Chapter 29 Shen Pandi

Chen Yang no longer remembered how he left his father-in-law's house. In his past life, he had been quite experienced with alcohol. However, Shen Futang's tolerance for baijiu was like drinking water, and he was completely incapacitated.

"You know, you shouldn't try to outdrink my dad in the future. My ancestors have been brewing wine for hundreds of years."

"When my grandfather was still around, our family had several cellars of original ferment wine. In my dad's words, he grew up practically soaking in wine jars."

"If my grandfather hadn't donated the winery and taken my dad back to our hometown, he might be an even bigger drinker than he is now. The wine my dad brews is only slightly inferior to the Xuan wine from the original ferment cellars, lacking just a touch of aged refinement. You're drinking it by the big bowl, how can you possibly withstand it?"

Shen Xue helped the staggering Chen Yang back home. Seeing him unable to stand steady, she tenderly poured him water to soothe his system.

Chen Yang's head felt like it was spinning. His wife's face was blurry, beautiful, and he felt a strong urge to touch it.

His throat was dry. With a gulp of water, he felt refreshed.

When Chen Yang finally woke up, it was almost dawn the next day. A faint, rhythmic knocking sound came from the wooden gate outside the courtyard.

"I'll get it. You go back to sleep. Someone's definitely bringing fish."

Chen Yang shook his head vigorously, feeling much clearer. There was no headache from a hangover. His father-in-law's wine was indeed good.

After calming Shen Xue, who had also been woken up, Chen Yang got out of bed himself. He was surprised he had slept through an entire afternoon and skipped dinner, then slept until the next day.

"Who is it?"

Chen Yang looked at the not-so-tall figure behind the woven wooden gate, feeling a bit confused. The men in Shenjia Village weren't this slender.

"Teacher Chen Yang, it's me, it's Pandi. I saw Uncle next door catching fish, so, I also caught some fish to give to Teacher Chen."

A hesitant voice came from outside the door. Hearing this, Chen Yang opened it and saw who it was. Su Dan Fiction Network.

A pair of shiny black braids, delicate arms carrying two large bamboo baskets filled with fish, the flicking tails splashing water onto the girl's face.

Unlike the girls of later generations with their fair skin, this girl had a healthy wheat complexion. Her figure wasn't stick-thin either; she was more like a lithe, wild tigress.

Chen Yang had every reason to suspect that beneath her grey-blue cloth outer garment, her physique was certainly comparable to the fitness enthusiasts with sculpted abs in later generations.

"Pandi, aren't you supposed to be in school? Why are you back?"

Chen Yang looked at Shen Pandi, a complex emotion stirring within him.

She was his only student in Shenjaba Village. He had once felt intellectually inferior to her remarkable intelligence.

"My eldest sister got married this year and went to the west of the river with her husband. My mom is pregnant again, and they named her Di. Lai Di and Nian Di are still young, so I'm the only one who can help my dad. We're having such a hard time at home, what's the point of studying?"

The girl smiled faintly, without any hint of resentment on her face. Instead, she exuded a maturity and composure beyond her years.

Yet, the more he saw her like this, the more he recalled her learning from him.

Zhao Di, Pan Di, Jiao Di, Lai Di, Nian Di... these names were quite characteristic of the era. In rural areas at that time, preference for boys was common.

Coincidentally, Shen Pandi's family was like that. Her mother had given birth eight times already. Besides those who didn't survive or were given away, Shen Zhao Di was the eldest and had already married and left home.

Shen Pandi was now the eldest daughter in the family. Her intelligence even made Chen Yang feel inadequate. Such a clever girl was forced to interrupt her studies for the sake of her family.

"Bring the fish in."

Chen Yang didn't say much. He understood Shen Pandi's family situation better than anyone. Her father was a kind man who loved his daughters, but he lacked influence.

Her mother was determined to have a son to carry on the Shen family line. After nine pregnancies, at over forty years old, she finally had a son. The one currently in her womb was likely Shen Pandi's only younger brother.

To prove a point, at over forty, she looked older than sixty-year-olds. Shen Pandi and her sisters were later forced by her to support this younger brother.

As a result, when Chen Yang returned to Shenjaba Village in his past life, Shen Pandi's brother's family was still living off the support of his sisters, and he, a grown man, was idle all day.

Thinking of this, Chen Yang felt it was a raw deal for Shen Pandi.

"Teacher Chen, I don't want any money. You taught me so much knowledge, and I said I'd repay you after I got into college. But now I can't study anymore."

"I caught these fish to apologize to you. I'm sorry for not living up to your teachings."

Seeing Chen Yang reach for the scale, Shen Pandi quickly stopped his hand. She looked at Chen Yang and smiled, a smile so carefree, without any complaint about the unfairness of fate.

With her academic performance, let alone getting into college, Chen Yang believed even top universities like Tsinghua and Peking University wouldn't be out of the question. She was truly exceptionally intelligent.

The more carefree Shen Pandi appeared, the more uneasy Chen Yang felt.

Such a wonderful girl, ruined by her family.

"You silly girl, I only taught you so much. You're the one who's smart; you understood so much on your own, and sometimes you even enlightened me."

"Studying is the way to get ahead."

"You're so intelligent, you should be in college, seeing the outside world. You shouldn't be confined to this patch of muddy ground in Shenjaba."

Chen Yang looked at Shen Pandi earnestly. He felt he had to do something for this kind girl who had faced such a difficult fate.

When she saw him accepting fish, she immediately brought some to thank him. It was the same as in his past life when he returned to Shenjaba Village, and she had chased his car with the most precious local chickens and ducks from her home.

This was a grateful and incredibly kind girl. Her life shouldn't have ended in the mud of Shenjaba Village.

At least, that's what Chen Yang believed!

"Teacher Chen, you don't need to feel indignant on my behalf. The family situation is like this. Although she is biased, she did give birth to me and raise me."

"And my dad, even if I disregard her, my dad bears such a heavy burden. I have to help him carry it."

Shen Pandi's gaze was firm. She was also a stubborn one.

"You are very sensible and filial, but it's at your own expense."

"Don't worry, your teacher has a way."

"I will weigh these fish for you. Others sell them, but you are my student, so I must give you a good price."

"No need to refuse. You selling fish to me is helping me earn money. I appreciate your gesture, and only by earning money can you help your family."

"When you've earned enough for your mother's medical expenses, and if there's any left, you can continue to study. Mastering knowledge will allow you to earn more money, and then your father can live a better life with you."

Chen Yang patted Shen Pandi's shoulder. In his past life, he had returned to the city and couldn't do anything for Shen Pandi. But this time, he had been reborn.

If others could earn money by bringing him fish, he naturally wanted to help Shen Pandi, and let her change her own destiny with the money she earned through her labor.

He just needed to give her an opportunity, so why not?

"Teacher Chen, thank you."

Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, the usually strong Shen Pandi felt an inexplicable sharp pain in her heart.

She had felt wronged, but she had endured it.

But when someone genuinely cared and warmed her cold heart, that feeling of being wronged could no longer be held back.