Chapter 204: Husband and Wife Team Up, Fighting without Fatigue
When the old woman went to the stall just now, Bai Yihong deliberately hid. Hence, she had no idea who Bai Yihong was and was caught off guard. She began to consider whether she might take advantage of the situation and try to extort him.
"Oh, dear, my back is injured. I don’t know how long it will take to recover. I am responsible for the whole family’s livelihood, what should we do now?" She sat on the ground and started crying.
Initially, Bai Yihong was frightened. As an honest man, he was afraid that he had genuinely injured the old woman. But upon noticing the cunning look in her eyes, he scolded himself for his naivety. Dealing secretly with the Wang family, this woman was no saint and he almost fell for her tricks.
"Sister-in-law, I am sorry. How about... how about I compensate you for your medical expenses?" Bai Yihong pretended to be scared. His real-life honesty even gave people the impression of an unsuspecting innocent lamb.
The old woman was delighted, but she did not respond, and kept moaning in pain.
With no other choice, Bai Yihong took out a few coins from his pocket. When he counted them, there were only seven copper coins. He said embarrassingly, "I don’t have any money on me. Let’s give you these first, and I’ll have my wife bring you some more tomorrow." He thought for a while, and then said, "I can send you an additional thirty coins, is that okay?"
The old woman glared at him, "Thirty coins? That’s not even enough to buy medicine. Besides, who knows if you’ll run away?"
Bai Yihong scratched his head and said, "I do business in town. If my wife doesn’t bring you the money tomorrow, feel free to let your people find me in the town and I’ll take the punishment at the County Government Office."
People in those times held a deep fear of government offices, and even more so, of getting flogged. As Bai Yihong spoke with grave sincerity, the old woman began to relent, and the onlookers also persuaded her, saying, "He seems like an honest person; he will surely bring the money to you."
"Fine, but it has to be fifty coins, otherwise I won’t even be able to afford the doctor!" The old woman haggled.
Some onlookers were disapproving, accusing the old woman of exploiting the situation and taking advantage of Bai Yihong’s earnestness.
However, Bai Yihong just scratched his head and said, "Okay, it was my own carelessness that led to this situation. Tell me where you live, and I’ll have my wife deliver the money to you tomorrow."
The old woman was very pleased and, without any precautions, said, "I live in Lin’an Village, which is close to town. If you ask for the Niu family’s house, someone will give you directions."
"The Niu family in Lin’an Village, got it, I will remember." Bai Yihong remembered it well.
Only then did the old woman manage to get up and walk away, still clutching her waist. Bai Yihong returned to the west courtyard with a big pot of bone broth and reopened his stall.
When Bai Ruozhu saw her father nodding slightly at her, she knew the plan had worked, and the old woman had taken the bait. But with the presence of the Wang family and Bai Ruolan, they couldn’t say anything openly.
In the afternoon, Lin Ping’er asked Bai Ruozhu to go home and rest with the child. Upon hearing this, Wang’s family spoke with malice, "Wow, your Ruozhu is really treated like a princess, more delicate even than a young lady from a wealthy family. She even naps in the afternoon. How do you expect to make money like this?"
At this moment, Lin Ping’er no longer wanted to be polite to her. "Yes, I am spoiling my daughter. If you are not comfortable with it, go back and rest, don’t just stand here."
Bai Ruozhu almost burst out laughing. Her mother didn’t want to wait any longer, she must have been fed up with the Wang family, not wanting to put up with them any longer.
Wang’s family was stunned. She thought that the second room was somewhat afraid, fearing that she would make a fuss, or that the old master would never stop. But to her surprise, they turned their backs on her unexpectedly.
"You think I want to stay here? I’ve been busy with Ruolan all morning without having a meal. I’m going to tell the old master when I go back!" She then arrogantly pulled Bai Ruolan, ready to walk away.
Generally, food traders don’t have lunch at noon because it’s the busiest time of the day. They don’t have time to eat a meal. Bai Ruozhu’s family always waited until the afternoon when there were fewer people to make a few hand pies to eat. Hearing Wang’s family’s words, it was clear they were impatient.
Seeing this, Fusa from the neighbouring stall couldn’t help but say, "We haven’t eaten either. Doing business has so many requirements... Who do you think you are, a lady coming to enjoy luxury?"
Wang’s family glared back, "You cheap woman, you’re out here seducing men just because you’re pretty. Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Aunt, watch your words!" Bai Ruozhu shouted. Wang’s words were too insulting. Fusa was indeed beautiful and was widely known as the tofu beauty, but she was very chaste and had a great relationship with her husband Lin Laifu.
Fusa exploded immediately, "I’ll show you what happens when you’re mean. I’ll kill you!"
Fusa rushed over, grabbed Wang’s hair, and prepared to slap her. Wang tried to fight back, but Lin Laifu rushed over and held her back. She was unable to defend herself and could only endure Fusa’s attack.
"You two are bullying people! You, a man, hitting a woman, what kind of bravery is that!" Wang shrieked as she was hit, and started cursing Laifu.’
"I don’t hit women, but no one can hit my wife! You deserve it because of your nasty mouth!" Lin Laifu’s voice was loud and his words were brief but commanding.
Fusa was quite furious, and she had already slapped Wang four times. Wang’s cheeks were swollen in no time.
Bai Ruolan rushed over to hit Fusa, but Fusa easily pushed her aside, causing her to fall.
There weren’t many people eating at this moment, but when the fight started, people immediately came to watch the excitement. Those who knew the situation started egging Fusa on, saying, "That woman deserved it. She has a nasty mouth and wanted to tarnish Lin’s wife’s reputation. It’s no wonder Laifu helped his wife beat her."
"Well done, she deserves it!" Someone echoed.
Watching the scene made Bai Ruozhu’s blood boil. She also wanted to join in and give Wang a few blows, but Wang was her elder, so she didn’t feel it was her place to get involved. All she could do was watch and sigh.
Lin Ping’er was secretly cheering, but seeing Wang’s swollen face, she gave Bai Ruozhu a small signal and whispered, "Let’s go and try to stop them. If they cause trouble, it will be bad for the Lin family."
Bai Ruozhu knew that Fusa had offended Wang for her sake and didn’t want Fusa to get into any trouble. She quickly walked over and pulled Fusa away, saying, "Sister-in-law, forget it. My aunt doesn’t speak well, I will apologize for her. Please stop hitting."
Fusa had also tired of hitting Wang, and taking Bai Ruozhu’s advice, she stopped the beating. Then she said angrily, "I am sparing you for Ruozhu’s sake. Otherwise, forgiveness wouldn’t come so easily!"