Chapter 257: Shake down

As soon as they sky cleared up, the accumulated water on the ground quickly evaporated. In two days’ time, except for some deeper potholes, there was no sign of the rain anywhere.

After being stopped and bullied that day after school, Lian Che waited for Lian Ze to drive the cart and pick him up. While it rained, Lian Ze drove the donkey cart every day to bring him home.

After Ah Jian’s advice, Lian Ze would go a little earlier each day and wait at the gate of the school. There were many students on the road walking one after another, including Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao, and Lian Ze would offer them rides.

It was the most tiresome to walk on rainy days like this and how many children in the country didn’t like to ride in carts? Lian Ze and Lian Che’s generosity made them very excited. They would wrap their raincoats and thank them, climbing into the cart while smiling and praising Lian Che.

Even Teacher Meng would nod with a smile of approval: This child had a donkey cart to pick him up but not only did he not show off in front of his classmates or ask for rewards, he would sincerely invite them to ride together. This attitude at such a young age, without arrogance or rashness, and a kind heart showed that he deserved to be valued!

For a time, Lian Che became very popular.

Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao and the others had a ghost in their hearts and did not dare get into donkey cart for two days, they were so worried that he would tell their teacher!

On the third day, Lian Che took the initiative to invite them. Seeing that he did not complain to their Teacher, the were excited and quickly climbed into the cart, believing that Lian Che was afraid of them. Their bad minds were even filled with pride, thinking: this kid obviously was quite rich at home! They should ask him to spend some money on them in the next few days. If he didn’t have any money, he probably still had something delicious to eat. Otherwise, huh…

They had many thoughts like this.

After the sky cleared up, Lian Ze stopped driving the donkey cart to pick him up. The other students didn’t think much of this. After all, Lian Che’s family was not rich and wealthy, how could he have a cart especially for him? It was just a convenience for rainy days and they were all grateful to him.

The friendship that this gratitude brought did not end with the passing of the rain, there were quite a few people willing to get close with him.

But Yang Wen Zhong and his friends did not think so. At noon, when the others were not paying attention, they pulled Lian Che into a corner and asked fiercely: “Lian Che, why didn’t your brother come pick us up these past few days?”

Lian Che looked at them calmly with a pair of dark eyes and suddenly felt a little like laughing.

See, they questioned him with confidence, as if he owed them.

“We need to use it at home. Originally, I walked home by myself but they came to pick me because it was not convenient to walk in the rain.” Lian Che explained flatly, meeting their gaze.

Yang Wen Xiao hummed and stared at him: “I don’t think so! I think you think we are taking advantage of you so you don’t want to let the donkey cart come again! Lian Che, you are being too stingy!”

“Yeah!” Yang Wen Zhong also stared at him: “You go ask your brother to drive the cart again tomorrow and from now on, you will drive us two brothers home to Yangjia village!”

Lian Che glanced at them calmly and pursed his lips.

Yang Wen Xiao was very angry, shouting: “What? You don’t want to? Lian Che, do you dare?”

Lian Che’s eyes flashed. Why wouldn’t he dare? He didn’t owe them!

Yang Wen Zhong shook his fist in a warning and lowered his voice: “Do you dare to be careful with our fists? Hmph! I don’t think we can cure you, you obviously didn’t have enough of the last lesson, right?”

“We really do need the cart at home, how can I ask this? Otherwise, I would have had the cart come pick me up from the beginning!” Lian Che said softly, his long eyelashes flickering and his eyes clear and bright, looking especially frank and innocent. No one would suspect that he was lying.

Yang Wen Xiao and Yang Wen Zhong naturally knew that this demand was impossible. The demand for Lian Che’s donkey cart to give them a ride home every day was deliberate. If they really dared to do that, Lian Che’s brother would just tell the adults in his family and the adults would go to Teacher Meng. If it was known they were bullying Lian Che, they would be the ones in trouble.

The two of them had been tricky and cunning since they were young and had gained a lot of experience from bullying countless weaker kids. The trick was to first put them down with excessive cruel words and then take a tolerant step back, so the other party would be relieved and give into their demand.

They did not understand that this was called bargaining on the spot but they played it extremely well.

After hearing this, the two looked at each other and cursed Lian Che with each sentence. Then, with a magnanimous expression, one said: “Fine! Look at you, you’re so pitiful! We won’t be troubled by you anymore. You have money, right? Bring us four or five copper coins tomorrow!”

Yang Wen Xiao added: “If you have more, bring more! You have copper coins, right? If not, huh!”

The two stared at Lian Che fiercely.

Originally, they thought it would take more work to make Lian Che soft but they didn’t expect that he wouldn’t wait for them to day anything, just agreeing in one fell swoop.

“Okay… I still have a few copper coins my sister gave me for pocket money, I will bring them to you tomorrow.”

Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao were overjoyed and hurriedly asked: “How many are there in total?”

Lian Che said: “About four or five.”

That was a lot! Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao were in full bloom and one said: “You must not forget tomorrow! Otherwise, don’t blame these brothers!” The other said: “Your family will give you more pocket money in the future. Give it all to us and don’t forget to give anything delicious you get! How often does your family give you pocket money?”

Lian Che endured the incomparable disgust in his heart and faintly dealt with their cross-examination.

The brothers were so happy they were almost shining.

As he was talking, Zhang Kuan passed by unintentionally and saw them in a daze. He shouted: “Lian Che! What are you doing here?”

Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao were startled and turned their heads to glare at Zhang Kuan. One snorted and said to Lian Che: “Don’t forget what you’ve said, we’ll go first!”

The two arrogantly walked away, naturally not paying attention to Zhang Kuan.

“Lian Che, are they bullying you?” Zhang Kuan quickly came over and asked.

Zhang Kuan was a student that had come last year and one of his cousins, a neighbor, and a close friend all were also in the school. Yang Wen Zhong and Yang Wen Xiao had not dared bully him.

“No!” Lian Che smiled and shook his head.

Zhang Kuan was skeptical but did not ask. He laughed: “I don’t like those two, they are so overbearing and love to bully people! If they bully you, you can tell me and I’ll let my brother beat them.”

“Okay, if they bully me, I’ll tell you!” Lian Che nodded gratefully and then they left, joking together.