Chapter 33: Zhao Pulin’s Anger

Now Zhao Xiaomei started crying, “Mom, you’re the one who told me to do this. I refuse to apologize to that bitch Luo Qiao in front of the commune members tomorrow. What will people think of me then?”

Gao Suhua was still busy cooking in the kitchen. Upon hearing her second daughter’s words, she said, “Who told you to be so stupid? If you can’t smooth things over with her, just take your things and leave. Do you expect me to apologize in your place?”

The Zhao sisters now understood what had happened earlier in the day. Zhao Xiaotao watched coldly for a while before saying, “I don’t care how you handle it, but you better resolve this matter properly. Don’t let it reach Zheng Qiaozhuang. If the Zheng family gets upset and it affects my wedding next month, I won’t let you off.”

Zhao Xiaomei looked at her eldest sister and said, “Are you threatening me? Didn’t you skip out on going today?”

Angered by her sister’s attempt to shift blame onto her, Zhao Xiaotao retorted, “Did I steal anything?”

Zhao Xiaomei was now full of anger, pointing at Zhao Xiaotao, “You, you, you…” but couldn’t say anything else for a long time.

Zhao Xiaocao, sitting beside them, said, “This was caused by Luo Qiao. Why don’t we just ask her to tell the captain to drop the matter?”

Zhao Xiaoxing looked at Zhao Xiaocao as if she were dumbfounded and said, “You make it sound so easy. If you have the ability, you go and deal with that wretched girl Luo Qiao.”

Zhao Xiaocao said, “She’s just an orphan. If this really blows up, it won’t just be our family losing face. The entire Zhao clan will be embarrassed. No matter how capable Luo Qiao is, she won’t be able to escape the villagers’ hostility in the future.”

After listening to the words of her five daughters, Gao Suhua looked at her husband and said, “Yes, why didn’t I think of that? Xiaocao is right. In our village, the Zhao, Gao, Li, and Sun, the four surnames, have never gotten along.”

Now if we really apologize to Luo Qiao in front of the commune members tomorrow, it will be a huge disgrace for the Zhao family clan. We need to quickly consult with Grandpa and the others to figure out what to do.

Zhao Pulin sat on the stool without moving. Since the captain said it was decided by Director Wang of the commune, even Grandpa probably wouldn’t dare to intervene casually in this matter.

Gao Suhua said, “It’s already this late, and you’re still like this. It’s really frustrating.”

Zhao Xiaomei was truly anxious now, “Dad, are you really going to abandon me? If I apologize to that orphan tomorrow, it will ruin the reputation of us sisters and the Zhao family. It might even affect our eldest sister’s marriage. Not to mention how we’ll be looked at by others in the future. What’s more important to you now—your own reputation or the future happiness of us sisters?”

Zhao Pulin stood up angrily, “I owe you all so much! Why did you go and provoke others for no reason? When trouble arises, you come running to me, your father, to handle your troubles.”

Gao Suhua cautiously apologized, “Dear, scolding us now won’t change anything. Who would have known that Luo Qiao, that little troublemaker, could be so malicious? After Xiaomei left with her belongings, she accused us of robbery. Isn’t it obvious she’s trying to set up our daughter?”

Zhao Pulin’s suppressed anger flared up again. Pointing at Gao Suhua’s nose, he scolded, “Look at what you’re saying! You’ve spoiled these daughters of ours. Did anyone provoke or offend you? You call her a troublemaker, but she lets you come in and steal. If you didn’t go to steal, would she do that? I, Zhao Pulin, have truly been unlucky to marry such a disaster like you.”