Chapter 50 - 050 Why Don’t You Accept the Thank You Gift
Chapter 50: Chapter 050: Why Don’t You Accept the Thank You Gift?
Chapter 50 -050: Why Don’t You Accept the Thank You Gift?
Jiang Yichun was silent, but he recalled that day’s events.
He had criticized Bai Ruozhu for being too calculating, worrying her scheming ways may negatively affect the child in her womb, and that being less manipulative would be a virtue to her child.
In hindsight, he should not have disparaged her that way.
He detested those naively good folks who didn’t know how to fight back when harmed.
Bai Ruozhu merely used cunning for self-protection.
“Why is Yichun interested in such trifling matters lately?
You haven’t been investigating anything lately, have you?” asked county magistrate Mr.
Li curiously.
“It’s nothing, just heard some rumours and got curious,” Jiang Yichun said without looking up, hiding his embarrassment.
Actually, Mr.
Li was not really concerned about his keen interest in Bai Ruozhu’s affairs, rather he was curious about what Jiang Yichun might be investigating.
But Jiang Yichun, who had wrongly blamed Bai Ruozhu, felt uncomfortable when questioned by Mr.
Li.
…
Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei had already returned to the village.
She had actually wanted to stay in town for some good food to satisfy her cravings, but she knew that if she suggested it, her second brother would surely accompany her, and she didn’t want to further delay his study time.
As soon as they entered the village, the sharp-eyed villagers greeted them enthusiastically, mainly thanking them for saving the Zhu Family’s child, praising the siblings for their skill and Buddha’s Heart.
Of course, some villagers also cursed at the elder lady of the Zhu Family, accusing her of ingratitude.
Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei just laughed and declined to comment further.
Saving someone’s life is not about seeking gratitude, and as for the elderly lady of the Zhu Family, they really didn’t want to deal with her anymore.
As they reached home, Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong came to greet them, asking anxiously, “How did it go?”
With a cheery smile, Bai Ruozhu pulled the marriage certificate from her bosom to show her parents, “No need to worry, how could things not be settled when the second brother is on it?”
Though Chang Sheng’s signature and handprint were absent from the certificate, it did bear the official seal from the government office, which put Bai Yihong and his wife at ease.
“Thank heavens, I’ve been feeling like something was hanging over my head until this was settled.” Lin Ping’er couldn’t help but express her relief, pressing her praying hands together and bowing in gratitude.
Bai Ruozhu was amused by her mother’s devout expression and took her arm, saying, “I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Bai Yihong chuckled, “Of course, parents should worry about their children for their whole life.”
Lin Ping’er carefully folded the certificate, handed it to Bai Ruozhu saying, “Ruozhu, keep good care of your marriage certificate, don’t be careless.”
After some thought, Bai Ruozhu said, “Mother, you keep it for me, just in case I lose it one day.”
With a helpless glance, Lin Ping’er said, “Alright, I’ll keep it for you.” She took the certificate inside and put it in a box.
At that moment, Bai Zehao returned from the fields.
His shirt and trouser cuffs were rolled up, revealing a skin tanned by the sun but healthy and strong.
With one hand clutching a hoe and the other a chicken, he stepped inside and called, “Mother, the Zhu Family elder insisted on giving me this chicken.
He said it was a token of thanks for saving Xi dandan, and we should cook it to nourish Ruozhu.”
He set the hoe aside, walked into the main hall with the chicken, noticing Bai Zepei and Bai Ruozhu’s presence, he gladly asked, “You’re back, how did it go?”
Bai Ruozhu answered cheerily, “All sorted, mum is keeping the marriage certificate.”
“Good, that’s good.” Bai Zehao replied relievedly.
Then waving the chicken toward Bai Ruozhu, “I’ll slaughter it for you later.”
Lin Ping’er came out from the inner room and, seeing the chicken Bai Zehao had brought, protested, “Why did you bring it into the house?
Hurry and put it in the yard, or it’ll make everything dirty.”
Bai Zehao chuckled and threw the chicken into the yard before returning to the main hall.
“By the way Er Lang, how did you end up rescuing the Zhu Family’s child?” Bai Yihong asked while sitting at the table, a look of approval on his face.
Bai Ruozhu glanced at her second brother, who clearly didn’t want to talk about it.
She, therefore, had to tell the family all about the river rescue incident.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ping’er was furious, “What’s wrong with that Zhu Jiapozi?
If you ask me, we should throw back her chicken.
We certainly don’t care about her thanks!”
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, “Mother, what they gave is not compensation, it’s a token of appreciation.
Zhu Jiapozi doesn’t think she’s done anything wrong.”
“She’s not wrong?
She’s wronged herself all the way into the ditch!” Lin Ping’er called out, “In her mouth, she says she treasures her grandson, but she spoils him to the point of harm.
Isn’t that also harming the child?
Plus, you saved her grandson, and she didn’t even express her thanks.
Ingrateful!”
Fearing her mother might get too worked up, Bai Ruozhu patted Lin Ping’er’s arm and countered, “Mother, let’s not bother with people like that.
Why should we anger ourselves?
Besides, why not eat the chicken?
Even doctors accept fees for their services, let alone saving a life.”
While saying this, Bai Ruozhu licked her lips.
Alright, she admitted that what she mainly wanted was the delicious braised chicken with mushrooms.
Farm households wouldn’t normally slaughter chicks for meat until they’re older, so having chicken meat alone was satisfying for her.
“Since it’s given to you, of course you can eat it.” Bai Yihong couldn’t bear to see their daughter’s craving and directly decided the chicken’s fate with his words.
“Then I’ll slaughter the chicken.” Bai Zehao, always willing to do chores at home, immediately picked the dirtiest and most tiring task.
Bai Ruozhu laughed joyfully, she swallowed her saliva and said, “I’ll cook today’s chicken.
Mother, can you help me prepare the veggies?”
Having calmed down, Lin Ping’er reached out to poke Bai Ruozhu’s head, “I’ve figured it out, you’re just complaining about your mother’s cooking skills!”
“How could it be?
It’s just that I’m afraid you would get tired.” Bai Ruozhu was slightly embarrassed with this excuse.
Anyone who had a bit of taste would realize who was the better cook.
The Bai family had previously been eating Lin Ping’er’s dishes, and while they’d grown accustomed to it, having tasted Bai Ruozhu’s colourful and fragrant dishes, they could hardly bear Lin Ping’er’s cooking anymore.
Lin Ping’er didn’t take offense, her daughter being a good cook made her proud.
“Alright, I’ll be your assistant and learn from you.
So the next time I cook, your father and brothers wouldn’t cut back on their meal portions while just nodding politely.” Lin Ping’er said with a laugh.
Bai Yihong poked his nose and mumbled, “I don’t do that.”
But everyone laughed, obviously not believing him.
Soon, Bai Zehao had slaughtered and cleaned the chicken.
The chicken blood was collected into a bowl.
Bai Ruozhu was very pleased.
She chopped up the chicken into pieces, marinated it with sauce, and then sat down to have lunch with her family.
As Lin Ping’er had prepared lunch earlier, and everyone was eagerly anticipating the flavoursome chicken for dinner, they didn’t really appreciate their lunch meal.
When Lin Ping’er jokingly brought up her cooking skills again, everyone felt embarrassed and made it a point to eat more.