, “In the past six years, the harvest has not been very good, but there had always been fruits. It’s not like last year…”
Old Chang suddenly stopped talking. Last year’s fruit belonged to a large family, and so did the losses. The two people in front of him were from the main family. It was really not good to talk about this in front of them.
Realizing that the situation was not good, Old Chang did not continue. He only sighed when he thought of the fruits last year.
Last year, the flowers bloomed very well, and the results were also very good. Their families had all received a considerable salary because of this. However, when the fruits were ripe and picked, they broke them open with a knife and rotten liquid flowed out. At that time, everyone’s expressions changed.
After the first one, they thought it was a coincidence, and they thought the second one was an accident. However, all of them were the same. When they thought about it, they felt suffocated.
Thinking of this, Old Chang felt even more unable to open his mouth.
Su Xiaolu smiled faintly and said, “The fruits haven’t been as good as they were six years ago. What about before that? What was this land like in the past?
Were the fruits sweet? Uncle, why are there only a few families here?”
Su Xiaolu knew Old Chang’s thoughts, so she naturally continued to ask.
Old Chang smiled kindly. He felt that the girl in front of him was really beautiful and kind. Thinking about how it was even earlier, Old Chang’s eyes revealed a trace of longing. However, as he recalled, he still sighed. “Speaking of which, it’s a pity. This used to be a famous fruit mountain. Not only ours, but several surrounding villages also made a living from fruit trees. Our Chang family’s ancestors were also a big family clan. This fruit mountain is our family clan’s business.”
“This fruit mountain has made our Chang family rich for many years. Everyone nas Deen managmg tne mountain tor generations. tnere’s anytmng wrong with the fruit trees, we’ll know at a glance. At that time, this area was filled with villagers, all descendants of our Chang family. Back then, the patriarch led us very well. It was not until six years ago that that rich businessman with the surname Yuan bought the fruit mountain…”
Old Chang suddenly frowned. He suddenly realized that from that moment onwards, the fruit mountain seemed to be getting worse year by year.
Chen Shi had already sensed that Old Chang had thought of something. He quickly asked, “What happened next?”
Old Chang sighed. “That Yuan Changqing isn’t a good person. He schemed against our patriarch and bought the fruit mountain. Our patriarch was angered to death because of this. The patriarch’s son was seriously injured, and he didn’t even let off a ten-year-old child. Chang Xian was crippled at that time. Yuan Changqing had the backing of a high official in the capital. Many families in our clan moved away, leaving only four or five families behind. We really couldn’t bear to part with this land, so we signed a farming contract and helped them manage the fruit trees.”
“From that year onwards, the harvest of fruit trees was not very good. That Yuan Changqing was a businessman. Seeing that the harvest was not good, he could not continue keeping it. At the beginning of last year, Madam Su came to look at the mountains. We were indeed not telling the truth and are really sorry. It’s just that our ancestors have lived on this land for generations and we can’t bear to part with it. However, from the looks of it, our families are probably about to move away.”
Elder Chang kept sighing. This mountain was their root. Unfortunately, times have changed and everything has changed.
The things in the clan were managed by the clan. Everyone was together for good and bad. How spectacular it used to be was how deserted it was now.
“Even if everyone leaves, Uncle won’t leave. Uncle said that when he saves enough money, he will buy the fruit mountain back.”
A child’s voice attracted Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi’s attention.
Su Xiaolu looked over. The little boy was in his early teens and looked very energetic.
Madam Chang did not expect her eldest grandson to be so straightforward. Afraid that he would offend them, she immediately pulled him.
Old Chang looked at Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi and said, “The child is still young.
Please don’t blame him.”
Chen Shi waved his hand, indicating that he did not care.
Su Xiaolu also smiled to show that she was fine. She looked at Old Chang and asked, “Uncle, who’s the uncle he’s talking about?”
Old Chang sighed. “It’s the patriarch’s grandson, Chang Xian. He’s a pitiful person. Back then, the patriarch passed away, and his father also passed away arter Demg seriously 111. ‘IWO years later, ms morner also passea away ana lerc him alone. His lower body was crippled. He has lived a very hard life for so many years. He usually relied on raising bees to survive. The child is just saying it casually. Miss, don’t take it to heart. This fruit mountain already belongs to the Su family.”
It was easier said than done to buy it back. That was just the kid’s arrogant words.
“Where does Chang Xian live?”
Su Xiaolu asked curiously. She was very interested in Chang Xian.
Without waiting for Old Chang to speak, Chen Shi said, “It’s at the furthest end over there. If Fourth Sister wants to see, let’s go over and take a look.” Chen Shi naturally knew about the families who lived here.
He knew Chang Xian well. He could only be said to be a strange person.
“That’s right. If you want to take a look, go ahead. It’s just that that child has a reclusive personality. After experiencing so many setbacks, it’s inevitable that he won’t mix well with the crowd. If there’s any conflict, please don’t hold it against him. Just treat him as unimportant livestock.”
Old Chang smiled gently. He couldn’t stop Su Xiaolu and Chen Shi from visiting Chang Xian. All he could do was get on their good side first.
Su Xiaolu looked at Old Chang and nodded with a smile. “Uncle, don’t worry. He was ten years old six years ago, so he’s sixteen years old now. Speaking of which, he’s still a half-grown child. I’m almost thirty years old. I won’t argue with him.’
Su Xiaolu did not know Old Chang well, but she understood his concerns.
After Su Xiaolu said that, Old Chang was relieved.
Chen Shi and Su Xiaolu walked towards Chang Xian’s house.
Old Chang watched from afar and sighed.
Madam Chang came out and said worriedly, “They won’t think that Xian is unlucky and want to chase him away, right? There have been so many rumors recently, and they’re from an official’s family. Sigh..
“Don’t spout nonsense. Madam Su bought the fruit mountain. Lord Su is diligent and cares about the people. They won’t do that.” Old Chang hurriedly stopped Madam Chang from spouting nonsense.
Madam Chang immediately stopped talking and looked over worriedly. She sighed to herself. She thought to herself that if an official wanted to make things difficult for others, there were many ways. Chang Xian was just a commoner and was crippled. If he was disobedient, he might even lose his life..