CHAPTER 167: 166: PICKING FAULTS (FIFTH UPDATE)

Ye Ling didn’t speak, just looked at him.

Zhao Guodong’s arrogance subsided. He looked at Ye Ling with unwillingness but dared not say anything more. Wang Ping glanced at the two of them and directly helped tidy up the table. Zhang Linong looked at the two, and then sighed.

"I think we should follow Ye Ling’s suggestion. Superstition is something that really boosts people’s spirits. After all, there are not many of us. In a village full of people, a wise man knows better than to lose out now. Let’s not leave Ye Ling alone at home these days. Let’s all go in pairs so none of us are left alone." Zhang Linong looked at Zhao Guodong, waiting for him to agree before finally relaxing, "It’s late, let’s sleep."

Ye Ling also didn’t dare to go out at night anymore. Before it got completely dark, she asked a few people to stand at the door while she went to the west side of the house to use the toilet. Only then did the others return to the house and lock the door.

Lying on the kang, Ye Ling laughed, "Aren’t we overreacting? They can’t be after both our fortune and our lives, can they?"

"I think so too." Zhao Guodong lay on the kang, feeling reassured, "I’ve never felt so at ease. After the New Year, I have to study hard when I get back."

Wang Ping turned over, "We haven’t counted today’s money yet."

"No matter how much money it is, it’s not our share. Look at what we eat every day; we can’t even afford to buy grain." Two big bowls of noodles for a meal—who can afford that every day?

Wang Ping didn’t feel disappointed. He smiled, "Being able to eat noodles every day is fine even without dividing the money."

Ye Ling laughed, "I guess it’s more than ten bucks. We’ll see if anyone’s going to town tomorrow. Since we’re spending the New Year here, and not just for a few days, we need to buy more things to prepare, like New Year’s goods. Buy some meat, a chicken, and some eggs. It’s not like being in the army."

"I think it’s better than being in the army now." Zhao Guodong felt that these past two days had been really fulfilling, "If we could make this much money every day, wouldn’t we earn hundreds of bucks when we return to the city?"

"This is just the first day. If the villagers see that we’re doing well, they will do the same, and with competition, it won’t be so easy to make money, but we can certainly earn at least tens of bucks." Ye Ling just felt hopeful. For the past half year, she had been saving money on food, yet besides spending on books and pens, she had spent over thirty yuan. Now Ye Ling had more than fifty yuan left after buying some flour, plus fifteen yuan from farming. She spent a few more bucks recently, so altogether she had just over sixty yuan. If high school were to change to a three-year system, she’d need an extra year of expenses, not to mention college fees. Ye Ling planned to earn as much as she could.

That night, Zhao Guodong and Wang Ping probably got tired from the day’s work and fell asleep soon. Ye Ling initially didn’t feel sleepy, but with a peaceful mind, she soon fell asleep too.

The next morning, again it was Zhang Linong and his group who got up early to heat the house. Ye Ling increasingly appreciated the benefits of having friends, but before she could smile for long, Wang Changjiang and Si Jun arrived, representing the villagers’ opinions.

"Lingzi, it’s not that Uncle is making things difficult for you. Now, doing small business like this has a bad influence. It makes the villagers feel unstable and could disrupt their peace of mind. You’d better stop your business. Besides, having three classmates staying at your home isn’t good. Let’s discuss sending a telegram to your dad to ask him to come back." Wang Changjiang spoke with earnestness.

Is this a threat?

Do they want her to bow her head?

Ye Ling smiled faintly, "Uncle Wang, when I wasn’t home, didn’t the villagers also go to the station to sell things? You didn’t stop them, did you? So why does a kid doing business make the villagers feel unstable? Is it because they are jealous that I am making money by selling my goods? Or do they feel I am harming them by selling food? What face did I let them lose by selling my goods?"

Regardless of how unpleasant Wang Changjiang’s expression was, Ye Ling continued, "As for my classmates staying here, my dad knows about it. We haven’t done anything improper, so what’s the bad influence? I don’t know what bad influence Uncle Wang is talking about. It’s better to explain it now while we’re all here. Sending a telegram to my dad would be even better; it’ll let him know I’m home, so he doesn’t have to worry. But my dad can’t come back for the New Year. He might visit after the New Year if he has time. Uncle Wang, it’s better to directly include whatever you want to say in the telegram to my dad."

"Lingzi, you’re very eloquent. Uncle knows he can’t out-talk you. Besides, arguing with a kid would make it look like I’m bullying you. Do you know how doing business now will affect your future? Look at what kind of people do business. You’re studying now, hoping for a better future, so don’t let this affect you. I’m advising you for your own good. Whether you make money in business or not, what are the villagers jealous of? They’re just afraid that something might happen and give our village a bad reputation." Wang Changjiang, who always knew Ye Ling was sharp-tongued, was still infuriated.

Zhao Guodong forcefully shook off Zhang Linong’s hand, "You’re the captain, right? How can you, as the captain, watch them ignoring human life like that? Since you want to send a telegram, I want to tell my dad about this matter too. You’re taking lives."

Zhang Linong hurriedly added, "Regardless of whether you saved people or not, that method is wrong."

He exchanged glances with Zhao Guodong.

Wang Changjiang and Si Jun’s expressions changed. Although the villagers didn’t say anything explicit about Zhang Juanzi’s death, everyone was well aware of what happened. But people are like this—when guilty about something, they tend to avoid facing it. So, being directly accused of taking lives would certainly make one’s expression change.

Although Ye Ling thought the same, she knew she shouldn’t say it now. If Wang Changjiang responded harshly and got all the villagers to stir up trouble, they’d be the ones suffering.

"Dear children, how could anyone dare to take a life on a bright day? It was the Zhang Family’s own decision. How could outsiders intervene? Even Ye Ling went to stop it yesterday and got scolded away." Si Jun immediately took over the conversation, "You’re city kids and don’t understand some things. Zhang Juanzi was already in poor health, and it wasn’t good to struggle, so they put her in the coffin first."

Ye Ling picked up the conversation, "We can’t meddle in the Zhang Family’s matters. As for our business, if Uncle Wang wants to send a telegram to my family, go ahead. If my dad says not to do it, then I won’t."

"So you’re not listening to advice?" Wang Changjiang felt he had lost face.

Ye Ling sneered coldly, "Whatever Uncle Wang said yesterday at the Zhang Family’s place, my attitude is the same now." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)