nycdaug Chapter 118 I have my own way to deal with it
Chapter 118 I have my own way to deal with it
"Oh, isn't this Chen Xi and Xie Tianyi! Look at the full backpack, are they preparing for a banquet?" Xu Gaoping said jokingly, but his eyes unconsciously glanced at the food that was almost overflowing from behind Xie Tianyi.
Chen Xi cleverly diverted the topic elsewhere, trying to avoid focusing too much on trivial matters at home.
"Village Chief Xu, do you have a new mission when you go to town today?" She said in a brisk tone.
Xu Gaoping frowned slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible worry.
"Well, it's all about the money we collected for the rescue. The town is pressing for payment, but there are still two families in our village who haven't paid in full, which is holding everyone back."
There was helplessness in his words, and he was obviously troubled by this matter.
Chen Xi's heart moved, and she secretly wondered whether the homes that had not yet been paid included her own home, and Xu Gaoping's words confirmed her guess.
"It's Carpenter Zhou and your Chen family."
His eyes drifted towards Chen Xi inadvertently, as if he was looking for some kind of confirmation or explanation.
At this time, the ox cart that everyone had been looking forward to slowly drove over, breaking the slightly awkward silence.
With the arrival of the oxcart, people began to board in an orderly manner, but Chen Xi's mind had drifted away, thinking about how to help Carpenter Zhou's family solve the problem of a mere one or two taels of silver.
She knew very well that Carpenter Zhou's family was in difficult financial circumstances, his wife was in poor health, and the burden of the family fell entirely on him, especially since he had just paid the children's tuition. This extra expense would undoubtedly add to their difficulties.
Xie Tianyi noticed that Chen Xi looked dazed and gently interrupted her thoughts.
"What are you thinking about? Why are you so absent-minded?" His voice was soft and full of concern.
Chen Xi suddenly came back to his senses, with a determined light flashing in his eyes, "I have something to discuss with you, let's talk about it when we get home."
The ox cart stopped steadily at the entrance of the village. At the same time, Xu Jing was laughing and playing with the children at the entrance of the village.
Seeing Xu Gaoping returning, she immediately stopped playing the game and walked towards him with joy on her face.
Chen Xi was stunned for a moment, then he saw Xie Tianyi, the corners of his lips rose unconsciously, and a warm feeling rose in his heart.
However, the appearance of Xu Gaoping interrupted what Xu Jing was about to say to Xie Tianyi.
"Why are you taking the children out for a run in this hot weather? Go back." There was a hint of blame and concern in his tone.
Although Xu Jing was a little reluctant, she still obediently followed Xu Gaoping with her child. She looked back frequently on the way, her eyes full of reluctance and nostalgia for Chen Xi and Xie Tianyi.
When the surroundings returned to silence, Xie Tianyi turned sideways to face Chen Xi and asked with concern: "Just now you said you had something to discuss, can you tell me now?"
Chen Xi took a deep breath and said seriously: "Actually, it's about the relief silver that Village Chief Xu mentioned. Carpenter Zhou's family and the Chen family have not paid yet. You also know Carpenter Zhou's situation. His family conditions are difficult, his wife is in poor health, and he has to bear the expenses of the entire family. Add to that the recent school fees for the children, and that one or two taels of silver is indeed a big burden for them. I want to help them."
Hearing this, Xie Tianyi smiled heartily, seeming to be nonchalant, "So that's it? Just make the decision, I thought it was some difficult problem."
"Okay, then I'll go to the village chief later and help Carpenter Zhou pay the money." Chen Xi's words were full of determination.
Xie Tianyi's expression became serious. "What I'm worried about is that if the Chen family knew that they were the only ones who didn't pay, and you helped Carpenter Zhou, given the personalities of Old Lady Chen and Zhou Xuemei, it might cause unnecessary disturbances."
Chen Xi raised a confident smile, "If they come to trouble me again, I have my own way to deal with it, don't worry."
"Well, be careful." Xie Tianyi nodded gently, his eyes full of trust and support for Chen Xi.
The two smiled at each other and continued walking side by side on the way home.
Chen Xi gently pushed open the mottled wooden door of the house, and the sunlight penetrated through the gap and sprinkled on the old wooden box in the corner.
She bent down and fished out a heavy, gleaming piece of silver from the bottom of the box, carefully wrapped it in a piece of green cloth, and then put it in her pocket.
The door creaked closed again, and she turned and walked into the morning light outside, walking steadily towards Xu Gaoping's house.
Arriving at the door of Xu's house, Chen Xi's fingers gently knocked on the mottled wooden door.
Soon, the sound of footsteps was heard from behind the door, followed by a creaking, and Xu Gaoping's honest smiling face came into view.
When he saw that it was Chen Xi, the surprise in his eyes instantly turned into enthusiasm, and he was eager to invite her into the house to sit down.
However, Chen Xi waved his hand gently, and said firmly: "No need, Village Chief, I will talk at the door and leave right after I finish talking. I won't waste your time."
Although Xu Gaoping was a little surprised, he agreed happily, and was obviously not surprised by the young woman's decision.
At this moment, Chen Xi's words broke the tranquility of the early morning: "I'm here to help Carpenter Zhou pay the one or two taels of silver."
These words were like a thunderclap, leaving Xu Gaoping dumbfounded for a moment. He could hardly believe his ears.
The one being helped was not the Chen family, but the poor carpenter Zhou?
Seeing this, Chen Xi repeated it patiently and firmly.
Xu Gaoping suddenly realized what was going on and agreed repeatedly, his heart filled with sincere admiration for Chen Xi's style of doing things.
"Okay, then give it to me. I'll go over and tell him in the evening."
Xu Gaoping looked at the figure walking away, closed the door gently, and muttered to himself, with confusion and admiration mixed in his eyes.
Xu Jing in the room was also full of doubts, and the wrinkles between her brows revealed her deep confusion about Chen Xi's behavior.
After all, Chen Xi's source of income was still a mystery to her who had just returned to the village. How could she know that Chen Xi was self-sufficient in the world outside this small village by collecting herbs and practicing medicine.
Xu Gaoping sighed, feeling mixed emotions.
The time when Chen Xi led the villagers to pick mushrooms blew away the misunderstandings and prejudices that originally surrounded her.
Even those members of the Chen family who had once complained about Chen Xi could only look up to him at this moment.
In Chen Xi's eyes, it seemed that they no longer existed.
Xu Jing looked confused about the "mushroom picking" matter and her brows were furrowed.
During this period of time, her thoughts were completely occupied by Xie Tianyi, and she was unaware of the earth-shaking changes that had taken place in the village.
Mushroom hunting?
This sounds like a fantasy in Anning Village, a place where people have made a living by farming for generations.
Who would have thought that those inconspicuous things on the dining table could become treasures that could be exchanged for silver?
Xu Jing felt mixed emotions. When she mentioned Xie Tianyi, the emotional entanglement that never came true came to her mind again.
Xie Tianyi's disability once made her bow her head in the face of reality.
But now, looking at his back as he stood up again, the regret in my heart grew wildly.
She knew very well that the reason she could still stand tall in the village was all because of the protection of her father as the village chief.