Chapter 250: Awkwardness

Chapter 250: Chapter 250: Awkwardness

Just then, an elderly villager broke the silence. "Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing! We’re all neighbors in the same village. We see each other every day, so there’s no need to tear each other down like this. Come on, let’s all sit down, catch our breath, and talk things out calmly."

As he spoke, the old man furrowed his brow and clutched his chest. The intense argument moments ago had sent his heart racing, and he was still feeling waves of sharp pain.

Beside him, another elderly man let out a heavy sigh. He slowly raised a hand to rub his chest in an attempt to soothe himself. With a grave expression, he chimed in, "Yes, exactly. How did it come to this? It was just a few words—things never should have escalated like this! Look at yourselves! Aren’t you afraid of being a laughingstock to outsiders? You’re far too old to be acting like this!"

At this moment, the oldest and most respected woman present could no longer hold back. Frowning, she scolded them, "Goodness, what kind of nonsense is this? Airing out each other’s dirty laundry first thing in the morning—do you even want to live in peace? Have you completely forgotten all the hardships and suffering we went through in the past? We finally have a few days of peace, so can’t you just let it rest? Must you bicker and fight all day long?"

Following her, an older woman raised her voice and shouted, "Alright, alright! From now on, no one is allowed to argue! No matter what happens, we sit down calmly and talk it over. There’s no need to argue until we’re blue in the face." She waved her arms as she spoke, as if trying to physically brush the dispute away.

A brief silence hung in the air. Soon, the surrounding crowd began to nod in agreement, voicing their approval.

The very same people who had been at each other’s throats just moments ago finally calmed down. Some shook hands in reconciliation, while others offered sincere apologies.

Throughout all this, Ling Qianjun and Xu Panqing had not left. They stood on the sidelines, quietly observing. It was only now that the crowd finally turned their attention back to the two of them.

"Oh dear, this won’t do. I need to hurry up and buy a bar of soap so I can get home! Look at the time, it’s getting late. If I don’t hurry back to clean up and cook, my little boy will be waiting forever for his breakfast!"

A woman stepped forward briskly. She stood before the soap stall, hesitating for a brief moment before reaching out to pick up a bar with a light floral scent. After examining it carefully, she nodded in satisfaction. She pulled some money from her pocket, handed it to Xu Panqing, and hurried off the second she paid.

Soon after, others came forward one by one to buy soap.

Some looked rushed, as if they had urgent matters to attend to; others seemed a bit absent-minded, though their eyes never strayed from the colorful array of soaps. Everyone quickly picked out their preferred bars, paid, and practically fled the scene in relief. It was as if they were afraid that lingering for even a second longer would be unbearable—after all, they had just engaged in a fierce shouting match right here moments ago.