Zhang Qian had heard whispers in recent days that many people in the village had been secretly catching crayfish, and his father was extremely worried.
The reason for his worry was the fear that it might affect Zhang Liunian's business.
After all, he was the first one who, after making money, did not forget to help his fellow villagers. If someone else had taken up this business, they might not have had such magnanimity.
Therefore, Zhang Qian was very angry when he saw Wang Xiao'e bringing Zhang Liusha there to sell crayfish.
"Yes, he proved that they are edible, but that doesn't mean we can't sell them, does it? If he can sell them, why can't we? We are not selling the ones from his lake, so why is it not allowed?" Wang Xiao'e was furious. She glanced around but couldn't find her younger son, which made her even angrier.
"What you are doing is letting down brother Liunian."
"Nonsense, crayfish are ownerless. Why should we be forbidden to sell them just because he sells them?"
"It's just not allowed." Zhang Qian's tone was firm.
Zhang Liunian didn't want to waste time here. He stepped forward and put a hand on Zhang Qian, "Alright, let's buy some things and go back. Don't argue here."
Seeing that he wasn't angry at all, Zhang Qian felt that Zhang Liunian's character was too noble, to be able to remain calm in such a situation.
But the more he was like this, the more Zhang Qian wanted to speak up for him.
"Brother Liunian, she is really too..." Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Liunian directly pulled him away.
Trailing behind, Du Ziteng, with a blade of dog tail grass in his mouth, saw them and followed. As he passed Wang Xiao'e, he suddenly bared his teeth and smiled.
Wang Xiao'e was startled by his expression and couldn't help but step back.
After Du Ziteng left, she stared at Zhang Liunian's back and cursed, "Zhang Liunian, stop pretending to be so pure!"
Apparently, she attributed the fright to Zhang Liunian because she saw that Du Ziteng was following behind Zhang Liunian, meaning he was one of his people.
"Brother Liunian, why didn't you say anything to her? Aunt Xiao'e was really out of line just now." Zhang Qian complained as he was pulled away, walking beside Zhang Liunian.
"If it's not her, it will be someone else. This is something that must be faced sooner or later, so don't be too surprised." Zhang Liunian released his arm, indicating he didn't care about the matter.
He knew this day would come as early as the time he revealed that crayfish could be eaten.
At that time, he had thought about setting up a factory in the village, with crayfish sauce as the main product, which he was sure would sell well.
Thinking about it now, setting up a factory was not out of the question.
"This is different. Outsiders are outsiders, but Aunt Xiao'e is our aunt, a relative. Her selling them is no different from a family member betraying us."
Zhang Qian was indignant. Just as he finished speaking, someone interrupted.
"My mom is indeed too much."
This voice made Zhang Qian almost choke. He turned around and saw it was indeed Zhang Liusha.
Talking about someone's mother behind their back and getting caught red-handed, Zhang Qian, a grown man, felt embarrassed.
He scratched his head and awkwardly explained, "Liusha, I didn't mean to!"
Zhang Liusha shook his head and gave a wry smile, "What you just said is not wrong. Brother Liunian and I are like brothers. Although we are separated by generations, we are still related by blood.
What my mother did is indeed disheartening.
After saying this, he turned to Zhang Liunian and apologized sincerely, "Brother Liunian, on behalf of my mother, I apologize to you. She really shouldn't have done that.
What she did was wrong. I told her at home not to do it, but she wouldn't listen and insisted on doing it. I can't do anything about it.
Now that the mistake has been made, I can only say I'm sorry."
Thinking of his own mother's behavior, Zhang Liusha felt ashamed.
But there was nothing he could do. After all, Wang Xiao'e was his mother. This was an unchangeable fact. Facing the mistakes she made, as her son, he could only apologize on her behalf.
As soon as he said this, Zhang Qian immediately agreed.
"Exactly, your mother shouldn't have done that. Brother Liunian is so good, he brings all of us to make money and also considers those in need. He does so many good deeds, how could Aunt Xiao'e do such a thing?"
Zhang Qian felt he had found a kindred spirit. He stepped forward, put his arm around Zhang Liusha's shoulders, and began to criticize Wang Xiao'e.
"Yes, Brother Liunian is so good, my mom shouldn't have done that." Zhang Liusha also felt the same sense of righteous indignation.
The two of them thus went on, arm in arm, talking about Wang Xiao'e's wrongdoings. After a long while, Zhang Liusha returned to Zhang Liunian, who was buying vegetables at the stall, "Brother Liunian, please don't be angry. When I get home, I will try to persuade my mother again and ask her not to sell anymore."
Zhang Liunian, who was paying, stopped, turned, and looked at Zhang Liusha, "No need. If it's not your mother, it will be someone else. It's alright."
Zhang Liunian's attitude was very magnanimous, which made Zhang Liusha feel even more that his mother was narrow-minded. "But what my mother did..."
"It won't affect my business, don't worry." Zhang Liunian interrupted him before he could finish.
In fact, it would have some impact, though not a very large one, and Zhang Liunian didn't mind.
"Really won't it?" Zhang Liusha felt a tiny bit better after hearing this. If it wouldn't affect Brother Liunian's business, he would feel more at ease.
"It really won't. Hurry back!" Zhang Liunian said with a smile, handing the money to the woman opposite.
"Then I'll be going. See you tomorrow." Zhang Liusha had come specifically to apologize to Zhang Liunian. Now that he heard him say that his mother's actions wouldn't affect his business, he felt relieved.
Zhang Liunian waved goodbye with a smile and intended to continue buying things. However, looking at the two baskets of goods at his feet, he turned around and found Du Ziteng, with a blade of dog tail grass in his mouth, staring at him intently.
Zhang Liunian touched his face and asked, confused, "Why are you looking at me?"
Du Ziteng, holding the grass, replied seriously, "I'm observing what kind of person you are."
Why did so many people support him? Just for doing the same business, people would speak up for him.
This was the first time he had become interested in Zhang Liunian.
"What kind of person can I be with just a pair of eyes and a mouth? Help me carry a basket." Zhang Liunian said casually, picked up a basket from the ground, and continued to buy vegetables.
Zhang Qian watched Zhang Liunian personally carry the items and hurried to catch up, intending to grab them.
Du Ziteng looked at himself, left behind with a basket of vegetables, resignedly hugged it, and followed.
As soon as he arrived, Du Ziteng heard Zhang Liunian take out money to buy out the entire stall.
"Boss, same as usual, five yuan to buy out the whole stall." Zhang Liunian took five yuan from his pocket and handed it to a middle-aged woman with her son.
The woman smiled and helped him pack everything, then gratefully accepted the money.
Zhang Liunian looked at her child, whose complexion had improved, and took out a few candies from his pocket, handing them over, "Little friend, uncle is giving you candy."