Chapter 399 - Chapter 399: The Su Family’s Reputation
Chapter 399: The Su Family’s Reputation
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Fengzhang and his son were dumbfounded. The duo wondered who would be so wicked and lie to honest people like the Taos.
“What happened, Zhenggang and Miss Li?” Su Fengzhang asked, “Who would do such a thing.”
“It’s no secret,” Miss Li cried, “Everyone in the village knows about it. Two years ago, a foreigner came here and said he wanted to order a set of pots. He even called Zhenggang ‘brother.’ He was very enthusiastic.
“Since we’re farmers, we didn’t have many thoughts. We only guessed he genuinely wanted our pots. He ordered many things, which was a good business opportunity for us.
“The man said his two sons were of marriable age, and he wanted to earn more. I was concerned that the man was a scammer, but he had paid a considerable deposit.
“However, it was heavily raining when he picked up his pots. The man said he was in a hurry and had forgotten to bring his silver. Ultimately, he left a jade pendant here, saying it was his mother’s heirloom and would return with the money he owed us.
“When we went to town to eat and then go to the pawn shop after, the staff said the jade pendant was of the highest quality and was worth a few thousand silver taels.
“We didn’t overthink it and thought the man would return with the money he owed us since the jade pendant was so expensive. We never expected him not to return even after two years had passed,” Miss Li concluded.
Tao Zhenggang added, “We had no choice but to sell the pendant, but the pawnshop manager told us that the pendant was fake. We wondered how it would be fake when the staff had told us it was worth more than a thousand silver taels.
“After all, we presented the same pendant to the manager. The staff member may have fooled us, but we heard that the pawnshop had an outstanding reputation, so we dared not ask further.”
Miss Li began to cry as she echoed, “We made those pots with our own money.”
Su Wenxian said, “We know the pawnshop in town is reputable since the Xu family supports them. The Xu family always keeps their promises when doing business with us.
“Maybe there are two identical pendants, and someone exchanged the original with a fake. The staff wanted to swindle you from the start.” He knew what the pawnshop staff was plotting.
That was because Su Wenxian often brought his mother for treatments alongside his father and had witnessed many things. Hence, he could guess these things at a glance.
Tao Zhenggang’s eyes reddened when he heard that, but he held back his tears. Still, Miss Li cried her eyes out. Both her sons had to work at the dock with the family’s current situation. They worked very hard but barely earned even a few copper coins.
“What do we do now?” Miss Li asked.
Su Fengzhang and his son listened on the sidelines, feeling the depressing atmosphere. Su Fengzhang felt like he could not breathe, as it made him think of how his family used to be.
If not for his three brothers, he would not have survived and probably live in despair. He collected himself and said, “Zhenggang, we’re sincere in buying clay pots from you.”
Miss Li waved as she did not want to make clay pots anymore. “We no longer make clay pots.”
Su Fengzhang became a little anxious when he heard this. Still, he wanted to help them. He and his son could go to the neighboring village to buy clay pots, but it would be a long journey.
However, he could help the Taos if he did business with them. After all, it would also be a win-win situation.
Su Wenxian noticed his father’s anxious expression and said to Tao
Zhenggang, “Mr. Zhenggang, we’re from the Su family of Su Teng Village. We won’t deceive you. My father and I will open a shop soon and need clay pots and jars.
“It’ll be the same if we bought them from other places or yours. Still, we know you’re good people, so we decided to do business with you instead.”
Miss Li was still crying but stood up eagerly when she heard that. “What did you say? You’re from the Su family of Su Teng Village?!”
She instantly stopped crying and wiped her tears as she stared at Su Wenxian and Su Fengzhang.
Su Wenxian nodded and answered thoughtfully, “Yes, we’re from the Su family. My name is Su Wenxian, and this is my father, Su Fengzhang.”
“The Su family?” Miss Li murmured, exaggerating ‘the.’
She asked Su Wenxian, “Is Miss Su your relative?
Su Wenxian nodded. “Yeah, she’s my second uncle’s biological daughter.”
Miss Li’s eyes, full of despair, suddenly brightened. “We know the Su family, especially Miss Su. She’s a kind person who helps others. She’s also Liu Yinyin’s sister-in-law, and Liu Yinyin is from our village. Miss Su healed Liu Chengwen
when he got bitten by a venomous snake once!”
The people from Willow Village were tight-knit, so they knew about almost everything that happened there. Of course, their neighboring village, Su Teng Village, had become popular because it had drastically improved.
The Willow villagers usually discussed topics concerning Su Teng Village whenever they had free time. Moreover, Su Fengchen typically went to Willow Village to buy duck and chicken eggs.
The Willow villagers benefited from the Su family and did not have to worry about selling their chickens, ducks, and eggs.
Miss Li had seen Su Fengchen around the village, too. She had raised ducks and chickens and sold eggs to Su Fengchen. She knew he was a polite and soft-spoken young man. She knew that because he had bought their eggs so their family could earn money.
Miss Li observed Su Fengzhang and Su Wenxian from top to bottom. “You look just like that young man.”
Su Fengzhang touched his face and said, “Miss Li, you’re talking about my little brother, Su Fengchen, right? My parents also said we’re similar-looking.”
Miss Li exclaimed, “Yes, that’s him! He came to our village to buy eggs, but that was long ago because other people now come to buy them for him. Still,
I’ve seen Su Fengchen before.”
Su Fengzhang said, “So, please believe we’re not scammers, Miss Li. We can find others in the neighboring villages to help, but we’d instead work with you. My niece is the one who is setting up a business and needs your clay pots and jars.
“She is kind and feels it doesn’t matter if she buys them from other places or here. She just wants to help the people around her.”
Miss Li finally relaxed a little. “Please, sit while I get you two some water.”
Meanwhile, Tao Zhenggang was dazed. ‘How did we get the Su family interested in our past business?
The Su family was no strangers to the couple. Even everyone in Willow Village knew about the changes in Su Teng Village and that the Su family was the main reason behind them. It was all because the Su family had a blessed girl like Su Binglan.
Tao Zhenggang returned to his senses and asked, “You’re sincerely here to buy our clay pots and jars?