Chapter 7: Killing Zhao Pozi’s Chickens

“Zhao Lao San’s actions constitute attempted theft. Even if he’s sent to the police station, he’ll at most receive a verbal warning.

So, Lao Cheng and I have decided to demand 100 yuan and 50 kilograms of grain coupons for you.

Do you think this is acceptable?

The money and coupons are with me now. If you agree, I’ll give them to you. If not, we can discuss it further.”

Bai Ru Qiao didn’t expect him to handle it this way.

She just wanted Zhao Lao San to be labeled as a thief.

She hadn’t thought about compensation.

After all, Zhao Pozi was the kind of person who would find it difficult to get anything from her.

But she guessed that the two of them must have been really angry yesterday to be able to skin Zhao Pozi alive.

Zhao Sihai turned to look at Bai Ru Qiao.

Fang Hanwu also looked over.

Bai Ru Qiao shook her head, “I have no objections. Thank you, Captain and Village Head.”

Fang Hanwu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand with a smile, “Don’t be so polite, it’s our duty.”

He took out the cloth bag containing the money and coupons and handed it to Zhao Sihai.

Thinking about how he almost became a pawn last night, he felt a little awkward facing them.

Zhao Sihai took the cloth bag and thanked him.

Fang Hanwu thought for a moment and reminded him,

“However, with your mother’s personality, she probably won’t let it go easily. You should prepare yourself.”

Zhao Sihai pursed his lips, his eyes deep.

Bai Ru Qiao, however, slightly curled her lips.

She wasn’t afraid of her making a fuss, she was afraid that she wouldn’t.

Zhao Sihai nodded, “I understand, thank you, Uncle Fang.”

They arrived at the village around seven or eight o’clock.

Most of the villagers were already at work.

The bicycle stopped in front of the Zhao family’s house.

When he saw the locked gate, Zhao Sihai’s face darkened.

He reached out and took his son from Bai Ru Qiao’s arms with one hand, and carried the bicycle with the other, walking forward.

He raised his foot and kicked hard, and one side of the gate fell down.

The other side of the gate was still attached to the lock, looking a bit comical.

The corner of Bai Ru Qiao’s lips, which had been pursed, slightly curled up.

The heads that had been peeking out from the wall of the neighboring courtyard quickly retracted.

The house was quiet.

Zhao Xiao Hui was afraid of being beaten, so she ran to her older sister’s house for refuge in the middle of the night.

Zhao Jin Qiao had also gone out to catch people early in the morning.

Zhao Gen Sheng had gone to work.

Only Zhao Lao San was left lying in the room.

Hearing the sound of the door being kicked, Zhao Lao San was so scared that he almost rolled under the bed.

After listening for a while and hearing no other sounds, he endured the pain and moved the table and cabinet to block the door.

He cursed Zhao Sihai’s ancestors.

He smugly and resentfully ate the braised pork on the table in a few bites.

When I get better, I’ll see how I’ll deal with you.

Bai Ru Qiao was about to go to the kitchen to cook, but Zhao Sihai stopped her.

“I’ll do it. You and An An rest for a while.”

“Okay.” Bai Ru Qiao didn’t refuse.

“Mom, Dad can cook too?” Zhao An An looked curious and admiring.

His puppy eyes sparkled with little stars.

Dad is so amazing.

Bai Ru Qiao smiled and pinched his thin cheeks.

“Yes, and he cooks delicious food too.”

Zhao Sihai started doing housework when he was five years old.

When he was ten, he was already a capable young man who could do twice the work of two adults.

Zhao Lao San, on the other hand, had never washed a dish in his life, even though he was 26 years old.

Many people didn’t understand why Zhao Pozi was so biased.

Bai Ru Qiao didn’t understand either, until she learned about Zhao Sihai’s background.

Zhao Sihai was not Zhao Pozi’s biological son, but a child she adopted from somewhere.

It’s just that the Zhao family had fled to Nanyang Village during the famine, so no one here knew.

This was revealed by Zhao Sihai himself when he surrendered in her previous life.

He had known for a long time that he was not Zhao Gen Sheng and Zhao Pozi’s biological son.

But he had been raised by them, so he felt a sense of gratitude.

So as long as he didn’t cross the line, Zhao Sihai was willing to be patient, as a way of repaying his debt.

He just didn’t expect that his concessions would only embolden the wolves.

She was packing her things when she heard An An suddenly let out a soft “Wah~”.

She turned her head and saw that the little guy had opened the small cloth bag he had been holding in his arms.

It was full of lard candy, each about the size of a little finger, about thirty in total.

The little guy had never seen this kind of candy before, his eyes full of wonder.

“Mom, this candy smells so good~”

Seeing that her son seemed to like the taste of the candy, Bai Ru Qiao smiled and took one.

She peeled off the oil paper and brought the lard candy to his mouth.

“Chew carefully, don’t swallow it, it might be sticky.”

The little guy, however, pursed his lips. Although he looked eager, he pushed the candy away.

He said softly and coquettishly, “Mom, you eat first.”

Bai Ru Qiao’s heart instantly softened. She didn’t refuse, she nodded and put the candy in her mouth.

The sweet, soft taste and texture were the truest feelings in her heart at that moment.

Then she peeled another one, and the little guy finally ate it with a “Ah-woo”.

He then widened his eyes, his face full of wonder and joy.

“Mom, the candy is so sweet~”

Bai Ru Qiao smiled and gently poked his puffed cheek.

“You can’t talk while eating, be careful not to choke.”

“Hmm, hmm.” The little guy immediately nodded like a woodpecker.

Then he enjoyed the candy, rolling it around in his mouth with his tongue.

He didn’t even want to bite it.

Zhao Sihai was very quick, and soon he came over with a tray.

Bai Ru Qiao was surprised when she saw the chicken congee in the pot.

“Where did you get the chicken?”

Zhao Pozi was so stingy, even though she loved her precious son, she rarely bought meat for him to eat.

Zhao Sihai slightly curled his lips, “I just killed it. There’s still soup simmering on the stove. I’ll make some for you and An An to replenish your energy.”

Bai Ru Qiao was surprised and opened her mouth.

Then she pursed her lips and smiled.

She thought that Zhao Pozi would be furious when she found out.

Each household was only allowed to raise two chickens.

So, Zhao Pozi guarded those two chickens like her eyeballs, waiting for them to lay eggs.

But she wasn’t worried at all now, she was actually in a good mood.

Of course, she still asked.

“Aren’t you afraid of your mother coming to make a fuss?”

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Zhao Sihai felt more relaxed.

He thought for a moment and said, “Qiao Qiao, I plan to propose a separation after they come back.”

Bai Ru Qiao was surprised.

Separation was also part of her plan.

She just didn’t expect Zhao Sihai to think the same way.

“But, it might come at a cost. This time I was injured and discharged from the army, and they assigned me a job. I plan to…”

Before he could finish, Bai Ru Qiao stopped him.

She naturally knew about the job.

In her previous life, he gave up his job to save her.

But this time, the Zhao family wouldn’t get a single benefit.

“No.”

Zhao Sihai was stunned and looked at her in confusion.

Bai Ru Qiao smiled, “I have a way to make them agree willingly, as long as you don’t blame me.”

Zhao Sihai frowned and said seriously, “As long as it doesn’t affect you.”

Zhao Sihai had been a soldier for several years, he wasn’t a fool.

When he saw the blood and wounds on her feet, he knew that something else had happened last night.

After piecing together the events, and knowing Lao San’s personality, he could guess what had happened.

This was also the reason why he was determined to separate, even if it meant being skinned alive.

He had already done everything he could for the Zhao family, and he didn’t feel like he owed them anything.

But filial piety is paramount.

As long as they didn’t sever ties, this burden would remain.

He didn’t want to think about himself, he had to consider his son.

“It won’t, don’t worry, just watch.” Bai Ru Qiao was truly relieved now.

As long as Zhao Sihai didn’t back down.