Chapter 80: Splattering Feces

Grandma Chen raised her voice, “Eldest daughter-in-law, our Chen family is an upright household, we never engage in such disgraceful acts. If you dare to do such a despicable thing, our Chen family won’t tolerate you, especially after what happened to Dabao. You better run off back to the Hu family.”

Seeing Chen Ye and Old Lady Chen speak like this, Mrs. Hu became frightened and cried, “I really didn’t know anything. My fifth brother said those two parrots were worth some money and asked me to inquire with Second brother-in-law. I did just that. After they refused to sell, I returned home. I really didn’t know anything else. Think about it, if I had any ill intentions, I wouldn’t have dared to blatantly meddle like that.”

Hu Laowu’s plan to harm Dabao was unknown to Mrs. Hu. While she did want to sell those two parrots for money, she knew her husband and mother-in-law protected the second branch tightly, and they didn’t approve of some of Hu Laowu’s behaviors. Therefore, she didn’t dare to openly assist Hu Laowu in harming Dabao.

Chen Ye remembered the incident when Mrs. Hu had asked him to fetch the two parrots, and he couldn’t help but blush. Luckily, he hadn’t gone, otherwise, it would have been hard to explain now.

He glared fiercely at Mrs. Hu, scolding, “You foolish woman, I’ll deal with you when I get back.” Then, he said to Chen Ming, “I’m going to the Hu family right now to have a serious talk with him. I’ve helped their family for over twenty years, and they’ve benefited from our provisions. How could he treat our Chen family like this? Tell him to stop coveting your family’s belongings, and he better not touch Dabao.”

Chen Gui added, “I’ll go with Dad.”

The father and son went to the Hu family, while Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang returned home to await news.

Before long, Chen Ye returned, saying that Hu Laowu had gone to the county town and wouldn’t be back until the next day. He reassured, “Don’t worry, little brother. I’ll go find Hu Laowu again tomorrow. We’re family, I won’t let him harm Dabao again.”

It seemed that Hu Laowu had retreated to avoid trouble.

Chen Ming could do nothing but wait.

Dabao tearfully clung to Chen Feng, refusing to let go. His face was pressed tightly against her shoulder, and every now and then, he would choke out, “Mom, I’m scared.”

Chen Feng gently nuzzled his little face with her chin and softly replied, “Don’t be afraid, Mom is here.”

From the afternoon until bedtime, Dabao remained in this state, even eating his meals nestled in Chen Feng’s embrace.

It wasn’t until dark that Qiqi and Gray, who had been targeted, returned. Oblivious to the trouble they had caused, they sensed their owners’ anger and tried to please them. They fluttered their wings, recited poems to Chen Ming, called for Dabao to use the restroom, addressed Chen Feng as “Mom,” greeted Chen Lu as “Uncle,” and referred to Mrs. Wang as “Grandma.”

This both frustrated and amused the family. These little pets were like family to them, how could they bear to sell them to anyone else?

Chen Feng specifically praised Zhui Feng and promised to buy it some extra meaty pork bones to gnaw on another day.

At bedtime, Dabao still clung tightly to Chen Feng. It took a long while for Chen Feng to soothe him and calm his emotions before he gradually drifted into sleep.

Chen Feng had intended to enter the space and speak to Golden Treasure, but Dabao had fallen asleep, clinging tightly to her, leaving her unable to move.

Gradually, Chen Feng also drifted off.

Late into the night, the world was spacious and tranquil, with only the twinkling of myriad stars.

Suddenly, from a small courtyard in the northeast corner of Xiangluo Village, came a series of mournful howls. This cry was distinct from the usual dog or wolf sounds. It was especially loud, jarring, and terrifying in the dead of night. It seemed to have woken up the entire village, prompting dogs to bark, chickens to crow, and even causing several children to cry, including Dabao.

Chen Feng was also startled awake, it was the sound of Zhui Feng. It was the first time she had heard it cry out so loudly and mournfully.

She comforted Dabao, “Don’t be afraid, it’s Zhui Feng.”

But Dabao was still terrified, crying loudly.

Chen Feng quickly got up, threw on her coat, and carried Dabao, who was hanging onto her, out of the east room.

Zhui Feng had already leaped out of the window in the west room, standing up and scratching at the side door while howling. Qiqi and Gray also flew out, mimicking Zhui Feng’s howls, though much quieter.

In the new courtyard, more dogs howled, and children cried in anguish, creating an extremely terrifying scene.

Chen Feng also heard Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang shouting from the old courtyard, “Who’s there?”

She opened the side door, and a foul stench permeated the old courtyard.

Zhui Feng rushed to the edge of the fence, frantically scratching and howling, unable to leap over due to its small size.

Under the starlight, a large puddle of yellowish substance could be seen in the yard, unmistakably excrement and urine.

Outside the fence gate, there was a bucket containing half a bucket of excrement and urine. It seemed that the person hadn’t finished splattering before being frightened off by Zhui Feng’s howls.

This was undoubtedly the handiwork of Hu Laowu. His blatant actions were meant to let Chen Ming know that he was behind these incidents!

Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang, upon witnessing this scene, cursed loudly, “Hu Laowu, you despicable scoundrel!”

A neighbor from a nearby house emerged, inquiring loudly, “What’s going on?”

Chen Ming shouted back, “Someone splattered feces in our yard.”

The neighbor responded, “Oh, as long as no one got hurt. Well…” and then fell silent.

Mrs. Wang continued to curse vehemently while cleaning the yard.

Chen Feng glanced at Zhui Feng, who was circling the yard in frustration, and couldn’t help but feel that it possessed more than just cuteness and foolishness, it also had three virtues: a loud voice, keen ears, and bravery.

Golden Treasure’s judgment had been accurate.

Chen Feng comforted the tearful Dabao and put him to bed, but she found herself unable to sleep, staying awake until dawn.

In the morning, the family had a hasty breakfast. Just as they finished washing the dishes, Grandma Chen, Chen Ye, and Chen Gui arrived. They had also vaguely heard Zhui Feng’s howls during the night.

Upon learning about the feces splattering at Chen Ming’s house, the old lady and Chen Ye also joined in the cursing. Chen Ye was particularly furious, Hu Laowu’s actions felt like a direct insult to him.

Chen Gui’s expression turned grim, and he stood up, saying, “I’ll go and see if my uncle has returned. This is outrageous, using such tactics against family.”

Shortly after, he returned with a dejected look, stating, “Auntie said my uncle hasn’t returned yet.”

What he didn’t mention was that Hu Laowu’s wife, Mrs. Fu, had also confronted him, accusing, “Our household members aren’t even in the village, your uncle’s family gets splattered, and their child gets bullied. Why should it be assumed that our household did it? Making enemies and then blaming others, what nonsense!”

As they were discussing, Luo Xiao unexpectedly arrived.

Chen Ming and the others warmly welcomed him into the house.

Luo Xiao patted Dabao’s head and said, “Scared? Don’t worry, Uncle Luo has got your back.”

Dabao’s tears welled up again, and he wiped them with his sleeve, saying, “Thank you, Uncle Luo.”