Transmigrated as a Peasant Girl with Prophetic Dreams: Using My Space to Become the Richest Person - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Old Man Yang’s Calculation

Because other areas were only experiencing rising waters due to heavy rain, whereas Niaor Village had been hit by a flood triggered by the storm, the situation there was significantly more severe than in the surrounding regions.

The government quickly dispatched personnel to support Nairo Village, though relief grain was still two days away.

Nair Village was doing relatively well, as many people had moved their grain up the mountain. With food on hand, they weren’t at risk of starving yet.

As for the villagers who hadn’t managed to get their grain up the mountain, the village leadership gathered them together. It was explained that they could borrow two days’ worth of grain, which would have to be repaid later.

Those who agreed could go to the Village Head to sign a promissory note.

The villagers, without food, already dizzy and blurry-eyed from hunger, naturally rushed to borrow grain immediately.

Old Man Yang, however, remained unmoved. Yang the Eldest and the others grew anxious: “Dad, we should hurry and borrow some grain too. If we wait until they’ve borrowed it all, won’t we go hungry?”

Old Man Yang squinted his eyes. “I have sons to provide for me. Why should I borrow grain?”

Yang the Eldest and Yang the Second were speechless. “Dad, look at the time! We don’t have any grain either. Aren’t you making things difficult for us?”

Old Man Yang glared at them. “The Third son has grain. Go find him and get two days’ worth.”

Upon hearing this, Yang the Eldest realized he was right—they didn’t have grain, but the Third son did! Why bother borrowing?

Yang the Second, however, was frustrated. “Dad, have you forgotten? You only gave the Third son five catties of grain. It’s been so many days; do you really think he has anything left to give us?”

Looking at Yang the Second’s “stupid” expression, Old Man Yang couldn’t help but curse: “If he doesn’t have grain, can’t you make him go borrow some? He is my son. If he doesn’t take care of his old man now, he is unfilial!”

“Even if he has no grain, he has to find a way to get some for me.”

Yang the Second finally understood. This was his father’s scheme: let the Third son borrow the grain so that the Third son would be the one responsible for paying it back. It would have nothing to do with the main Yang family.

Having grasped Old Man Yang’s goal, Yang the Second said no more. He and Yang the Eldest set off toward the mountainside.

He figured he could take the opportunity to check on his wife and children. He had heard from the Village Head that they were also up on the mountain. Perhaps they had found some food; he intended to have a full meal first.

The two headed up the mountain. Weak from hunger, they had to stop and rest frequently. By the time they reached the villagers’ campsite, they were seeing stars.

When Yang the Second saw his wife and children, he nearly burst into tears. “You’re safe! That’s good, that’s wonderful.”

But his very next sentence was: “Is there anything to eat? Quickly, give me something.”

Sun Qiuping was speechless, but since he was her husband, what else could she do? “There is only wild vegetable soup.”

At this point, Yang the Second wasn’t in a position to be picky. “Fine, fine, just bring it quickly.”

As Sun Qiuping went to cook the soup, the four children looked at Yang the Second. “Dad, how is the house? Was the flood really terrifying?” They were relieved they had fled to the mountain with their mother that day.

Yang the Second waved a hand weakly. “Don’t even mention it. The house was destroyed by the flood, and your Grandma can’t be found.”

The four children were horrified. “What? Grandma is missing? Was she swept away by the flood?”

“Probably. Anyway, the Village Head and the others searched but couldn’t find her.”

At that moment, Yang Shuang, who had been gathering wild vegetables, happened to pass by and overheard him. Her heart shook—partly from the shock, but mostly from a sense of relief.

That wicked old woman… it’s better if she never comes back, Yang Shuang thought. She hurried along, wanting to share this “good news” with her younger siblings.

However, the sharp-eyed Yang the Eldest spotted her. “Shuang girl!”

Hearing him call her name, a look of pure loathing flashed in Yang Shuang’s eyes. She tried to pretend she hadn’t heard and kept walking, but Yang the Eldest was persistent. “Shuang girl! Shuang girl! Hey! You brat, your Eldest Uncle is calling you. Can’t you hear me? Why are you running?”

Yang Shuang was forced to stop. She looked at him expressionlessly. “Does Eldest Uncle need something?”

“Where are your parents? Why didn’t they come down the mountain today? We have business with them.”

Yang Shuang frowned, sensing that nothing good ever came from them seeking her parents. Seeing her silence, Yang the Eldest grew annoyed again. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? I’m asking you a question! Are you a mute?”

“They aren’t here.”

“Not here? Then what are they doing?”

“I don’t know.”

“You child… you wouldn’t be lying to me, would you? How could you not know what your parents are doing?”

“I don’t know.”

Yang the Eldest was exasperated. “Hey, this brat… this stubborn attitude really is just like your father’s.”

“I am my father’s daughter, so of course I am like him.”

Choked by her retort, Yang the Eldest snapped, “Fine! If they aren’t here, they aren’t here. Just tell us where you are staying. We’ll go there and wait for them.”

Yang Shuang frowned, having no intention of telling him. Seeing her dismissive look, Yang the Eldest lost his temper. He rolled up his sleeves and raised his hand to teach her a lesson, but Yang the Second called out to stop him.

“Brother, let the girl go. It’s somewhere nearby; we’ll find it eventually. Why are you bullying a child?”

“Besides, my kids are here. They should know where the Third brother is staying. We’ll have them lead us there in a bit.”

Sun Qiuping came out with two bowls of vegetable soup just in time to hear Yang the Second’s words. She couldn’t help but frown. “What do you want with the Third brother?”

Yang the Second didn’t hide it. “Dad sent us to get grain from him.”

Sun Qiuping was stunned. She thought Old Man Yang must have lost his mind. When the family was split, he had only given the Third son five catties of grain. And now he wanted grain from him?

Ha, she thought. He probably won’t find any grain, but he might find some fresh manure.

Yang Shuang also heard Yang the Second’s words, and a surge of resentment rose in her heart.

Yang the Eldest figured the other family members would indeed know the way, so he stopped blocking Yang Shuang and let her leave.

Sun Qiuping watched Yang Shuang’s retreating back and glared at Yang the Second. “Are you all crazy? Where would the Third brother get grain? Has Dad forgotten he only gave them five catties?”

Yang the Second replied nonchalantly, “Dad knows they don’t have grain. He wants them to borrow grain for us.”

Sun Qiuping understood the scheme immediately. She couldn’t stop it, but in her heart, she cursed Old Man Yang for being sub-human.