Jing Xingzhi’s Daily Life in Ancient Times

Jing Xingzhi took off the clothes provided by Uncle Erniu, leaped out of the car, handed four cents to Uncle Erniu, and swiftly placed them in Uncle Erniu’s hand.

“Uncle Erniu, thank you for the clothes. I’m in a hurry to get home and check things.” Jing Xingzhi finished quickly, turned, and sprinted towards the door of the original body’s house.

“Wait a minute!”

Jing Erniu shouted, but Jing Xingzhi vanished in the blink of an eye.

Jing Xingzhi, holding the package nervously, approached the group of people surrounding the door.

The next moment, the door opened by itself from the inside.

A fair and handsome face peeked out from the door. Liu Fang held the door with one hand and asked with a frown, “What do you want?”

Although Liu Fang recognized Hu Han at first glance, he assumed this person was a debt collector and preferred not to acknowledge them.

Hu Han raised his eyes, looking down at the shuanger using his tall height. “I’m Hu Han, working for Shopkeeper Hu. I heard your family recently earned some money. Why haven’t you repaid the debt?”

Liu Fang, thinking of the poverty in the house, even devoid of rats, touched his purse with some distress.

He had earned twelve taels from selling dolls, but after expenses, he only had eleven taels left. Moreover, Liu Fang had intended to use the remaining silver to make more money. Pondering this, Liu Fang felt even more distressed.

But the money had to be repaid because the husband in this body, was a scholar, and scholars valued reputation the most.

Though Liu Fang didn’t particularly like the little scholar, he steeled himself and said, “Show me the IOU.”

Debt collectors usually brought the IOU with them. Hu Han reached into his pockets, grabbed the younger brother next to him, and inquired, “Which one is it?”

Jing Xingzhi was walking towards him and he was grabbed by Hu Han.

Jing Xingzhi, looking at the wide-eyed Fang Ge’er, smiled. Then he reached out to take the IOU from Hu Han’s hand and extracted the one with Jing Xingzhi’s name on it.

“This is it. I borrowed ten taels. Interest is paid monthly, but if paid off in the same month, no interest is charged.” Jing Xingzhi briefly explained the contents.

His voice was unfamiliar. When Hu Han looked at his face, he realized he had apprehended the wrong person!

Hu Han quickly withdrew the IOU and asked angrily, “Who are you?”

Jing Xingzhi slapped Hu Han’s hand away and said calmly, “I am the head of this family.”

Opposite Jing Xingzhi, Liu Fang was already gritting his teeth secretly.

When Liu Fang woke up, the body he was wearing was lying on the ground with a fever, so feverish that he didn’t know what was going on. But even so, the shuanger didn’t think about going to the doctor for treatment. He also considered saving money to buy things for his little husband at home.

This shuanger was so naive that Liu Fang was angry; upon waking up, he spent money to treat the illness.

After the disease was cured, Liu Fang searched the house and found just a few copper coins. Then, he vaguely remembered the shuanger paying for the little husband to buy this and that. After the purchases, he worked hard at home alone and lived frugally every day.

Although the shuanger was a few years older, he should take care of the younger one. Yet, Liu Fang felt that the guy with the same name as his college crush was inconsiderate.

That scholar devoted all his attention to studying, thinking about the imperial examination, as if it were the only thing in his life.

Didn’t the people around him deserve some attention? He couldn’t be so self-absorbed!

When Liu Fang looked at the familiar-looking little scholar, he became very angry. Suppressing his anger, he pulled the man to his side as he watched the little scholar desperately fend off Hu Han’s hand.

.

Jing Xingzhi was pulled away in a daze, then looked down at his held hand.

In the past, shy Fang Ge’er wouldn’t act like this. He’d only hold the young man’s hand when anxious. Jing Xingzhi saw the shuanger’s frowning face, seemingly impatient, different from usual anxiousness.

Liu Fang let go of the little scholar’s hand, took out his purse filled with silver, and with a straight face handed ten taels, all the money he had left, to Hu Han, consoling himself that he had to pay it back eventually. He then asked for an IOU.

“Ten taels, count it. Give me the IOU and I pay it all back!” Liu Fang demanded.

Hu Han, a debt collector, found the cheerful customer amusing. After verifying the silver, he returned the IOU to Liu Fang.

“Brother, you’re quite cheerful. Just work hard to repay it.” Hu Han remarked, eyeing Jing Xingzhi.

Jing Xingzhi touched his nose and thought, ‘I am rich.’

Well, Jing Xingzhi couldn’t flaunt the money he received two days ago to avoid drawing attention, even though the college was far away; it was best to maintain a low profile.

Jing Xingzhi remained silent, and the people in Jingjia Village standing behind the debt collectors couldn’t bear it.

“Hu Han, the little scholar has succeeded. Now he earns two shi of rice a month and has two taels of silver a year!” Jing Erniu, holding four copper plates, couldn’t help but speak out for the little scholar.

A ride in an oxcart cost three cents, but the scholar, considering gratitude, handed over four cents. Although a cent was small, the scholar was usually hesitant to take the oxcart. This time, not only did he pay for the ride, but he also willingly gave him extra money for the kindness of lending clothes for free. This showed the little scholar’s good character.

“Hu Han, they’ve already repaid the money, so why are you still involving yourself in other people’s family affairs?” Jing Chai, an accountant in a big restaurant in town, also voiced his opinion.

The money borrowed by the Jing family was borrowed in Mingxi Town. Everyone in the village knew that the Hu family lent money for the emergency needs to the poor. Hu Han specialized in this. Many people knew Hu Han and understood that, despite his fierce appearance and slight naivety, he was reasonable. The head of the Hu family wasn’t a bad person, but if the borrowed money didn’t come back fast, he might not remain virtuous for long.

Hu Han stuffed the money into his arms and touched his bald head: “Okay, I think this young guy is cool. I won’t say anything more. He’s still young.”

After Hu Han finished speaking, he took his younger brothers to the next house to collect debts.

Liu Fang smiled and thanked Jing Erniu and Jing Chai: “Thank you, Uncle Erniu, thank you, Uncle Chai! Thanks to all of you for coming to help.”

The others just came over and said nothing. The villagers were simple, and their attitude was one of willingness to come. Additionally, with many people watching, the matter of repaying the debt would be clear, preventing any attempts to trick them into paying the debt twice.

Jing Chai said with a smile: “It’s okay, just a matter of words.”

Jing Erniu took two steps forward, took out a cent, and said to Fang Ge’er: “Your young husband took my car. I gave him a piece of clothing to ward off the cold, and he paid an extra penny from me, but I don’t like this!” With that, Jing Erniu was going to give Liu Fang the cent.

Liu Fang quickly retracted his hand, marveling at how the little scholar knew how to deal with people. He shook his head and said: “No, no need. This is what he should do. If you don’t wear warm clothes, you’ll lose a lot of money when you got sick!”

Jing Erniu thought it wouldn’t look good to insist for just a cent so he cheerfully said: “Then my wife will make egg pancakes, and I’ll ask my eldest son to bring some to you.”

Before Liu Fang could speak, Jing Erniu raised his eyebrows: “Don’t refuse, or Uncle Erniu will be angry.”

“Okay, okay! The cakes made by your wife are delicious; I was just thinking about it.” Seeing the scene that Uncle Erniu insisted, Liu Fang simply agreed generously.

Jing Xingzhi stood aside, laughing. Regaining his composure, he said to Jing Erniu, “I haven’t had egg pancakes in a long time. Thank you, Uncle Erniu.”

“No problem, it’s a small thing. Thanks for giving me a flower.”

Jing Erniu waved his hand, caught up with Jing Chai and the others in the village, and headed to the village with them.

The Jing Xingzhi’s house was situated on the outskirts of the village, while Jing Erniu and others reside in the village center.

.

As the villagers walked away, Liu Fang closed the door, and the smile faded from his face.

Liu Fang felt a discomfort in his heart. In modern times, he was a person whose father neglected his mother. Despite having both parents, he seemed to lead a solitary and miserable life.

After enduring much, Liu Fang realized that without education, making money was challenging. With education, he could be wealthier, more stable, and likable. Therefore, before turning eighteen, Liu Fang insisted on going to school, and his primary life goal was to accumulate wealth.

From elementary school to high school, Liu Fang relied on various sources to pay for his education. When he reached college, his parents abandoned him.

Liu Fang worked and studied independently, but due to financial constraints, his health suffered, and he appeared rather disheveled. The person he had a crush on was like the difference between the white clouds in the sky and the mud on the ground.

Liu Fang’s crush was initially sparked by his attraction to good-looking people. The object of his affection was his roommate, the coolest guy in school. His despondent demeanor didn’t escape Liu Fang’s notice, and he couldn’t even hide his feelings.

Indeed, Liu Fang’s crush was a man. Discovering this fact initially shocked him, taking some time to get accustomed to it.

Initially, Liu Fang imagined a masochistic relationship with the wealthy roommate, then suppressed those thoughts and used work to numb himself.

Unexpectedly, Liu Fang developed appendicitis one weekend, mistaking it for a stomachache. Unaware of the tendon issue, his roommate had to carry him to the hospital, where appendicitis was promptly treated.

At that challenging time, his financially struggling self-received an all-inclusive service package from his benevolent roommate. Liu Fang had never experienced such kindness in his life. During the operation, in poor physical condition, he even cried.

The fairy-like roommate held his hand, and Liu Fang couldn’t bring himself to wash his hands for days.

Subsequently, Liu Fang adopted a kind demeanor, particularly towards the other two occupants of the dorm, striving to remain inconspicuous. After graduation, Liu Fang successfully became the favorite in the dormitory and one of his crush’s close friends.

However, his crush, seemingly without desires or worldly interests, didn’t show interest in either beautiful women or handsome men. He appeared more like an immortal.

Upon graduation, as they went their separate ways, Liu Fang endeavored to save himself, settling in the city where his former roommate lived, working diligently without leaving a trace.

Three years later, Liu Fang finally turned his life around. He had enough money to enhance his appearance and vitality, travel with his immortal roommates, and afford roses and gifts. He now had the time to live life on his own terms, but Liu Fang still grappled with timidity.

He discovered that regardless of his financial status, he remained the same person at heart. Fear of losing his close friend prevented him from embracing their friendship fully.

Then, one day, his roommate’s grandfather passed away, and he sadly invited him to the bar for a drink. How could Liu Fang refuse? He brushed off a boss and immediately joined him.

In the bar, the school sweetheart drank to cope with the loss. He consumed so much that Liu Fang couldn’t help but pour more into his glass. He, too, felt a sense of sadness, wondering when his own dreams would come true.

Before the age of eighteen, his dream was to accumulate wealth and impress his parents. Later, it became about Jing Xingzhi.

.

Liu Fang’s eyes reddened at the thought, and he awkwardly reflected on the ten taels he had just lost, feeling even more uneasy.

Realizing that the person next to him shared the same name as his longtime crush, Liu Fang couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions.

However, Liu Fang calmed down when he considered his usual temperament. He turned to the little scholar and sighed, “I sold your white rice for next month. You won’t have anything to eat. Come and have wild vegetables with me.”

Secretly planning to provide the little scholar with a daily meal of wild vegetables when he was home and secretly added some food for himself. Otherwise, he would feel sorry for his body, especially his fingers which were hurts from embroidery.

While Fang Ge’er excelled at embroidery and clothing-making, Liu Fang struggled with it. When he first became proficient in embroidery, he made numerous holes in his hands. Later, to earn money, he pushed himself harder, causing his hands to ache whenever they touched water.

What Fang Ge’er said made Jing Xingzhi even more convinced that the person in front of him was his good brother Liu Fang!