Chapter 8: Grabbing Their Weakness Makes Them Paper Tigers

“Alright, we’ll do it your way,” Zhao Sihai smiled as well.

“Slurp~”

An untimely sound interrupted their conversation.

They turned their heads.

And saw little Zhao An’an covering his mouth with both hands, his cheeks flushed red, looking terribly embarrassed.

He had been staring intently at the chicken porridge, swallowing nonstop.

But since his mom and dad were talking, he didn’t want to interrupt.

In the end, he couldn’t help it and drooled.

Bai Ruoqiao noticed a small wet spot on his clothes and saw his big eyes sneak glances at the chicken porridge.

How could she not know what was going on? She chuckled softly.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

She picked up a bowl and scooped half a bowl of chicken porridge for the little one.

“It’s hot—blow on it before eating.”

“Mm-hmm.” The little guy widened his eyes, his entire mind focused on that bowl of porridge.

Worried he might be too eager, Bai Ruoqiao stirred it to help it cool faster.

Zhao Sihai, watching from the side, felt his heart ache. He clenched his fists quietly and vowed to give his wife and son a better life.

After the porridge, the chicken soup had finished simmering.

He brought it over and divided it between them.

It had to be said—the chicken Zhao Pozi raised was quite good.

The soup was golden, and the chicken meat tender yet firm.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, a loud screech came from the courtyard gate.

“Aiyoo, which cursed, plague-ridden bastard broke my door? Somebody help! We’ve been robbed!”

At that moment, a neighbor poked their head out.

“Auntie Zhao, it’s Brother Sihai and them who came back.”

Then, with a whoosh, they pulled their head back in.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pozi didn’t bother with Zhao Xiaohui anymore.

She stormed inside, cursing the whole way.

“You damned, plague-infested mutts! You heartless brats! I’ll fight you to the death!”

Next door, Fang Xiaolan patted her chest, but her eyes sparkled.

“Oh my, another good show’s starting!” With that, she turned and ran off.

Inside, Zhao An’an was so startled by the commotion he nearly dropped his bowl.

Zhao Sihai immediately stood up. “You two keep eating—I’ll go deal with it.”

Bai Ruoqiao also got up. “I’ll go with you. Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

She soothed her son for a moment, then followed him out.

As soon as they stepped out, they saw Zhao Pozi charging at them with a mallet, looking ready to kill.

Her vicious, twisted expression—

She truly looked like she wanted them dead.

Zhao Sihai’s eyes darkened, and he quickly stepped in front of Bai Ruoqiao.

But then she suddenly spoke up.

“If you want Zhao Laosan to be childless for life, then go ahead and hit.”

Zhao Pozi froze in her tracks, nearly tripping as she tried to stop herself.

She stared at Bai Ruoqiao in shock.

Then her face twisted in fury. “You cursed, wicked slut! You dare jinx my precious son?! I’ll—”

But Bai Ruoqiao folded her arms.

“My grandfather was an imperial physician. He had special techniques. Last night, I smeared something on the quilt. As long as Zhao Chengzu touched it, he’s already been affected. If you don’t believe me, go ask your precious son right now.”

She curled her lips into a suspicious smile.
“Ask him if that thing of his still works.”

Zhao Pozi’s pupils quivered.

Then, almost madly, she raised the mallet again. “You—!”

“That medicine? Only I have the antidote~ Even a doctor won’t be able to help.”

Bai Ruoqiao smiled sweetly.

But Zhao Pozi’s heart began to tremble.

Seeing how confidently she spoke…

She finally lost it. With a loud wail, she rushed back into her son’s room.

Bai Ruoqiao was still smiling.

Then she turned—and found Zhao Sihai staring at her grimly.

Her smile faded instantly. As if realizing something, her expression also turned cold.

“What? You think I went too far?”

Zhao Sihai frowned. “No. Just… don’t say things like that again.”

Bai Ruoqiao blinked, then saw there was no anger in his eyes—just discomfort.

She blinked again, replayed her earlier words in her mind…

Then seemed to understand something. She raised an eyebrow.

“Which part? The warning or the threat?”

Zhao Sihai’s face was tense, his expression darkening even further.

He clenched his teeth and said, “Just… don’t talk about another man’s thing. It’s not proper.”

Bai Ruoqiao couldn’t hold it in anymore—pfft, she burst out laughing.

Then teased, “So I can only talk about yours?”

That made Zhao Sihai’s face turn even darker.

Seeing this, Bai Ruoqiao dropped the teasing smile.

She thought maybe he didn’t like women using coarse language.

But then she heard him grit his teeth and mutter:

“Don’t tell me you still don’t know whether mine works or not!”

Bai Ruoqiao blinked, and realization hit her in an instant.

Her face flushed bright red, and she quickly turned her head, clearly flustered.

But inside, she thought—well, truth be told, she wasn’t really sure anymore.

They had only really been intimate around the time they first got married.

Then they had a cold war for a while.

Later on, their little bun grew up.

He’d come home about once every six months.

Even if they slept in the same bed, they just lay there under the covers, nothing else.

At most, there’d be a few kisses or touches, but that was it.

Zhao Sihai saw her suddenly shy expression…

His heart stirred, and his body began to heat up a bit.

Though his wife had grown thin, she was still just as beautiful.

She still had all the right curves—just her skin had grown a bit dull and yellow.

Yeah, he thought, gotta take good care of her and bring back that soft, fair complexion from before.

Maybe plump her up a bit too.

The thought of that silky, supple skin…

Made a certain fire rise within him.

He cleared his throat, just about to say something to break the awkwardness—

When suddenly a blood-curdling scream echoed from Zhao Laosan’s room.

Followed by the loud crashing of objects and Zhao Pozi’s furious cursing.

Of course, none of it was aimed at her precious son.

The two of them immediately turned their heads toward the sound.

Zhao Sihai raised a brow, catching bits and pieces of what was being said.

“You really had that kind of drug?” he asked.

Bai Ruoqiao smiled with pursed lips and turned to look at him.

“Of course. So you better never betray me… or else…”

Zhao Sihai immediately felt a tight clench below the belt.

He coughed. “Ahem. How could I? Wife, in this lifetime, I, Zhao Sihai, could wrong anyone—but never you. And never An’an.”

Bai Ruoqiao gave a haughty little hmph, lips curving up in satisfaction.

“But you’d better hide that kind of stuff well in the future,” he added seriously. “Make sure no one finds out.”

Seeing that he was genuinely concerned, Bai Ruoqiao wanted to explain—but didn’t know how to, exactly.

So she just nodded. “Don’t worry, it was all mixed fresh, just in case. It’s already used up.”

Just then, Zhao Pozi stormed out, slamming the door hard.

She saw Bai Ruoqiao and charged at her like she was ready to kill.

But Bai Ruoqiao wasn’t scared.

Now that she had Zhao Laosan’s weakness in hand, Zhao Pozi was nothing but a paper tiger.

“You really want Zhao Laosan to be childless for life?”

Zhao Pozi froze mid-motion.

She then pointed a trembling finger at Bai Ruoqiao, her whole body shaking with rage.

“You wretched slut! Give me the antidote right now—or I’ll call the police! I’ll report you!”

Bai Ruoqiao chuckled. “Go ahead. But let me warn you—if it goes past three days, it’s irreversible.”

Zhao Pozi’s face went ghostly pale, her body shaking uncontrollably.

At that moment, Zhao Laosan—face swollen like a pig’s head—stumbled out of the room.

“Mom! Don’t call the cops! Please! I don’t want to be infertile!”

He clung to Zhao Pozi, nearly knocking her to the ground.

Then he turned to Bai Ruoqiao and Zhao Sihai.

His eyes were filled with hatred—and fear.

Tears and snot poured down his face.

“Qiaoqiao… Fourth Brother… I was wrong! I’ll never do it again! Please, I’m begging you—give me the antidote!”

If he couldn’t be a normal man anymore, what was the point of living?

Just then, noise started rising from outside.

Bai Ruoqiao turned her head to glance at the commotion—

Then narrowed her eyes and said to the two of them:

“If you want everyone to know about this… then keep shouting.”

Zhao Laosan and Zhao Pozi heard the ruckus outside too—and their faces instantly changed.