"Clan leader, cousin, why do we owe one hundred taels? Is there a mistake?" Chen Xiaomi asked.
The clan chief, Chen Ding, was not entirely clear about why Chen Jing owed one hundred taels of silver. The old lady said that Chen Jing had been cheated, but she was vague and did not explain exactly how he had been cheated. The prevailing rumor in the village was that Chen Jing had become addicted to gambling.
It is certain that Chen Jing has indeed fallen into debt, and if he fails to repay the debt on time, he may be beaten to death.
Many people in the village already knew that Chen Jing owed money because of the fake exam papers, but everyone tacitly kept it from the Chen clan, so Chen Ding was still unaware of this.
Old Mrs. Chen said angrily, "Why do you care so much? You have to pay this money whether you want to or not. If you don't pay, I'll hang myself in front of your shop tomorrow."
Chen Xiaomi glanced at Old Madam Chen and said, "You said the same thing when my father went into the mountains. In the blink of an eye, my father has been dead for so many years. Grandma, if you are so angry with your eldest cousin that you want to hang yourself, I can't stop you."
The Chen family opened their ancestral hall, and many villagers came to watch the spectacle.
As soon as Chen Xiaomi uttered those words, one of the outsiders burst out laughing, causing Old Madam Chen to tremble with rage. "You...you..."
"Your grandma is talking nonsense." Old Master Chen stepped in to smooth things over. "Xiao Mi, please help me out. Grandpa knows you're capable. If you don't help, the family will really go hungry."
“Everyone has to bear the consequences of their own actions. This trouble was caused by Chen Jing, so he should naturally bear the responsibility himself. What’s the use of coming to me?” Chen Xiaomi said.
“Your cousin Chen Jing isn’t as capable as you, is he? He doesn’t have any money-making skills either. Xiao Mi, you’re making several taels of silver a month now,” Old Master Chen said.
Chen Xiaomi glanced at Chen Shouxin and said, "Uncle, how can I be as promising as my cousin Chen Jing? Don't you always say that my cousin is destined for great things? How can I compare to him!"
Chen Shouxin immediately knelt down in front of Chen Xiaomi and said, "Xiaomi, it was your uncle's fault before, but if you don't help this time, the family really won't be able to get through this."
"Uncle, didn't you say hunting is a quick way to make money? Why don't you go into the mountains and hunt a few more bears, and the money will come in?" Chen Xiaomi said, pouting.
“Ah Jing isn’t a hunter, how could he go into the mountains? You scoundrel, do you want your cousin dead?” the old lady said excitedly.
“Everyone has a first time. My dad wasn’t a hunter back then either, was he? He still went into the mountains,” Chen Xiaomi said coldly.
Several villagers couldn't help but start talking. Back then, Old Mrs. Chen kept saying that the family couldn't make ends meet and forced her son to go into the mountains. Now that they really can't make ends meet, no one is willing to go into the mountains anymore.
Grandma Chen glared at Chen Xiaomi with resentment, somewhat angry that Chen Xiaomi was bringing up old grievances.
"Xiaomi, let's just forget about what happened before. You're doing better and better now..." Chen Ding said.
Chen Xiaomi glanced at the clan leader and said, "Clan leader, I really have no money. Speaking of which, wasn't this Chen Jing's fault? I haven't seen my cousin anywhere."
Chen Xiaomi felt a little disdainful. Chen Jing had caused trouble, but he just hid in the back like a coward, forcing others to take the lead. What kind of logic was that?
“Your cousin was beaten so badly he can’t get up. Xiaomi, please have pity on your cousin,” Chen Shouxin sighed.
Looking at Chen Shouxin, Lu Lin knew that this man was ruthless. It was this man's idea to sell the vegetables back then, but now he seemed quite flexible and adaptable.
Lu Lin looked at Chen Ding, feigning confusion, and asked, "Clan leader, what exactly is the purpose of this clan meeting held by the Chen family?"
Chen Ding frowned, looking somewhat embarrassed. Clan meetings are usually for discussing important clan matters, but this time the meeting was to discuss Chen Jing's private affairs.
Chen Ding originally did not intend to hold a clan meeting for this matter, but since the Chen family came to him for help, Chen Ding felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Isn't it because Chen Jing's family is in trouble that we all need to get together and think of a solution? The clan chief is such a kind and understanding person. So how much silver are you planning to give to help Chen Jing get through this difficult time?" Chen Xiaomi asked casually.
Chen Ding's face darkened slightly, and the expressions of the elders present also turned sour.
Chen Ding only agreed to help the Chen family persuade Chen Xiaomi to contribute money, but he did not intend to get himself involved.
Chen Shouxin knelt on the ground, but Chen Xiaomi ignored him. He didn't know whether to continue kneeling or stand up.
“Xiao Mi, although you’ve gone independent, you’re still a member of the Chen family. The Chen family is really struggling right now,” an elder of the Chen family said, trying to smooth things over.
Chen Xiaomi pouted and said, "Doesn't my eldest cousin have a son? If things really get too tough, he can sell that kid and get a few taels of silver."
"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?" said Old Mrs. Chen.
Chen Xiaomi pouted. When his father died, his uncle was preparing to sell vegetables and wheat. But they couldn't make ends meet. Since they couldn't make ends meet, they sold the kid. At least they could at least get some food. If he stayed at home, he would starve to death. His uncle thought that selling vegetables was for his own good.
Most of the villagers knew about what happened to Chen Shouxin back then, and when Chen Xiaomi brought it up at this time, they couldn't help but feel that the wheel of fortune had turned.
Chen Shouxin kept his head down, furious with Chen Xiaomi, but he couldn't afford to retaliate.
“Xiao Mi, this matter is over and done with, and you’re living a normal life now, so don’t dwell on it anymore. After all, Chen Jing is your cousin,” Chen Ding said.
Chen Xiaomi pouted; Chen Jing had never treated him like a younger brother.
“I don’t have any money, but I have a house in the countryside. I bought it for ten taels of silver, and after some renovations, it cost another ten taels of silver. It should be worth about twenty taels. If anyone in the village wants it, I’ll sell it to them for a lower price,” Chen Xiaomi said.
"No, the house can't be sold," Mrs. Chen suddenly said.
The old lady had secretly visited Chen Xiaomi's house several times. Since Chen Xiaomi and Lu Lin had been staying in town and not coming back, the old lady had long considered the house as her own and was just waiting for the right opportunity to break the lock and move in.
Chen Ding glanced at Old Madam Chen and said, "Xiao Mi, if this house is sold, you won't even have a place to live. You should think about it carefully."
If this house is gone, and Chen Xiaomi loses her job, she won't even have a place to live.
The clan chief originally thought Chen Xiaomi was rich and, seeing the Chen family's difficulties, wanted Chen Xiaomi to contribute some money. The villagers generally sympathize with the weak.
Rumors circulated in the village that Chen Xiaomi and Lu Lin now earned several dozen taels of silver a year, and the two also made a considerable amount of extra income. However, the Chen family suddenly found themselves in debt for one hundred taels of silver. Everyone felt that since Chen Xiaomi was now wealthy, they should help her out.
However, upon hearing Chen Xiaomi say she wanted to sell the house, the clan leader felt that he shouldn't push a little Shuang'er too far.
After all, Chen Xiaomi also has a silly younger brother and a son who doesn't understand anything.
Chen Xiaomi glanced at the clan chief, a strange feeling flashing through her mind. Chen Xiaomi knew very well that the old lady's refusal to sell the house was not out of pity for him, but rather, as Lu Lin had guessed, she had long had her eye on the house. The clan chief's advice not to sell it was actually for his own good.
Chen Xiaomi suddenly felt that the clan leader still had some conscience, though Chen Xiaomi felt it was only a little. Several onlookers began to discuss among themselves.
"You want to sell the house!"
"Does Chen Xiaomi really have no money?"
"It's still too expensive, Chen Xiaomi is supporting several children."
When the old lady heard that the clan leader wouldn't let Chen Xiaomi sell the house, she got excited again. As soon as she said she wouldn't let her sell, she regretted it.
Old Mrs. Chen had long considered Chen Xiaomi's house as her own. When Chen Xiaomi wanted to sell the house, Old Mrs. Chen felt like she was selling meat from her own pot, so she expressed her opposition without hesitation.
However, as soon as the old lady finished objecting, she thought that since the house was still Chen Xiaomi's, it was hard to say whether she could actually get it. It would be better to put the money in her pocket first.
"Sell the house, then sell the house!" the old lady shouted again.
When the old woman changed her tune, the villagers started talking amongst themselves again.
Several villagers roughly guessed what the old woman was planning, and their eyes looked at Old Mrs. Chen with more mockery.
Chen Ding looked at the old lady with some anger and said, "You keep changing your mind, saying you won't sell it one minute and then you will. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Old Mrs. Chen shrank back after being scolded by Chen Ding. The Chen family had gone to great lengths to get the clan leader to intervene, and the old lady was still somewhat intimidated by the clan leader.
"Xiao Mi, you don't live in this house much, why don't you sell it?" said Grandpa Chen.
After he said those words, Old Master Chen noticed that many people were looking at him differently.
Old Master Chen had no choice. Chen Jing's debt wasn't just a few taels of silver, but a hundred taels. If the family had to pay all of it, they would be bankrupt.
Chen Xiaomi's house is quite nice after the renovation; it should be able to sell for some money.
“Even if the house is worth twenty taels, there are still eighty taels left,” said Old Mrs. Chen.
Chen Ding said somewhat angrily, "We can't let Xiaomi take all the blame for the trouble that Chen Jing caused."
The Chen family had been crying bitterly, and Chen Ding had no choice but to agree to help persuade Chen Xiaomi.
Chen Ding secretly felt that Chen Xiaomi was somewhat unconventional and was affecting the reputation of the Chen family. However, seeing the old lady pushing all the blame onto Chen Xiaomi, he thought the old lady's behavior was too shameless. There were so many people in the Chen family; what was the point of pushing all the blame onto a young girl named Shuang'er who lived alone?
With so many outsiders watching, if he pushes all the blame onto Chen Xiaomi, what will the villagers think of him?
Chen Xiaomi glanced at Chen Ding and said, "Besides the house, I can contribute a maximum of ten taels of silver, but I have one condition."
Chen Ding glanced at Chen Xiaomi and asked, "What are the conditions?"
"I want to sign the severance document. From now on, I will be a stranger to the Chen family. I will not care about anything that happens to the Chen family. Even if the entire Chen family is wiped out, I will not care. Whatever happens to me in the future will have nothing to do with the Chen family. I would like to trouble the clan leader to be my witness."
The old woman looked at Chen Xiaomi and said excitedly, "Clan leader, he's cursing me, second son! What kind of son did you give birth to? How could he curse me like that!"
"You drove my father to his death, and you still have the nerve to complain? Aren't you afraid he'll come back to haunt you in the middle of the night?" Chen Xiaomi said disdainfully. Chen Ding's face fell. He vaguely felt that Chen Xiaomi's words were too harsh, but considering Chen Xiaomi's usual behavior, he also felt it was normal.
Chen Ding looked at Chen Xiaomi and said, "Xiaomi, is it really necessary to do this?"
“Without signing the severance agreement, I won’t receive a single tael of silver. If you think it’s too tragic for Chen Jing to be beaten to death, then you can help me pay some of it,” Chen Xiaomi said straightforwardly.
Chen Xiaomi thought to herself: Everyone in the Chen clan knows that he separated from the Chen family a long time ago, and the villagers also know that he broke off ties with the Chen family back then. But when Chen Jing got into trouble, they still came to him. Why? It's because they didn't have any proof.
Chen Ding felt somewhat ashamed and angry; why should he give Chen Jing money?
Chen Dingneng was able to help the Chen family get money, but now that the trouble was turning against him, he felt uneasy.
“Sever ties if you will! Ten taels of silver isn’t enough, at least thirty taels!” the old lady jumped up and said.
With thirty taels plus the house, it's about fifty taels. With that fifty taels, it's easier to gather the remaining fifty taels.
"Thirty taels!" The crowd at Yuguan Temple immediately started discussing.
Chen Xiaomi stared at the old lady for a while, then said, "Okay."
Seeing how readily Chen Xiaomi agreed, the old lady vaguely felt she had been taken advantage of. She wanted to say something, but after being glared at by the old man, she fell silent.
Many people think Chen Xiaomi has suffered a huge loss this time, while others think the Chen family has gone too far, making Chen Xiaomi take the blame when it was Chen Jing who caused the trouble.
Chen Xiaomi, a single mother, already struggled to support her family, and now she has to sell her house.
A few people who couldn't stand it started talking loudly, but Old Madam Chen didn't care what they were saying. In her opinion, the most urgent thing was how to solve the problem of the hundred taels. Chen Xiaomi had contributed fifty taels, and she could think of a way to get the remaining fifty taels.
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