Chapter 7: Assists

Zhou Qing jumped to dodge.

"Grandma, stop hitting me. You'll beat me to death."

Sun's eyes were burning with anger.

"I might as well beat you to death! That'll save me from always being angry at you." Sun shouted, waving the broom.

Zhou Qing dodged around quickly.

"Grandma, wouldn't it be great if my father studied? If he passes the imperial exam, he could earn an official title, and you'll become a respected madam."

"Nonsense! Your father is too old for that. A grown man sitting with young men, if he's not embarrassed, I am!"

In the small room, Sun couldn't catch Zhou Qing, and panting heavily, she had to switch her target to Zhou Huaishan.

"Give me those," Sun demanded, glaring at Zhou Huaishan.

Zhou Huaishan hugged his possessions tighter, ready to start another round of dramatic outbursts when Zhou Qing cheerfully said to Sun, "Oh, Grandma, I forgot to tell you, I gave Wang Qiang a good beating in town today."

After saying that, Zhou Qing sprinted out into the courtyard.

Sun was stunned, as if hit by a hammer.

She stood in shock for a moment, finally catching her breath. Trembling with anger, "You little brat! I knew you wouldn't rest until you drove me to my grave!"

Roaring, Sun left Zhou Huaishan alone and chased after Zhou Qing with the broom.

Missing his chance to show off, Zhou Huaishan curiously peeked out the window.

Having lived a dissolute life for so many years, this scene felt so familiar!

Zhou Qing ran into Wang as soon as she exited the room.

"Qing, stop making your grandma angry. Those writing supplies you've bought, it's not a waste if your big brother use them. Go apologize to your grandma, look how angry she is."

"Auntie, it's fine if my big brother uses them, but you have to pay me."

Wang spat angrily, "I didn't ask you to buy them!"

Zhou Qing rolled her eyes. "So, Auntie, you mean I should give you the stuff I bought, and then pay off the debt myself? How can you even say that?"

Sitting nearby on a stool, Zhou Ping stirred pig feed while muttering, "That's what we call shameless."

Wang...

She glared fiercely at Zhou Ping.

Zhou Ping looked up innocently at Wang and asked, "Auntie, are you glaring at me?"

Wang...

Inside, Zhou Huaishan chuckled. This kid has potential.

Zhou Ping suddenly had a look of realization. "Auntie, did you think I was talking about you?"

Wang...

Sun didn't have time to deal with this. Pointing the broom at Zhou Qing, she asked, "What did you just say? Who did you beat up?"

Zhou Qing smiled at Wang, "Auntie, is Wang Qiang's family rich?"

Wang...

The sudden change of topic caught Wang off guard. She hesitated for a moment, then proudly straightened up, "My family in Wang Village is indeed well off."

"No wonder. Today in town, I saw Wang Qiang visiting a brothel. I thought, isn't this Auntie's nephew? My first uncle is a scholar, and my older cousin is studying hard. Wang Qiang's actions would bring disgrace to them, so I beat him up. No need to thank me, Auntie."

Wang almost choked.

"What did you say!"

Gritting her teeth, Wang shouted.

Zhou Qing chuckled. 

"See, Auntie, there's no need to thank me. I just beat him so bad he couldn't get up, but didn't break any bones... Oh."

Wang looked like she had been struck by lightning.

"Y-Y-You..."

She pointed at Zhou Qing, stammering, then sat on the ground crying and slapping her thighs.

"How miserable I am, working like a slave for this family, and now they’re beating my family too. What's the point of living? My poor Yuan, your mother can’t even let you study in peace."

Wang cried loudly while Sun, furious, chased Zhou Qing with the broom, and Zhou Qing hopped around the courtyard to dodge.

While dodging, she shouted, "Wang Qiang visiting a brothel certainly brings shame to my older cousin. But Auntie, if you cry like this, all the neighbors will know."

Zhou Qing wasn’t sure if Wang's crying would alert the neighbors.

But her shouting would definitely make sure they heard.

A scoundrel like Wang Qiang, she doubted her grandma and Wang would still force her to marry him.

In the midst of the commotion, Old Zhou and the third family came back.

From afar, they could hear Zhou Qing's shouting. Old Zhou entered the courtyard with a dark expression.

"Arguing again, arguing all day, wasn't it enough this morning? After being out all day, you come back and argue?"

He angrily threw the hoe on the ground.

For years, it was always the second and third sons working in the fields, and he would only help during busy times.

Now that the second son refused to work, he had spent the whole day in the field and felt exhausted.

Zhou Qing paid no attention to the old man's anger.

"Grandpa, it’s not my fault. Wang Qiang was the one visiting the brothel, not me."

"Have you no shame? A young girl talking like that!" Old Zhou was shaking with anger.

"Waah..."

Zhou Ping, who had been watching silently, burst into tears as soon as Old Zhou finished speaking.

His crying immediately drew everyone's attention.

Zhao, worried about her son, ran over and hugged him, "Ping, what's wrong?"

Zhou Yao also came over, looking at Zhou Ping with concern.

Although Zhou Huailin didn't move, but his eyes were fixed on his son, full of worry.

Zhou Ping cried, "I want to visit a brothel too!"

His words shocked the entire Zhou family.

Old Zhou’s face turned dark, "You little brat, you’ve crossed the line!"

Zhao, startled, gave Zhou Ping a smack on the head, "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Zhou Ping, holding his head, cried, "I’m not talking nonsense. Why is it okay for Brother Wang Qiang visit a brothel and no one says anything, but when my sister stops him, she gets scolded? Then visiting a brothel must be a good thing. If it's good, why can’t I go?"

As he spoke, Zhou Ping looked at Old Zhou and Sun with his black eyes.

Old Zhou...

Sun...

If Sun hadn't agreed to the marriage, it wouldn’t be an issue, but now...

Her face felt hot with embarrassment.

Zhou Huaishan watched from the window, thoroughly entertained.

"Tsk tsk, this kid has potential, just like me!"

Hearing her son's words, Zhao was at a loss for words. Zhou Yao poked Zhou Ping's forehead and said, "Phooey, visiting a brothel is a bad thing. Only lowlifes do that."

Wang's face turned red with embarrassment and anger.

Zhou Ping, confused, asked, "Then why are grandpa and grandma scolding sister? Didn't she do the right thing?"

Zhou Qing...

This little brother is a godsend!

I like him.

After Zhou Ping finished, the courtyard fell silent.

Sun, looking at her eldest daughter-in-law, couldn't bear to see her embarrassed, so she glared fiercely at Zhou Qing, "Regardless, you shouldn't hit people. Is hitting people justified? Why are you standing there? Your grandpa and third uncle have been working in the fields all day and haven't even had a proper meal yet."

"Well, it's because you were chasing me, Grandma. Otherwise, the food would be ready."

Zhou Qing retorted firmly, then turned to cook. Before leaving, she added.

"Grandpa, don't blame grandma! The food will be ready soon."