Chapter 33.2: Shu Gen’er “leave home” la

A child going into the water was a serious matter, especially since, by coincidence, a child from the neighboring village had drowned in the river. When word of it reached Zhao Village, every family was shaken.

Why did Shu Gen’er suddenly start doing this?

Zhao Ke took Zhao Fangfang to the commune health station, and “timely” reminded Zhao Er Nai, “Isn’t it because some child in our village was originally about to meet a misfortune, and Shu Gen’er stopped it?”

When the parents heard that, they were thrilled.

So, every time Shu Gen’er made a report, the children involved would get punished.

The kids were furious and swore to “teach him a lesson,” but every time they got close, Shu Gen’er would run off at lightning speed…

And then he would report them again.

The kids: “…”

So mad, so annoying…!

Couldn’t catch him… even angrier!

At the same time, Zheng Guangmei was furious. She and Liu Guangzhi were openly and secretly ostracized by the other members of the Production Team.

When they went to work, as soon as the couple walked close, the other workers would act extra busy.

Whenever the workers were chatting, as soon as the couple approached, they would scatter.

The couple didn’t realize that the villagers were avoiding them out of fear of bad luck rubbing off on them. They just felt like they had suddenly become invisible in the village, as if everyone treated them like they had a contagious disease.

Zheng Guangmei’s anger grew stronger and she began to take it out on Liu Guangzhi and Shu Gen’er.

She would constantly try to provoke Liu Guangzhi with sharp words.

As for Shu Gen’er, she would scold and beat him at every turn, then pile more chores onto him.

But Shu Gen’er seemed to disappear all the time, not to be found anywhere. Zheng Guangmei’s anger couldn’t be vented, so she kept taking it out on Liu Guangzhi.

Liu Guangzhi could only endure her and turned to tell Shu Gen’er not to run off.

Shu Gen’er listened to Liu Guangzhi and stopped going to the riverbank.

On the first day, the kids sneaked to the riverbank, not seeing Shu Gen’er, and they were thrilled, full of joy.

The second day, they were still okay.

On the third day, they couldn’t find Shu Gen’er again…

Sometimes kids act out of rebellion, the more adults tell them not to do something, the more they want to do it. They even played “hide and seek” with Shu Gen’er. If they succeeded in getting close to the riverbank, their happiness would be doubled.

Now that Shu Gen’er wasn’t around every day, the kids felt like something was missing, as if their happiness was diminished.

Niu Xiaoqiang was the leader of this group of kids, a troublemaker who liked to lead the mischief. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten into trouble for eating an eraser in class.

He was feeling irritated today, “Shu Gen’er hasn’t come for three days.”

A kid searched around for Shu Gen’er and cautiously asked, “Are we still going to bathe?”

Niu Xiaoqiang frowned and didn’t answer.

Another kid said, “I heard he’s working at home. I also heard that he gets beaten while working, and even his little brother hits him.”

Because of the river incident, even Niu Xiaoqiang had gotten beaten with the sole of a shoe. He was a little angry as he said, “I really hate it when adults hit kids!”

“I hate it too.”

“Adults hit so hard.”

“My dad beats me with a broom, and the broom even broke…”

The group of kids grew more and more aggrieved, their anger rising.

Niu Xiaoqiang, being the leader, felt a sense of justice arise, and immediately shouted, “Let’s go! We’re going to check it out!”

At the Liu household—

Shu Gen’er was sweeping the yard with a broom, and Liu Xiaobao, holding a twig, was poking him out of mischief.

Shu Gen’er didn’t avoid him, so Liu Xiaobao escalated and began to hit him with the twig. “Idiot, get to work!”

Shu Gen’er worked like a machine, robotically moving and constantly using his hands.

Liu Xiaobao’s tone grew even harsher, “You idiot, today I won’t let you eat!”

Shu Gen’er didn’t dare to speak.

A group of troublemaking kids appeared just then outside the Liu house’s yard, and they happened to see Liu Xiaobao’s twig leaving a red mark on Shu Gen’er’s neck and face.

Shu Gen’er winced in pain and covered his neck.

The twig continued to strike him, and he just stood there crying and apologizing, “Shu Gen’er was wrong, Shu Gen’er won’t do it again…”

Liu Xiaobao was still very pleased with himself.

Niu Xiaoqiang, who wasn’t in the same group as the kids who used to bully Shu Gen’er, and was at that age full of justice, immediately shouted, “Don’t bully Shu Gen’er!”

He finished shouting and charged inside.

Meanwhile, at the team committee office—

Zhao Yunyun excitedly ran into the office, “Zhao Ke!”

Zhao Xinshan scolded her, “You’re already a grown girl, why are you so rash?”

Zhao Yunyun shrunk her neck and gave Zhao Ke a look.

Zhao Ke put down her pen and went out with her.

Zhao Yunyun sneakily glanced inside the room before quietly saying, “Guess what news I just found out? Niu Xiaoqiang led a group of mischievous kids to Shu Gen’er’s house!”

With this excitement, how could they not go and see?

Zhao Ke and Zhao Yunyun exchanged a look, no words needed, and walked out together.

“How did you find out?”

Zhao Yunyun looked up, feeling guilty, and spoke quickly, “I saw it over at the zhiqing spot.”

“You went to see Fu  ZhiqIng again?”

Zhao Yunyun nodded quickly, “Yes, yes…”

Zhao Ke commented with admiration, “If you were as persistent about other things as you are about him, Uncle would definitely be pleased.”

Zhao Yunyun laughed awkwardly, “Hehe…”

Elsewhere, at the Liu household—

Liu Xiaobao was startled by the sudden appearance of Niu Xiaoqiang, and the twig fell to the ground.

Niu Xiaoqiang yanked Shu Gen’er aside, standing across from Liu Xiaobao, and angrily said, “If you bully him again, I’ll beat you up!”

Liu Xiaobao, afraid of being bullied, started crying and shouting, “Mom—wuwu…”

Hearing the commotion, Zheng Guangmei rushed out like a whirlwind, “Shu Gen’er! You dare make Xiao Bao cry, I’ll beat you to death!”

As soon as she appeared, Shu Gen’er shrank back, trembling like a scared kitten, his shoulders hunched, closing his eyes in preparation for the impending beating.

Niu Xiaoqiang, being the pampered kid at home, wasn’t afraid at all, acting like a little tyrant, “I made him cry, you dare beat me to death?!”

The other kids, who were initially a bit scared of Zheng Guangmei’s ferocity, straightened up and stood proudly in front of Shu Gen’er when they saw how brave their leader was.

Shu Gen’er forgot to be afraid and looked at Niu Xiaoqiang and the others with wide, bright eyes.

Chen San’er was watching from the wall, enjoying the scene.

Zhao Ke and Zhao Yunyun also arrived.

Zhao Ke stood on a stone, watching the commotion inside.

Zhao Yunyun stood on the same stone, using Zhao Ke as support as she tiptoed to peek inside.

Chen San’er quietly mocked, “Shorty.”

Zhao Yunyun felt a little sensitive and glared at Chen San’er, but her attention was quickly drawn back to the yard.

Zheng Guangmei, seeing Niu Xiaoqiang and the other kids protecting Shu Gen’er while bullying her son, was fuming, “I’ll beat you bad kids to death…”

She reached out to strike Niu Xiaoqiang.

Niu Xiaoqiang immediately spread his legs in a stance, his hands in front and behind, guarding himself, but shouted, “I’m telling you, my dad’s an accountant. Try touching me, I dare you!”

Zheng Guangmei’s hand froze midair.

Niu Xiaoqiang arrogantly lowered his stance, raising his chin and declaring, “From now on, Shu Gen’er is under my protection. I, Niu Xiaoqiang, have spoken. Anyone who dares to bully Shu Gen’er is going against me, Niu Xiaoqiang.”

This kid is so over-the-top, Zhao Ke and Zhao Yunyun couldn’t stop laughing, while Zheng Guangmei was fuming with rage.

But Niu Xiaoqiang had something even more over-the-top in store. He turned to Shu Gen’er with an exaggeratedly serious expression and asked, “Will you be my little brother?”

Shu Gen’er didn’t understand what a little brother was and stared at him blankly.

Niu Xiaoqiang sighed in exasperation, “If you’re my little brother, you have to listen to me. From now on, I’ll protect you, and no one will bully you.”

When Shu Gen’er heard the words “no one will bully,” he instinctively nodded.

Such a big little brother, obedient and impressive!

Niu Xiaoqiang proudly turned to his group of followers and raised his arm, “From now on, Shu Gen’er is our little brother. Anyone who bullies our little brother will have to face the consequences!”

The kids cheered like they were part of a rebellion, shouting in unison—

“Right! Give them a lesson!”

“Must teach them a lesson!”

“Don’t bully our little brother!”

Niu Xiaoqiang added, “Listen up, from now on, no one can play with Liu Xiaobao!”

He had to think for a long time to come up with this “lesson.”

Zhao Yunyun couldn’t hold her laughter, and she lost her balance, pulling Zhao Ke down with her.

Zhao Ke also had a big grin on his face.

Meanwhile, the kids in the Liu household’s yard took it all very seriously, chanting one by one—

“Don’t play with Liu Xiaobao!”

“Don’t play with Liu Xiaobao!”

“Don’t play with Liu Xiaobao!”

Liu Xiaobao was crying loudly, “Mom— I don’t want to…”

Zheng Guangmei, feeling sorry for her son, tried to comfort him, but she angrily shouted, “I’m going to find your family’s adults!”

Niu Xiaoqiang wasn’t afraid at all. With a defiant attitude, he shot back, “I didn’t hit anyone, and my dad can’t hit me either!”

Zheng Guangmei was at a loss for what to do with them.

Then Niu Xiaoqiang turned to Shu Gen’er, “Let’s go! We’re not coming back to this crappy place!”

Shu Gen’er, pulled by him, obediently followed, but then suddenly remembered something and yanked Niu Xiaoqiang back.

Niu Xiaoqiang was angry, “What’s up? Didn’t I say you have to listen to me?!”

Shu Gen’er pointed at the pile of bean stalks, “Get something.”

A kid’s eyes lit up, “Treasure?!”

Niu Xiaoqiang immediately urged Shu Gen’er to go over.

The group of kids, seeing the bean stalk tunnel, gasped in excitement, “Wow—there’s a tunnel!”

When Shu Gen’er dug out his “treasures,” the kids nearly went crazy with joy—

“Magic sword!”

“Grenade!”

“Wow—this looks like a gun!”

“Wow wow wow—what is this? A martial arts manual?!”

“…”

The kids all spoke over each other, completely forgetting about the house owner and her son, and surrounded Shu Gen’er’s treasure hole, enthusiastically digging for more.

Shu Gen’er didn’t say anything, but his joy was so visible that it almost seemed like he was bubbling over with happiness.

Outside the yard, Zhao Yunyun took out a stone from her pocket, confused. “Are these things… really that powerful?”

Zhao Ke laughed and picked up one of the stones. “This is probably a hidden weapon, or maybe a bullet?”

They couldn’t figure out how Shu Gen’er had found them, but the stones were so clear and beautiful.

Inside the yard, the group of kids quickly sorted out their “little brother’s” tribute, surrounding Niu Xiaoqiang and Shu Gen’er as if they had just won a battle and proudly walked out.

Zheng Guangmei, completely ignored by them, was furious. “Liu Guangzhi! You coward! Why haven’t you come out to manage your foolish son? You’re just letting these bad seeds bully your wife and son!”

Only then did Liu Guangzhi come out.

Liu Xiaobao suddenly rushed up and slapped him. “You’re useless! I want an accountant for a father too!”

Liu Guangzhi was completely shocked, and in his anger, he slapped Liu Xiaobao across the face, shouting, “What did you say?!”

Liu Xiaobao was knocked to the ground and immediately burst into loud tears.

Zheng Guangmei, not caring about anything else, rushed at Liu Guangzhi and started hitting him. “You dare to hit my son? I’ll kill you!”

Liu Guangzhi, fearing she’d make a scene and go back to her parents’ house, softened and lowered his tone. “I was just really angry, don’t get upset. When Shu Gen’er comes back, you can vent all your anger on him…”

Zheng Guangmei shouted at him furiously, “You’d better have him come back now!”

Liu Guangzhi raised his head and looked at Shu Gen’er with dissatisfaction. “Why aren’t you coming over? Look at how upset Xiaobao’s mother is.”

Shu Gen’er, used to obeying, was about to move forward, but Niu Xiaoqiang grabbed him. “Why should I let you go over so they can hit you? I told you, Shu Gen’er is under my protection now! Shu Gen’er, you can’t go!”

Shu Gen’er looked left at his real father and right at Niu Xiaoqiang. His mind couldn’t help him figure out who was right.

“Shu Gen’er,” Liu Guangzhi said angrily, “Stop fooling around with them.”

Niu Xiaoqiang held onto Shu Gen’er tightly. “You promised to be my little brother and listen to me. Have you forgotten?”

Shu Gen’er hadn’t forgotten so quickly.

Niu Xiaoqiang pulled him roughly, leading him out.

Liu Guangzhi was furious. “Shu Gen’er!”

But by then, Shu Gen’er had already been dragged out of the gate.

Niu Xiaoqiang and the others saw Zhao Ke and immediately stopped, all shouting, “Teacher Zhao!”

Zhao Ke tugged on Niu Xiaoqiang’s ear and softly said, “Take Shu Gen’er to the school to find Principal Gu and Teacher Wu, understand?”

Niu Xiaoqiang asked, “Why?”

“Shu Gen’er needs a family.”

Meanwhile, in the yard, Liu Guangzhi and Zheng Guangmei watched their figures as they left. They first saw Chen San’er on the wall, and Zheng Guangmei immediately started cursing.

Chen San’er didn’t indulge her, threatening, “If you keep talking to me like that, I’ll set fire to your firewood pile!”

Zheng Guangmei, furious, started crying and hit Liu Guangzhi. “Useless thing, you’re just letting them bully us like this, huh?”

Liu Xiaobao, imitating his mother, also angrily glared at him.

Liu Guangzhi was angry but could only continue to force a smile, trying to calm her down.

Zheng Guangmei urged him to go outside. Liu Guangzhi walked out to the yard, saw Zhao Ke, and questioned her, “Director Zhao, these kids are misbehaving so badly, aren’t you going to say something?”

Zhao Ke’s attitude was very straightforward. “I’m the Women’s Director, not their mother, and I’m not really a teacher, so it’s not my place to interfere.”

Liu Guangzhi said, “We and their family heads will be at loggerheads because of Shu Gen’er =. Surely you should step in?”

Zhao Ke nodded. “You go ahead and have your conflict, and I’ll definitely mediate.”

Liu Guangzhi: “……”

Zhao Yunyun’s mouth twitched into a smile, but she quickly suppressed it.

Liu Guangzhi, seeing Zhao Ke’s attitude, understood something and said, “This is a family matter, it’s useless for outsiders to get involved.”

Zhao Ke, still calm, nodded. “You’re right. I can’t interfere in your family matters, but when the kids are out playing and don’t want to go home, the parents can’t do much either.”

Liu Guangzhi immediately understood her meaning and sneered, “Shu Gen’er listens to me. Do you think I can’t call him back?”

He wanted to prove it to Zhao Ke, so he shouted at the tallest figure among the group of children in the distance, “Shu Gen’er, come back here!”

Shu Gen’er stopped and turned around.

Liu Guangzhi, smug, thought, “See, Shu Gen’er will definitely come back.”

But the next second, Niu Xiaoqiang turned around and shot him a fierce glare. He said something to Shu Gen’er, who hesitated for a moment, but then followed Niu Xiaoqiang.

Liu Guangzhi, unable to believe that Shu Gen’er “disobeyed” him, became even more agitated, shouting, “Shu Gen’er!”

Zhao Ke found his complaining annoying, rubbed her ears, and delivered a crushing blow: “You really are a failure. You’re not even an accountant. Your youngest son despises you, and your oldest son won’t ever come back.”

“Shut up!” Liu Guangzhi’s neck bulged with veins, his eyes even showing signs of bloodshot.

Zhao Ke didn’t shut up, shrugging. “Shu Gen’er never received love, so he only cares about you. But if he receives a lot of kindness, he’ll gradually stop loving you.”

In the distance, a group of children were chatting and laughing.

Niu Xiaoqiang kept making demands of Shu Gen’er, and Shu Gen’er agreed to them all.

Then Niu Xiaoqiang told Shu Gen’er not to report to anyone in the future.

Shu Gen’er pursed his lips.

Niu Xiaoqiang, getting angry, said, “What’s wrong with you? Are you trying to betray the boss?”

Shu Gen’er replied, “Director Zhao won’t allow it.”

“Director Zhao…”

Niu Xiaoqiang immediately softened, grumbling, “Director Zhao is my savior. I’ll give her this face.”

At the elementary school in the Production Team—

Teacher Wu repeatedly checked the empty room she had tidied up.

There were clean blankets, a cabinet she had moved from home, and a new pair of shoes…

Principal Gu sighed. “You’ve prepared more than enough. No need to check again.”

Teacher Wu still couldn’t stop herself, excitement in her voice, “When do you think Shu Gen’er will accept us?”

Principal Gu said, “As long as we’re good to him, it will happen very soon.”

“I don’t even know what he likes to eat. I’ll make him something…”

TN:

Why are my eyes leaking 🤧. Every child deserves to be loved!! Except Xiao Bao that little shit.