Zhou Jing'an didn't reply, but instead looked at Zhou Dashan and Liu Feng beside him.
This time, Zhou Dashan lost the self-righteousness he had shown when facing Yao Shi, and instead became somewhat guilty.
But then he forced a tough stance and said, "He's my son. I don't need to ask him about my affairs. Besides, this has nothing to do with Feng'er. It's all my business."
Hearing this, Zhou Jing'an secretly mocked him. This Zhou Dashan actually thought that Liu Feng was sincere to him, but he didn't even consider that he was so old, why would Liu Feng be willing to marry him as a concubine?
They only followed because they thought the Zhou family would have a more comfortable life than other families.
However, Liu Feng's wishful thinking was about to backfire.
Zhou Jing'an coldly raised his eyes and met Liu Feng's gaze, which made her shiver instantly. This man seemed a little scary.
Zhou Jing'an said to the village chief, "If my father insists on taking her as a concubine, I have no objection. However, for the sake of my mother's side, and to ensure that the family can have a peaceful life in the future, Liu Feng has to be sold into our Zhou family."
Someone asked in confusion, "Sell in?"
Zhou Jing'an nodded: "That's right, she signed a contract of servitude. After being taken into the Zhou family by my father, she became a concubine who had sold herself. She had to serve my parents and do housework."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Liu Feng shook her head like a rattle drum: "No, I won't agree, I won't sell myself!"
She wasn't stupid. What was this contract of servitude? If she signed it, she wouldn't be free anymore. She'd be treated like a slave, and she wouldn't agree to that.
She had her own plans. After she became a concubine and entered the Zhou family, she would let Yao Shi beat and scold her. Once Yao Shi had made a scene and annoyed the Zhou family, she would find an opportunity to have Zhou Dashan kick Yao Shi out.
When the time comes, she will divorce Yao and then coax Zhou Dashan to make him his legal wife, so that she can secure her position as the Zhou family's wife.
She had already made up her mind, but now Zhou Jing'an suddenly appeared and asked her to sign some kind of indenture. How could Liu Feng possibly agree to that?
When Zhou Dashan heard Liu Feng say she was unwilling, he quickly spoke up for her: "Why sign a contract of servitude? I'm marrying Feng'er as a respectable concubine, not letting her be a lowly concubine!"
What if Liu Feng changes her mind and doesn't want to marry him because of this contract of indenture? That wouldn't do.
At this moment, Zhou Jing'an changed his previous amiable demeanor and looked at Zhou Dashan with a gloomy expression. Zhou Dashan, who originally wanted to say something more, was so frightened that he dared not say anything more.
Then Zhou Jing'an stared at Liu Feng and slowly said, "You have no choice. You either do as I say, sign a contract to sell yourself into servitude and be taken into my father's home as a concubine, or you do as my mother says, and be drowned in the pond."
Upon hearing the last sentence, Liu Feng was so frightened that she shuddered. She didn't want to drown, but she also didn't want to sign a contract of servitude.
She shook her head repeatedly: "No, no, I don't want any of these!"
Seeing Liu Feng's face turn pale with fright, Zhou Dashan felt sorry for her and spoke up for her, "Third brother, she's still Dad's woman. You can't be so cruel. Is there any other way?"
Zhou Jing'an looked at Zhou Dashan and Liu Feng, then turned to the village chief and several elders: "It's not that I'm being ruthless, but if this matter isn't handled properly today, what if everyone in the village follows suit? Will the village ever have a peaceful life again?"
After Zhou Jing'an said this, many people in the village immediately agreed with him. Some of the older women who were worried that their husbands might follow Zhou Dashan's example and take a concubine were also relieved to hear Zhou Jing'an's words.
The village chief nodded repeatedly: "Jing An is right. If everyone did that, our Wushan Village would be in complete chaos in the future."
"Zhou Dashan, we'll listen to Jing'an on this matter."
With the village chief's words spoken, Zhou Dashan couldn't utter a single word. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Upon seeing this, Liu Feng panicked. Unlike her previous act, she genuinely burst into tears this time: "I don't want to be drowned, and I don't want to sign a contract of servitude!"
"Apart from these two, I'll agree to any other conditions! I'll agree to everything else!"
Zhou Jing'an raised an eyebrow: "Alright, since my father likes you so much, I'll give you another idea."
As if grasping at a straw, Liu Feng hurriedly replied, "What idea?"
All eyes were on Zhou Jing'an, who slowly said, "Since my father likes you so much, if he can't bear to see you drowned, he also doesn't want you to sign a contract to become a concubine."
"Then let him take you away from the village, the two of you run away together and never come back, just pretend this never happened."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Dashan's expression changed immediately: "Third brother, are you trying to kick your father out?"
Zhou Jing'an shook his head and said, "Father, that's not what I meant. It's just that Liu Feng doesn't want to sign a contract of indenture, nor does she want to be drowned. There has to be a solution, right?"
"If you think my last idea is feasible, you can go home now, pack your bags, and leave with Liu Feng."
Only then did Liu Feng realize her mistake. She shouldn't have provoked Zhou Dashan again. Zhou Jing'an was no kind person. She thought her cleverness could fool everyone.
But looking at the three ideas Zhou Jing'an proposed, none of them seemed to make things easier for him.
Zhou Dashan shook his head: "No, I will not leave the village. I am your father, I cannot leave."
He looked at Liu Feng and said, "Feng'er, why don't you sign the contract of servitude? Whether you are a respectable concubine or a lowly concubine, I will definitely treat you well."
Liu Feng could hardly believe her ears; Zhou Dashan had actually made her sign a contract of servitude.
Actually, Zhou Jing'an's last suggestion wasn't entirely unacceptable. She and Zhou Dashan were both young, and if they found some work outside, they could certainly support themselves.
If Zhou Jing'an really becomes a high-ranking official in the future, Zhou Dashan will still be his biological father. If he is just left to his own devices, she will spread rumors that Zhou Jing'an is an unfilial son.
He'll definitely bring them back for the sake of his reputation, so why would he worry about not having a good life?
It just takes time and patience.
But Zhou Dashan made her sign a contract of servitude without even thinking about it. Liu Feng could already imagine how she would be bullied if she entered the Zhou family.
Zhou Jing'an narrowed his eyes. He had calculated that Zhou Dashan would not leave Wushan Village, much less leave the Zhou family, which was why he came up with this idea.
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