62. Want to have a share (2)
Lian Fang Zhou's eyes darken as she looked at Mrs. Qiao. "Aunt misspoke. We were willing to help in this matter. Each bit we earn is a bit more, as we siblings have to eat and buy clothes. And also next year in early spring, we need to buy seedlings and farming tools. All this require money, right? How about Uncle and Aunt lend us?"
"We have no money!" immediately Mrs. Qiao responded in agitation when she wanted to borrow from them.
Lian Li interrupted her, "That's not how it goes! You helped them with that much work, then you should get that much worth of money. You can't just let them brush you off with few coppers! You got thin faces, and feel that they have helped you a lot, so find it embarrassing to mention about it. They're thrilled to have someone to order around for nothing! And even if you mention it, it's useless. You don't know how much the product is sold and how the accounts are done. Don't let them cheated you later on and you guys still feel greatly indebted to them. "
"That's right!" Mrs. Qiao then followed up. "You need an adult with you to keep an eye out! We are one family after all! As elders, how could we not side with you? This matter, you must count us in!"
"This isn't about who gaining from who. It's about doing the task much better, more appropriately and prevent you guys from suffering a loss without knowing. Secondly, the old Li couple won't look good when it spread around the village that they are deceiving the younger generation! What do you think, isn't what Uncle say very reasonable?" Lian Li glimpsed Lian Fang Zhou.
"Isn't that the logic! This way it's just and honorable, and very fair to everyone!" Mrs. Qiao added on. Then continued. "Let's go! Come with us, and we'll go reason with Li family now!"
Lian Fang Zhou finally understood, this pair wanted to get a share!
Afraid there's more to it.
This Uncle is an intelligent man. The chances are learning how to make charcoal is his final aim.
Right now being able to get a share of profit isn't bad, but once they can learn how to make charcoal, the can do it for the rest of their life. Otherwise, why would those who know the skill wouldn't pass it an outsider and not let outsider watch at the side during the process?
"Uncle! Aunt!" Lian Fang Zhou apathetically remarked, "Just now, I had already explained clearly. Uncle Li and Aunt Zhang aren't that kind of crooked people. And we also don't find it arduous! As to whatever go reason with them, there's need for it at all! Uncle, Aunt, please return!"
"Look at this! What foolish word she is speaking?" Lian Li turned to Mrs. Qiao. Using a tone that was laced with pity, he lamented. "It's clear they are ordered around by Li Family for nothing, and she still speaks up for them! Sigh, how old are you guys? How much experience do you have? Aren't you deceived so much that you can't tell between black and white? If we don't stand up for you, who will?"
"That's right! Husband, what you said is so right!" Mrs. Qiao firmly agreed.
Lian Fang Zhou laughed in exasperation. She had seen shameless but never so blatantly like this before! They're really treating her like a child!
"Oh?" Lian Fang Zhou raised one brow. Asked. "Could it be that Uncle thinks I'm a fool? Think that us siblings are all fools?"
"What are you saying!" Lian Li frowned and stated. "Of course you aren't fools!"
"But what you said just now is treating us as fools!" Lian Fang Zhou sneered. "We aren't stupid. We know deep down who treat us well! If Aunt Zhang and Uncle Li didn't want to look after us sincerely, they wouldn't have let us join in the charcoal making, right? Have you ever seen anyone else does this? How about we take it outside and pick a bone with fellow villagers?
"We are your elders! You dare talk to your elder like this!" Mrs. Qiao screeched. "Now you're calling for everyone to pick a bone!"
"Aunt, " Lian Fang Zhou said in an upright tone. "Which part have I said is wrong, please point them out! If you can point one out, I'll pour tea and apologize!"
At once, Mrs. Qiao was silent. She dare not say those bad words about Li Family in front of everyone.
Lian Li coldly snorted. "There's nothing to point out. Well, it's a waste of our good intention! Fine then! In any case, they won't appreciate it, then there's not else to say! They are willing to work for them for free, why bother ourselves with it? Good intention was treated as ill intent!"
Lian Li stood up, gave Mrs. Qiao a glare and shouted. "We're leaving! Let's not lower ourselves to the younger generation's level!"
Mrs. Qiao was displeased but knew that if they can't make Lian Fang Zhou change her mind, this matter had no way of continuing. She fiercely glared at her and spitted out, "You'll meet with retribution for disrespecting elder!"
Only then did she follow after Lian Li.
After they left, Lian Fang Zhou called in Lian Fang Qing and gave her few instructions. Lian Fang Qing nodded and turned around and went.
Not long later, Lian Fang Qing came back breathing hard. Once she entered the house, she yelled, "Sister! Sister! You guessed right! I saw them head toward Aunt Zhang's home!"
"They really have the gut to do it!" Lian Ze was overcome with anger. Without needing to guess, he knew what they plan to do.
"Let's go and check it out!" Lian Fang Zhou wasn't surprised. She hurried over there with Lian Ze.
You can't use ordinary people's line of thought to assess brazen people. The things they do create a new record every time!
When the two siblings reached Li's home entrance, they can hear Lian Li speaking in a courteous tone: "... those few kids are timid. They couldn't bring up the courage to say it, so they let us do it! Tomorrow when you head up to the mountain, call us as well! This way we can watch out for them. At such a young age, it makes people worry for them!"
Lian Fang Zhou's and Lian Ze's face was colored with rage. They both full-throat called out ' Uncle! Aunt!' and stepped in.
By sheer coincidence, all of the Li Family breathed out in relief.
Needless to say, they were aware of the relationship between the two branches of Lian Family. But no matter, Lian Li and Mrs. Qiao still have the identity of their elders. And also, this charcoal-making skill was learned from Ah Jian, and he also lives at Lian Fang Zhou's place. If Lian Li and Mrs. Qiao insist on tagging along, as honest peasants, they have no standing to say no.
"Why did you come! Shoo, shoo. there's no place for you kids to talk when adults are discussing!" Mrs. Qiao immediately pulled a long face when she saw Lian Fang Zhou and Lian Ze and bawled with real elder bearing.
On the other hand, Lian Li took the chance to bring the topic to an end. "Then that's settled! We'll be leaving first!"
With this, the matter count as set in stone! Lian Li gratefully praised the Lian siblings' perfect timing in his mind, 'Wonderful!'
Lian Fang Zhou didn't let them have their way. She walked over and stopped them with her arms wide. With a sardonic smile, she questioned "Uncle, Aunt, we haven't finished talking about this matter, so how could you leave?"
Lian Li never expected Lian Fang Zhou to speak to him like this in someone else's home. His expression turned unpleasant. In a disgruntled tone, he berated, "What are you doing! No sense of decorum at all!"
"Still not making way! You child have no elders in your eye! Our Lian Family's face lost all it glow because of you!" Mrs. Qiao scolded
As they spoke, they planned to barge through, but Lian Ze had taken one step ahead to shut the door firmly and guarded it.
Lian Fang Zhou gave Mrs. Qiao a glance first, declaring. "Aunt, my parents are gone, and I'm the head of the second branch. So I'm not just some kid. Don't use that kind of tone talking to me. It strangely uncomfortable to my ear!"
Then turning to Lian Li, "Why is Uncle so anxious to leave? Is it because you're feeling afraid or conscience-stricken?"
Mrs. Zhao lit up at the sound of this. She rushed to input. "Fang Zhou, your Uncle just said he wants to join in on making charcoal tomorrow and that it was your intention! It's perfect that you're here. I can ask for your thoughts."
Thanks for the new chapter!
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDelete