Chapter 540 - 534_1
"Wufu from the Zhao Family, since you put it that way, I won’t bother with niceties either. What kind of person you are, what your moral character is like, everyone in the village knows. You say I’m partial to Erhu and his wife? That’s right, I am, because they have been doing good deeds without asking for anything in return. They have done so much for our Zhao Family Village. Nowadays, times are tough and life is hard for everyone, but it’s thanks to Erhu and his wife that our village can live in such peace. People in our village should be grateful to them. If I don’t favor them, who should I favor then? Someone like you, who repays kindness with malice and stirs trouble?" The village chief said these words not only to clear himself but also because he truly felt that way.
After hearing what the village chief had said, everyone felt there was some truth to it. Erhu and his wife knew how to conduct themselves, and they had done many good things for the village. Practically every household had received their help in one way or another; it was just a matter of how much. Most villagers were capable of distinguishing right from wrong and remembered acts of kindness, and in contrast to Wufu’s family, who had a bad reputation on ordinary days, it was evident which side they would lean towards without even thinking about it—they subconsciously believed that it must be Wufu’s family who was in the wrong.
"What good deeds and virtues? I think they are just currying favor. Look at all of you, partial to them because you’ve benefited from Erhu’s family," Pingshi said this and offended everyone.
Then an auntie with a sharp tongue who couldn’t stand Pingshi’s usual behavior spoke up. "Wufu’s family, how can you say that? Haven’t you benefited from Erhu’s kindness too? Otherwise, in this bitter winter, you would have already frozen to death and wouldn’t be here, throwing tantrums and acting shamelessly. You’ve received their kindness but don’t know how to be thankful; that is what a true ungrateful wretch, a heartless person looks like. We are not the kind who repay kindness with evil like you. Naturally, we have to speak up for Erhu and his wife. As for currying favor, they’re living so well now, what need do they have to curry favor with us villagers who only know how to till the land? Why don’t you try currying favor and see?"
"You, you’re all in the same boat, with ill intentions. I don’t care anymore. Village Chief, if you’re not going to deal with today’s issue, I’m just going to live right here. After all, there’s a place to shelter from wind and rain," Pingshi was already acting shamelessly and became even more so when she couldn’t win the argument. She was betting that the village chief couldn’t do anything to her, especially since her family’s relationship with the chief was not ordinary. After all, Youfu and Wufu were cousins within five degrees of kinship. Although the relationship between their families had become distant, it was inseparable.
"Wufu, what are your plans for today’s issue? You know very well who is at fault. Are you really going to let your wife make a scene like this? Everyone’s watching; what an embarrassment!" The village chief didn’t look at Pingshi but instead addressed Wufu.
"Big Brother, it’s not that I want to let my wife make a scene; I have no choice. We were driven out by Erhu, and our house collapsed. Where are we supposed to go? Moreover, you know what Pingshi is like; how can I keep her in check?" Wufu shook his hands as if he didn’t want to deal with it, crouched on the ground, leaving everything to the village chief and Pingshi. As long as he had food and shelter, what did losing face matter?
"Wufu, are you even slightly useful? You’re just a good-for-nothing!" Youfu scolded, pointing his finger at Wufu.