Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Coming for Profit

Translator: 549690339

The earlier character of Zhuang Qingning was something he had a slight understanding of. She was an incredibly honest, modest, and easily content individual.

An honest person who would remember the slightest favour done for her by someone else.

Previously, he publicly spoke a few good words on behalf of Zhuang Qingning to Mrs. Song which was reciprocated with visible gratitude in her eyes. By virtue, someone like him speaking well of her should easily soften her heart to express understanding and forgiveness.

How is it then, that in front of him, who was sincerely apologizing, she was being so cold?

Could it be that now that her life has improved, she no longer values the few eggs he brought her?

Zhuang Yuanren cast a glance at the silver carp Zhuang Qingning had in her hand, and immediately felt a sour taste in his heart.

“Little Sister Ning, I understand that you are angry at my parents and maybe you think my apology lacks sincerity, these eggs…”

Zhuang Yuanren sighed, “I had previously gone to the provincial city for the examination. Although I passed and ranked first in our academy, all the money for the trip was used up, leaving my family with nothing valuable to give you.” “In addition, my mother… nevermind. If you think it’s not enough, I will go to town some other day and visit Little Sister Ning again.”

“Cousin, you don’t have to come back another day. If you do come back, we will not let you into this courtyard.”

Zhuang Qingning’s tone was cold and distant, even her gaze contained a trace of coldness.

!!..

“Why is that?” Zhuang Yuanren was once again taken aback.

“I have been head of the household for a while now. Since I took over, Cousin has returned home from school more than once, and during this period, my Uncle and Aunt have caused trouble for me and my sister more than once.” “Why didn’t Cousin come to apologize before, but only chooses to come now? Is it because something happened and Cousin had to apologize to me?”

Zhuang Qingning’s tone was as cold and distant as before, and even her words seemed light and breezy.

Yet, to Zhuang Yuanren, her words felt like a heavy burden smashing into his heart, causing wave after wave of pain.

Has she seen through it?

If she has, does it not make him look utterly disgraceful?

As someone who prides himself on studying and pursuing virtue, if he really had to bow his head due to circumstances, he would seem too utilitarian, which would be a disgrace to his scholarly status.

Zhuang Yuanren’s face turned the color of pork liver, and his mouth was trembling. For quite a while, he couldn’t utter a single sound.

Seeing Zhuang Yuanren like this, Zhuang Qingning knew her guess was correct.

Earlier, when Zhuang Ruman incited the Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng brothers to cause trouble for her, Zhuang Qingsui sought Zhuang Jingye for fear that she would be at a disadvantage. Zhuang Jingye, who cared so much about her, had immediately flown into a rage and looked for Zhuang Ruman. He even promised to make Zhuang Ruman behave in the future.

Zhuang Ruman is crafty and shameless, and he is precisely the kind of person who is immune to ordinary persuasions. If there is anything that can make him behave, it’s only Zhuang Yuanren.

It must be that Zhuang Jingye did something to damage Zhuang Yuanren’s reputation as a scholar and affect his future, so Zhuang Yuanren rushed over immediately.

This clearly shows that Zhuang Yuanren is a man of self-interest.

Since this is the case, Zhuang Qingning thought she didn’t have to be cordial to him.

Moreover, he is a member of Zhuang Ruman’s family.

“If I have guessed Cousin’s thoughts correctly, there’s no need for you to hide it anymore. From now on, just speak your mind directly. If you have nothing else to say, don’t step into my house anymore.”

Zhuang Qingning said, “I still need to prepare dinner, please forgive me for not seeing you out.”

Having said that, she picked up the fish and went over to the basin. After rinsing it, she took the kitchen knife from the side and efficiently started to scrape off the fish scales.

Zhuang Yuanren, left standing in the courtyard, didn’t know whether to leave or stay. He just stood there dumbstruck, biting his pale lips, unable to utter a single word.

“Miss Ning, Miss Ning.”

A joyful voice could be heard from afar, and before Zhuang Yuanren could react, Zhuang Jingye, the village chief, had rushed into the courtyard and just bypassed him.

Seeing this, Zhuang Yuanren felt a flash of hope.

With the arrival of Zhuang Jingye, the village chief, there would be a glimmer of hope even at a time of despair.

If Zhuang Jingye saw him apologizing to Zhuang Qingning, his previous dissatisfaction about his parents’ wrongdoings towards Zhuang Qingning would certainly vanish.

Perhaps if Zhuang Jingye noticed that Zhuang Qingning was giving him a hard time, he might even side with him out of annoyance…

With these thoughts in mind, Zhuang Yuanren hurried to greet Zhuang Jingye: “Honorable Uncle…”

But Zhuang Jingye, as if he hadn’t seen Zhuang Yuanren at all, passed by him like a gust of wind and went straight to Zhuang Qingning.

“Honorable Uncle?” Zhuang Qingning was somewhat surprised and pleased at Zhuang Jingye’s sudden arrival. She quickly put the fish back into the basin, rinsed her hands, and wiped them hastily on the apron she was wearing. “You seem to be in a hurry, is something the matter?”

“I was just planning to come to tell you, you probably saw it when you returned from town today, the pit has already been filled and we are currently pressing it down with a stone roller.”

Zhuang Jingye said, “I saw Dayong, that kid, and he surely does work efficiently. I told him to go and buy some blue bricks early on, and I managed to find a place that sells blue bricks at a 10% cheaper price than other places. If calculated properly, this could save us some silver.”

“I have already had someone transport a cart of bricks there, you should also go and check the quality. If it’s good, we can buy all the bricks from there.”

“I thought it was something serious that made you come looking for me in such a hurry. It turns out it’s just this.”

Zhuang Qingning completely dried the droplets of water from her hands on her apron and said, “You said before that you will take care of these things. I don’t understand these things anyway.”

“I did say that…” Zhuang Jingye scratched his ear.

But the thing was, the house was being built for Zhuang Qingning, not for him. Everything must be decided according to the homeowner’s wishes. If he was making all the decisions, wouldn’t it seem a bit too autocratic?

Zhuang Jingye felt that although this was what he said, he should still consult Zhuang Qingning in all matters, to avoid any mistakes.

“Although you said that, you should abide by it.” Zhuang Qingning chuckles,” Honorable Uncle, you just need to relax. Even if this house collapses in the future, I won’t blame you. Is this okay?”

“Well… alright.” Zhuang Jingye nodded, “then I will be handling things..”