Cha Ren sat on the brick bed, lost in deep thought. Suddenly, a group of people walked in, led by Zhang Meng at the very front. Upon seeing Zhang Meng, Cha Ren felt a surge of joy, knowing that Zhang Meng had once again found a wealthy family willing to pay for him to become a servant. Liu Ye'er looked around and found the thatched cottage completely empty, with nothing in it save for the brick bed and a straw mat. She thought to herself that this family must have gambled away everything they owned, even losing their wife and children. Zhang Meng said, "Uncle, I've found another wealthy family willing to pay thirty taels of silver to buy me as a servant." Inwardly, Cha Ren was secretly delighted at having made money yet again. Happily, he said, "Mengzi, I am truly happy for you."
Zhang Meng stared fixedly at Cha Ren, his uncle, whose tattered clothes and hypocritical smile failed to conceal the craftiness in his heart.
Zhang Meng said firmly, "Let's go pay off the debt right now." Cha Ren immediately chimed in, his face beaming with smiles: "Leave the matter of paying off the debt to me. You just go with them with a peace of mind." Zhang Meng cast a glance at him, fell silent for a moment, and then said with a resolute tone, "I want to retrieve the IOU in person to truly have peace of mind, so I must make the trip myself."
Chapter 41