A Singular Pot

Old Zhou carried his purse all the way home, bidding farewell to the village chief at the doorstep. As soon as he closed the door behind him, he pulled out the purse.

When Mr. Bai stuffed the purse into his hand earlier, he sensed something amiss. Upon opening it, he discovered a 10-tael silver ingot nestled in his palm.

Zhou Sirlang, who was just clearing the clutter from the yard, was astonished. His first reaction was, "Father, did you pick up the Bai family's money bag on the road?"

Among the villagers, besides the Bai family, who else would be capable of producing a 10-tael silver ingot?

Old Zhou gave him a sideways glance. "Am I that kind of person?" This is compensation from the Bai family to ours.

Zhou Sirlang's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why?"

Ignoring him, Old Zhou headed straight for the main house, with Zhou Sirlang hastily tossing aside his belongings to follow.

Old Zhou relayed Mr. Bai's words verbatim to the family, his mood light and cheerful. "So, this matter has nothing to do with us." "I wonder what the Bai family's matriarch did to offend someone in her hometown, to go to such lengths to find someone."

Mrs. Qian, puzzled, asked, "Are they not coming for Erlang?"

Zhou Yin, who was ranked second in the family, was previously referred to as Erlang by Mrs. Qian.

Old Zhou nodded. "No, the Bai family has no reason to deceive us, and they've vetted the individuals involved."

Mrs. Qian breathed a sigh of relief, then turned her attention to the money in his hand.

Old Zhou smiled and handed her the purse and silver ingot together. "Now that we've recovered the money spent, we can also repair the roof."

Mrs. Qian nodded. "Let the children rest for a while, and in a few days, we'll have them buy the tiles."

"Agreed!"

Upon hearing that there was money at home, Zhou Wulang immediately rushed over. "Mother, can we return the money we pooled?"

"No," Mrs. Qian collected the silver ingot expressionlessly. "There's no reason to retrieve gifts once they have been given away." The communal funds are equal. "Moreover, the money will ultimately be spent on household necessities."

Zhou Wulang and the other brothers were somewhat disappointed. Despite their feelings, everyone's mood was good as the looming threat had disappeared.

Zhou Sirlang suggested, "Mother, since it's such a good thing, should we buy some meat to celebrate?"

Mrs. Qian considered it and then opened the money box, handing him a handful of copper coins. "Go ahead, buy more."

Zhou Sirlang happily accepted the money and left the yard for Dali Village, bringing his wife along, of course.

Fang, in fact, was curious. She asked him quietly, "Did something happen to our little uncle?"

Zhou Sirlang froze. It occurred to him that they instinctively avoided talking about this in front of Manbao, but they hadn't avoided Fang.

He scratched his head. This matter was too significant to be spoken of casually. But his wife was family, and he couldn't keep it from her either.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I'll tell you later." And don't tell your parents about this. If they know there was a fight in our house, they'll worry about you. "Besides, this is the Bai family's matter; we shouldn't meddle."

Fang nodded.

Zhou Sirlang then brought up the topic of meat. "Do you think it's better to buy lamb from your family or pork?"

Fang glanced at him. "What do you think?"

Zhou Sirlang immediately smiled ingratiatingly. "Of course, it's better to buy lamb." Oh, by the way, you haven't been back to your parents' home for a long time. Mother just asked you to bring back some eggs. Your family does not raise chickens, so you rely on buying eggs.

Fang's mood lightened, and she gently agreed.

As this was the Bai family's responsibility, the village chief naturally wouldn't keep it a secret. Upon returning home, he met with several elders and some household heads, reassuring them.

The visitors weren't here for Zhou Yin, but for the Bai family. Their relationship with Zhou Yin was minimal.

With this matter clarified, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as if the sword hanging over their heads had fallen to the ground.

Zhou Yin was not only Zhou Jin's brother but also a member of Qili Village and the Zhou clan. The events of the past were known to everyone in the village, but they all kept it a secret.

So, they all felt somewhat responsible for this matter. It was natural to worry.

Now that the burden had been lifted by the Bai family, everyone realized they had received two gifts today: one from the Bai family and one from the Zhou family.

Some people wondered if they should return the gift from the Zhou family. Zhou Dazhuo hesitated for a moment. Without mentioning the basket of rice and eggs, the two hundred wen were not insignificant. Since this matter had nothing to do with the Zhou family, and the Bai family had provided compensation, should they return it?

After all, no household had it easy.

But the village chief shook his head. "Don't think about it." Even if you return it, they won't accept it. Furthermore, it's not only you who has suffered injuries. If you return it and others don't, how will that look? Let it be. Right is right, wrong is wrong. In a few days, I'll have your two younger brothers accompany Erlang and the others to purchase tiles and repair their roof.

Mrs. Qian also instructed her sons and daughters-in-law, "Things that are given away should not be taken back, no matter who the giver is." "Although they came for the Bai family, the fight took place in our house, and they targeted us."

Mrs. Qian added, "It's also because we feel guilty, so we should bear half of the responsibility." "There's no reason to take back what has been given away."

Zhou Dazhuo and the others nodded in agreement quietly.

Mrs. Qian only realized that Manbao was missing and turned to ask Little Qian, "Where's Manbao?"

"She went to the Bai family with the young master." Since the house is in chaos, I thought it would be good for her to play at the Bai family's.

Mrs. Qian nodded and then turned to Zhou Sanlang. "Has Manbao's roof been fixed?" It's summer, but it still gets chilly at night. "If the roof leaks, what if she gets sick?"

Zhou Sanlang replied, "... Fourth Brother used up all of Manbao's thatch."

Mrs. Qian glared at him.

Zhou Wulang grinned and said, "It was Manbao who said it." She likes having the roof uncovered so she can see the stars and the moon at night.

Mrs. Qian waved her hand helplessly. "Forget it, it's only a couple of days' work." Let her stay with me for these two days.

Manbao was oblivious to all of this, spending half an hour reading before her attention waned, and she began to fidget.

Bai Shanbao was also quietly goofing off.

Suddenly, the two children's eyes met, and they both laughed, dropping their books and hopping off their chairs.

Bai Shanbao said, "I'm feeling a bit thirsty."

Manbao replied, "I'm feeling a bit hungry."

Bai Shanbao suggested, "Shall we take a break?"

Manbao readily agreed.

So, they poured some water and found some snacks to eat. The two children began to chat, and Manbao invited Bai Shanbao to stay at her house overnight. "You can sleep with me, and then we can look at the stars together." "I fell asleep too quickly last night and didn't even count how many stars I could see."

Bai Shanbao was tempted, but he was older than Manbao and already understood the difference between boys and girls. So, he shook his head. "Your mother won't allow it."