Chapter 212: No mercy if you can

Sun looked at the copper coins in her hand and smiled happily, knowing that her son would not ignore her.

"That's enough, that's enough. This money can buy two liters of corn. The remaining eighteen coins can be used to buy rice bran. Eat sparingly, and it will at least last until the autumn harvest."

Chen Dabao lowered his head. He had worked for Chen Qingqing for two months and saved a few hundred coins. If he gave them all, his parents wouldn't have to eat rice bran.

But when he thought of his grandparents' favoritism, he felt upset.

Ever since I can remember, whenever there was something delicious at home, Chen Zhancai was always remembered, while all the heavy work was left to my parents and my uncle's family.

I remember one time, he was sick with a fever and wanted to drink some hot porridge, but Old Mrs. Chen scolded him for being pretentious.

When Chen Zhancai wanted to eat meat, Old Lady Chen killed the only big rooster in the house for him to eat...

He was willing to give any amount of his hard-earned money to his parents, but he was really reluctant to give it to the old man Chen and his wife. He wouldn't be so conflicted if his grandparents were even a little bit nice to him.

Chen Dabao clenched his fists, looked up at his mother's relieved eyes, and then thought of his father who was hungry, and his heart ached.

Forget it, I'll help them this time for my parents' sake...

"Mom, I can't even eat rice bran. Use this money to buy corn. If you finish it, I'll give you the money."

"This..." Sun looked hesitant.

Chen Qingqing came over with a bamboo basket. She had heard the conversation between the two clearly.

She smiled and said, “Dabao, I know you are filial, but it is not easy for you to make money. Old Mrs. Chen has been domineering in the family for many years.

Our eldest wife was forced to break off the engagement. She thought she could easily control it, but she miscalculated that we did not compromise.

Now they are almost unable to make ends meet in order to support Chen Zhancai's studies, but the third family is still as unsatisfied as a blood-sucking leech.

They will have a harder time next year. If you give them all the money now, they will not be grateful to you but will take it for granted.

If you believe me, just listen to your mother and eat rice bran and corn together. As long as they are not starving to death, let them survive.

Perhaps enduring a little hardship and fatigue is a good thing for them."

Sun nodded repeatedly after hearing this. "Qing girl, you mean to let them experience the despair of starvation so that they can reform and reflect on their mistakes."

"That's right, and that's not right. Evil people don't learn to be good easily." Chen Qingqing smiled cunningly. "Anyway, if you trust me, you can't let her manage the money you earn."

Chen Qingqing knew that the old couple placed all their hopes on Chen Zhancai, but Chen Zhancai became more and more lazy in his studies, and it could be said that he could not lift anything or carry anything.

Even if he could really pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, with his selfish behavior, he would definitely not care about the life and death of Old Man Chen and his wife.

After next year's college entrance examination, Chen Zhancai's ugly face will probably be revealed.

Sun smiled and looked at Dabao. "I'll listen to your sister Qingqing on this matter. Aren't you going to the town to deliver goods later? Please buy some rice bran and two pounds of corn for me."

"Okay, mother. I'll listen to my sister Qingqing."

Ever since being rescued by Chen Qingqing in Wild Wolf Valley, Chen Dabao has looked at Chen Qingqing differently. He believes that everything she says is right.

"Qing girl, you guys are busy, I'll go back." Sun turned around and was about to leave.

"Aunt, these are some snacks I bought for you. I was just about to send them to you. Since you are here, you can take them back. They are just right for my uncle to replenish his body." Chen Qingqing said as she handed the bamboo basket in her hand to her.

Sun waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, Qing girl, take it back quickly. This thing is too valuable, we can't afford it."

"Here, Erbao is at the age of growing up and needs nutrition. Don't be polite with me."

"Thank you, Qing girl. I thank you on behalf of Erbao." Sun took the bamboo basket with both hands.

These past few days, I could always hear some noise in the yard in the middle of the night. At first I thought it was a big rat looking for food.

But it has been like this for several days. Last night, I couldn't sleep, so I lay down and looked out through the crack of the door.

But I saw Old Man Chen sneak out of the yard and come back with some things in his arms.

Although it was dark and she couldn't see clearly what he was holding in his arms, her intuition told her that the old couple was definitely up to no good.

Since the day they extorted money, Mr. and Mrs. Chen have been much quieter, but they have become night owls.

Thinking of what happened last night, Sun suddenly came to her senses and stepped forward to remind him quietly,

"Qing girl, Erdanzi is watching over so many materials by himself. You have to remind him to be more alert at night and don't let the bad guys take advantage of the opportunity."

Chen Qingqing understood immediately and couldn't help but frown. Because the Luneng brothers had work to do in other villages and were short of manpower, they didn't leave anyone to keep watch here.

She specially hired Erdanzi from the village, paying him ten cents a night, mainly to look after the raw materials for building the house.

Although Sun didn't say it explicitly, the meaning of her words should be to remind her...

Chen Qingqing smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Second Auntie. I'll make a note of it."

"Okay, Qing girl, you guys go and do your work. I'll go back first." Sun smiled and turned away.

******

Night falls.

After finishing his meal, Old Man Chen smiled at Old Lady Chen who was counting bricks and said, "Don't count anymore, old woman. You've already counted these bricks at least ten times. I'll sell you a few hundred tonight and let you count them to your heart's content."

"That's money! One penny for two bricks, and that's a total of 1,028 bricks. That's 5,014 copper coins, enough to buy over a hundred large pancakes. Eating one every two days would last almost a year. Tell me, how can I not be happy?"

"Old woman, you are really good at calculating this little account, but you are calculating it a little too early. There is still a long time to go. At the rate I am trading it back, I dare not say how much more, but at least I can get back 10,000 or 8,000. If you do the math again, it will be at least 5 taels of silver. Then you can have big pancakes every day without any problem."

These words made Old Lady Chen so happy that her nose was about to burst. "Good old man, you have worked so hard. When the sesame cake seller comes again, I will exchange a sesame cake for you as a reward."

Old man Chen smiled and shook his head. "It's my job to do this, even if it's a little bit hard and tiring. You're being polite to me. But the pancakes are really delicious. Next time you come, you can exchange them for a few more."

"I want to change, but I haven't heard anyone selling sesame cakes these past few days. That old man must be avoiding me on purpose. The next time I see him, I'll have to touch a few more of his sesame cakes."

"Come on, old woman, that thing isn't worth much. There's no need to steal it. It would be embarrassing if someone caught us. Besides, we don't need that little money right now. We can earn it back by making a few more trips to the evening."

"Look at how cocky you are! It's not easy for you to get up at five in the morning and work late at night. It's not easy to earn a little money, so you have to save money where you can, and you won't hesitate to spend money when you can."

......