Xiaoya's eyes turned red, tears welling up in her eyes:
"I...I just want to go back and see my parents..."
"See your parents? I think you want to see that damn Chen Changyuan!"
Zhou Dazhu rushed forward, grabbed Xiaoya's hair, and lifted her up like a chick.
"You bitch, are you still obsessed with him? Are you still thinking about eloping with him? I'm telling you, give up on this idea! Don't even think about leaving me in this life!"
Zhou Dazhu's roar echoed in the courtyard, startling a flock of birds.
He raised his palm as big as a palm fan and slapped Xiaoya hard on the face.
With a crisp "slap" sound, a bright red slap mark immediately appeared on Xiaoya's face.
She was beaten so hard that she felt dizzy, staggered, and almost fell to the ground.
"Beat me! Beat me to death!"
Xiaoya cried and her tears fell like beads from a broken string.
"If you kill me, I'll be free!!"
Zhou Dazhu was enraged by Xiaoya's words. He punched and kicked Xiaoya like a madman.
Xiaoya's cries became weaker and weaker, and finally turned into low whimpers.
At this time, Lai Zi appeared at the door of Zhou Dazhu's house.
He originally wanted to enter the yard, but when he saw Zhou Dazhu punching and kicking Xiaoya, like a butcher slaughtering a pig, he involuntarily shrank back, hid in the corner, and watched what would happen.
Xiaoya curled up on the ground, protecting her head, allowing Zhou Dazhu's fists and kicks to fall on her body.
She felt a burning pain on her face and a sweet and fishy smell in her nose, probably from nosebleed.
She felt extremely wronged and couldn't stop crying.
She thought of Chen Changyuan, the gentle and considerate man. When they were together, he never hit her, let alone said a harsh word to her.
But now, she has married Zhou Dazhu, a rude guy, and lives a life worse than pigs and dogs.
She regretted not marrying Chen Changyuan. If time could go back, she would never make the same mistake again.
Zhou Dazhu was tired and stopped, his heavy breathing echoing in the courtyard.
He turned his head and saw the beggar hiding in the corner.
"You bastard, what are you doing sneaking around like that?"
Zhou Dazhu asked in a rough voice, with a hint of impatience in his voice.
Laizi chuckled and walked in rubbing his hands.
"Brother Zhuzi, I just want to discuss something with you."
As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing at Xiaoya, who was curled up on the ground in dishevel, and a lustful glint flashed in his eyes.
Zhou Dazhu ignored Xiaoya and walked straight into the house, sitting down on a stool. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be so dithering."
Laizi followed him into the house and closed the door. Then he came up to Zhou Dazhu and said in a low voice:
"Brother Zhuzi, I came here today to discuss with you whether we should try our luck in the mountains as well."
"Into the mountains? Into your mother's mountains!"
Zhou Dazhu spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm and glared at the beggar fiercely.
"I eat commercial grain now, who wants to go to a deserted place to eat?"
Ever since being adopted by the Zhou family in the city, Zhou Dazhu seemed to have become a different person. His former diligence was long gone, replaced by laziness and arrogance.
The beggar's eyes rolled and he said with a smile:
"Brother Zhuzi, you eat commercial grain, so of course you don't need to go. But I'm almost broke, so please have pity on me and help me!"
As he spoke, he rubbed his hands which were covered in dirt, and his stomach growled in agreement.
Zhou Dazhu remained unmoved, crossed his legs, and glanced at Laizi:
"Don't try to play tricks on me, kid! I'm a man of status now, not like you peasants!"
The beggar's eyes rolled around, and he changed his words. He suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously:
"Brother Zhuzi, I came here today to discuss something with you. It's about that kid Chen Changyuan!"
Upon hearing the name "Chen Changyuan", Zhou Dazhu's originally careless eyes instantly became sharp:
"What happened to that pretty boy?"
Laizi came closer to Zhou Dazhu, his tone becoming more sinister:
"Brother Zhuzi, think about it, Chen Changyuan is so capable, he's bound to surpass you sooner or later! If the village chief gets carried away and gives him the title of 'Advanced Model', Chen Changyuan's wealth will skyrocket! In two years, when the village elects officials, if Chen Changyuan becomes an official, he'll be even more powerful!"
Zhou Dazhu's face changed. Laizi's words were like a thorn piercing his heart.
The person he feared most was Chen Changyuan, the man he once regarded as his defeated opponent, but who now surpassed him in every way.
Zhou Dazhu felt so angry when he thought that Chen Changyuan might bully him and act tyrannically.
"What do you mean, kid? Just say it directly if you have something to say. Don't beat around the bush!" Zhou Dazhu urged impatiently.
Laizi chuckled and rubbed his hands:
"Brother Zhuzi, what I mean is that we have to find a way to teach Chen Changyuan a lesson! Let him know who is the boss of this village!"
Zhou Dazhu's eyes rolled, and he already had a plan in mind: "Go on."
Seeing that Zhou Dazhu was interested, Laizi lobbied even harder:
"Brother Zhuzi, I heard a precious medicinal herb was recently discovered in the mountains, and it's incredibly expensive! If we can get some, not only can we make a fortune, but we can also put a dent in Chen Changyuan's arrogance! Think about it, Chen Changyuan hangs around in the mountains all day, so he must know about this herb. If we get it before him, wouldn't that be like cutting off his source of income? Then, let's see what he has left to fight you!"
The more Zhou Dazhu listened, the more he felt it made sense. He slapped his thigh suddenly:
"Alright! Let's do it! I want to see how Chen Changyuan can still show off without any source of income!"
When Lai Zi heard Zhou Dazhu's agreement, a flattering smile immediately appeared on his face, and he rubbed his hands, like a wild cat that had stolen some meat.
"Brother Zhuzi, I knew you were a good person! If this thing is done, you will definitely get some benefits!"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Zhou Dazhu waved his hand impatiently. "If you're going to do this, do it big! Where is the herb you mentioned? How much is it worth?"
The beggar's eyes rolled around, and he leaned close to Zhou Dazhu's ear and whispered something mysteriously.
Zhou Dazhu listened, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter, and finally he couldn't help but utter a curse:
"Damn it! If I could really get it, I'd have no worries about eating and drinking for the rest of my life!"
The beggar chuckled:
"Brother Zhuzi, if we want to get this treasure, we need weapons! Think about it, there are wolves, tigers and leopards in the deep mountains and old forests. If we go in empty-handed, we won't even be able to fill our teeth!"
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