Chapter 28 – Poor Harvests
Chapter 3: People Who Wish for Happiness, Part 8
Novel Title: 嫌われ者の俺はやり直しの世界で義弟達にごまをする (As the Hated One, I Flatter My Stepbrothers in a World Where I Get a Second Chance)
Author：赤牙 (Akakiba)
Art：古澤エノ (Furusawa Eno)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: シャルル (Charles -MC), リエン (Lien -ML1) & ジェイド (Jade -ML2)
*Please read at freenovels.net, the original site of translation. TQ*
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As Colin said this, Marianne, who had been listening nearby, turned red and glared at him.
“Onii-san! Please stop talking. Charles, please don’t mind what he said.”
“If my letters made you happy, then I’m glad.”
When I replied with a smile, Marianne, still blushing, returned a shy smile.
After finishing negotiations with Colin, we headed back to the manor. On the way, Jade rested his head on my shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Jade?”
“I’m a little tired.”
“I see… You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?”
Seeing him lean gently against me, I found it adorable and patted his head. He looked up at me with a contented expression and hopeful eyes.
“Nii-san, give me some energy.”
“Energy? …Oh, do you mean a kiss?”
Jade nodded eagerly, staring at me with a longing gaze. Usually, it was Jade or Lien initiating such moments, so it was a bit embarrassing for me.
―――But Jade’s been working hard lately…
“Alright, just for today.”
“Yes!”
Jade responded enthusiastically, which made me wonder if he was truly tired. Placing my hand on his cheek, I gazed into his expectant amethyst eyes.
“It’s embarrassing, so could you close your eyes?”
Jade chuckled softly before shutting his eyes.
Recalling the kisses Jade and Lien often gave me, I gently pressed my lips to his. However, I pulled back quickly, feeling embarrassed. Jade opened his eyes, pouting in dissatisfaction.
“That was too light to give me any energy.”
“Don’t call it light! It’s embarrassing for me too, you know.”
“I understand, Nii-san. So, one more time.”
“Fine…”
Jade, now clearly anticipating more, closed his eyes again. His usual composed demeanor gave way to a childlike charm, and I found it endearing. Cupping his cheek, I kissed him again, longer this time.
Still, just holding the kiss felt awkward, so I playfully nipped at his lower lip. Jade opened his eyes slightly and returned the gesture, nibbling at my upper lip.
We giggled softly, playfully pecking at each other’s lips, exchanging countless kisses for a long while.
“Jade, do you feel better now?”
“Yes, I’ve gained lots of energy.”
Jade smiled brightly and gave me one last kiss. Seeing his happiness filled me with a warm, contented feeling.
***
The feared year of poor harvests arrived. Though I wished to avoid it, as I am no god, I couldn’t control the weather. Just like the first time, the weather remained erratic, and crop yields dropped dramatically.
However, unlike the first time, the increased grain reserves kept prices from soaring. Thanks to the villages’ preparations, major chaos was averted.
“At one point, I was worried, but it seems we’ll manage. We’ll need to consider reducing land taxes based on the situation.”
“Indeed. I’ll travel to various regions to assess the situation.”
After the regional reports were finished, Father let out a deep sigh, looking tired. He had been tirelessly working to reassure the people and understand the local circumstances.
“I’m sorry, Lien, for not having time to teach you the duties of a lord.”
“Father, don’t worry about it. I’ve been learning from Charles Nii-sama and Jade Nii-sama.”
“I see. Charles and Jade have grown capable enough to handle a lord’s work in my absence.”
Lien nodded enthusiastically at our father’s words. He seemed naturally interested in managing the estate and absorbed knowledge as if he understood everything from just a single explanation.
“Yes! Tomorrow, I’m planning to tour the estate with Charles Nii-sama for the first time, so I’ll make sure to thoroughly assess the situation and figure out what we can do to help.”
Hearing Lien’s confident words, I felt a renewed determination to do my best.
In challenging times like these, we must work together to overcome the difficulties.
The next day, I took Lien with me to visit a distant part of the estate, but the scenery along the way had changed since last year.
The fields, which should have been a beautiful golden color, were now filled with undergrown wheat—short and with small grains.
“They haven’t fully matured, have they?”
“No, they haven’t.”
Lien looked worried as he observed the state of the fields. This was his first estate inspection. Although it was a tough situation, developing the ability to think as a steward under such circumstances was crucial.
“Lien, it’s precisely during tough times like these that we cannot show fear. Let’s listen carefully and come up with solutions.”
“Yes, Charles Nii-sama. We need to stay strong.”
Lien clenched his fists, declaring, “Alright! Let’s do this!” and looked ahead with determination.
As the carriage arrived, the village chief and other villagers came out to greet us. To my surprise, their faces were adorned with smiles as always. I had braced myself for complaints or expressions of worry, but it seemed I had been overthinking.
However, when we sat down at the village chief’s house, it became clear that the situation was indeed severe. The villagers had been resourceful, doing their best to manage with what little they had.
“When you spoke to us about stockpiling a year ago, we realized we needed to prepare ourselves as well. We made preserved food and other supplies. We can’t let our guard down, knowing those supplies could run out, but thankfully, no one has gone hungry yet.”
“Yes. Times are tough, but let’s get through this together.”
I shook hands firmly with the village chief and promised to provide support based on the circumstances.
After the inspection concluded, Lien seemed mentally exhausted from the unfamiliar experience and let out a long sigh.
“Charles Nii-sama, you really are amazing. If you hadn’t brought up the idea of stockpiling back then, things would’ve been disastrous by now.”
“Maybe so…”
“The village chief was so grateful, and I’m sure everyone else feels the same.”
Lien looked genuinely happy, as if he had achieved something himself. I could only nod along, though my heart was conflicted.
―――I already knew this would happen.
This was my second life. I had lived through this exact scenario before. If I hadn’t failed the first time, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did this time. But in a few years, I’d be no different from anyone else—an ordinary man with no knowledge of the future.
I wasn’t as capable as Lien or Jade. I wasn’t the great person everyone thought I was.
“Charles Nii-sama? Are you okay?”
Lien looked at me with concern.
“Just lost in thoughts…”
Not knowing how else to respond, I gave him an awkward smile. Lien responded by gripping my hand tightly.
“Charles Nii-sama, if anything is troubling you, rely on me. I’ll always be there for you.”
Gone was the innocent boy I once knew. He had grown into someone strong and dependable. His hands, once so small, were now larger than mine.
“Thank you, Lien. It’s reassuring to have you with me.”
Lien’s eyes softened, and he embraced me just like he always did.
Once upon a time, he was small enough to be cradled in my arms. But now, I fit snugly within his.
Feeling unusually vulnerable, I rested my forehead against Lien’s chest.
“Lien, thank you for being here.”
“Hehe, you’re being so clingy today.”
“Can’t I be, just this once?”
“Of course you can. Rely on me as much as you want, Charles Nii-sama.”
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*Translator’s Note: He was never innocent, Charles… 😏 -K
*GLOSSARY:
- Nii-san/Nii-sama/Onii-san = (Big/Elder) Brother
☝🏻I’ll be using these throughout my translation. Jade would call Charles ‘Nii-san’ while Lien would call him ‘Nii-sama’.
Next update: 2025.09.21
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