The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 453 - 442 "Do Not Do Unto Others

Chapter 453: Chapter 442 "Do Not Do Unto Others

Mr. Zhuang set down the textbook and said to Bai Shanbao and Manbao, "Organize the content we just covered into a booklet, ponder over it carefully, and if there are questions you cannot resolve, discuss them amongst yourselves first. If you still can’t find the answers, then come to ask me."

The two of them complied.

Mr. Zhuang then walked to Bai Erlang’s side and watched him do his homework. After a while, he nodded slightly before walking with his hands behind his back to the back rows of the classroom.

A few young boys were sitting there; they had all studied with him before and had just left school before the New Year.

Mr. Zhuang approached them with a smile and asked, "Any questions?"

The boys stood up to greet him and said with blushing faces, "Teacher, could you teach us some more about keeping accounts? We... we’re about to go to the county to find work."

Even though they had been attentive in class before, now they deeply regretted not having been more focused.

Mr. Zhuang smiled, "You few have learned your arithmetic quite well. It’s not so difficult, but being good at accounting requires more than just book knowledge. When you get to the county, you should observe and listen more and talk less, and see how the old accountants do their work."

Mr. Zhuang said, "Be diligent, learn their strengths, and you will eventually master their skills."

Mr. Zhuang took their abacus beads and positioned them one by one, saying, "First show me how you calculate with the beads. As long as you’re able to do this well, there should be no problems."

After all, a beginner accountant could only calculate with the beads or copy account books.

The boys nodded excitedly, took out their abacus beads, and waited for the teacher to pose problems.

Manbao and the others didn’t even look up, as Mr. Zhuang had accelerated the pace of the lesson considerably today. Bai Erlang also only glanced back once before resuming his concentrated work on his assignments.

Having listened to Mr. Zhuang’s morning lesson and eavesdropped on the progress of Bai Shanbao and Manbao, he felt that if he didn’t work harder, his father would surely beat him once he returned home.

Mr. Zhuang was strict with them now; he did not let them wander about even when it was time for lunch, and he didn’t even allow Manbao to go home for the meal.

Old Madam Liu would generally have the kitchen prepare lunch for them to be delivered. Since the large classroom ceased, most of the time, the Bai Family took care of meals for their teacher and his students.

The Zhou Family had sent a bag of milled rice to the Bai Family right after the beginning of the year. Old Zhou had estimated that given his daughter returning home to eat once every few days, the rice would be enough for her until the New Year.

After all, it was just one meal a day, wasn’t it?

Besides, the Zhou Family practically sent vegetables to the Bai Family every other day, all freshly picked from their own family’s vegetable garden.

Although the Bai Family might not care much for these since they too grew many vegetables in Qili Village.

However, each time Junior Ms.Qian brought the vegetables over, the Bai Family accepted them, and sometimes they would return the favor with some of their own quality produce.

The two families always reciprocated like this.

Today, just as usual, the Bai Family sent lunch over for the three. After eating with them, Mr. Zhuang shared a post-meal short story with them.

It was naturally a historical story, the kind found in history books.

And Mr. Zhuang told it well; the three children, especially Manbao, listened with great relish.

After finishing the story, Mr. Zhuang told them to take a nap.

He had come to view Manbao as grown up, a young lady, so he had specifically placed a large folding screen in the study. The folding screen, made of bamboo, was provided by Zhou ErLang as a friendly gesture.

Behind the screen was a small couch, which was where Manbao would rest.

On this side of the screen was the place for Mr. Zhuang, Bai Shanbao, and Bai Erlang to rest.

Of course, most of the time Mr. Zhuang wouldn’t lie down there. However, today Mr. Zhuang seemed particularly excited and didn’t return to his own room for a nap, but rather leaned on the couch and chatted leisurely with them.

Though it was just casual conversation, Bai Shanbao and the others could still learn much from it.

In the afternoon, they continued their studies and even extended their learning hours, with Mr. Zhuang not letting them leave until almost dinner time.

Manbao, carrying the Small book box and wearing a straw hat, headed home while she and Keke sighed inwardly, "What’s gotten into our teacher?"

Keke, with a wealth of experience, replied, "He will calm down after a while."

"Did the teacher encounter something exciting?" Manbao asked.

Keke answered, "He might think he has encountered a genius student, so he’s quite excited. It’s like what your history books say about Bole suddenly finding a rare thousand-li horse."

Manbao pouted, "The genius student you mentioned isn’t Bai Shanbao, is it?"

"No, is it you?"

Manbao’s eyes brightened, "Hey? Aren’t you saying Bai Shanbao is smarter than me?"

Keke said, "But, Host, you have me."

Manbao, not completely sure, responded, "So are you complimenting me or yourself?"

Keke replied in an electronic tone, "Both."

Manbao continued chatting with Keke as she headed home.

Old Zhou was waiting for her at home. Seeing her return, he said, "Come here, Manbao. Have I told you how many bags of wheat our family plans to buy?"

"How many?"

"Six bags. When should I mention it to Old Master Bai?"

Manbao replied, "You don’t need to tell Old Master Bai. Just talk to Bai Shanbao. No, actually, you don’t even need to tell him either. Just take the money and buy it directly from their home. He already arranged it with Manor Head Bai; you just need to weigh it out."

Old Zhou looked somewhat disappointed, "Weighed out?"

"Yes," Manbao said, "measures can be too deceiving; ’accidentally’ it can end up more than intended."

"But if deceiving happens, it’s the seller who is cheated, and we’re buyers now," said Old Zhou with an exasperated look at his daughter.

However, Manbao countered, "If we cheat as buyers now, then when we are sellers, we too can be cheated in return."

Ms.Qian overheard this but didn’t say anything. When they were alone, she said to Old Zhou, "Don’t always think of taking advantage. What if the children all learn that from you?"

"What’s wrong with taking advantage? Being shrewd helps one survive," Old Zhou replied.

"But not necessarily live well. We’re not short on grain now, are we? Let’s just follow the proper procedures; the children have agreed on their way, so that’s how we’ll proceed."

Ms.Qian then called over Zhou Dalang, instructing him to lead his brothers to the Bai Family to buy wheat.

Zhou ErLang harnessed the ox to the cart and went with Zhou Dalang and Zhou Sanlang, of course with the money Ms.Qian provided.

Ms.Qian followed Manbao into her room, where she saw her daughter transferring items from the book box to the desk. She approached to help and asked with a smile, "Have you settled the business with the little Master of the Bai Family?"

Manbao nodded and whispered, "Mom, we made a lot of money."

"Keep it well then, you’ll need it for your education," Ms.Qian did not ask how much they had made and continued, "You are capable, child. The family can only provide so much, so you must be prudent. Whatever happens, be sure to tell Mom, understand?"

Manbao nodded.

Ms.Qian patted her little head and then asked, "Why is your teacher being so strict this time, not even giving a break for the Dragon Boat Festival?"

Manbao sighed, "My friend said that it’s because the teacher suddenly realized I am a genius. If he doesn’t teach me earnestly, he might regret it."

Ms.Qian: ...My daughter has many good qualities, but this self-satisfied attitude is becoming more and more like the Zhou Family.

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