They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 227 Testing
Seeing that Xu Zhichun was lost in thought and hadn't moved for a long time, Mr. and Mrs. Qin exchanged glances.

"What's wrong, Madam Xu?"

"I don't know. Could it be that you can't understand the ledger? Or is there something you don't understand?"

"It should be, shall I ask?"

"Ask quickly, ask quickly."

Master Qin nodded slightly to his wife, then coughed twice as if to make a gesture, "Does Madam Xu have any further questions that you would like us to explain?"

Madam Qin smiled and said, "Madam Xu, there's no need to be so polite. When it comes to money, it's best for close brothers to keep clear accounts. You shouldn't keep doubts to yourself. Being clear about everything is the way to maintain a long-lasting relationship."

"Huh? No, no, the accounts are all clear, I understand everything," Xu Zhichun said, regaining his composure. He quickly shook his head with a smile and sighed, "I just didn't expect to earn so much, it's too much! I can hardly believe it for a moment."

Master Qin laughed heartily and said, "Madam Xu is being modest. Who hasn't used the threshing machine, the windmill, and the watermill and said they're good? Thanks to these, this year's autumn harvest was much easier, and we didn't have to worry so much. If it weren't for the tight schedule and lack of time to make arrangements, we could have earned much more than this. But there's plenty of time in the future, and we can earn a lot more in the long run."

Xu Zhichun nodded and smiled in agreement: "I admire Master Qin's abilities very much."

After a few words, both parties got what they wanted.

Master Qin and Madam Qin agreed with Xu Zhichun that they would send someone to pick her up the day after tomorrow to go to Loujia Village to see the farm. Xu Zhichun readily agreed.

Madam Qin said that the three hundred acres of fertile land were worth eight taels of silver per acre, which would amount to two thousand four hundred taels. The two-courtyard house and the thirty to fifty acres of land would be worth one hundred and fifty taels.

All together, it's only a little over two thousand five hundred taels.

Xu Zhichun himself felt that he had suddenly become rich and powerful, and even dared to use the word "talent".

No more having to be so frugal, it feels amazing.

With money in hand, she felt very confident. When the two families came to her door that night, pressuring her to give them each four or five hundred catties, Xu Zhichun refused loudly.

"Impossible, don't even think about it. You have enough to grow your own seeds. I dare not disobey Lord Lu's orders."

Bai smiled, her tone much gentler and milder than usual: "Lord Lu is a good official. How could he not know the principle of keeping some for personal favors? You planted so many, and the harvested sweet potatoes and potatoes are piled up like small mountains. Even if you share some with us, how could Lord Lu mind? Zhichun, we won't take it for free. You sold it to us for one coin per pound back then, so how about we pay two coins now?"

Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "In this respect, I'm the one who got a great deal from my second aunt. Why don't I sell them all to her?"

Even though she knew the woman was just saying it out of anger, Bai's heart still couldn't help but flutter. She smiled and politely declined, saying, "How could that be! But if you really think that way, it's not impossible."

Uncle Liang, however, clung to this point as if it were a weakness, refusing to let it go. "Fine! That's how it's going to be! You said it yourself, you can't go back on your word! Get out of my way, I'll move everything out right now!"

Xu Zhichun was surprised.

Did he take the wrong medicine?
This uncle wasn't usually like this.

Does profit drive people crazy?

It doesn't seem like it. It shouldn't have come to that.

Liang Chunfen stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes wide and fixed on the spot, her expression showing a hint of anticipation as if she were about to make a move. With her standing there, Uncle Liang could not get an inch closer.

Uncle Liang glared at her fiercely: "Get out of the way!"

Liang Chunfen was no longer afraid of him and shook her head: "I won't leave, I won't let you."

"You—you idiot! You moron!" "I'm not an idiot."

"Idiot! Idiot!"

“Why would Uncle do that?” Xu Zhichun said, “I was just joking. I didn’t expect you to take it seriously. I’ve worked so hard for half a year and finally reaped the rewards. I was about to get a good reward. How could I possibly sell it for two coins a pound? Uncle, don’t think I’m a fool.”

Uncle Liang glared at her fiercely, his eyes like knives, as if he really wanted to cut her to pieces.

Hate to the bone.

Xu Zhichun felt inexplicably uneasy and her scalp tingled under his gaze. If it weren't for Chunfen's presence as a stabilizing force, she felt her uncle would definitely act recklessly tonight. She would definitely suffer the consequences.

"Xu Zhichun, you're too greedy! You're insatiable, you want to grab every benefit you can get. Be careful you don't choke to death one day!"

Unable to hold back after being inexplicably scolded, Xu Zhichun sneered, "That's my business!"

"Humph!"

Uncle Liang glared at her fiercely and left angrily.

Bai wanted to appeal to family ties, but when she met Xu Zhichun's cold and indifferent gaze, her heart sank before she could even speak.

Bai felt guilty and was suspicious, so she smiled tentatively and asked, "Zhichun, do you have some misunderstanding about us?"

Xu Zhichun also wanted to test her, so she gave her a deep look, as if she had something in mind, yet also as if she didn't: "Oh? What do you think, Second Aunt?"

Bai felt even more uneasy, but forced a smile: "I think it must be a misunderstanding! We haven't been caring enough for you two in the past; we haven't done a good enough job. We're a family, and we shouldn't be like that. If you ever need any help in the future, just come to us, and we'll definitely stand up for you. You're still young, and there's a completely different story in a family with elders than without. Especially now that you've earned so much money, countless people are jealous. Seeing that you're all alone, some might have ulterior motives and try to take advantage of you. With us backing you up, you can avoid some trouble. You'll see in the future."

Xu Zhichun: "No need. I'm afraid I'm too unlucky and frail to accept my second aunt's concern and support. These things are very unpredictable. If something goes wrong, or something doesn't go well, there could be bloodshed or even death. I'm timid and especially afraid of that! Let's just continue as we were before."

The Bai couple's expressions changed.

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. Xu, how can you talk like that? You've taken my kindness for granted!"

Xu Zhichun smiled modestly, "I didn't mean anything by it, I was just expressing my thoughts. When no one cared about me or helped me, I lived a wonderful life. So, I'm genuinely afraid of having someone back me up."

"You—" Bai Shi suppressed a soft sigh, "Never mind, we're relieved to see you're alright anyway."

"I think she just doesn't know what's good for her—"

"Alright, alright, let's not say anything more and let's go."

"Humph!"

Xu Zhichun closed the door, thought for a moment, and then asked Chunfen with a smile, "Chunfen, what do you think of my second aunt?"

“No good.” Liang Chunfen shook her head: “They all want to bully Sister-in-law Zhichun, they are all bad people.”

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Ahem, don't worry about me, just tell me, just tell me, um, what do you think?"

"what?"

The little girl looked confused and bewildered, not quite understanding what "feeling" meant.
(End of this chapter)