Chapter 34 - 34 34 Chiang Xiao Knows the Big Picture

Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Chiang Xiao Knows the Big Picture Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Chiang Xiao Knows the Big Picture Five Yuan was for clothes and herbal medicine.

Chiang Xiao didn’t aim too high.

Compared to what Ding Daqiang’s family had previously demanded–ten yards of fabric plus a basket of eggs and then thirty Yuan–Chiang Xiao was practically saintly, so much so it made one’s heart ache.

Secretary Yao breathed a slight sigh of relief.

This child was sensible.

In fact, Ding Dani had only accidentally pushed someone into the creek, and if he really were to punish Ding Dani, Guiying would fight tooth and nail with him. Not to mention Ding Daqiang, who was not the type to be trifled with.

Moreover, if these two were locked up, what would happen to the younger Ding girls?

Dealing with this would spark a chain of issues. If things got out of hand, it would affect the peace and unity of Siyang Village, and this was what he didn’t want to see.

Thankfully, Chiang Xiao was truly understanding and only asked for five Yuan and twelve eggs.

In Secretary Yao’s view, Chiang Xiao really had a sense of the larger picture and knew when to advance or retreat. His impression of her improved even more.

If Ding Daqiang wouldn’t even concede to that, even he, Yao Jubin, would be angered.

Guiying was unaware of Secretary Yao’s inner thoughts. Upon hearing that her family had to compensate, she instantly sat on the ground and started crying while slapping her thighs.

“This is outright bullying! Chiang Xiao, you black-hearted, conniving little harlot, shameless greed demon, asking for five Yuan right off the bat…”

“Shut your mouth!” Secretary Yao’s temples throbbed as he pointed at her and shouted angrily, “For every extra cry, you’ll pay one more Yuan! Keep crying, I dare you!”

Do you have no shame? You yourself had initially asked for ten yards of fabric and thirty Yuan!

He then glared at Ding Daqiang and said sternly, “Brother Daqiang, admit your faults and correct them! If your family continues like this, when it’s time to irrigate the fields, don’t expect it to be your turn. You’ll just have to dry out.”

All of them had dry fields, and there was only one canal. When it came time to build the dam and divert water for irrigation, it had to be done in turns since the water flow wasn’t great.

If they couldn’t get a turn, they wouldn’t be able to water their crops, which would surely lead to their fields drying up.

This was a matter concerning the food for an entire family, and Ding Daqiang immediately backed down.

Under Secretary Yao’s fierce gaze, he pulled out a handful of money and, with a dark face, threw it in front of Chiang Xiao, then yanked Ding Dani up.

“Get lost with me back home! You disgraceful thing! Once home, I’ll beat you to death!” Five Yuan was quite a sum for anyone in the village at that time.

Keep in mind that back then, the tuition for one term in primary school was only three and a half Yuan. With these five Yuan, Chiang Xiao’s tuition for the next term was now secured.

And previously, Guiying’s demand for ten yards of fabric and thirty Yuan was utterly fantastical. Even the wealthiest families in the village would find it difficult to fork out thirty Yuan without flinching to compensate someone, let alone a poor family like the Chiangs.

“Daqiang, you can’t beat Da Ni, she needs to go up to town tomorrow…” Guiying scrambled up and ran back after them.

The cries of Ding Dani and the shouts of Guiying grew fainter and fainter.

Chiang Xiao picked up the money one bill at a time, seemingly unfazed. Among the cash were one and two jiao pieces, and mostly fen. In an era when a single fen could buy candy, seeing these old currency notes made her feel somewhat alienated.

But money was always charming.

“Alright, it’s all over! Everyone disperse, go about your business!” Secretary Yao glanced over the onlookers, and upon seeing Ho Laidi, he immediately remembered Chiang Xiao’s swollen hand from the previous night and her words.

“Auntie Laidi!”

Being called out by Secretary Yao, Ho Laidi stiffened and was a bit annoyed. With a stern face and in a not-so-friendly tone, she asked, “What is it?”

Others might fear Secretary Yao, but she certainly didn’t. Her family was of a higher generation, after all; didn’t Secretary Yao always call her auntie?

“Auntie Laidi, we now need to believe in science; we must no longer talk about exorcising evils or inviting the Fairy,” Secretary Yao bluntly said.