Gao Tiezhu is one of the few wealthy people in Gao Village, indulging in lavish als every day without restraint.
So he grew fat with a greasy face; you could probably scrape off two ounces of oil with a knife.
Upon eting the Old Mu Family, Gao Tiezhu was still polite, and directly instructed his wife, Ms. Zhu, standing beside him, to pour tea.
As for himself, he reclined in the grand master’s chair, half-listening to the Old Mu Family talk about borrowing money.
Mr. Mu had organized his thoughts before coming, so now his words were carefully considered.
After speaking, he stood beside waiting for Gao Tiezhu’s response.
"So, you’re saying your Old Mu Family wants to borrow money from , Gao Tiezhu, and will pay back once your family’s scholar, Mu Dade, becos Champion Scholar?" Gao Tiezhu asked unhurriedly.
It was Mr. Mu’s first ti borrowing money from an outsider, and when questioned by Gao Tiezhu, he felt sowhat embarrassed and instinctively considered withdrawing.
Seeing his father stay silent for a while, Mu Danian quickly spoke up: "Yes, Brother Tiezhu. My father heard that you’re the richest man in these nearby villages.
Whenever anyone faces difficulties, they always co to you for money, and everyone regards you as the great benefactor of the area.
So, this ti, we want to borrow so money from you for my elder brother’s travel expenses for the exams. Once my brother becos Champion Scholar, he won’t forget your kindness."
Mu Danian shalessly praised Gao Tiezhu in front of Mr. Mu.
Indeed, Mu Danian’s sweet-talking ability was unmatched by anyone else in the Old Mu Family.
Gao Tiezhu felt pleased and grudgingly lifted his head, glancing at Mu Danian.
With that glance, he had an idea.
Suddenly, he stood up from the grand master’s chair and said to Mu Danian, "This brother is the youngest of the Old Mu Family? You sure know how to speak well."
Mu Danian chuckled and said, "I go by Mu Danian, and I am the youngest son in the Old Mu Family."
Gao Tiezhu laughed aloud, his features densely packed, giving a rather frightening impression.
"Please sit for a while; I’ll take care of so business in the back courtyard, and then we’ll discuss the money!"
With that, Gao Tiezhu headed to the back courtyard.
The three mbers of the Old Mu Family exchanged confused glances, all at a loss.
"Dad, what does Gao Tiezhu an? Weren’t we discussing borrowing money? Why retreat to the backyard? Does it an he won’t lend us money?" Mu Dazhong asked.
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Mu smacked him on the head.
"Second son, stop talking so much!" Mr. Mu scolded.
Mu Dazhong rolled his eyes in dissatisfaction.
Mu Danian caught the eye roll and said, "Second brother, what are you doing? Dad said just two words. If you have opinions, say them instead of rolling your eyes behind our backs; what does that an?"
Mu Dazhong nearly exploded with anger.
He glared at Mu Danian, ready to explain to Mr. Mu, but Mr. Mu gave him a slap.
Almost stunned, Mu Danian covered his mouth, secretly laughing on the side.
*
In the Gao Family’s back courtyard, Gao Tiezhu pulled Ms. Zhu aside and whispered, "What do you think of the young man who ca with the Old Mu Family? I’m talking about the skinny one, not the fat one!"
Ms. Zhu nodded knowingly, "He looks nice, especially with that handso face. What’s up?"
"Nothing much; do you think he matches our eldest daughter, Cuihua?" Gao Tiezhu asked.
"What? Tiezhu, you must be mistaken, Cuihua? That young man?" Ms. Zhu exclaid in shock.
It’s no wonder Ms. Zhu was agitated; though mothers don’t usually mind their children being unattractive, Gao Cuihua was one child out of four that she truly disliked.
She was simply too ugly.
Not only did the Gao family disdain her, but even when she went out playing with other kids and stole peas from the neighbor’s field, only Cuihua got smacked.
When they relieved themselves in the courtyard corner as kids, even the rooster pecked her backside.
Now, at twenty-three, she still hasn’t been courted, and any suitor seeing her face would turn away without wanting the betrothal gifts.
This matter was a sore spot for Gao Tiezhu and a pain Ms. Zhu was reluctant to ntion.
"What’s wrong? Is our Cuihua that bad?" Gao Tiezhu grumbled unhappily.
Ms. Zhu quickly shook her head. "She’s not bad at all; our Cuihua isn’t bad. That lad can’t compare to her."
Gao Tiezhu snorted and instructed Ms. Zhu further.
"Get Cuihua to pour so tea; if she fancies Mu Danian, I’ll lend money to the Old Mu Family.
Mu Dade is going to take the Champion Scholar exam; if he really passes, our Cuihua won’t lead a miserable life with Mu Danian."
After all, she was his daughter; even if Gao Tiezhu was ruthless, he couldn’t let her remain unmarried forever.
Besides, once his daughter beca the in-law of a Champion Scholar, more people would co to borrow money.
"What if Mu Danian disagrees?" Ms. Zhu voiced her concern.
"Have you forgotten? They’re borrowing money from ; if he doesn’t agree, do you think I’ll let it slide? When signing the contract later, follow the usual thod and have the old man sign, then get Mu Danian and the other fatty to sign.
By year’s end, I’ll make Mu Danian marry my daughter, or else I’ll take his life!"
These words from Gao Tiezhu gave an impression of extre viciousness.
Ms. Zhu was no stranger to joining Gao Tiezhu in this sort of despicable sche.
She was well accustod.
"I’ll call Cuihua; you go to the front courtyard and keep them occupied."
After this exchange, Ms. Zhu headed to the most secluded northern corner of the Gao household where a solitary courtyard stood.
Once Zhu Cuihua heard that n had arrived, without a word, she carried the tea Ms. Zhu had brewed straight to the main house in the front courtyard.
Inside, Gao Tiezhu and Mr. Mu chatted up a storm, laughing as they went.
Unknowingly, plenty of information about the Old Mu Family had entered his mind.
Yet Mr. Mu naively thought that Gao Tiezhu was easygoing.
Just then, Zhu Cuihua ca walking in, and Gao Tiezhu quickly called out, "Cuihua, pour tea for Mr. Mu and Brother Danian!"
Gao Tiezhu blatantly ignored Mu Dazhong, which irked Mu Dazhong.
"Brother Tiezhu, don’t forget , I’d like so tea too." Mu Dazhong said with a flattering tone.
Only to receive a side-eye from Mr. Mu.
Zhu Cuihua, in her twenties, had only t the unattractive n from Gao Village. With Mu Danian looking indeed nice, she imdiately nodded towards Gao Tiezhu, signaling she had decided on Mu Danian as her man.
Only then did Gao Tiezhu relax, "Regarding the money, no problem, but you know my rules, right? Borrowing money is fine, but the interest can’t be lacking."
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