NOVPUB
Chapter 1014: 242: Tit for Tat
In the winter cold, Ni Yang, even clad in a thick down jacket, felt cold; however, Grandfather Du still wore that same old-fashioned long robe, stepping around in a pair of cloth shoes.
"I was born with a cold constitution; I fear neither cold nor heat," Grandfather Du stated indifferently.
Ni Yang nodded, as if she had just remembered something, "Oh, right, I think I’ve heard you say that before."
Back in summer at the airport, when they were seeing Mo Qishen off, Ni Yang had even joked that Grandfather Du’s physique was ideal for medical experiments.
"Why are you alone? Where’s Pei Zhi?" Grandfather Du twisted his Buddha Beads, continuing to inquire.
"He’s gone to C City," Ni Yang replied.
Grandfather Du nodded slightly. As he passed the middle-aged man begging for alms, he instinctively reached for a banknote from his person to throw into the bowl. But just as he was about to toss it, a pale hand blocked his, "Don’t give it to him."
The middle-aged beggar was stunned, having thought he was about to score a small fortune today, only to have someone block his money-making path.
This young girl was just too cruel! Not giving money was one thing, but to prevent others from giving!
Couldn’t she see how pitiful he was?
Compared to the comrade who had just readily parted with fifty cents, she was far worse!
The middle-aged man’s face looked unpleasant.
Grandfather Du looked up, the owner of the hand was Ni Yang, his face showing bewilderment, as he knew that Ni Yang was not someone without compassion.
"He’s a professional beggar," Ni Yang explained.
"A professional beggar?" Grandfather Du was somewhat puzzled.
Ni Yang continued, "Simply put, someone who lives off begging. Don’t think he looks pitiable now. When it comes time to clock out, his food and drink, his clothes and housing are all better than anyone else’s."
Though poor, he held firm to his pride.
True paupers would not beg.
It was the eighties; China’s economy was thriving. As long as one had strength and wasn’t disabled, basically no one would starve to death.
In the future, professional beggars could be seen almost everywhere—in subways, in malls...
Some professional beggars were worth millions, owning dozens of apartments in the city.
This middle-aged man could be considered a pioneer among professional beggars.
"How can you tell that he is a professional beggar?" Grandfather Du asked.
Ni Yang’s tone was indifferent, not afraid of being overheard by the kneeling professional beggar,
"Look at how physically strong he is; he doesn’t seem disabled at all. Since he’s not disabled and in the prime of life, why can’t he earn money with his own labor? The rice shop ahead offers three cents for carrying a sack of rice, and they hire year-round. Moreover, I’ve observed that regardless of wind or rain, he never misses a day. Such people exploit the sympathy of others for personal gain and satisfaction, and they truly don’t deserve compassion."
"That’s enough to conclude he’s a professional beggar?" Grandfather Du asked, still twisting his Buddha Beads.
"Of course there’s more," Ni Yang’s eyes were clear and voice was soft, "Even though he seems thin, his features are bright and animated. True beggars, due to constant inadequate nutrition, should appear thin and pale. Does he look like someone who can’t get enough to eat to you?"
On hearing this, the middle-aged man on the ground broke into a cold sweat.
He had been begging here for so long and it was the first time someone had exposed him, and the person was a young girl, barely eighteen or nineteen years old...
The feeling was indeed...
It seemed he needed to find a new spot!
The middle-aged man glanced up at Ni Yang, then got up and ran away in an embarrassing manner.
Watching the middle-aged man’s retreating figure, a smile appeared on Ni Yang’s face, her dimples showing lightly, "See, he fled in panic."
Smiles are contagious. A slight curve also appeared on Grandfather Du’s lips, like a flower blooming in the icy snow, ushering in a rebirth of all things.
Wu Yanyun had not gone far; instead, she hid behind an alley and watched.
Because she was too far away, she couldn’t clearly hear what they were saying, but she saw Ni Yang stopping Grandfather Du from giving money very clearly.
What was Ni Yang doing?
Was it intentional?
Had she actually seen her already?
Just because she had given the beggar fifty cents, should Ni Yang prevent Grandfather Du from giving money?
It was one thing not to give money, but she actually drove away the poor beggar!
Why did she do that?
That was just too much!
Wu Yanyun bit her lip tightly, staring angrily at the back of Ni Yang.
"It’s already noon, have you eaten?" Ni Yang pulled out a wristwatch from her pocket, looked at the time, and asked Grandfather Du.
