21-30

Chapter 20

Before arriving at the pier, I saw Old Wu standing there from a distance.

"Boy Fang." Old Wu saw him as if he were his own son: "You're here."

"Uncle, I'm sorry," Fang Zichen walked a little faster, not making excuses, but telling the truth: "I got up late today."

"It's okay," Lao Wu took him to the cabin: "You just need to reconcile the accounts today."

The ship steward didn't say anything when he saw that he was late, handed him the account book, and went to see the work.

The two account books look very thick, but in fact it doesn't take much time to calculate them. They only involve the financial situation of the past two months. The loan, income and expenditure are not as troublesome as those of later generations of large companies.

While he settled the accounts, Lao Wu stayed aside, like the warden of a prison guarding the prisoners in the labor camp.

Fang Zichen was very fast. He calculated smaller amounts in his mind. For larger amounts, he calculated them in writing on a piece of paper beside him. Old Wu couldn't understand what he wrote. The words were really strange and crooked, like earthworms crawling, twisting and turning. Twist over.

The words that were actually written on the account book were indeed well written. Yesterday, Fang Zichen said that he entered school at the age of three, but Lao Wu still didn't believe it. Now seeing that he has a solid foundation in calligraphy, and his handwriting is standardized and generous, he immediately believed most of it.

To be able to write with such good handwriting, it would take eight or nine years of hard work.

But...

"Fang Boy," after all, he was asking for help. Old Wu hesitated and said tactfully: "Are you calculating too quickly?"

Fang Zichen turned over the ledger with one hand without raising his head. He counted with one hand: "I'm not happy."

He was not stupid, he knew what Old Wu was worried about: "Uncle, don't worry, I took the money and everything will be done well for you."

Old Wu felt more at ease: " Okay, whether I can still eat this bowl of rice depends on you."

In the evening, the ship steward held two freshly baked account books and looked at them.

I am very satisfied.

Let's not talk about whether the calculation is correct or not. The word alone is well written. When you turn it over, it is clean and neat. It makes people feel much better when looking at it. It doesn't look like Lao Wu, with a black patch here and a cross there.

Those who give money are happy, and those who receive money are also happy.

Fang Zichen was about to get off work, so he went to the dock warehouse for a walk before going back.

In the evening, the Ma family was having dinner.

One table for adults and one for children.

The dishes on the table are simple, one pot of steamed buns, one pot of boiled vegetables, and one pot of fried cabbage.

It looks very rough, but there are a few pieces of fat mixed in and there is enough oil and water, so it is considered a good meal in the village.

Mr. Ma's back teeth are not in good shape as he gets older, and all his front front teeth have fallen out. The wild vegetable buns are so hard that he didn't bite off even a bit in one bite, but his gums are about to bleed.

If I can't eat the wowotou, I'll eat some vegetables, but as soon as I put it in my mouth, I'll vomit again.

The cabbage is almost burnt and smells like smoke.

He dropped his chopsticks, and the others immediately stopped. The children at the next table also looked over.

Ma Dazhuang swallowed the food in his mouth and asked: "Dad, what's wrong?"

Mr. Ma said angrily: "What's wrong? You can't see!"

Ma Dazhuang's face was stern. The old lady came out to smooth things over. She glanced at Li: " Go and cook a bowl of porridge for your father. "

She loves to squeeze the Li family in this family. Madam Ma has relatives at home, so it's hard to do too much. The third child is more protective of the Sun family. She loves her younger son. Naturally, he will give him some face, and he is usually pretty good to Sun.

Mrs. Li was not happy, but she did not dare to disobey.

After she left, Old Man Ma turned to his three sons and asked, "When are you going to get Brother Zhao back?"

Not to mention the daughters-in-law, even he himself felt that it would be better for Brother Zhao to be at home.

Brother Zhao is good at cooking, so he can at least eat what he cooks. If it were his daughters-in-law who cooked it, he would never be full.

During those ten years, Brother Zhao's several daughters-in-law were too lazy to serve him.

We still have to get Brother Zhao back, otherwise there will be no one to do the work at home.

Ma Laosan said: "We have already told the village chief and asked him to come forward for help. He should know..."

There was a bang and someone kicked open the courtyard door.

The main hall of the Ma family is facing the entrance of the courtyard.

The person who came had a piece of grass in his mouth and a wooden stick on his shoulder. He looked arrogant.

"Hey, we're eating!"

"You, what are you doing here?" Mr. Ma pointed at Fang Zichen, whose face looked so bad.

"What do you think?" Fang Zichen walked straight into the room, pulled up a stool and sat down.

At the children's table next door, a young man came out.

"Are you Fang Zichen?"

"Yes, what, you know me?" Fang Zichen looked at him and asked.

The little man stared at Fang Zichen: "You hit my father, do you think I know you?"

Fang Zichen said 'oh', with confusion on his face, and he held the wooden stick in his right hand and slapped it on his left palm: "I It's impossible to hit your father! I never hit people, I usually hit animals."

"

I'll fuck you, you little bastard." Ma Dazhuang cursed and raised the bench. Smashed towards Fang Zichen.

Fang Zichen blocked Ma Dazhuang's kneecap with a wooden stick.

When he was in school, he always acted like a good student and a true academic master. He never committed any crimes in school, and he always wore a stiff uniform, like a nerd.

Later, I pretended to be more in front of my parents, teachers and classmates, and because of my good looks, my body had an air of obedience.

But he also has the passion in his bones that he should have at this age.

He had fought with his second brother, watched Young and Dangerous, and practiced boxing. He was very familiar with how to hit people.

This Ma family didn't learn a lesson either. They were beaten by him last time and they dared to come against him.

Ma Dazhuang was kicked to the ground again. The little man was stunned for two seconds and was about to hit him. Fang Zichen was one step ahead of him and hit the dining table with a wooden stick.

The table cracked in half, the dishes were scattered all over the floor, and the coward rolled to the door.

This sudden move frightened several women into screaming, their voices shrill and harsh. When they saw Fang Zichen frowning at them, fearing that his wooden stick would hit them, they backed away hurriedly, and the little man couldn't help but Dare to move.

This man... looks so cruel.

No wonder the uncle, father, and third uncle all came back with bruises and faces last time, and told them not to provoke Fang Zichen.

It turns out this man is so scary.

"Are you coming again?" Fang Zichen asked.

No one spoke.

It seemed that he was frightened by his sudden move.

Fang Zichen returned to the stool, leaned on the back of the chair, crossed his legs, and looked at them without trace, with no sign of happiness or displeasure on his face,

"I heard that you want to take Brother Zhao back?"

The Ma family didn't People talk quietly. Several children also hid behind their adults, not daring to make a sound.

Fang Zichen put the wooden stick across his legs and moved his fingertips on it little by little: "It was you who came to the door and asked me to marry Brother Zhao. Now it's you who want Brother Zhao back. Give it to you if you want." If you want it, you don't take me seriously, Fang Zichen!"

Ma Laosan is a record-keeper and doesn't dare to show off.

In fact, people in the village are afraid of them, not because they are good at fighting, but mainly because they are brave and have enough momentum. They are afraid of them before they fight. But to put it bluntly, they are just men in the village and have never seen that. With only three acres of land, if they unexpectedly meet someone who is more violent than them, who knows how to show off, they will be afraid at first.

"We were confused at first," he said.

Fang Zichen asked back, "What next."

Ma Laosan was not sure what he meant, and he hesitated: "We don't want your three taels of silver. You, please return Brother Zhao, okay?"

"Our family There is a lot of work here, so someone needs to be there..."

Before he could finish his words, Fang Zichen kicked over the stool at his feet. His cold expression was somewhat incompatible with the people of Xiaohe Village, who were honest, timid and fearful. Instead, he looked a lot like the desperate gangsters in the town who would jump up and chop off your head without even saying a few words.

Ma Laosan and the others trembled uncontrollably and did not dare to say another word.

"What do you think of Brother Zhao? As a slave? Or as your family's cow?"

Ma Laosan simply didn't regard Brother Zhao as a human being. Fang Zichen felt depressed when he heard that. His tone was light but not unpleasant. Show the ruthlessness in it.

"I won't talk nonsense to you. I've brought the money. Bring Brother Zhao's deed of betrayal and divorce certificate."

Mrs. Ma glanced at the old man and saw him nodding, so she had to go back to her room to get them.

Fang Zichen looked at it carefully, folded it up and put it away after confirming it was correct, then took out three taels of silver and threw it on the small table next to him.

Before leaving, he glanced at everyone without saying a word, and then left slowly.

...

Aunt Ma looked at the mess on the ground, the cracked tables and chairs, and the broken bowls and basins, and couldn't help crying: "This little bastard who killed a thousand cuts. I cursed him for giving birth to a son without a butt/eye."

Chapter 21

Fang Zichen came out of Ma's courtyard and found a few people hanging around outside.

There was quite a commotion just now, and the Ma family doesn't live in a remote area. I'm afraid many people heard it.

He even saw a man picking up rice on a plate, obviously coming from the dining table in a hurry.

I am very dedicated to eating melons.

"Boy Fang." Someone greeted him.

Fang Zichen smiled slightly and nodded to the person, becoming the gentle and elegant person he used to be, smelling like a book.

It's true that he hits people hard, but in a sense, he maintains his superficial demeanor quite well.

Although Fang Zichen has lived in Xiaohe Village for nearly a month, he goes to town every day. Several aunts and uncles are not familiar with him, and he doesn't know what to say when greeting him. Fang Zichen excused himself to go home for dinner and left.

"This guy is awesome!" A man looked at his back and exclaimed.

As soon as the real owner left, several people started gossiping.

"It's amazing. I was lying on the wall just now to watch. Good guy, when he hit the stick on Ma's table, it cracked."

"How powerful is this! If I remember correctly, Ma's dining table is in the old house. " You must have bought it from the Feng family! The table is made of very good materials!"

"Why did Mr. Fang come to Ma's house to make trouble today?" asked an uninformed person.

"You don't know yet! I heard from Wang Damei that the family repented and wanted to bring Brother Zhao back to be used as a horse for them!"

"Bah, this whole family is a mess, and they still follow the example of the town's master and his wife. He doesn't care whether he has the fate or not." This man's tone was sour, and you could tell that he wasn't complaining for Brother Zhao, but that he was jealous!

Fang Zichen listened for a while, curled his lips and walked home.

Brother Zhao sat at the door of the courtyard and kept looking at the road.

The good boy lay on his lap and played with his fingers.

It was already dark. Brother Zhao didn't see anyone coming back, so he went to the door and waited. If Fang Zichen hadn't told him last time and saw Liu Lezi and the others sneaking around, he would have gone to the village entrance and squatted. Went.

"Father..." The good boy suddenly shouted, got up from Brother Zhao's lap, opened his hands and rushed out the door.

Brother Zhao stood up, and Fang Zichen's tall figure appeared at the door.

"Oh, you little brat." Fang Zichen didn't hug people well. He held the good boy under his arm like he was carrying a big bag.

The good boy looked up at him with excitement on his face and said, "Father won't come home, so wait for him."

The noodles had been rolled out, and he was waiting for someone to come back and cook them.

Brother Zhao added fire to the stove, and soon the kitchen began to light up.

After he made a good meal, Fang Zichen handed him the deed of betrayal.

Brother Zhao wiped the water stains on his hands, took it but did not open it. He looked at Fang Zichen in confusion.

Fang Zichen smiled at him and motioned for him to see for himself.

The paper was slightly yellowed and neatly folded, but it must have been old and the corners had been gnawed by insects.

As if he suddenly realized something, Brother Zhao's hands suddenly trembled.

"Is this?"

Fang Zichen looked at him: "Your deed of betrayal." As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Brother Zhao was stunned, and then his eyes began to turn red. He stood still, holding the deed of betrayal in his hand. Use force until your fingertips turn white.

Obviously he has never experienced such a thing, but the moment Zhao Geer burst into tears, Fang Zichen inexplicably understood the feeling.

Hate and powerlessness.

This piece of paper seems light and easy to tear, but it is like a heavy chain, wrapped around his neck, trapping Brother Zhao in a horse.

He cannot escape, because no matter where he escapes, this chain will last for a day. , he will not be free for a day.

All the suffering he suffered for more than ten years was due to it.

How can you not hate it!

"Brother Zhao?" Fang Zichen called softly and raised his chin towards the good boy.

The good boy stood by the table, his chin just reached the edge of the table, and from the opposite side only his little head was exposed.

Brother Zhao bought the table from a carpenter's house in the village. It was very cheap because it was broken.

After buying it, Brother Zhao discovered that the table was too high. The boy was young and short, so he had to stand up to eat every meal.

Fang Zichen had laughed at him before, saying that when people stand, their intestines will be stretched, so they can take two more bites when eating.

There were two bags of tears in the eyes of the good boy. He held the chopsticks and refused to eat the noodles. He looked at Brother Zhao with a look on his face, his mouth pouted, and he looked like he was about to cry.

"Don't cry. If you cry, my dear boy will cry too." Fang Zichen said.

Brother Zhao took a deep breath, wiped his face, and waited until the heat in his eyes dissipated, then walked to sit down next to Guaizi, caressed his little face, lowered his head and kissed the top of his hair, and said : "Good boy, Daddy is fine. His face is lumpy. Eat quickly!"

The good boy rubbed his palm and said in a sweet voice, "Daddy, eat it too." After saying that, he looked at Fang Zichen and stood still when he saw someone. At the stove, he ran over to lead someone: "Father, I want to eat too~"

Brother Zhao wanted to sell himself, but Fang Zichen spent three taels of silver to 'bought' it. It should be under his control, but he could wait until he went to bed at night. He handed the deed of sale to Fang Zichen, but Fang Zichen refused to accept it: "Just keep it! When I make enough money, I can get rid of it when I go to the Yamen to apply for household registration and documents."

Keep this harmful thing. The diaphragm should be panicked.

Brother Zhao didn't say anything, and finally said softly: "Okay."

The dock has been very busy in the past few days, and it seems that they are rushing to unload the cargo. They took an hour's break at noon. The ship steward said that whoever wants to work consecutively can get two packages in one hour. A penny.

This is a bit tempting.

With a lot of money, there are brave men. Almost everyone chooses to work together, except Fang Zichen, who is 'weak'.

After all, it was really hot at noon. Fang Zichen was a little jealous, but after thinking about it, his life was still at stake.

As a rich second generation, he can put his head down and carry a big bag diligently to make money. This is already a pretty good progress. If he keeps his life, he will not worry about not making money in the future.

After lunch, he came to chat with his cousin, the ship steward, as usual.

After chatting for half an afternoon, I realized that the ship steward was in such a hurry to unload the cargo because the official ship was coming.

The dock is so big, so merchant ships naturally have to give way to official ships.

This official ship was not carrying any official cargo. It was carrying disabled soldiers who had retreated from the border.

There was no such policy twenty years ago.

At that time, if you were disabled at the border and couldn't fight, you had to write a letter of retirement. If you paid some money before your service was completed, you could go home without

transportation. Most of the disabled soldiers did not die on the battlefield but died on the way home.

Now the emperor was kind and lamented that it was really inconvenient for their hometown to be far away from the border. After all, they were heroes who defended their homeland and the country, so he ordered the border officials to make proper arrangements for the return of the disabled soldiers. After receiving the order, the local officials , after thinking about it, he asked the official ship to escort the person back.

The waterway is always faster.

"This war has been going on for six years, and I don't know when it will end." The cousin shook his head and sighed: "There is a man in my village who retired from the border. When he first came back, he was very thin. " Ah, I almost didn't recognize it."

"He has a broken leg," the cousin put his hand on his knee: "It was broken here. It was said to have been cut by a barbarian sword, and it was broken into two parts on the spot."

"But he can survive. " It's a good fortune to come down. There were twenty people in the village, but he was the only one who came back."

Fang Zichen said nothing.

In fact, this is quite normal.

When there is no one at the border, there is a rush to recruit troops. Most of the people recruited are poor people who cannot afford to pay.

They have spent most of their lives in the village. They are honest farm men with limited horizons and cannot use guns or sticks. Once they arrive at the border, They were dragged onto the battlefield before they even had time to receive professional training. The sight of thousands of troops and enemies wielding swords made their legs weak.

These people are just gathering the numbers to kill the enemy.

Not many people died.

Fang Zichen came from a peaceful era and had never even seen blood. Although he was brave enough and could hit people hard, he could not imagine that one day he would really stand on the battlefield, facing the enemy in the smoke and smoke. With his broadsword and horse's hooves, will he perform better than those people?

I'm afraid it's unlikely.

Fighting is child's play.

Beheading someone is really fatal.

He will probably have weak legs too.

"I heard," the cousin looked around and saw that everyone was busy and no one was paying attention, so he came over and lowered his voice and said to Fang Zichen: "There may be another military conscription next year."

Fang Zichen's eyelids twitched. He also lowered his voice: "Impossible! Didn't you recruit people just this year?"

"That's not clear," the cousin said with a serious look on his face: "Last time my boss came over and drank tea with me, and he accidentally let it slip. I only found out after listening to it twice."

Fang Zichen couldn't swallow the water in his bowl, so he put the bowl down and asked, "Is this news reliable?"

Is the person in the capital afraid that the people in the capital won't rebel because of the annual military recruitment?

"It should be reliable!" The cousin said: "My boss knows some people in the capital. They heard that the court has such a plan. We are far away from the capital and some of the information is not well-informed. I just want to remind you about this matter. Don't tell anyone."

Fang Zichen nodded: "I know."

Fang Zichen was a little distracted all afternoon. A few people who usually chatted with him saw that he looked confused and asked him what was wrong.

Fang Zichen shook his head: "Maybe I'm in the sun, I feel a little tired."

"If you're tired, you should carry one less bag!" A man said: "You are also very powerful. You have been carrying it for almost a month before you say you are tired. I'll buy some delicious snacks after work later."

Fang Zichen's eyes lit up and he looked up at him.

After work, Fang Zichen really went shopping.

Many stalls were closed at this time, but a pork shop was still open with two palm-sized pieces of pork head on the chopping board.

When the boss saw Fang Zichen, he greeted him: "Young man, do you want to buy it? I'll give it to you for eight cents per catty."

Pork is not cheap, the better part costs 123 cents per catty, and pig head meat is cheap, but the average price is only nine cents. One pound.

Fang Zichen touched his purse: "I want six cents."

The boss hesitated: "Are you done?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, I'll give you six cents a pound."

Anyway, it won't be new if it's tomorrow.

Staring at the two pieces of meat, Fang Zichen felt happy and felt better.

Chapter 22

After taking the meat and about to leave, Fang Zichen saw an old man selling candied haws.

He suddenly remembered that he hadn't bought anything for his cheap guy in such a long time.

The boy is quite cute. He helps Brother Zhao with his work every day. When he sees him, he always calls him "Father, Father".

There were still four candied haws sticks tied on the straw. Fang Zichen thought for a while and called to the old man: "Uncle, give me three."

The old man saw that he was wearing old coarse cloth clothes, but his face looked dignified, and he said with a smile: " Little brother, there are only a few left, why don't you buy them all! It's not easy to walk around the streets, just take pity on me."

"I pity you, who pity me?" Fang Zichen patted his pocket. Look: "Did you hear the noise? There are only a dozen pennies in it, and it's the hard-earned money I earned after fighting for a big bag for a whole day. I can't help you!"

The material on his shoulders was a little dirty. Although the old man was tall, he looked tall. He looked so thin that he didn't expect to be carrying a big bag.

All for the sake of making ends meet.

Now he stopped being miserable and said, "It's not easy, little brother. I'll give the remaining one to you."

Fang Zichen laughed and said, "It's a good relationship, thank you."

Fang Zichen was not used to eating brown rice, and as soon as he made money I bought rice and flour. These two things are expensive and Brother Zhao has never eaten them since he was seven years old.

Fang Zichen worked hard, and knowing that he was picky, Brother Zhao tried his best to make better things with limited conditions.

Brother Zhou came to give him clothes today and gave him a handful of sauerkraut. So tonight he made steamed buns filled with pickled cabbage.

The flavor comes out soon after the buns are steamed. Guaizai and Yoyo stopped playing, and they all lay down at the door and looked in.

"Daddy~" Guaizi shouted while sipping his saliva.

Brother Zhao looked into the pot and said, "It's not cooked yet. It will take a while. Why don't you go play in the yard first."

Guaizai and Liuyou were not children who made trouble with food, so they took a look into the pot. , he said yes and ran outside to play in the yard.

Not long after, Brother Zhao heard an exclamation from outside.

"Father is back~"

Brother Zhao quickly came to the door and saw Fang Zichen carrying something in his hand and a child under each arm.

A smile appeared on his face unconsciously: "I'm back."

"Yeah! I bought meat, you take it." Fang Zichen said.

After taking the meat and going into the kitchen, he found that there were two pieces inside. Brother Zhao thought about it and decided to copy one piece later and save the other piece for tomorrow night.

The pork skin is not greasy, and there are no ingredients at home. After steaming the buns, Brother Zhao washed the pig head and cut it into small pieces, then stir-fried it with the remaining sauerkraut and the wild onions dug up in the mountains in the afternoon, thinking it would be delicious.

While he was busy, Fang Zichen came in.

Something brushed against his mouth. Brother Zhao subconsciously licked it and found that it was sweet.

Fang Zichen held up the candied haws and asked, "Is it sweet?"

"Yeah!" Brother Zhao said.

"Here you go," Fang Zichen took the shovel from his hand: "I'll fry it."

"I won't eat it, you can eat it!" Brother Zhao didn't let go.

This candied haws is expensive!

A bunch costs two cents.

Fang Zichen didn't talk nonsense to him, and put the candied haws on Brother Zhao's mouth directly: "Hey, it's stained with your saliva. If you don't want to eat it, you have to throw it away."

Guaizi and Liuyou sat in the yard holding the candied haws and licking it , no one is willing to bite.

This was their first time eating this stuff.

It turns out that what Ma Xiaowang said is true. This candied haws is really sour and sweet.

When Fang Zichen shared the candied haws with them, Liuyou didn't have the nerve to ask for it, so Fang Zichen forced it to him and he accepted it. The good boy picked it up quickly. After saying thank you, he asked Fang Zichen to squat down and said he wanted to give him a kiss.

Brother Zhao came to sit with them outside the hospital.

Guaizi looked at the candied haws in his hand, laughed, and whispered to Brother Zhao: "Dad, hello, father, buy some candied haws for both Guaizi and Daddy."

Brother Zhao asked, "Do you like it? "Do you like your father?"

"Yes," the boy said immediately, "I like my father the most."

Brother Zhao didn't care that his favorite person was Fang Zichen. He took a bite of the candied haws and felt sour and sweet in his heart.

Ma Dazhuang used to work in the town. When he came back from work, he would often buy candied haws for his silly son.

He had seen it several times from a distance, and Madam Ma was wary of him, as if she was afraid that he would rob her if she was not around.

Once when Aunt Ma saw him swallowing saliva, she scolded him: "You want to eat it? You don't even care about your own life. Can you eat this thing? You only have a life, so why are you looking at it? Go to the woodshed."

Back to He peeked out from the crack in the door of the woodshed again.

I was young at that time and didn't understand what shame and self-esteem meant. Even after being scolded, I couldn't help but want to watch it.

Because he was really hungry, the little fool ate so deliciously that he couldn't help but want to look at it.

Later, because I couldn't eat, I kept thinking about it, and it became a longing.

Now that someone bought it for him, he felt very happy.

"Brother Zhao, come in quickly! See if this dish is ready? My hands are sore." Fang Zichen called Yaya in the kitchen.

He had never stir-fried vegetables before, so he kept stir-frying as soon as he took the shovel, fearing that his meat would become mushy.

Brother Zhao was experienced in cooking, so he didn't even need to look at it. He counted the time and said, "That's it."

When Brother Zhou came to pick up Yoyo, several people were eating.

There are some crispy bones on the edge of the pork head meat near the ears, and Liuliu followed the good boy holding the bun in his little hands, chewing it and making a crunching sound.

"The meat is delicious." Guaizi said inarticulately.

Fang Zichen saw that the buns in his hand were bigger than his little face, and when he bit them, it was like covering his face with the buns. He thought it was funny: "What's better, buns or steamed buns?"

Guaizi stared at the buns in his hand and thought for a while. , I think steamed buns are also delicious, but~

"The steamed buns are a little bit more delicious." He said.

Fang Zichen smiled, poked Liu Liu and asked: "What do you think of Liu Liu?"

Liu Liu shook her head: "I have never eaten steamed buns."

Fang Zichen looked at Brother Zhao, who said: "Aunt Liu's family is not in very good condition. ."

He briefly talked about the situation of Aunt Liu's family.

Fang Zichen realized it.

To put it simply, the men in the family have no skills and only know how to farm. However, the land allocated to the outsiders is very small, and the family only has four acres of thin farmland. The only son was drafted into the army three years ago because he could not pay taxes.

These days, the reason for poverty is not entirely due to laziness.

Uncle Liu is getting old, and no one wants to find work in the town. If the family wants to make money, it depends on Aunt Liu and Brother Zhou.

Occasionally they would go to the town to sell some food, or pick up some clothes and come back to wash them. They could earn fifty or sixty cents a month from the odd bits and pieces.

But what can fifty or sixty pennies do?

It's not like farmers can have enough food just by farming. Oil, salt, and cloth are free of charge. These things can't be grown just by planting.

Fang Zichen took pity on him, pinched his face, and called him uncle just now. He said, "It's okay. Come to my uncle's house tomorrow and he will bring it to you."

Liuyou said shyly, "Thank you, uncle." He looked at Brother Zhao and said, "Uncle Zhao, tomorrow I will go collect firewood with you and my good boy. I am very good at collecting firewood."

"Then why don't you go grow vegetables with your father?" Brother Zhao smiled. ask. Liu

Liu shook her head: "I ate candied haws, and I want to repay the favor!"

Fang Zichen almost laughed: "You still know how to repay the favor?"

"Yes," Liu Liu said, "I heard my uncles say it."

Fang Zichen: "They What do you mean? "

There is no entertainment in the village. Some people like to sit under the banyan tree at the end of the village after dinner, and they often gossip or talk about silly things.

Yoyo couldn't say anything. He had heard about repaying a favor. Seeing that the bamboo horse was stumped, the good boy immediately came to the rescue: "It's the vixen who repays the scholar's favor! The scholar saved the vixen on the way to take the exam. The vixen She turned into a beautiful woman and married the scholar, slept with the scholar, washed clothes and cooked for him."

Fang Zichen: "..."

What a clichéd story.

Chapter 23

When Brother Zhou came, Liuyou hadn't finished chewing the buns in his hand. Most of the bowl of stir-fried pork with pickled cabbage on the table was gone. Fang Zi was full in the morning. The pork head meat with pickled cabbage was really delicious. He was alone. I only made three buns, and Brother Zhao also ate two. At first he was reluctant to eat the pork head meat, but Fang Zichen kept giving it to him, but later he ate a lot.

The little guys ate so much that they held the buns in both hands, their mouths were stuffed, and they chewed like hamsters.

Fang Zichen looked amused, but he didn't care about others. He poked this face and that one, which actually delayed people's meals.

So Brother Zhou came, and Liu Liu had more than half of the buns left.

White noodles were expensive, and Brother Zhao's bag was big, so he felt very embarrassed. On the way back, he found out that his son had eaten human candied haws, which made him even more embarrassed.

But he didn't tell the child not to eat at Uncle Zhao's house in the future. He just told the child that you must remember to say thank you.

He and Brother Zhao are good friends. If the child eats it, he will eat it. He can make up for it from other places in the future.

The food at Brother Zhao's house is not edible yet. I will send some to them tomorrow.

After dinner, Fang Zichen and Guaizi were having fun in the yard.

He pretended to be a tiger and a devil, and said he wanted to eat people. The good boy screamed and ran all over the yard. Fang Zichen grabbed the person, held him in his arms and gnawed on his belly. The good boy had never played such an exciting game. , laughing to tears, still reluctant to leave after being called by Brother Zhao to wash his feet.

He was probably tired from the run just now, so he fell asleep as soon as he lay in bed at night.

Fang Zichen entered the room covered in moisture and saw Brother Zhao waving to him.

"These are the clothes made by Aunt Liu. You can try them on to see if they fit you."

Aunt Liu's craftsmanship is excellent. She has more than 30 years of experience. The clothes are made of good material and are very comfortable to wear. They should be wide. It's wide where it should be and tight where it should be, making Fang Zichen's thin body look even taller and taller.

It is true that a man relies on his clothes and a horse relies on his saddle. Before, he was wearing ill-fitting clothes and looked like a down-and-out scholar. Now dressed like this, he has the gentle and jade-like temperament of a handsome young man.

Brother Zhao couldn't move his eyes away, his eyes were a little dazed, and Fang Zichen felt embarrassed to be looked at.

"Come back to your senses." He took off his clothes with a warm face and handed it to Brother Zhao: "Put it away for me first."

"Aren't you going to wear it?" Brother Zhao asked with some pity.

"It's inconvenient to carry a big bag while wearing it," Fang Zichen said.

In fact, it's not about convenience, but...

Have you ever seen someone wearing a suit and moving bricks?

After cleaning up and lying on the bed, Brother Zhao couldn't sleep. Thinking of what was discussed at the table, he asked Fang Zichen: "Do you think Xiaowen can come back?"

Liu Xiaowen is Brother Zhou's husband.

In the village, Brother Zhao was just like Brother Zhou and Brother Liu. The three of them could be said to be 'childhood sweethearts' and grew up together. After Liu Xiaowen left for three years, there was no news. Not only the Liu family was worried, but Brother Zhao was also worried.

How could Fang Zichen understand? He just wanted to ask for peace of mind.

Fang Zichen really didn't understand, but thinking that the battle at the border was so fierce, he would probably die, but he definitely couldn't say that,

"If you are dragged to fight, not all of them will go into battle to kill the enemy. Some people will die." Well, it will be safe if you work as a cook in the back."

Brother Zhao didn't understand this, so he raised his upper body and looked at him: "What is a cook?"

Fang Zichen explained to him, "It's someone who cooks for people. Do you think so? Ah! Soldiers also need to eat. Their wives and husbands are not around, so they have to have someone to cook for them. Otherwise, when they are on guard duty during the war, they can't report halfway and say, "I'm hungry and the food hasn't been cooked yet." Let's stop fighting now. I'll go back and cook. I'll fight you for three hundred rounds when I'm full."

Brother Zhao thought it was right, but: "He hasn't come back with a letter for so many years."

"Liu Xiaowen . Is he literate? "

Liu Xiaowen doesn't know a single word and is completely illiterate. Brother Zhao shook his head.

"That's not normal." Fang Zichen put his hands under his head and looked at him with a slightly tilted face: "How can he write to you if he can't read? Even if he asks someone to write for him, the border is hundreds of thousands of miles away from us. Who can write to him? Will he deliver it? Even if there is someone to help him, he will definitely have to pay for it. Does he have any money?" He said in a sleepy voice, "Go to sleep! The goods from the dock

will be back in a few days."

Finally all unloaded.

It also means losing your job.

Fang Zichen was in a bad mood, so he took advantage of the lunch break to go shopping and unknowingly came to the Cake Shop in the town.

There was a man carrying a baggage inside who was paying the bill. When the waiter saw that what he bought were the styles that girls liked, he smiled and joked, "Who is bringing this to you, sir?"

"My husband." Then people say.

"Then your husband is really lucky."

The man smiled, took the cake and walked to the door. Fang Zichen frowned subconsciously when he saw the man's appearance clearly.

Damn bad luck.

Does Ma Dazhuang have a popular face? You can see people who look like him wherever he goes.

Fang Zichen's mood for shopping disappeared instantly.

That night when the wages were paid, seeing that he was unhappy, the ship steward teased him. After everyone left, he pulled him aside and said, "I have a job for you, will you do it?"

Fang Zichen raised his eyes. As soon as he lit up, he nodded hurriedly: "Do it! As long as it's not murder and arson, I can do it."

"My cousin works as a shopkeeper in Zui Xiaolou, and they are in need of a bookkeeper there."

Fang Zichen handed over the man before. He showed the two account books to his employer. His employer later told him that there was no mistake. He also asked him who he had asked for help. The accounts were calculated beautifully and the accounts were listed clearly. He praised this person for being kind. ability.

It happened that his cousin came over and the two of them drank some wine. The cousin started to complain, saying that several people had been hired in the building and they were not very good at what they did. They were careless and things always went wrong. He was in charge of things. My son, I have to take care of the accounts again, so I am too busy at all.

The ship steward thought that Fang Zichen was diligent in his work, so he immediately introduced Fang Zichen to him.

My cousin said he could have someone come over and try.

Fang Zichen bowed: "Thank you so much!"

The ship steward waved his hand: "It's just a matter of words. Whether it succeeds or not depends on you."

Fang Zichen was extremely confident in himself. I felt like this was settled right now.

Brother Zhao got up early today. As soon as Fang Zichen left home, Brother Zhou came over with Liu.

He was carrying a basket with some cabbage in it. When he handed it to Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao didn't ask for it: "There are wild vegetables on the mountain. My husband is not at home. My dear boy and I can dig some and bring them back to eat. You can eat these." "Keep it and sell it."

"It's just a few cabbages. You are still polite to me. I ate so much from your house yesterday. If you don't accept it, I won't let him come."

What he said was serious. My brother accepted it.

I glanced around but couldn't see the good boy. Then I asked, "Uncle Zhao, where is the good boy?"

"He's still sleeping in there!" Brother Zhao pointed to the door of the room.

Liu Liu blinked his eyes and asked, "Can I go in and have a look?"

"Of course!"

Seeing him running in, Brother Zhou shook his head and laughed, "You pulled me up before dawn this morning and said you wanted to I came to you to repay my kindness. When I heard the whole story, I almost laughed to death."

Brother Zhao also found it funny.

Brother Zhou said, "Aren't you busy today?" Seeing Brother Zhao shake his head, he said, "I'm going to the market with my mother later, and my father has gone to the mountains to cut thatch, please help me keep an eye on him."

In the village, that's it . In this way, if there are children at home, if the adults are busy, they can send them to the next door house for help to take care of them. Some parents with big hearts simply close the door and let the children wander around the village.

Just like herding sheep.

When the good boy woke up, Brother Zhao heated up the three remaining buns from yesterday, and then took the two children up the mountain.

After eating the steamed buns, Guaizai and Yoyo felt as if they had been injected with chicken blood. Not to mention they were very active in collecting firewood.

The three of them were chatting and laughing. As soon as they picked up a bundle, they heard someone shouting from a distance,

"Brother Zhao?"

The laughter disappeared in vain.

Chapter 24

Guaizi and Liuliu were facing the person coming. Liuliu might not have much memory of this person, but Guaizi obviously still remembered it.

He immediately threw away the firewood and ran behind Brother Zhao in a hurry.

Brother Zhao frowned when he heard the sound, and turned to look at the person.

Ma Wen was dusty and tired, and there was a baggage hanging on his arm. He must have just come back, and he didn't have time to rush back

. "Is something wrong?" Brother Zhao asked.

His tone was too indifferent, and Ma Wen frowned, but he thought about it for a moment.

Brother Zhao has always been like this to him.

"Brother Zhao, I'm back."

He raised the pastry in his hand and said somewhat flatteringly: "I bought you a pastry. I heard from the waiter in the store that this is my brothers' favorite food. Let's go back quickly! "As he said that, he said to the good boy who was hiding behind Brother Zhao: "Good boy, do you remember your father?"

Brother Zhao's face darkened, but before he could speak, the good boy shouted first.

"You are not the father. My father went to carry the big bag and will be back in the evening."

Yoyo also interjected: "Yes, you are not the father of the good boy, Uncle Fang is!"

The smile on Ma Wen's face faded . After a while, he looked at Brother Zhao.

He found that Brother Zhao had changed a bit after not seeing him for half a year. Not only was he wearing new clothes that fit him well and matched his skin tone, but he also had a rosy face and gained some flesh. The most important thing was... he could smile.

In Ma Wen's memory, when he grew up, Brother Zhao's face was almost expressionless, and he seemed not to hear when he was beaten or scolded by his family, like a piece of wood.

Just now he heard their laughter from far away, and when he saw Brother Zhao's bright smile, he didn't dare to recognize it for a moment.

Brother Zhao used to cry when he was beaten in pain when he was young, but when he grew up, he couldn't even cry. Not to mention laughing.

However, he just likes Brother Zhao, he has big eyes and looks very sweet.

The smile just now was even more beautiful, the eyes were curved and clear inside, like the crescent moon reflected in the water.

He barely maintained the smile on his face and asked confusedly: "What do they mean?"

Brother Zhao stared at him, his eyes black and white: "I have been betrayed by Ma Dazhuang."

"What, what! ! "

Brother Zhao's tone was calm and his voice was not loud, but Ma Wen felt that his words made his ears ring.

"This is impossible," he quickly walked over and grabbed Brother Zhao's hand: "This is impossible, Brother Zhao, don't make such a joke with me."

Brother Zhao wanted to withdraw his hand, but moved it He moved but found that he couldn't get away: "Let go."

"Brother Zhao!"

"I told you to let go." Brother Zhao pushed him, and Ma Wen staggered back two steps.

"If you don't believe it, you can go back and ask your parents. I won't lie to you. I was sold by them for three taels of silver."

"This is impossible. I told them that I liked you when I left home. , We will get married when we come back this time, I already said it, and they agreed, how could they still sell you?" Ma Wen gradually couldn't continue talking.

Brother Zhao was looking at him with a very serious look in his eyes. He was not joking, and...this is indeed something that parents can do.

They have always disliked Brother Zhao and wanted him to die. How could they agree to marry Brother Zhao so easily?

The reason why I agreed at that time was probably because I wanted to reassure him that he was going on a long journey.

Ma Wen forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath before asking Brother Zhao: "Who did they sell you to?"

If Brother Zhao was still in the village, he could buy Brother Zhao back.

"Fang Zichen." Brother Zhao said.

"Fang Zichen? Are you the new one?"

"Yeah!"

Ma Wen wiped his face and handed the cake over again: "Brother Zhao, wait for me, I will..."

"No," Zhao Brother Zhao interrupted him coldly: "I'm living a good life now, and I don't want to go back."

"I don't want the cakes either, you can take them!"

Brother Zhao carried the firewood and went back with the two children.

After walking a long way, the good boy looked back and whispered: "Dad, he has been following us."

"Well! Don't worry about it, let's go home quickly!"

The good boy was fussy after returning home and didn't have lunch . How to eat? Brother Zhao asked him to take a nap, but he fell asleep. He was still tossing and turning, and the bed board was creaking.

Brother Zhao took him out, went into the kitchen and asked, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

"Yeah!" The good boy sat on the small bench, with his head hanging down and his hands constantly stirring the corners of his clothes: "I don't like him. . "

Ma Wen is a 'him' here at Guai Zai.

Brother Zhao squatted in front of him: "Why?"

"He doesn't like me," the boy began to cry in his eyes. Ma Wen never hit him or scolded him, but he often ignored him at first.

Ma Wen was not angry at the fact that Brother Zhao was pregnant. He had tried to force Brother Zhao to abort the child. The medicine was ready, but Brother Zhao struggled desperately and refused to drink it no matter what. , he knocked over the bowl, looked at Ma Wen with red eyes, and said only one sentence: "If the child is gone, I will fight you to the death."

After the good boy was born, Ma Wen couldn't stop his eyes when he saw him. His dislike and disgust, even though Guaizi was young at the time, he could still see it.

As time went by, Brother Zhao protected Guaizi tightly again, and Ma Wen forced himself to accept the child. He even thought that if he pleased Guaizi and made Guaizi fall in love with him, would Brother Zhao do it for him? Does the child accept himself?

He made a plan to get close to the boy, and while Brother Zhao was away, he used candy to coax the boy to call him his father. Unfortunately, the boy refused to speak, and later even hid when he saw him.

"I don't like him either," Guaizi wiped his tears and said with a pinched neck, "Dad likes me, and father likes me too. I don't want to call him father."

Most children want to be liked, even if that person He is not a close person, but he is inexplicably disgusted. Even an adult will inevitably feel uncomfortable, not to mention the child. Brother

Zhao sighed: "Then why are you crying?"

"But, but he is mine. Biological father."

Hearing this, Brother Zhao's eyes became indifferent: "Who told you that he is your biological father?"

"Grandma He and the others said so," the good boy raised his head, his eyelashes stained. Tears: "Is he really my father?"

"No, he is not your father. Have you forgotten? When you asked me, I told you, when I asked you to call me father, that person He is your father," Brother Zhao said, "You have only one father in your life. He is not Ma Wen or anyone else. He is Fang Zichen. He is the only one. Remember!"

"Remember?" The good boy sniffed, carefully pulled on Brother Zhao's clothes, and whispered: "Daddy, don't be angry."

"I'm not angry," Brother Zhao picked him up, held his little hand and kissed him: "If you have any unhappy things in the future, you can tell daddy, and daddy will help you, don't hide it in your heart, as long as you are obedient , Daddy will never be angry with you."

Guaizi hugged Brother Zhao's neck, pressed against his ear, and said softly: "Good boy, be obedient."

Brother Zhao rubbed his head. "Well, our boy is the best."

Chapter 25

Brother Zhou just came back from town in the afternoon. He came to Brother Zhao's house to pick up Liu and went back. Brother Zhao pulled weeds in the vegetable field for a while. Seeing that the sun was not shining so much, he went into the kitchen and got a basket. , leading the good boy to the river.

There was a piece of wasteland over there with some Houttuynia cordata growing in it. He wanted to dig some up and keep some for salad with the pork head meat at night.

As a result, just halfway through, Liu Lezi walked towards him.

He must have just come back from town, smelling of alcohol.

Brother Zhao felt a chill and remembered Fang Zichen's words.

"Those two people are sneaky, and they are not a good thing at first sight. Don't come out at night anymore. The entrance to the village is remote. What if you are dragged into the woods on the road and do this or that?"

Liu Lezi said. I also saw him at this time. I saw him alone and was about to say something cheery when I saw Brother Zhao looking around, then picked up his son and ran up the mountain.

Going up a remote mountain with no one...is exactly what you want! He immediately spread his legs and chased after him.

Madam

Mama was chopping firewood, and she cut off half a piece of bark with one stroke of the axe. Ma Dazhuang saw that the firewood next to her was piled in a mess, and he got angry.

"Look at you, look at you, you can't even chop firewood, and most of the rice cooked this morning was burnt. Whose wife is like you." The more he spoke, the angrier he became: "You have really been beaten by Zhao these years. Brother, I'm so lazy with the service. Damn it, look at what the house is like now. The pig pens are not cleaned and the chickens are not fed. They are all waiting for me to do it, right?"

Aunt Ma is not a submissive child. Wife, the ax was thrown to the ground with a bang.

"What's wrong with you? What have you done since you got up this morning? You should tell me, oh! Brother Zhao is not here now, and there is no one to do the work at home. Why don't you just cook it? You don't like the rice I cooked. It's not delicious. You should cook it yourself!"

Ma Dazhuang: "Which man do you see doing this?"

"Then why do you men still eat?"

Madam Ma shouted towards the room, "Li and Sun" I am doing needlework in the house. The walls are not soundproof, so I can hear the movement outside.

"I'm not the only one in the family who opens my mouth to eat, so why should I do it? That bitch belongs to our big house. Some people have taken advantage of our big house for so many years and haven't taken enough of it. Now that bitch is gone. They expect me to continue to serve them! Bah, it's a fucking sweet dream."

It's self-evident to whom this was said.

Sun stopped doing needlework and came to the door: "Sister-in-law, who did you say that just now?" "No one," Ma Dazhuang came out and said, "Your sister-in-law is just blind. Do

n't take it to heart."

The old lady also came out of the house. Aunt Ma originally wanted to say something, but seeing the sullen expression on her face, she finally dared not speak.

Mrs. Sun, however, was not afraid: "Is it just blindness or is it true? My sister-in-law is very clear in her heart. She doesn't care about taking advantage of your big house. The money used to buy Brother Zhao's flowers was taken by the public. Then Brother Zhao The son is the property of the government, and naturally he has the second and third bedrooms of ours. How did he end up with my sister-in-law and become your eldest son?"

"That bitch was bought to be my youngest son's foster husband. He is not our eldest son. Could it be that she is from the third room?" Madam Ma felt angry and wanted to speak again, but Ma Dazhuang took her back to the room and said, "Okay, please stop saying a few words."

"Why do you want me to say a few words?" Aunt Ma pulled the pillar beside her, just not wanting to go back to her room.

When she went back, didn't it mean that she hid because she couldn't win the argument?

Ma Dazhuang wanted to slap him in the face: "If you can't go back, will you be happy if we quarrel?"

Sun added to the anger: "Brother, please let your sister-in-law speak clearly, otherwise we will end up like today, in a weird and yin-yang way." Damn it! My mother is here, so let her make the decision to see if we take advantage of you."

"That's right!" Mrs. Li said.

Ma Dazhuang stopped talking. Ma Erzhu and Ma Laosan came out of the room when they heard the noise.

The expressions on their faces were not very good, and they had obviously heard what they had just said.

"Brother, please let your sister-in-law speak clearly!"

"Second brother, third brother, your sister-in-law is just talking nonsense."

"Where did I talk nonsense?" Aunt Ma said: "If you become a child supporter for our son, then you can't Are they from our eldest family? Could it be that if they use the public money to marry their daughter-in-law, then whoever wants to sleep with her can sleep with her?"

This is ugly. It's like lighting up a firecracker.

Mrs. Ma started scolding directly, and Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Li supported her. The whole yard suddenly became noisy.

Ever since Fang Zichen came to the house for a visit, the Ma family's daughters-in-law had a small quarrel every day and a big quarrel every two days. They used to have someone to do the work and lived comfortably. The sisters-in-law got along like sisters, but now there is no separation between the families. We all do the work together, and everyone feels that they have done too much, while others are lazy and talk with guns and sticks.

Although Aunt Ma, Mr. Sun and Mr. Li have not read much books, they are not stupid, and they are very fierce. When they hear each other criticizing Huai, they can't bear it anymore, and they immediately start to quarrel.

The surrounding companies have long been accustomed to it.

At this moment, several people were lying on the roof of the courtyard watching the show.

There was a verbal fight at first, but it seemed that it was not enough. Aunt Ma and Mrs. Sun pulled their hair and began to fuck. Several men were trying to persuade Ma Dazhuang. Just shave it on his face.

Mrs. Ma was stunned for a moment when she saw two bloody claws on her eldest son's face.

"It's true, it's true. Second and third, go call your father back."

Seeing that his wife was outnumbered, Ma Laosan wanted to go over and help. , don't want to go.

Ma Laoer obeyed and turned around to go, but was stopped by Mrs. Li, who whispered: "Don't go."

"But..."

"Let them go, it's none of our business! Besides, sister-in-law. " Those words really deserve a beating."

Ma Lao Er was furious at what Mrs. Ma just said. After thinking about it, seeing that Mrs. Ma didn't pay attention, he took Mrs. Li back to the room quietly.

Aunt Ma and Mrs. Sun were fighting together, and the play was in full swing. Someone suddenly shouted,

"Hey! Is that Ma Wen?"

An aunt took a look and confirmed: "It's true." She laughed. , looked gloating, and said: "This meeting will be fun to watch!"

"No, who doesn't know that Ma Wen likes Brother Zhao! Now that a group of people from the Ma family have sold Brother Zhao while he is away, he must There's going to be trouble!" "That's not necessarily the case!" There is an aunt who lives next door to Ma Wen's house. She doesn't know what she's thinking of, but she said in a mocking tone, " Ma

Wen is such a filial son!

From a distance, he saw many people outside his courtyard. He grew up in the village, and he could tell at a glance that something might have happened at home.

He speeded up and entered.

Aunt Ma was now red-eyed. Ma Dazhuang was trying to break up the fight,

"Stop fighting."

"Get away," Aunt Ma shook off his hand and pushed the person away with her backhand, as if he was close. These will affect her combat effectiveness.

"Mother..."

Ma Wen said like a director, and the fighting scene stopped instantly.

Several actors dispersed instantly, stood upright, and each shouted a line as the end of the farce.

"My son, you are finally back. If you were two steps later, your mother would have been bullied to death!"

"Eldest nephew, that's not the case. Don't listen to your mother's nonsense."

"My dear. Sun yo, come here, come and take a look at grandma. "

The fight was so severe that Aunt Ma had a few bruises on her face, blood hanging from the corners of her mouth, her hair was messy, her clothes were disheveled, and there were even a few handfuls of people on the ground who had been raped. Pulled hair.

Ma Wen didn't listen to a word. He glanced around the crowd, and finally his eyes fell on Aunt Ma.

"Mom, you sold Brother Zhao, didn't you?"

Several people did not dare to speak for a moment.

Chapter 26

Ma Laosan took Sun back a few steps, fearing that his eldest nephew would ask him what was going on.

Ma Dazhuang didn't speak either.

Aunt Ma felt aggrieved and didn't understand why her son was staring at her and asking.

Her eyes evaded: "Yes, it was sold."

"Why?" Ma Wen asked sternly: "Didn't you make a good promise when I left home?"

Aunt Ma: "Son, you can't blame us for this! You I don't know what that bitch, Brother Zhao has done, he is shameless! Not only hugging and kissing people after falling into the water, but he also..."

"That's enough, Brother Zhao. I know what kind of person he is. I just ask you, why did you sell Brother Zhao? You obviously know that I like him."

"This..." My son started making trouble for a bitch as soon as he came back. Aunt Ma felt uncomfortable.

Ma Wen's eyes were red: "I have liked him since I was a child. You all know it. Why do you still do this? I don't mind the bastard he gave birth to. It doesn't matter if he is kissed or hugged."

Okay . A big melon.

The aunties who were still watching the show outside had their mouths hanging open.

This Ma Wen... is a real man.

Seeing that he was crying, Ma Dazhuang scolded him: "Okay, why should a man cry? You don't think it's embarrassing, right? I don't understand what's so good about Brother Zhao to deserve this from you. Your mother and I have worked so hard." Why did I raise you up? Did you make trouble with us because of a brother? "Seeing that Ma Wen looked so ugly, he felt sorry for his son. He spoke softly and patted him on the shoulder." Okay, if you like me, dad will go to town and buy you one later."

Ma Wen shook his head and held back the tears for a long time before falling at this moment: "I don't want it, I want Zhao. Brother."

Ma Dazhuang and others were stunned, but he still choked and asked: "You, do you want to piss us off?"

Ma Wen didn't say anything and went back to the room with his baggage.

other side.

Watching Brother Zhao running up the mountain with his head down, Liu Laizi chased after him with a smile, imagining countless scenes of making love with him.

However, as soon as he reached the foot of the mountain, he saw Brother Zhao carrying his son and following Liu Dazhi from the village down the mountain.

Liu Dazhi held a pole in his left hand and a polished hatchet in his right hand.

He stopped and immediately changed direction.

"Where to run!" Liu Dazhi thrust the hatchet to Brother Zhao, raised his pole and chased after him.

He is Brother Zhou's father-in-law. Brother Zhou has also been blocked by Liu Lezi, and now he wants to attack Brother Zhao. Liu Dazhi is very annoyed because of old and new grudges.

He chased Liu Lezi three miles away, and many people on the road saw him.

Sometimes these villagers are better than detectives. After a little inquiry, combined with a series of explanations such as "I seem to see something", "it seems to be" and so on, and then thinking about it, the whole cause of the "case" will be revealed.

As soon as Fang Zichen walked to the entrance of the village carrying the basket, he was stopped by an aunt who was going to catch ducks in the fields.

"Hey, Mr. Fang, go back quickly."

Fang Zichen: "..."

I'm going back right now!

"Your brother Zhao was given by Liu Lezi today, given..." She stopped here, as if she was thinking of a more appropriate wording.

But when she stopped here, Fang Zichen was frightened.

He didn't know who Liu Lezi was, but when he heard the name, he was definitely not a good person.

Immediately he ran away and ran home.

Brother Zhao is watering the vegetable patch in the yard. He was a diligent person and watered the vegetables every day. The vegetable seedlings grew quickly, tender and crispy. When he was cooking noodles in the morning, he pinched some and put them in. Fang Zichen seemed to like eating them.

There is still an empty piece of land next to it. I will hoe it and plant some more tomorrow.

Just as he was thinking about it, Fang Zichen ran in from outside, panting.

He had good physical strength and could walk easily even carrying a big bag, but now he was sweating and his face was red.

Brother Zhao hurriedly put down the water ladle and asked: "What's wrong?"

Fang Zichen looked him up and down, his tone was not right, he seemed to be trembling: "Are you okay?"

"Ah?"

"An aunt just said that you were raped by Liu Lezi..." " Oh

! That's what you said," Brother Zhao explained, "I just met him on the road today."

He gave an overview. When Fang Zichen heard him running up the mountain, his forehead jumped and he couldn't help but shudder. Interrupted,

"You ran up the mountain when your brain was flooded. Were you worried that Liu Laizi would have a hard time dragging you into the woods, so you went out of your way to help him?"

Brother Zhao: "..."

"No, Brother Zhou this morning My son said that Uncle Liu was cutting thatch in the mountains. The thatch in our village is good on the steep slopes of the mountains. I guess Uncle Liu would be there.

"What if he doesn't go there to cut it because he's crazy?" Fang Zichen said in anger. He had an idea: "Why are you so stupid! Next time you encounter this situation, you should run to a flat place where there may be people. People may not dare to do anything at first, but when they see you running up the mountain, The little rabbit has fallen into the trap, so he will have an idea immediately?"

Brother Zhao also knew that he was taking a bit of a risk.

Just now Aunt Liu came to teach him a lesson.

"You should just run when you see Liu Lezi, but why are you running up the mountain! The steep slope of the mountain is so remote. Brother Zhou told you that your Uncle Liu went to cut thatch, so you can be sure that he must have gone to the steep slope of the mountain? He What if you go home early? What will you do then? You have to be careful!"

Brother Zhao twirled his fingers nervously, lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry for making you worry, I will pay attention next time. "Yes."

Fang Zichen sighed. Seeing that the person was safe and sound, the panic in his heart was over. It was useless to say more now, as long as the person was fine!

Brother Zhao deliberately changed the topic, glanced at the basket in his hand, and asked: "

Did you buy anything?" "Oh! It wasn't me, it was the oranges given by Lao Wu."

Fang Zichen, what happened before Lao Wu I told Brother Zhao that he knew there was a person like Lao Wu.

Fang Zichen took two baskets, hung them on the fence, and handed one to Brother Zhao.

He peeled off the skin and waved to the good boy who had been staring at him as soon as he came back,

"Er, come here."

The good boy ran over and made another sound of milk, which made people shout. All worries were gone,

"Father~"

"Yeah!"

Fang Zichen laughed.

After Zhao Geer peeled the oranges, it felt a little weird to see that he had a serious face just now and now he was smiling brightly.

He broke off a piece, and his eyes fell on the father and son. The tangerine in his hand was about to be put into his mouth...

The boy said "ah", his brows wrinkled like a little old man, and his facial features were squeezed together.

This expression made Fang Zichen very happy.

"Haha...hahaha~"

Brother Zhao silently wrapped the oranges and put them back in the basket.

These citrus fruits were so sour that they would knock your teeth out. Fang Zichen ate one on the road, and his front teeth are still soft to this day.

The good boy couldn't bear to part with it, so he bit into it twice and stretched his neck to swallow it.

He was so angry that he punched Fang Zichen's chest. The force was not very strong, just like a cat's paw scratching.

"...The father is bad."

"The father is not bad, but the son does not love him." Fang Zichen pinched his little nose and took something out of his pocket.

I bought candied fruit. As soon as I opened the oil paper in the package, a sweet smell came out.

I don't know if he was sour just now or because he was greedy, but the boy's mouth was drooling all the time.

Fang Zichen picked one up. It was about the same size as a cherry tomato. After it was dried and soaked in sugar water, it became wrinkled and sticky. He began to be indifferent, holding up the candied fruit and waving it in front of the good boy,

" "Hey, have you ever eaten candied fruit?"

Guaizi followed his hand and said, "No."

"This candied fruit is delicious. It's so sweet."

Guaizi's mouth was drooling. , he asked: "Do you want to eat?"

"I want to eat."

"Oh, but I am a bad father. A bad father will not give candied fruit to his children. The baby is finished, and the candied fruit will be wasted. "

Brother Zhao was about to roll his eyes as he stood aside, but the good boy was fooled. He stood up on tiptoes and wrapped his arms around Fang Zichen's neck, and slapped him in the face: "Don't waste, don't waste, father is good, father is not bad,"

he said hurriedly . Coaxing, as if he was afraid that Fang Zichen would throw things away if he said it was too late.

Fang Zichen almost burst out laughing and stuffed one into the boy's mouth.

"Is it sweet?" he asked.

The good boy's mouth was so full that he couldn't speak. He could only nod: "Yeah."

Chapter 27

Fang Zichen counted six and took them out, then wrapped them in oil paper and stuffed them into the good boy: "Save it and eat it slowly. Don't eat it all at once, otherwise your teeth will be broken."

The good boy held it in both hands, and the sweet thing was good for the child . The temptation was too great, and the good boy had never eaten it before, so he was so happy that he couldn't move his eyes away as he stared straight at it. He couldn't help but nod his head like a little chicken pecking at rice,

"Wo Xi said "

Fang Zichen stood up and came to Brother Zhao: "Here are six pills for each person, impartially."

Brother Zhao didn't answer: "You can eat it!" Fang Zichen was satisfied with this.

"I don't eat this," Fang Zichen said, "It's unmanly to eat candied fruit."

Brother Zhao: "..."

Fang Zichen: "I just bought it for you and the good boy. Take it, there are only six. , Don't be reluctant, when I make a lot of money in the future, I will buy you baskets and baskets of food. "

This thing is indeed expensive.

Fang Zichen felt embarrassed. At noon, he listened to the boy's words outside the door and went in as soon as his head got hot.

I remember that when he was Third Young Master Fang, he was so wealthy that he could only eat one piece of this stuff and throw away one piece. But now he is so cash-strapped that he can only buy the candied fruits by the piece.

Brother Zhao took it and asked, "Are you not angry anymore?"

He was referring to the incident with Liu Lezi.

Fang Zichen had long since given up his anger, but seeing his cautious and apprehensive look, he wanted to tease him.

"If you praise me, I won't be angry with you."

Brother Zhao frowned, thought seriously, and held it in for a long time: "...You are very good-looking."

...

"You are complimenting me. "You're just stating the facts." Fang Zichen waved his hand and

said, "You have a good temper."

"

You are tall.

" Anyone who is not blind can see it, so it doesn't matter."

Brother Zhao coughed twice and didn't dare to look at him, feeling a little unnatural: "You have very white skin and beautiful eyes."

"This may be a more appropriate compliment for you. ," Fang Zichen said helplessly: "You can't praise me like that."

"How should you praise me?"

"You have to look at the person! I'm a man, is it useful for you to praise me for being fair and beautiful? I'm good at it."

Brother Zhao: "..."

This is a bit teasing, and it's also a bit embarrassing for their current situation.

Seeing that Brother Zhao's expression changed a little, Fang Zichen touched his nose and looked up at the sky: "...Oh, the weather is good today!"

Brother Zhao stared at him without saying anything.

Fang Zichen smiled sarcastically: "What are you going to eat tonight? I'll go into the kitchen and have a look." He couldn't wait to run away.

Brother Zhao pursed his lips and his ears slowly turned red. Seeing him running away in a panic, he couldn't help but laugh again.

Brother Zhao's cooking skills are quite good.

After the pork skin is cooked, cut it into small pieces and mix it with Houttuynia cordata and minced garlic and green onion. Not to mention the taste, it looks very appetizing.

Brother Zhao picked up a pair of chopsticks at the dinner table and saw Fang Zichen staring at the pork on the table without moving his chopsticks.

"Why don't you eat it?"

Some people love Houttuynia cordata very much, while others just smell it. The smell makes my stomach churn.

Fang Zichen felt that this dish tasted weird. It was neither fragrant nor smelly.

I just don't know how to describe it.

The good boy stood on a small stool and picked up a pair of chopsticks. The Houttuynia Cordata was chopped into pieces. He couldn't hold it firmly, so he put one hand under the chopsticks and sucked the pieces that fell into his palm to eat.

His eyes were bent into crescents, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

here we go again. Fang Zichen thought to himself.

The good boy looks like he is eating abalone and seafood.

Seeing that what he was eating was really delicious, Fang Zichen swallowed his saliva and couldn't help but ask: "Good boy, is it delicious?"

Good boy blinked, raised his head and smiled: "It's delicious."

Fang Zichen felt that he was taking revenge on himself , still don't believe it.

Brother Zhao smiled: "Are you not used to it? Sorry, people in our village love this. I...Brother Zhou gave me some cabbage. Can I fry another one for you?" "

No need." Fang Zichen shook his head and looked at the bowl of food again.

Maybe, this thing is the same as stinky tofu.

They all smell bad and taste good.

He tentatively took a chopstick... Hmm, it smells really good.

Finally, he said: "I want to eat this again tomorrow."

Perhaps because of the good food, Fang Zichen slept soundly at night.

Brother Zhao is used to getting up before dawn. The sky outside is hazy and the chickens in the village are crowing non-stop.

Maybe it's the nature of father and son, but the good boy is particularly attached to Fang Zichen. He used to sleep well, but now after a night, he lies on Fang Zichen's chest like a bastard.

Fang Zichen had complained to him before, saying that it felt like a ghost pressing down on the bed.

He carefully took the good boy down, covered him with old clothes, stepped over Fang Zichen and got out of bed, making no sound the whole time.

But when he got to the kitchen, he had just finished washing his face and was about to knead the dough when Fang Zichen came in yawning.

...It's really rare.

Fang Zichen saw him looking at him for a moment, and asked, "Why are you looking at me like this? Do you realize that I'm handsome again?"

He just pinched his eyes to make sure there was no eye mucus.

"Why did you get up so quickly this morning?" Brother Zhao asked.

Fang Zichen had a habit of staying in bed, and it was very serious, and he knew it himself.

Before going to work in the town, he warned Brother Zhao: "You must wake me up in the morning! Whether our family can have enough to eat and whether I can keep this job all depend on you. ."

He said cautiously, and Brother Zhao followed suit.

He thought, why not just stay in bed? How serious could it be? If you can't afford to be called once, you should wake up after being called twice.

It turned out that Fang Zichen was a good person. After a while, he shouted three times in his left ear and three times in his right ear. Every time he said, "I'll keep my eyes open for one more minute."

Brother Zhao didn't know what the hell one minute was, and he didn't know what it actually meant. How long, anyway, he was familiar with Fang Zichen's energy in bed.

Today, for the first time, I got up so early without being called. It was rare.

"Are you feeling uncomfortable?" He asked tentatively, feeling nervous.

Fang Zichen rolled his eyes at him: "You're so early in the morning, don't curse me!"

Seeing him wash his face, Brother Zhao went to the room to take the wooden stick he had brought back last time, and walked out without saying a word.

"Where are you going? Get ready."

Without looking back, Fang Zichen raised his hand and waved: "It's cooked, you eat it first, don't wait for me."

Most of the people in Xiaohe Village have the surname He. In a village as big as a palm, eight out of ten households are related to each other.

He Da Leng's family is considered to be in good condition in the village. When he got up in the morning, his mother-in-law cooked some sweet potatoes for him. This was for better conditions. For those with poor conditions, it was just two meals a day.

No one dares to make it like Fang Zichen's family. Fortunately, no one in the village knows about it. If they knew about his family's Dun Dun white noodles, Fang Zichen would probably become a hot topic in the village again.

After eating the sweet potatoes, He Da was stunned and headed to the fields with his hoe, when a voice came from behind.

"Uncle, please wait a moment."

He Da turned his head blankly: "Fang boy?" His eyes fell on the wooden stick on Fang Zichen's shoulder, and he started to stutter a little,

"Yes, what's the matter?"

Fang Zichen smiled, looking gentle. With a look on his face, he said: "I would like to ask where Liu Laizi's house is going."

Yesterday, the news that Liu Laizi was chasing Brother Zhao to tease her was spread throughout the village, and He Dalian reacted immediately.

This is Brother Zhao's man who is going to find a place for him.

"I know, I know," He Da pointed in the direction, very kindly: "You go along this road, turn left at the little poplar tree, and then keep walking. The one with the jujube tree in the yard is Liu Lezi. "

Thank you, uncle."

"We are from the same village, why are you so polite?"

When Fang Zichen left, several people gathered around him.

"That's Mr. Fang! What did he tell you? He was carrying a stick, and I thought he was going to hit you!"

"Why did he hit me? I didn't provoke him."

"Then what did he tell you? "?"

"Ask me where Liu Lezi's house is."

"Oh, I'm afraid we're going to hit someone again. Let's

go and have a look."

Yesterday, he was chased three miles away from Liu Dazhi, who was like a vicious dog. Liu Dazhi was exhausted, and he slept soundly this morning! There was a loud bang outside.

Liu Daleng and others saw Fang Zichen carrying a stick and coming to the entrance of Liu Lezi's house. He looked inside as if to confirm, then kicked the far door open and walked in carelessly, like a debt collector. Bully,

"Is Liu Lezi at home? If so, get out of here."

Liu Lezi opened the door with a cold face: "Who the hell are you?"

"Fang Zichen, brother Zhao, let's get to know this man."

Liu Lezi was dumb. .

"You, why did you come to my house?"

"I'm not doing anything. I just came to talk to you about life and ideals."

Liu Lezi didn't want to talk about life or ideals with him.

He Ergou had previously said that Fang Zichen had beaten Ma Dazhuang and the others very badly. When he heard this, he didn't take it seriously and even didn't take it seriously. However, when Fang Zichen bravely broke into Ma's house a few days ago, he was outside!

"Why, don't you invite me to come in and sit down!"

Liu Lezi's door was only half-opened. Hearing this, he subconsciously wanted to close the door. Fang Zichen snorted and rushed over.

Liu Dal was stunned when he saw Fang Zichen knocking Liu Laizi away, entering the room and closing the door.

"What kind of situation is this? Why do we need to close the door? Let's..." Do you want to go and take a look?

Before he could finish his words, a scream came.

Then the second sound.

The third sound.

He Da was stunned and everyone trembled inexplicably when they heard this.

I'll be a good boy.

During the Chinese New Year, the village chief's family killed a pig, and the pig didn't even scream so pitifully.

I don't know what kind of inhumane treatment Liu Leizi had experienced, but he actually screamed like this, which made them feel numb.

The door was pushed open from the inside, and Liu Laizi tried to crawl out from the ground with a bruised face, and then was dragged in by a pair of thin and slightly pale hands holding his calves.

The door clanged shut again.

He Da was stunned and everyone said: "······"

Chapter 28

"What's going on?" Several women heard the sound and came over.

A man wiped his face, composed himself, pointed at Liu Lezi's house, and said, "That boy Fang Zichen is beating someone inside!"

"What? Hey, why is Liu Lezi shouting so loudly? Should we go in and take a look? See? Don't beat him to death!"

"It's better to beat him to death," said a young woman, "so that he won't harm others in the future."

"I'm here to vent my anger on Brother Zhao!" The old aunt on the side said: "This man is better than Ma Wen."

More and more people watched the excitement, and the news spread instantly.

Brother Zhao was hoeing the ground in the courtyard, and Brother Zhou hurried in from outside.

"Brother Zhao, something bad is going to happen."

Brother Zhao almost hoeed his own feet.

"What's wrong?"

"Fang Zichen is at Liu Leizi's house, he... he's about to be beaten to death." Brother Zhou was breathing heavily and couldn't speak smoothly.

Brother Zhao was confused and swayed. Brother Zhou hurried over to help him: "Brother Zhao, what's wrong with you?"

"You said, my husband is going to... be beaten to death. " No

! It's Liu Lezi!"

"That's okay," Brother Zhao said.

Brother Zhou: "..."

Liu Laizi was about to be beaten to death, and he still said it was okay?

Does your family run a yamen?

If you beat someone to death, you will go to jail!

Brother Zhao and the others ran outside Liu Lezi's house, and the wailing inside just stopped.

There were many people surrounding Liu Lezi's house at this time.

As soon as Brother Zhao arrived, everyone spontaneously made way for them.

"Brother Zhao, go and persuade your man. Liu Lezi has been yelling at him for a long time. If he continues to fight, he will probably die."

Brother Zhao felt shuddered and immediately went to the yard.

Just then, voices came from the room.

The people outside the yard had been holding their breath and listening to what was going on inside. They had been quiet, but now they could hear it clearly.

"Do you dare next time?"

Brother Zhao paused, and it was Fang Zichen's voice, which was different from usual and very unfamiliar.

"No, I don't dare anymore." Liu Mingzi had three of his teeth knocked out and his words were leaky: "I really, really didn't touch him yesterday."

"I know you didn't touch him, so you can still Take a breather." Fang Zichen knelt down and held his chin, his face calm: "Do you know why I hit you?"

"Because I teased Brother Zhao." "Yes, but

.

I didn't touch him."

"If you have that idea, you should hit him." Fang Zichen used his hand hard, and his jaw bone was pinched so hard that it hurt. Liu Laizi felt that his jaw was dislocated, and the cold voice above his head came again: "Zhao "Brother is my husband, the person in my house, my son's father, and my recognized partner. I never allow others to get involved in my things, Fang Zichen. You should be damned if you dare to think like this.

" If you touched him yesterday, I would chop off your hands one by one. If anyone dares to hurt him, I will kill him."

Fang Zichen patted his face and warned: "This is number one. I will spare you this time. If you break your leg again, it will be easy. Remember?"

Everyone

around looked at him. Brother Zhao pursed his lips and lowered his head. His heart was pounding so hard that it seemed to be in his throat, and his mind was filled with Fang Zichen's words.

[He is my husband and my partner. Whoever dares to hurt him will be killed by me. 】

Brother Zhao's eyes suddenly became wet, but he tried his best to endure it.

Brother Zhou bumped him with his elbow and asked softly with some envy: "Does your man... always talk like this?"

"No... no."

When Fang Zichen came out, the wooden stick was dangling. His hand was stretched across his neck and shoulders, and he had a ruthless air all over him. He turned a blind eye to the people surrounding him. The courtyard door that was as short as his waist was closed and blocking the way, so he kicked it open.

Everyone: Did this courtyard gate offend you too? Kick him when he goes in, kick him when he comes out, and feel sorry for the door.

Brother Zhao: This posture is really more Liu Leizi than Liu Lezi.

When Fang Zichen saw him, he immediately put down the wooden stick and looked a little unnatural: "Brother Zhao? Why are you here?"

Brother Zhao's expression returned to normal: "I'll call you home to eat noodles." He stared at him Looking at Fang Zichen, he didn't see any injuries. His clothes were clean and tidy, as if he just went out for a walk after eating. But he still couldn't help asking: "Are you okay?"

"What can happen to me?"

Fang Zichen wanted to say Putting his hand on his shoulder, he just raised his hand but thought it was not suitable for so many people, so he had to put it down, leaned into his ear and said: "I've been able to defeat all Xiaohe Village's unbeatable opponents, don't worry!"

Brother Zhao hesitated and said: "Actually, you There's no need to make this trip. I'll be fine if I'm careful in the future."

"You can only be a thief in a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief in a thousand days." Fang Zichen said nonchalantly, "I'll beat him up and let him see you again. You'll be scared to death, let's see if he still dares to take advantage of you."

In the middle of the sentence, the village chief panted and ran towards me, followed by a few people: "Boy Fang, you...you again. Fighting? "

...

What do you mean?

It sounds like he loves to cause trouble and is dedicated to fighting.

"Fighting may not be the right word," Fang Zichen said, "It might be better to teach you a lesson."

"It's not the same, you're still a poor talker."

"That's okay! Just fight if you say you're going to fight!" Fang Zichen shrugged: "What are you here for? If you are worried about me, you can go back. If you are here to speak for Liu Lezi, you can also go back. He is not a good person. I am doing this for the majority of women and comrades in Xiaohe Village. There's nothing to criticize for saying something bad."

Village Chief: "..."

"But you can't just hit people!" said the Village Chief.

Before Fang Zichen could speak, Aunt He, who was following, interrupted: "That's right, everything must be reasoned with first. How can we beat him as soon as he comes up?"

The village chief's face hardened.

Fang Zichen didn't speak immediately.

He was unhappy when he saw Aunt He.

Fang Sanshao went to work in the fields for the first time in his life. After working hard for half an afternoon, he was stuffed with a few rotten sweet potatoes and took advantage of him. People always feel sick.

The tone was not very good at the moment.

"Be reasonable? Why are you being reasonable? Why do you stay in Xiaohe Village if you love to be reasonable? Why don't you go out to save all sentient beings?"

Aunt He: "..."

"I..."

"What am I? Don't stand and talk without hurting your back. Do you have a daughter or a brother? If Liu Leizi molests your daughter one day, if you can be patient and reason with him, you can come to me again, okay!" Fang Zichen showed some respect! He didn't even intend to give it to her: "It's none of your business, so don't pretend to be nice."

Wang Damei didn't know the twists and turns between them, but she just felt that Fang Zichen seemed to have a special opinion on her sister-in-law.

Seeing Aunt He's embarrassed expression, she couldn't help but persuade her: "Boy Fang, your aunt didn't mean this. You misunderstood."

"Misunderstanding? Is it because she can't speak or I don't understand?"

Wang Damei smiled: "It's you Aunt He who doesn't know how to talk."

"Then it's better to say less." Fang Zichen waved to Brother Zhao: "Let's go home for dinner."

Chapter 29

On the way, Brother Zhao secretly glanced at the people next to him.

The warm light of the early sun shone on Fang Zichen's tall silhouette, and his whole person seemed to be glowing. His face was white and handsome, and his eyebrows were heroic. He was truly a rare and outstanding person within a hundred miles.

Brother Zhao suddenly asked: "Did you often fight before?"

"How is that possible?" Fang Zichen, of course, couldn't tell the truth, and said with a half-truth smile: "I only started fighting when I came here. In the past I'm very kind."

Brother Zhao didn't believe it, "Really? I see that you are very skilled and powerful."

"No one dared to mess with me before," Fang Zichen said with some nostalgia, "Outside, my parents did. Qian, my uncle is a high-ranking official. In school, my eldest brother is the top student, and my second brother is the school bully. No one dares to provoke me. I can walk around everywhere, but I am so awesome. "

But I am not a hero . When he was brave back then, he sighed: "It's nothing like now. There are always some short-sighted people who want to bring bad luck to me."

They walked side by side, chatting and laughing. Ma Wen came out of the crowd and looked at the direction they left without moving. .

Fang Zichen didn't know what he said. Brother Zhao seemed a little angry and slapped him in the back. Fang Zichen was not angry either. He was compiling and smiling at Brother Zhao. Brother Zhao turned his head, his eyebrows full of smile.

Ma Dazhuang pulled him: "You see, you are thinking about me, but look at Brother Zhao, is he thinking about you?"

"Dad, please stop talking." Ma Wen didn't know what he was feeling. Hearing that Fang Zichen came to settle accounts with Liu Leizi, he dropped what he was doing and ran over, as if to seek proof of something.

Ma Dazhuang was quite resentful towards Brother Zhao: "I just want you to see clearly what Brother Zhao is like. It's only been a month! Look at what he looks like to Fang Zichen. Do you still remember who you are? I think he is right You don't have any affection at all." Ma Wen looked ugly, but he seemed to be unable to see it and said to himself, "Just forget about him! Mom and dad will find a better one for you."

Ma Wen said nothing . , until the backs of Brother Zhao and Fang Zichen disappeared around the corner, he looked away and said,

"Dad, go back!"

After breakfast, Fang Zichen was a little idle.

The cargo at the dock had been unloaded yesterday, and the ship steward would not take him to Zuixiaolou for an 'interview' until noon tomorrow, so he would have free time today.

Hearing that the official ship would arrive at noon today, Fang Zichen thought about it and asked Brother Zhao if he wanted to go and see it together.

The land beside the fence had not been turned yet, so Brother Zhao shook his head: "You go ahead, I won't go."

Before noon, Fang Zichen vaguely heard bursts of painful crying coming from the other side before he even approached the dock.

It looked like a funeral procession had just passed by, and there were some white papers left on both sides of the street.

The pier was crowded and extremely crowded. Fang Zichen glanced around, everyone looked solemn.

Some were crying, some were worried, and he even saw a few women wearing linen clothes and white cloths on their heads.

"Will my son come back this time? He has been gone for several years."

There was talk in his ears, and Fang Zichen looked over and saw a few old people.

"Who knows! Hey, by the way, has Old Wangtou come?"

"No, I heard that he can't get out of bed now."

"Hey! Old Wang is also pitiful, he only has a son, so young It must be uncomfortable to die in a place like the border. "

"I heard that the boy from the Jiang family will bring his son's ashes back to his hometown and return to his roots. This is a bit of comfort. "

...

The three big ships sailed. The ship sailed from a distance and slowly entered the port. On the ship stood two garrison soldiers holding spears and wearing swords.

The springboard was slowly lowered.

The crowd was surging, and Fang Zichen couldn't squeeze in, so he could only look from a distance with his height.

Someone got off the boat.

It was a soldier who was lame on half of his legs on crutches. Behind him were several wounded soldiers supporting each other. The white bandages on his body were covered with blood.

One after another.

Some were carried down, and some were carried on the backs of fellow villagers.

There are not many people in the boat who are good.

The crowd surged forward, and Fang Zichen heard some people hugging him and crying, while others were laughing, and it was noisy.

"My son, you are finally back."

"Brother, where is your...your hand?"

"Why don't you see my little tiger? Xiao Li, where is my little tiger...why doesn't he come back?"

"Mom, where's my father! Where's my father~"

"He said he would come to marry me when he comes back. I've been waiting for three years, and everyone else has come back. Why didn't he come back?"

"Brother Qian, look, then He only has one leg, and he is jumping around like a man with a broken leg. It's so funny! Hahaha~"

Fang Zichen was born in the prosperous age, and this was the first time he saw such a scene.

He didn't know anyone in the boat, but he felt heavy when he saw them.

People who grow up in peacetime and live under the sun will never understand the darkness and cruelty brought by war.

He saw a soldier take out an old piece of cloth wrapped in something from the old and blood-stained bundle.

He said something unknown to the old woman in front of him, and then slowly opened the old cloth.

Those are... ashes.

The old woman took it tremblingly. She didn't cry loudly, she just touched the thing in her arms gently, said thank you to the soldier, and walked away staggeringly.

This picture is somewhat shocking.

Death is too far away for him at this age, and Fang Zichen has no idea about this word.

But at this moment, facing such a scene, he suddenly had a real feeling in his mind.

This is a soldier who died in a foreign country and could not return to his homeland. He lay on the battlefield and was eaten by vultures and bitten by mosquitoes and ants. In the end, his bones turned into ashes and flew in the wind. He was lucky, but for those of them hiding behind , for those who are not affected by the war and live a stable life, he is unfortunate.

Fang Zichen couldn't help but wonder, how old was that person?

Was he thirty years old? Was he even the same age as himself? He died early in a foreign country at such a young age. What would his parents, wife, and children do in the future? Was he reluctant to part with him at the last second before his death?

No one wants to die.

Everyone wants to live well.

But in this era, human life is as cheap as grass, and is trampled like ants.

Their Fu'an Town is only a thousand miles away from the border, but in this era, even for those in Xiaohe Village who have never been out of Fu'an Town, this is a far and unreachable distance, but Fang Zichen, a later generation, It seems to be right next door.

At such a close distance, no one remembers the group of people who sacrificed themselves, and no one thinks that they used their flesh and blood to achieve such a stable life.

In the eyes of the common people, the only things that are relevant and worthy of being remembered are the tax hikes and military conscription this year.

They have not thought of thanking anyone. The only thing that can make them grateful is a certain general. .

Those unknown people who died without leaving any traces, except their relatives at home, who remembers them!

In this poor era with imperfect institutional systems, how will these returning wounded soldiers live their lives in the future? Will their families resent him because they can't do the work? Is there someone pointing fingers behind his back? Would they also be unable to bear the pain of their own mutilated bodies?

They may be forced to go to the battlefield far away from home, or out of their own free will. No matter what the reason is, they should be respected.

...

Although he knows he will die, he is still willing to die.

Fang Zichen let out a deep breath and walked towards the teenagers watching the show outside the crowd.

He was tall and straight, and his appearance was extremely outstanding. The other three people noticed him almost the moment he turned around and walked over.

As Fang Zichen approached, a young man in green clothes took the lead and asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

Fang Zichen punched him.

Sun Shangcheng was hit in the face and fell to the ground. Before the other two people could react, Fang Zichen sat on Sun Shangcheng's stomach, grabbed his hair and smashed him to the ground. He asked in a cold voice,

"Is it funny?"

The back of his head was hard. Hitting the ground hard, Sun Shangcheng's head was dizzy from the pain. He grabbed Fang Zichen's hand and said, "Who the hell are you? Are you sick?"

"Young Master, what are you doing? Please stop." Qian Haoyu reacted and reached out to pull Fang Zichen away from Sun Shangcheng.

Fang Zichen had great strength and threw his hand away. His arm moved his weak body, causing Qian Haoyu to stumble. Fang Zichen ignored Sun Shangcheng's struggle and pressed his head and hit him on the ground again: "Is it funny?"

Hit him again . For a moment: "Is it funny?"

Sun Shangcheng had a headache and his ears were ringing, and warm liquid flowed down the back of his head: "Damn it, I, I'm going to kill you."

"Young Master, stop quickly, keep hitting, human being He's going to die." Li Jing said anxiously.

He and Qian Haoyu couldn't pull or push him away.

Fang Zichen is like a mountain that cannot be shaken.

No one paid attention to this side. They were three weak scholars, and Fang Zichen was not afraid at all.

He refused to listen to the dissuasion and stared at Sun Shangcheng with a half-smile. His smile was extremely handsome and sunny, but at this time he was full of anger and his eyes were so cold that it really frightened everyone present.

"Do you still think it's funny?" His voice was extremely cold: "Tell me, who is the lame person?"

Li Jing and Qian Haoyu realized.

They originally thought that the other party hit someone for no reason because they were full, or because Sun Shangcheng accidentally offended him before. It turned out that the other party heard what Sun Shangcheng just said and couldn't stand it, so they came to teach Sun Shangcheng a lesson.

They didn't understand the situation before and were quite disgusted with Fang Zichen's unprovoked beating. Now the two of them just felt that Fang Zichen did a good job.

Well done.

The beating made Sun Shangcheng scream.

Qian Haoyu let go and stopped Fang Zichen without speaking or taking action.

Li Jing frowned: "Young master, we need to teach you a lesson, but don't beat him to death! The three of us came together. If something happens to him, it will be difficult for us to explain when we go back."

Fang Zichen only wanted to kill the person . I wanted to teach him a lesson. I really didn't want to beat him to death, so he beat him a few times and then stopped.

Afterwards, he walked around the town and when he got home, he found that his son had been beaten.

Chapter 30

Brother Zhou has a vegetable field in the west of the village. The family earns some income by selling vegetables, and he usually works very diligently.

Brother Zhao first took the good boy to Aunt Liu's house to ask. When he heard that Brother Zhou was not there, he came here.

Brother Zhou was a little surprised when he saw him: "Brother Zhao, why are you here?"

The good boy covered his chest and looked around. Brother Zhao patted him, and then he asked: "Uncle Zhou, where is Liuliu?"

"Here, over there!" Brother Zhou pointed in a direction.

It was a small flat area under the grain drying field. It was quite spacious and the children in the village loved to play there.

The good boy looked up at Brother Zhao, his eyes full of expectation. Brother Zhao smiled: "Go!"

"Thank you, daddy."

Brother Zhou saw that he was so small, but he fell and ran to the sun. Going to the barn, I couldn't help but laugh: "What happened to him today? He didn't want to leave you before."

"My husband bought him some candied fruits. He said he wanted to share them with Yoyo, so he dragged me over to find them.

" This thing is so expensive that Fang Zichen is willing to buy it. Brother Zhou sighed: "Your husband treats his good boy so well, he is no different from his own son."

Brother Zhao said nothing.

Fang Zichen treated his good boy well.

A few years ago, Widow Meng from Xiaorong Village took her son to marry Liu Gouzi from the village. Liu Gouzi either beat or scolded her son, and even didn't even give him much food. Zhao Geer passed by his house several times. , I also heard him scolding him in the yard, saying that he was not his son, that he would not kiss him when he was raised, and that he thought it was unlucky and wanted to raise a son for someone else.

Every time Liu Gouzi's family bought meat, they would always kick the young son out of the house without giving him a piece of meat. It was unlike Fang Zichen, who lived in a shabby house with no decent furniture, but as soon as he had money in his pocket, I can carry food to my house as much as I can, and I never feel bad that my little boy eats too much.

Eight or nine children gathered at the grain drying field and were building houses out of mud.

Liu Liu stood watching from a distance.

He and Guaizi were always ostracized by the children in the village. Aunt Liu's family is poor, and Guaizi followed Brother Zhao in Ma's house like a slave. Both children belong to the lower class in the village, so they are naturally rejected by the middle class and high-income class in the village.

The good boy ran for a short distance, his face flushed.

"Liu Liu."

Liu Liu laughed, walked over, and said happily: "Good boy, why are you here?"

"I want to give you a good thing." He covered his chest, pulled Liu Liu to the back of the tree, and made sure that there was nothing wrong with him. The person looked here and took out the candied fruit wrapped in oil paper.

Yoyo had never seen candied fruit before: "What is this?"

"It's delicious," Guaizi said. After Fang Zichen left for breakfast, he gave Brother Zhao two candies, and now there are only three left in the oil paper.

"I'll give you one, it's so sweet."

Liuyou was hesitant until one was stuffed in her mouth and her eyes widened in vain.

"It's really sweet!"

"Yes! My father bought it." Guaizi rewrapped the last two and stuffed them back into his clothes when a voice came from behind.

"What are you eating?"

It was Ma Erzhu's youngest son, who is eight years old this year and a strong boy. The boy was just as tall as someone's chest. He had been beaten several times by Ma Xiaoshun at Ma's house before. Seeing someone now, he was inexplicably scared. He lowered his head and subconsciously covered his chest: "No, I didn't eat anything."

"No way. I can smell it. Tell me, what did you eat?"

Guaizi didn't say anything. Just as Yoyo was about to stand up, Ma Xiaoshun went over and pulled Guaizi's clothes: "Is it hidden inside, you little bastard? If you dare to lie, take it out quickly."

"I won't give it to you~"

Guaizi staggered and almost fell. Yoyo couldn't stand to watch his friend being bullied. He immediately pushed Ma Xiaoshun, trying to make him let go.

It's a pity that Ma Xiaoshun is a tall man and a big horse, so he didn't push him after several pushes. Instead, he was pushed back by Ma Xiaoshun and fell to the ground.

"...Yoooo!!" Clay figurines have a bad temper! The boy got angry, shouted slogans, made a fist as big as an egg, and struck Ma Xiaoshun in the stomach with lightning.

"Ultraman Man fights monsters~Fights monsters~"

Ma Xiaoshun was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't realize how the little bastard he used to beat and scold at will dare to fight back. It wasn't until he was punched in the stomach that he came back to his senses.

"You little bastard, you dare to hit me!" He pushed the good boy to the ground, rode up on him, and used both hands to pull off his clothes: "You still dare to hide things, let's see if I can beat you to death.

" She struggled to turn over, facing the ground, tightly protecting her chest to prevent him from succeeding.

Liuyou got up and called for reinforcements. When Brother Zhao came, his son's clothes were almost torn. The little one was curled up on the ground. Ma Xiaoshun was still cursing at the side.

"Little bastard, do you want to take it out? If not, I'll keep kicking you!" When

Fang

Zichen got home, he felt something was wrong.

The courtyard door was open, but the house was quiet.

As I got closer, I heard some faint sobbing sounds.

It came from the room where they were sleeping. He ran in and saw his son sitting on the edge of the bed, a small lump with his head hanging down and choking softly. Brother Zhao was squatting in front of him.

"What's wrong?"

The good boy raised his head, his eyes filled with tears, and shouted in a crying voice: "...Father~"

A layer of skin was rubbed off on the back of his hand, and there was a piece of meat in his mouth that was slightly bleeding. There were tiny gravels and his hair was messy. Fang Zichen remembered that the clothes he was wearing were newly made. He was very rare for the good boy. Normally when he played with him, he looked very careful and cherished, but now it was wrinkled. It was dirty and even had a few footprints on it.

"He was beaten." Brother Zhao's eyes were a little red and he told him roughly.

"..."

Fang Zichen's expression was a bit indescribable.

He pinned people down and rubbed them on the ground in the town. As a result, his son was pinned down and rubbed on the ground in the village.

Is this retribution?

Brother Zhao went out to fetch water, and Fang Zichen pulled up a stool and sat in front of Guaizi,

"Does it hurt?"

"Yeah!" Guaizi lowered his head, and his hands were shaking in pain.

Fang Zichen grabbed his wrist, leaned over and blew: "Why are you fighting?"

"He wants to steal my things. If I don't give it to him, he will beat me." The good boy looked aggrieved.

Fang Zichen was puzzled.

The good boy doesn't have even half a toy, what does Ma Xiaoshun want to rob him of?

Just as he was about to ask, Guaizi took out the oil paper from his clothes with his other hand, which was not so seriously injured, and handed it to him: "Father, here~"

"Candied fruit?"

"Yes." Guaizi nodded.

"Why are you giving it to me?" Fang Zichen took it and opened it to see that there were only two pills left inside and they were squashed.

"Why give it to father? Father doesn't eat this."

"It's delicious," said the boy. "It's very sweet. Daddy eats it, boy eats it, and so does his father."

Fang Zichen couldn't explain what he felt in his heart. An eighteen-year-old boy was full of passion. He would have compassion for the weak, feel grief and anger for many unfair things, and have a sense of loyalty to his brothers. , but there will be no such thing as fatherly love across age.

But now after listening to Guaizi's words, his eyes began to feel sore.

"Just now your dad said you gave him two pills, gave me two pills, and gave you one to Liuliu. Didn't you just take one?"

"Yeah!"

"Don't you feel bad?"

Guaizi took a look. He quickly looked away from the candied fruit in his hand: "Young boy, just eat one. My father is an adult, so I have to eat a lot."

Brother Zhao brought water in, wiped the back of his hands, and used The needle picks out the small stones in the meat.

The whole process was not painless. The good boy didn't make a sound. Big tears rolled down his face and he sobbed quietly. When the pain was severe, he would make a small inhalation sound.

Fang Zichen couldn't help, so he could only keep saying from the side: "Brother Zhao, please be gentler. Oops, I'm crying when I hit him. Please be gentler."

Brother Zhao didn't say anything, and waited for him to shout again, then directly He handed over the needle and suggested tactfully: "How about you do it!"

After picking it, the boy's hand shrank, and he felt so distressed that he really couldn't do it.

Fang Zichen waved his hands repeatedly: "It's better you do it!"

The needle was small, and if he had to do it, his hand would probably get a few holes.

After working on it for a long time, it was finally done. The boy's eyes were red and swollen.

Fang Zichen coaxed him: "How about you take a nap first? It won't hurt when you sleep."

Guaizi nodded and said 'um' with a nasal voice.

Fang Zichen knelt down and gave him slippers. His little feet were no longer than the palm of his hand. They were white and tender, and the toes were round, like five round glutinous rice balls lined up according to their sizes. They were quite cute.

The good boy moved his toes and scratched his palms. Fang Zichen licked the corner of his mouth and started to pretend to be a monster: "Oh, what a white pig's trotters! I really want to take a bite."

The good boy tried to pull his feet back, but was caught. When I saw him approaching slowly with his mouth open, he forgot about the grievance and the pain, and screamed out in excitement.

"My feet are stinky, monsters can't eat them, monsters can't eat them. Dad, help me~"

"Huh?" Fang Zichen came closer and smelled it, then covered his mouth and nose and shouted in horror: "Damn, why is it so smelly? No way." , it stinks so much that I want to vomit, vomit~" He made a vomiting motion, as if he was really stung by the stench.

The good boy seemed to have discovered something interesting again. He laughed and stretched his feet under Fang Zichen's nose. He shouted excitedly,

"It smells like a monster, it smells like a monster."

"No~"

Fang Zichen stood up and shook his head. He fell staggeringly onto the bed, his body twitched, and he left his last words,

"Well, the monster stinks to death, and Ultraman wins again."

The good boy crawled over and lay on his chest, laughing non-stop.

Brother Zhao could hear it in the yard. He looked aggrieved just now, but now he was making trouble again, and he couldn't help but feel funny.

The good boy was young after all, so he couldn't remember things in his mind. He fell asleep after making a fuss, and seemed heartless.

He held his hands in vain on both sides of his head. Fang Zichen stood up and went out after seeing that the wound was not pressed.