Chapter 194 Malicious Intent (3)_1
The day after New Year’s Day, the siblings got up early to make breakfast. Pei Qin decided not to go early, so she handed over a calligraphy practice book to Pei Wendong to practice his writing. Going early would only result in standing around at the Fang family’s place, surrounded by villagers asking questions, which just the thought of gave her a headache.
She didn’t want to leave early, yet someone came to pick them up unexpectedly.
Fang Li arrived driving an ox cart, "I knew you brothers and sisters would still be soaking at home! Hurry up and pack up, get on the cart! If you wait any longer, your aunt’s family will all have already gone over! I’ve not visited any relatives today; just stayed at home waiting for you!"
Pei Qin offered her New Year’s greetings and took the basket she had packed in advance, then led Pei Qian and her three siblings onto the ox cart.
Fang Li talked all the way, asking when they were going to rebuild their house. He said he wasn’t going out to find work this year and would help them keep an eye on things, saying the kids didn’t understand and could be cheated out of their money. He also generously offered, "How much silver do you still have? Is it enough to rebuild the house? If you’re short on silver, just ask your Uncle! We may not have a lot, but we definitely have a little!"
Pei Qian pursed her lips, not believing a word he said. Previously, their aunt had not sent them any money, but he had come to ask them for it. Even if he gave something, it was just a few copper coins, and then he would come to ask for more. That Fang Fang, she didn’t like her either, as fat as a pig, and always greedy for good food. She didn’t know how much good food Fang Fang must have eaten to have grown so fat, while they had just filled their bellies, and it seemed like better days were just around the corner, but their mother had been driven to death.
When they reached Fang Family Village, as expected, quite a few people had heard the news and had come out specially to size up her and her siblings, asking Fang Li, "Are these your nieces and nephews!? And you even went to pick them up!?"
Fang Li greeted them with a smile, "They’ve moved to the town now, the road is long, and the little ones had to walk all the way here. So I went over and picked them up!"
Some people complimented Pei Qin and her siblings on how tall and graceful they looked, appreciating their genteel appearance and inquiring about their ages.