Chapter 220: Chapter 220

Gong Ruini was talking animatedly to Cai Ming about what happened in the yard just now, "They ran so fast when they heard we were here to get some food from you, Uncle."

Gong Ruini really didn’t understand; they hadn’t even asked to borrow anything yet, but they ran so fast as if they had wolves chasing them.

Although she didn’t see Tong Juan fleeing, she could imagine it, "That’s how they are, they run fast when there’s an advantage."

"But their days will become difficult now, everything they eat and drink will become increasingly scarce."

They like to eat and drink excessively, as if not eating would be a loss, Cai Ming noticed. As spring approached, everyone else paid attention to their food, as the harvest from the end of last year had already diminished.

However, those few seemed careless, not paying attention to these things at all—let’s see how they manage later. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel※fire.net

"Sis, you should grab some grain while you’re here." Since we’re asking to borrow food, we can’t return empty-handed; this way it confirms that their family is out of food.

Cai Meina felt embarrassed to take Cai Ming’s grain, but Cai Ming insisted on stuffing it into her hands.

"Sis, if you don’t take it, when they see how much grain I have, they’ll definitely be envious."

Cai Ming said it, so Cai Meina couldn’t disagree, and her brother was right, if they really run out of food, how could she just watch her brother go hungry?

Just as Cai Meina was packing up to leave, she heard someone asking in the yard, "Excuse me, is Cai Ming here?"

Gong Ruini found the voice familiar, yet it seemed unlikely; why would Zhao Xuran come here?

Without special circumstances, Zhao Xuran rarely left the house, at most going up the hill, never wandering the village, unless retrieving that kid Zhao Guangran.

Although at home, Zhao Xuran was always busy, often assisting Cai Meina with family matters, and constantly studying.

Honestly speaking, Gong Ruini admired Zhao Xuran, not only for his talent but also for his hard work.

Every day, while Gong Ruini slept like a pig, Zhao Xuran had already gotten up to exercise. By the time Gong Ruini woke up, Zhao Xuran had completed his morning lessons.

Such a busy person coming here was puzzling to Gong Ruini; could something have happened at home?

Cai Ming opened the door and laughed, waving outside, "Xuran, why are you here?"

Although Zhao Xuran called Cai Ming uncle, Cai Ming couldn’t dare treat him as a nephew—it was too much pressure.

"I’m here to pick up Aunt Cai and Ni Zi; they haven’t left yet, right?" Zhao Xuran hurried along, worried he might miss them, though there was only one road, if Ni Zi wandered into the woods and missed him, it wouldn’t be impossible.

Ah, he came to pick them up? Gong Ruini was very pleased, "Brother Xu Ran, are you here to pick us up?"

Yes, yes, the young man is a good person. Gong Ruini was quick to stamp his good person card; coming empty-handed was tiring, returning with items would be even more exhausting.

Now a sudden manpower was great news, Gong Ruini wondered who had thought of coming to fetch the mother and daughter pair, anyway, a genuinely good person.

Zhao Xuran entered the room, avoiding the spectators, "Uncle, when you have time in a few days, go to the village and check; if Principal Wang is satisfied, then it’s settled."

What, letting uncle go for an interview? Such speed, Gong Ruini remembered they hadn’t mentioned it to Principal Wang. Her visit was intended to gauge Cai Ming’s thoughts.

Did the old man resolve it just as they turned around?

Luckily uncle agreed; otherwise, forcing it would upset someone.

Cai Ming was taken aback, such speed, but since it’s agreed, visiting isn’t a problem, "Alright, when do I go over?"

"Saturday, Principal will come that day." Zhao Xuran wasn’t surprised at Cai Ming agreeing, those people here were intensely gossiping.

When he asked at the gate, no one appeared, but upon hearing Cai Ming invite him, they emerged from the rooms, each pretending to be occupied, constantly assessing him, making Zhao Xuran quite uncomfortable.

Despite them being so-called intellectuals, they were as gossip-prone as village women. Prolonged association either had them rejecting or sabotaging you or assimilating you.

Zhao Xuran didn’t want those close to them to have people who stab them in the back.

Especially when even Grandma said that given a chance, Cai Ming would definitely succeed, a person like that must not be allowed to regress.

"I know, I know." Cai Ming was relatively new, but Gong Tao’s relationship made Cai Ming blend into the village adequately; obtaining leave should be feasible.

Moreover, if indeed he could go teaching at school, anticipating the village chief agreeing and requesting he occasionally care for village children wasn’t overreaching.

Tong Juan, hiding indoors and daring not venture out, upon hearing someone find Cai Ming, watched constantly, realizing the visitor was a lad, arriving empty-handed, internally scoffing that he might be here freeloading.

"The rumor is Cai Ming’s brother-in-law lives well, but look, even grain needs borrowing." Tong Juan contemptuously remarked, previously thinking if Cai Ming’s brother-in-law continued supporting this young uncle, she wouldn’t mind having a relationship with Cai Ming.

Tong Juan was grateful she thought better to assess him first, no rash action, otherwise she’d really cry now.

Zhan Hua nearby was nodding, "Absolutely, good thing we weren’t easily deceived; otherwise, consequences would be unimaginable."

Tong Juan didn’t expect Zhan Hua to harbor such thoughts, now disinterested in Cai Ming, yet felt uneasy just knowing Zhan Hua would scheme.

"Weren’t you always saying Cai Ming wasn’t good?" Tong Juan had listened to Zhan Hua’s analysis, deciding not to act hastily, not realizing this fellow intended through various analyses making them lose interest in Cai Ming, causing them to give up, then she’d move in.

Tong Juan despised Zhan Hua’s selfishness.

Yet since Cai Ming was no longer viewed as valuable, rather as someone to quickly avoid, the two actors didn’t quarrel.

Especially when seeing the young man leave carrying a bag, "Ah, indeed he’s here freeloading."

Tong Juan was more irate, "Even arranging manpower afterward, luckily I dodged."

Otherwise, with so little food, it’d vanish, "Later, keep distance from Cai Ming, lest he mentions our prior indulgence and demands repayment."

"No repayment." Zhou Lin arrogantly declared beside, "Initially he insisted on playing grand."

With such little food, barely feeding oneself let alone lending, had they known, previous pretentious efforts were useless, letting them regret now.