Chapter 29: Not One to Suffer Losses 

Eldest Zhao slammed the table, looking at the old man with bitter disappointment. “Father, Mother, you’ve been deceived! He must have been colluding with Zhao Shunzi long ago, securing that profitable bamboo shoot business. He just wanted to shake us off and get rich on his own! And now, you’ve gone and given him exactly what he wanted!” 

The bowl in the old man’s hand trembled, nearly slipping to the ground. “Eldest, are you telling the truth?” 

“What do you think? Have you ever known Third Brother to willingly suffer losses? Was he ever willing to split the family before? Did he not know full well he had no sons? Just look at what he’s done since the division!” 

Old Master Zhao’s heart sank to the depths. That damned brat had played him for a fool! 

“Father, the family division can’t stand. We have to drag him back. If nothing else, we must force him to cough up the method for removing the bitterness from the bamboo shoots. That technique is a golden goose—it’ll keep laying eggs for us!”

The old man muttered to himself, “Would he agree?” 

What he had thought was shaking off a burden turned out to be falling right into his trap. 

The old man was sick with regret. 

The division agreement had already been filed with the authorities, and Zhao Dashu had even separated his household registration. Who the hell had advised him to set up his own household? 

When he had demanded to split off, the old man had been overjoyed—finally cutting all ties, ensuring that Eldest Zhao wouldn’t have to suffer his freeloading anymore. But now…

“Second Brother, after dinner, you go and summon him. Tell him I’ve returned and want to see him. Once he’s here, we’ll all persuade him together. Even if he refuses to come back, we must pry the secret of the bamboo shoots out of him. Understood?” 

Heaven knew how badly he needed silver now. Though he earned a living teaching in the county town, his expenses were high. Over the years, what he had squeezed from the old family home and saved up himself had been stretched thin after secretly buying a house. 

With a new servant at home, his son’s tuition fees, his usual social engagements, and the need to grease palms to curry favor with those above him—all of it had to be abandoned for lack of silver. 

If not for poverty, why would he have ever schemed against Third Brother’s daughter in the first place? And now, just because he’d found a way to make money, he thought he could shake them off? Not a chance! 

A man with no heirs—what did he even need silver for?

The old man and his wife nodded in agreement, and the others quickly chimed in their support. 

At the Liu Family’s House 

“Dashu, your family’s old master is back home. Aren’t you going to pay him a visit, pour him some tea, and dutifully wait on him?” Liu Shunzi teased. 

Zhao Dashu kicked him lightly. “Get lost! Thanks for taking me in, Brother Liu. Should I pour ‘you’ a cup of tea to show my gratitude?” 

“By all means, by all means!” Liu Shunzi grinned, crossing his legs and lounging like a pompous elder.

“Alright, enough joking. The bamboo shoots are pretty much all harvested. I’m planning to move to the Village Chief’s old house the day after tomorrow.” 

“Really leaving?” Truth be told, Liu Shunzi didn’t want him to go. It had been lively living together, and though Zhao Dashu’s daughter was a bit of a glutton, her cooking skills were undeniably amazing. 

The thought of having to eat his own wife’s “hog slop” from now on made Liu Shunzi shudder. Without comparison, there’d be no misery—but after being spoiled with good food, his palate had grown picky. 

He looked at Zhao Dashu with envy. “Dashu, what do you think about pairing your Zhenyu with my Fugui?” If she could marry his into the family, his meals for the rest of his life would be secured. And since they knew each other so well, he’d definitely treat her like his own daughter. 

Zhao Dashu leapt to his feet. ‘Damn it, I treat you like a brother, and you’re actually eyeing my daughter?!’ How could that dimwit Fugui ever be worthy of his girl? His Zhenyu had even caught the attention of an immortal!

“Keep dreaming. Your Fugui isn’t worthy of my daughter.” 

Liu Shunzi choked back his words. Over the past few days, he’d come to realize that his friend’s household was practically run by that little girl. Sure, she was a glutton, but she had a sharp mind and handled things methodically. Rumor had it she was the one who negotiated the bamboo shoot business and came up with the whole idea. Compared to his own blockhead son, who did nothing but chase chickens and tease dogs, she was leagues ahead. 

‘Men compared to men die, goods compared to goods get tossed.’ Even he had to admit his own son wasn’t fit for her. 

But still… ‘Couldn’t you at least sugarcoat it a little? Save me some face?’ 

Watching his friend turn green with speechless frustration, Zhao Dashu swelled with pride. His daughter had made it clear—her marriage would be her own decision. And judging by her standards? Fugui didn’t stand a chance!

“You planning to stay in the Village Chief’s old place for good? That rundown shack might be slightly better than what the old man gave you, but surviving winter there won’t be easy. Why not just build a new house? I’ve got some extra silver on hand lately—thanks to you—so you can use it first.” What was supposed to be thirty copper coins had inexplicably doubled, and both he and his wife felt guilty taking the money. 

Zhao Dashu was touched. ‘This is what brothers are for—real loyalty.’ “What do you mean ‘gave you’? That’s what you rightfully earned. Keep it. Your own place needs repairs too, and I can tell winter won’t be kind to you either. I’ve got silver saved up. Once things settle down, I’ll go to the Village Chief, buy land, and build a house!” 

Thinking of the silver in his—no, ‘his daughter’s’—pocket, Zhao Dashu swelled with ambition. His daughter had declared: ‘If we’re building, we’re building the best.’ 

And whatever his daughter said? Well, she was always right! They ‘would’ build something grand, something to make the old man green with envy. 

Liu Shunzi started nagging again. “If you’re short, just say the word. Start with a few mud-brick rooms for now—at least you’ll have a roof of your own. Once you’ve saved up enough, you can build something proper later.”

Zhao Dashu’s nostrils flared with a snort. ‘Who does he think he’s looking down on? Just wait till I build my house—I’ll shock him speechless!’ 

“Zhenyu’s father, Second Brother is here to see you!” Madam Song rushed in, flustered, her face pale at the sight of Second Zhao. ‘What are they here for? To cause trouble? And in the Liu family’s home, no less!’ 

Liu Shunzi smirked mockingly. “Probably the great master has returned and wants an audience with you. Doesn’t the opera always say, ‘Uncourted kindness hides treachery’? Dashu, be careful—they’re definitely up to no good.” 

Hearing this, Madam Song grew even more anxious, her eyes darting nervously to her husband. “Should… should our daughter go with you?” 

Liu Shunzi: ‘”…”‘ 

(‘Is she suggesting the kid go as backup?’) 

Zhao Dashu waved a hand. “No need. Let’s see what tricks they’ve got this time.” He strode out, shoulders squared—ready to face whatever scheme the old man had cooked up. 

After all, with his daughter’s wits and his own stubbornness, what did he have to fear?

‘Honestly, you two—do you even remember who the elders are here?’ 

“Relax, don’t you know me by now? Since when have I ever let myself get shortchanged?” 

Zhao Dashu was never picky—he’d eat anything, except ‘losses’. 

“Madam Song, ‘he’s’ the head of your household,” Liu Shunzi said pointedly. 

Pursing her lips, Madam Song fell silent. 

(‘Fine. But if they try anything, I’m sending Zhenyu in anyway.’)