Chapter 40 - 40 29 Contentment Brings Happiness

Words : 1450 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

40: Chapter 29: Contentment Brings Happiness 40: Chapter 29: Contentment Brings Happiness Eldest Master Shi cleared his throat and, with a formal gesture, was about to speak to Zhou Dalang. Suddenly his eyes fixed themselves on the big rooster cradled in Zhou Silang’s arms. His eyes shone with excitement as he pounced forward, running his hands over the rooster’s sleek feathers, asking with a look of infatuation, “Is this the big rooster you were talking about?” The crowd from the Zhou family was taken aback by Eldest Master Shi’s behavior, so much so that even Zhou Dalang was at a loss for words for a moment. But Manbao wasn’t stunned at all; she rushed over alongside Eldest Master Shi, stood next to her Fourth Brother, and also stroked the rooster’s feathers. Proudly and contentedly she asked, “How about that, isn’t our big rooster great?” “Good, good indeed!” Zhou Dalang kept petting the rooster and asked, “How much are you selling it for?” Manbao paused and scratched her head. She hadn’t really thought about it because she figured they liked the big rooster so much that it should fetch a good price. What mattered most was finding him a fine-looking big rooster so he’d be willing to sell that bald one to her for a bit less. Manbao’s gaze couldn’t help but drift towards the molting rooster again. Following her gaze, Eldest Master Shi, with a child’s thoughts practically written all over her face, let out a hearty laugh and asked, “You want my rooster?” Manbao nodded. “For what?” “To make soup,” Manbao declared, looking up at Eldest Master Shi, “Rooster is very nutritious, and my mother wants to eat rooster.” “This rooster is only good for stewing now, but...” Eldest Master Shi said in confusion, “Doesn’t your family raise roosters?” “We need to eat it every day. This big rooster is more expensive than yours, after buying it we could afford a second one.” Unable to contain his amusement, Eldest Master Shi laughed, “Not bad, not bad, very clever! Alright then, I’ll buy this big rooster.” Almost unable to wait, Eldest Master Shi took the rooster from Zhou Silang’s arms; after feeling its weight, he set it down and shooed it a couple of steps. Seeing how spirited and strong it looked, he grew even more pleased. He rummaged in his bosom, pulled out a small piece of broken silver, and tossed it to Manbao. “Here, I’ll buy this rooster, and consider the other one a gift to you.” Manbao examined the piece of silver and asked, “How much does this weigh?” Eldest Master Shi, feeling slightly guilty but maintaining an air of feigned confidence, proudly claimed, “It must weight at least three to five mace; weigh it yourself when you get back and you’ll see.” Manbao, not fully trusting the silver, questioned, “Don’t you have any copper coins?” “Who goes out to gamble with a whole bunch of copper coins? Isn’t that heavy?” Eldest Master Shi retorted. “Take it or leave it, if you don’t want it, I won’t buy it.” Before Manbao could respond, Zhou Wulang quickly indicated his willingness to take the offer. Even Zhou Dalang couldn’t help but say to Manbao, “It should be about three mace; that’s enough.” He knew that the rooster had only cost sixty-five wen, and three mace of silver, when converted to copper coins, amounted to three hundred wen. Zhou Dalang glanced at the pitiful rooster on the ground, hardly having any feathers left, and considered the free rooster a bonus. Ugly it might be, but that didn’t affect the taste. Hearing her big brother confirm this, Manbao was also very happy. She clutched the silver piece and made the deal with Eldest Master Shi, even adding, “I’ll come to you again when I have a good rooster.” “It has to be good at fighting, or else it should be as good-looking and strong as this one,” he said. The bystanders who had witnessed the deal whispered among themselves once they left the market and were out of Eldest Master Shi’s sight. Someone immediately approached them and said, “You guys are so silly. That big rooster could be worth at least five taels of silver, and you sold it to Shi Dalang for just a few coins. That’s way too much of a loss; you should hurry back and ask for a better price.” The three brothers, led by Zhou Dalang, were stunned, “A rooster is worth that much?” “It’s not just any rooster; it’s a rooster that can earn money. Do you know how much money Shi Dalang can gamble in one go? At least twenty taels to start with. If this rooster wins, he could make that much in one round!” The person gestured emphatically, and everyone was taken aback. Only Manbao looked at them disdainfully and said, “How foolish. But what if it loses?” The heat in the Zhous’ blood cooled in an instant. Yes, what if it lost? Ever since Silang lost money gambling, Manbao had heard many tragic stories from Keke, tales from ancient and modern times including future civilizations, about how gambling had led to the ruin of entire families, and even their own deaths. Keke had told her that gambling was a losing game for nine out of ten people, and the one who won wasn’t necessarily skilled or lucky. Didn’t you hear what Eldest Master Shi just said? Cheating was rampant in the gambling dens. Outsiders might still know but wouldn’t dare to speak out. Why? For fear of being beaten, being killed. So Manbao had come to her own conclusion: whoever is the strongest, wins. If her Fourth Brother could beat anyone in the world, who would dare to take his money? “But that rooster is worth five taels of silver!” Zhou Wulang still felt a bit unwilling to let it go. “Fifth Brother, that rooster was originally worth just sixty-five wen. Now, not only have we earned more, but we also got a big rooster for free,” explained Manbao with her logic. She counted on her fingers, “What if the guy who sold the big rooster found out? Wouldn’t he die of rage? And if Eldest Master Shi used this rooster to gamble and lost, not only would he lose the bet, but he would also have lost the money he used to buy the rooster from us, right?” Zhou Wulang considered this and felt much more relaxed. Zhou Dalang also said, “Contentment brings happiness. Look at you, such a big fellow and you still don’t think as clearly as Manbao.” “Don’t talk about me, Big Brother. You regretted it just now too, didn’t you?” Zhou Wulang was not entirely convinced but couldn’t help but admire his youngest sister, “Manbao, you really are smart. Mom and Dad always said you were smarter than us. I didn’t believe it before, but now I see that you truly are.” Manbao nodded proudly, not the least bit modest, and said with a smile, “Just average, just average. Mostly it’s because my friend taught me well, and I learn quickly.” “What friend? It’s Mr. Zhuang, isn’t it?” Zhou Wulang said. “Now that you’ve accepted Mr. Zhuang as your teacher, you can’t keep calling him ‘friend’ all the time. You should call him ‘teacher’.” Then he added, “Actually, I don’t think it’s our fault for being less smart; it’s mainly because our parents are smarter...” “Wulang, what nonsense are you talking about?” Zhou Dalang slapped him on the head. Zhou Wulang realized he had spoken out of turn, quickly covered his mouth with a goofy smile, and looked nervously at Manbao. But Manbao reassured Zhou Dalang, “Big Brother, don’t be mad. Fifth Brother is just a bit slow, that’s all. You’re smarter than he is, like Dad.” Then Manbao proudly continued, “I’m like Mom though; she’s a bit smarter than Dad. Fifth Brother doesn’t resemble anyone, who knows if he was picked up from a main street or something. Oh, Mom’s so worried about him, she says every night before bed, wondering if Xiao Wu will ever be able to speak for a wife.” Zhou Dalang and Zhou Liulang: ... Feeling indignant, Zhou Wulang protested, “Where am I dumb? I’m just honest, like Dad. Don’t you get it?” Manbao shook her head, “I can’t see how you resemble Dad. Don’t believe me? Ask Dad when you get home, and see if he says you’re like him.”

Chapter 40 - 40 29 Contentment Brings Happiness

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