AD [QT] Chapter 41

(Word Count: 6186)

 

Zhang Shunjuan came back from the field, and saw Wu Bin and his wife coming out of Han Ze’s house from a distance. She was shocked and ran home in a hurry with a hoe on her shoulder.

 

When they got home, she held Cao Hua’s hand and asked nervously, “I just saw Wu Bin and his wife coming out of Han Ze’s house. What do you think they are doing at Han Ze’s house? They don’t want Han Ze to teach Wu Chen how to carve, do they?”

 

Cao Hua was startled and looked at Zhang Shunjuan in a daze, “No way?”

 

Zhang Shunjuan rolled her eyes at him and said, “Why not? Han Ze makes money by carving wood. You can think of letting your child learn carving from Han Ze, but others can’t? Wu Bin is always smart and runs faster than rabbits when he sees good things. Maybe the couple found Han Ze before us. What if Han Ze agrees to take his son as an apprentice? What about Mingyu? For the sake of our son’s future, now is not the time to talk about brotherhood.”

 

Cao Hua narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Shunjuan steadily. In an instant, he stood up suddenly and said, “I’ll go find Han Ze.”

 

After walking a few steps and coming back, he said in a deep voice: “Go and cook, we’ll go find him after dinner.”

 

It was lunchtime, and it was not appropriate for them to go there. If Han Ze hadn’t married, it would be fine. With Yang Qiubai, they couldn’t help but consider her feelings. After all, Han Ze was afraid of her now.

 

Zhang Shunjuan was stunned. She took off her straw hat after coming to her senses, and hurried to the kitchen to cook.

 

After dinner, the couple didn’t even bother to wash the bowls, and hurried to Han Ze’s house. In front of Han Ze’s courtyard, they met Wang Licheng and Pi Qingmei. The two couples looked at each other and then strode into Han Ze’s yard like a race.

 

Yang Qiubai had just finished washing the bowls and sat in the living room to rest. Han Ze was holding the TV remote control, half lying on the recliner and watching TV leisurely. The two children went to study after dinner. The arrival of several people reminded Yang Qiubai of the morning when Wu Bin and his wife asked Han Ze to accept apprentices. In an instant, she knew their purpose and invited them to come in and sit down, but didn’t say anything.

 

Han Ze was a little surprised and sat up with a smile: “Why did you come together?”

 

Zhang Shunjuan took a quick step forward and said hurriedly: “Han Ze, Cao Hua and I came here and would like to ask you to teach my son Mingyu how to carve. It should be no problem, right?”

 

Cao Hua looked at his wife with satisfaction. She did not drop the chain at the critical moment and reacted quickly. Before Wang Licheng spoke, he first stated his request. Even if Han Ze agreed to accept an apprentice, he would choose their Mingyu first.

 

Pi Qingmei’s face changed slightly. Zhang Shunjuan, this woman, usually called her sister in front of her. For the quota of Han Ze’s apprentice, she even ignored their many years of friendship. It can be seen that her sisterhood was not sincere.

 

Wang Licheng was also very dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction was not only for Cao Hua and his wife, but also for his wife. See how smart and quick-witted Cao Hua’s wife was at the critical moment, she was not like his wife who was stupid and could not say anything.

 

Yang Qiubai lowered her eyelids slightly, thinking of Zhang Shunjuan trying to sow discord between her and Jiaojiao, a hint of sneer flashed across her face, this woman is really good at telling lies to different people, she can even sow discord with children, now she needs Han Ze, and she can ask for help without changing her expression.

 

Han Ze showed an embarrassment on his face.

 

Zhang Shunjuan had been staring at Han Ze, and seeing the embarrassment on his face, she immediately guessed that Han Ze might have agreed to let Wu Bin take his son as his apprentice. With a turn of her eyes, she said, “Han Ze, it doesn’t matter if you drive away one sheep or two sheep. Even if you accept Wu Bin’s son as your apprentice, it doesn’t matter. Just take in a few more apprentices.”

 

As soon as Zhang Shunjuan said this, Cao Hua looked at her with more satisfaction. Even Wang Licheng and his wife looked at her with a softer look. Zhang Shunjuan’s words were quite well said. If you take in one more apprentice, you can have two more. It would be better to let Han Ze take in all the children from the three families so that no one would have to fight for the quota.

 

Han Ze frowned, turned his head and looked at Wang Licheng, and asked, “Wang Licheng, are you here to ask me to teach my nephews how to carve?”

 

Wang Licheng nodded and said with a smile, “My kid is a good student, and he should be not far behind in learning carving. It will be a relief for you to take him as your apprentice.”

 

Cao Hua’s face changed slightly. His son was not good at studying.

 

Han Ze sighed and said slowly, “Huazi, Licheng, we are all good friends. I won’t tell you those empty words. I just want to ask if you really want my nephews to learn carving from me?”

 

Several people nodded solemnly. Not only can you make money by carving wood, you can do it while sitting at home. You don’t have to dig stones in the field under the sun and rain, which makes you unable to straighten your back. You will also get tanned and look ugly, and you can’t make much money. Just look at Han Ze. Although he has uneven legs, his skin has become white because he hasn’t been working in the field for a while. In addition, he has a regular appearance. If you look closely, he is actually very handsome. Now that he can make money, his temperament is immediately different. It is much better than farming for them.

 

Han Ze lowered his eyes and spoke carefully: “Since you are willing to let your nephew learn carving from me, then let them come, but there are some things I have to say in advance, and I have to let you know that once you make a decision, you can’t regret it.”

 

Several people’s hearts tightened, and Cao Hua said, “What?”

 

Han Ze’s expression became very serious, which made several people nervous. Han Ze said slowly: “My master is a master sculptor. I learned carving from him when I was twelve years old, and it has been twenty-three years now. During these twenty-three years, I have suffered a lot and endured a lot. When I first started learning carving, my hands were injured almost every day and were never intact. Even so, I couldn’t rest until I completed the tasks assigned by the master. I had to finish the carving tasks even if I was hungry. The years of polishing the foundation are particularly important. If you can’t endure the hardship and can’t persist, it’s better to give up the idea of ​​learning carving, so as not to delay your studies and ruin your future. You will blame me at that time, and I can’t let our brothers be at odds because of these.”

 

The expressions of several people froze and became a little solemn.

 

Han Ze continued, “It didn’t take me many years to learn carving and become a master, but it was in these years that I really made money. Some children in our village went out to work after graduating from junior high school. They can earn money for their families at a young age. They are much better than me. I am 35 years old this year. I have been honing my skills for 10 to 20 years, but I only made such a large amount of money some time ago. It is not cost-effective. So you should think carefully whether you want to gamble your children’s future in college and learn carving from me.”

 

Wang Licheng and his wife lost their initial interest. His son had good grades in school. If, as Han Ze said, he had to study for 10 to 20 years to make money, it would be better to let his son work hard and go to college in the future. There is no job to find after college. Why should he suffer with Han Ze ?

 

Cao Hua smiled and said, “Han Ze, you know that my kid doesn’t want to study even if I beat him. I don’t expect him to go to college. Learning carving from you is still a way out, so let him learn carving from you!”

 

As for Han Ze’s words of suffering, he didn’t take it to heart. Can you learn skills without suffering? It’s not that easy.

 

Han Ze looked at him with a smile: “Your kid is like a monkey, do you think he can sit still?”

 

Cao Hua’s smile froze. His child couldn’t even sit still to do his homework. If he really asked him to sit there and carve for a whole day like Han Ze, would he be willing? Children nowadays are not like when they were young. They have bad tempers and are very opinionated. Can he really control him?

 

Han Ze smiled and said: “Hua Zi, learning carving is not something that can be achieved overnight. You need to sit there and practice calmly. You can practice for a whole day. You can’t slack off when you become a master in the future. Moreover, the crafts carved out may have no value and others may not buy them. Working hard for a few days is equivalent to working in vain. Without patience, it won’t work.”

 

Cao Hua frowned tightly. When they heard that Han Ze could make so much money from carving, they were tempted, but they didn’t expect how much effort Han Ze put into carving. Can their children really endure that hardship? And even if they endured the hardship, would they be able to make money?

 

Han Ze looked a little lonely, he said: “I learned carving in the first place, because my legs and feet are not working well. Although I have no problem working, and I am even more diligent than other people, they still don’t want me when I go out to find a job. The boss saw that my legs and feet are not working well, and he waved his hand and let me go without asking me anything. I thought, I have to fight for my reputation even if I have to eat steamed buns. Even if carving is hard and tiring, I endure it. With this spirit, I have persisted until now, and finally someone is buying the handicrafts I carve.”

 

Several people looked at Han Ze in a daze, speechless for a moment.

 

Han Ze looked at them and said seriously, “My nephews are not disabled like me. It will not be difficult for them to find jobs in the future. There is no need for them to drop out of school at a young age to learn carving from me. I should let them learn more knowledge. If they learn carving from me, don’t learn well and ruin their future, I really can’t bear the sin. We are good brothers. I can’t harm you, let alone my nephews.”

 

Zhang Shunjuan said weakly, “How can you harm us? Don’t you make money? As long as you can make money, you won’t harm us.”

 

Han Ze looked at Zhang Shunjuan and said with a smile, “Sister-in-law, I can’t guarantee that I can make money. Even now, I can’t guarantee that the handicrafts I carve can be sold and can make money. ”

 

Zhang Shunjuan was at a loss. She saw with her own eyes that Han Ze made money from carving, but Han Ze also said that not all handicrafts can be sold for money, and learning carving is very hard. She couldn’t bear to let her son suffer. She was unsure whether to let her son learn carving or not.

 

Yang Qiubai said from the side: “Nothing can be guaranteed these days. Farming is stable, but it can’t guarantee a good harvest every year. There will always be severe droughts and floods. Han Ze can’t even guarantee that he can make money, let alone others. ”

 

After hearing this, Wang Licheng and his wife have decided not to let their child learn carving. They were previously tempted by the benefits of Han Ze’s wood carving. After listening to Han Ze’s words, they suddenly came to their senses. Yes, their son obviously studied very well and had the hope of going to college. Why should they let their son, who was an excellent student, drop out of school to learn carving? That was such a ridiculous thing.

 

After thinking about this, the couple was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat. They looked at Han Ze with gratitude. If Han Ze accepted their child without explaining anything to them, the child would not learn carving well in the future and would not go to school. The child’s future would be really delayed.

 

Cao Hua was in a dilemma and hesitated, “How about letting the child learn from you for two days on Sunday?”

 

Han Ze was about to speak, and Yang Qiubai said with a smile, “How do you think we should try it? Carving is very hard, and you have to be patient. Children nowadays are spoiled. I know without trying that the children will not be able to bear it. They will definitely complain to you about how hard carving is. When you ask him if he wants to learn carving, he will definitely shake his head and say no. At that time, will you let him continue carving or give up and go back to school?”

 

Cao Hua was speechless. Who knows his own child better than him? His little boy is indeed spoiled. Learning carving requires hard work. As long as he is asked to try, he will definitely not be willing to learn carving.

 

Seeing that he didn’t speak, Yang Qiubai was not anxious, but continued: “Although I am only a junior high school graduate, I also know that children should cultivate their concepts while they are young. If through this incident, they think that if there are difficulties in doing something, they don’t have to do it as long as they don’t want to do it. If we let them develop this kind of character that retreats when encountering problems, do you think they can still become talents in the future? Can they still become the pillars of your family? Can they still provide for your retirement?”

 

Cao Hua: “…”

 

It turns out that Yang Qiubai, this woman, not only has the shortcomings of a bad temper and loves to beat people, but she is also very talkative. He is convinced by what she said, and he can’t even find a way to refute her words. After all, she is thinking about them.

 

Yang Qiubai glanced at Han Ze and said, “There is another point. I just heard my sister-in-law say that as long as you can make money, it won’t be considered as harming you. After I heard it, I thought about it and felt uncomfortable. Once my Han Ze agreed to accept your child as an apprentice, it must be because of your friendship. What if your child can’t make money in the future, will he be harmed by Han Ze? It seems that if your child is doing well, it is your benefit, and if he is not, it is our Han Ze’s fault.”

 

Zhang Shunjuan was very embarrassed. She opened her mouth to say something, but found that when she met Yang Qiubai, she didn’t know how to say the words in her mind. She did think so at the time. Since Han Ze accepted her child as an apprentice, he had to ensure that he could make money, otherwise why would she let her child learn carving from Han Ze.

 

Yang Qiubai looked at Zhang Shunjuan and sneered: “My Han Ze always talks about how good your relationship is in front of me. Cao Hua did not refute what my sister-in-law said. Since he did not refute, does he also think so? Do you also think that once Han Ze agrees to take your child as an apprentice, he must ensure that he can make money, otherwise it will be Han Ze’s fault?”

 

Cao Hua certainly could not admit it. Even if he thought so, he could not admit it, otherwise his relationship with Han Ze would end here.

 

Han Ze turned his head blankly and looked at Cao Hua. Seeing that there was no expression on his face, he turned his head back to look at Yang Qiubai and said: “Qiu, Qiubai, don’t say that. Huazi would not think so. As parents, they can’t guarantee the future of the children, so how can I guarantee it? Huazi is not such an unreasonable person. Right, Huazi?”

 

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Cao Hua and asked him for confirmation.

 

Cao Hua felt bitter inside, but he still had to smile and said, “Of course, I definitely wouldn’t think that way.”

 

Han Ze’s smile widened, and he said, “Qiubai, you misunderstood Huazi. We are brothers, and brothers don’t have so many calculations.”

 

Yang Qiubai raised her eyebrows and apologized as soon as she opened her mouth, “I said the wrong thing, I deserve a beating.”

 

She had already apologized, so would Cao Hua still insist on not letting her go? He pulled the corner of his mouth and said, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

 

He sighed in his heart that Yang Qiubai was not a simple woman, she was flexible and cunning. In the past, he thought that his wife was eloquent and good at talking, and she coaxed his parents to support their family. Now, compared with Yang Qiubai, why did he feel that his wife’s methods were so petty? He glanced at Han Ze and had to admit that Han Ze was lucky to marry her.

 

Yang Qiubai smiled and said, “Han Ze, since you are all brothers, I can say whatever I want to say.”

 

Han Ze said as a matter of course, “Of course, Hua Zi, Licheng and I are all good friends. We are family, we can say whatever we want. There is nothing to worry about, they won’t be angry, right Hua Zi, Licheng?”

 

Cao Hua nodded stiffly.

 

Wang Licheng nodded with a wry smile. He could see that Han Ze’s wife was not simple.

 

Yang Qiubai sighed sadly and said, “Han Ze, our house is too dilapidated, and it leaks when it rains. The handicrafts you carved have all been wet by the rain. I plan to rebuild the house. We made some money some time ago, and if we sell this batch of bamboo root carvings, we can raise some money. We can buy bricks and cement first, lay the foundation, and then build it slowly.”

 

Han Ze also felt that his house was dilapidated. This house was where his grandparents lived when they were alive. Later, he adopted Jiaojiao and separated from his parents. He had no place to live, so he renovated the house and lived there makeshiftly. Qiubai was so good to him, he couldn’t let her live in such a shabby house anymore, he felt bad, he said: “We will do whatever you say, we will listen to you.”

 

Yang Qiubai smiled and said: “Huazi, Licheng, you are Han Ze’s best friends, good brothers, our family is going to build a house now, and we are still short of money. We won’t ask you to borrow money. You can see if you can return part of the money you borrowed from Han Ze, we will deal with it. We really have no choice, the house at home is leaking a lot, it can’t be lived in.”

 

Cao Hua and Wang Licheng didn’t react for a while, they were just talking about taking in apprentices, how come they talked about asking for money?

 

The wives of the two people next to them were anxious. In the past few years, their family was used to borrowing money from Han Ze, since Yang Qiubai married, they couldn’t borrow money from Han Ze, which made them very uncomfortable, and even let their husbands instigate Han Ze to divorce Yang Qiubai. They never thought that Yang Qiubai would ask them to pay back the money. You know, Han Ze never asked them to pay back the money, so they subconsciously never thought about paying back the money.

 

Han Ze looked at Yang Qiubai with his dark eyes, then looked at Cao Hua and Wang Licheng, and frowned, “Qiubai, let’s build the house slowly. There’s no need to ask them to pay back the money. They are also short of money…”

 

Yang Qiubai waved her hand to signal him not to panic, turned into the room, and took out a ledger. She smiled and said, “I was tidying up the cabinets at home yesterday and found an ledger. It records the income and expenditure of the family for six or seven years. There are records of your borrowings in it. I don’t know if it’s correct. How about you check it?”

 

Han Ze suddenly realized that although the original body’s carved handicrafts could not be sold at a high price, he was diligent and carved a lot of handicrafts. He sold more than ten pieces of ornaments every month, and earned about a thousand yuan. He had land at home, so he didn’t need to buy food. He also grew vegetables in the vegetable garden and occasionally bought some meat, which didn’t cost much money at all.

 

After adopting Jiaojiao, the family had less and less money. Even if Jiaojiao took milk powder and bought clothes, it didn’t cost much. He made an account to see where his money went. As a result, he found that his money was basically lent out.

 

Since it was lent out, he was not in a hurry. He took it for granted that he would have more money after they paid him back. However, he developed the habit of keeping accounts. It was not until he married Yang Qiubai and Yang Qiubai took all the money and he didn’t have to take care of the family’s money that he stopped keeping accounts.

 

The faces of the four people, Cao Hua and his wife, Wang Licheng and his wife, froze almost instantly. They couldn’t believe that Han Ze still had the habit of keeping accounts.

 

Han Ze looked at Cao Hua and Wang Licheng, and seeing that they were stiff, he thought they had no money, and said ashamedly: “Huazi, Licheng, if you are short of money, don’t…”

 

Yang Qiubai interrupted Han Ze and said with a smile: “Who doesn’t lack money now? Everyone has no money. Every household is struggling to get by. Cao Hua, Licheng, you and Han Ze are good brothers. I think with your relationship, even if I didn’t say anything, you would definitely find a way to pay us back if you knew we were going to build a house. I feel ashamed of your brotherhood by asking this today. Alas, who made me want to build a house so much…”

 

Wang Licheng felt bitter in his heart. He didn’t expect that Han Ze, a grown man, was so meticulous and had the habit of keeping accounts. He said, “It’s only natural to pay back debts. Even if Han Ze and I have an average relationship, I have to pay back the money I borrowed from him, not to mention that we have such a good relationship.”

 

He knew how much money he had borrowed from Han Ze. He was not so shameless that he would deny borrowing money when people asked for the debt.

 

Yang Qiubai smiled, took out a calculator, and said, “I had nothing to do yesterday, so I counted up your debts. Licheng, your family owes Han Ze a total of 6,500 yuan.”

 

Before Wang Licheng could say anything, Pi Qingmei shouted, “So much? Did our family borrow so much money?”

 

Yang Qiubai said calmly, “Here is the account book. Han Ze remembers exactly when and why your family borrowed money. You can take a look.”

 

Pi Qingmei stepped forward and looked at each stroke very carefully along the direction her finger pointed. The more she looked, the more embarrassed she felt. It had been so long since then, and she might not remember how much money her family had borrowed from Han Ze, or why they had borrowed the money, but when she saw Han Ze’s records, she could slowly recall that their family did borrow money from Han Ze because of those things.

 

She didn’t expect that her family actually owed Han Ze 6,500 yuan. Each time they borrowed money, it didn’t seem like a lot, but when added together, it was such a large sum of money. They sold their food and used it to treat their child’s arm.

 

How could they pay back the debt? Thinking of this, she blushed and hesitated to deny it, but she was not so thick-skinned and couldn’t say anything. Wang Licheng sighed and said, “6,500 yuan is correct. I have kept a record.”

 

He has always been careful. Since he borrowed money from Han Ze, he remembered every loan very clearly. He didn’t pay back the money for so many years just because Han Ze didn’t ask for it. He was lucky. Now that Han Ze’s wife asked for it, he had to keep it in mind and find a way to pay it back slowly. Otherwise, if it got out, how could his family live in the village? If the family was in trouble, who would lend them money?

 

Yang Qiubai smiled slightly and said, “Great, in that case, Licheng, how much do you plan to pay back?”

 

Wang Licheng frowned. He had just sold grain for two or three thousand yuan, and his child’s medical treatment cost several hundred yuan. He thought for a while and said, “I can only pay you one thousand for now. The rest of the money can only be paid back slowly after the autumn harvest, depending on the grain harvest. Is that okay with you?”

 

Although Pi Qingmei was unhappy, she could not say anything as it was natural to repay a debt.

 

Yang Qiubai said, “Okay, why not.”

 

Han Ze opened his eyes wide and stared blankly at the side. He looked at his wife, then at Wang Licheng, opened his mouth, and said nothing in the end. The wife was the boss at home, and whatever his wife said was what happened. Besides, since Wang Licheng could pay back one thousand yuan, his family should not be in a tight spot and could pay back the money. Since his family was not in a tight spot, he did not have to worry about him. He breathed a sigh of relief when he thought of this.

 

Cao Hua saw that Wang Licheng agreed to pay back the debt. He was a little anxious because Wang Licheng had already agreed to pay him back. If he didn’t agree, wouldn’t it be unfair of him? He almost hated Wang Licheng. Why did he agree to pay back the money so easily? He had to insist on it. He had nowhere to vent his grievances, but he had to smile at them. He felt that he shouldn’t have come to Han Ze’s house today to ask Han Ze to accept an apprentice. Instead, they gathered together and gave Yang Qiubai an opportunity to ask them for money.

 

He sighed again that Yang Qiubai was really flexible.

 

Yang Qiubai looked at Cao Hua with a smile and said, “Cao Hua, you borrowed 8,000 yuan from Han Ze. Do you want to reconcile the account?”

Cao Hua was stunned. He didn’t expect this woman to calculate the account so clearly. He was the same as Wang Licheng. He knew how much money he borrowed from Han Ze. It was indeed 8,000 yuan.

 

Zhang Shunjuan suddenly jumped up and said, “Is it that much? Yang Qiubai, didn’t you make a mistake?”

 

Yang Qiubai didn’t care about her tone, she said, “It doesn’t matter if I made a mistake, we can recalculate, the account book is here…”

 

Zhang Shunjuan stopped talking awkwardly, in fact, she also had an account in her mind, and knew how much money she had borrowed from Han Ze, but she just didn’t want to admit it.

 

Cao Hua pulled the corner of his mouth and sighed secretly: his wife can’t beat Yang Qiubai. Yes, he can’t do much with Yang Qiubai, let alone his own wife, he said unwillingly: “It is indeed 8,000 yuan.”

 

8,000 yuan seems a lot, think about it, this is a loan for six or seven years, it is not much, calculate it, it is only more than 1,000 yuan a year, but if they pay it back to Han Ze all at once, it seems a lot, for a while, they can’t take out so much money.

 

Yang Qiubai smiled and said, “Hua Zi, see how much money you can help us get out?”

 

Cao Hua was about to speak, but Zhang Shunjuan beside him pulled his arm, signaling him not to say more, there was not much money left at home. Cao Hua frowned and glanced at her. How much money should be paid back? How could he not know in his mind? He said, “Since Licheng promised to pay you back one thousand, I will also pay you back one thousand.”

 

Yang Qiubai nodded and agreed. It is easy to borrow money but difficult to pay it back. She can let them pay back one thousand yuan, and then she can let them pay back all the money in the future. She is not in a hurry.

 

The two couples came out of Han Ze’s house, and they were a little confused. What on earth did they come to Han Ze’s house for?

 

Cao Hua sighed heavily: “Since Han Ze married Yang Qiubai, our life has been hard.”

 

Wang Licheng also sighed heavily: “It will be difficult to borrow money from Han Ze in the future.”

 

Zhang Shunjuan said unwillingly: “Yang Qiubai is a second-time married woman, how can she be so confident? If Han Ze and Yang Qiubai divorce, what will Yang Qiubai do?”

 

Cao Hua looked at his wife and said: “You haven’t figured it out yet?”

 

Zhang Shunze looked at his man in confusion and asked: “What do you see?”

 

Cao Hua pulled the corner of his mouth and said: “Han Ze has been conquered by Yang Qiubai. In his heart, Yang Qiubai has no shortcomings. Even if Yang Qiubai likes to beat people, there is a reason in Han Ze’s heart, because she has been hurt.”

 

At this point, he got goose bumps.

 

Zhang Shunjuan exclaimed.

 

When they were halfway there, they met Wu Bin. Zhang Shunjuan lifted her hair and said, “Wu Bin, did Han Ze agree to take Wu Chen as his apprentice?”

 

Wu Bin said uncomfortably, “No, he said he would discuss it with Yang Qiubai. I don’t know how they discussed it. I plan to ask them.”

 

Cao Hua was about to tell him that he didn’t need to ask, as there was no future in learning carving. Zhang Shunjuan pulled his arm and said to Wu Bin with a smile, “Go and ask. Maybe Han Ze will agree to take your Wu Chen as his apprentice. We’ll leave first.”

 

Wu Bin frowned and looked at the backs of the people, thinking about something. Then he strode towards Han Ze’s house.

 

When they arrived at Han Ze’s house, Yang Qiubai hadn’t put away the account book in his hand yet. Yang Qiubai saw Wu Bin and smiled. She said enthusiastically, “Wu Bin, come and sit down quickly.”

 

Wu Bin was delighted. Could it be that Han Ze agreed to take his son as an apprentice, so Yang Qiubai’s attitude towards him changed? After all, if Wu Chen is Han Ze’s apprentice, Yang Qiubai is Wu Chen’s master’s wife. It is normal for Yang Qiubai to change his attitude when they become close, isn’t it?

 

Yang Qiubai smiled and said, “Just now, Cao Hua and Wang Licheng reconciled their loans over the years. You should also reconcile them.”

 

“Ah?”

 

Wu Bin looked at Yang Qiubai blankly. Wasn’t he going to talk about taking in an apprentice? Why did he talk about loans?

 

Yang Qiubai didn’t care about his reaction, but said, “Han Ze has kept accounts. You owe Han Ze a total of 8,500 yuan. Do you think it’s correct?”

 

Wu Bin hadn’t come back to his senses yet.

 

Yang Qiubai continued, “Is it wrong?”

 

Wu Bin finally came back to his senses: “Yes, it’s right.”

 

He knew how much money he borrowed, and it was indeed right. He looked at Han Ze. Did they want to collect the loan? He frowned. It didn’t make sense. Didn’t Han Ze never ask them for money? Was it Yang Qiubai’s idea?

 

“Han Ze, I…”

 

Han Ze said with a smile: “Wu Bin, my family is going to build a house. We are good brothers. I know your family is also short of money. It doesn’t matter how much you can pay back. I can understand. Licheng and Huazi will each pay back one thousand. How about you also pay back one thousand?”

 

Wu Bin came out of Han Ze’s house, still stunned and unable to come back to his senses. Didn’t he come to ask Han Ze about taking in apprentices? How did he become the one who came to repay the loan? Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered that he hadn’t asked Han Ze about taking his son as an apprentice? Thinking of the repayment, he was not in the mood to ask him. He would ask tomorrow. He recalled the expressions of Cao Hua and the others just now. What was there to not understand? He was cheated by those people. They knew that Yang Qiubai would harass him for debt if he came to Han Ze’s house, but they didn’t tell him. They were really sinister.

 

…

 

Yang Qiubai looked at Han Ze with an apologetic look on her face. Han Ze always valued his friends. Her actions today should have made him sad, but she did not regret it. She could not let those people continue to cheat Han Ze. She felt guilty for Han Ze’s heart that cared about his friends. She said, “Han Ze, I’m sorry, I asked them for money without discussing it with you.”

 

Han Ze grinned and said with a smile on his face, “It doesn’t matter. They and I are close friends. They are all very loyal. Knowing that we want to build a house, they will definitely consider that our family is short of money. Even if you don’t say it today, they will return the money to us when the time comes. You said it now, but it’s just asking them to give us the money in advance. You just explained it to them clearly, they won’t blame you.”

 

Yang Qiubai: “…”

 

Han Ze said again: “When they asked us to recruit apprentices, they gave me a suggestion. I should indeed take in a few apprentices. We will have more and more work in the future. After the apprentices are trained, some things can be handed over to the apprentices. I won’t have to be so busy.”

 

Yang Qiubai thought for a while and said with a smile: “Who do you think is more suitable to take in?”

 

Han Ze said: “Those who are a little older, hardworking, good in character, and talented. Of course, some children can endure hardships, but have no talent. They can’t learn well if they are taken in, but will delay their future. It’s better not to take them in.”

 

Yang Qiubai said: “I’ll think of a way. There are several poor families in our village. Their children dropped out of school early. The children are also honest and hardworking. Maybe we can talk to their parents about it.”

 

Han Ze’s eyes lit up: “Wife, you are still smart.”

 

Yang Qiubai rolled her eyes at him: “Get to work.”

 

Han Ze smiled and said: “Okay.”