Chapter 26
Ma Laosan pulled Sun Shi back a few steps, afraid his eldest nephew would question him about what happened.
Ma Dazhuang remained silent.
Madam Ma felt wronged, unable to understand why her son was fixated on questioning her.
Her eyes darted away: "Yes, yes, we sold him."
"Why?" Ma Wen demanded sharply. "When I left home, didn’t you promise me?"
Madam Ma: "Son, it’s not our fault! You don’t know what that—that Zhao Ger did! He has no shame! Not only did he cling to someone after falling into the water, but he also—"
"Enough! I know what kind of person Zhao Ger is. I’m only asking you—why did you sell him? You knew how much I liked him!"
"This—" Madam Ma’s heart ached that her son would make a scene over that lowly slut the moment he returned.
Ma Wen’s eyes reddened: "I’ve liked him since we were kids. You all knew that! Why would you do this? I didn’t even care that he gave birth to that bastard Guaizai, what does it matter if someone hugged or kissed him?"
What a shocking disgrace!
The village women watching from outside covered their mouths in astonishment.
This Ma Wen… was a real man.
Ma Dazhuang couldn’t stand his crying and scolded, "Enough! What kind of man cries like this? Aren’t you ashamed? I don’t get what’s so great about Zhao Ger that you’d make such a fuss. Your mother and I worked hard to raise you—for what? So you could fight with us over some ger?" Seeing Ma Wen’s devastated expression, his heart softened, and he patted his son’s shoulder. "Alright, if you like gers, I’ll buy you another one from town later."
Ma Wen shook his head, tears finally spilling over. "...I don’t want anyone else. I only want Zhao Ger."
Ma Dazhuang and the others were stunned, but he still choked out angrily, "Are you trying to kill us with anger?"
Ma Wen didn’t answer, grabbing his bag and retreating to his room.
Meanwhile.
Watching Zhao Ger dash up the mountain, Liu Laizi chuckled and chased after him, fantasizing about all sorts of indecent scenarios.
But as soon as he reached the foot of the mountain, he saw Zhao Ger carrying his son, walking down with Liu Dazhi from the village.
Liu Dazhi held a carrying pole in his left hand and a gleaming cleaver in his right.
Liu Laizi froze, then immediately turned tail and ran.
"Where do you think you’re going?!" Liu Dazhi shoved the cleaver at Zhao Ger and raised the pole to give chase.
He was Zhou Ger’s father-in-law, and Zhou Ger had also been harassed by Liu Laizi before. Now that the scoundrel was targeting Zhao Ger, old and new grudges boiled over.
He chased Liu Laizi for three miles, with many villagers witnessing the spectacle.
These villagers were sometimes sharper than detectives. After a bit of gossip, piecing together phrases like "I think I saw" and "seems like," their imaginations filled in the rest—soon, the whole "incident" was laid bare.
____
Fang Zichen had just reached the village entrance with a basket when an auntie heading to the fields to fetch her ducks stopped him.
"Hey, Fang boy, hurry back home!"
Fang Zichen: "..."
Isn’t that what I’m doing?
"Your Zhao Ger was—was… by Liu Laizi today…" She trailed off, as if searching for the right words.
But the abrupt pause terrified Fang Zichen.
He didn’t know who Liu Laizi was, but the name alone sounded like trouble.
[Laizi (癞子): literally means someone with skin lesions, but figuratively refers to a good-for-nothing, scoundrel, or rogue.
He immediately sprinted home.
Zhao Ger was watering the vegetable plot in the yard. He was diligent, tending to it daily, so the sprouts grew fast—tender and crisp. He’d picked some that morning for noodles, and Fang Zichen seemed to like them.
There was still an empty plot next to it. He’d till it tomorrow and plant more.
Just as he was thinking this, Fang Zichen rushed in, panting heavily.
Despite his usual stamina—carrying heavy loads without breaking a sweat—he was now flushed and sweating.
Zhao Ger quickly set down the ladle. "What’s wrong?"
Fang Zichen looked him over, his voice trembling slightly. "You’re okay?"
"Huh?"
"An auntie just said Liu Laizi… you…"
"Oh! That." Zhao Ger explained, "I just ran into him on the road today."
He gave a brief summary. When Fang Zichen heard he’d fled into the mountains, his temple throbbed, and he couldn’t help interrupting.
"Are you stupid? Running into the mountains? Were you worried Liu Laizi would struggle to drag you into the woods, so you decided to lend him a hand?"
Zhao Ger: "..."
"No, Zhou Ger mentioned this morning that Uncle Liu was cutting grass up there. The best grass in our village grows on the steep slopes, so I figured he’d be there."
"What if he had a brain fart and didn’t go there today?" Fang Zichen smacked him on the head. "How can you be this dumb?! Next time, run toward open areas where people might be. If you bolt into the mountains like a rabbit into a trap, of course they’ll get ideas!"
Zhao Ger knew he’d taken a risk.
Aunt Liu had already scolded him earlier.
"Running from Liu Laizi was the right move, but why head for the mountains? That slope is so remote! Just because Zhou Ger said your uncle Liu was cutting grass there doesn’t mean he actually went! What if he’d already gone home? What would you have done then? You need to be smarter!"
Now, Zhao Ger fidgeted guiltily, head bowed. "I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll be more careful next time."
Fang Zichen sighed. Now that he saw Zhao Ger was unharmed, the panic faded. Scolding him now wouldn’t change anything—what mattered was that he was safe.
Zhao Ger tried to shift the topic, eyeing the basket in his hand. "Did you buy something?"
"Oh, no. Lao Wu gave me some oranges."
Fang Zichen had told Zhao Ger about Lao Wu before, so he knew who he was.
He took two oranges, hung the basket on the fence, and handed one to Zhao Ger.
Peeling his own, he waved at Guaizai, who had been staring at him since he got back.
"Come here, kid."
Guaizai toddled over, his sweet, childish voice melting away all worries.
"Father~"
"Yeah!"
Fang Zichen grinned.
Zhao Ger peeled his orange, watching as Fang Zichen’s stern expression transformed into a radiant smile. It felt a little strange.
He was about to pop a segment into his mouth when—
Guaizai yelped in surprise, his tender face puckering like a wrinkled walnut as his delicate features contorted in dismay.
The sight sent Fang Zichen into fits of laughter.
"Hahaha—hahaha!"
Zhao Ger silently wrapped his orange back up and returned it to the basket.
The fruit was so sour it could loosen teeth. Fang Zichen had eaten one on the way home, and his front teeth still felt weak.
Guaizai, reluctant to waste food, chewed twice and forced it down with a gulp.
He punched Fang Zichen’s chest—though it was more like a kitten’s paw swipe.
"...Father bad."
"A bad father makes a beloved son." Fang Zichen pinched his little nose, then pulled something from his pocket.
He pulled out a small package of candied fruit wrapped in oil paper. As soon as he unfolded the wrapping, the sugary scent of preserved fruit filled the air.
Whether it was the lingering sourness or just plain craving, Guaizai’s mouth watered uncontrollably.
Fang Zichen, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, held the treat just out of reach, teasing the child with a roguish grin
"Kid, ever had candied fruit before?"
Guaizai’s eyes followed his hand. "...No."
"They’re super tasty. Sweet and delicious."
Seeing Guaizai practically drooling, he asked, "Want some?"
"Want!"
"Ah, but I’m a bad father, remember? Bad fathers don’t give kids treats. Oh well, guess these’ll go to waste."
Zhao Ger nearly rolled his eyes, but Guaizai fell for it. Standing on tiptoe, he looped his arms around Fang Zichen’s neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
"Not waste! Father good! Father not bad!"
His urgency suggested he feared Fang Zichen might actually toss them.
Fang Zichen couldn’t stop laughing as he shoved a piece into Guaizai’s mouth.
"Sweet?" he asked.
Guaizai’s cheeks bulged as he chewed, nodding vigorously. "Mhm!"
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