"Xiaxia, have you finished eating?" A while after Mu Shaoling left, Ms. Wang came to ask again, "Your granduncle is already waiting outside with someone."
"I’m done, I’m done!" Yang Chuxia quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks upon hearing this, "Mom, this isn’t a big deal. Just let Fugui and the others help carry the seeds out, and then they can weigh them in front of everyone. Each family will pay according to how much they take, simple as that."
Ms. Wang replied, "Fugui and the others have already carried the things out. Your father just asked me to call you over and tell you that Auntie Li was asking if she could purchase more seeds."
"Buy more?" Yang Chuxia was puzzled, "How much more does she want to buy? Didn’t we agree earlier that each family could only have enough for two acres? We don’t have that many seeds to spare."
"Who knows what she wants to do, she’s discussing it with your father right now."
Upon hearing the news, Yang Chuxia put down her bowl and chopsticks and went to the front room, where Auntie Li was indeed talking about this matter.
"So, Dachuan, can I or can’t I? I don’t want much, just an extra ten pounds would be enough."
"No!" Just as Yang Dachuan was having a hard time deciding, Yang Chuxia came out and immediately refused Auntie Li’s request.
"Xiaxia, why can’t I?" Auntie Li became unhappy, "Look how much seed your family has! Why can’t you sell me just a little more?"
Yang Chuxia looked at her and said, "I only have enough seeds for each family to plant two acres. If you want an extra ten pounds, someone else will have to go without seeds. You can ask the uncles in the village if they agree."
Upon hearing that there might not be enough seeds for everyone, the villagers became displeased. Yang Jinshui said, "Auntie Li, what do you need so many broad bean seeds for? Isn’t it settled that each family should plant two acres? Are you planning to plant three acres at your place? If you really want to plant three or four acres, go fetch your own seeds, and stop trying to take ours."
"Humph, Yang Jinshui, you shouldn’t talk like that. Your wife, Caixia, works for Xiaxia’s family and has made who knows how much money, yet you have the nerve to argue over these broad beans?" Auntie Li was envious of Auntie Caixia working for Yang Chuxia’s family.
Unfortunately, because she had tried to meddle in Yang Chuxia and Brother An’s marriage before, Yang Chuxia purposely didn’t include Auntie Li when she needed someone to help with work. This made Auntie Li quite displeased and extremely jealous of Auntie Caixia and Old Aunt-in-law Gen, who were able to work for Yang Chuxia.
Therefore, whenever there was an opportunity to put them down, she would always try to belittle Old Aunt-in-law Gen’s family and Yang Jinshui’s family.
"Hey, you old woman, what are you implying with that..." Yang Jinshui was unhappy with Auntie Li’s words. Though his family did make some money working for Xiaxia, they had earned it fair and square. Besides, any family could grow broad beans, and they had chosen the best quality. What was the meaning of her words?
Seeing that the two were about to argue again, Yang Chuxia said, "Alright, stop talking. If I say it’s not possible, then it’s not. Each family is only allowed enough seeds for two acres, and if that’s not enough, go find your own."
Realizing there was no room for negotiation, Auntie Li became unhappy. However, she held her tongue for fear that Yang Chuxia might not provide her with any seeds at all.
"Fugui, you go help weigh the seeds for everyone!" Once the two had quieted down, Yang Chuxia instructed Fugui to handle the seed distribution. Then she continued, "Xiu’er, you help collect the money, eight wen per pound!"
"What? Eight wen per pound, that’s so expensive!" As soon as Yang Chuxia finished speaking, Auntie Li chimed in again.
Yang Chuxia glared at her, "If you think it’s expensive, then don’t buy it. You can find seeds for sale elsewhere, maybe not in our town, but perhaps in the county. Go buy your own!"