Chapter 223: Borrowing Money
Shao Qihai stood in the courtyard for a while. Just as he was about to go do something, he saw Eldest Brother Shao cowering at the door.
Shao Qihai pretended not to see. Zhao Lan and Eldest Brother Shao were undoubtedly there to ask for forgiveness or something to that effect. However, what they had done wasn’t something that could be forgiven.
When Eldest Brother Shao saw that Shao Qihai was ignoring him, he looked at the female workers in the courtyard. In the end, he was too ashamed to enter.
Eldest Brother Shao didn’t enter because of that. On the other hand, Shao Qiyun suddenly came back and brought some snacks with her. Unlike what she had always done, this time, she didn’t give the snacks to Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xǐ but waited for Shao Dong and his siblings to return from school and gave them to them.
“Little Dong, this is the fruit candy Aunt bought for you. You kids can split it among yourselves.”
Shao Dong didn’t take it. “No need. Candy causes tooth decay.”
Shao Qiyun’s face stiffened. Just as she was about to say something, the five kids entered. The stiff smile on Shao Qiyun’s face as she squatted on the ground completely collapsed.
Xiao Wu was walking in the back. When he saw the viciousness on her face, he quickly ran, taking a few steps forward.
Shao Qiyun took a deep breath and followed him in. She found Shao Qihai and said, “Second Brother, this is the fruit candy I bought for Little Dong and the others. I don’t know what Mu Jingzhe said, but they didn’t accept it.”
“You call her Mu Jingzhe?” Shao Qihai glanced at her. “If there’s nothing else, you can leave.”
“It’s ‘Second Sister-In-Law’. I’ll take note in the future.” Shao Qiyun hemmed and hawed. “Second Brother, can you lend me some money?”
“Lend you money?” Shao Qihai thought to himself, ‘Indeed.’
“No.”
“I don’t want to borrow much. Second Brother, please help me. I only need 2,000 yuan. Please save me…”
“Only need 2,000 yuan? You’re really capable, huh.” How many people had to work really hard to earn that much money? “2,000? You think that’s a small amount, but to me, it’s not. I don’t have it.”
“Second Brother, I know you have it. Just lend it to me. I’ll pay you back later…”
“I don’t believe you. You’ve only ever taken but never given back. I can’t lend you any money again, nor do I care about you anymore.”
When Shao Qiyun saw how merciless Shao Qihai was, she was hateful and anxious. “Second Brother, you can’t leave me alone. I’m begging you, Second Brother, please help me this time. Otherwise, I’ll be finished…”
“You’ll have to bear the consequences of your own actions.”
Shao Qihai was determined to wash his hands off of Shao Qiyun. It was useless no matter what Shao Qiyun said. She was furious. “Why won’t you lend it to me? On Mu Jingzhe’s birthday, you guys prepared chicken, lamb, ham, and a cake for her. It was such a grand affair. But when it comes to your own sister, you won’t even lend her money to save her life. How could you do this…”
“Because you’re not worthy.” Shao Qihai interrupted her directly. “If you don’t want me to say something nasty, get lost now.”
Shao Qiyun walked out with a face full of hatred. She happened to see Xiao Wu standing outside the door, playing the harmonica. Shao Qihai had bought this harmonica for Xiao Wu, and Xiao Wu had been playing this instrument with great interest lately.
The melody of the harmonica was cheerful and pleasant to listen to, but Shao Qiyun couldn’t listen to it at all. She saw Xiao Wu playing the harmonica with a small drum on his waist, clad in new clothes and new shoes. His little face was fair and tender, and it was obvious that he was well taken care of.
But all these things cost money!
Shao Qiyun stared intently at Xiao Wu before she walked over and told him, “Give me the money your mother saved for you.”
Upon seeing Shao Qiyun looking at him with a dark expression, Xiao Wu took a step back but shook his head firmly. “No.”
After rejecting her, he wanted to run, but he was a step too late. Shao Qiyun grabbed him by the collar and pulled him over. She glared at him. “How dare you not give it to me? I told you to give it to me, and you will do as I say!”
She pushed him fiercely twice. “Did you hear that!”
The harmonica in Xiao Wu’s hand fell to the ground, but he continued to shake his head. “No!”
Shao Qiyun’s eyes turned sharp. She raised her hand to hit Xiao Wu. With a change in countenance, Xiao Wu raised his fist and punched Shao Qiyun’s nose. As soon as Shao Qiyun let go of him in pain, he fled. “Mommy, Brother, save me!”
Xiao Wu’s voice was very loud, and Shao Qihai heard it. He ran out and saw Shao Qiyun fiercely going after the fleeing Xiao Wu.
Shao Qihai’s expression changed. He went over to hug Xiao Wu and kicked away Shao Qiyun, who was cursing and grabbing him. “Shao Qiyun, you’re courting death!”
Shao Qiyun had a nosebleed after being punched by Xiao Wu. She was filled with wrath, but she finally came back to her senses after hearing Shao Qihai’s furious shout.
“Second Brother…”
“What are you trying to do?”
Shao Qiyun’s body stiffened. “I just wanted to borrow… borrow money…”
“Get lost. If I see you touch Xiao Wu again, I won’t let you off.” Shao Qihai picked up Xiao Wu’s harmonica and carried him back. Shao Qiyun’s body trembled slightly. There was unwillingness in her eyes, but she didn’t dare move.
Shao Qihai carried Xiao Wu back and examined him carefully. “Does it hurt anywhere?”
“I’m fine.” Xiao Wu shook his head and ran over to Shao Dong. He held Shao Dong’s hand and looked at Shao Qihai.
Shao Qihai returned the harmonica to Xiao Wu. “Don’t be afraid.”
Shao Dong took it from him. “Wait for me to disinfect it.” Then, he led Xiao Wu to the room. “Go back to the room and take off your clothes. Let me see if anything’s broken. Shao Qiyun has never liked you and she went crazy this time. I need to make sure you haven’t suffered any injuries.”
When Shao Qihai heard this, his expression darkened even more. He got up and went out. Upon hearing the commotion, he went next door. No one knew what he’d said to Shao Qiyun, but Zhao Lan’s voice was heard for a while. Then, there was no response.
That day, Shao Qiyun seemed to leave the village.
When Mu Jingzhe came back and heard that Shao Qiyun had threatened Xiao Wu, she rolled up her sleeves, wanting to beat her up, but she didn’t find her.
Soon, Ji Buw.a.n.g’s birthday arrived.
It was only shortly after Mu Jingzhe’s birthday. Mu Jingzhe remembered that she wanted to return the favor and help Ji Buw.a.n.g celebrate his birthday.
With Little Jingzhe keeping him company every day, life was alright for Ji Buw.a.n.g. Every time he felt depressed at the thought of Shao Qihai and Mu Jingzhe living in the same house, he felt a little comforted by looking at Little Jingzhe.
Previously, Ji Buw.a.n.g hadn’t really looked forward to his birthday, but this time, he wanted Mu Jingzhe to give him a gift and celebrate with him. This was the first time he felt a great sense of antic.i.p.ation for his birthday.
Afraid that Mu Jingzhe wouldn’t know, he first gave hints to Xiao Wu so that he could remind Mu Jingzhe. Then, to be sure, he even asked the butler to hint at her to give him a gift. This way, Mu Jingzhe would know without a hitch.
Mu Jingzhe found it funny, but she really prepared for the occasion with all her heart. Firstly, she brought the pheasants that hadn’t been slaughtered on her birthday, as they’d ended up eating the one Ji Buw.a.n.g had brought over, to Ji Buw.a.n.g’s house.
They had been raised at home and tasted very good. After doing that, remembering that Ji Buw.a.n.g quite liked the mutton, she went to buy a lamb and also gave this to Ji Buw.a.n.g.
These things were all sent over together. When Ji Buw.a.n.g received them, he was a little reluctant to slaughter them.
“Then we won’t eat them today. Let’s raise them. This little sheep is very pretty. Look at how smart its eyes are. Look at that rooster. It looks so impressive. The hen is also very gentle.”
The two chickens were one male and one female—a pair. How rare was that?
Mu Jingzhe said helplessly, “But they’re not pets. It’s not very convenient to raise them, is it?”
“Yes, it’s convenient,” Ji Buw.a.n.g immediately replied. They were a gift from Jingzhe, so how could he bear to eat them? He had to raise them!
No longer feeling surprised, Uncle Li resigned himself to fate and pulled the chickens and sheep into the back garden.