Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 56 - 55 You Should Help the Adults More Often in the Future

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Shen Qing and his companions hurried along, and finally arrived at Hongshan Village by dusk.

By this time, most of the villagers who had gone hunting had already descended, and the village was much livelier compared to the daytime.

The cart rumbled over the stone path at the village entrance, raising a layer of mud, and passed through the entrance of Hongshan Village.

Some villagers dressed in dog skin poked their heads out, spotted Shen Qing and his group, and said, "Hey, isn't that Qingzi and his crew? Finally back!"

With his shout, other villagers, who were idle with nothing to do, also gathered around.

"Qingzi, why didn't you come back yesterday?" a villager teased with a grin, "Everyone was joking, saying you traded the mountain goods for money and stayed in the city to enjoy yourself, never to return."

Shen Qing let go of the tied reins, jumped off the cart, and said, "Yesterday, I stayed late practicing martial arts at Linfeng Hall, so I stayed overnight in the city and got delayed."

"I just knew it. Qingzi is so righteous. How could he run off? They just wouldn't believe it. Haha..."

Shen Qing knew the little thoughts of the villagers and pointedly said, "Stop chattering, you won't miss out on your money. Let someone from the Zhang Family come find me."

"Alright, alright."

Not long after, Zhang Baqing heard of Shen Qing's return. He hurriedly finished his dinner, wiped his mouth, and ran out.

When he reached the village entrance and saw Shen Qing and the others, he immediately called out cheerfully, "Nephew of the Shen Family, you called for me?"

"Zhang Batou, I have something for you."

In front of everyone, Shen Qing took out a bag containing more than six strings of large coins and handed it to Zhang Baqing, saying, "This time the money from selling goods is all here. Take it with the account book and settle up with the villagers. Pay off the debts."

The hunters watching eagerly eyed the large coins in Shen Qing's hands, each of them rubbing their fists, impatiently wanting to get back their share.

This was what they had been working hard for every day.

Zhang Baqing patted his chest and promised, "Alright, leave this to me. I know exactly how much each family is owed."

Shen Qing continued, "Then inform everyone that after settling this time, I won't be granting credit next time. It's cash for goods from now on to avoid confusion."

"Ah..." Zhang Baqing said, somewhat surprised, "It's quite a sum for all the households in the village."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Shen Qing's tone was indifferent as he spoke, creating a slight sense of distance for Zhang Baqing instantly.

Zhang Baqing was also well aware that the eldest son of the Shen family had learned martial arts and had achieved some success, potentially becoming a figure in the city in the future, naturally making them different kinds of people.

He quietly reminded himself not to get carried away, "Alright, I'll tell each family today."

"Much appreciated, Uncle Zhang." Shen Qing said while taking a candle from the cart and handing it to Zhang Baqing, "It's slippery on the village roads at night. I have a candle here for you to take for lighting."

Candles sold in the city, fine ones, cost about one hundred to four hundred wen each, which was quite expensive.

Even cheaper ones, ordinary candles used by common people, cost ten to thirty wen each.

For villagers, they were quite a rare treat.

So, the villagers would usually light oil lamps at night, and few would be willing to use such precious items as candles.

Shen Qing's gesture was meant as a small incentive for Zhang Baqing, boosting his enthusiasm without letting him work for nothing.

Country folks were not as full of formalities and rituals as city folks, and Zhang Baqing casually expressed his thanks and accepted it.

Once he had the candle, his face filled with wrinkles turned into a blooming chrysanthemum with smiles, and he diligently set to work for Shen Qing, full of vigor.

After dealing with the crowd of villagers, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu each went their way home.

They rounded a few corners and Shen Qing arrived at a house with earthen walls, its front door wide open.

Shen Qing went to the side to tie the horse beside the house.

His elder sister, Shen Fang, hearing the commotion outside, hurriedly came out. Seeing Shen Qing in a new set of clothes, she happily exclaimed, "Oh, Qingzi is back!"

She quickly stepped forward to help him.

Seeing a package on the cart, Shen Fang didn't think much before picking it up, only to find it quite heavy.

"Qingzi, what's inside? It's so heavy."

"I'll tell you later."

Shen Qing untied the cart from the nag and leaned it against the wall.

He brought down a sack of items from the top and followed Shen Fang inside the house.

After putting everything down, Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed, noticing Shen Fang still eyeing the package. He said, "If you want to see it, just open it yourself. Why hesitate?"

Suspiciously secretive.

Shen Fang murmured inwardly, but quickly unwrapped the package with nimble hands.

Rustle!

The shining silver grains and blocks poured out like a waterfall before her.

She was immediately stunned.

She had never seen so much money in all her life.

Feeling guilty, Shen Fang quickly rewrapped the package and tremblingly asked in a low voice, "Where did you get so much money?"

"Helped the city officials with something, they're kind-hearted and gave it to me," Shen Qing replied with an honest look.

Shen Fang found it hard to believe.

Shen Qing laughed and said, "Sister, the city officials even use golden chopsticks for eating, this is just pocket change to them."

Golden chopsticks for eating?

Shen Fang gasped and said, "Then you have to go help them more often, be careful not to make any mistakes. Got it?"

Elder Sister Shen Fang, at this moment, was like a nagging old mother, continuously instructing him, appearing quite repetitious, "Once you've saved up enough money, buy a house in the county and marry a wife from the city, then you'd be somebody."

Shen Qing shook his head helplessly, feeling that marrying him off had become his sister's obsession, mentioned every few days.

"For now, we're just getting by. It's still early. But you don't have to keep scrimping on food and clothes. Eat what you want, wear what you want, drink what you want. Our hardest times are behind us."

Seeing Shen Qing's somewhat frivolous attitude, Shen Fang frowned and said, "Qingzi, this time you can learn martial arts and achieve something in the city, all thanks to Aunt and Uncle. If you ever make it big, you must not forget them. We should be grateful and repay kindness."

"I know." Shen Qing sat up on the bed and looked around, "What are we having for dinner tonight?"

Shen Fang tied the package securely, handed it to Shen Qing, and said, brushing the dust from her hands, "We still have some lamb at home. I'll cook noodles for you with the noodles you brought back."

"Alright." Shen Qing added with a smile, "I bought quite a bit of spices and salt in the city, remember to use them generously."

In the few months he had been in this world, he felt he was living more and more like a true person.

Life was starting to become comfortable.

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