Erniu saw Lao Ding waving at her to come over. When he came, he didn't say anything, but there was the love and care in his eyes that she had once desperately longed for, so she couldn't help but call him "Grandpa" again.
She didn't know that her calling him "Master" gave Old Ding inexplicably courage and confidence. He looked at the girl in front of him, who had a rosy complexion, wore beautiful clothes, and was clean. Where was her former annoying look?
Those who don’t know her would think she is a rich lady. It shows how well Si’er’s family is living now. If he hadn’t pushed Si’er, would Si’er’s family be where they are today?
Feeling that he had made a contribution, Old Ding straightened his back and put on a friendly smile. "I heard that Dabao's illness was cured and he went to school?"
"Well, my mother cured my brother. My mother is amazing."
No matter how powerful she is, it was me who picked her up and fed her. If it weren't for me, she would have starved to death! Old Ding thought to himself, this heartless thing, she didn't appreciate his kindness, and once she woke up, she instigated his fourth son to break away from him.
Old Ding was furious, but he had to keep a smile on his face. In the past, he never cared about the fourth room's child calling him "Grandpa." Now, hearing this, he felt like crying. He felt so cheap!
But who doesn't live to speak? Who doesn't seek fame? The fourth wife is now making a ton of money and is a popular figure in the village. Even the head of the village looks up to her and tries to curry favor with her. Why shouldn't he, as her father, humble himself and show some kindness first?
Whoever gives you milk is your mother.
Not shameful!
He then asked Erniu with a smile, "So what does your father do all day long?"
Erniu said, "Daddy and Master read books every day."
"What?" Old Ding was anxious when he heard it. "Who is your father's master's master? Who is your father's master's master?"
"Master is Master. Originally we called him Grandpa Liu and Daddy called him Old Blind Man. Later Daddy asked us to call him Master and Daddy called him Master."
Old Ding almost swore, feeling extremely anxious. "This Si'er is such a piece of crap! He's still so idle. He was told to study but he insisted on reading storybooks. Now he has a good business but instead of working hard to run it, he's reading some bullshit books. Is he even cut out for studying?"
He spent three years on the exam, and wasted several years' worth of money. He thought he was out of his mind, or maybe he had some money and got carried away, and he didn't know his own name or surname.
Stupid thing!
He must have been instigated by Blind Liu. Yes, it must have been Blind Liu who did the bad things. Blind Liu said that he had lost his tongue that year. He was trying to coax his fourth son to continue his studies, hoping that he would pass the imperial examination in the future and clear his name!
His fourth son is still young after all. It seems that he cannot do well without his father supporting him from behind. Old Ding was so anxious that his mouth was about to get blisters. If there was still some hope for his fourth son to study, would he be reluctant to continue to support him to study for another year?
He has already given away the money for a chicken, so would he still care about the money for an egg?
Although he was extremely anxious, Old Ding's face remained calm as usual, without any unnecessary expression. He even forced a smile. He nodded his chin towards the old house and said, "Go back. I'm fine. I just missed you kids and came to see you."
"Do you miss me?" he asked again.
Erniu shook her head at first, then nodded, "I want to!"
"Good girl." Old Ding reached out and touched her head. "You are my good girl, better than the big girl and the three little girls. Go back. I will watch you go back. Walk slowly, don't fall, go back."
Erniu was so touched and happy. Her father and mother always praised Da Niu and San Niu more than her. Grandpa was still the best. Finally, someone praised her for being better than Da Niu and San Niu.
"Grandpa, you should go back too. I still have to go to Aunt Chang's house. My mother made dumplings with mutton filling today. They are so delicious. Grandpa, you can come and eat them later. I'm leaving now."
After saying this, Erniu ran away happily.
You stinky girl! You're a money-loser!
I just praised you twice and you stabbed your grandfather in the heart!
Old Ding was almost mad. He didn't know what dumplings were, but he knew about mutton. How could he have the nerve to eat it? He knew there was no portion for him, but he was still asked to eat it. He didn't know whether Erniu was mean or stupid.
In short, no matter whether they are bad or stupid, they all inherited the legacy of that prodigal Jian. The Chang family is a bunch of poor kids. They are asked to eat such a precious thing as mutton. It would be strange if they are not given a feast!
What good is Ding Pingshun? His family is essentially ungrateful people. If you get too close to them, you will suffer losses sooner or later.
It seems that the spendthrift Jian will not give up until he has squandered all the fortune earned by his fourth son. Old Ding went home angrily with his hands behind his back.
He had beaten up Mrs. Meng over that hundred taels of silver, and the family had been in turmoil for the past two days because of her quarrels. Didn't she say he hadn't asked for her opinion? Well, he would go back and ask for her opinion now, so that she wouldn't make a fuss about anything else.
Erniu bumped into Da Niu, Daya and a few others on the way. The Chang family used to be the poorest family in the village, but now the children looked much better than before. Chang was skillful and had made new clothes for them. Now they no longer looked as poor as before.
The kids were all talking and laughing. Ah Man and San Niu were the most active, with the loudest voices and the loudest laughs. San Niu and Yuan Bao were practically inseparable, except when sleeping. Ah Man always wanted to hold Yuan Bao, but Yuan Bao was a devoted person, and would snap at her if she reached out.
Not only Yuanbao, but also Da Niu's Zhaocai, Er Niu's Jinbao, and Maoqiu's Maoqiu when the little master was not at home, all of them were like this. Ah Man was so angry that he rushed to the utility room as soon as he got home.
But Qiu Ge was too big, so she ran to find Guo Guo again, and with her hands on her hips, they argued for a long time. Finally, Jian Ning took Mao Qiu to the kitchen and threatened him with a knife, saying that if he didn't treat little Ah Man nicely, she would skin him. Mao Qiu then reluctantly let Ah Man hold him.
When the dumplings came out of the pot, Meixiang showed a hint of disdain at first, believing that they could not be better than those made at the Taifu Mansion. But after taking a bite, her eyes widened, and they were so delicious that she almost bit off her tongue.
Ding Youtian devoured a dumpling and nodded repeatedly. This was far better than ramen. The Chang family children, usually quite reserved, were starting to relax a bit today. Ah Man was the most enthusiastic eater. She truly loved dumplings, and Mei Xiang didn't need to feed her anymore; she ate them well with her chopsticks. Jian Ning noticed that she was incredibly receptive and adaptable.
After eating dumplings, Jian Ning called Ding Youtian back to the house to check the accounts. Jian Ning had always been in charge of the money and Ding Youtian kept the accounts. He had just told Jian Ning that they needed to build a shed in the yard and buy a carriage. After buying the carriage, they would have to hire someone to pick up the kids every day. They had to check the accounts to see how much they had earned in total.
Ding Youtian took the abacus and a small scale, and Jian Ning took the box for money. In fact, the box only contained a little change. She hid the banknotes and a whole ingot of silver in Baicao Room. Only in Baicao Room would it be the safest and most reassuring place for her.
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