Chapter 19 - 0: Ruozhu’s Ingenious Plan
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Lin Ping'er and Bai Yihong were discussing something in the main hall. As soon as they saw Bai Ruozhu coming in, they immediately stopped. However, Bai Ruozhu noticed that Lin Ping'er looked upset, as if she was angry with someone.
"Dad, what's wrong with mum? Did you upset her again?" Bai Ruozhu asked cheerfully. She was hoping to see her parents flirt and banter a little. After all, both of them were in their thirties, but not yet forty, which, in modern times, is still a prime age for a romantic relationship.
Bai Yihong looked innocent. "What does it have to do with me? I wouldn't dare to make your mother angry."
Bai Ruozhu laughed heartier. She learned something new - her dad was under the thumb of her mother.
"Don't worry Ruozhu, just take care of your pregnancy." Lin Ping'er said, managing a smile.
Bai Ruozhu was even more suspicious now. Her mother has a frank personality and cannot hide even the slightest of things, always wearing it on her face.
She grabbed Lin Ping'er's arm and waved it, acting a little spoiled. "Mum, I've been feeling heavier and more curious lately. If you don't tell me, I'll start worrying and might even lose sleep. The baby won't be at ease either. Oh, this won't be good at all."
Lin Ping'er looked at Bai Ruozhu with a hint of displeasure. "Mum doesn't want you to worry over unnecessary things. I'm afraid it'll upset you."
Bai Ruozhu perked up. "It does seem like something happened. Moreover, it seems to concern me. I have to know it clearly."
Seeing Bai Ruozhu's persistent attitude, Lin Ping'er helpless, exchanged a glance with Bai Yihong before she said, "It's about the incident where Village Chief ordered Liu San's wife to compensate you with silver."
Bai Ruozhu's eyes swirled. "Has the Liu family not yet sent the silver?"
Lin Ping'er nodded. "Your father and I were thinking, why not just forget it? We are not in desperate need of it now. It seems pointless to stir up trouble with them, which might disrupt our lives."
Bai Ruozhu disagreed. She was a true Taurus woman, who wouldn't miss the chance to pluck every feather off a passing goose. Could she just give up on what's hers, just like that?
"No way!" exclaimed Bai Ruozhu. But she was taken aback when she noticed the surprised looks on her parent's faces. She was reminded of how indifferent she used to be about worldly affairs and money in the past.
She quickly thought of an explanation: "If forsaking the silver could rid us of trouble, then I would be most pleased. But, have you considered if they would think it's because we are easy to bully? Will they bring us more trouble in the future?"
Bai Yihong frowned, "If we stop arguing with them, they shouldn't, I suppose?"
However, Lin Ping'er saw things more clearly. "I'm not so sure. If we were demanding that day and not pursuing it now, they won't think it's because we no longer need the silver. Instead, they will think they have gotten away with it. Ruozhu does have a point. Liu San's wife is no pushover."
"Exactly, our original intention was to teach them a lesson by having them compensate with silver for their misdeeds and be more honest in the future. Now if they didn't have to pay anything, how would they learn their lesson?" Bai Ruozhu was pleased that her mother was quick to understand. She gave her mother an approving look. Her mother's phrase, "gotten away with it" was right on target, making her burst out laughing.
"Shall we really start a dispute with the Liu family? They are rather good at wrigging out of responsibility." Bai Yihong said rubbing his forehead.
Bai Ruozhu contemplated for a moment. She had a good plan in mind.
"Dad, you should do it this way." Bai Ruozhu started speaking in a low voice.
...
Shortly after lunch, Bai Yihong paid a visit to the Village Chief's house.
Village Chief Wang Shugen's eyelids twitched when he saw Bai Yihong. Was there another problem? He was getting old and wanted to live in peace. Why were these young ones always stirring up trouble?
"Yihong, what brings you here so early?" The Village Chief asked in a friendly manner, pretending to be unaware of anything.
Bai Yihong thought about his daughter's instructions. He smiled, saluted the Village Chief, and then said, "It's nothing serious. It's just that my wife and I were thinking that it's better to resolve disputes than to let them linger. We see the Liu family every day, we don't need to make things so tense with them."
The Village Chief nodded approvingly. The Bai family, being a scholar family, were reasonable even if this second son hadn't attended school.
"So we thought, don't bother about half the money that the Liu family should repay us." Bai Yihong continued.
The Village Chief fumed internally. It turned out that the Liu family hadn't paid the money yet. His words obviously didn't carry much weight.
"You had mentioned earlier about setting up a school in the village. Hence, I suggest donating this silver to the village school. When the time comes, it won't be considered as us donating, but Liu family's good deeds should be recognized, setting an example for the rest of the villagers to contribute towards the school establishment. It could also ease our conflicts with the Liu family. What do you think?" Bai Yihong repeated his daughter's words verbatim.
The Village Chief's eyes sparkled upon hearing this, and he hit his thigh in admiration. "Your idea is great. Being able to contribute to the village school, the Liu family should thank you too."
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He had been worrying about the budget for the village school. Bai Yihong's suggestion came as a boon. If someone took the lead, certainly many families in the village would follow suit and donate money. Why worry about setting up a school then? If he could manage to set up the school during his lifetime, he could face his ancestors with pride.
"Originally, I had intended to contribute some silver, but as you know the condition of my family, It made me reconsider using that silver to do some good instead. My carpentry skills with Zehao, are not bad. We will make some desks and chairs for the school during our leisure time."
In fact, the Bai family had initially intended to donate more money. Especially Bai Yihong, who had always regretted not being able to study in his early years, was especially keen on the establishment of a school in the village. He was too old to attend now, but he had grandchildren who could benefit. After discussing with a few people, they were worried that suddenly donating money would attract unwanted attention to the old mansion, hence they decided to offer their help instead. Helping to make a few sets of tables and chairs was also a good thing. Otherwise, the village would have to buy them, which would cost money.
The Village Chief slapped his thigh hard again, this time even harder than before, showing how exhilarated he was.
"Yihong, your idea is good. I thank you on behalf of the villagers." The excited Village Chief held Bai Yihong's hand tightly, praised the Bai family for a long time, after which with great resolution he said: "Leave this to me. I'll talk to the Liu family. It's a good deed for them. They will certainly be willing."
The two chatted for a little while longer, mainly about the Village Chief inquiring Bai Yihong's suggestions on the establishment of the village school. Normally, such matters wouldn't have brought Bai Yihong into the equation. The Village Chief and the respected elders would discuss it, and at most, a few wealthy household heads would participate. Bai Yihong hadn't expected his daughter's idea to bring him such respect.
In the end, both left the Village Chief's house together. Bai Yihong excused himself and left, while the Village Chief hurried towards the Liu family's house.
Some villagers noticed the Village Chief holding Bai Yihong's hand, seemingly very intimate with him, out of curiosity they asked: "Yihong, what were you doing at the Village Chief's house?"
At that moment, Bai Yihong was wearing an expression full of joy. He began to tell the story as Bai Ruozhu had instructed him to...
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