When the crowd heard Xiao Quanrenâs comments, they were startled. What did the Wise One mean? Was he saying that the couplet Xiao Luo had written was even better than his own? The Wise One had been a scholar since the time of the Qing Dynasty, and whatâs more, he had spent most of his life practicing calligraphy. Xiao Luo was just a shade over twenty, so how could his skills in calligraphy possibly be better?
âYou flatter me, Wise One,â Xiao Luo said with a smile.
âNeither haughty nor humble, neither conceited nor rash. Xiao Luo, a great future awaits you!â old man Xiao Quanren held Xiao Luoâs hands tightly, giving him considerable praise.
âThe Wise One is right. Xiao Luo is bound to attain great achievements in the future.â
âIt is said that sharpening a chopper will not hold up the work of cutting firewood. Xiao Luoâs few years in university has given him an entirely different temperament.â
âYes, indeed. It is the reason why Miss Ji took a liking to Xiao Luo.â
Everyone heaped lavish praises on Xiao Luo.
That didnât sit well with Xiao Qiudong, who stood seething silently in the crowd, gritting his teeth and shaking in anger. He felt his sense of superiority crumble and that he had lost his position as the most outstanding youth in Luo Village. All the glory and limelight had now shifted to Xiao Luo.
All the praises he heard gradually made him lose his mind, and in a spiteful voice, he uttered, âHe just a gigolo who gained his status all because of some rich lady. Is he that worthy of your high praises?â
It was in a moment of sheer frustration that he said those words. But he said it precisely when the crowd went silent, and hence, it was audible to everyone gathered at the Seekong altar. The instant they heard that they turned and glared at him.
Old man Xiao Quanrenâs expression changed, and he was displeased. âQiudong, what are you mumbling about?â he said.
Murmurs of discontent and criticism could be heard from the crowd.
With all eyes on him, Xiao Qiudong felt the heat and panicked for a moment. But, he quickly regained his composure, seeing that what had said was already spoken, the time for fear had passed. Instead, he puffed his chest, keeping his chin up confidently and said, âWise One, Iâm telling the truth. Xiao Luo is just a salaryman who only earns about 80 thousand dollars every year. With that income, even being able to save up 50 thousand dollars at the bank is already considered good. It has been four years since he graduated, is it not? Only capable of saving up 50 thousand dollars a year at this point in his life is nothing to flaunt and be proud of.â Then gesturing to Ji Siying, he added, âThe only thing he can show off now is his girlfriend, Miss Ji. But to Miss Ji, I have a piece of advice for you. Those fairy tales you read will never happen in reality. You might believe in love, but what about your family? Would they allow you to marry a poor brat like Xiao Luo, born from a mediocre family and who canât even afford a house and a car? The answer is definitely, âNo.â I am convinced that you both will break up sooner or later. Marriage can only happen between people of matching social status, but what you have isâ¦â
âEnough!!!â
A booming voice thundered from within the crowd, causing Xiao Qiudong to halt abruptly.
Xiao Qiudong turned his head, and he saw it came from Xiao Ping. Xiao Qiudong was puzzled, doubtful, and angry all at once. He stared at Xiao Ping coldly and yelled, âXiao Ping, what did you have for dinner, explosives?!â
âXiao Qiudong, what are you saying? The three of us have been friends since we were young. We played in the mud, stole the Wise Oneâs loquat, and even snuck out swimming in the river together. Luo is now living a great life, and Iâm genuinely happy for him, but why are you not? What are you implying now? Canât you bear to see Luo doing better than you? Are you only happy when Luo is inferior to you in every single thing? Xiao Qiudong, do you have a mental problem or what?â Xiao Ping rebuked him loudly, unable to tolerate his antics any longer. Xiao Qiudong had crossed the line this time.
âI have a mental problem? Hu-huhâ¦â
Xiao Qiudong scoffed, âIsnât what I said true? If he hadnât gotten his hands on a rich girl, heâd just be nothing more than a fart!â
âXiao Qiudong, what has gotten into you? What is this insanity youâre showing in front of the Seekong altar?â Xiao Dizhang shouted, clearly angry and disappointed in Xiao Qiudong.
âUncle Dizhang, Iâm not insane, Iâm just presenting the facts. Why does everybody think that Iâm insane? Okay, so Xiao Luo can write calligraphy, heâs good looking and has caught the eye of a rich girl, but these aside, heâs nothing! Graduating from a university means he can only be a salaryman. I didnât attend university, but I own a house, a car, have a wife, and everything Xiao Luo doesnât have! Compared to me, what does he have to be proud of, and what can he flaunt?â
Xiao Qiudong had thoroughly lost his mind, convinced that he wasnât crazy, but everyone else was. As far as he was concerned, Xiao Luo was just the garbage who had managed to seduce a rich girl, so was he worthy of all the praise? Why didnât anyone look into his success and excellence instead? In his mind, the people here were just a bunch of fools.
He pointed at Xiao Ping maniacally and sneered, âIâm not lending you the 120 grand anymore. Do whatever you want. Even if the loan sharks chop your hand off, it has nothing to do with me! Trash like you who failed in doing business deserves it. If I were you, I wouldnât even have the face to come back for the New Year!â
âYouâ¦â
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and his entire body trembled in rage.
âXiao Qiudong, what a terrible friend you are.â
âEveryone has their ups and downs. Xiao Ping is one of our own, but you refuse to help him when you can do so. Arenât you afraid of retribution from Seekong?â
âHow arrogant. No matter how much money you make, no one in our family will be happy for you.â
The crowd roundly denounced him.
Xiao Qiudong was adamant, and he responded, âLending money depends on sentiment; since when is it a duty? As you are all so warm-hearted, I suggest you collect 120 thousand dollars among yourselves and lend it to Xiao Ping!â
His insensitive remark silenced everyone.
Xiao Dizhang sighed, shaking his head and said, âQiudong, why have you become like this?â
âI didnât change one bit. I am still me.â
Xiao Qiudong glared at Xiao Ping and scowled, âWhen you borrow money, you should have the appearance and attitude of someone who is borrowing money. You need my help, and yet you have the cheek to speak to me in that way. In that case, why should I help you? You are acting so high and mighty even when you have to borrow money from me. By the time when you pay me back, should I have to treat you like a prince or what?â
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and he accepted the shame, but on the inside, he was devastated. Even after returning to his village, he still had to endure being trampled upon by his childhood friend and clansman, and eat humble pie. What he was facing now felt even worse than what he had experienced out there.
âPing, Iâll lend you the money!â
Xiao Luo said, stepping forward. Hearing his faint words made Xiao Pingâs eyes widen in surprise. âGive me your bank account number, and Iâll transfer the money to you right now.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
When his grandfather had asked him to help aunt Taoxiuâs family, he already made plans, but the chance didnât present itself. Besides, Xiao Ping hadnât approached him but went to Xiao Qiudong for help instead. Since Xiao Qiudong was willing to lend him the money, he couldnât just tell Xiao Ping not to accept the help from Xiao Qiudong. But things were different now, and he was determined to give Xiao Ping a helping hand.
âLuo, youâ¦â
Xiao Ping looked a Xiao Luo, then looked at Ji Siying.
Xiao Ping was conflicted as the last thing he wanted was to burden Xiao Luo. If Xiao Luoâs career were like Xiao Qiudongâs, heâd undoubtedly have borrowed the money from him, but that wasnât the case. Listening to what Xiao Qiudong had said, Xiao Luo could only have saved 50 thousand dollars per year, at the most. He couldnât bring himself to borrow 120 thousand dollars from Xiao Luo, and he had to be considerate of Ji Siyingâs feelings. If Xiao Luo was to borrow him Ji Siyingâs money, wonât that make it more difficult for him to face the Ji family?â
â¦