CH 29

Chapter 29 – Contentment brings happiness

Uncle Shi coughed lightly and arched his hands in salutation towards Da Lang. He was about to greet Da Lang, when he suddenly saw the rooster Wu Lang was carrying.

He immediately pounced on the rooster, stroked its shiny feathers, and dreamily asked as if he was in love, “Is this the big rooster you were talking about?”

The Zhou’s were stunned. Even Da Lang was speechless.

But Man Bao didn’t bat an eyelid. She rushed towards Uncle Shi, stood beside her fifth brother, stroked the rooster’s feathers, and asked proudly, “What do you think? Isn’t my family’s rooster beautiful?”

“Wonderful, fantastic!” Uncle Shi continued to stroke the rooster, and asked, “How much is it?”

Man Bao was taken aback and scratched her head. She really hadn’t thought about the price. She just believed since Uncle Shi liked big roosters so much, they should be able to sell it to him at a good price.

The most important thing was to find Uncle Shi a good-looking big rooster, so that he would be willing to sell her the rooster which lost the fight at a cheaper price.

Man Bao couldn’t help but stare at the featherless rooster.

Uncle Shi followed her gaze. Her thoughts were written all over her face. He laughed heartily and asked, “You want this rooster?”

She nodded.

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Stew into a soup and drink,” Man Bao looked at Uncle Shi, “The rooster is a great source of nourishment. My mother wants to eat a rooster.”

“Yes, this rooster can only be used to stew soup, but…” he was puzzled, “Isn’t your family raising roosters?”

“We want to eat roosters every day. This big rooster is more expensive than yours. If you buy this one, you can also buy a second one.”

Uncle Shi couldn’t help being happy, “Clever, clever, you’re very smart. Done! I’ll buy this rooster.”

Uncle Shi was very eager to hold the rooster in Wu Lang’s arms. He stroked the rooster and put it on the ground. The rooster walked a couple of steps, and he was even more satisfied when he saw that it was vigorous and strong.

He reached for his money, took out a small piece of silver, and threw it to Man Bao, “Here, I’ve purchased the rooster. That rooster is my gift for you.”

Man Bao took the silver nugget, looked at it, and asked, “How heavy is this?”

Uncle Shi felt slightly guilty but exuded a show of strength and calmness. He proudly said, “It’s around three to five grams. Go home, weigh it and you’ll know.”

Man Bao felt silver wasn’t very reliable, and asked, “Do you have copper coins?”

“Nobody in their right mind go gambling with a bunch of heavy copper plates.” Uncle Shi said, “Do you want the silver or not? If not, I will not buy the rooster.”

Man Bao have yet to respond when Wu Lang quickly expressed their willingness to take the silver nugget. Even Da Lang couldn’t help chiding Man Bao, “It should be three grams, it’s sufficient.”

He knew the rooster cost 65 wen, and they received three grams of silver. Should they trade in the silver for copper coins, they would receive 300 wen.

He glanced at the miserable rooster on the ground. It was practically bald after the fight, but it was a gift, after all. Although it didn’t look good, it would taste perfectly fine.

Man Bao was delighted once her eldest brother determined the weight of the nugget.

She held on to the silver nugget and concluded the deal with Uncle Shi, “I’ll look for you when I have another beautiful rooster.”

“I want a rooster which can fight, or else a beautiful and strong rooster similar to this one will do.”

A bystander who witnessed their transaction secretly followed the family. He waited until they left the cockfighting site and out of Uncle Shi’s sight.

He immediately stepped forward and said, “You’re so stupid, that big rooster is worth five taels of silver. You sold it to Shi Da Lang for peanuts. You’ve suffered a great loss. Go back and demand more money.”

The Zhou’s were shocked, “One, one rooster is worth so much money?”

“This is not an ordinary rooster. It is a rooster which can make money. Do you know how much money Shi Da Lang can make in just one round of cockfighting? A minimum of 20 taels. If this rooster wins, that’s how much he will make!”

The man made a gesture which left everyone was stunned. Only Man Bao looked at them in disdain, “This is stupid. What happens if you lose?”

The Zhou’s who were seething in excitement immediately became clear-headed. That’s true, what happens if you lose?

Ever since fourth brother lost money gambling, Man Bao has heard many tragic stories from Keke regarding how various intelligent races from the past, present and the future ruined themselves and their families by gambling.

Keke said when you gamble, you’ll lose 9 out of 10 times. Even that single winning bet may not be due to skill and luck. Didn’t you hear what Uncle Shi said just now?

The casinos were cheating. Many people knew this, but they didn’t dare to talk about this. Why?

Fear of being beaten and killed.

So, Man Bao figured it out, whoever was stronger wins!

If her fourth brother was an invincible fighter, would anyone dare to win his money?

“But that rooster is worth five taels of silver!” Wu Lang was still reluctant.

“Fifth brother, that rooster was originally worth 65 wen. Now not only have we made more money, but we have also received a rooster for free.”

Man Bao had her rationale and explained, “Will Uncle Shi be mad if he knows this? If he gambles with the rooster and loses, not only does he lose his wagers, but also the money paid for the rooster.”

Wu Lang thought about it and felt more at peace.

Da Lang also said, “Contentment brings happiness. You’re older but you can’t even measure up to Man Bao who realises this truth.”

“Big brother, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Weren’t you regretting it just now?” Wu Lang wasn’t quite convinced but couldn’t help looking at Man Bao with admiration.

“Man Bao, you’re very smart. Father and mother used to say you were smarter than me. I didn’t believe it. But you’re really clever!”

Man Bao nodded proudly, and smiled without any humility, “Not at all, not at all. It’s mainly because my friend taught me, and I’m a fast learner.”

“Who are you calling a friend? Isn’t it Mr Zhuang?” Wu Lang said, “You’re now Mr Zhuang’s pupil, you can’t go around calling him your friend. You need to address him as teacher.”

He added, “Actually, I think you’re smarter than us. You can’t blame us for being stupid. The main reason is that your parents are smarter…”

“Wu Lang, what nonsense are you spouting?” Da Lang smacked him on the head, and Wu Lang suddenly realized he made a Freudian slip.

He hastily covered his mouth, giggled nervously, and looked at Man Bao apprehensively.

Man Bao comforted Da Lang, “Big brother, don’t be angry. Fifth brother is just stupid. You’re smarter than him, just like father.”

Then, Man Bao added proudly, “I’m just like mother. She is slightly smarter than father. Fifth brother doesn’t take after anyone. Perhaps he was picked up from the streets.

“Alas, mother is so sad that when she goes to bed every night, she’ll say, I don’t know if Wu Lang will be able to coax his wife.”

Da Lang and Liu Lang,….

Wu Lang became angry, “Get your facts right! I’m not stupid. I’m honest, just like father!!”

Man Bao shook her head, “Nope, you certainly don’t take after father at all. If you don’t believe me, ask father when we get home. Do you think he’ll say you take after him?”

– End of this chapter –

Keke is such a wonderful teacher! And Man Bao is a fast learner…at just slightly over 4 years old, she is one smart kid!