Condolences
The village chief was in conversation with Man Bao. Zhou Dazhu sustained severe injuries, classified as critical. Since his father was also the village chief, Man Bao's first visit was to their house.
They had barely exchanged a few words when Bai Shanbao arrived, his seat still warm.
The village chief rose to greet him, "Young master, what brings you here?"
"I've come to visit the wounded under my grandmother's orders." Are they all well? Has there been any deterioration in their condition?
"No, no, they're fine." "They were seen by the doctor last night, and the medicine your family sent has been quite effective."
The village chief hurriedly invited everyone inside to talk.
Although Bai Shanbao was a child, no one in the village dared to underestimate him, just as they wouldn't treat Bai Erlang as an ordinary child.
Liu Mama and Da Ji entered with some other people.
She pushed a large box of money towards the village chief, saying, "Our elderly lady heard that many people were injured last night and feels guilty." So, she sent some money, two hundred coins for each injured person. "We don't know who exactly got injured, so we would appreciate the village chief's help."
The village chief was surprised and quickly shook his head, "We can't accept this." How can we enable the elderly lady to spend her money on this matter?
"Our old lady insisted." Since these people were brought in by her, she naturally feels responsible. Please don't refuse, village chief. Just show us the way, and I will also apologize to the old lady on behalf of the village.
Upon that, she opened the box, revealing rows of copper coins.
She handed two roses to the village chief, saying, "We heard that your eldest son was also injured. This is for him."
"We can't accept this," the village chief said, glancing at Zhou Toutou.
Zhou Toutou's face grew even more somber as he helped push the money back. "The quarrel happened at my house, so it's our responsibility." The old lady is being too generous.
"Yes, indeed." "We're all neighbors helping each other out," agreed others.
When Uncle Jin offered money, the village chief hesitated before accepting. After all, they all understood the underlying reasons for the conflict.
But accepting money from the Bai family would be excessive.
Seeing their reluctance, Liu Mama stood up and said, "Since the village chief is unwilling, we'll find the injured ourselves."
She pushed the money towards him and prepared to leave with the box.
The village chief had no choice but to catch up, "Please wait, I'll accompany you."
He glanced at Zhou Toutou.
Zhou Toutou sighed, "Let me take you. I was planning to bring them something anyway."
He focused on the seriously injured, giving each 200 coins along with a basket of rice and eggs. The Bai family received the same amount.
Zhou Toutou was accustomed to spending time at each house, so it took a while. By the time they finished attending to the seriously injured and returned home, Zhou Erlang and the others had already completed their tasks.
Zhou Toutou asked Liu Mama, "Are you still planning to visit the other families with less severe injuries?"
"Of course, we will." "Please lead the way, old sir."
Zhou Toutou nodded and continued guiding them. With the Zhou family providing financial support and then guiding the Bai family to contribute, the families of the injured felt somewhat embarrassed.
Before leaving, Zhou Toutou reminded Man Bao to bow and express gratitude to each household.
Man Bao didn't think much of it and readily complied. The older individuals accepted her, while her peers did so reluctantly, trying to avoid getting hurt.
Bai Shanbao was curious and quietly asked Man Bao, "Why do you bow to each household?"
"To thank my father," Man Bao replied. "My father is old, in poor health, and holds a high status." "So, it's up to me to handle these formalities."
Old Zhou Toutou overheard their conversation...
Liu Mama and Da Ji exchanged amused glances as they walked ahead.
Bai Shanbao still felt puzzled. Shouldn't it be his brothers who do this? At the very least, there's Da Tou.
But he refrained from asking further. Somehow, he felt it wasn't appropriate.
Completing visits to eighteen households wasn't difficult. By the time they finished, it was time for breakfast. Bai Shanbao wanted to play with Man Bao, so he stayed behind with Da Ji by his side.
Thinking about discussing matters concerning the three people at the Bai family later, Old Zhou Toutou went to find the village chief after finishing his breakfast.
Man Bao took the opportunity to show Bai Shanbao his room. Pointing to the open skylight, she exclaimed, "Look, there's a big hole in my roof." At night, while lying in bed, I can see the stars and the moon. "I don't even need to take the blankets outside to air them during the day."
Bai Shanbao felt envious, "Are the stars beautiful?"
"Very beautiful!"
"If only my roof had a hole too."
Zhou Sirlang interjected, "Do you plan to repair it?"
Man Bao frowned when she saw him carrying dried thatch. "With this?"
"What do you think?" We would have to buy roof tiles from the county. Mother said we need to save some money for emergencies, so we'll temporarily cover it with thatch. After the autumn harvest, we will buy tiles to replace them.
After the autumn harvest, they would assess the outcomes of the harvest and taxes to determine their financial status.
Man Bao rolled her eyes and looked at the clear sky, "Let's not fix it for now." It definitely won't rain today.
Zhou Sirlang carried the thatch to his side, planning to tie it up and put it on.
Their family rarely collected thatch, but the recent heavy rain made everyone diligent in replacing it, which drove up the price of thatch. The thatch in the fields was also all gone.
Even the ones they borrowed from the villagers weren't enough. They planned to return them after drying their own.
But even with borrowed thatch, it wasn't enough. So, they prioritized repairing Man Bao's and a few other children's roofs. Since Man Bao didn't want it, Zhou Sirlang decided to take it.
He didn't want to sleep under an open skylight, and neither did his wife.
Bai Shanbao saw thatching for the first time and approached it curiously.
Upon seeing this, Zhou Sirlang picked up some thatch, his fingers moving rapidly, and swiftly crafted a grasshopper.
Bai Shanbao exclaimed in awe.
Zhou Sirlang smiled, made one for Man Bao too, and then said, "Go play, the house is messy." "Don't go too far."
Their house was indeed messy. It was late last night, and they hadn't tidied up the tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks, as well as the stones, mud, and tiles from the fight, all piled up in the yard.
Zhou Erlang was picking out usable tiles with some people, salvaging what they could.
Bai Shanbao invited Man Bao to his house, saying, "Let's go read books at my place." "Besides, your father is there too, isn't he?"
He whispered, "We made glutinous rice cakes in the kitchen today."
Man Bao's mouth watered, and she nodded eagerly, "Wait for me, I'll go get the books and my bag."