Zhang San's family was poor, so he kept a donkey to haul goods for others in order to earn some money to support his wife, children, and elderly parents.
A few days ago, he was delivering goods to the mountains for someone, but unfortunately the donkey was old and weak and not well fed. It stumbled and fell into a ravine, where it was blinded in one eye by a tree branch.
The old donkey had become a useless piece of trash, so he went to the market to sell the blind donkey, but no one was interested. He planned to sell it to a restaurant to stew, but they thought it was too thin.
Just as he was wondering what to do, he caught sight of the donkey the old man was leading. It was plump, healthy, and round, and he couldn't help but feel envious.
While the old man wasn't paying attention during his meal, they intended to secretly lead him away, but considering the old man's age, they couldn't bear to do it, so they simply traded the blind donkey for his fat donkey.
He led the fat donkey away and hid it in his backyard, forgetting that even an old donkey knows the way.
Seeing that his scheme had been exposed, he loudly protested, "This donkey belongs to my family."
Seeing that he still wanted to deny it, Chen Qingqing said sternly, "You didn't take this old man's donkey away, but exchanged it with your old donkey, which shows that you still have a conscience. You should return the donkey to him immediately, and we'll call it a day. If you insist on doing this, we'll have to go to the government office to report you to the authorities."
Zhang San, with his neck stiff and unwilling to back down, said, "Little girl, who are you trying to scare? This donkey is mine. Go ahead and sue me wherever you want. I'm not afraid."
Chen Qingqing smiled faintly, "Brother, you must usually get around by pulling this donkey, right?"
"That's right, exactly."
Chen Qingqing asked the old man, "Grandpa, is your donkey also used for pulling carts?"
The old man shook his head. "My donkey is only used to carry grain during the autumn harvest. I can't bear to use it at other times. I wouldn't sell it if it weren't for the need to help my son get married."
Chen Qingqing raised an eyebrow and smiled, “That’s right. Look, the mane on this old donkey’s front is worn out, and its eye is bleeding. It’s obviously been injured recently. This is the most basic damage caused by long-term transport of goods. If you don’t return the donkey to the old man, even if you take it to the government, it will probably not be as simple as just returning the donkey.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang San broke out in a cold sweat. He dared not argue any longer and quickly apologized.
“Girl, I was wrong. It was all my fault for being greedy. Please don’t report me to the authorities. I will return the donkey to the old man.”
"That's right. It's great to admit your mistakes and correct them. As the saying goes, poverty should not diminish one's ambition, and one should not take crooked paths even in difficult times."
“You’re right, young lady. Don’t worry, I will never do such a despicable thing again.”
Chen Qingqing nodded and said to the old man, "Grandpa, although he tried to take advantage of you by exchanging bad for good, he's not a bad person at heart. He's willing to return your donkey now. Can you forgive him?"
The old man nodded repeatedly, "It's good that my donkey has been found, young lady. I'll pay you the one hundred coins you promised after I sell the donkey."
Hearing that he was going to sell his donkey, Chen Qingqing was overjoyed. It was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Grandpa, how much silver do you sell this donkey for? I need to buy one."
"I plan to sell it for fifteen taels of silver. If you want to buy it, just give me fourteen taels of silver."
“Alright, I’ll take this donkey,” Chen Qingqing said, taking out some silver from her pocket and handing it to the old man. “This is fifteen taels of silver, please keep it safe.”
The old man hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, "No, no, that's too much. Just give me fourteen taels of silver."
"Grandpa, please don't be so polite. Quickly put the money away and don't lose it."
Chen Qingqing stuffed the silver into the old man's hand, and then took out one hundred coins and handed them to the middle-aged man who had just provided the clue.
Then he turned to Zhang San, who had stolen the donkey, and said, “Brother, you have a kind heart. I am from Nanshan Village. If you ever encounter any difficulties, you can come to me, and I will do my best to help you.”
"Alright, thank you for not reporting this to the authorities, young lady." Zhang San was deeply moved and nodded repeatedly in thanks.
The old man wanted to say something more, but then he saw Chen Qingqing and Xiaoyu lead the donkey and turn away.
******
Chen Family Old House
Old Mrs. Chen was so jealous when she saw Chen Qingqing get into the oxcart and go to town early in the morning.
That brat, she used to talk so much, all mumbled and hesitant, like her dead father—you couldn't get a sound out of her even if you hit her three times.
She's getting more and more capable; she can even make sugar. I really underestimated her.
It seems this lowly girl is destined for greatness. If she really gets rich, she'll be like a tortoise eating a turtle, completely disregarding her own family.
No, in order to live the life of a wealthy landlady in the future, I must learn the skill of sugar making.
Thinking to herself, Old Mrs. Chen shouted at the top of her lungs toward Mrs. Sun in the side room, "Second son's wife, come out here!"
"What's wrong, Mother? Why did you call me?" Hearing the call, Madam Sun hurriedly came out of the house.
Grandma Chen glared at him. "Where's Da Bao? Quickly, take him to my room. I need to ask him something."
"Dabao isn't home, what do you want with him?"
"He's not home! He went out to do manual labor for someone first thing this morning!" Old Mrs. Chen immediately got angry when she heard this. "He doesn't do any work at home, but works as a laborer for someone else. What kind of behavior is this? Go and call him back to my house."
Mrs. Sun rolled her eyes, clearly displeased.
"Mom, what you're saying is really harsh. What do you mean by 'doing work for others'? You've been clamoring for Da Bao to do the housework since early this morning. What kind of work do we have for Da Bao to do now?"
Besides, Da Bao is not a child anymore. What he wants to do is none of my business. I can't keep him tied to my waist all the time. If you need help, go find someone else; I'm not going.
After saying that, Sun turned and went into the house, complaining to Chen Zhanliang who was lying on the kang, "Dabao wants to separate the family, but you insist on staying with your parents. Do they even consider us a family? I really don't know what you're thinking."
Chen Zhanliang's lips trembled, but he dared not utter a sound.
Hearing her veiled insults, Old Mrs. Chen stomped her feet in anger, muttering, "They're all really going too far! If you won't go, I will. I'm going to learn how to make sugar. Once I have money, let's see if you still dare to talk to me like that."
Seeing her leave the courtyard, Sun rolled her eyes dismissively, "Like a sow sticking her ass out, she's probably up to no good again."
Old Mrs. Chen had only taken a few steps when she saw Matchmaker Zhao walking towards her from afar.
My heart skipped a beat. That gossipy woman! Last time, when Butcher Li broke off the engagement, she almost verbally abused him to death.
I never expected to run into this person who only cares about money and not people again.
Although Old Mrs. Chen was somewhat annoyed, she was also a little puzzled.
What is she doing here? Is she here to arrange a marriage for someone?
Impossible, I haven't heard of any young man in the village wanting to get married.
Are you suggesting I introduce some young lady to a potential husband?
That shouldn't be the case; everyone in the village who was supposed to get married has already done so.
She thought about it for a long time, her head practically burning from thinking, but she still couldn't figure it out.
Looking up, she saw that Matchmaker Zhao had already walked up to her, and she couldn't help but greet her, "Oh~~ isn't this Sister Zhao? What brings you to our village?"
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