Xaviera instantly transformed into a messenger of justice once again in this situation. “You're really over the top, Auntie Carmen. Just because we expose your lies on the internet, it makes you break the contract, too dishonest, right?”
I looked at her with amusement. Xaviera asked, “Aren't you the ones who promised to refund the money?”
I then replied briefly, “Mobile banking transfer, money and goods are settled. If you think it's unfair, you can call the police.”
I knew everyone was in trouble. If the elders of the family knew that they had returned all the paper money for tomorrow's ancestor worship, they would definitely be embarrassed.
The village secretary frowned, “Mrs. Carmen, the villagers trust you and order paper money from you every year, right? You've made so much money for so many years, but people didn't say that they'd let you spit out the money from before.”
One of the young men nodded his head busily, “It's almost like you're just looking for a step-down. Isn't that so? Being a woman has to be honest!”
I couldn't help but smile sarcastically. “Integrity? You're the ones who returned the money. You're the ones who returned it and bought it again. How can it be so good? I really can't sell these two dollars a pack of paper money.”
They were shocked. They instantly turned their eyes to Xaviera.
“Xaviera, what should we do now? Tomorrow we will worship our ancestors. Aunt Carmen's family is the only one in the village that sells paper money. Everyone is in a hurry to use this paper money!”
The others were getting more and more panicked. “Yes, if my mom knows that I returned the paper money, she will have to pull my tendons and skin me alive.”
One of them asked Xaviera briefly, “Where did you see these two large bags of paper money?”
Xaviera's eyes carried a hint of a triumphant smile. She finally cut to the chase.
“Don't worry, guys. A new paper money shop has opened at the east entrance of the village. It's my high school classmate who came home to start his own business. He told me how much he bought.”
They listened to Xaviera's words carefully.
Xaviera continued her words, “Two dollars for a big bag! There are also paper-tied airplanes, cell phones, cars, etc. All items there are very cheap.”
Someone frowned. “Such cheap paper money, is it decent?”
Someone slapped him hard on the head. “What's decent or not? It's not simple things, Xaviera. These crooks, they want the mentality of people like you!”
Xaviera smiled and looked at everyone. “It's just something to burn, so it's okay. Don't worry, guys. This store is a partnership between me and my classmates.”
She tried to convince the crowd. “We have connected with the paper mill. The paper made by this paper mill can even reach the edible level. It is all guaranteed. If you are not sure, you can see it here. There are all kinds of test certificates. It's not like some people's small workshops, there is not even a decent certificate. Who knows whether the things made are poisonous? If the deceased does not rest in peace, the living will not be at peace.”
She gave me a smug look as if I had done something shameful and had to nail me to this pillar of shame. A few of the young men thought it made sense. They transferred the deposit to her on the spot. Xaviera was joyfully ready to pick up the goods.
“Wow, you're so on trend here, Xaviera!”
“I'm going to burn several cell phone refrigerators and check dollars for my grandpa!”
A trace of irony flashed in the corner of my eyes. They didn’t know this kind of paper money would not reach their ancestors after burning. When the time comes, the ancestors would have no money down there. Then they would be the ones who suffer retribution.
I closed the paper-making store. The disputes of the past life were finally dealt with cleanly. On the other hand, I was also prepared to be blamed by my daughter and husband. For them my heart was guilty.
But it turns out that what I thought was wrong. My husband and daughter actually made me calmer and more sincere about all of this.
My husband, Benedict Romanov, said, “It's okay, our family doesn't lack that little money. In fact, I have always wanted to persuade you to stop running our paper-making shop. After all, young people nowadays don't pay much attention to weddings and funerals.”
I was touched by my husband's words. I took a deep breath and felt relieved.
“These people, they are all very smart, my love. They also are actually stingy and calculating. Let's not settle anything with them, okay? After all, the general environment is bad now. So, everyone wants to take advantage of it.”
