Chapter 30

On the way back, Chu Jiujiu was in a bad mood.

Of course, no one would be happy if they encountered such a thing.

Zhang Fengjuan was a deceased person, and Zhao Shiliu dared to impersonate a dead person in order to steal benefits for himself. What made her most angry was that they didn't know how long Zhao Shiliu had been doing this. If they hadn't happened to run into them today, wouldn't they have found out until she and Chu Shao left Qingzhu Village?

The person who sent the money was most likely Chu Shao's father, Chu Liqiang. Chu Jiujiu had never heard of his great-grandfather sending money to his grandfather. Obviously, until Chu Shao's death, he had no idea that anyone had sent money to them.

So hateful!

Zhao Shiliu's momentary greed directly destroyed the father-son relationship between grandpa and great-grandfather. If grandpa knew about this, he might have written a letter to great-grandfather. After receiving the letter, great-grandfather's fate might have changed, and he would not have died so early!

It’s so hateful!

Chu Jiujiu was filled with righteous indignation. Although she didn't know who had sent the money, Zhao Shiliu had already been listed as the number one on her blacklist of the people she hated the most. The second was Zhang Pozi, the third was Zhang Qingguo, and the fourth was Niu Ailing, who wanted to sell her out.

In her opinion, it is more disgusting for a blood relative to harbor malice towards her than for a non-blood relative to harbor malice towards her.

Chu Jiujiu was lost in her own thoughts. She racked her brains but couldn't figure out what to do to avoid making a big deal out of it while still getting the remittance back. As she thought about it, she came up with another question.

Looking up, she asked Han Shengyi beside her, "Why can Zhao Shiliu pretend to be Zhang... my mother?"

Han Shengyi: "The people at the post office didn't know Zhang Fengjuan. If she had something that could prove her identity, such as a letter of introduction, she would have been able to withdraw the remittance."

Another letter of introduction.

Chu Jiujiu recalled that when the red box was brought back, the team leader opened it in front of everyone. Later, when it was taken home, Chu Jiujiu also flipped through it. There were a lot of papers inside, but no letter of introduction.

Chu Jiujiu suddenly understood, "She must have taken the letter of introduction a long time ago!"

After turning her eyes, she asked Han Shengyi, "Do you think... Mrs. Zhang knows about this?"

The two looked at each other, and Han Shengyi raised the corner of his lips and smiled somewhat sarcastically, "I guess, I don't know."

Chu Jiujiu sneered, "I guess so."

If Mrs. Zhang knew, Zhao Shiliu would not have to pretend to be Zhang Fengjuan. As long as Mrs. Zhang said that Zhang Fengjuan had passed away and she was Zhang Fengjuan's mother, the post office staff would naturally give the remittance to her.

Zhao Shiliu was secretive and sneaky. In addition to being on guard against the villagers, he was probably also on guard against his own family members.

Chu Jiujiu walked forward a few steps, lost in thought. Han Shengyi looked ahead and suddenly suggested, "How about I go and steal the things back?"

Chu Jiujiu was stunned for a moment, "What did you steal?"

Han Shengyi turned his head to look at her, "Letter of introduction, receipt, and money."

Since Zhao Shiliu also feels that this matter cannot be made public, it will be much easier to deal with. If she makes Chu Jiujiu and Chu Shao suffer in silence, then they can also retaliate in the same way and make Zhao Shiliu suffer in silence.

As long as she got the letter of introduction back, she wouldn't be able to impersonate Zhang Fengjuan anymore. And with the receipt, they would have evidence and wouldn't be afraid of Zhao Shiliu coming to her house. As long as she was smart, she wouldn't bother with it anymore. After all, her behavior was like claiming someone else's property. If everyone knew about it, she would be in trouble.

Chu Jiujiu was a little conflicted. "This isn't good. It's shameful to tell anyone about it. If I get caught, I won't be able to explain myself..."

Han Shengyi had certainly thought it through carefully before making this suggestion. He explained, "I can let Chu Shao go with me. He's Mrs. Zhang's grandson. If he doesn't get anything, no one will say anything about him. And if he does, even less will anyone say anything about him."

Chu Jiujiu shook her head when she heard this. "Chu Shao won't agree to this. He hates the Zhang family and would rather not have the money. He doesn't want to have anything to do with the Zhang family anymore."

Han Shengyi's expression didn't change much, he looked very calm, "Go back and ask him first, what if he agrees?"

Chu Jiujiu felt that she didn't need to ask, as she knew her grandfather best and he would definitely not agree. But since Han Shengyi said so, she nodded and prepared to wait until she got home to talk to Chu Shao about it.

After all, apart from this method, she didn't know what else to do.

Who would have thought that when they got home, Chu Jiujiu told everything that happened today like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube. After mentioning the method Han Shengyi proposed, Chu Shao was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Okay, let's do it."

Chu Jiujiu: “…”

"Grandpa, are you serious?"

Chu Shao frowned, "What do you mean?"

Chu Jiujiu looked at him, "Aren't you afraid of being caught?"

Chu Shao nodded again, "Afraid."

Chu Jiujiu: "...then why did you agree so readily?"

Chu Shao lowered his eyes, "Then I can't leave such an important thing at the Zhang family. It's a time bomb. It's okay if nothing happens, but if something goes wrong, it will be a big deal."

Chu Jiujiu was stunned, obviously not understanding what Chu Shao meant. No wonder, she had just arrived here and had no idea how terrible the bloody storm three years ago was, nor did she know how complicated the situation of the Chu family was.

She was not sensitive in this regard, so she didn't know how worried Chu Shao was.

No matter who the remitter is, that person must be related to the Chu family. Zhao Shiliu may not know what the remitter's name means now, but if one day she knows, what will she do?

Report him, threaten him, or use him?

So let alone stealing, even if he had to break down the wall of Zhang's house, he had to get those things back. At the very least, he couldn't leave any written evidence for Zhao Shiliu.

Chu Shao had two objections to Han Shengyi's plan. "After we go there, just steal the receipt and letter of introduction. Don't take the money, or they'll become desperate. Also, I'll go by myself. Don't let Han Shengyi get involved. He has a sensitive identity and can't be involved in this kind of thing."

Chu Jiujiu felt that what he said made sense, but she didn’t know how much money the other party had remitted. If the amount was too large, Chu Jiujiu might be heartbroken for a long time.

"Grandpa, let me go with you. I can find things faster than you. If you really run into the Zhang family, I can help you."

Chu Shao was about to refuse, but soon he remembered Chu Jiujiu's gift of photographic memory. She was indeed quick at finding things. She could remember what was placed in each place at a glance and would not look for it repeatedly. Moreover, with him around, the Zhang family would not dare to do anything to her.

After a moment of silence, Chu Shao nodded and said, "I won't be working tomorrow. While their whole family is out planting rice, come with me to their house."

Chu Jiujiu clenched her fists, feeling that her whole body was filled with justice.

"good!"

——

Han Shengyi didn't know that the grandfather and grandson had discussed and decided to kick him out. He sat on a small stool, helping Grandma Han wind the thread while talking about what happened when he met Zhao Shiliu today.

Grandpa Han sat on the bed, squinting his eyes as he whittled bamboo strips. Hearing that Zhao Shiliu had been impersonating Zhang Fengjuan, and apparently for quite some time, he sighed. With a swish, he raised his knife and set the whittled bamboo strips aside. He commented, "To think there are such shameless people! The Zhang family is truly remarkable. They were born into a family of bad children, and only one good girl died young."

After a pause, he nodded seriously, "We should have a good talk with them. These two kids are living on their own and need money everywhere. How can they just embezzle the remittance without saying a word?"

Grandma Han wound the ball of thread, then picked up the scraps of thread on the ground and slowly rolled them out. After everything was done, she tied the rolled scraps of thread together again. In this way, these scraps of thread could also be used as long thread.

She is just like that. Most of the time, she just listens, doesn't speak, and doesn't express her own opinions. After all, it's not her family's business, and in the final analysis, it has nothing to do with her.

Han Shengyi watched Grandma Han's movements. Suddenly, he lowered his voice, leaned forward slightly, and a hint of pleading was in his tone: "Grandma, I want to help her."

It has been many years since I heard Han Shengyi act coquettishly towards me.

Grandma Han paused, but she didn't say anything for a long time.

Han Shengyi knew that his grandmother would not agree easily. It was not easy to get her to tacitly agree that he and Chu Jiujiu were friends. But he was not satisfied with staying at this point. He wanted to be closer to Chu Jiujiu. He wanted to be like other children in the village. When his playmates encountered problems, he also wanted to join in. He wanted to really help instead of just giving bland advice behind the scenes.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Grandpa Han sat on the bed, his eyes darting from side to side. His wife was cold and stubborn, and his grandson was almost as bad-tempered. He was agonizing. Why hadn't anyone inherited his virtues? Wouldn't it be nice to be a good person who never offended anyone?

…

Grandpa Han chuckled twice and tried to smooth things over. "Helping others is a good thing. Shengyi has grown up and has his own ideas. But... listen to what Grandpa will tell you. Given our current situation, it's really difficult for us to help others..."

Grandpa Han spoke slowly, and after finishing the previous sentence, it took several seconds to hear his next sentence, as if he had to think over each sentence over and over again, wondering if it was appropriate before speaking it seriously. Han Shengyi didn't react to his words, but Grandma Han frowned impatiently.

What annoyed her most was Grandpa Han's behavior. He was smooth to the outside world and smooth to the inside. He never spoke ill of others, but he was also never straightforward. As a friend, this was the most suitable personality, but as a couple, it was the most infuriating.

Before Grandpa Han could finish his next sentence, Grandma Han threw down the broken thread in her hand and interrupted him rudely, "Okay, don't bring your tricks home."

Grandpa Han: “…”

If you don’t want to bring it, then don’t bring it. Why are you so fierce?

…

He stopped talking, and Grandma Han finally raised her head and looked at Han Shengyi, who had been waiting for her consent.

"Shengyi, you've grown up too."

After this New Year, Han Shengyi was only twelve years old, but in this era, twelve years old was already an age when one should be sensible.

For some reason, Han Shengyi was actually a little nervous. His five fingers were slightly curled up, wrinkling the cloth on his knees. Looking at Grandma Han's weathered eyes, he nodded cautiously.

Grandma Han looked at him. The little grandson who used to run around her legs had grown so big in the blink of an eye. She wanted to touch his head, but her right hand felt like it weighed a thousand pounds and she couldn't lift it. In the end, she could only sigh and said in a compromising tone, "You're old enough now. Do whatever you want. But don't forget that everyone is responsible for their own actions, whether the results are good or bad."

Han Shengyi lowered his eyes, not knowing what he remembered. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly. When he raised his eyes again, the smile on his face was the same as usual. "I know. Grandma, thank you."

After he finished speaking, the room returned to silence. After helping Grandma Han sort out the broken threads for a while, Han Shengyi stood up and went out with the family's water bucket. Grandpa Han waited until he was out of the door before lowering his voice and asking, "Why did you agree?"

Grandma Han asked back, "Why shouldn't I agree?"

"What if it gets out of hand and Shengyi is implicated?"

Grandma Han: "So you think if I don't agree, he won't be implicated?"

Grandpa Han choked, thinking about it, Han Shengyi's personality has always been like this. On small matters, he listens to the old couple, but on big matters, he only listens to himself, such as being transferred to the countryside.

In fact, only Grandpa Han and Grandma Han were sent down to the countryside. Han Shengyi wasn't even on the list. There were many places he could have gone. His uncle, his mother, and his father's old friends were all willing to take him home, but he insisted on staying with his grandparents. After arriving in Qingzhu Village, he ate coarse food like everyone else, but never complained.

If Grandma Han didn't agree to him today, he wouldn't change his mind. At most, he would change his open and aboveboard help to a sneaky one.

After figuring this out, Grandpa Han also sighed. Seeing that he understood, Grandma Han patted her waist and stood up. She rarely comforted Grandpa Han, "Chu Jiujiu is a good child. She is smart, clever, and warm-hearted. Chu Shao is steady, like his mother. It's not a bad thing that Shengyi is close to them."

After twisting her stiff back, Grandma Han added, "I think Shengyi's vision is much better than his father's."

Grandpa Han instinctively wanted to smile. This was his habit when interacting with others; no matter what they said, he would always smile. However, the next second, he realized what Grandma Han had said, and his expression froze. His half-smile looked ridiculous no matter how he looked at it. He tugged at the corners of his mouth, but couldn't lift it any higher.

Grandpa Han stopped talking, and Grandma Han turned around and put away the balls of thread with a normal expression.

——

The next morning, Chu Jiujiu ran out of her yard. She stood near the cowshed and waited for a while. When she saw Han Shengyi coming out, she ran over quickly, pulled Han Shengyi aside, and told him Chu Shao and her plan.

Upon hearing Chu Shao's new plan, Han Shengyi didn't say thank you, nor did he feel unhappy. He thought for a moment and shook his head at Chu Jiujiu, "No, you also said that this is not honorable. Since we have decided to do it, we must not let others find out. You don't want to cause trouble, right? I'll go with you. Don't worry, I won't go in. You need someone to keep watch, and I'll be able to do it."

This was when Chu Jiujiu showed how easily she could be influenced. She believed almost everything others said to the people she trusted was justified. Chu Shaoben had originally asked her to go out and inform Han Shengyi that he didn't need to come, but who knew that she would not only fail to complete her mission but also bring Han Shengyi back with her.

In the room, two teenagers of similar age were arguing with each other. Outside the room, Chu Jiujiu was sitting on a swing, swaying intermittently.

As she swayed, she looked at the sky.

When will we discuss it? If we wait any longer, the Zhang family will be back.

…

Finally, Chu Shao and Han Shengyi came out one after another and stood in the yard. Chu Shao had a cold face and didn't say anything, while Han Shengyi smiled at Chu Jiujiu and said, "Let's go."

You can tell who wins and who loses at a glance.

…

There was no sun today and the sky was gloomy. Not long after, they arrived at the door of Zhang's house. Chu Shao took the first look inside and found no one there.

During the busy farming season, every family in the village joined in the work. Even three-year-old children, unless they couldn't walk, had to follow their parents into the fields. The youngest child in the Zhang family was Donghua, who was already five years old. Naturally, she had already left with Zhao Shiliu, Zhang Qingshou, and the others.

The three of them looked at each other, and Han Shengyi warned them, "Be careful, and make a quick decision."

Chu Jiujiu: "Yeah, don't worry!"

Chu Shao: "So much nonsense."

…

Chu Shao used to live in the Zhang family's big house. He knew the structure inside very well, but he didn't know which house Zhao Shiliu and Zhang Qingshou lived in now.

After crossing the threshold, Chu Shao first lifted the curtain of the house on the left. There were two kangs in the room, one was covered with mats only, and the other was half covered with mats, and the other half was filled with several large boxes. Chu Shao had seen the box before, and it was Mrs. Zhang's most precious thing. It was locked and no one could touch it normally.

It seems that this is the room where Mrs. Zhang and the Zhang children live, and Zhao Shiliu's room should be another one.

Chu Shao lowered the door curtain without saying a word, but just pointed at the house opposite with his chin. Chu Jiujiu understood immediately, and immediately trotted over and started rummaging through the drawers.

They were both thinking about the receipt and letter of introduction, so no one noticed that in Mrs. Zhang's room on the left, behind a few boxes, there was actually a narrow gap that was only big enough for one person to lie down, and Zhang Fulai was sleeping in this gap.

He always smelled of feces, and the other children were unwilling to sleep with him. Mrs. Zhang also disliked him, but after all, Zhang Fulai was still her most beloved grandson, and she couldn't bear to let him sleep on the floor, so she simply moved the kang cabinet on her side away and made a small space for him.

Mrs. Zhang was not a generous person. The space she had allocated for him was not enough even for the chickens. Zhang Fulai slept uncomfortably and felt increasingly resentful. This morning, he simply skipped work.

He works hard outside every day, and when he gets home he has to face the cold stares from his brothers and sisters. His second aunt always sneers at him, saying that there are more and more dung beetles in the house and they all dislike him, so he has no chance of living well.

Isn't it because they dislike his odor? He just stays at home all the time, spreading his odor to everyone, not earning any work points, and letting these people who dislike him support him!

Zhang Fulai thought he was sleeping peacefully at home like a termite, and he was extremely arrogant. But when he really heard the footsteps, he was more scared than anyone else. He jumped out of bed, pricked up his ears and listened carefully. He found that there was movement in his second uncle and second aunt's room. He quickly ran out of bed, ready to sneak out when no one inside was paying attention.

He tiptoed out, but before he reached the door, he suddenly heard a vague sound coming from the room opposite.

"Grandpa...why isn't there..."

Chu Shao inside was frowning.

The room was so small, and there were no locks. They searched almost everything, but they only found the letter of introduction that Zhao Shiliu had hidden under her winter coat. They didn't find a single receipt or a single bill. Chu Jiujiu continued to search, opening a large drawer and burying her head in it. The more she couldn't find anything, the more anxious she became. Chu Shaoze held the letter of introduction and tried hard to think about where Zhao Shiliu would hide the receipt.

After searching through the entire drawer, Chu Jiujiu still found nothing. She suddenly raised her head and looked at Chu Shao, "Grandpa, do you think she left it on herself?"

It's possible to put money there, but she doesn't need to carry around a few useless receipts every day...

Chu Shao was about to speak when suddenly, the door curtain was pulled open.

Zhang Fulai looked at the two of them and shouted, "Great! How dare you come to my house and steal things!"

Chu Shao and Chu Jiujiu were both shocked because they hadn't heard Zhang Fulai come in. Han Shengyi, who was standing not far outside the house, heard the shouting from inside. He was stunned for a moment, then took a step and rushed into the Zhang family's house.

When he came in, Zhang Fulai was dragging Chu Shao, yelling relentlessly, "Come quickly! Catch the thief! Chu Shao stole things from my house, come and catch him!"

When he shouted like this, the corners of Zhang Fulai's mouth were almost stretched to his ears. Those who knew would think that his things were stolen, while those who didn't would think that he had picked up money.

Ever since he was punished to shovel manure, Zhang Fulai has been feeling angry and unable to vent his anger, so he has a bad time every day. But today, he can finally be proud of himself.

Because his parents almost tried to sell Chu Jiujiu but failed, they were about to send him to a labor camp. Chu Shao actually stole things from his family, so he would definitely stay on the farm longer!

Thinking of this, Zhang Fulai's adrenaline began to surge. He pulled and dragged Chu Shao, ignoring the strength of the three people, and successfully dragged him into the Zhang family's yard. People came over from outside the yard one after another. Zhang Fulai announced to everyone excitedly: "Chu Shao is a thief! I caught him stealing things. He is a thief! Hahahaha!"

Villagers: “…”

I've seen people gloating over other people's misfortunes, but I've never seen anyone gloating like this.

The villagers were whispering to each other, all thinking that Zhang Fulai was in such a state that was unbearable to watch, and Chu Jiujiu was almost going crazy with anxiety. She kicked Zhang Fulai several times, but he seemed to be insensitive to the pain and still held on to Chu Shao tightly. Chu Shao's face became more and more gloomy, and judging from his appearance, he probably wanted to strangle Zhang Fulai to death.

More and more villagers gathered around to watch, and at this moment, someone squeezed in from outside.

"What's going on?!"

Zhao Shiliu heard that something happened at home and rushed back without stopping. When she saw the scene, she did not attack immediately, but observed it carefully for a while.

When her eyes fell on the piece of paper that Chu Shao was tightly holding in his right hand, Zhao Shiliu finally understood what was going on. Her heart skipped a beat, and then she cursed Zhang Fulai in her heart.

Not enough to accomplish anything, but more likely to cause trouble!

After I deal with these two debt collectors, I will deal with you, the jinx!