Chapter 122 Bai Xiuxiu's Past
....
"What are you standing there for? If you don't finish chopping this firewood, you won't have anything to eat today."
Li Yao's hands, which were holding the axe, were covered in blisters. The slightest scratch would cause him excruciating pain. "Master...my hands are covered in blisters. I really can't chop firewood anymore. Why don't you let me rest for a day and let someone else do it today?"
A little nun holding an apple sat in front of him. She looked Li Yao up and down and sneered, "You still thought you were the pampered lady in the past, but now that you're here, everyone is the same. Why should others help you with work?"
"I, I will definitely be able to get out later. When I get out, I will ask my family to give me some money to thank you."
The young nun was unmoved. "We're already here, why do you need money? Stop talking nonsense and keep chopping wood. If you don't finish, you won't have anything to eat. You're the most useless of the group that came in. You can't even chop a little firewood properly. When the weather gets better, you have to go back to the fields to work. Wouldn't you be dead by then?"
Working in the fields? Li Yao thought chopping wood was already torturous enough, but he still had to work in the fields.
What's the difference between that and her previous life in the village? No, she must not sit there and wait for death.
...
Qiao Xianglan was sewing when she suddenly looked up and said, "It occurred to me that the house we bought by chance has been neglected for a long time. Is it possible to clean it out and rent it out?"
Song Lao San nodded, "I remember giving the house deed to Lan'er. I thought that if he didn't have a peaceful time studying in the academy in the future, he could stay in the house for a while to rest if he wanted. I don't think he has been there for a long time, so we can rent it out and make some money."
"Well, go talk to him later."
Seeing his wife's happy face, Song Lao San didn't dare to tell her about Bai Xiu Xiu and make her worry, so he just walked out in silence.
....
"What! Why are you suddenly mentioning the house?" Song Lan stammered.
"I originally wanted to buy a house near the academy so you could live there. There are three of us living in one bedroom at the academy, so I'm worried you won't get enough rest."
"I...I plan to live here later."
Seeing Song Lan's expression and incoherent speech, Song Ci knew that something must have happened in the house.
Song Laosan also had the same doubts. It is said that no one knows a son better than his father. He has watched his son grow up since he was young, and he can tell if there is anything wrong with his words and deeds.
"What's going on with the house?"
"The house is fine, what could happen?"
Seeing that he still didn't say anything, Song Ci said, "Are you going to lie to Dad and us?"
The word "lie" is very heavy. Song Lan thought about it again and again and decided to tell the truth. His family members are reasonable and they should not blame him.
"I just felt sorry for Xiuxiu's family because they didn't have a good place to live, so I planned to give them the yard near the academy..."
"Have you transferred the house deed to them?" Song Laosan asked anxiously.
The house was in a prime location, and he'd bought it by chance. The price had already gone up considerably. And since Bai Xiuxiu hadn't known what was going on, she'd just given it away for no apparent reason. It would be strange if he didn't feel bad.
"No, not yet..." He pleaded, "Dad, we spent two hundred taels to buy this house. In my opinion, Xiuxiu's parents are in poor health, and she herself is looked down upon and gossiped about by others. It would be better to give it to them to live in, so that they can feel more comfortable."
"Bastard!" Song Laosan slammed the table and stood up.
Song Ci also felt that her brother was confused. The Bai family was relying on him, but he just couldn't see it clearly.
Seeing his father angry, Song Lan pleaded, "Dad, calm down. I really like Xiuxiu and plan to marry her. Isn't it my duty to treat her and her family well..."
"You keep saying you like her, but do you know the details of their family? You said Bai Xiuxiu was gossiped about. Why do people around her gossip about her?"
"It's because Xiuxiu is good-looking that people around her can't stand her. They say that she looks like that and is going out to pick up guys. But Xiuxiu is a good girl, she would never do that!"
Song Lan argued so confidently that Song Lao San was so angry that his chest heaved violently.
It would be fine if only one person said so, but everyone around said so. Does that mean that Bai Xiu Xiu really has no problem?
Song Ci felt that this matter needed to be carefully examined before a conclusion could be made.
A woman's reputation is so important. These people slandered Bai Xiu Xiu, but she didn't stand up to explain. Instead, she complained to Song Lan. Song Ci felt that there must be something wrong.
If a normal person were told this, they would at least confront the other person.
Song Lao San couldn't do anything about his son, and the house couldn't be taken back for the time being. Song Lan was stubborn and insisted that he had already promised Bai Xiu Xiu, and their family had moved there yesterday. It might not be a good idea to ask them to move out now.
Besides, her parents were in poor health, and having them travel back and forth like this might affect their condition. Song Lao San was also a soft-hearted person. Upon hearing this, he could only sigh heavily and said that it would not be too late to have them move out after this winter.
...
The next day.
"Auntie, how much do you sell this for?" Tian'er, wearing a dark blue dress, appeared at the entrance of the alley and asked the lady selling buns in front of her.
"This bun costs two cents each. Would you like to eat it, young lady?"
"Eat! These buns smell so good. Auntie, give me ten."
When she heard that he wanted ten, knowing that he was a big customer, the old lady smiled happily with wrinkles on her face, and hurriedly picked up Tian'er and handed her to him.
"Here, girl, eat this bun while it's hot!"
Tian'er took a bite and said slowly, "Auntie, I want to ask you something."
Having just earned twenty coins, the old lady was in a good mood and said casually, "Ask me."
"Is there a girl named Bai Xiuxiu nearby?"
"Bai Xiuxiu." The old lady was surprised. "Why are you asking her?"
"It's like this. A few days ago, a matchmaker came to my house to propose marriage to my brother who is the owner of a restaurant. He wanted to find a match for me. This is the girl named Bai Xiuxiu, so I came out to help my brother find out some information."
The old lady made a face of understanding, "But, I still have to sell buns. I still have ten. Let's talk about it after I sell them all."
"Auntie, I want the remaining ten too. Please pack them all up."
"Okay! I'll just charge you nineteen cents, depending on how much you buy."
Tian'er took the buns, and the old lady was finally willing to talk.
"Go back and tell your parents and brother to find another marriage as soon as possible. Bai Xiu Xiu is not a decent person." The old lady lowered her voice and Tian'er widened her almond-shaped eyes.
"Auntie, what did Bai Xiuxiu do?"
The old lady looked disdainful. "I'm not saying bad things about people behind their backs. She's just too unrefined. A few years ago, her family had planned to marry Bai Xiuxiu off to a waiter nearby. That waiter had connections, and his relative was a manager in the restaurant. He was going to be the shopkeeper in the future, but he broke his leg in an accident, and Bai Xiuxiu's family wanted to cancel the engagement."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
