Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Its Not About Compensation (1/2)

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: It’s Not About Compensation

Translator: 549690339

“Alright, I understand, Dad. Don’t worry.”

Zhuang Yuanren nodded, then added: “It’s not appropriate to go empty-handed. Do we have any snacks at home that I could bring?”

Snacks?

Of course they didn’t have any. Ever since Zhuang Yuanren had gone to the prefecture town for his exams, the family’s finances had nearly run dry. They could only afford some relief when the wheat was harvested and sold.

Where could they find the money to buy snacks at a time like this?

“You should just bring some eggs. We have eggs at home. Eggs can be used anywhere; they are a good thing,” said Zhuang Ruman.

Mrs. Song sneered: “In my opinion, we shouldn’t even give those two little girls an egg. These eggs are kept to sell in town for Yuanren to fund his studies.”

They hardly ever got to eat eggs themselves. She felt a pang in her heart thinking about the time Zhuang Ruman took eggs to give to Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, and came back beaten black and blue because Zhuang Qinghe had eaten an egg.

“What would you know?”

Zhuang Ruman glanced at Mrs. Song: “You ignorant, good-for-nothing woman. Stop making a fool of yourself here. Go fetch Yuanren some eggs.”

Mrs. Song unwillingly dragged herself away.

“Don’t pick too few. Or it’ll be even more embarrassing,” Zhuang Ruman reminded her.

“I know,” Mrs. Song muttered in response, she picked up a small bamboo basket to collect eggs. She grabbed twelve eggs, felt it was too many, took four out, and left eight. She gave them to Zhuang Yuanren, who had already walked into the courtyard.

Looking at the few eggs, Zhuang Yuanren’s eyebrows knitted together: “Mom, isn’t this too few?”

“Not at all,” Mrs. Song replied, “These eight eggs weigh over a pound. They should be enough for several days. You’re just there to make an appearance and apologize. Having something in hand is enough. Taking too much would be a waste, especially when they’re given to those unappreciative wretches.”

Zhuang Yuanren’s frown deepened because of Mrs. Song’s explanation.

So much for caring about his future, it’s just lip service. When it boils down to it, a few eggs can’t even be spared.

Zhuang Yuanren didn’t want to argue with the unreasonable Mrs. Song, he simply accepted the bamboo basket: “Then, I am going now and will be back soon.”

“Alright then.” Mrs. Song followed Zhuang Yuanren to the gate, giving him a string of instructions: “Remember not to let those two little girls intimidate you with their attitudes. You’re an educated man, you’re far superior to their peasant status. You don’t need to be respectful to them, we can’t afford to lose our dignity…”

Arrogant and ignorant.

These four words surfaced in Zhuang Yuanren’s mind. Without responding, he grabbed the bamboo basket and walked out swiftly.

When he arrived at the door of Butcher Hua where Zhuang Qingning was living now, though the door was open, he knocked on it and asked loudly, “Is Little Sister Ning home?”

It was twilight, and Zhuang Qingning was preparing dinner.

She had bought a hilsa from the town. Zhuang Qingning thought that the fish had few bones, and Zhuang Qingsui could eat it without worrying too much. So, she planned to cook Tomato Hilsa for dinner.