Chapter 280 - 272: Renting a House
Chapter 280: Chapter 272: Renting a House
Years ago, when his second son left Huangtuo Village and moved his family to town, his eldest daughter-in-law began scheming for his monthly stipend. She had never dared to ask when the second son was still around. With two sons, if she had spoken up, the second would have naturally deserved a share. But after he left, she waited less than two days before demanding to take over the family finances and telling him to give all the money to her.
Of course, he refused. Though his second son had left the village, there was no telling when he might return. If he gave the entire stipend to her, how could he keep the peace between the brothers when his second son came back? It would surely lead to a fight.
Seeing he refused, his eldest daughter-in-law started giving the old couple the cold shoulder. Soon after, she built a separate house and moved in with the eldest son and their children. Apart from occasional visits from his eldest son and grandchildren, his daughter-in-law never came to see them again.
’Knowing his eldest daughter-in-law,’ he thought, ’if I really let A Wu’s family live here for free, that woman would surely cause a scene.’
Hu Changlin picked up the thread of conversation. "Zhi is the one who thought this through. It’s settled, then. A Wu is off helping at the construction site. I’ll tell him when he gets back, and they can move in today. That way, he won’t have to worry about his wife and kids without being able to be by their side."
Bai Zhi took a five-tael silver ingot from within her robes and placed it in the village chief’s palm. "Uncle Village Chief, this is for A Wu and his family’s rent and board. I’m sorry to trouble you, but please look after them."
The village chief felt the weight settle in his palm. Seeing the silver ingot, he quickly tried to refuse. "This is far too much. There’s no need for all this. Take it back, I can’t accept this."
Bai Zhi pushed his hand back. "Uncle Village Chief, I know you’re a good man and don’t care for worldly possessions. But I don’t want you, A Wu, or even myself to get into trouble over money. It’s just not worth it."
The village chief understood her meaning and sighed to himself. ’Zhi is so young, but she’s such a sensible girl, and so thoughtful. In the blink of an eye, she’s already considered every angle.’
He nodded. "Alright, I’ll accept it. If that wife of his comes knocking to ask questions, at least I’ll have a proper explanation."
And so, the matter was settled. When A Wu returned and learned what had happened, he and his family were so overjoyed they hugged each other and cried tears of joy.
"Miss Bai, your immense kindness to our Zhou Family... I... I’m truly..."
Bai Zhi waved her hand, cutting him off. "A Wu, I’m helping you because I expect you to be able to help me in return. I’m not doing this so you can spend all day feeling indebted to me. That’s all meaningless."
A Wu wiped the tears from his face and grinned. "Miss Bai, from this day on, your affairs are my affairs. I would go through fire and water for you, no questions asked!"
Bai Zhi laughed. "You shouldn’t say such things in front of your wife and kids. They’ll think I’m recruiting you to be a murderer and an arsonist."
A Wu scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "I was just speaking figuratively, that’s all."
Bai Zhi said, "Just settle down here in the village from now on. When I need someone to drive the cart, you can come help. When it’s time to work the fields, you can come along for that too. I’ll pay you wages for everything. It’ll certainly be more than you earned watching carts in town, won’t it?"
A Wu agreed profusely. He had never even dreamed something this good could happen. All he ever wanted was a stable life with food to eat and a roof over his head—that would have been enough. He never imagined that in the blink of an eye, that dream would come true.