Liu’s unfinished words were choked in her throat by Zheng Wei’s few syllables, her face contorted as if constipated.
“How dare you speak to your mother like that?” Zhu Baoping retorted, neck stiff, shouting at Zheng Wei.
Zheng Wei scoffed, “I don’t have that kind of fortune.”
Shen Xiaoyan found it strange. No fortune? What fortune?
Looking at Liu, then at Zhu Baoping, and then at Zheng Wei, Shen Xiaoyan slowly realized what Zheng Wei meant by “no fortune.”
Choked by Zheng Wei’s retort, Liu remained silent for a long time, and silence fell upon the room.
Zhu Kaishan sighed, looking at Zheng Wei. He hadn’t wanted to come.
Although he had saved Zheng Wei’s life, he had reaped rewards over the years, otherwise, how could he have this current life?
But then he looked at his wife, his sons, and his daughters-in-law. They were all like jealous crows, as if Zheng Wei owed them something.
“Enough. Everyone go back. From now on, don’t come unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Zhu Kaishan said, waving his hand and leading the way outside.
“No, Father, how can you just leave like this? Shouldn’t we at least help Fifth Brother warm up his new house?” Zhu Yongxiang said with a smile, stepping forward.
As he spoke, Zhu Yongxiang walked up to Zheng Wei and raised his right hand, intending to clap him on the shoulder.
Zheng Wei subtly dodged, took a few steps back, and sat on the edge of the kang. Only then did he speak, “It’s time we had a talk among ourselves.”
Seeing that his family members were not listening to him, and his son was directly confronting Zheng Wei, Zhu Kaishan’s face turned grim.
However, upon hearing Zheng Wei’s words, he swallowed the scolding he was about to deliver and sat down on a nearby round stool, waiting for Zheng Wei to speak.
Zheng Wei’s gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally landing on Zhu Kaishan.
After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Zheng Wei withdrew his gaze.
“You saved my life. That is a fact.”
Although he didn’t name anyone, it was clear he was speaking to Zhu Kaishan. The Zhu family was clearly accustomed to Zheng Wei not using titles when speaking to them, so no one answered. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Zheng Wei.
“As the old saying goes, repay kindness. You saved my life, so I owe you one.”
As soon as Zheng Wei finished speaking, the eyes of the Zhu family lit up.
Zheng Wei didn’t pause and continued, “But you also gained benefits from me back then. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be living this current life. These past few years, all my hunting income has been given to you. I feel I don’t owe you anything, do you agree?”
Zhu Kaishan was speechless. He hadn’t felt that Zheng Wei owed him anything in the first place.
“How can you count it like this? How much is a life worth? What’s a little money?” Zhu Yongxiang scoffed.
“Oh?” Zheng Wei’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice turned somewhat cold, “That’s fine then. You give me the money, and I’ll return the life to you.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei in surprise. What was he doing?
Not only Shen Xiaoyan was surprised, but the Zhu family also hadn’t expected Zheng Wei to say something like this. Was he tired of living?
“What’s wrong? You don’t agree?” Zheng Wei asked again, looking at the silent Zhu family.
“You surnamed Zheng, don’t think you can just be a scoundrel. No matter what, my father is your life-saving benefactor,” Zhu Yongfu threatened sinisterly.
Zheng Wei made no comment. He had never thought of denying that fact, but if the Zhu family wanted to use it to threaten him and disrupt his life, he wouldn’t be polite.
Thinking this, Zheng Wei’s aura suddenly intensified. Although he was still sitting there calmly, everyone present felt his difference.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Although Zheng Wei was a hunter and must have killed many beasts, the killing intent he exuded at this moment was not something a person who had only hunted beasts would possess.
This feeling was like those people she had seen in her previous life, or rather, like her in her previous life. It was a killing intent that could only be accumulated from killing countless people.
“Then what do you want?”
It was a light question, but to Zhu Yongfu, it sounded like a threat, yet different from ordinary threats.
It was as if if he said one contradictory word, Zheng Wei could kill him.
Swallowing, Zhu Yongfu awkwardly turned his neck. He didn’t want to admit that he was scared by Zheng Wei.
But as he turned his head, he discovered that everyone beside him was also full of fear.
Looking at their reactions, a hint of sarcasm flashed in the depths of Zheng Wei’s eyes, followed by understanding.
“Alright. I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ve also returned what I owed you. From now on, don’t consider yourselves my family. We are even.”
Perhaps thinking of something, Zheng Wei’s tone returned to its usual calm, with a slight chill.
Zhu Baoping clearly did not agree with this outcome. She had been planning to get some money from Zheng Wei as her dowry.
However, even if she disagreed, it was no use. Zhu Kaishan had already stood up.
He didn’t look at Zheng Wei but said to Liu, “Did you hear that? From now on, live your life honestly and enjoy your blessings.”
After speaking, Zhu Kaishan strode outside. Liu quickly followed.
Liu’s steps were quick, as if someone were chasing her. If she could, she would have flown out.
Clearly, the Zheng Wei from earlier had terrified her.
Zhu Yongxiang and his brothers exchanged glances. In the end, they could only follow and walk outside. Although their hearts were full of unwillingness, there was nothing they could do. Their parents had left, so what right did they have to trouble Zheng Wei?
Even though they were filled with resentment and their well-laid plans at home had come to nothing, and they had to leave dejectedly, there would be no more opportunities.
Thinking that they had no connection with this courtyard, a pang struck their hearts. They could only stride out, out of sight, out of mind.
Zheng Wei also followed them out. After the last member of the Zhu family left the gate, he closed it tightly.
Shen Xiaoyan had no desire to ask any questions. They didn’t speak, and together with Shen Xiaoming, they cleaned the house.
The dishes, bowls, tables, and chairs had already been taken away. The two cooks and their young apprentice had been paid and sent away.
By the time the cleanup was finished, it was already getting dark.
Because she had been busy at noon, Shen Xiaoyan had hardly eaten anything. Now she stir-fried some small dishes and cooked porridge. The three of them ate dinner with the steamed buns from noon.
After dinner, Shen Xiaoyan boiled hot water and prepared the bath for Shen Xiaoming. She instructed him to go to bed early after his bath and then returned to the main room.
In the washroom of the east room of the main house, Zheng Wei had just finished bathing and walked out.
He was wearing an undergarment made of fine cotton cloth. As he looked up towards the kang, he saw that Shen Xiaoyan was already lying there.