Chapter 38: Bucks? Too much

Li Quezi really is capable, he knows everything.

"Give me a pack of cigarettes." Ye Cheng did not answer Li Quezi's words, which made Li Quezi very displeased, that kind of psychological satisfaction was not satisfied.

He hurriedly took out a pack of cigarettes from behind and gave it to Ye Cheng, then with a gossipy expression continued asking, "Lao Er, I heard you went to the Village Chief's house yesterday?"

"Oh, I did go. Duan Yong and the others aren't following the village committee's rules, so as a law-abiding citizen I naturally have to report them." Ye Cheng had a calm expression.

Li Quezi gave a hehe smile and raised a thumb, "Awesome, let me tell you, yesterday the Village Chief got furious, saying he called Duan Yong and the others to his house and gave them a scolding."

"Hmm, the Village Chief did the right thing, that's how it should be done, otherwise things will get messy later.

By the way, don't just stare at me, make me a clam pancake, I haven't had breakfast yet, it's 6 dollars.

Hearing Ye Cheng want a clam pancake, Li Quezi happily went to the back of the kitchen to prepare it.

Chen Jinhai gave Duan Yong and the others a scolding; given their temperament, they probably won't just let it go like that, and I don't know what will happen next.

Li Quezi quickly brought out the clam pancake; after working all night Ye Cheng was also hungry, sat down and started stuffing it into his mouth.

"Lao Er, do you think it's interesting to oppose the Village Chief like this? You can't beat him."

"One should have some principles in conduct and affairs; it's a law-abiding society, not the old feudal society."

"But when you're under someone else's roof you have to bow your head; although the Village Chief scolded Duan Yong and the others yesterday, you also didn't earn anything, if this continues you'll be the one losing out."

"Lao Er, you're still young, listen to Uncle, give in a bit, later when you have prospects you can argue with the Village Chief."

Li Quezi sat aside and began playing the role of someone giving bitter advice with good intentions.

Actually Ye Cheng has seen many such people; they don't create gossip, they're just carriers of gossip, but they also hope to insert their own thoughts into the gossip.

They all want to use their life experience to influence this situation; in short, they're just idle.

The village never lacks such people; when they get older they start spreading their life experiences everywhere, like the weird claim that Americans are actually already controlled by aliens.

Ye Cheng just pretended not to hear, but at least he confirmed one thing: that his nighttime sea‑gathering trip was still unknown to the villagers, or at least few knew and it hadn't reached Li Quezi yet.

Ye Cheng ate while Li Quezi chattered on like a broken record; he couldn't stand it, so he hastily took a couple bites, paid, and ran off.

Back then, Sun Wukong was also annoyed to death like this.

After finishing his meal, Ye Cheng turned a corner to wake Xiao Hu; this guy was still asleep, truly carefree.

At Zhang Guafu's place, Ye Cheng also made a trip; she had already gotten up, but sported two dark circles—she's older and can't handle staying up late.

Seeing Ye Cheng and Xiao Hu approach, Zhang Guafu's worried expression vanished; she rubbed her hands and said, "Lao Er and Xiao Hu are here."

Although she didn't say it outright, Ye Cheng knew Zhang Guafu was waiting for him to make good on last night's money.

The reason she got up so early is probably half because she feared Ye Cheng wouldn't pay.

"Auntie, thank you for your hard work last night, and thanks for saving me." Ye Cheng said sincerely.

Such a serious remark actually embarrassed Zhang Guafu; she quickly laughed and said, "Ay, Lao Er, it's nothing, we're all from the same village, it's only natural."

After expressing thanks, it was time to show sincerity; Ye Cheng pulled out eight big bills from his pocket and said, "Auntie, this is your money from last night."

"This much?!" Zhang Guafu said with a trembling voice; she had thought Ye Cheng might give a little extra, but never this much.

"This is what you deserve, but keep the money safe and don't let anyone know, to avoid trouble."

Ye Cheng also meant well; after all, he's still in a feud with the Village Chief, and if Zhang Guafu receives this much money from him, who knows what the villagers will say.

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely keep it safe." Zhang Guafu carefully took the money from Ye Cheng's hand, put it in her pocket, and showed a relieved smile.

"Lao Er, have you had breakfast yet? If not, come eat here." Having received the money, Zhang Guafu was very enthusiastic: "My noodles are delicious, I'll add two eggs for you."

"I've already eaten, we still have things to do; if we get a chance we'll come by for a free meal." Ye Cheng declined, since he couldn't read Zhang Guafu's mind, he wanted to keep his distance, plus he'd already eaten.

After stepping out, Xiao Hu wore a sullen face: "Brother, you've eaten but I haven't."

"You can't make instant noodles yourself, yet you insist on eating at someone else's house."

Xiao Hu pursed his lips: "Making instant noodles yourself still means you have to make them and wash the bowl."

"You'll lazy yourself to death." Ye Cheng gave him a sideways glance.

Before they had walked two steps, Xiao Hu started questioning again: "Brother, why did you give her so much money? 800?"

"That's life‑saving money; isn't my life worth 800?"

Saving a life is a huge favor; although Ye Cheng wouldn't promise himself in marriage or swear to follow unto death like in ancient novels, giving extra money is still appropriate.

"It's worth it, but why do you want me to fork out 400? You're the one being saved, not me." Xiao Hu complained in two sentences.

When Ye Cheng took Xiao Hu along, he had him produce 400 dollars, saying it would be useful; Xiao Hu didn't expect Ye Cheng to also give his money together to Zhang Guafu.

"Nonsense, didn't they also save you?"

"No, brother, actually when I let you go, I could still have swum up myself."

Ye Cheng stopped, his eyes flashing with dangerous light, staring at Xiao Hu and saying word by word, "You mean you even considered letting go of me?"

"Brother, brother, don't misunderstand, I'm just saying it's possible, but I definitely won't..."

"Ah, brother, don't hit me."

"I was just saying, brother..."

As for the time Ye Cheng cheated Xiao Hu out of 400 dollars, he of course couldn't be bothered to bring it up again; only Xiao Hu kept muttering a few sentences.

The two went to find Li Yong, planning to take the seafood to the city to sell; however Li Yong could only give them a ride, and they'd return later, which Ye Cheng didn't mind—he could stroll around the city.

Since it wasn't certain whether they'd be catching a ride back with Li Yong, Ye Cheng merely paid 50 dollars up front.

After giving Zhang Guafu her money in the morning, he didn't have much left.

When he paid off the last family debt, he still had 500 dollars; after buying some things in the morning and giving Zhang Guafu 400, he had less than a hundred left; now after giving Li Yong 50 dollars, he had less than fifty left.

Damn, after working several days gathering seafood and earning this much money, how come I feel like I haven't saved anything at all.