Wang Gensheng ran home crying. When Carpenter Wang saw him, he quickly put down the work in his hands and hurried over.
"Gensheng, what happened? Did Dashan bully you again? That's going too far! I'll go settle the score with him right now!"
Although Carpenter Wang wanted to rely on Qin An's family to help him integrate into Qin Family Village, he would never accept it if it came at the cost of his child suffering like this.
His original intention had always been for the sake of his child.
If things went against that intention, then it would be better not to integrate at all.
At worst, they could just move away from Qin Family Village.
After all, he had a craft. He wouldn't starve.
And with his excellent carpentry skills, he would be welcomed wherever he went.
Wang Gensheng sobbed and shook his head, hiccuping as he replied in broken sentences.
"It's not… Dashan… It's Datou… he… lied… Reading and writing… doesn't need strength… Liar… Datou is a big liar…"
From Wang Gensheng's fragmented explanation, Carpenter Wang finally understood what had happened.
After understanding, he couldn't help but shake his head.
"Gensheng… Datou didn't lie to you. Learning to read and write really isn't like our carpentry craft that requires physical strength before you can learn it…"
As he said that, Carpenter Wang suddenly paused.
Only then did he realize something, and he asked in disbelief:
"Datou? Reading and writing? How is that possible?"
Being literate was not something ordinary people could achieve.
Common folk like them were usually illiterate.
As far as he knew, even in Qin Family Village, not everyone could read.
And they certainly wouldn't casually teach children literacy.
Only aristocratic families had the right to do that.
It had already become an unwritten rule.
How could Qin Yong dare to defy the norms of the world and secretly teach Datou how to read?
Carpenter Wang frowned and asked,
"Was it Qin Yong who taught him?"
"Who is Qin Yong?"
"That's Datou's father."
Wang Gensheng shook his head.
"No. It was the Young Master who taught him."
Hearing the words "No," Carpenter Wang first breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been thinking—Qin Yong didn't seem like the type who would do something so reckless.
But the next sentence made him gasp in shock.
What?
The Young Master?
Earlier that day, he had deliberately asked around about who had arrived in a carriage the day before. Yet most people avoided answering directly.
Even those he had good relations with only reminded him that the matter was serious and warned him not to ask too many questions lest he invite trouble upon himself.
So after an entire day of inquiry, all he had learned was that the visitor's identity was extraordinary.
But exactly how extraordinary?
Who exactly was that person?
He still had no idea.
Yet now, from Wang Gensheng, he had learned the specific identity of that noble figure.
The Young Master.
A Young Master.
Even within aristocratic families, such a title belonged to someone of immense importance.
In his entire life, he had never imagined that he would one day hear about such a great figure.
Who would have thought that only half a year after moving to Qin Family Village, he would hear about a Young Master—and even live so close to him?
Carpenter Wang swallowed nervously.
It seemed Qin Family Village was far more formidable than he had imagined.
"Gensheng… what else did Datou say?"
"Nothing. I thought Datou was lying, so I got angry and ran home."
"You—!"
Carpenter Wang pointed at Wang Gensheng in anger, but no words came out.
After a long moment, he saw his frightened son shrinking into the corner against the wall, too scared to move.
Only then did Carpenter Wang come back to his senses.
He quickly withdrew his hand, crouched down, and sighed.
"Gensheng… Father lost his composure just now. Don't be afraid. I'm not angry at you—I'm angry at myself. Come here."
Only then did Wang Gensheng cautiously walk over.
Step by step, he moved faster until he finally threw himself into Carpenter Wang's arms and burst into loud sobs.
"Father… Father looked so scary just now… Waaa…"
Carpenter Wang gently patted his back and comforted him softly.
"It's alright, Gensheng. Father won't act like that again, okay?"
"Mm."
After Wang Gensheng stopped crying, Carpenter Wang spoke earnestly.
"Datou didn't lie. You misunderstood him. Tomorrow, go apologize to Datou. Do you understand?"
"But… Datou said he won't go play at the wasteland east of the village anymore. I… I…"
Carpenter Wang's eyes suddenly lit up.
Could it be… that it wasn't a coincidence?
"Then just go to Datou's house like today and apologize to him there."
"I… I…"
Seeing his hesitation, Carpenter Wang patiently taught him:
"Didn't I always tell you that if you make a mistake, you must admit it? Since you wrongly accused Datou, shouldn't you apologize?"
"…Yes, Father."
Wang Gensheng finally nodded reluctantly.
After dinner, Carpenter Wang reminded him again,
"Don't forget to apologize to Datou tomorrow. Understood?"
After having time to calm down, Wang Gensheng was no longer angry and had already thought things through.
Hearing his father's reminder now, he not only didn't feel reluctant—he even felt a little excited.
Tomorrow, he could see Datou again.
That night, Wang Gensheng quickly fell asleep.
But Carpenter Wang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The events of the day made him realize more clearly than ever before—
To Qin Family Village, he was still an outsider.
Everyone else knew the news.
Only he didn't.
Even when he actively asked, no one told him.
In the end, he had learned about it from his own son.
Sure enough, without truly integrating into Qin Family Village, even if a member of an aristocratic family came, he would never have the chance to interact with them.
Especially a Young Master.
A Young Master from a noble family.
Such an honorable identity.
And yet… he lived so close.
It felt as though he could reach him just by turning a corner.
But at the same time, it was as if there was a deep chasm separating them forever.
"Do I really have to take that step…?"
Carpenter Wang remembered the suggestion given to him by a matchmaker when he had first arrived and visited every household with gifts.
Back then, it was something he would never have considered.
But now…
With the appearance of a Young Master from the aristocratic family behind Qin Family Village…
His heart wavered.
"With such a background… perhaps it isn't unacceptable."
However…
Carpenter Wang began carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages.
If he also considered the relationship between Wang Gensheng and Datou—and the support of both Qin An's and Qin Yong's families—
Perhaps even Wang Gensheng could…
The key question was:
Was what Datou said true?
And what kind of status did Datou have in the Young Master's eyes?
Could he use Datou as a bridge… to send Wang Gensheng into an aristocratic family to receive their inheritance?
Thinking about all this, Carpenter Wang grew restless.
He got out of bed and walked into the courtyard.
Looking up at the bright moon and the countless shining stars in the sky, his eyes slowly became resolute.
If he didn't do this…
Wang Gensheng wouldn't have even the slightest chance.
And besides…
After making up his mind, Carpenter Wang returned inside.
By the moonlight, he looked at his sleeping son.
A trace of remembrance flashed in his eyes—as if through him he was seeing someone else.
"Yue Niang… you will forgive me, right?"
(End of Chapter)