Embroidery needles for making clothes were generally thin and small, while needles for stitching shoe soles were thicker.
In ancient times, without machinery, items made through meticulous and skilled handiwork were particularly expensive. When Fang Zichen went to buy them before, the shopkeeper said embroidery needles were three copper coins for two, and large needles for shoe soles were two copper coins each.
Embroidery needles were very thin and didn't look durable; they might break after a few stitches. Fang Zichen, considering himself a man who could manage a household and could consider all aspects of life, waved his hand grandly and directly spent four copper coins to buy two large needles.
These needles were thick and long, a bit thicker than a toothpick, and could last for decades without breaking.
Liu Gouzi still didn't understand what was going on. Fang Zichen took the needle first, grabbed Liu Gouzi's hand like a bully, and directly stabbed his thumb six times.
This man looks utterly shameless, so his skin is probably thick too.
Earlier, when Xiao Feng was injured and couldn't work, he didn't come to ask for him. Only when the child was better did he think of taking him back.
He, Fang Zichen, had always been the one to take advantage of others. Now, for someone to actually try to climb over him and take advantage of him—Fang Zichen simply could not tolerate it.
He used force. Liu Gouzi howled and cried out.
Meng-shi saw blood spurting from his thumb and shuddered: "Husband~"
Fang Zichen stabbed a couple of times, only feeling more and more addicted the more he stabbed. No wonder Rong Momo loved stabbing Ziwei so much back then!
[Rong Momo is the infamous, ruthless palace maid in the classic Chinese drama "My Fair Princess", while Ziwei is one of the drama's main protagonists]
Guaizai watched eagerly. With each stab, Liu Gouzi howled. Stab again, and he would howl towards the sky. It had a rhythm and seemed like great fun: "Father, Guaizai wants to try too, Guaizai wants to try too."
"Okay." Fang Zichen was always responsive to his son's requests. He kicked Liu Gouzi in the kneecap. Liu Gouzi thumped down to his knees on the ground. Then, firmly restrained by Fang Zichen, his thumb was pried up. Fang Zichen handed the needle to Guaizai: "Son, stab here. Use force, aim carefully, don't accidentally hurt anything else."
Liu Gouzi felt like he was pinned under a huge mountain, unable to move. In broad daylight, under the clear sky, he never expected Fang Zichen could do such a heartless thing.
He begged for mercy. Fang Zichen remained unmoved and didn't let go. So he started cursing furiously.
Meng-shi moved to help but was blocked by Zhao Ger's outstretched hand.
Guaizai was just about to plunge the needle down when he heard the man cursing. His little brows instantly knitted together. In his mind, he could tolerate being bullied himself, but no one was allowed to insult his dad and father. It was as if he had swallowed half a pound of gunpowder; he swelled up with fury. He took several steps back, narrowed his eyes to take aim, then clutched the embroidery needle tightly in both his small hands and charged straight at Liu Gouzi.
"Dare to curse my father, Guaizai will stab you to death, stab you to death!!"
"Ah..." The ten fingers are connected to the heart. With this stab from Guaizai, Liu Gouzi's thumb was almost pierced through, losing half his life on the spot.
Guaizai still felt it wasn't satisfying enough to vent his hatred. He stabbed several more times: "You big villain, cursing father, Guaizai stabs you, stabs you, stabs you~"
Liu Gouzi howled like a wolf, kept on crying out continuously. Tears and snot smeared all over his face. His thumb was almost riddled with holes with no place left to stab.
By now, enough blood had flowed. Zhao Ger directly had Fang Zichen press Liu Gouzi's hand onto the paper.
To be safe, he also had Meng-shi press her fingerprint.
Supported by Meng-shi, a weeping Liu Gouzi stumbled away. Once they had put some distance between them, he began to curse and swear, hurling insults at Fang Zichen's ancestors for eighteen generations. And that wasn't all—he continued with a stream of vulgarities involving every conceivable body part.
Meng-shi was still shaken by fear: "Husband, say less. If someone hears and reports it to him, you might get beaten again."
Liu Gouzi immediately shut up. He turned to look back, feeling that the small courtyard surrounded by the bamboo fence was even more terrifying than a bandits' den.
Earlier, he had thought, six hundred taels was definitely something he couldn't give. If he couldn't take the child back, then so be it. Zhao Ger could buy ginseng for that little beast, so he must treat him quite well. He had opened a shop in town, and these past few months had bought so many chili peppers and garlic in the village. Roughly estimating, it was already over ten taels. If the little beast followed him, whatever little things leaked from his fingers, the little beast could earn quite a bit. Later, he could send Meng-shi to ask for some. The little beast and Meng-shi were mother and son. If Meng-shi asked, he would naturally give.
Now, after suffering this ordeal, forget about signing the severance document; even if he didn't sign, he wouldn't dare come again.
This family, the big ones and the small ones, are too terrifying.
Watching Liu Gouzi flee in panic, scared out of his wits, Fang Zichen pulled Zhao Ger back to their room: "What's with this severance document? Did you discuss it with Xiao Feng beforehand?"
"We discussed it." The blood print wasn't dry yet. Zhao Ger blew on it. "Xiao Feng agreed, so I did it this way. Most people in the village are good and kind, but there are always a few with impure motives. If we don't sign this severance document, there might be endless trouble in the future."
Having lived in the village for many years, he had witnessed all manner of disgraceful and sordid affairs.
People are naturally sympathetic. Xiao Feng now lived with them. While it wasn't a life of luxury, it was certainly better than what most villagers had. In the future, if Liu Gouzi sent Meng-shi to their door seeking financial help and Xiao Feng refused, the villagers might grow envious and resentful. They would likely point fingers behind his back, accusing him of being an unfilial son.
Simply severing their kinship ties wasn't enough to ensure Liu Gouzi would never cause trouble again. This matter could only be truly settled if Liu Gouzi was genuinely afraid of their family.
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