The old wooden door was opened by Liu Fang, leading into a courtyard that was clean, with so tools piled in the corner. Moonlight spilled in, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. Liu Fang skillfully turned on the light in the yard and took things down from the dining cart. Luo Zheng hurriedly helped, and everyone placed the things on a table to the side.
Liu Fang led everyone into the main room, turning on the light and apologetically saying, "The house is a bit shabby, please don't mind." She took out a long bench, wiped it with a towel, and placed it in an open area, continuing to say, "Please sit, you must be hungry? I'll make you sothing to eat."
"No need, sis-in-law, sit down. I have sothing to say," Luo Zheng quickly said.
"Who's that night?" A middle-aged woman ca out from the inner room, cursing in dissatisfaction. Upon seeing who it was, she yelled even more discontentedly, "You shaless woman, going out at night picking up n is one thing, but bringing them ho, and two at that. Aren't you embarrassed? Want dead so you can remarry, do you? No way."
Luo Zheng saw who it was and guessed it was Hai Zi's mom, just like the community police had said. He looked at Liu Fang with so sympathy. Liu Fang seed accustod, sowhat apologetically saying to Luo Zheng, "My mom isn't fully recovered and was a bit provoked, please don't mind."
"Not at all," Luo Zheng quickly replied.
"Oh? Son, who beat you up like this? I'll find them!" The middle-aged woman spotted her son's bloody mouth and got furious, rushing over in two or three steps, examining her son with a pained expression, angrily shouting, "Old man, your son's been beaten, get out here quick."
"Coming," a middle-aged man's voice ca from the inner room. Shortly, a man in pajamas appeared, looking sowhat frail, not in good health. Seeing Luo Zheng and Shi Feng, he exclaid in surprise, "And who are you two?"
"I'm Hai Zi's comrade," Luo Zheng imdiately introduced himself.
"Oh, hello, have a seat. The house is a ss, forgive us. Liu Fang, do we still have food? Please make so." The middle-aged man said politely.
"No need, you sit," Luo Zheng quickly responded, glancing around before continuing, "Everyone take a seat, I have sothing to say. And you, how co you haven't helped your mom sit yet? If you weren't Hai Zi's brother, I'd give you a beating."
"Beat if you dare," the young man shouted angrily, standing his ground.
"Looking for a fight?" Luo Zheng's temper flared up as he coldly shouted, "Are you still a man? Leaving a whole house for a woman to handle, shaming your brother, now sit down." An aura of unexplained hostility emanated, laced with a faint scent of blood.
The young man had never encountered such hostility and was startled. He quickly helped his mother to sit down, staring stubbornly yet apprehensively at Luo Zheng without speaking. Luo Zheng, not expecting the kid to have so guts, cald a bit and turned to Hai Zi's father, saying, "Uncle, I have a matter to discuss with you."
"Go ahead, what is it?" Hai Zi's dad, recognizing Luo Zheng as soone not to be trifled with, asked.
"Sister-in-law has suffered a lot here. You're a reasonable person. I'd like to take her away. Here's three hundred thousand, for your family expenses. Would you agree?" Luo Zheng looked at Liu Fang sincerely as he spoke.
"What? No way, I knew you were that foul woman's lover. No chance," Hai Zi's mother suddenly erupted, voicing her displeasure.
Luo Zheng recognized the middle-aged woman had been emotionally disturbed, so he didn't mind, instead looking at Hai Zi's father. Hai Zi's father didn't imdiately respond to Luo Zheng's proposal, but after looking at Liu Fang, he turned back to Luo Zheng and said, "If there's a better opportunity, I naturally won't object. But, how can I trust you?"
"Dad, I'm not going anywhere," Liu Fang said emotionally.
"Uncle, here's my work ID," Shi Feng stepped forward, handing his ID to Hai Zi's father. Hai Zi's father, after a glance, skeptically looked at Shi Feng and asked worriedly, "You're a policeman? And him, is he still serving in the military, planning to take Liu Fang to the army?"
"No, to Beijing, I'll arrange a job," Shi Feng promptly clarified.
"Well, this child has been burdened by us, if there's a way out, it's good," Hai Zi's father said with emotion, handing back the work ID and thought for a mont before asking, "But how can I trust you? There're too many scamrs nowadays, who can verify your identities?"
"You're right, and if I'm not mistaken, soon so local officials and police should arrive. You know them, ask them and see if we're fake," Shi Feng nonchalantly laughed, clearly unfazed by this kind of doubt, dismissing Hai Zi's father's concerns.
"If that's the case, it's not a bad thing," Hai Zi's father looked at Liu Fang and continued, "Child, it's unfair to you. If their identity checks out, go with them. We can't hold you back forever; you're young, find another destination. With this money, our later years are secure, don't worry, go without concern."
"Dad, I?" Liu Fang, looking panic-stricken, didn't know what to say.
"Enough, no more talking, it's decided," Hai Zi's father said seriously.
"No way, I said no ans no," Hai Zi's mother leapt up, shouting.
"Mom," the young man suddenly called, holding his mother, softly comforting her, "Mom, let sis-in-law go. If she doesn't, the money won't be ours. Without money, how'll you get a daughter-in-law? Right? Co on, I'll help you back to rest."
Hai Zi's mother, surprisingly, didn't argue after hearing the young man's words and obediently followed him back to the inner room. Luo Zheng watched the young man coldly, not expecting such greed, frowning and feeling it was unjust for Hai Zi. He glanced at Liu Fang, noticing her looking pensive with a heavy heart, sighed quietly—bearing such a family is indeed tough. Every family has its struggle.
Shortly after, the young man ca out. Luo Zheng looked at him disdainfully, observing as he suddenly knelt in front of Liu Fang with a plop, kowtowing three tis vigorously, his emotions high as he said, "Sis-in-law, I'm sorry. I've behaved like a beast. Today's events opened my eyes—I've thought I lived fiercely but it's all bullshit. From now on, I'll be a good person. You're still young, go with them, we can't hold you back forever. I beg you, take this compensation as it's yours properly justified, I can't take a penny. You take it all; otherwise, I couldn't face my brother. It's my turn to carry this family."
"Get up, you shouldn't," Liu Fang was astonished and hurried to help the young man up.
User Comments
0 comments from readers