Losing the Gamble

Xiao Qian carried the basket on her back and gently walked to the entrance of the school's kitchen. She took her little aunt out of the basket and placed her on the threshold. She whispered, "Man Bao, just sit here." "My sister-in-law will go and cook, and then she will bring you home later."

Man Bao nodded obediently, and when her sister-in-law turned and went into the kitchen, she hurried towards the nearby classroom with her short legs.

The children inside were reading the Thousand Character Essay under the guidance of the gentleman. Man Bao casually dragged a stone and positioned it under the window. He then stepped on it and peered inside, his eyes shining like stars as he stared in.

Bai Erlang, who was sitting not far from the window, noticed Man Bao's gaze as she shook her head. He discreetly turned his head to give her a stern look.

Man Bao defiantly glared back and even made a face at him.

Bai Er Lang's eyes widened in exasperation as Mister walked by. Mister gently slapped his head and reprimanded him, "Be serious."

Man Bao couldn't help but look happy and overjoyed. When he saw Mister looking over, he even winked at him mischievously.

The white-bearded gentleman couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. He didn't care about her, so he let her lie down by the window and listen to them read.

Mr.: "Today, we are here to learn the final paragraph of the Thousand Character Essay, Mao Shi Shuzi." His brows knitted as he smiled. Every year, he was a catalyst for change. Xi Hui Lang Yao... lonely, foolish Meng, and cynicism. These words serve as a guide, just like Yan Yuya.

The students recited one sentence after another. Man Bao stood outside the window and listened to the small, milky voice shouting. The voice was quite loud, and the students in the classroom were accustomed to it, shaking their heads and following Mr. Read.

Man Bao had been reciting the Thousand Character Classic since he could speak and had memorized the text long ago. When the teacher set the book down and allowed the students to recite it repeatedly on their own, he walked to the other side of the room where the older children were learning something different. Man Bao leaped from the stone and dashed into the teacher's living quarters.

When Mr. announced the end of school and walked back to his next destination, he noticed that Man Bao had already fetched a broom, cleaned the front door, and was sitting on the floor sorting through the manuscripts he had discarded.

Upon seeing the sir return, Man Bao happily showed him the sorted manuscripts, "Look, sir, the backs of these are all still usable."

"These are the ones I scrapped when I wrote Shiwen; take them back if you want them."

Man Bao shook her head and said, "The backs can be used for writing practice, sir." "You can use them first, and I'll take them back when they are full."

Mr. couldn't resist her, so he could only take the manuscript and put it on the table. He pointed to another pile of manuscripts filled with characters, saying, "Take these back, and if you don't understand any of the characters, bring them to me and ask."

Man Bao happily answered, folded the pile of paper, and stuffed it into her arms before heading off to the kitchen to find her sister-in-law.

Xiao Qian had already prepared all the food and was feeding the children.

Man Bao slipped into the kitchen, greeted her sister-in-law, and brought Mr.'s meal to him.

Mister pointed to the mat across from him and said, "Please sit down and work together on it."

Man Bao shook his head, "I'll eat in the kitchen later." This is for you, sir. "Sir, please eat."

Mr. also does not force; he cuts a piece of meat and feeds it to her mouth. Man Bao happily eats, but she cannot sit here. She plays for a while and then runs out.

Mister lost his smile and shook his head, choosing not to call her.

Man Bao ran to the kitchen. Xiao Qian noticed her and scraped the remaining bits of pot roast from the bottom of the pot, placing them in a bowl for her to eat.

Man Bao obediently grabbed the potpourri and stuffed it into her mouth. She also broke off a piece and fed it to her sister-in-law. Xiao Qian's face lit up with a smile as she ate and urged, "You should eat too." There's plenty.

Just one pot of rice, potpourri is so little. If too much potpourri is burned, the students may not be able to concentrate, and she may lose her job.

Xiao Qian had been a cook in the schoolhouse for three years and had a very good sense of proportion in this regard.

Mr. Zhuang is a teacher hired by the village landlord, Master Bai, and the school was built by the Bai family with donations from all the families in the village.

Mr. Zhuang started teaching at this school with his wife and children. Since there are two villages nearby and the children cannot go home for lunch, Mr. Zhuang felt sorry for them being hungry. He collected six pounds of rice from each student monthly and charged 30 coins for their school lunch.

The school's kitchen was initially managed by Mr. Zhuang's elderly wife. She would go to the village to buy vegetables, while the students brought rice. Occasionally, she would purchase some meat, chop it, and cook for everyone to eat. Additionally, she would set aside twenty or thirty dollars each month, considering it their hard-earned money.

Parents hold a special place in their hearts for Mr. Zhuang, knowing that he does not earn money from them. He generously provides food for the students, making the children happy to have a meal to eat at home. This act of kindness extends to students in the village, who also receive rice.

Later, Mr. Zhuang's elderly wife passed away after battling a serious illness. His grandchildren, along with his sons and daughters-in-law, moved to the city, leaving him alone to manage the household chores. Mr. Zhuang, with no one to assist him, decided to use a portion of his savings to hire a cook.

When the landlord learned of this, he allowed Xiao Qian to return the money to Mr. Zhuang. He then used his personal funds to employ Xiao Qian and managed the money and rice contributed by the students, enabling Mr. Zhuang to teach without any worries.

At that time, Man Bao was only eight months old and couldn't even walk. Small Money's primary responsibility was to look after Man Bao and the youngest of the three sons. He would often carry the two children in a basket to the school kitchen. Occasionally, he would scoop out a rice ball from the pot for the two of them to eat, ensuring they were well taken care of.

Just three years old, Man Bao is now four years old. He does not like coming to school and prefers playing with his older siblings. Therefore, he now only follows Little Qian's side.

Although it's just a small amount of potpourri every day, it helps to keep Manbao's skin fair and smooth. He doesn't look like a farmer's child at all, let alone a member of the Zhou family.

After Man Bao and his sister-in-law finished dividing the potpourri, they cleaned the pots and bowls before heading home.

Xiao Qian wanted to put Man Bao in the basket, but Man Bao was not happy. She ran to the side and said, "I'll walk by myself." I can walk by myself.

Xiao Qian didn't force her, "OK, you can walk by yourself, just don't fall."

"I'm already a big kid; I won't fall." Man Bao ran forward, shouting "Wow, wow," and in the distance, she noticed a crowd of people gathered around the house's door. She felt joyful and was about to hurry over when she heard a scream from inside, causing her to jolt in fear.

Xiao Qian realized sooner than expected that something was amiss when she sensed someone holding her and rushing forward.

The crowd of onlookers immediately made way when they saw Xiao Qian. "The Zhou family's sister-in-law is back." Quickly make way, quickly make way.

"Mrs. Zhou, your fourth uncle has lost money gambling, and people are coming to the door."

There are those who have been tipped off and those who are gloating, "The money owed is a substantial amount, and it seems like Old Zhou is going to severely beat the kid." Therefore, Zhou's wife should attempt to persuade him not to do so because, while money can be earned again, a life lost is irreparable.

Xiao Qian's heart trembled as she squeezed through the crowd to get home. She saw her fourth uncle being pinned down on the ground by the second and third elderly men, while her father-in-law held a flat stretcher to welcome her.

In the yard, there were approximately ten unfamiliar individuals, led by a stern-faced person, who interrupted the elderly man Zhou angrily: "Master Zhou, your son owes me money, and he must repay me today." "Otherwise, our journey here will have been for nothing."

Man Bao broke free from Small Qian's arms and ran to her father's side. She looked at her irresponsible fourth brother and then at the onlookers, furrowing her little eyebrows. She asked, "Father, how much money did fourth brother gamble away?"

The young man leading the group gazed at Man Bao in astonishment and remarked, "Master Zhou, your daughter is quite attractive." If your family is short on funds, you could settle the debt by offering the child, even though she is young. "We wouldn't object."

Old man Zhou was furious. He angrily flicked his daughter behind him and said, "If you want someone, take this beast there, and he'll repay the money he owes himself."

Zhou Si Lang howled and screamed, "Father, father, please save me!" I really don't dare; I can't take it anymore. "If you let them drag me there, they will beat me to death, they will really beat me to death."

The youth in the lead glanced at Old Man Zhou and snorted. He reached out his foot, directly stepping on Zhou Si Lang's hand and crushing it. Zhou Si Lang screamed out.

Seeing Old Man Zhou's face grow more stern and pale, he smiled with satisfaction and said, "Isn't it just fifteen taels of silver?" Look at your family in this new house; it seems like there's no money. And there are so many girls around, just give me two casually. But let me clarify, nowadays girls are not easily swayed by money. It must be your young daughter who can fetch a good price. "Otherwise, it's just three or five taels; anything less than four won't settle the debt."

The word scared Xiao Qian and Feng, prompting them to pull back their daughters. In the family, only the two of them have daughters.

Old man Zhou was so angry that his hands and feet were trembling, and Zhou Shilang was so shocked and scared that he almost couldn't help but wet his pants. He could only use his other hand, the one that wasn't stepped on, to grab his old man's coat, pleading, "Father, father, save me, save me." "I really don't dare to do it anymore, I don't dare to do it anymore..."

Zhou Erlang, who was escorting him, couldn't help but reach out and strike him. The family's life had been good for a long time, but it was all spoiled by him.

And he has two daughters. If he really wants to sell his children...

Zhou Erlang pondered this and punched him harder, saying, "I told you to obey, I told you to obey."

Zhou Shilang hugged his head and begged for mercy.

Man Bao watched with tightly pursed lips, then turned to look at her three nieces before running towards the house.

Her mother, Qian, was leaning on the bed, rubbing her chest, while Sixth Brother supported her with concern.

Her mother's health had always been poor, and now she was likely in shock.

Man Bao ran over and asked, "Mother, how much money does our family have?"

Qian opened her eyes to look at her little daughter and couldn't help but wipe her tears away. "Why are you asking this?"

"Is there enough money to pay off our debts?"

Qian cried, "You're a murderer." I should have drowned your fourth brother when I gave birth to him. The family is still short four or five taels.

Man Bao asked, "Should we let them drag Fourth Brother away?"

"They came all the way over the mountain." If they don't pay a penny, they can beat your fourth brother to death before leaving the village. Can we still bear to see him die?

Qian understands this reasoning. It is even more unlikely that Old Zhou Tou doesn't understand, but now he just can't give up.

Man Bao emphasized with a serious expression, "You can't sell your niece."

Qian stroked her chin and said, "Not for sale." "Even if you were to sell your fourth brother, you wouldn't sell that sinful animal."