Chapter 90
Chapter 90 – Improper Methods (不正当的途径)
This small town had straightforward customs. If Qiao Weimin really was only disciplining his children, other people would find nothing wrong with it. However, when things started to develop into mistreatment, almost no one could understand his actions.
Even though they were not related by blood, but how old was this young girl? How could he bear to raise his hands on her?
“Old Qiao ah, this is where you’re in the wrong. What if the girl’s biological parents come looking for you? How would you explain yourself to them then?” Someone asked him resentfully.
If it had been their daughters that were being treated like maidservants since they were young, they would demand justice even if they had to risk their old lives for it. One might say that one’s gratitude towards their parents for nurturing them should be larger than the skies, but with Qiao Weimin’s behaviour, how could one call that nurturing?
Qiao Weimin never thought that Jing Yunzhao’s mouth would be this detrimental. With just a few sentences, she could damage the surrounding bystanders’ opinion of him. Suddenly changing the topic, he said, “Don’t listen to this brat speak rubbish. Why would I even touch her if she was sensible? Also, this fifteen-year-old girl can take out two hundred thousand yuan with just a wave of her hand. If this money wasn’t stolen then it was definitely earned through improper methods!”
Two hundred thousand. The revenue from the small factory that he and his partners operated was not bad. Alas, even after splitting the money, his yearly portion of it would still not reach that amount.
Jing Yunzhao did not continue talking and rummaged through her bag.
Using her willpower, she took a root of ginseng out of her space. “Since you’ve slandered me, I don’t mind explaining things clearly. This wild ginseng is something I came across by accident and I dug it out. The other one has already been sold. This two hundred thousand is the money that I got from selling it. You can go to any TCM pharmacy and ask around about how valuable this kind of wild ginseng, with its quality worth its weight in gold, is. Whether I’m lying or not, you will be able to understand clearly then.”
Jing Yunzhao was explaining this so as to avoid getting into similar situations in the future.
This blue and white porcelain jar is quite valuable. If there comes a day where the truth of the jar gets exposed like in her past life, then there would definitely be suspicion as to how a kid like her got the money to buy it. Rather than waiting for that to happen and allowing people to add oil to vinegar and recklessly spreading rumours, why not clarify the money first.
(T/N: Adding oil to vinegar – in Chinese, jealousy and vinegar share the same pronunciation, therefore ‘vinegar’; as for adding oil, it also has the meaning of fanning the waves and increasing the severity)
Ning Xiang Town also had a barren mountain range nearby. Many years ago, there was a legend that someone had found ginseng from there. Thus, her reason could not be any more timely.
(T/N: Original text states that Ning Xiang Town had a preposterous mountain range because people found wild ginseng when it was supposed to be barren if anyone has better suggestions for the translation so that the meaning doesn’t get lost please tell us?)
The moment it was taken out, everyone who saw the wild ginseng could immediately be recognized it as the genuine article. Their eyes became transfixed with the treasure, this is especially so for Qiao Weimin. He subconsciously reached out his hand, but it was a pity for him as Jing Yunzhao stuffed the item back into her bag in a flash.
“Uncle, now can you accept the money with assurance in your heart?” Jing Yunzhao turned and asked Old Li, not acknowledging Qiao Weimin at all.
Old Li nodded his head profusely, “Little girl, a million thanks. I don’t know about the origins of this porcelain jar at all, but just thinking that it could be fake…”
After he spoke, he stole a glance at Qiao Weimin and anxiously rushed towards the bank with the money. There were a lot of people hanging around here, it would not be good if the money was stolen.
Since Jing Yunzhao had acquired the item she came for, she too would not linger around. So she left hugging the large porcelain jar.
“Daughter!” Qiao Weimin blocked her way with a large stride. “Since you’re already here, why not come home for a meal?”
His shallow smile caused Jing Yunzhao to feel nauseous. “We’ve already interacted with each other for so many years, how would I not understand your malicious intentions? You want the old ginseng. If you wanted money you should just say so straightforwardly, who are you play-acting for? Do you think I’m so dumb to actually believe that you would really want to treat me well?”
In her past life, if it were not for the fact that he did not behave like a responsible adult at all and tried to get fresh with her, eventually forcing her to submit, she wouldn’t have been able to head to the point where she had unintentionally killed him.
At this moment, Qiao Weimin was in close proximity of Jing Yunzhao, he only felt a scent of medical herbs coming from her. Looking at the pure figure in front of him, he momentarily zoned out.
Jing Yunzhao was enveloped with rage. She was more than familiar with the vulgar and wretched look that Qiao Weimin had right now.
“Get lost!” Her ice cold voice resounded. Within the pupils of her eyes burst forth a wave of frigid chilliness, as if she wanted to kill the man in front of her once more.