Back then, Zhao Ger hadn’t resisted. But now, he wasn’t part of the Ma family anymore. And if Madam Ma dared to scheme against Guaizai—that was no different from threatening his life.
The slap Madam Ma had landed on his face earlier had only happened because he hadn’t been prepared.
Fang Zichen’s expression turned thunderous. First, she had plotted against his son, and now she had beaten his fulang? With old and new grudges combined, fury burned in his throat.
The Ma family was too arrogant. After being beaten twice, they still hadn’t learned their lesson.
No one who provoked Third Young Master Fang and laid a hand on his people ever walked away unscathed.
"Damn it," Fang Zichen tossed the stick aside and said to Zhao Ger, "Does it hurt? Bear with it for now. In a few days, I’ll get revenge for you."
Zhao Ger gave a quiet "Mn," but he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
Back when he was with the Ma family and suffered beatings and curses, Ma Wen had often told him the same thing—to endure.
So he had endured. What else could he do?
Ma Wen had claimed to like him, but when Zhao Ger was wronged, he never stood up for him—only urged him to endure. Zhao Ger had never expected much from Ma Wen, but Fang Zichen was his husband. He had hoped Fang Zichen would vent his anger for him after learning he’d been wronged.
He didn’t even need Fang Zichen to do much—just sharing his indignation and cursing Madam Ma a few times would have comforted him.
When Liu Laizi had tried to bully him before (without success), Fang Zichen had stormed over to settle the score. But now, Fang Zichen was telling him to endure. Zhao Ger didn’t understand.
Guaizai returned from digging up earthworms and immediately noticed the injury on Zhao Ger’s face. He hugged Zhao Ger’s leg, his little face scrunched up in worry. "Daddy, does it hurt?"
Zhao Ger bent down and patted his head. "Not anymore."
"Was it dat Old Madam Ma who hit you?" Guaizai asked. Without waiting for an answer, he clenched his tiny fists and said fiercely, "Old Madam Ma is a bad egg! Bad eggs need a beating! When I grow up, I’ll go teach her a lesson and get revenge for Daddy!"
Fang Zichen chuckled and interjected, "How are you going to teach her a lesson?"
Guaizai thought for a moment, then puffed out his little chest. "When I grow up, Old Madam Ma will be super old. She’ll need a cane to walk—so I’ll snatch her cane, break it, and throw it away! Make her crawl home!"
Zhao Ger instinctively glanced at Fang Zichen, certain Guaizai had picked up such talk from him.
A few months ago, when the Ma family had caused a scene, Fang Zichen had snatched Old Master Ma’s cane, broken it, and tossed it aside. Old Master Ma had ended up being carried home by his daughters-in-law.
Zhao Ger didn’t say anything, but the reproach in his eyes was unmistakable. Fang Zichen suddenly felt like he was in trouble.
Thankfully, Guaizai hadn’t witnessed the time he beat up Liu Laizi.
From now on, he should keep fights and mischief far away from the kid.
____
Over the next few days, Fang Zichen left early and returned late. When he was home, he spent his time tinkering with jars and pots, hammering away at who-knows-what. He played with Guaizai for a bit before making him practice new characters.
Guaizai was clever—with daily lessons, he had already learned a few hundred characters. Fang Zichen was immensely proud, convinced it was all thanks to his excellent teaching.
The Fang family didn’t own any land. When the Zhou family harvested their corn, Zhao Ger would return from selling blood sausages, eat dinner, and then carry Guaizai on his back to help out.
Fang Zichen happened to be on break and went along.
In ancient times, poor families relied on brute strength for everything. Uncle Liu’s fields were far from home, and with his lame leg, carrying corn back and forth was exhausting. Fang Zichen didn’t know how to harvest corn, and compared to the ger, his skin was far more delicate. He was willing to learn—it wasn’t a difficult task—but after just a short while, his neck turned red and itchy from grass dust. He scratched at it, but Zhao Ger stopped him.
"Wash it with water," Zhao Ger said, wetting his hand and wiping Fang Zichen’s neck. "Don’t scratch—you’ll break the skin."
"But it itches so much!"
Zhao Ger thought for a moment, then pressed his nails lightly against the irritated skin—it relieved the itch without causing damage. "Does this feel better?"
"Mn!"
Now that he was comfortable, Fang Zichen leaned against Zhao Ger on a pile of cornstalks. The sun had tinted his cheeks a faint pink, making him look like a blooming peach blossom—radiant and flawless. Guaizai and Liuliu were picking corn not far away, while Aunt Liu and Zhou Ger were preoccupied. Zhao Ger, mesmerized by Fang Zichen’s beauty, suddenly leaned in and kissed him lightly.
This was rare for him—outside the house, Zhao Ger was usually shy and reserved. Fang Zichen jolted upright, stunned. He locked eyes with Zhao Ger, and when he saw the admiration and longing shining in them, his whole body tensed.
Damn it—this little ger knows exactly how to tease me.
He leaned close to Zhao Ger’s ear and whispered, "In broad daylight, under the open sky, with so many people around—you dare flirt with me like this? Shameless little rogue! You’ve ruined my purity, Brother Zhao. You have to take responsibility!"
No comments:
Post a Comment