The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 274: Insight

Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Insight

Shopkeeper Wu chuckled, "Old Brother Wu, you jest again! We really have no more dried wolf meat! Today’s meat was brought by my grandniece herself, and thinking of how much you enjoy it, I hastily instructed the kitchen to prepare it and brought it out for you. Please, have a taste—"

Old Man Wu didn’t stand on ceremony as he reached out with his chopsticks to pick up the dried wolf meat. After chewing it for a moment, his expression softened slightly, "It has the right flavor! But how come this dried wolf meat brought by the girl tastes the same as yours? You wouldn’t be trying to fool me, would you?"

"Look at what you’re saying, Old Brother Wu. The dried wolf meat from our shop is indeed made by my grandniece’s family. How could it not taste the same?" Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly explained.

Old Man Wu looked at Wang Yongzhu, nodded, and stopped talking. He just kept his head down and continued eating the dried meat, rarely reaching for other dishes—seemingly genuinely fond of the meat.

Wang Yongzhu was very perceptive, and immediately with a smile, he poured a cup of wine for both Old Man Wu and Shopkeeper Wu, "If Uncle Wu likes this, we have plenty more at home, still a couple of pounds left. I’ll bring some over tomorrow! At our home, we also have a wolf meat sauce that’s even tastier than this—put it on pancakes or steamed buns, and I wouldn’t even trade it for a roasted chicken!"

With these words, Old Man Wu slurped down a sip of wine and grabbed another piece of dried meat with his chopsticks, neither accepting nor declining the offer.

Wu Zhongbao was also interested in the dried wolf meat, but he couldn’t defy his father, who was extremely protective of his food. Who would dare compete with him for the meat, lest they risk being disowned?

Therefore, feeling quite indifferent, Wu Zhongbao took a couple of bites of the other dishes before he couldn’t hold back his curiosity anymore and asked, "Are you planning to redeem the Wang Family’s land?"

"Cough cough..." Old Man Wu, choking on a sip of wine, coughed violently.

He glared at his son with rollling eyes.

Wu Zhongbao acted as if he saw nothing, infuriating his father who gnawed on the dried meat to vent his frustration.

"Yes, this land has been handed down in the Wang Family for generations. It was sold off, and my father was so angry he vomited blood and suffered a stroke, lying bedridden. Even now, he has not yet recovered. We’ve finally managed to scrape together some silver, and naturally, we want to redeem our land. It would ease my father’s heartache, so he doesn’t sigh every day. When he passes, at least he won’t have to face our ancestors with shame!" As Wang Yongzhu spoke of Wang Laozhu, a look of worry crossed her face—she appeared the very picture of a dutiful daughter concerned for her parents.

Wu Zhongbao’s expression softened a bit, and his demeanor became more respectful, "Are you aware of the condition set by Wang Yongan when he sold the land to me?"

Wang Yongzhu felt a twinge of anxiety but kept her composure, "No, what condition?"

"Not to sell it for three years!" Wu Zhongbao answered bluntly.

At that statement, not only did Wang Yongzhu’s temper flare, but Yongping, Jindou, and Jinhoo couldn’t control their angry expressions. If it wasn’t for a sharp glance from Wang Yongzhu, they might have lost their composure right then and there.

How despicable, Wang Yongzhu gritted her teeth.

Was Wang Yongan trying to completely drive the Wang Family to their deaths?

The angrier she got inside, the more composed Wang Yongzhu became, "Then why did Uncle Wu and Brother Wu agree to come today? What are you planning to do?"

If they agreed to Wang Yongan’s condition not to sell the land for three years, why did the Wu Family father and son still agree to meet with the Wang Family today?

"He may have said his piece, but why the hell should I listen to him? What’s so great about that ’Scholar’? I told him straight up, once he sold the land to me, it becomes my family’s property—what’s it got to do with the Wongs anymore? To interfere in our Wu Family’s affairs? Take it or leave it, otherwise scram!"

Wu Zhongbao paused with a smirk, "That Wang Yongan was just spineless. When I put it to him like that, he didn’t dare let out even a peep. He just apologized, paid up, and got lost!"

Wang Yongzhu heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, stood up, and gave Wu Zhongbao a bow: "Today, whether Uncle Wu and Brother Wu agree to let us redeem the land or not, I still want to thank Brother Wu! Not for anything else, but for these very words of yours!"

Wu Zhongbao twirled the wine cup in his hand and laughed: "You maid, you’re quite interesting! Really not like the sister of that hypocrite, Wang Yongan. I’ve just insulted your Wang Family, and you thank me? Where does this thanks come from?"

"The Wang Family has already broken all ties of gratitude and duty with Wang Yongan! The Wang Family does not have such a monstrous son! I thank Brother Wu for not agreeing to his terms just because he is a Scholar! As far as the Wang Family is concerned right now, Wang Yongan is not kin, but an enemy! The enemy of an enemy is a friend. Naturally, I should give thanks, at least we’re on the same side."

"Interesting! Fine, you want to redeem the land, how much are you planning to spend?" Wu Zhongbao savored Wang Yongzhu’s words, and after a laugh, asked straightforwardly.

Old Man Wu couldn’t hold it in any longer and slammed the table: "I’m not dead yet, and you’re making decisions without asking me? Do you think I’m a dead man? How much land is this, over ten acres, and you say sell? You ruinous child, do you know how hard it was for your father to save up so much land? And you’re selling it off? Are you trying to kill me with anger?"

Wang Yongping, Jindou, and Jinhoo were startled, and upon hearing Old Man Wu’s words, their hearts sank. Does this mean he doesn’t agree?

Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly tried to pacify the situation: "Old Brother Wu, calm down, please calm down!"

But Wu Zhongbao, taking advantage of Old Man Wu’s inattention, stole a piece of dried meat and stuffed it into his mouth. While chewing, he retorted: "We have so much land at home, why do you care about these extra ten acres? The land is far and isolated; you fancy that kind of land too? You’re really not picky! Even if those lands produced grain, you’d have to hire people to haul it back and pay someone to watch over it, that’s money too. For such a meager amount, is it really worth it?"

Old Man Wu guarded the plate of dried meat while puffing his beard and staring: "Nonsense! You try stealing more food and see if I don’t break your legs!"

The father and son bickered back and forth in front of others, making Wang Yongping, Jindou, and Jinhoo listen with trepidation.

Shopkeeper Wu, on the other hand, didn’t try to intervene anymore but just sat there munching on peanuts and drinking without a word.

Wang Yongzhu wasn’t in a hurry anymore, one moment pouring a glass of wine for Old Man Wu to soothe his throat for more scolding, another moment filling up Wu Zhongbao’s cup, encouraging him not to back down.

After father and son had argued with each other for a while, they suddenly looked at each other and fell silent.

Old Man Wu pointed to his wine cup: "Pour the wine." He gestured for Wang Yongzhu to fill his cup.

Wang Yongzhu quickly topped it off.

Old Man Wu drained his cup in one breath and grabbing the few pieces of dried meat left on the plate, stood up swaying and headed for the door. At the door, he didn’t forget to look back: "Send the promised wolf jerky over as soon as possible!"

"Ah! Rest assured!" Wang Yongzhu was momentarily stunned, then promptly recovered and answered very promptly.

Only then did Old Man Wu shake his head and walk downstairs.

Wang Yongping, Jinhoo, and Jindou were dumbfounded: "Little sister, this..."

Now that their father had left, what should they do?

But if the father is gone, isn’t the son still here?