The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 218: Contentment Brings Happiness (Extra with Monthly Ticket)

“I’m old and half in the grave already, surely to be fully there sooner or later. When I finally go to meet Daya’s parents, I’m afraid I won’t even be able to face them! What am I supposed to tell them then? That I nearly became an accomplice in Daya’s demise? It’s mortifying to think about!”

Many people were self-blaming, feeling guilty about what they had done, and discussing how to compensate and apologize to Daya.

Ding Gaochang, watching this, let out a sigh of relief.

The matter was finally resolved completely.

As for the rest, he couldn’t interfere. He just ordered the government officials to come and check more frequently in the following few days, just to see if there were any other problems that had been overlooked.

Ding Gaochang did not stay for long this time. He only left a few people to watch over and followed Zhuang Qingning towards home along with Shen Quan, Shi Bao, and other people.

“Miss Zhuang,”

He greeted Zhuang Qingning on the carriage: “I truly appreciate your great help in this matter.”

“The villagers should also express their gratitude to Miss Zhuang. However, I was worried that there might still be malicious individuals among them, so I didn’t mention your contributions to avoid anyone causing you trouble. I hope you understand.”

“I understand your Good intentions, Master Ding.” Zhuang Qingning smiled and said, “I promised to help not for the gratitude of villagers’ but to assist you, so don’t take it to heart.”

She was just a tool for explaining these inexplicable phenomena. Even if Ding Gaochang reminded the villagers to be grateful, they might not necessarily feel that way.

In any case, the task was completed. Not only did she receive a generous reward, but she also gained a big favor from Ding Gaochang, which paved a smooth path for herself. That was enough.

Contentment brings happiness, after all.

Zhuang Qingning squinted her eyes in a smile.

Her indifference to fame and gains, not nitpicking small matters. That was something most men of his age and experience couldn’t accomplish, but Zhuang Qingning managed it. The breadth of her mind was truly extraordinary!

Ding Gaochang silently praised Zhuang Qingning a hundred times in his heart.

As the carriage slowly moved forward, they soon arrived at the tofu shop in the town.

Ding Gaochang helped Zhuang Qingning down from the carriage.

“Sister Ning is back.” Zhuang Qingsui saw Zhuang Qingning and darted over like a little bird.

After hugging Zhuang Qingning, she politely greeted Ding Gaochang: “Hello, Master Ding.”

“Master Ding, would you like to come in for a cup of tea?” Zhuang Qingning politely invited him.

“I originally planned to invite Miss Zhuang to the County Government Office to express my gratitude for your help. However, considering the lateness of the hour and the fact that Qi He and Qi Shen have already been taken to the county office, I need to hasten back to interrogate them. It would also be inconvenient for Miss Zhuang to travel to the county town at such a late hour.”

Ding Gaochang appeared serious: “When there is an opportune time, I will personally come to thank Miss Zhuang.”

“Master Ding, you’re too kind. It was a small matter, no need to worry. All! Please wait a moment, Master Ding.”

Zhuang Qingning hurried into the shop, and when she came out, she had two blocks of tofu wrapped in a cloche. She handed it over to Ding Gaochang: “At dawn, Master Ding mentioned the good taste of the tofu from our shop. These are a gift for you to taste. If you find it delicious, come and get more next time.”

“This…” Ding Gaochang was a bit embarrassed.

He already owed Zhuang Qingning a big favor for what happened today, and now he was taking her tofu for free. This was something he could not feel good about.

“Please, it should be paid for.” Ding Gaochang reached into his pocket for his money pouch to pay for the tofu.

“With all due respect, Master Ding, I run a small business. From my perspective, this is a good business transaction. If you think our tofu is delicious and decide to buy it frequently, then I must do my best to retain you as a customer.”

“Give a little welcome gift first, and then you will certainly not feel comfortable buying tofu elsewhere in the future. You might even recommend our shop’s tofu to others, helping me to attract more customers. Won’t I gradually earn back the money from this tofu?”

Zhuang Qingning said with a playful smile.

This brought a smile to Ding Gaochang’s face.

It had to be said, Zhuang Qingning was indeed an interesting and candid person.

There was no pretension or falsehood in her words. She didn’t make other people guess her thoughts; she gave people a sense of honesty. Dealing with her was both reassuring and comfortable.

“Since you put it that way, I’ll accept this tofu.”

“But this is the only time,” Ding Gaochang said. “Next time, no matter what, it will be paid for.”

“As I just said, I think of things from the perspective of a small business. This has to be written down as an account in my shop. Next time Master Ding comes, not just accepting your money, but even if you don’t give me money, I will persistently ask for it.”

Zhuang Qingning’s playful words made Ding Gaochang and everyone present laugh out aloud.

“Alright, alright.” Ding Gaochang nodded in agreement, and looked at the sky: “It’s getting late. I won’t trouble Miss Zhuang anymore. I need to rush back to interrogate those two scoundrels, so that this case can be wholly resolved as soon as possible.”

“Miss Zhuang, I take my leave.”

Ding Gaochang bowed to Zhuang Qingning once more, looking serious.

“Goodbye, Master Ding.” Zhuang Qingning watched Ding Gaochang board the carriage. Only when the carriage was out of sight did she turn back to enter her shop.

“I thought I wouldn’t be back until after lunch, but who knew that the problem got resolved so quickly.” Zhuang Qingning laughed and asked: “Have you had lunch yet?”

“We were about to eat.” Mrs. Cao smiled and said: “The dumplings were ready to be cooked when we heard noise outside and I came to have a look.”

“I’ll go cook the dumplings now.”

While talking, Mrs. Cao lifted the curtain and went to the backyard.

Zhang Qiuying and Zhuang Qingsui pulled Zhuang Qingning inside the shop and closed the door to talk.

“Sister, quickly tell us what you went out for today?” Zhuang Qingsui clung to Zhuang Qingning’s arm and asked, “I saw Master Ding smiling so much that his face was wrinkling. Did something very interesting happen?”

“That’s right, Sister Ning, please tell us.” Zhang Qiuying handed Zhuang Qingning a cup of tea, and also pressed for details.

“Well, it wasn’t particularly interesting, it was just moderately so.”

Zhuang Qingning took a sip of tea to wet her throat, straightened her back, and said, “But I can tell you about it to relieve some of your boredom.”

Zhuang Qingning then explained the incidents at Cuiwei Lake. How Qi Shen made a scene, how Qi He was thrown into the lake and was forced to see the Water Ghost, how she explained those strange phenomena to the people, and what led to the rumors about the haunting at Cuiwei Lake. She told all these to the two girls who were listening with rapt attention.

“Oh my goodness…”