Chapter 10 Something's Wrong... The Zhen family's reputation is utterly tarnished...

When Yao Daniu went north, he also borrowed money from the Zhen family's silk shop. At that time, Boss Zhen was very easy to talk to, but when Zhou Chunhua came to his door and said that the money would be repaid according to the proportion, he was not very willing.

If it weren't for the fact that the other borrowers were also quite powerful, Zhou Chunhua and her granddaughter might have been detained at the Zhen family's house until all the money was paid off before they could leave. The small IOU that was re-signed was even thrown on the ground for Zhou Chunhua to pick up, clearly showing that they looked down on her.

Moreover, when she signed the IOU, it was agreed that there would be no rush to collect the debt. When she went to Manager He's place today, she heard him say that the silk shop's business had been good recently and there was no urgent need for money. Why is she here to ask for the money now?

While Yao Xiaoyu was pondering, Manager Zhen was also sizing up the two Yao girls: they were a bit thin, but with lychee-shaped eyes and oval faces, they were clearly beauties. The key was that they had also finished middle school, so the other side would definitely be satisfied.

"Paying back debts is a matter of course."

Manager Zhen was still shouting at the top of his lungs, and more and more people were gathering around. But Yao Xiaoyu felt something was off: the man's gaze seemed to be fixed on her, as if he were looking at a moving gold ingot.

"ah--"

The girl's scream drowned out the man's voice asking for the money back. Yao Xiaoyu, who seemed to have her eyes completely closed and covered her ears, saw the pained expressions on everyone's faces as they were being pierced by the demonic sound through the slightly open gaps in her eyes. She nodded in satisfaction.

She didn't know what Manager Zhen, or rather the Zhen family, was planning, but this matter had to be resolved quickly. Whether the Zhen family could get the money or not was another matter, but the fact that they dared to come knocking on her door like this meant their reputation would be ruined.

Six hundred silver dollars is not a small amount, but as long as the Yao family gets on the right track, they can always pay it off slowly. However, if all the debtors come to collect all at once, they will not be able to pay even if they are squeezed dry. It's like withdrawing money from a bank. They can grit their teeth and pay for one or two large amounts, but if they all come, it will be a bank run. If they are not careful, the bank may even go bankrupt.

"Manager Zhen, our family is already in such dire straits, are you still trying to take advantage of us?"

Riding on the lingering force of the screams, Yao Xiaoyu spoke loudly in the silence, recounting the events of Yao Daniu's funeral without waiting for the shopkeeper to speak:

“My grandfather passed away, and all you sent was a white mourning couplet made of bamboo cloth. You brought your whole family and took up a table and a half of the banquet space, and you even complained that there was no meat on the table.”

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze towards Manager Zhen immediately changed. The bamboo cloth funeral couplets only looked big; in reality, they wouldn't cost more than two cents each. The Zhen family sold fabrics, and the white cloth was priced directly at their own cost, making it even cheaper. They made no attempt to hide their desire to take advantage.

"I……"

Manager Zhen opened his eyes wide, wanting to say something, but Yao Xiaoyu raised her voice, cutting him off from her attempt to repeat her old trick.

"Don't say our dishes are simple. Grandpa had a grand funeral. The Yao family's banquet was prepared according to the standards of a banquet master. There were four large plates and six large bowls, and each table cost a full two silver dollars."

Yao Xiaoyu felt the impact wasn't strong enough, so she directly brought up the numbers again for comparison:

“I’ll give you the highest price for the funeral couplet, which is only two cents. The Zhen family sat at least one and a half tables, and they spent three silver dollars on the meal. Two cents for three dollars, and they still felt it wasn’t enough. No wonder they run a silk shop, they really know how to calculate.”

With such a direct comparison, the crowd immediately began to murmur. A few idlers jokingly said that Manager Zhen was indeed worthy of his surname, he really knew how to do business. Several others asked if they could be included next time they encountered such a good opportunity. Manager Zhen was so angry that his face turned pale. Ignoring what others were saying, he insisted on paying back the debt.

Paying back debts is a matter of course, but Yao Xiaoyu's voice was even louder than his:

"Is Manager Zhen trying to force the Yao family to its death?!"

These words immediately suggested a hidden story, and the crowd, eager to hear more, fell silent, afraid of missing something important.

“You said that debts should be repaid. When Grandpa passed away, the Yao family had already sold everything they could and paid off their debts to your family!”

The Yao family's borrowing and repayment of money was so large that it became news in the public eye. Although two months have passed, it is still fresh in people's minds.

"Everyone knows my father's health is poor. My eldest brother has stopped studying, and my youngest sister will also have to postpone her studies this semester. The family relies entirely on handicrafts to make ends meet. If it weren't for the kind-hearted Manager He of the bookstore who gave us the job of copying books, we wouldn't even be able to afford rice."

The crowd nodded in agreement, and some who had harbored ulterior motives immediately dismissed the idea—the Yao family was so poor, what valuable things could they possibly have?

“My family never intended not to repay the money, but we need to wait for my eldest brother to find a job before we can have any money in our account. You’re coming to us now, even if you want to spend money, where can we squeeze any money out of you?”

Yao Xiaoyu lowered her voice, pinched her thigh, and her face was covered in tears. The crowd, who were already feeling sympathy, became even more disgusted with Manager Zhen, who was accompanied by two servants. The knife that should have been aimed at the Yao family was now pointed directly at them.

Hearing the sarcastic and mocking remarks, some loud and some soft, Manager Zhen became so enraged that he lost his temper.

"How can you not have money? You can dance, get married, and spread your legs, and the Yao family will have money."

Upon hearing this, the crowd, which had been arguing like a boiling kettle, immediately fell silent. Manager Zhen realized what was happening, but it was too late.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yao Xiaoyu said "good" several times, then kicked Manager Zhen between the legs. Manager Zhen fell down on the spot, clutching his flesh and curling up like a shrimp, in so much pain he couldn't even scream.

"No wonder you were staring at me the whole time, now I know what you were thinking!"

Yao Xiaoyu stared at the figure rolling on the ground, her eyes as cold as knives. She had only used some suggestive language to probe, but she hadn't expected to actually uncover something.

"You used to be my grandfather's best friend for many years, and now you want to take me as your concubine? Don't you have any shame?!"

Yao Xiaoyu originally wanted to make the word "dancer" more sensational, since dancers in this era relied on commissions from alcohol sales. Although some dancers sold their art but not their bodies, in the public's eyes, being a dancer was no different from entering a brothel. However, after thinking about it carefully, she swallowed those two words back.

She's the perfect victim now. A girl from a good family wouldn't know the meaning of the word "dancer." It's more reasonable to apply it to marriage. As for why Manager Zhen took a concubine... there are plenty of people in this era who pay off their debts with their bodies. Nothing is as shocking as Grandpa's friend actually having a filthy heart!

Look, everyone around is practically staring at Manager Zhen.

"Zhen Chengshi, you old beast, how dare you plot against my granddaughter! I'll beat you to death!"

While Yao Xiaoyu was still guessing the purpose of Manager Zhen's visit, she saw Zhou Chunhua and Yao Tianrui pick up carrying poles from who-knows-where and start whipping Zhen Chengshi. Two servants tried to stop them, but were intentionally or unintentionally blocked by the onlookers.

"I've heard that the Zhen family are domineering. They'll get what they want, even if it means ruining it. Please keep an eye on me. If I ever get into trouble or go missing, it'll probably be the Zhen family's doing."

Yao Xiaoyu didn't know what Zhen Chengshi was planning to do with her, but she knew the chaos of this era. Street robberies in the 1990s were nothing compared to this. If the Zhen family really had their eyes on her, there were plenty of ways to do it. What she needed to do was to reinforce the impression that "the Zhen family had ill intentions towards her" and make the masses her eyes and ears.

"They're after your bamboo shoots and crossbows!"

Zhen Chengshi spat out a large tooth and mumbled his explanation. Yao Xiaoyu pretended not to hear it. Only his words revealed his true feelings. This person wouldn't come to the temple without a reason. What good thing could he possibly want?

"Please help me tie him up. I need to go and ask the Zhen family what they're planning."

Zhen Chengshi on the ground was swollen three times. As everyone gradually calmed down, a voice came from behind them, and they realized that the gate of the Yao family's courtyard had been opened at some point. Yao Ping'an and Wenrou's expressions were both worse than the other.

"Tying me up is fine, but can you handle walking that far?"

Someone bluntly asked Yao Ping'an, "With his breath coming in gasps and his face as pale as paper, won't you have to take him to a hospital halfway there?"

"I can hold on... cough cough cough..."

Before Yao Ping'an could finish speaking, he started coughing violently. Wenrou, standing next to him, was pale, and Yao Xiaoyu was crying. The anger that had just subsided among the crowd flared up again.

The Yao family is already in such a terrible state, and this Zhen Chengshi is still bullying them like this!

“Yao Ping’an, you rest at home. I will go and seek justice for your niece.”

Jin Youwei stepped forward, glanced at the pitiful Yao Xiaoyu, patted his chest, and said to Yao Ping'an. Yao Ping'an's relationship with Jin Youwei was so-so, but he had heard about the other party's integrity and love of watching the drama before. With such a reputation, he finally nodded.

Yao Ping'an didn't know much about psychology, but he vaguely sensed that his forced walk over was not as effective as his children and mother going over.

"Everyone, please help me out. I'll treat you to steamed buns later."

Jin Youwei raised his arm and shouted, and the enthusiastic crowd tied Zhen Chengshi up like a pig. Two big men shouted "Hey ha!" and carried the pig liver that was tied up with Zhen Chengshi towards the silk shop.

"Thank you both, good men. I'll buy you a pound of meat later to help you regain your strength."

Jin Youwei is not short of money and just likes to join in the fun.

Some people had other things to do, so they dispersed after watching the spectacle. Most people, however, were busy with their meat buns and watching the excitement, and followed behind, talking as they walked. By the time they reached the entrance of the silk shop, Zhen Chengshi's reputation was completely ruined.

...

"Before Grandpa passed away, he made my sister and me swear by the window that no daughter of the Yao family would ever become a concubine, and that we would definitely return those fifty silver dollars. Considering that your business has benefited from the Yao family in the past, please, Madam, ask Manager Zhen to let me go."

Back then, the Zhen family brought cloth to Shanghai to do business, but they were ruined and couldn't continue. It was only thanks to Yao Daniu's help that the Zhen family was able to regain their footing. However, as the saying goes, "a little kindness is appreciated, but too much kindness breeds enmity," and the Yao family was instead taken advantage of.

"How are you going to repay it?"

A wild, unofficial straight man suddenly appeared from the crowd.

“The He Family Bookstore had an urgent job copying books. My elder brother, father, and I took it on. We copied 10,000 words a day, and we would get paid back once we finished.”

After those in the know explained the concept in ten thousand words, the crowd erupted again. The Zhen family's reputation was instantly ruined. Some people advised the Yao family not to rush things, but Zhou Chunhua could only smile bitterly.

"Hurry up and return the money, then the Zhen family will have no excuse to take you back."