Chapter 166: Chapter 166: It’s Not About Compensation
Translator: 549690339
“Alright, I understand, Dad. Don’t worry.”
Zhuang Yuanren nodded, then added: “It’s not appropriate to go empty-handed. Do we have any snacks at home that I could bring?”
Snacks?
Of course they didn’t have any. Ever since Zhuang Yuanren had gone to the prefecture town for his exams, the family’s finances had nearly run dry. They could only afford some relief when the wheat was harvested and sold.
Where could they find the money to buy snacks at a time like this?
“You should just bring some eggs. We have eggs at home. Eggs can be used anywhere; they are a good thing,” said Zhuang Ruman.
Mrs. Song sneered: “In my opinion, we shouldn’t even give those two little girls an egg. These eggs are kept to sell in town for Yuanren to fund his studies.”
They hardly ever got to eat eggs themselves. She felt a pang in her heart thinking about the time Zhuang Ruman took eggs to give to Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, and came back beaten black and blue because Zhuang Qinghe had eaten an egg.
“What would you know?”
Zhuang Ruman glanced at Mrs. Song: “You ignorant, good-for-nothing woman. Stop making a fool of yourself here. Go fetch Yuanren some eggs.”
Mrs. Song unwillingly dragged herself away.
“Don’t pick too few. Or it’ll be even more embarrassing,” Zhuang Ruman reminded her.
“I know,” Mrs. Song muttered in response, she picked up a small bamboo basket to collect eggs. She grabbed twelve eggs, felt it was too many, took four out, and left eight. She gave them to Zhuang Yuanren, who had already walked into the courtyard.
Looking at the few eggs, Zhuang Yuanren’s eyebrows knitted together: “Mom, isn’t this too few?”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Song replied, “These eight eggs weigh over a pound. They should be enough for several days. You’re just there to make an appearance and apologize. Having something in hand is enough. Taking too much would be a waste, especially when they’re given to those unappreciative wretches.”
Zhuang Yuanren’s frown deepened because of Mrs. Song’s explanation.
So much for caring about his future, it’s just lip service. When it boils down to it, a few eggs can’t even be spared.
Zhuang Yuanren didn’t want to argue with the unreasonable Mrs. Song, he simply accepted the bamboo basket: “Then, I am going now and will be back soon.”
“Alright then.” Mrs. Song followed Zhuang Yuanren to the gate, giving him a string of instructions: “Remember not to let those two little girls intimidate you with their attitudes. You’re an educated man, you’re far superior to their peasant status. You don’t need to be respectful to them, we can’t afford to lose our dignity…”
Arrogant and ignorant.
These four words surfaced in Zhuang Yuanren’s mind. Without responding, he grabbed the bamboo basket and walked out swiftly.
When he arrived at the door of Butcher Hua where Zhuang Qingning was living now, though the door was open, he knocked on it and asked loudly, “Is Little Sister Ning home?”
It was twilight, and Zhuang Qingning was preparing dinner.
She had bought a hilsa from the town. Zhuang Qingning thought that the fish had few bones, and Zhuang Qingsui could eat it without worrying too much. So, she planned to cook Tomato Hilsa for dinner.
She washed the cleaned fish in the courtyard. Hearing someone calling her at the door, she didn’t bother to put down the fish in her hand and went to check.
Seeing Zhuang Yuanren standing at the door, Zhuang Qingning blinked.
She had vague memories of this cousin from her previous life, but not many.
Due to their age difference and Zhuang Yuanren attending school from an early age, they didn’t play together or talk much.
After Zhuang Qingning’s parents’ death when they were fostered at Mrs. Song and Zhuang Ruman’s house, they saw each other more often, but only when Zhuang Yuanren came home from school.
Zhuang Yuanren had spoken out once or twice against Mrs. Song’s yelling and beatings, but she didn’t care and told him to mind his own business. After that, Zhuang Yuanren didn’t say anything and didn’t talk to Zhuang Qingning either.
As for this cousin, Zhuang Qingning didn’t dislike him like she did Zhuang Ruman, Mrs. Song, and Zhuang Qinghe, but she definitely didn’t like him either.
“Cousin, you’ve come,” said Zhuang Qingning, her tone indifferent.
“Yes, I just returned from school,” said Zhuang Yuanren, studying Zhuang Qingning as he spoke.
Zhuang Qingning had grown taller and whiter since the last time he saw her, she also seemed to have put on some weight. She was beginning to look like a proper young lady.
She was dressed in fine cloth, a green skirt, and a moon-white shirt, the cuffs rolled and embroidered at the collar. Her black hair was simply done up with a green silk ribbon.
The hilsa in her hand looked big and fat, probably weighing more than two pounds…
Zhuang Qingning’s life appeared to be good. It seemed that the tofu shop was doing well.
“Cousin, what brings you here? Is there something you need?” Zhuang Qingning spoke directly to Zhuang Yuanren, her tone slightly distant.
“It’s not anything important. I just came to check on you and Sister Sui.”
Regaining his composure, Zhuang Yuanren looked away from his previous scrutiny and said solemnly, “At the same time, I came to apologize to the both of you.”
“I usually study in the town and rarely come home. I don’t know much about the household matters. I didn’t expect my parents to be so cruel to you and Sister Sui, even targeting you both on several occasions.”
“Their actions were wrong. When I learned of this, 1 immediately lectured them, urging them not to trouble you two anymore.”
“Though my parents often act unreasonable and self-centered, I am the eldest son of the family. I’ve also had some success in my studies in recent years, so they are willing to listen to me. They should not make things difficult for you and Sister Sui anymore.”
“They were wrong before, and I am here to apologize to you on their behalf.”
Zhuang Yuanren pushed the bamboo basket forward: “I have been studying at school for a long time and have little money. These are the eggs we saved up at home in the last few days. I hope you will not despise them, Little Sister Ning and please accept them.”
Zhuang Qingning slightly lowered her eyelids, considering Zhuang Yuanren’s words.
After pondering for a moment, she said: “Since Cousin is here to apologize, it’s not right for me to chase you away.”
“However, as you said earlier, it was uncle and aunt who were in the wrong. Since it was their fault, it’s not you who should be apologizing. Cousin, you should go back.”
At her words, Zhuang Yuanren was momentarily taken aback..
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