Chapter 28: Carry Him Out

To Qiao Jiangxin and Qiao Youfu’s surprise, Lei Honghua and her husband hadn’t received the news yet. They were in Lijiagou clearing up rumors.

It’s true that spreading rumors is easy, but refuting them is hard work.

Lei Honghua spent half an hour at the village entrance gossiping with idle women.

Gao Cuilan made tea and invited the women to her house.

Lei Honghua gossiped at the village entrance and then at the tea table, never stopping.

She talked about the stepmother’s difficulties and how her ex-husband’s sons were jealous of Jianhua’s success and deliberately caused trouble in Lijiagou.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but my in-laws are understanding and not impulsive. They came to ask, and I found out. It’s a mess.”

Gao Cuilan echoed, “Yes, Sister Honghua, your two brothers are terrible. People misunderstood, thinking Xiaoping had done something wrong, that we were keeping Jianhua from going home…”

They acted like good friends and in-laws, praising each other.

The women, remembering the bruises on Qiao Jianhua’s face and the marks on Lei Honghua and Gao Cuilan’s necks, nodded dubiously, following their lead and scolding Qiao Youfu and his brother.

They scolded them for being heartless and cruel.

After tea, Lei Honghua’s mouth was dry. They politely declined Gao Cuilan’s invitation and went home.

Leaving Lijiagou, Lei Honghua was exhausted.

The drama in Lijiagou was as tiring as a fight.

Qiao Jiuwang cursed all the way, vowing to beat his sons.

When Qiao Jiangxin and Qiao Youfu arrived home, Qiao Youcai and Liu Afang were already back.

Many people were watching the Qiao house.

Niu Shen was picking vegetables at the door, watching the Qiao house.

A new daughter-in-law with a child was also standing at the door, watching the Qiao house.

The neighbor was sweeping the floor, her ears perked up.

Everyone knew Qiao Youfu and his brother had sold the pork and grain. When Qiao Jiuwang and his wife returned, there would be a huge fight.

Liu Afang, who had been pacing, was relieved to see her daughter return safely.

“Jiangxin, you’re finally back.”

“How did it go? Did you run into your grandma?”

“Come in and rest. You’re sweating. I’ll get some water for you to wash your face.”

Seeing no shouting, Qiao Jiangxin knew Lei Honghua and her husband hadn’t returned.

Qiao Youcai was anxious. He was angry when he sold the pork and grain, but now he was afraid.

“Brother, what if Dad finds out and dies from anger?”

Qiao Youfu looked at his brother and was silent.

He was just as anxious.

He turned to his niece, “Jiangxin, if your grandparents attack, take your mother inside and lock the door.”

Qiao Youcai nodded, taking the sweaty money from his pocket and giving it to Qiao Jiangxin.

“Yes, yes, what Big Brother said. Hide. No matter what, don’t open the door. Big Brother and I are tough, we can handle a beating.”

Qiao Jiangxin was speechless at her uncle and father’s apprehension.

She looked at her mother, Liu Afang, who also looked anxious.

She said impatiently, “It’s done.  Why are you afraid now?”

“Besides, Qiao Jianguo is down, Qiao Fangfang is married, Qiao Jianhua is in Lijiagou.  It’s just Grandpa and Lei Honghua. Can’t we handle them?”

Qiao Youfu said weakly, “He’s our father. Can we really fight him?”

Qiao Jiangxin smiled, “You didn’t think so when you kicked him earlier.”

Qiao Youfu awkwardly looked away, “I was angry. I didn’t think.”

Qiao Jiangxin stopped teasing them, “Alright, alright. It’s not a big deal. We can’t win arguing or fighting. Even if Grandpa and Lei Honghua are angry, they’ll have to hold back.”

“But it’s getting late. A fight would be ugly and affect our neighbors.

Let’s let them cool off.

In a couple of days, they’ll calm down.”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai said in unison, “How do we let them cool off?”

Qiao Jiangxin looked around the yard, “Where’s Qiao Jianguo?”

Liu Afang didn’t know what Qiao Jiangxin was planning, “When we came back, the villagers had carried him inside. He’s in his room, unable to get up.

Haimou came to check. The stitches from this morning came undone, and he re-stitched them.”

Liu Afang lowered her voice, “Also, did you run the wheelbarrow over him?

He’s been screaming, saying his legs and back hurt. He said you were trying to kill him.

Haimou said his right thigh might be fractured, and his left rib might be fractured too. He can only treat minor illnesses. He left right before you came back.”

Qiao Jiangxin clapped her hands, “Perfect. Dad, Uncle, carry Qiao Jianguo out.”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai were shocked.

Their expressions said it all, “He’s like that, and you still want to bother him?”

Qiao Jiangxin said, “He might have fractures. If we don’t send him to the hospital, it might affect him for life. We need to tell Grandpa and Grandma.

They’ll worry about their son and ignore the house, giving us time to make other plans.”

“Dad, Uncle, don’t you still cling to that ridiculous brotherhood?

For so many years, you’ve taken the blame for him. You worked hard, and he got the benefits. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have dropped out of school so early, and Uncle wouldn’t be unmarried…

We’ve been beaten and scolded countless times because of him.

He bullies us and loves to tattle and cause trouble. Last time he stole a chicken, Grandma pulled my mother’s hair…”

Before Qiao Jiangxin finished, Qiao Youcai and Qiao Youfu exchanged glances, stood up, and went to Qiao Jianguo’s room.

Soon, Qiao Jianguo’s terrified screams were heard.

“Aaah, don’t touch me, don’t touch me!”

“Brother, Brother, listen to me!  Second Brother, my brother! I’m your brother!

Spare me! Don’t! Murder! Aaaaaah, Mom!!!”