Chapter 68

At this, Qiao Xinyi looked toward Zheng Dahe. “I just saw a toy slingshot on Zheng Dahe’s desk. The packaging box was still there on the desk—it’s obvious it was bought not long ago.”

After hearing this, Fu Linzhou’s eyes lit up. “It must have been Fourth Uncle who stole it! That day Fourth Uncle suddenly brought home the slingshot. He was playing with it in the yard, and my brother and I saw him. When we asked to borrow it, he refused and told us to ask Uncle for money to buy one ourselves.”

Zheng Dahe’s face instantly turned pale. If they really went to ask at the supply and marketing cooperative, he would definitely be found out.

“Where did you get that slingshot?” Zheng Youliang asked loudly.

The family wasn’t rich, and with a nineteen-year-old idle third son who always asked the family for money, and Zhang Zao hoping Fourth Son would study hard and get into college, it was impossible they’d spend money buying toys for him. Seeing Fourth Son’s expression, Zheng Youliang felt like he had lost all dignity today.

“Maybe Fourth Son borrowed the slingshot from a classmate to play for a couple of days?” Zhang Zao stubbornly defended Zheng Dahe and tried to make excuses for him.

“Whether it’s borrowed or bought, we’ll know as soon as we ask,” Fu Qingshan said, looking at Zheng Youliang. “Dad, you pass by the supply and marketing cooperative on your way to work, right? How about we all go ask first? Once we get the answer, you can go to work, no rush.”

“No going!” Zheng Dahe panicked and shouted, “None of you are allowed to go!”

If they went and asked, everyone in town would know Zheng Dahe stole money, and he’d lose all face.

“I took the money. Why is it that Third Brother asks Mom and Dad for money and they give it to him, but when I want to buy a toy, have a soda, or eat a popsicle, Mom and Dad refuse? They treat Third Brother well, let him eat and drink nicely, so why can’t I?”

Zheng Dahe had been holding this grievance in for a long time. His desire for the slingshot was so strong this time, combined with his resentment, that he had the courage to steal money once.

Unexpectedly, his first theft was discovered by Zhang Zao. Afraid of being beaten, he secretly stuffed the leftover money under the pillows of his two little nephews when the family wasn’t paying attention.

Anyway, his mom didn’t like those two nephews much either. Since they were still young, a beating would settle things.

Zheng Dahe really didn’t expect the kids to have such strong tempers. When it looked like they were going to be beaten, they grabbed the change from Zheng Youliang’s hand and ran off, intending to go to the provincial city to find Fu Qingshan.

When the neighbors searched all night for the missing kids yesterday but couldn’t find them, Zheng Dahe felt both happy and conflicted.

Happy because as long as the two kids didn’t come back and he didn’t say anything, no one would ever know he stole money.

Conflicted because the last bit of his conscience was struggling, afraid something bad might happen to the kids outside.

“You’re the real thief! You’re framing me and brother!” Fu Zeyu charged at Zheng Dahe, clenching his fists and punching repeatedly.

Zheng Dahe felt the pain and pushed the child hard. The little kid lost his balance and fell toward the corner of the table.

Fu Qingshan acted quickly, catching the child in his arms and then punched Zheng Dahe hard in the stomach.

“An uncle who steals money and frames his nephews, shows no guilt after being caught, and even pushes a child so he almost hits the table corner—Zheng Dahe, is that the best you can do?” Fu Qingshan said, patting the child’s head. “Do you even know what happens if a child hits his head on the table?”

Fu Linzhou ran over on his short legs, hands on hips, scolding, “With Fourth Uncle’s skills like this, how can he get into university? Nobody even wants roasted sweet potatoes from him!”

Fu Linzhou had learned to insult others from the town elders, and now was his chance to use it. Seeing Zhang Zao so furious that his nose looked crooked, he thought this was even more satisfying than hitting back.

Qiao Xinyi scanned the main room, then picked up the firewood cleaver stuffed in the corner and handed it to Zheng Youliang. “A child who steals needles when young will steal gold when grown. Kids won’t turn out right without being disciplined. What kid hasn’t been hit when young? If you don’t teach them, they’ll grow up to rot in jail. Uncle, I really agree with what you just said. Come on, hit him. Anyone who tries to stop you doesn’t want your son to succeed. Anyone who stops you is a dog!”

If looks could be turned into words, everyone in the main room except Fu Qingshan had their eyes shouting two big words: — Deadly! Who hits kids with a firewood cleaver?

“I’ve lived this long and never met anyone as vicious as you!” Zhang Zao quickly pulled Zheng Dahe behind her and yelled at Qiao Xinyi, “You’re trying to kill my son!”

“You’re lucky you met me or else you wouldn’t have opened your eyes in this lifetime. Also, don’t falsely accuse me—how am I trying to kill your son? I didn’t lay a hand on him,” Qiao Xinyi tutted with disdain. “Like father, like son; like mother, like daughter. Mouse children are born knowing how to dig holes.”

“Uncle, did you see that? This woman loves lying and framing others. She raised herself all alone. She’s only sixteen, and stealing money is no big deal. But framing two six-year-old nephews? That’s worse than stealing money,” Qiao Xinyi spread her hands. “She’s sixteen—twenty years ago, kids her age were already dads. She doesn’t even have basic responsibility. I think she’s really hopeless. Most likely she won’t even figure out how to roast sweet potatoes.”

Fu Linzhou and Fu Zeyu’s eyes went wide, their little faces full of amazement. At this moment, the bald Aunt Qiao seemed two meters tall and incredibly impressive to them.

“Big brother, she’s so awesome~ she’s so good at talking~” Fu Zeyu whispered to his brother.

Fu Linzhou nodded vigorously, “Little brother, let’s learn more from her!”

Zheng Youliang finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He snatched the cleaver away and threw it on the table, then grabbed a bamboo stick wedged in the wall crack and swung it at Zheng Dahe.

Zheng Dahe instantly screamed in pain and quickly dodged behind Zhang Zao.

Zhang Zao wanted to protect her son but Qiao Xinyi stirred the pot, saying “spare the rod and spoil the child,” which made Zheng Youliang even angrier—he hit both Zhang Zao and Zheng Dahe.

They had nowhere to dodge. They hurriedly called Zheng Dajiang, who had already jumped aside, to stop Zheng Youliang.

Hearing this, Zheng Dajiang replied bluntly, “I didn’t steal the money. Fourth Son is sixteen and still steals money—he deserves to be hit. I don’t care about your nonsense; I’ve got stuff to do!”

After saying that, Zheng Dajiang ran out of the main room, eager to go to the county town and tell Liu Yun the news.

As for Mom and the little brothers getting beaten—since he wasn’t hit and it wasn’t his pain, and since Dad wasn’t going to kill them, what’s the big deal about a few hits?

Zheng Dahe cried and cursed, “It’s all Mom’s fault! You give Third Brother money whenever he asks! If you hadn’t refused to give me money, why would I have to steal?”

“Dad and Mom are so biased toward Third Brother, saying when I get into college and succeed, I’ll take care of them. You’re so unfair. When you die, don’t expect me to even break a plate for you! You give money to Third Brother, so go ask Third Brother to support you!”

Having finally vented words bottled up for a long time, Zheng Dahe pushed Zhang Zao aside and ran off alone.

“This is crazy! He’s gone crazy!” Zheng Youliang felt a surge of rage shoot straight to his head.