Not only Zhao Baoren and his brother were discussing this matter at home.
Even Shen Yun’s maternal uncles’ two brothers were muttering to themselves.
“Big brother, what is Yun Ge’er thinking? They still owe so little, why aren’t he and his wife saying anything?” Zhao Erhu was somewhat dissatisfied.
He had actually wanted to join Zhao Baoyi’s group back then. Their family didn’t have much grain either, alas, who would complain about not having enough grain? Back then, everyone thought that they owed more and others owed less, so Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi would definitely not be approved. It was bound to cause a scene. For their own dignity, they felt it was better not to be deliberately harsh on others. But they never expected that after the repayment, no one from the Shen family, whether Su Xiaoqi or Shen Yun, said anything. Now, thinking about the significant loss of grain, they regretted it.
Zhao Dashan, however, saw things clearly and gave a cold, disdainful glance, saying, “A good loan, a good repayment, makes future borrowing easy. Those people may not understand this principle, but surely you do? Do you think your nephew’s scholar husband is stupid, or your nephew’s wife is foolish?”
Zhao Dashan did not believe that the couple, who appeared so shrewd and capable, would be tricked by the imbeciles of the village. How could that be? Zhao Dashan had realized it when it came to building houses. Neither his nephew Shen Yun nor his nephew’s wife were foolish people. Firstly, the blueprint they provided was something he had never seen before in all his years of building houses for others. Although it looked simple, it was filled with ingenious ideas. They even built the privy within the courtyard but dug a cesspit far away, connected by a stone channel. The septic tank was then tightly sealed with stones to prevent odors from escaping. This was far better than their practice of building privies far outside. It was evident that their vision was on a completely different level.
Coupled with their handling of his third daughter and sixth brother’s affairs. Speaking of this, Zhao Dashan’s face showed a touch of melancholy. He looked at Qian Shi, who was walking towards him, his square face etched with displeasure.
“Old man, hurry up and go to the Shen family to get back the extra grain we gave them,” Qian Shi said matter-of-factly.
“Get it back? Does the Shen family owe you anything?” Zhao Dashan sneered.
Many things were done by Qian Shi behind his back. When Xiao Zhu was bullied by the snatchers, he originally intended to bring her back and take good care of her. If she couldn’t get married, they would raise her for the rest of her life. But as soon as he went out to work, upon returning, he found that Qian Shi was actually forcing her to death. Fortunately, his nephew’s family saved Xiao Zhu, preventing him from losing a daughter in his middle age. Xiao Zhu wasn’t dead, but Qian Shi wouldn’t let her come back either. He had argued with Qian Shi about this matter before, but later he tacitly allowed her to stay with the Shen family. This was because even if Xiao Zhu returned to their home, he couldn’t protect her. He was afraid that as soon as he went out, Qian Shi would cause more trouble and get rid of her. It was better for her to stay with the Shen family.
This was also his nephew’s wish. He had originally been worried that his wife would not agree. Unexpectedly, Shen Yun told him that it was his wife’s idea to let Xiao Zhu stay with the Shen family from the beginning. He could hardly believe it, but the facts were indeed so. Moreover, Zhao Dashan was not completely neglecting Zhao Xiao Zhu. When Zhao Xiao Zhu was staying at home, he would often visit the Shen family to see her. He would also secretly bring food from home to give to her. However, upon seeing that Zhao Xiao Zhu ate better and wore better clothes at the Shen family’s, and that she was more rosy and healthy, he no longer dared to send her coarse-grained steamed buns. After all, they ate white rice and fine flour every meal, with meat at every meal. Seeing Xiao Zhu living well was a blessing in disguise.
Zhao Dashan’s heart softened, and he quickly forgave Qian Shi. But soon, the matter of his sixth brother occurred. They had initially all kept it from him that it was Qian Shi’s words that provoked his sixth brother, causing him to hang himself. Only after the man was gone did he find out. He also severely reprimanded Qian Shi. This was the second time he had lost his temper with Qian Shi after the incident with Xiao Zhu. In the past, he had always been good-natured, which allowed Qian Shi to become oblivious to her place. This time, even his own father, who was even gentler than him, was angry. In the past, father and son always thought that pigs quarreled over sales and people quarreled over losses, and that a harmonious family was prosperous. But with one incident after another, Zhao Dashan realized that if Qian Shi was allowed to continue to make trouble, their family would fall apart. A person who could not tolerate her own flesh and blood, whom could she be expected to tolerate?
“Old man, what are you saying? I understand. Now that you’ve helped them build a house, your heart has gone with them. You don’t have us family members in your heart anymore.” Qian Shi said, about to cry. She had always been good at putting on a show. She acted one way in front of Zhao Dashan and another way behind his back. Otherwise, Zhao Dashan would not have believed her for over twenty years.
“Stop putting on airs. If you can live, then live. If you can’t, then go back.” Zhao Dashan was furious, shook off Qian Shi’s hand, and turned away.
“Hey, hey, old man, what are you saying, what are you saying? Heartless! I devoted myself to planning for you father and son. I, I, what have I done wrong? I can’t live like this.” Qian Shi couldn’t catch up to Zhao Dashan. Seeing Zhao Erhu at the other end of the courtyard, she covered her face and began to wail. She said that she had wholeheartedly considered this family, but she didn’t expect her elder brother to treat her like this. The couple, married for over twenty years, had never quarreled. Now, he was shouting at her for unrelated people, saying she would not live.
Qian Shi spoke with emotion, but it was all just talk. She would not bear to die. She had just gotten her hands on the money Shen Yun paid Zhao Dashan for building the house. This time, with the grain harvest, selling the grain would bring in another sum of money. Now, apart from the old man of the family, she had driven away most of the freeloaders. She had only just begun to taste a good life. How could she bear to give it up?
In early July, Zhao Shi, accompanied by Shen Yun, went to the City God Temple. She found a Taoist priest inside to calculate an auspicious day for moving. On the third of July, it was auspicious to move. The whole family finally moved out of that dilapidated thatched hut and moved into the new house. Su Xiaoqi looked at the spacious courtyard and the neat rooms. The furniture inside still exuded the smell of fresh paint. She had intended to let it air out for longer, but as Old Yu Shi had said, the rainy season in Mianzhou City had arrived. For the past two days, there had only been a drizzling rain. The rain was light, but the thatch on the woodshed side could not withstand it anymore. A large area became wet. Therefore, they had to hurry to move. Now, here were blue brick and tile houses, spacious and sheltering from wind and rain, safe and sound.
Soon, a very urgent downpour arrived, lasting for days, followed by intermittent showers, which continued for nearly ten days. The old thatched hut where the Shen family had lived, due to lack of maintenance, had a half-collapsed wall. Old Yu Shi and Zhao Shi were just glad that their family had moved out. If they were still living inside, they would have been crushed. A brick the size of a mud brick falling on them would have at least crippled them, if not killed them. The thought alone was terrifying. At the same time, they were also grateful that they had finally moved into a new house.
Before this wave of relief had passed, Qian Shi came to their door. She had actually been unable to hold back for a long time. However, because it had been raining continuously these days, and the road from the village center to the end of the village was not paved with bluestone slabs, it was muddy and impassable, so she had endured and not visited. Today, the rain had finally stopped, and she came immediately. Upon arrival, she clamored for Shen Yun to compensate her for the house. Before moving, Shen Yun had already informed Zhao Dashan, and the handover had been completed. At that time, Zhao Dashan’s intention was to not keep the thatched hut. After all, their family’s house was considered among the best in the village. However, the land on which the house was built was to be kept. The location was good, and it could be reserved for his treasure in the future. Unexpectedly, Qian Shi came to their door to talk about this matter. She even shouted that when they lived there the house was fine, but as soon as they moved out it collapsed, which was clearly their intentional disruption. She claimed their whole family was ungrateful and had wolf-like hearts.
Qian Shi’s mouth was like a sharp needle. It wouldn't be satisfied unless it pierced people all over. Fortunately, Su Xiaoqi knew her well. She knew that dealing with her meant not taking her seriously. No matter what she said, it was best to ignore her. After she had finished scolding and venting, and failed to achieve her goal, she would leave. Just like now, after she had vented her anger and saw that Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi hadn’t even looked at her, she felt it was meaningless and thought about going back and coming another day. But then she thought about how, ever since their family moved into their new home, she had come several times and hadn’t gotten anything. She couldn’t help but feel resentful and resolved to get something back, or else she would stay at the Shen family’s.