Chapter 183: A Rational Person
"We are used to being together as a family, would you bear being apart from us?" Bai Ruozhu gave a beaming look to her elder brother. He seemed to have grown taller, but he was still so thin, thin enough to make people worried.
Bai Zepei’s eyes lit up, his whole body seemed to be infused with vigor. His younger sister had touched his heart. He indeed didn’t want to leave his family, which was why when Mr. Xie asked when he planned to go to the Study Palace, he had said he wanted to wait until after the New Year.
At this point, once a student passed the Child Student Exam to become a Scholar, he could attend the Study Palace right away or, alternatively, wait until after the New Year. However, generally, to learn as much as possible, the students often chose to go to the study palace as soon as possible.
Bai Zepei also wanted to go earlier. He too yearned for more knowledge, and foresaw that a good School Residence would open his horizon. However, he was not only reluctant to leave his family, but he also fretted about them, the ongoing complications at the old mansion being particularly distressing.
"I’ve been wanting to leave the village for a long time. The sky allows the bird to fly, the ocean allows the fish to swim. Staying here all the time is too boring. I just didn’t speak out, afraid that mom and dad couldn’t handle it. Mostly they would worry that the family’s expenses would not be covered without my contribution if I left the city. Therefore, when the business grows, we should be constantly encouraging mom and dad, and their mindset will gradually change." Bai Ruozhu said carelessly, chuckling on her face, as if she had already seen the beautiful future. Her radiant smile left Bai Zepei stunned.
"The sky allows the bird to fly, the ocean allows the fish to swim..." Bai Zepei murmured, repeating Bai Ruozhu’s words. It seemed he was also longing for the outside world, driven by Bai Ruozhu’s descriptions. The teacher had also said, ’read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles’. He was eager to go out and take a look for himself too.
Bai Ruozhu, knowing that Zepei had more clarity now, continued, "So, your priority is to study diligently with Mr. Xie. Once you pass the exam and get promoted, won’t that make you more capable of protecting us? It’s just a year’s time, then everything will be great. Isn’t this a worthwhile trade?"
Bai Zepei nodded his head, "I was just stuck in my old mindset. But even if I don’t go with you to sell in the market every day, I need to help you push the cart to the town in the morning, as I have to go to Mr. Xie’s anyway."
Bai Ruozhu knew he wouldn’t miss a chance to help, so she nodded and said, "That sounds like a plan. With you and big brother helping out, I will not have to carry anything, which is easier."
Seeing the gleaming smile on Bai Ruozhu’s face, Bai Zepei felt a pang of distress, "Don’t overdo it. When you’re tired, rest for a few days. Even if it means not doing business, you can’t exhaust your body."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, smilingly she said, "After a few days, we will move to the town, that way we won’t get too tired."
Bai Zepei looked at her abruptly, asking, "So soon? What is your plan?"
"You’ll see." Bai Ruozhu said and gave him a mysterious smile, indicating that she had everything under control.
Bai Zepei shook his head helplessly. His sister seemed more determined and assertive now than ever. He could only wait and see.
The two picked up some firewood down the mountain. People they met on the road greeted Bai Zepei, "Zepei, are you still picking up firewood? Your uncle certainly doesn’t do this."
With a polite smile on his face, Bai Zepei said, "I can only do some lighter work to help the family now, it’s big brother and my younger sister who work so hard on the weekdays."
Bai Ruozhu chuckled; her elder brother was really a dark horse. When people said Bai Yibo didn’t pick up firewood, he just said it was light work, implying that Bai Yibo was too lazy to even do easy tasks.
When they reached their doorstep, Bai Ruozhu didn’t go in but said she was going to the Zhou Family to check on the condition of Zhou Taohua’s wound. She felt obligated to follow up on those she had treated.
She went to the Zhou Family and knocked on the door. The person who responded to the door was Zhou Deshun’s wife. Upon seeing her, she warmly welcomed her into the room and asked, "Are you here to see Taohua? She has improved a lot. Please have a seat, I will pour you a glass of water."
After drinking the warm water sweetened with sugar, Bai Ruozhu told Zhou Deshun’s wife, "Thank you, Auntie. I have other chores at home, and we plan to set up a stall in town tomorrow to sell some food. I just wanted to check on Taohua’s condition."
Zhou Deshun’s wife grinned, "That’s a brilliant prospect. Your skill will undoubtedly attract substantial footfall. Though it translates into a lot of work for you."
"It’s not tiresome at all, my parents and brother dote on me," said Bai Ruozhu, with a slight smile.
Zhou Deshun’s wife also laughed, Bai Yihong’s family indeed adored Bai Ruozhu. Then again, Bai Ruozhu being so sensible and capable, if she were her daughter, she would have been extremely protective too.
"I will call Taohua for you, she can now move around, though a little bit slowly, and is still experiencing some pain," Zhou Deshun’s wife started to rise, Bai Ruozhu quickly stopped her and said, "She hasn’t fully recovered yet. I will go check on her, there is no need to make her move around more."
"Okay, I will lead you to her," Zhou Deshun’s wife took Bai Ruozhu to Zhou Taohua’s room, knocked on the door, and luckily, Taohua’s mother was in and opened the door.
The moment Taohua’s mother saw Bai Ruozhu, her face changed; she neither looked normal nor welcoming. Standing at the door and preventing Bai Ruozhu from entering, she lowered her head a bit and said, "Taohua is asleep, she has almost recovered, so there’s no need for you to check on her, Bai Ruozhu."
Bai Ruozhu, being a perceptive individual, noticed the unwelcoming behavior. She smiled faintly and said, "If she’s fine, then it’s good. I should get going." She didn’t consider Zhou Taohua a close friend, so the extent of their interaction didn’t matter to her. Likewise, Taohua’s mother’s attitude couldn’t affect her mood.
Zhou Deshun’s wife shot a glare at her sister-in-law; she was infuriated. What was with her attitude? Bai Ruozhu saved Taohua, and this was her mode of gratitude? She didn’t have time to reprimand her sister-in-law as she hurried after Bai Ruozhu, who had already turned to leave.
"Bai Ruozhu, don’t take this to heart. Taohua’s mother isn’t exactly known for her judgment," Zhou Deshun’s wife said with some anger, "You saved her daughter Taohua, and this is how she repays you? It’s fortunate that you are so tolerant. If it were me, I would have given her a piece of my mind."
Bai Ruozhu smiled faintly and told Zhou Deshun’s wife, "Auntie, don’t you worry either, don’t let this affect your relationship with your sister-in-law. Taohua’s mother might have heard rumours in the village, and doesn’t want me to interact too much with Taohua. She’s after all just looking out for her daughter, there’s nothing wrong with that."
"What bullshit are those rumours? I can’t even stand to listen to them!" Zhou Deshun’s wife blurted out in anger, "If anything, it’s Guizhi’s mother who unfortunately has a wicked heart. You saved Guizhi, would they rather you let her get beaten to death by that old widower? As long as people are alive, there is hope. Even slavery could be redeemed. From what I’ve seen, the Xie Family is very charitable, who knows, Guizhi might be living a better life there than at home."
Bai Ruozhu chuckled; she liked Zhou Deshun’s wife even more now. This was truly someone who understands the pulse of things.