Chapter 145: 145: Love to Take Advantage

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Love to Take Advantage

“An’an, you’ve got some nerve,” said the cart driver with a disapproving face. “Offending the town mayor will bring you no good; just watch, your mother will beat you when we get back.”

Sheng An laughed carelessly, “That won’t happen!” If her mother had been there just now and heard how viciously the mayor’s wife was scolding Sheng Ning, she might have gotten even angrier than her!

“The stubborn child who doesn’t listen to the elderly will learn their lesson the hard way,” sighed the old man, urging, “Let’s get moving! If we go back any later, everyone will have returned from their farm work.”

“Alright, alright!” Sheng An hurried along, and together they left the market, just happening to pass by the post office entrance.

The old man stopped the cart cheerfully and said, “Wait for me a moment; I’m going to see if my daughter has sent me a letter.”

“Okay! You go, I’ll watch our things.” Sheng An felt a bit downcast inside. It had been nearly a month since Sheng Ning went back to the General Union, and she hadn’t sent a single letter. Their parents were eagerly waiting every day, always talking about her; it was truly unfilial.

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Sheng An felt twisted up inside, as gnarled as a twisted dough strip. She mouthed her annoyance, but deep down she was even more eager for her sister’s letter than their parents were. If it weren’t for her pride and not wanting to lose face, she would have wanted to write a letter herself to ask.

The old man came running out in a short while, hands tucked in his sleeves and a happy spring in his step.

Seeing him like that, Sheng An also asked excitedly, “Old man, did your daughter send a letter?”

“No! It’s a letter for you, along with a big package.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you? Come and get it.” Sheng An leapt off and darted into the post office.

Inside was a large tiled house with a counter made of bricks directly opposite the door. Standing behind the counter was a girl in a knitted sweater.

“Are you Sheng An?”

“I am, I am!” Sheng An admired the sweater on the other person. The mohair looked so soft and was a style she had never seen before. The bright red was exceptionally dazzling amidst the drab grey of the countryside.

“Here’s your letter, and the package.” Sheng An received the letter; even though it wasn’t addressed to her, she was still thrilled.

The envelope read ‘Shen Luhua received’ and then, in small letters beside it, ‘collected on behalf of Sheng An!’ It seems Sheng Ning was very considerate, knowing their mom rarely went to town. She sold bean sprouts every day, at least she had some conscience.

On the ground was a package done up in a snakeskin bag. With the old man’s help, Sheng An finally managed to bring it all the way home.

Upon entering the village and meeting neighbors, they saw her carrying so much and started throwing veiled taunts, “An’an, struck it rich?”

“Heh, if only selling bean sprouts could make you rich – I just swap them for enough money to buy some snacks,” Sheng An brushed them off casually.

“Got any bean sprouts left? Give me a pound.”

Those who most looked forward to bad business for their family, hoping the bean sprouts wouldn’t sell, were the villagers themselves. Since Lao San was known to be easy to talk with, neighbors who didn’t sell all their sprouts in the morning would often give the leftovers to the neighbors for free.

After a while, these people grew more and more greedy, at times almost brazenly so.

Sheng An didn’t plan on playing the good Samaritan; even if she couldn’t sell them, she’d rather give them to the kind old man than to these ungrateful wolves.

“All sold out.”

“Really?” Someone was incredulous, thinking Sheng An was faking and suddenly lifted the gauze covering the basket, only to find it was indeed empty.

They walked away, red-faced with embarrassment.

“Aunt Liu, if you want to buy next time, give me the money in advance, and I’ll save some for you,” Sheng An called out loudly from behind.

Sending the middle-aged woman scurrying off in a panic.

“Humph! That’ll teach her to take advantage of others,” Sheng An sneered and wrinkled her nose, only to be unexpectedly slapped on the back.