After making the promise, it was obvious that the siblings became closer.
If we were living under the same roof for various reasons before, now we are true family, caring for and remembering each other.
They were children without parents, orphans with no one to rely on. They met each other in the freezing cold, huddled together for warmth, and leaned on one another.
Perhaps they all have unspeakable pasts and dark, repressive secrets, but at this moment, they are truly warm and relaxed.
If we're talking about the only carefree person in the dilapidated temple, it's probably Jiang Sheng.
From a despised beggar to someone who can earn a living and has a bunch of older brothers protecting her, Jiang Sheng's life has undergone a complete transformation.
She was so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face.
The next day, Jiang Sheng was awakened by a commotion.
The little girl was startled, thinking that yesterday's warm and wonderful day was a dream, and quickly pinched herself twice.
She only felt relieved when she cried out in pain, then got up and rushed outside the dilapidated temple.
It was Zhou Zhiqiang. His foot injury had completely healed, and he was now carrying Aunt Zhang, angrily demanding an explanation.
"You're the ones who sold the floral cotton-padded jacket, aren't you? What right do you have to sell her that floral cotton-padded jacket? That's our Zhou family's hard-earned money. Hand it over."
Jiang Sheng was stunned for a moment.
Xu Mo staggered to her side at some point, shielding her behind him, and said in a deep voice, "Uncle Zhou, business transactions are based on mutual consent. We've taken the money, and you've worn the clothes. Is there a problem?"
“There’s a problem, a really big problem. Our family is already dirt poor, and now we have to spend over ten coins to buy a flowery cotton-padded jacket. How are we supposed to make a living?” Zhou Zhiqiang’s face was flushed, and spittle flew from his lips.
It was clear he was genuinely angry.
Aunt Zhang was being carried by him like a chick, her face full of shame and sorrow, yet she couldn't utter a word.
"I'm asking you, are you going to return this or not? Are you going to return this dress or not?" Zhou Zhiqiang said hysterically. "If you don't return it, I'll beat this bitch to death. She stole money from home to buy a cotton-padded coat, I'll beat her to death."
Jiang Sheng pursed her lips, a chill running through her heart.
She used to be a beggar who stole food, but ever since she had her brothers, especially her fourth brother Wen Zhiyun who became the village doctor, the villagers have been very polite to them.
These days, everyone gets sick at some point.
I never expected the Zhou family to be such scoundrels. They had just put down their canes when they turned on me and started cursing. Not only are they wicked, but they are also short-sighted.
Jiang Sheng was furious. She pulled out ten copper coins from her pocket and threw them out, saying, "Here you go, take them back."
Just let Aunt Zhang go and stop her from suffering these humiliations.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiqiang glanced at the money and found only ten copper coins. He started making a fuss again, saying, "A floral cotton-padded jacket costs fourteen coins, and you only give me ten coins. What do you mean by that?"
Jiang Sheng almost fainted.
She did only take ten coins, so does that mean she has to return fourteen coins?
Fortunately, Aunt Zhang spoke up, "Jiang Sheng only charged me ten coins, ten coins is right, it's right."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Zhiqiang slapped her across the face, knocking her to the ground. "What nonsense are you spouting, you woman? Everyone else gets fourteen coins, and you only get ten? You're kidding me."
"If I don't see these fourteen coins today, I'm not leaving!"
As he spoke, he actually wanted to find a place to sit down, completely disregarding how many villagers he attracted to watch the spectacle.
Xu Mo frowned. He was a refined man, skilled in verbal attacks, but he was truly helpless when faced with this kind of rogue.
Fang Heng grabbed a stick and was about to rush forward, but before he could get close, Zhou Zhiqiang shouted, "If you dare touch me today, I'll stay here and provide for you. I'll feed you and clothe you from now on, unless you beat me to death, you won't get away with this!"
Zheng Ruqian was so frightened that he quickly hugged his waist tightly, afraid that the third brother would offend a patriarch by sticking his stick.
At this point, the situation reached a stalemate.
The other party was too shameless. If you wanted to resolve the issue, you could only accept your bad luck and consider it a loss of four coins.
Jiang Sheng felt a pang of heartache as her face darkened. Her business had been going too smoothly recently, and now one problem after another seemed to be warning her that a stable and happy life wouldn't be so easy.
Fine, it's only four coins, I'll just pay it.
Just as Zhou Zhiqiang was about to win by using his shamelessness, Chang Yan came over in time and held her arm down, saying, "If shamelessness works, he will only become more shameless in the future."
Having tasted the sweetness of success, they'll be unstoppable in the future.
But not giving it to him won't solve our current predicament. Are we really going to let him drag Aunt Zhang here and make a scene?
Jiang Sheng was puzzled.
Chang Yan had already let go of her hand and stopped in front of Zhou Zhiqiang. "I can't return the fourteen coins, but I can exchange my gray cotton-padded jacket for your floral cotton-padded jacket. What do you think?"
Zhou Zhiqiang was about to object, but then he thought that he could wear the gray cotton-padded jacket himself, so he agreed, "We can exchange it, but you've already worn this gray cotton-padded jacket, so you have to refund me five coins."
So, if you calculate it this way, you'd have to sell him a gray cotton-padded jacket for five coins, and even then, you'd have to take the money from Chang Yan.
Jiang Sheng was furious; she would not allow anyone to bully her fifth brother.
To everyone's surprise, Chang Yan agreed and picked up ten copper coins from the ground, counted out five, and handed them over.
Zhou Zhiqiang was surprised that the other party agreed to his casual remark, and he blankly reached out his hand.
The ten copper coins were divided in two.
Chang Yan picked up his floral cotton-padded jacket, strolled back to the dilapidated temple, changed out of his gray cotton-padded jacket, and handed it to Zhou Zhiqiang.
Overjoyed, Zhou Zhiqiang exchanged his unwearable floral cotton-padded jacket for a wearable gray cotton-padded jacket and even received five copper coins. He got up from the ground and immediately tried on the gray cotton-padded jacket.
It's definitely a new cotton-padded coat; it's so warm.
He chuckled and grabbed Aunt Zhang as they walked back, saying, "Why didn't you just buy me a gray cotton-padded jacket earlier? Why did you have to buy a floral one? This gray one is so pretty. I'll give it to you after I wear it for two or three years."
The villagers who had gathered at the village entrance gradually dispersed as the excitement died down.
After everyone left, Jiang Sheng angrily grabbed Chang Yan and said, "Fifth Brother, why did you give him five copper coins? Why did you give him the gray cotton-padded jacket? Why?"
Chang Yan didn't speak, but just looked at Wen Zhiyun, who seemed to have just returned.
The two boys, who were about the same age, smiled at each other, their eyes filled with unspoken secrets.
Jiang Sheng wanted to ask more questions, but Xu Mo pulled her back to the dilapidated temple and pressed her down in front of the table.
The aroma wafted out as the small earthen stove was turned on, invigorating everyone in the dilapidated temple.
"Eat up," Xu Mo said slowly.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes were filled with tears, and Fang Heng pounced on him like a hungry wolf.
After being tormented by their sister's mushy food for so long, they finally got to eat a delicious meal that humans could appreciate.
As expected of the eldest brother, he lay there motionless for so long, and as soon as he got up, he showed off this skill.
The dilapidated temple, usually bustling with laughter and play, was unusually quiet because everyone's mouths were full of food, and no one spoke.
As the meal was drawing to a close, people from the Zhou family arrived in a hurry.
It was Granny Zhou. She stood at the entrance of the dilapidated temple, hesitant to speak, "Young doctor...please come and take a look at our house."
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