Chapter 204: Chapter 196: Borrowing Rice

Xiao Feng was the future of the Bai Family, destined to become a great official. How could they possibly let him starve?

Ms. Zhang, walking behind Liu, immediately rolled her eyes. ’So only *your* Xiao Feng knows hunger?’ she thought. ’Do my Zhenzhu and Fugui not get hungry?’

Ms. Zhang kept quiet. It wasn’t the right time to speak up. The family was out of rice, and Old Mrs. Bai was holding onto the money. Surely, the old woman would think of something.

When they reached a dilapidated old house, Old Mrs. Bai suddenly stopped and turned to look at the faint light glowing from within.

"I can’t believe Eldest Uncle’s family is willing to burn a lamp. What a rare sight." Liu’s gaze followed Mrs. Bai’s and swept across the courtyard.

Old Mrs. Bai said, "I heard Bai Tieniu went into town to buy rice today. I wonder how much he bought. If I ask to borrow some, do you think they’ll lend it to me?"

Liu gave a forced laugh. "They... they probably will. After all, Bai Tieniu has to call you Second Aunt. If you ask him for some rice, you’ll definitely get some."

Ms. Zhang said, "Two years ago, when Bai Tieniu’s eldest son had that bad fall, he came to you to borrow money for treatment, and you didn’t give him a single coin. Later, when their harvest failed, he came to borrow rice, and you didn’t lend him any then either, did you?"

Ms. Zhang sighed, then added, "And you’re still thinking of borrowing rice at a time like this? Everyone knows the price in the city is skyrocketing. Who in their right mind would lend out rice now?"

Liu shot a glare at Ms. Zhang, saying unhappily, "How do you know they won’t? Maybe Bai Tieniu will do it out of respect for Mother! You should stop being such a wet blanket."

Ms. Zhang couldn’t be bothered to argue with them. "Whatever. I’m heading back. It’d be great if you can borrow some, but if not, just go buy it. Didn’t you bring silver?" With that, Ms. Zhang turned and left. Having been hungry all day, she had no energy to bicker with them over this. If there was still no sign of grain by tomorrow, she would have to take her two children back to her parents’ home just to get through this predicament.

After Ms. Zhang left, Liu went to knock on the door. ree

Bai Tieniu was the one who opened it. The moment he saw Liu and Old Mrs. Bai, his face fell. "You two? Is there something you need?" ’This old woman has always looked down on our family,’ he thought. ’Ever since Dad and Second Uncle died, our families have had no contact. We don’t even greet each other on the street. People in the know realize we’re relatives; those who don’t would think we’re complete strangers.’

Old Mrs. Bai forced a smile and spoke to Bai Tieniu in a gentle tone, "Ah, Tie Niu. I heard you went into town to buy rice today?"

Bai Tieniu nodded. "Yeah. We were about to run out of food, so I went to town and bought a little to tide us over. Why do you ask?"

Old Mrs. Bai gave a hollow laugh. "Well, you see, Dazhu also went to town to buy rice today, but he was attacked by robbers on the way back. They stole the rice and the silver, and beat him half to death. He’s stuck in bed now, can’t even get up."

Bai Tieniu raised an eyebrow. "And? What does that have to do with me?"

Old Mrs. Bai’s smile grew even more awkward. "You’re right, it really has nothing to do with you. We just... we had no other choice. That’s why we’ve swallowed our pride and come to you, to see if you could lend us a little rice. After our harvest comes in, we’ll pay you back, with interest."

Bai Tieniu suddenly laughed, a laugh that sent a chill down their spines. "I must say, Second Aunt, have you still not kicked that habit of treating everyone like a fool? Do you think I, Bai Tieniu, am like my parents? That you can just spin your pretty words and trick me as you please? Do you have any idea what the price of rice is in the shops today? You want to borrow rice from me now and pay me back after the autumn harvest? Do I, Bai Tieniu, look like a sucker to you?"

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