Chapter 383: Shrewd Calculations

The aunt said sternly, "Zhaodi, it’s fine for relatives to come stay for a few days. I wouldn’t say anything about that."

"But no family is expected to support all of their in-laws. The food your parents are eating now is all from my house, and from now on, I’m not giving them any more."

’She really looked down on this family. They’d been here for several days and hadn’t even mentioned looking for work. The three of them just lazed around the house all day.’

"There’s plenty of work in the city. As long as you’re willing to do it, you won’t starve."

"Besides, the silver you’ve given your parents these past few days must add up to two or three taels by now. That’s more than enough to rent a small place." The aunt finished and looked at Zhaodi.

Zhaodi lowered her head, bit her lip, and tugged at her mother. "Ma, the city gates haven’t closed yet. Let me take you into the city to find an inn for the night. We can look for a place to rent tomorrow."

Granny Guo hugged the bundle in her arms and plopped down on the ground. "I’m not leaving! You’re my daughter. It’s your duty to provide for me!"

"Your father and I are old. We can’t do any work. Your brother is still so young, he can’t work either. What are we supposed to do if you don’t support us?"

The aunt folded her arms and sneered. ’She knew it. This family was determined to leech off of them.’

She shot a cold look at Yougen.

Yougen hesitated for a moment, then looked at his father-in-law and mother-in-law. "You two should head into the city. I’ll hitch the cart and take you."

Granny Guo clutched a lotus-leaf-wrapped bundle. "I’m not going. I’ll stay wherever my daughter stays."

Jinbao glared sideways at the aunt, his face full of resentment.

Yougen said no more. He went inside and brought out the mule cart. First, he pulled his father-in-law onto the cart, then went to grab his young brother-in-law. Zhaodi also managed to pull and drag her mother onto the cart.

The cart was normally used for hauling goods and had no cover. Granny Guo sat on the cart and spat fiercely on the ground. Yougen raised his whip and cracked it against the mule, and the mule started to run.

Halfway there, they ran into Shanzimama, who was on her way back to the city.

Shanzimama quickly called out to Yougen, "Are you heading into the city? Could you give me a ride?"

Yougen let Shanzimama get on the cart. Once she was seated, Shanzimama scooted over, trying her best to put some distance between herself and the family of three.

After they had gone a short distance, Yougen suddenly asked, "Sister-in-law Huang, where is the house you’re renting now? How much is it per month?"

Shanzimama glanced at Granny Guo and the others beside her and understood. "My family is renting a place in North City now. It has a small courtyard. Three hundred cash a month."

An idea struck Yougen. "Then I’ll take you home in a bit. By the way, are there any other houses for rent over there?"

Shanzimama said, "There should be. I’ll ask the neighbors around when I get back."

Yougen thanked Shanzimama and drove her all the way to North City, arranging to come find her tomorrow to ask about renting a house.

Shanzimama had just turned into an alley and taken a few steps when a voice suddenly came from the side, "Ma’am, please, be kind. Give me something to eat."

Shanzimama turned her head and saw a beggar sitting at the base of a wall, looking up at her.

Shanzimama hadn’t planned on paying the beggar any mind, but after a few steps, she suddenly turned back. "You’re a girl?"

The voice from a moment ago had been a girl’s.

The beggar nodded.

Shanzimama sized her up. "How old are you? Do you have any family left?"

The beggar was already weak with hunger. "I... I’m fifteen. I have no family left. I fled the famine in Hedong County before the New Year."

"I’ve been begging for half a year. I haven’t gotten anything at all today. Please, take pity on me. Spare me a bite to eat."