Chapter 220: Not Stooping to Their Level
Chapter 220 -212: Not Stooping to Their Level
The village chief said, “Boss Zhao, this house belongs to Zhao Lan and Bai Zhi. They have the property deed. Hiring these outsiders to work was their decision. Whether or not to hire you for this job is up to Song Gong and his team. I don’t get a say, and neither do you. Understand?”
Boss Zhao grew desperate. “Village Chief, you can’t take the side of outsiders! You’re well aware of our families’ situations. We finally have a chance to earn some money. How can you stand up for outsiders instead of helping your own people?”
The moment Boss Zhao finished speaking, others immediately voiced their agreement.
The village chief swept a cold gaze over them, glaring. “Agree with what? Have you ever thought about why Song Gong is willing to hire Wu Jiang and Li Cheng, but not any of you? When other people were toiling and suffering, what did you do besides mock and sneer? Now that you see them getting a good thing, you’re all here, green with envy. What’s that about? Does someone owe you a living? I still haven’t settled the score with you for cornering Hu Changlin and forcing him to sell you rice at a low price. And here you are, after barely two days of quiet, stirring up this nonsense again. Do I need to have someone fetch the Lords from the government office before you’ll finally back down?”
Seeing the village chief’s genuine anger and his mention of the Lords from the government office, they were instantly reminded of Bai Zhi’s close relationship with Lord Meng. If the Lords were truly summoned, things would definitely not end well for them.
Just as they were about to disperse, Bai Zhi and Hu Feng arrived pushing a wheelbarrow. A large wooden tub sat in the wheelbarrow, covered by a small, thin cotton quilt.
Even with the quilt covering it, a fragrant aroma wafted out from the tub in waves, making them gulp down their saliva.
Bai Zhi and Hu Feng couldn’t be bothered with these gluttonous and lazy troublemakers. They pushed the wheelbarrow right up to the village chief. Bai Zhi grinned at him. “Thank you for seeing justice done, Village Chief. If you hadn’t come, I was genuinely planning to go to town and ask Lord Meng to step in. Since you’ve handled it, I’ll defer to you this time and won’t press the matter of them delaying our work schedule.”
The village chief chuckled. “We’re all from the same village, and it wasn’t anything major. Just be the bigger person and don’t stoop to their level.”
Bai Zhi nodded with a smile and gave the village chief a playful wink. He returned a knowing smile.
“Since Uncle Village Chief has said as much, of course I won’t stoop to their level. However, I don’t want this to happen again. Otherwise, I can promise I won’t let it slide so easily next time.”
With that, she turned and lifted the thin quilt from the wooden tub. A cloud of hot steam billowed out.
There were two wooden tubs. One held white-flour steamed buns, the other thick white congee, and there was a large basin of side dishes as well. Although the food was simple, its aroma was mouthwateringly fragrant.
Bai Zhi called out to Song Gong, “Uncle Song, it’s getting late. Let’s just have lunch now and work after. We already lost the morning, so you might as well eat right here and get started as soon as you’re done.”
Song Gong nodded repeatedly. “Good, good. Let’s do that.” He turned and called the workers over to eat.
Each person got a large bowl of congee and two steamed buns, and they could help themselves to the side dishes.
The villagers who hadn’t yet dispersed saw this meal and thought of the watery soups and wild greens they ate at home. The difference in treatment was truly night and day.
Wu Jiang and Li Cheng, on the other hand, were a little embarrassed and hesitant to get any food.
Noticing this, Song Gong asked, “Aren’t you two eating?”
Wu Jiang and Li Cheng glanced at each other, swallowing as they insisted they weren’t hungry.