Chapter 232: Settled

Once the receipt was signed, Luo Qiao said, “I only have 18 yuan on me, the rest will be covered by the items in this basket.”

Yao Lili was upset, “Luo Qiao, don’t try to fool me. Didn’t you get quite a bit of bonus? How could you not have money?”

The onlookers became even more disdainful of Yao Lili, the eldest daughter of the Yao family. It was clear that Yao Lili had known Luo Qiao had money and was trying to exploit her.

Wu Peiling felt both embarrassed and annoyed. She felt sorry for Luo Qiao but also thought Luo Qiao shouldn’t have prevented her from intervening. She worried about how Old Yao would react when he returned and what the gossip about today’s events would be.

Luo Qiao said, “There’s more in the basket than just money. Are you sure you don’t want to accept the 4.44 yuan with these items?”

Yao Lili said, “I want cash only, don’t try to play tricks.”

Luo Qiao turned to the crowd and announced, “Ladies and sisters, I have some vegetables, eggs, and two fish in this basket. If anyone needs them, let’s trade them for cash. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

One woman asked, “Girl, what exactly do you have in the basket? My son and daughter-in-law are coming back for dinner tonight, and I’d rather not have to go out.”

Luo Qiao replied with a smile, “Auntie, I have two fish and ten eggs. The rest are vegetables.”

The woman was delighted, “That’s great. I’ll take all ten eggs, they’ll be good for my grandson. Oh, these eggs are quite big. I’ll go get a basin.”

She quickly went home to fetch a basin and a basket since her house was next to the Yao family’s. She returned shortly with the items.

Yao Lili was taken aback to see eggs and fish in the basket and was furious, her eyes turning red.

The woman quickly gathered the ten eggs into the basin and then selected some of the vegetables, saying, “These vegetables are really fresh.”

The first woman who agreed to witness also said, “This way, I won’t have to go out. I’ll take some of the vegetables too.”

The two women quickly finished distributing the vegetables from the basket. The onlookers, who had hoped to get some of the fresh produce, found that it was all gone. There were two fish left at the bottom of the basket. The fish were quite large, each weighing about two pounds, so one went to each of the women.

The vegetables were priced at 0.10 yuan per pound, totaling ten pounds for one yuan. The eggs were priced at 0.08 yuan each, totaling 0.80 yuan for ten eggs. The total for the vegetables and eggs came to 1.80 yuan.

The two fish were agreed to be priced at two pounds each, but both women knew they were more than two pounds. At 0.70 yuan per pound, the total for the two fish was 2.80 yuan, making the grand total 4.60 yuan.

With the 18 yuan in her pocket, the total was 22.60 yuan. Luo Qiao kept 0.10 yuan for herself, counted the money in front of everyone, and handed the rest to Yao Lili, saying, “We’re all settled now.”

Yao Lili took the money and counted it again, saying, “At least you know how to behave.”

Luo Qiao then bowed to everyone and said, “Thank you all for witnessing today’s events.”

She turned to Wu Peiling and said, “Auntie, I’ll be leaving now if there’s nothing else. I have some other matters to attend to.”

Wu Peiling, feeling conflicted, said, “Are you still going back to Qingshan Village today? Those two people are still looking for you, and I feel like they might come back.”

Luo Qiao replied, “Don’t worry, Auntie. If they come, I’ll just send them away. They’re only trying to make me back down and drop the charges, but since they intended to harm me, I can’t just act like nothing happened.

Rest assured, Auntie. We live in a society governed by law. Everyone is equal before the law. If mistakes could be forgiven simply with an apology, then there’d be no need for laws.”

Wu Peiling began to speak, “Luo Qiao, about today…”

Before Wu Peiling could finish, Luo Qiao interjected, “Auntie, it’s fine. I know you’re anxious. I’ll remember the kindness you and Uncle Yao have shown me, but it’s only for you and Uncle Yao.”

For Luo Qiao, this is good. As long as money could solve the problem, it was not an issue. Of course, the thing is she had the money.