Chapter 367 - 354: The Injustice of the Heavens
Chapter 367 - 354: The Injustice of the Heavens
Chapter 367: Chapter 354: The Injustice of the Heavens
“The young servant has talked a bit too much, and may have disturbed you two guests, this dish of spiced broad beans is a specialty of our shop. Do taste it, consider it as our shop’s treat to you.”
“Thank you.” Zhuang Qingning expressed her gratitude, glanced at the waiter as he went downstairs to attend to other guests. When she looked at the dish of spiced broad beans in front of her, she suddenly remembered the phrase “an assortment of flavors”.
At this moment, Zhuang Ruman must be feeling this assortment of flavors.
Zhuang Qingning raised her eyes, and glanced downstairs.
The street was bustling with people, and Zhuang Ruman disappeared quickly.
Zhuang Yutian in the county town also heard about the incident between the Kong family and Zhuang Ruman’s family.
At first, he was shocked, then angry, but finally he felt gratified by the punishment Ding Gaochang imposed on everyone involved.
However, Zhuang Ruman was just expelled from the government school and beaten, which actually let him off lightly. This made Zhuang Yutian feel somewhat regretful.
But seeing Zhuang Ruman’s desperation and disappointment, Zhuang Yutian felt relieved.
People should never do bad things, and don’t think they can keep their deeds hidden forever. Eventually, their actions will be exposed to others.
Just like Zhuang Ruman at this moment.
Zhuang Yutian suddenly felt a flood of emotions. He wanted to discuss with Zhuang Qingning, but remembering her past conflicts with Zhuang Ruman s family and seeing her tranquil face at this moment, he swallowed his words.
He only raised his eyes and looked at the scrambling Zhuang Ruman.
After Zhuang Ruman quickly left the tea house, he ran a short distance, saw no one was following him, and then leaned on a nearby wall to catch his breath.
He was furious.
Those snobs!
When he first came up with that couplet, wasn’t everyone there in awe and admiration of him, praising him for his knowledge and talent? Now that he was down and out, they said he was intellectually inferior?
They didn’t think he had lost his talents, but those who saw that he was now a poor student again, who had been expelled from the government school and then driven out by the Kong family, took the opportunity to trample on him!
The more Zhuang Ruman thought about it, the angrier he became. His eyes filled with rage, as if he wanted to set the tea house on fire, he shot it several angry glances.
Such a lousy tea house, well deserving of barely any business!
Look at the time, the second floor is still…
Zhuang Ruman sneered, but when he saw the people sitting by the window on the second floor of the tea house, he was taken aback.
Wasn’t that Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian?
Why were they here?
If they were here, did that mean they saw the conflict between him and the waiter, and also saw his embarrassment when he was driven away?
The encounter with Zhuang Yutian was not a big deal as they had no significant grievances; but Zhuang Qingning, who always looked down upon him was another story.
Even though he is her older cousin and a somewhat talented scholar, she always acted dismissively towards him.
Zhuang Ruman understood Zhuang Qingning’s contempt and also knew that people who reeked of money only recognized wealth. They knew their own weakness and the strength of others when real gold and silver were laid in front of them.
So, after getting the support of the powerful Kong family and completely changing his image, Zhuang Ruman was looking forward to showing off his new wealth and status in the village, especially to Zhuang Qingning who thought highly of herself and her extremely snobbish uncle Zhuang Jingye, to make them see his now prosperous status.
Before going to bed at night, Zhuang Ruman had imagined more than ten versions of Zhuang Qingning’s attitude and reaction upon seeing his current state. The more he thought about it, the happier he felt.
Before the dream had come true and he had a chance to show off in front of them, the Kong family had an incident.
And after envisioning so many possibilities, he had never expected that he would meet Zhuang Qingning again in such a miserable state.
Right now, Zhuang Qingning must be even more pleased and disdainful toward him.
Yes, judging from her high position and the indifferent and mocking look in her eyes, Zhuang Ruman was convinced that this would be Zhuang Qingning s thoughts at this moment.
It was infuriating.
Why was Zhuang Qingning, a pitiful person, easily able to turn herself into a shop manager, open several workshops, and watch the money pouring into her house every day?
Why was it that he, after all his hard work and years of bitter study, when his life had just slightly improved, had so quickly lost everything he had?
It’s unfair!
The heaven is unfair!
Zhuang Ruman’s throat tightened, and he felt as if screams were straining to break free from his chest. His chest was suffocating, causing him to cough several times.
Passers-by who saw Zhuang Ruman, in his slightly untidy clothes and looking desolate and ill, all avoided him for fear that he was a sick man and might transmit his disease to them.
This scene made Zhuang Ruman feel even more bitter and angry.
You spineless people, who flatter the powerful and bully the weak, will one day pay for it!
Zhuang Ruman clenched his fists, his eyes red. After glowering at Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian several times, he lifted his heavy steps and walked away.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian did not notice Zhuang Ruman’s brief lingering at the corner of the street. After seeing him leave, they turned their attention to the new shop across the street and discussed its operations.
Their tea was refilled, and Cheng Ruize hurriedly arrived.
“My apologies to both of you.”
Cheng Ruize apologized, “I was supposed to wait here early, but a merchant came to the tea shop just now, he was dissatisfied with the new tea and made a scene there. I went to investigate the situation, and this has caused a delay.
“I will use this tea as wine, and apologize to both managers.”
After saying this, Cheng Ruize finished his tea.
“No problem, the tea here tastes great, and it’s a good opportunity to observe the condition of the shop, so Manager Cheng doesn’t need to worry too much.” Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile, “I see that the shop has been mostly renovated, how many more days do you need to complete it?”
“About six or seven days.” Cheng Ruize sat down and poured himself a cup of tea, also refilling Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Yutian’s cups.
“In that case, it will be the beginning of August.” Zhuang Qingning nodded slightly, “Does Manager Cheng plan to open the shop before the fifteenth of August?”
The fifteenth of August is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Most of the people in the surrounding area will come to the county town to shop. If you opened a new store when there were many people, it would be a good opportunity to promote it.