Chapter 54: Gentle Wind, Son Paying Father’s Debt
Ning Shaoqing was as calm as gentle wind.
The head’s heart was boiling.
historical
Wang Yushan sweat like a pig.
The place was in such silence that the drop of a needle onto the ground was audible. Everyone had their hearts in the throat.
If Wang Yushan was really expelled from the clan, then life meant nothing for him. There would be no point in fighting for anything, because he wouldn’t never look others in the eye and his descendants would suffer generation after generation.
Although Wang Yushan was an unfilial son, he was clever to read the air after doing business in the city for so many years. He burst into crying at once, “Head, elders, I acted on impulse. Now please be my witnesses. I’m begging for forgiveness and please accept my apology. I got stupid by the blowing up of the firecrackers.”
With tears on his face, he squared his shoulders and raised three fingers to the sky, “I swear to heaven that I didn’t mean disrespect.”
The village head was touched by him. Seeing that, Wang Yushan felt a little rested and continued to sob and explain.
“Head, don’t take me wrong. My father himself didn’t want to go to city with me. I guess you all know this. And, when he passed away, I was really too busy to spare a moment, but I pay for the coffin. As for the memorial tablet, I have one at my house and I often offer incense...”
“He paid for the coffin? Hem, but for the fellow villagers went to find him at his shop and he worried this would affect his business, he wouldn’t give the money for the coffin...”
“What a bad man...he should be expelled...”
Discussion started again among the crowd.
Listening to the discussion, Wang Yushan felt a surge of trembling in his heart and began to sweat again. The village head made no comments, so he instantly grabbed his son standing numbly next to him.
Only then did the son know how serious the situation was, and he kneeled down too, saying, “Yes, yes. Head. Our whole finally offer incense to grandma and grandpa.”
The village head pulled his face long and remained silent. In fact, he already had a plan. As long as Wang Yushan compromised and no longer stuck to gaining the house, he had a reason to forgive him, which would offend no one, save everyone’s face and please Mr. Ning.
Wang Yushan, a small businessman, also an expert in reading people’s face, felt a bit assured now.
Seeing that although the village head didn’t say anything, his expression got softer, Wang Yushan swiped the cold sweat and added, “We...we’re fellow villagers. Just now I was confused so I said a lot of craps. The recipe and occupying my house. Those were said with a confused mind. By the face of village head and my father’s title deed, I just sell the house to Ning at thirty taels of silver and I will never regret it!”
Anyway, he had come here and suffered such a big loss and almost been expelled out of the clan, he must try to get some benefits to report to his wife.
The village head enjoyed the flattering and also wanted to make it little, “Well. I was here when the old house was built. It took nearly twenty taels at that time. Now sell it to Ning at fifteen taels. What do you think, Mr. Ning?”
Saying that, he regarded intently at Ning Shaoqing with hopeful eyes. Even the corners of his eyes weren’t for Wang Yushan, let alone asking for his opinion.
Wang Yushan was scorned but he just nodded again and again, fearing that the village head would regret, forcing a smile, “Yes, that’s right. Fifteen taels is good.” Though it wasn’t too much, it would be better than nothing and being expelled out of the clan.
Without hesitation, Mo Qianxue took out her purse. Though she had to swallow the grievance, she felt satisfied to settle the problem with fifteen taels and get the house for a peaceful life ever since.
In addition, she didn’t wish to impress others as a tough woman. Only a month ago, she had driven one household out of the village. Now if another person was expelled out of the clan because of her, then for those who knew the whole story, they might sympathize her, but for those who didn’t, they would regard her as a horrible woman and try to avoid her.
Reputation was important! Around the village, she wanted to collect beans, hire workers and open a restaurant in the future. She needed them...
While contemplating, she already took out the silver and was about to throw it to the asshole to let him get away as quick as possible.
However, a long slim hand held that of hers.
Mo Qianxue raised her head, perplexed.
Ning Shaoqing didn’t look at her and still fixed his penetrating eyes on the village head, “This is supposed to be the domestic affair of Wang, as an outsider, I shouldn’t comment too much. But since head asked me, then I’d like to share my view.”
His wife’s money didn’t come easily. Why should she easily give money to such an asshole? Even if to spend money, it must be on worthwhile aspects.
Today, there was a foster son of old Wang coming out to ask for fifteen taels. What if tomorrow some other relatives like his nephew popped out again to ask for ten and the day after tomorrow...? If this continued, by then Ning Shaoqing was afraid that anyone would show up trying to get money from Mo Qianxue.
“It’s a truth that a son can inherit his father’s property. But since ancient times, there is another famous saying that a son should pay his father’s debt.”
“Building a house needed workers and sending for doctors and the funeral all needed money...the village had spent forty-five taels of silver. To calculate, the house worth fifteen, which was the property of the village. As for how to deal with the house, it will be up to the village. In addition, he still owes the village thirty taels. As to when he should pay back, certainly head and elders will discuss about it.”
All was shocked!
The crowd began to nod.
Mo Qianxue’s eyes were lit up. Ning Shaoqing’s words made great sense. Even if the village head wanted to forgive Wang Yushan, the fellow villagers wouldn’t. This time, the shameless asshole should not only give out the house but also needed to pay them!
What a fucking delight!
She must think more of her husband, who, under the clothes of gentleness, was in fact a cunning wolf.