Chapter 134: A Whirlwind of Activity

Bai Xi said, "It's alright, Xiao Hei likes it well enough."

The watermelon had been chilled in the well water all day, and it tasted truly excellent. Hearing this, Zhou Dahu subconsciously glanced at the tiger beside her, feeling indignant. If not for that white tiger, who knows whose watermelon this would have been? The people of Niuluo Village were truly ruthless; they had extorted five hundred and eighty yuan from the people of Xiaxin Village in one fell swoop.

Bai Xi signaled for Chen Dalu to take a slice, but he hurriedly waved his hand. "Great Aunt, you go ahead and eat. Just seeing you enjoy it makes me happier than if I were eating it myself."

Seeing this, Bai Xi said no more. Her gaze fell upon the sullen-faced Zhou Dahu, and she raised an eyebrow. "Is the money all gathered?"

"Yes." Zhou Dahu was filled with resentment. If it weren't for the fact that he was the only one who could deliver the money, he would never have set foot in Niuluo Village again. He had failed to seize their water supply last time, and now he had been extorted for five hundred and eighty yuan. He felt bitter, and under the predatory gaze of the tiger, he didn't want to say another word. If he hadn't feared that being late would cause the great white tiger to do something unpredictable in Xiaxin Village, he wouldn't have brought two young men from his village here without even eating breakfast.

Breakfast? He was so angry he had lost his appetite. Not just him—which family in his village hadn't been eating or sleeping well these past three days? In truth, nearly half the village had been unwilling to pay, but Zhou Dahu had threatened to withhold their work points. Combined with the intimidation of the massive white tiger, no one dared to risk their family's safety, so they had no choice but to concede.

Under Bai Xi's instruction, Chen Dalu took the cloth bag from Zhou Dahu. When he opened it, he found a jumble of scattered bills—a few one- and two-yuan notes, but mostly fifty-cent, ten-cent, two-cent, and one-cent coins. Chen Dalu curled his lip; he could have at least exchanged them for larger denominations. Despite his thoughts, he happily began counting them on the spot with the other two men.

Counting the tiny coins was naturally slow. Chen Dalu managed well enough, but the other two made several mistakes and had to restart. Zhou Dahu even suspected they were doing it on purpose. He regretted having specifically exchanged ten or so two-yuan notes into small change before coming, just to be difficult.

When Zhou Dahu first arrived, Xiao Hei had been peacefully eating watermelon. But once the visitors arrived, the tiger had stared at them constantly, its gaze making them feel as if it were still hungry and about to tear them apart.

"The amount is exact!" After double-checking with the others, Chen Dalu carefully bundled the money together.

Zhou Dahu looked at Chen Dalu, wanting to say something but hesitating. Chen Dalu ignored him and respectfully handed the money to Bai Xi. Seeing that Bai Xi couldn't be bothered with the three men and had left everything to him, he finally spoke. "Don't worry, our Great Aunt keeps her word. Since you've paid in full, this matter is considered settled."

"That's good." Zhou Dahu’s greatest fear was that they would take the money and remain greedy, especially with a white tiger present—human desires are often bottomless.

One of the villagers who had come with Zhou Dahu tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "It would be better to ask the one who is truly in charge."

Indeed, while village affairs were usually handled between village leaders, the situation in Niuluo Village was confusing. Chen Dalu had specifically brought them here, counted the money in front of Bai Xi, and handed it to her—it was clear that Bai Xi was the one who held the power. Getting a promise from the person who actually took the money and held the authority was the safest route.

Realizing this, Zhou Dahu immediately looked at Bai Xi, hoping for a commitment. Bai Xi was currently washing her hands in a basin brought by Xiao Shunzi. She lifted her eyelids, glanced at him, but said nothing.

Seeing this, Chen Dalu said sternly, "You don't need to worry. Our Niuluo Village is not the type to bully others without reason. As long as you keep to yourselves and don't stir up trouble, you will be fine."

After saying this, Chen Dalu leaned over and quickly put on a gentle smile. "Great Aunt, is that the right way to put it?"

"Hmm," Bai Xi finally deigned to respond. "Send them away."

Before leaving, Zhou Dahu hesitated, then turned back and asked, "Excuse me, how old are you?"

Bai Xi frowned slightly. She glanced at Zhou Dahu, then at Chen Dalu, looking far too lazy to answer. "You tell him."

Chen Dalu immediately boasted, "Our Great Aunt is exactly six years old this year."

Six years old? A little child, yet she spoke with such clarity. Although she seemed willful and domineering at times, her meaning was always perfectly clear, which was truly shocking. But then, thinking of how Bai Xi’s father had possessed great abilities from a young age, it didn't seem so strange that Bai Xi was clever and sharp at six.

Bai Xi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. She hadn't said it—Chen Dalu had—but she was indeed six.

"By the way, the lunch was good. That pickled vegetable tofu was delicious. I want pickled vegetable fish soup tomorrow, so bring me some pickled vegetables."

Bai Xi hadn't shown any excitement about receiving the money, nor had she wanted to talk much, but she seemed in high spirits when discussing food. Lunch hadn't been cooked by Li Jia; hearing that Bai Xi had been off her food lately, Stone's mother had specially made fish with pickled vegetables.

Before Chen Dalu could reply, little Stone, who was nearby, cheered, "Really? Great Aunt, I'm so glad you like it! I'll go tell my mother right now!"

With that, little Stone dashed off toward home, shouting happily before he even reached the door, "Mom! Grandma! Great Aunt likes pickled vegetables! Great Aunt likes them..."

By the time Zhou Dahu was sent away, Chen Dalu had stopped by Stone's house to offer some praise. Now, the entire village knew that Bai Xi was interested in pickled vegetables.

Great Aunt likes them? Then what were they waiting for? Every household pickled several jars a year anyway. They would just pickle a few more—what if the Great Aunt happened to like theirs too? Without anyone needing to say another word, the whole of Niuluo Village began a frantic pickling spree.

When Bai Xi realized the villagers were pickling on a massive scale because of her, she initially thought to tell them not to, but then she reconsidered. Pickled vegetables could be stored for a long time; even if she couldn't finish them, the families could eat them themselves. So, she let them be. She had Chen Dalu distribute the money from Xiaxin Village among the villagers, so with the extra cash, people bought more jars. The supply store in the township actually ran out of stock.

When the people of Xiaxin Village heard how bustling and busy Niuluo Village was with their jar buying, they were so furious they nearly broke their own teeth.