Zhou Mazi's eyes lit up after hearing what Li Shan said. It looked like there was an opening. City folk were all about saving face, and they were easy to fool. Maybe, for the sake of his reputation, he'd really just agree to whatever Zhou Mazi demanded.
"Heh heh, I can see you're doing well for yourself, brother. City folk are certainly more refined than us villagers. We haven't mistreated Gu'er all these years, raising your daughter until she's grown. I won't ask for much—just give me a hundred or two hundred, brother. Then we can keep in touch as relatives. What do you say?"
Zhou Mazi was making an outrageous demand. He would never ask for so much from a fellow villager, but this was someone from the city. He had to squeeze out more. Besides, he planned to stay in touch with the Lin Family as "relatives." That way, whenever he needed money, he could just show up at their door and ask for some. He was sure they wouldn't dare refuse.
