Chapter 91

Chapter 91

"Really? That’s great! We’ve been waiting for so long, and finally, we’re going to get our share of the grain." Chen Jinhua was almost jumping with joy. Recently, wherever she went in the village, people would ask her when the grain distribution would happen.

Who could blame them when she was the captain’s wife?

But even she didn’t know the details.

Old Chen remained tight-lipped about this matter, never giving a definite date.

Finally, it was happening.

Once the grain is distributed, they could exchange it for work points and money, which would ease their financial burden significantly. This year, she planned to make herself a new set of clothes; after all, she was now the head of the Women’s Federation.

"The captain needs anyone who can do calculations to help out. Old Wang is swamped. I remember Bai Xiuxiu and Miaomiao have both been to school; they should be able to handle the calculations, right?" The captain, seeing his wife caught up in her excitement, quickly brought up the main issue.

Chen Jinhua’s face fell immediately. "I thought you were being nice by coming to tell us first. Turns out you just want to borrow some help?"

"This is serious business; don’t throw a tantrum. If the village’s grain and money distribution is delayed, I’ll be held responsible. And don’t worry, extra work points will be given. How about five work points per person?" The captain felt awkward but knew that once he mentioned the importance of the task, his wife wouldn’t hold him back.

"Xiuxiu, Miaomiao, would you two like to help out?" Chen Jinhua wasn’t sure if they would agree, and she couldn’t force them since their job was with the Women’s Federation, not doing calculations.

"Auntie, this is a good thing; I’m willing to help." Miaomiao agreed immediately upon hearing about the work points.

"I’m also willing to help." Bai Xiuxiu didn’t refuse either; five work points was not bad, and calculating wasn’t tiring.

"Alright, let’s go to the next room." The captain was eager to take them away.

"You two should go ahead. Xiuxiu, I’ll watch your children for you," Chen Jinhua said, knowing Bai Xiuxiu might be worried about leaving her kids.

"That’s very kind of you, Auntie Jinhua. I’ll go now."

After they left, Chen Jinhua looked at Liu Xiaohui, who had been silent. "Xiaohui, it’s not that we didn’t want you to come along; it’s just that you aren’t good at calculations."

"Sister Chen, what are you saying? Do you think I’d mind? Being here in the Women’s Federation is already thanks to your care. I’m not someone who’s ungrateful or greedy. Besides, I really can’t do calculations," Liu Xiaohui smiled, looking even more honest.

Chen Jinhua felt relieved. "Good, let’s continue with our work."

As dusk approached,

Wang Shoucheng hurriedly headed to the city with the money.

Throughout the journey, he kept thinking about how he had no control over the situation and had to hand over such a large sum without any guarantees. He felt increasingly frustrated and angry.

He regretted not having his eldest son killed years ago.

If his eldest son had died, none of these troubles would exist.

Now, he felt worse than dead!

When Wang Shoucheng arrived at the house, he looked disheveled and worn out.

Seeing Wang Shoucheng, Zhang Panhe pretended to be surprised. "Uncle Wang? Where’s Uncle Yang?"

"I don’t know. I came to see those two. Are they still here?" Wang Shoucheng’s face was cold, and he held a bag tightly.

This was all his family’s savings!

"Yes, they’re here. I’ll take you to them," Zhang Panhe said, leading Wang Shoucheng into the house.

Inside, the man surnamed Niu glanced at him indifferently and continued chatting with the man surnamed Zhou. "Old Zhou, when we return, I need to eat a few good meals. By the way, how’s the house situation? My wife nags me every day. It’s so annoying. Still, this trip was worth it. It’s just a shame there are so few people like this in the county."

Feeling extremely unlucky, Wang Shoucheng wished he could bang his head against the wall.

It was all because his wife hadn’t reminded him and that guy surnamed Yang; it was all their fault!

Old Zhou nodded in agreement. "You’re smart. Don’t say that; he’s here now. Saying such things isn’t helping, is it?"

Old Niu laughed and pointed at the cloth bag in Wang Shoucheng’s hands. "Have you gathered all the money? Don’t try to fool me. Nowadays, most people struggle to earn twenty to thirty yuan a month. How could you have so much money?"

Wang Shoucheng felt bitter inside. Normally, he wouldn’t have this much!

It was only because of his eldest son and the money left from that incident years ago.

Now, it was all gone.

Wang Shoucheng felt emptier than his wallet.

But he didn’t dare show it and instead placed the money on the table with a smile. "How could I? This is all the money my family has saved over the years. Once we give this away, we’ll be eating wind next year."

"That’s your problem. We’ll take the money and catch our train. Whatever happens to your family afterward has nothing to do with us." Old Niu counted the money.

Upon confirming the amount, he was shocked.

There was actually so much money!

When Zhang Panhe told him about it, he thought Zhang Panhe and his friend were crazy.

Now, it seemed appearances could be deceiving; there were indeed wealthy people around!

Who would have thought? An old man from the village who dresses so plainly could come up with so much money?

"Alright, I'll take this money. You can go now. Don't ever say you've seen us, and we'll pretend we've never seen you. Rest assured, we won't talk about your business after taking this money. After all, what's in it for us if we do?"

Old Zhou seemed easy to talk to, smiling as he made assurances to Wang Shoucheng.

Wang Shoucheng, in a daze, looked at the money in their hands and suddenly lost his composure, reaching out to grab it.

Old Niu kicked him away: "What are you trying to do?"

"I can't! I can't! I regret it, this is my money."

Wang Shoucheng wailed and tried to snatch the money back.

"Your money? Does it have your name on it? Where did you get this money? Do you have any proof? Let me warn you now, either scram or we'll still talk about your business even with the money!" Old Niu's expression turned menacing.

Wang Shoucheng was too scared to speak, realizing he couldn't get his money back. If he angered these two further, there would be no good outcome.

He wandered out of the house like a soulless shell.

Outside, Zhang Panhe greeted him warmly as he came out: "Uncle Wang, are you done with your business?"

Wang Shoucheng ignored him and walked away.

After making sure he had gone far enough, Zhang Panhe entered the house: "Where's the money?"

"Brother Zhang, it's all here." The two quickly handed the money over to Zhang Panhe.

Zhang Panhe then gave them each one hundred as agreed: "This is what we agreed upon earlier."