Bai Erzhu busily said: “Niang, I’m not really sure, but if I go this time to the town, maybe I can really get food.”
Seeing him with a serious look, and seems not lying. Old Lady Bai ask: “What’s going on? Let’s talk about it.”
Bai Erzhu leaned towards his aging mother’s ear and whispered in a very low voice: “Niang, when I was working in the field and cleaning up the grass, I heard from the two people that went to the town and buy some foods that, the Xu Family bun’s shop prepared 100 pieces of steamed buns for the 5 participants in the competition. These 5 contestants will be asked to eat these steamed buns. The contestant who will eat the most will be given 1 bag of flour.”
“Niang, 1 bag of flour, 1 bag of flour, how long do you think it will help our family?” Bai Erzhu’s smile reached up to his ears. As if this bag of flour had already been delivered to their house.
Old Lady Bai was amazed and ask: “Is there really such a good competition in this world? They will ask you to eat steamed buns? And after you eat, they will also give 1 bag of flour? Does the owner of the steamed bun shop has a muddled brain?”
Bai Erzhu said: “The owner doesn’t have a muddled brain. Of course, there is also condition to participate. It’s not just any person could participate in the competition. The participant will be asked to pay the money first.”
Old Lady Bai ask: “How much is it?”
Bai Erzhu showed his palm: “Not much, only 50 copper coins.”
Old Lady Bai calculated and then asked: “50 copper coins are enough to buy 10 steamed buns. Will they returned the money after you win?”
Bai Erzhu laughed: “Of course, as long as you win the game, they will not only returned the 50 copper coins but also will give you a bag of flour. It’s really a good deal!”
Indeed, it was a good deal. So, Old Lady Bai immediately nodded her head: “Well then, you go to the town tomorrow and be sure to get back, okay? Our family hasn’t tasted a steamed bun for a long time now.”
Bai Erzhu smiled, and busily stretched out his hand: “Give me the money.”
Old Lady Bai went to her room to get the money. Bai Erzhu quickly followed in. When he saw his aging mother getting the copper coins from the wooden box, he smiled and said: “Niang, give me sixty copper coins in total. I’ll bring some spare money to ensure no problem will arise.”
After thinking the 1 bag of flour, Old Lady Bai thinks that there was nothing wrong with bringing some spare money. So, she gave Bai Erzhu a total of 60 copper coins.
*
In the kitchen, after Mrs. Liu took out two jars of rice, she squeezed herself to her husband and ask: “Why are you winking at me earlier?”
Bai Dazhu looked behind him. When he saw no one followed, he whispered: “After you cook the porridge, we will hide a thick bowl of porridge, so we will not get hungry at night.”
Mrs. Liu’s eyes flashed with worries: “If your niang learned about this, she will get angry.”
After eating a small bowl of porridge and a few vegetables with no oil. Who will not get hungry at night? So, if they can really hide some food to eat in the evening, that would be great.
Bai Dazhu smiled and said with a low voice: “Stupid wife, tonight you will cook the meal. If you add a bit more rice and hide the food early before everyone eats, who will know?”
Mrs. Liu gradually smiled: “I see. Okay, I will listen to you.” The unpleasant mood she felt earlier gradually dissipated.
However, seeing Bai Dazhu turning to go, she busily said: “Hey! Didn’t you said that you will help me? Where are you going?”
Bai Dazhu did not return inside the kitchen, he only said: “Just a simple task, yet you still want me to help? I am busy the whole day, I’ll go and sleep. After the sun went down, the mosquitoes are flying everywhere. I wouldn’t be able to sleep by then. Remember to wake me up, when you finished cooking dinner.”