Chapter 28: Collusion

At the Zhao family’s house, Zhao Pozi entered the courtyard with a basket full of good things, her face beaming with joy.

Zhao Lao San was sitting on the doorstep, holding a whole chicken, eating with gusto.

When Zhao Lao San woke up this morning, he excitedly shared with his mother the news that he had returned to being a normal man.

Zhao Pozi was overjoyed, but she also felt sorry for her son’s suffering these past few days. She couldn’t bear to spend money to buy meat at the commune, so she had to kill her beloved chicken to nourish her son’s body.

“Bao’er, look what good things Mom brought you.” As soon as Zhao Pozi entered the courtyard, she couldn’t help but lick her lips at the smell of chicken.

Then she happily called her son over to see the good things.

Zhao Lao San came over and saw the things in the basket. His eyes lit up.

He immediately picked up the bottle of white wine from the basket.

“I was just thinking about having a drink. Did you get these from Lao Si? They have so many good things, and they didn’t even think about sending some to the main house. They’re really heartless.”

“Exactly. If I hadn’t gone, they would have kept all the good things for themselves.” Zhao Pozi also snorted coldly.

Zhao Lao San looked at the wine, then at the chicken that had been gnawed down to the bones.

He reached out and touched his bulging belly, smacking his lips, “Mom, why don’t you braise the meat? I’ll have some with the wine. I’m a little hungry.”

“Okay, Mom will do it right away.” Hearing her precious son was hungry, Zhao Pozi immediately forgot about everything else and quickly carried the basket into the kitchen.

She called out to Zhao Xiaohui for a long time, but she didn’t see her.

Zhao Lao San was picking his teeth, lazily saying, “She ran off early. She probably went to the intellectual’s courtyard.”

Zhao Xiaohui liked Liao Yu’an, and the Zhao family knew it.

They didn’t think about stopping her. If Zhao Xiaohui could manage to get Liao Yu’an, that would be good.

Liao Yu’an was from the city after all. They should be able to get a lot of dowry.

Besides, if they went back to the city, maybe their whole family could go with them. They could also find a job for Lao San.

Zhao Pozi cursed under her breath and rolled up her sleeves to cook.

But she definitely wasn’t cooking for Zhao Xiaohui.

Zhao Xiaohui was indeed at the intellectual’s courtyard.

She took the opportunity to slip out while her mother went to find trouble with Bai Ruojiao.

Since last night, when she learned that Si Ge was a driver at the commune, her heart had been burning with excitement.

She couldn’t wait to tell Liao Yu’an the news.

Even though the bruises on her face hadn’t faded yet, she didn’t care.

But everyone was at work now. The only person in the intellectual’s courtyard was Lin Qianqian, who had been beaten by Zhao Pozi and didn’t want to go out and see people.

Seeing Lin Qianqian, Zhao Xiaohui sneered.

She had always disliked Lin Qianqian.

At first, it was because Lin Qianqian was beautiful and looked down on them, the country girls.

Later, it was because Lin Qianqian and Liao Yu’an lived in the same intellectual’s courtyard.

She always felt that Lin Qianqian was trying to seduce Liao Yu’an.

Now, seeing her pig-headed face, she felt very relieved.

“I heard you want to be my third brother’s wife. Why didn’t you say so earlier? Maybe I could have helped you. You didn’t have to end up like this. Tsk tsk tsk, it’s really ugly.”

Lin Qianqian was furious at the sight of the Zhao family, especially being ridiculed. She immediately retorted.

“You should worry about yourself first. You’re walking around with a pig head. Be careful you don’t get caught as a pig demon.”

Zhao Xiaohui remembered that her nose and face were still bruised. She felt a surge of anger.

Lin Qianqian finished her sarcasm and saw Zhao Xiaohui’s gritted teeth. Suddenly, she thought of something and her eyes lit up.

“You’re here to find Liao Zhiqing, aren’t you?”

Zhao Xiaohui’s face was gloomy, making her already bruised face look even worse. “None of your business!”

Lin Qianqian smiled with narrowed eyes, “What’s the use of running around so often? He doesn’t like you anyway.”

Zhao Xiaohui’s face twisted even more, “He doesn’t like you either. But I’m different now. I can help him go back to the city. Can you?”

“Help him go back to the city?” Lin Qianqian’s eyes flickered, then she sneered, “You want to use your fourth brother’s connections, don’t you?”

Zhao Xiaohui immediately raised her chin and sneered, “Don’t even dream about it. My fourth brother won’t help you.”

Lin Qianqian just smiled nonchalantly.

Zhao Xiaohui frowned, “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at you for being stupid.” Lin Qianqian crossed her arms, “If you want to help him, you have to go through your fourth brother. Liao Yu’an likes Bai Ruojiao. Why doesn’t he just go to Bai Ruojiao? He likes her, and he can get the chance to go back to the city. It’s a win-win situation. Why would he want to be with you?”

Zhao Xiaohui’s face twisted again. She immediately roared, “Don’t talk nonsense. Bai Ruojiao is already married. My fourth brother wouldn’t agree!”

“Humph, Bai Ruojiao is cunning. Look at how your fourth brother dotes on her. Just coax him a little, and he’ll listen. When it’s done, she’ll divorce and go back to the city. Then she can fly away with Liao Yu’an. As for you siblings… hehe.”

“She dares!” Zhao Xiaohui’s face became even uglier. She seemed to have imagined that scene and was panting heavily.

“Why wouldn’t she dare? Anyway, when they go back to the city, the sky is the limit. You won’t be able to find them.”

“I, I’ll keep an eye on her.” Zhao Xiaohui clutched her clothes tightly.

Just thinking about Liao Yu’an flying away with Bai Ruojiao made her furious.

Lin Qianqian snorted, “How will you keep an eye on her? Can you watch her 24 hours a day? That’s why I said you’re stupid. Just get rid of the source. As long as Bai Ruojiao is gone, Liao Yu’an will have to rely on you to go back to the city. Then you’ll be able to do whatever you want.”

Zhao Xiaohui was stunned, then her eyes began to shine, and her heart pounded rapidly.

Suddenly, she frowned and glared at Lin Qianqian, “Why are you telling me this? What’s your motive?”

Lin Qianqian covered her swollen cheek with her hand, “Of course, it’s because I hate her. She maliciously framed me and ruined my reputation. I won’t let her get away with it!”

Zhao Xiaohui’s eyes flickered, then she laughed gleefully.

Of course, she knew that Lin Qianqian wouldn’t really get together with her third brother.

This woman’s ambitions were sky-high. She wouldn’t look down on any country girl.

Lin Qianqian suddenly said, “Anyway, we have a common enemy. Why don’t we cooperate?”

Zhao Xiaohui frowned, “Cooperate? How?”

Lin Qianqian curled her lips, “I think you’ve been having a hard time at home these past few days.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaohui frowned, “What do you mean?”

“Your family is ruled by your third brother. As long as your third brother says a word, you’ll have a good life at home. But if you want your third brother to favor you, you have to give him what he wants most.”

Zhao Xiaohui’s eyes flickered. She knew what Zhao Lao San wanted most.

“Look, this way we can get rid of Bai Ruojiao, and your third brother can get what he wants. What’s not to like?”

Seeing that Zhao Xiaohui was clearly tempted, Lin Qianqian smiled and added fuel to the fire.

“What if your third brother is accused of being a hooligan, and your fourth brother’s wife is accused of having loose morals? Then wouldn’t you have a chance to take his job? It’s better to rely on yourself than others. If you become the driver, Liao Yu’an will have to listen to you.”

Zhao Xiaohui took a deep breath, “What’s your plan?”

Lin Qianqian smiled, a triumphant smile.