Chapter 449: Chapter 436: Borrowing Money

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips.

This Zhao Dacai, his speech was laced with official airs. For a moment, it was nearly impossible to identify whether his apology was merely a pretense or a genuine act of contrition.

However, it would not be seemly to rebuff his apology when he willingly offered it.

Moreover, Zhao Dacai did not seem like a foolish man and likely understood the circumstances leading to this point.

Some matters, when smoothed over on the surface to serve each party’s agenda, did not need their details scrutinized.

A hint of amusement appeared on Zhuang Qingning’s lips, “Village Chief Zhao is indeed a man of integrity. After all, the situation was beyond your forecast or control. The blame should not be placed on your shoulders.”

“Village Chief Zhao, you needn’t take this matter to heart.”

“Manager Zhuang is magnanimous and honorable, truly admirable,” Zhao Dacai said, “Additionally, there is another matter I’d like to request Manager Zhuang’s assistance with.”

“The previous incident, where Zhao Ziping spread slanderous rumors about Miss Zhou, was Zhao Ziping’s fault. I intended to apologize to Miss Zhou on his behalf, yet this matter understandably tarnishes her reputation and bringing it up again might unnecessarily upset Miss Zhou.”

“Thus, I implore Manager Zhuang to relay a message to Miss Zhou for me. Please tell her that I’ve already severely punished Zhao Ziping and that the matter has been settled. I hope she can put her fears to rest. Please extend my regards to her.”

“Your consideration is appreciated, Village Chief Zhao. I will relay your message.” Zhuang Qingning nodded.

“Thank you, Manager Zhuang.” Zhao Dacai bowed then stood up, “My main intention today was to apologize to Village Chief Zhuang and Manager Zhuang. I won’t further encroach on your time.”

As it was raining and Zhuang Qingning had braved the elements to find Zhuang Jingye, there must have been something she wanted to discuss. Zhao Dacai, knowing his place, did not wish to intrude on their conversation.

Moreover, as he came to apologize, the conversation would inevitably recount his errors along with those of Zhaojiazhuang. Although Zhao Dacai acknowledged the fault was Zhaojiazhuang’s, he felt escalating embarrassment as he confessed more faults.

It was an opportune moment to depart and rid himself of the incessant need to apologize for the blunders committed by those two blockheads – Zhao Qiancheng and Zhao Zian.

Zhuang Jingye fully grasped Zhao Dacai’s intentions. Even though Zhao Dacai was there on someone’s behalf to apologize, by all accounts, he had been respectful. One could not demand too much. Hence, Zhuang Jingye got up to see him off.

Zhuang Qingning also rose, but only as far as the doorway. After Zhuang Jingye bid Zhao Dacai farewell at the gate, he turned and came back in.

“This new Village Chief Zhao is quite the smooth talker. I believe even ghosts could be deceived by him,” Zhuang Jingye complained.

Aside from that, he found Zhao Dacai’s pretentious bureaucratese unbearable, exuding every fancy word and phrase to the point of being headache-inducing.

Who isn’t a village chief? Who hasn’t read a few books? Who doesn’t have a son working in the government office? What makes Zhao Dacai so impressive?

Zhuang Jingye found Zhao Dacai extremely vexing.

“However, he’s undoubtedly shrewd,” said Zhuang Qingning, noticing Zhuang Jingye’s discontent and smiling.

“True. He only just became the village chief and yet he promptly came to apologize on a rainy day. He’s certainly clear-headed. Leaving aside his intentions for now, the fact that he’s not a fool makes things easier,” Zhuang Jingye perked up. “He’s miles better than the stupid and malicious uncle-nephew duo of Zhao Qiancheng and Zhao Zian, at least.”

“Indeed,” Zhuang Qingning nodded. “But compared to Uncle Jingye, Village Chief Zhao still falls short.”

Zhuang Jingye was far more straightforward and honest in his dealings, she thought.

Feeling slighted by Zhao Dacai, Zhuang Jingye was naturally pleased by Zhuang Qingning’s praise. His spirits soared, akin to enjoying a cold honeydew on a hot summer’s day. However, he feigned modesty and said, “We can’t really say that. We’re all roughly the same, it’s not appropriate to say who’s better.”

“By the way, Qingning, why did you come looking for me in this rain?”

Zhao Dacai had rushed over in the rain to mend the relationship, primarily to create a favorable impression before the villagers, outsiders, and most importantly, Master Ding.

If Zhuang Qingning braved the rain to find him, it must’ve been a matter of critical importance, Zhuang Jingye surmised and promptly regained focus.

“I do indeed need to discuss something with Uncle Jingye,” Zhuang Qingning said. “Once the rain stops, could you help gather the villagers at the ancestral hall? I have something to discuss with everyone.”

“What is it?” Zhuang Jingye asked.

“Borrowing money,” Zhuang Qingning answered.

“What?” Zhuang Jingye was dumbstruck and stared at Zhuang Qingning for a moment.

If his memory served him well, Zhuang Qingning’s tofu, tofu skin, and century egg workshops were like a smoothly flowing production line. He was certain that Zhuang Qingning could easily shell out a few hundred taels of silver if needed.

Yet, she wanted to borrow money?

“Qingning, have you run into some trouble? How much do you need? Tell me first, let me see how much I have,” Zhuang Jingye anxiously said. “If I don’t have enough, I can figure out ways to collect more for you.”

A matter that required Zhuang Qingning to consider borrowing money from the entire village must be of great importance, and possibly an uncomfortable topic to discuss openly, Zhuang Jingye reasoned. Thus, it might not be suitable for Zhuang Qingning to directly ask for loans.

“If it’s for a business matter and you need a loan, I suggest not making it publicly known. After all, you do have several workshops. If word gets out that you’re borrowing money, people might perceive the workshops to be unprofitable and unable to pay wages. In this case, your workers might not perform well, which in turn would affect earnings and make it harder for you to recover,” he advised.

“Let me handle the borrowing. This way, it won’t have any impact on you. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out.”

“I have twenty or thirty taels of silver at home. I don’t know how much they can help, but I’ll give it to you first. If it’s insufficient, I’ll find other ways to…”

Seeing Zhuang Jingye’s urgent and flustered antics, intent on withdrawing money for her, Zhuang Qingning felt touched and hurriedly intercepted him, “Uncle Jingye, please, there’s no rush. This matter is not as you…”

“Then what is it?” Zhuang Jingye became even more agitated.

“It’s…” Zhuang Qingning began but faltered, not knowing how to explain. Finally, she made up her mind and said, “Uncle Jingye, let me explain the whole situation to you later.”