2: Quit your job!

The morning mist had not completely dispersed, and the air carried the damp scent of earth and grass.

Chen Fan changed into a relatively presentable fine linen long gown—this was his “formal attire” he only wore when seeing Wang Yuanwai.

Although it was somewhat faded from washing, its cleanliness and neatness made his figure appear even more upright and his face handsome.

He carefully checked the field ridges and irrigation ditches, then went to the poultry shed to look at the spirited, brightly feathered “Half-Spirit Chickens and Ducks.” After asking his early-rising neighbor, Wang Da Niang, to help look after them, he set off on the path leading to Wang Yuanwai’s large estate at the east end of the village.

“Fan Ge’er, going to Master Wang’s house so early?”

On the road, he met old farmer Li Bo, who was heading to the fields early, and he greeted Chen Fan with a smile.

Li Bo’s Family rented a few acres of land from the Wang Family, and he was very polite to Chen Fan, a young man who could speak for himself in the Wang Family and had capabilities of his own.

“Yes, Uncle Li, just going to take care of something.”

Chen Fan responded with a smile, his steps not faltering.

On both sides of the country road were the familiar fields, some belonging to the Wang Family, and more to other tenants or self-sufficient farmers in the village.

In contrast, his Chen Family’s dozens of acres of meticulously managed land, which were clearly growing better, stood out like a crane among chickens.

After all, that was the clear evidence of his years of hard work and his Illustrated Golden Finger, and it was also the confidence he had for resigning today.

The closer he got to the Wang Family’s estate, the smoother the road became, paved with gravel.

The tall blue-brick courtyard walls, the imposing vermilion-lacquered gate, and the two slightly mottled but still imposing stone lions guarding the entrance all showcased the Wang Family’s status as the wealthiest Family in Nanxi Village and even several nearby villages.

The gate guards recognized Chen Fan, and seeing him dressed presentably, their faces immediately broke into smiles:

“Oh, Young Master Chen is here! Please come in quickly, the Master has instructed that when you arrive, you can go directly to the accounting office side hall and wait.”

Chen Fan nodded in thanks and stepped inside.

The Wang Family’s residence was deep; passing through the front courtyard and around the screen wall, there was an open training ground.

At this moment, shouts echoed from the ground, as it was the time for the Wang Family disciples and guards to do their morning exercises.

Chen Fan’s steps involuntarily slowed, his gaze drawn to the scene.

He saw seven or eight muscular men, bare-chested, revealing bulging muscles, shouting as they practiced their punches and kicks, their movements fierce and powerful, their fists whistling through the air.

And to the side, several younger teenagers, dressed in uniform training attire, meticulously practiced horse stance under the guidance of the instructor, enduring with gritted teeth despite being drenched in sweat.

In a corner of the training ground, a burly man, towering like an iron pagoda, grunted as he exerted force, swinging two heavy stone locks with a fierce wind, each lift and drop causing the ground to vibrate slightly.

Martial Arts!

Chen Fan’s heart beat a little faster.

In this world, there are not only elusive cultivators with fleeting traces of immortality, but also tangible Martial Artists who temper themselves!

This was a Domain he had long known about but had been unable to touch due to practical constraints.

Looking at the rising steam from the men’s bodies, listening to the powerful shouts, and feeling the air permeated with the scent of sweat mixed with a special medicinal oil, a trace of unconcealed fervor and regret flashed in Chen Fan’s eyes.

“If only it had been a few years earlier, when my Family’s finances were still stable, and I hadn’t yet started a Family…”

Thoughts churned in his mind.

Practicing martial arts requires money! Master’s fees, medicinal baths, meat supplements, weapon wear and tear… which one isn’t a hefty sum of silver?

When Chen Fan took over, his Family was already on the verge of collapse; it was already difficult enough to pay off old debts, preserve their land, and feed his Family, so how could there be any spare capacity to support a Martial Artist?

Moreover, he had married Su Wan early, and later took her sister Su Qing, giving birth to children one after another, investing all his meager savings into his Family and land.

The path of martial arts, for him, a “small landlord” burdened with the livelihood of his Family, could be said to be an unattainable luxury.

“But now… it’s different.”

Chen Fan clenched his fist inside his sleeve.

Now, his Family’s land is stable, poultry income is decent, and embroidery can also supplement household expenses.

If he resigns from the Wang Family’s work now, saving time and energy, he can further cultivate his own Family industry. With this increased income and reduced expenditure, his Family’s surplus will only grow!

But he also clearly realized that merely relying on the Golden Finger’s enhancement of ordinary things might allow his Family to live comfortably, even better than ordinary farmers, but if he wanted to truly protect this Family, establish himself in this potentially turbulent world, and even realize his ambition of not being ordinary—

Martial Arts! It is the most realistic and most likely accessible power before him!

Chen Fan’s gaze swept over the sweating teenagers.

“Ping’an… and the children in Wan’er and Qing’er’s bellies…”

A thought emerged with absolute clarity:

“When the children come of age, even if I have to sell everything, I will send them to a proper martial arts academy to learn martial arts! I don’t ask them to become Grandmasters, but at least they must have the ability to protect themselves and support the Chen Family!”

He, Chen Fan, missed out; he absolutely cannot let the next generation miss out again!

“Young Master Chen, the Master has asked you to come to his study for a talk.”

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward walked over, politely interrupting Chen Fan’s thoughts, with a hint of subtle appreciation in his eyes.

Everyone in the Wang Family generally had a good impression of this young man, who was diligent, flexible-minded, and skilled in both farming and poultry raising.

“Thank you, Steward Wang.”

Chen Fan collected himself, regaining his usual composure, and followed the steward through the corridor towards Wang Yuanwai’s study in the backyard.

On the way, he encountered several young Young Misses of the Wang Family admiring flowers in the garden.

When they saw Chen Fan walk by, two of the younger ones suddenly blushed, nudging each other and secretly glancing at the famous talented young man’s tall back and handsome profile, giggling softly.

Another Young Miss, dressed in a goose-yellow dress and with a more serene demeanor, paused slightly, looked at Chen Fan with complex eyes, then lowered her head, gently twisting the handkerchief in her hand.

They all recognized Chen Fan and knew that their elders had once considered inviting him to become a live-in son-in-law.

After all, such a young man, outstanding in both appearance and ability, and also dependable, was truly rare in the countryside.

Unfortunately, Chen Fan married the Su sisters early, putting an end to the Wang Family’s hopes.

Now, seeing him more charming than before, that sense of regret and maidenly feelings inadvertently emerged.

Chen Fan kept his eyes straight ahead, but understood perfectly.

He had no other thoughts about this; the warmth and dedication of Su Wan and Su Qing were among the most cherished bonds in his life.

Inside the study, Wang Yuanwai—a plump-faced, shrewd-eyed old man—was holding a teacup.

Seeing Chen Fan enter, he put down the teacup, a kindly smile appearing on his face:

“Fan Ge’er, come in, sit down.

The rainfall looks good this year, your dozens of acres of land are probably going to have another bountiful harvest, aren’t they?

Even the old hands I hired praise your farming skills as the best in our village!”

“You flatter me, Master Wang; it’s all thanks to the heavens and my willingness to put in the effort.”

Chen Fan bowed respectfully and sat down with neither arrogance nor servility, showing no trace of a farmer’s timidity.

After a few pleasantries, Chen Fan directly stated his purpose:

“Master Wang, I came today to report something.

I am deeply grateful for your kindness in allowing me to assist at your estate these past few years, where I learned a great deal.

It’s just… now my Family’s land is increasing, and we’ve added some poultry, and both my wives are pregnant, so my Family is truly too busy to manage everything.

After much thought, I fear I can no longer handle the affairs of your estate, so I have come to respectfully resign, and I hope you will grant my request.”

Wang Yuanwai’s smile faltered slightly, clearly surprised.

He stroked his beard and mused:

“Fan Ge’er, you are a capable person, and you work diligently and steadily. I truly wish to keep you. Is there some difficulty at home? Or perhaps regarding your wages…”

Wang Yuanwai had heard many such excuses from Chen Fan in the past.

Those were just the usual tactics of those guards and tenant farmers to ask for a raise or a rent reduction.

Although Wang Yuanwai disliked others trying to take advantage of him.

But Chen Fan’s ability was evident to all, and he truly did not want him to leave.

“You misunderstand, Master Wang.”

Chen Fan quickly explained, his tone sincere.

“The estate treats me very well, and the wages are fair. It’s truly that I am bogged down by household chores and am stretched too thin.

The land and the poultry sheds are the Foundation of my Family. If I were to be distracted and neglect them, and something went wrong, I would not be able to bear the loss, and I still have my wife and children to take care of at home. After much thought, only by taking good care of my own Foundation first can it be a long-term plan. I hope Master Wang can understand my difficulties.”

Wang Yuanwai looked at Chen Fan’s sincere and resolute gaze, knowing that he was determined to leave, and his regret deepened.

Chen Fan served as a consultant for the Wang Family; although nominally a helper, his unique insights into planting and breeding genuinely helped the Wang Family solve many practical problems and saved them a lot of money.

More importantly, this young man knew when to advance and retreat, understood etiquette, and worked systematically—he was a rare talent.

“Alas,”

Wang Yuanwai sighed, his regret evident.

“Fan Ge’er, since you have made up your mind, I cannot force you to stay.

For someone your age to be so devoted to his Family and responsible is truly rare.

This job, whenever you wish to return, the Wang Family’s door will always be open for you.”

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion.

“Speaking of which, I should have listened to my wife back then and shamelessly invited you to marry into the Family, which would have saved a pearl from being obscured… What a pity, what a pity.”

This was half joke, half truth.

Several of the Wang Family’s eligible collateral female relatives had indeed been quite fond of Chen Fan back then.

It was just that the village rumors about Chen Fan being a lone star who harmed his Family, as well as his status as a small farmer, made the Wang Family hesitate.

Hearing Wang Yuanwai’s reply, Chen Fan stood up and bowed deeply:

“Thank you, Master Wang, for your many years of care and appreciation! I am truly unworthy.

The kindness of the Wang Family, I will engrave in my heart. If there is ever a place where you need my help in the future, as long as it is within my power, I will never refuse.”

Wang Yuanwai waved his hand:

“Enough, enough. Steward Wang, go to the accounting office and settle this month’s wages for Fan Ge’er, and then advance him an extra month’s pay, consider it a small token of my regard.”

“Master Wang, this is not appropriate…”

Upon hearing Wang Yuanwai’s words, Chen Fan quickly declined.

“Take it!”

Wang Yuanwai’s words were beyond doubt.

“Your Family is growing, and it’s a time when you need money. Consider it my early gift for the two unborn little ones.”

Chen Fan was touched, knowing this was Wang Yuanwai’s good intention, and also an affirmation of his ability and recognition of his character.

Ultimately, he no longer declined, and thanked him solemnly.

Holding the much more generous wages than expected, Chen Fan walked out of the impressive gate of the Wang Family.

He did not leave immediately, but stood at the bottom of the stone steps, taking one last look back at the bustling training ground.

The shouts of the Martial Artists faintly reached him, full of power.

The sunlight fell upon him, as if cloaking him in a golden glow.

Freed from his constraints, with heavy silver in his hand, and a clearer blueprint in his heart—to cultivate his Family’s business, accumulate capital, and plan a path to power for the Chen Family, for his soon-to-be-born children, and for himself!

Opportunities for cultivation are slim, but the Dao of martial arts is right before him.

He, Chen Fan, would lead his entire Family, step by step, steadily onto that Dao!