PCJ – Chapter 460 Returning to Campus

A few days later, Zhang Jiaohua’s family left Changfeng County and returned to Meizi’ao.

In Muyun Village, Liu Shengcai knocked on Liu Junchao’s door with a “thud thud thud.”

“Uncle Zhaodong, give me two pills. I’ve been feeling a little unwell these past few days,” Liu Shengcai said, though there was no sign that he was sick.

Liu Zhaodong had heard about Liu Shengcai’s actions. This scoundrel had taken medicine from him and secretly sold it when he went to the market. Every pill he took from Liu Zhaodong was on credit, and later, he simply refused to pay. He sold the pills for ten yuan each. After tasting the benefits, Liu Shengcai came back every now and then asking for more, but with no intention of paying.

Liu Zhaodong shook his head, “I went up the mountain this time, but didn’t get a single pill. The old Taoist said he’s not making pills anymore. If you’re sick, go to De Yi’s place for an injection.”

“Zhaodong, who do you think you’re fooling? Everyone else can get pills, but when I come, there are none? Is it because I didn’t pay you?” Liu Shengcai, not getting the pills, became angry and was about to demand more.

“How many times have you come to take pills in a month? How many can you possibly take? Do you think this is peanuts? Don’t think I don’t know that you’re taking the pills and selling them outside.” Liu Zhaodong was furious, realizing he had encountered an utterly shameless person.

“Your fox tail is showing, huh? You’re not giving me the pills because I didn’t pay, right? You’re jealous because I earned money? If I can make money, it’s because of my ability! You took so many pills and still didn’t get rich. Why give them to everyone else but not me?” Liu Shengcai slapped the table and shouted.

“You shout all you want! The pills are made by the old Taoist. If you have the ability, go ask him for some! Don’t talk as if I don’t have any pills. Even if I did, I can give them to whoever I want. It’s none of your business!” Liu Zhaodong was also enraged, slamming his fist on the table and pointing at Liu Shengcai.

Liu Shengcai finally understood the situation. He had thought of asking the old Taoist for pills directly, but the old Taoist ignored him. When Liu Shengcai persisted, the Taoist finally threw him down the mountain. If the Taoist hadn’t aimed for the river at the bottom, Liu Shengcai would have died that time. They say good people don’t live long, but bad people last forever, and that’s exactly true for Liu Shengcai.

Liu Zhaodong also regretted his actions. He had meant well, giving the villagers medicine at a symbolic cost, sometimes even contributing more money for the Taoist’s purchases. The food he gave the Taoist was from his own farm, and when he added it all up, he was spending more than receiving. In the end, many villagers took it for granted. Like today, Liu Shengcai boldly reached out for more.

“You old fool, you really won’t give it to me?” Liu Shengcai ripped off his pretense.

“No! Even if I had it, I wouldn’t give it to you!” Liu Zhaodong glared at Liu Shengcai.

Liu Shengcai left with a fierce remark, slamming the door, “We’ll see!”

Soon, rumors spread in the village that the old Taoist, who kindly made pills for the villagers’ illnesses, had entrusted Liu Zhaodong with the medicine, but Liu Zhaodong now refused to give it to the villagers, planning to sell it at high prices in the town.

The villagers rushed to Liu Zhaodong’s house to question him.

“Zhaodong, you can’t do this. The pills were given by the old Taoist to the whole village. What right do you have to sell them at high prices in town?”

“If your family is in trouble, you can tell everyone. We’ll help if we can. But those pills are for the whole village, not just for you. Don’t think you’re the only one who can talk to the Taoist. If we tell him, you’ll regret it. We know where he lives.”

“You should give the pills to everyone now!”

…

Of course, not all villagers were so naive; most understood the real situation.

“You people only listen to Shengcai, that scoundrel. Do you think the old Taoist’s pills were free? Uncle Zhaodong sends things to the mountain every few days. Do you think that’s all for nothing? When you used the pills, how much money did you pay? Did it cover what Uncle Zhaodong has been sending?”

“Liu Shengcai got pills for free and sold them for ten or twenty yuan each at the market. You all know that. Ask him if he ever paid a single penny!”

“Uncle Zhaodong, from now on, just charge money when someone asks for pills. Set a price, ten or twenty yuan. Some people don’t appreciate kindness. Don’t be too nice to them!”

…

Liu Zhaodong shook his head as he looked at the villagers. “I really don’t have any pills now. When I went to the mountain this time, the old Taoist said there won’t be any pills like that in the future. However, he will make better pills in a while. Those will have to be sold. If you need them, I can go ask the old Taoist for some. If not, forget it. If you want, I can take you to the Taoist temple to get them yourself.”

Zhang Jiaohua returned to Meizi’ao, still worried about whether Liu Junchao could persuade Liu Zhaodong. If things went according to plan, the money from the Peiyuan Dan could be enough for Liu Junchao and his grandfather to live a comfortable life. But Liu Zhaodong was too kind and often too much of a pushover, which could ruin the whole thing.

“Jiaohua, when are you planning to go back to school?” Liu Qiaoye wasn’t in a rush to send Jiaohua back to school. She worried that after such a long break, Jiaohua might struggle to adapt and might end up skipping again.

“Whenever,” Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t too concerned.

“Are you going to repeat the first year, or continue from where you left off?” Liu Qiaoye asked.

“Of course, I’ll continue. I’m not repeating a year,” Zhang Jiaohua said confidently.

“But you haven’t been to school for so long, how will you catch up?” Liu Qiaoye was a bit worried about Jiaohua’s progress.

Zhang Jiaohua smiled, “Don’t worry. It won’t be hard for me.”

A few days later, Zhang Jiaohua appeared in the classroom of Yidushui Water School.

Qi Xia and Nie Tong kept glancing back during class.

As soon as the bell rang, they rushed to Zhang Jiaohua’s desk.

“Jiaohua, you’re amazing! You’ve been away for so long and just came back!” Qi Xia said, admiring him greatly.

“You’ve been to so many places! I’ve never even been to the county town,” the honest Nie Tong also expressed his admiration.

Zhang Jiaohua scratched his head, looking frustrated. “Can I tell you I’ve just been wandering around Meishan the whole time?”