The result of Zhuang Zhixi taking Ming Mei to work was that he was late. Fortunately, the clinic was lenient, and no one said much, just teasing him a bit. Zhuang Zhixi: "You see, as compensation, I was going to share some gossip. Since you're all teasing me, I won't share it."
"Hey, what gossip? Tell us, why not?"
"Yeah, don't hold back, spill it."
"Is it about your neighborhood? Is it about the widow, or Bai Fendou, Zhou Qun?"
Everyone immediately got curious. Zhuang Zhixi smiled: "You know Wang Xiangxiu took over Bai's father and son's wages during payday, right? Guess what, she didn't give it to them, and last night Old Man Bai was howling for his money in the courtyard..."
Zhuang Zhixi vividly described the scene.
Such things, if he didn't share, would still spread, as their place was a family compound. He estimated that by noon, the whole factory would know, so Zhuang Zhixi wasn't holding back.
By sharing this gossip, everyone stopped teasing him about his lateness.
