The children were all confused.

Only the teacher, and Heidan’s parents, felt awkward.

Heidan’s mother quickly pushed her husband: “Get up now!”

Heidan’s father, also feeling a bit embarrassed, got up and pulled her up with him.

Er Gouzi, seeing his grandmother arrive, felt emboldened: “Grandma, Heidan’s mom slapped me. Look, my face is swollen.”

“What? You dare hit my grandson!!!” Chen Hehua was furious. She grabbed Heidan’s mother by the hair and slapped her several times: “How dare you, a little shrew, mess with my family! I’ll beat you to death! Who gave you the guts to be so arrogant, huh? Did you think I was a pushover just because I haven’t shown my temper?”

Heidan’s mother’s face quickly swelled up.

Her head was spinning, and Chen Hehua’s hands felt like iron palms. She felt like her face was going to be ruined.

Heidan’s father wanted to play the hero and save the damsel in distress…

But…

Auntie Chen was too fierce. As a man, he couldn’t very well go and pull a woman, right?

When Zhang Yunxi arrived, she heard from the reporting child that Heidan had falsely accused Zhao Mo. Now, seeing Heidan’s mother getting beaten up, she was quite amused by the spectacle.

“Alright, stop making a scene. The brigade leader is here!” The teacher was at his wit’s end. What started as a trivial matter over a dime between kids had now escalated into what seemed like a major feud.

Chen Hehua still gave face to the brigade leader and stopped.

After all, Brigade Leader Zhao was her cousin.

Brigade Leader Zhao had a headache: “What’s going on?”

Zhao Rencheng, who had also just arrived, stood beside Zhang Yunxi to see what was happening.

Chen Hehua: “That bitch hit my grandson.”

Brigade Leader Zhao’s hand holding the tobacco pipe trembled. Heidan’s mother’s face was almost ruined, while both she and Er Gouzi were unharmed: “Teacher Zhao, could you explain what exactly happened?”

The teacher recounted the whole story.

Only then did Chen Hehua realize that this whole drama originally had nothing to do with her grandson.

But since she was already here and had beaten someone up, it felt pretty satisfying.

Brigade Leader Zhao rubbed his hair: “Heidan, come here.”

Heidan stood in front of Brigade Leader Zhao: “Grandpa Zhao.”

Brigade Leader Zhao nodded: “Hmm, tell me, did Zhao Mo really steal the money? If you’re lying, I’ll have your Uncle Rencheng break your legs.”

Zhao Rencheng: “…”

Heidan happened to meet Zhao Rencheng’s gaze and, terrified, hid behind his father, wailing: “Uncle Zhao is going to hit me.”

Since Zhao Rencheng was already here, he simply grabbed the child.

Heidan’s father, seeing his son’s pleading eyes, felt a bit heartbroken but still pushed his son toward Zhao Rencheng.

It’s a small matter for the child to get beaten.

But if he got beaten, that would be a big deal!

Heidan’s mother pinched her husband’s waist.

This man was too useless.

Heidan’s father grimaced in pain but could only endure it silently.

Heidan’s mother nervously watched her child, afraid that Zhao Rencheng might accidentally kick Heidan, which would ruin her child.

Zhao Rencheng lined up the children, hands behind his back, face stern.

The sound of crying filled the air.

Zhang Yunxi looked up. She didn’t know why, but she really wanted to laugh. Zhao Rencheng really resembled Grandpa Niu from the cartoon “Big Ear Tutu.”

Zhao Rencheng glanced at her.

Zhang Yunxi pursed her lips, shook her head, and mouthed: “I won’t laugh.”

Zhao Rencheng glared at her, then asked Heidan: “Where did you spend the money?”

“I… I… I…” Heidan’s mind went blank, and he cried out, “I want my mom…”

“Speak!” Zhao Rencheng’s face darkened: “Do you want to keep your legs?”

“Wahhhh…” Heidan wailed, completely breaking down: “I didn’t mean to, I just spent the money. I was afraid Dad would hit me.”

Heidan’s parents were shocked.

This brat!

Now they really wanted to beat him to death.

Zhao Rencheng turned to Heidan’s parents: “It seems you were about to bully Zhao Mo just now?”

The couple shook their heads in unison.

Zhao Rencheng: “Compensate the child with a dime to calm her down, and apologize.”

The couple nodded with dejected faces.

They turned to Zhao Mo and said: “We’re sorry.”

Zhao Mo tugged at Zhang Yunxi’s sleeve, remaining silent.

Heidan’s mother wanted to curse, but upon meeting Zhang Yunxi’s mocking gaze, she shut her mouth.

This Zhang Zhiqing.

Always so protective of Zhao Mo.

Er Gouzi raised his hand: “Heidan’s mom slapped me, she owes me a dime!”

Heidan’s mother immediately flared up: “Look at my face, see what your grandma did to me!”

“I don’t care, I have no grudge against you, you hit me, you have to pay!” Er Gouzi said righteously.

Zhao Rencheng glanced at Er Gouzi, then at Heidan’s mother’s swollen and bloodied face, and said: “Compensate him with one cent.”

Er Gouzi felt a bit frustrated.

One slap for one cent, he wasn’t sure if it was worth it.

Heidan’s parents didn’t dare say anything and obediently handed over one dime and one cent.

Zhao Rencheng added: “For the next week, Heidan will be responsible for cleaning. Any objections?”

Heidan cried desperately but nodded.

Zhao Rencheng then looked at the other children who had helped: “You too, after Heidan finishes, it’s your turn!”

The children all trembled but didn’t dare to argue.

Zhao Rencheng then looked at the other children: “If I find out you’re bullying or falsely accusing your classmates again, it won’t be so simple next time. Understood?!”

“Understood!”

The children responded in unison.

Zhao Mo also shouted along. She was quite afraid of Uncle Zhao too, because even her father was afraid of him, so she was even more scared. But last time, Uncle Zhao gave her some meat to eat, so she thought he was quite nice.

Sometimes scared, sometimes not.

After receiving the dime, Zhao Mo handed it to Zhang Yunxi and couldn’t help but ask: “Can I give half to Er Gouzi?”

Zhang Yunxi nodded: “Of course you can.”

Zhao Mo gave five cents to Er Gouzi: “Here, you can buy five candies when you go to the commune.”

The commune was quite close to Zhao’s village, less than an hour’s walk. Heidan had run to the commune to buy candies.

“No, you keep it.” Er Gouzi was tempted, but he was a loyal friend and wouldn’t take Zhao Mo’s money from being falsely accused.

Chen Hehua directly took the five cents.

Er Gouzi was angry: “Grandma, what are you doing!”

Chen Hehua said impatiently: “She already gave it to you, why refuse? Don’t be so foolish. I’ll cook you an egg later.”

“I don’t want it!”

Er Gouzi protested.

Chen Hehua slapped the back of his head, “Behave yourself.”

Er Gouzi was furious.

He glared at her angrily.

Chen Hehua ignored him and called out to Zhang Yunxi: “Zhang Zhiqing, Zhao Mo is my Er Gouzi’s good friend. We don’t need to be too formal. Feel free to come to me if you need anything.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Ah, you city folks are so polite. I need to get back to work.” Chen Hehua came in a whirlwind and left in a whirlwind.

The other children also scattered.

Brigade Leader Zhao looked at Zhao Rencheng and grinned. This rascal was really his weapon for intimidating the villagers.

Zhao Rencheng instantly understood his look: “Uncle, stop smoking. Auntie already told me not to lend you money anymore.”

Brigade Leader Zhao’s face turned red, and he said irritably: “None of your business!”

Brigade Leader Zhao, embarrassed, quickly left.

Only Zhao Rencheng, Zhang Yunxi, Er Gouzi, and Zhao Mo remained.

Zhao Rencheng looked at Zhang Yunxi and raised an eyebrow: “Watching the show was quite fun, wasn’t it?”