When everyone saw Zhao Aiguo come in carrying large bags, their expressions turned grim. Wei Shuqing couldn't hold back any longer and exploded, saying with a dark face, "So you've learned to cheat and swindle now? Where did you get these things?"
Seeing that Wei Shuqing was about to scold him, Zhao Dahu pulled her back and patted her shoulder, trying to keep his tone light, "What's wrong with you? Where did you put that thing?"
Zhao Aiguo put the things on the kang (a heated brick bed), and when he opened it, even his father was shocked. Some ordinary, regular workers couldn't afford this even with a month's salary! This kid had just brought it back like that. Exhausted and panting, Zhao Aiguo said, "I ran into a complete idiot. He can't even speak properly, yet he's trying to establish a connection with me! He insists my father's name is Qi Zhijun, and wants me to acknowledge my ancestry! By the way, who is Qi Zhijun? Why is his family all acting like they're seriously ill? His name sounds quite similar to that slut Qi Zhifang from before; are they siblings? This family's brains! They need money to fix them!"
Zhao Dahu had a hunch; it seemed to be Wang Fang, Qi Zhifang's daughter. He exchanged a glance with his father.
Zhao's father, in a bad mood, said in a low voice, "This family is endless! They're like flies." Then, looking at Zhao Aiguo gleefully admiring his spoils, his greedy expression was unbearable to watch, and he couldn't help but say, "No, you know they're sick, why do you still want their stuff? Are you lacking food or drink at home?"
Zhao Aiguo chuckled and said, "They're sick, but the stuff isn't. It was all bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, so what does it have to do with them?" Then, remembering Wang Fang, his smile brightened even more. "Don't say that, that silly woman named Wang Fang, when she paid the bill, her face was as long as a monkey from Changbai Mountain, hmm! She was actually quite pleasing to the eye."
After serving everyone a bowl of porridge, Zhao's mother said, "Stay away from those lunatics in the future. You're beholden to those who feed you! Be careful not to eat this stuff and they'll arrest you!"
Zhao Aiguo said nonchalantly, "So it's okay for them to come and annoy me every day? I just have to put up with it? What a load of rubbish! My family raised me with such care, not so she could be treated like this. If she dares to come looking for me again, I'll make her suffer!"
Wei Shuqing felt a mix of emotions churning inside her. Zhao Dahu said nonchalantly, "Silly son, hurry up and eat! None of this matters. What matters is what you still remember?"
Zhao Aiguo laughed and said, "If I can beat you, I will fight. If I can't, I will run away and recruit others to fight! But if you have grudges or resentments, take advantage of your youth and arrogance. Never gamble that a gentleman's revenge is never too late. Otherwise, everything will eventually be resolved, and you will have been bullied for nothing."
Wei Shuqing was so angry her liver hurt. She said, "What kind of rubbish have you taught me?!"
Zhao Dahu laughed and said, "Women shouldn't meddle in men's business. My son did nothing wrong!" Then he added, "But don't treat others like that in the future!"
Zhao Aiguo scoffed and said, "Nobody else is as mentally ill as her!" Zhao's parents didn't say anything, and the family ate their meal together.
Zhao Dahu and his wife returned to their room. Wei Shuqing sat on the bed, watching Zhao Dahu still humming a song and fiddling with the few garlic sprouts he was growing on the floor. She said impatiently, "Aren't you going to do anything about this little bastard?"
Zhao Dahu didn't even turn his head, saying nonchalantly, "Don't be angry. Do you know why Wang Fang is looking for Aiguo?"
Wei Shuqing looked at Zhao Dahu suspiciously, "Isn't it just about recognizing Aiguo again?"
Zhao Dahu turned around with a contemptuous smile, washed his hands at the washbasin, and said, "Shuqing, I really don't want you to take care of the child for your own good. With a brain like yours, you still want to control Aiguo? Tsk...tsk...tsk..."
Wei Shuqing angrily retorted, "What do you mean!"
Zhao Dahu quickly begged for forgiveness, "Don't be angry! Qi Zhijun and his second wife were dragged down by Qi Zhifang and are now cleaning toilets! They only get 15 yuan a month for basic living expenses. Qi Zhifang was sent to a labor camp in Northeast China. Think about it, they didn't care about their country when they were doing well, so why are they like this now?"
Wei Shuqing thought for a moment and realized, "That makes sense! Why? Could it be that we can't share the good times but we have to share the bad?" Then she thought again, "There's still 30 yuan left. It's not like I'm supporting Qi Zhifang; we're living comfortably!"
Seeing Wei Shuqing's expression, Zhao Dahu knew she couldn't understand. He sat down and hugged his plump wife, saying, "Wang Fang may be young, but she's definitely Qi Zhifang's daughter. She's learned everything from her, even her mind is the same. Yesterday, she came to threaten me, demanding I find her a job, or she'd tell Aiguo about his background. Today, I'm going to find Aiguo."
Wei Shuqing said incredulously, "Is she sick? She still has to work, and she won't even get a cabbage stalk."
Zhao Dahu laughed and said, "It's not that I'm seriously ill! That's why I knew as soon as you mentioned patriotism. Never mind the rest, don't worry about it!"
Wei Shuqing slapped away his hand that was trying to cause trouble and said, "We can't just stand by and watch this brat act lawlessly!"
Zhao Dahu said, "It's alright, I'll go talk to Qi Zhijun tomorrow! Besides, it's no use if he goes back on his word, patriotism is definitely ours."
Wei Shuqing nodded. It was because of Qi Zhifang's meddling that the Zhao family made things clear. Zhao Aiguo also firmly believed that he was not a child of the Zhao family. After all, household registration and street records do not lie. Besides, he was just young, not stupid.
The next morning, Zhao Dahu dropped Wei Shuqing off at the factory gate and then went to the design institute. He happened to see Qi Zhijun sweeping the gate, saving him the trouble of looking for her.
Zhao Dahu headed straight for Qi Zhijun. When Qi Zhijun looked up and saw him, his heart skipped a beat. He forced himself to stay calm and asked, "You've come to see me?"
"Um"
Qi Zhijun chuckled self-deprecatingly, "What do you want from me? What else do you have on me that you could possibly want?"
Zhao Dahu said in a low voice, "Your sister Qi Zhifang stopped Aiguo before, saying that he was a child of your Qi family..."
Qi Zhijun stared wide-eyed at Zhao Dahu, who smiled and said, "Don't worry, Aiguo doesn't believe it at all. We didn't take it seriously either. But the day before yesterday, your niece came to me again, threatening me with Aiguo's background to find her a job. I've come to you with two things this time. The first is to tell you that I won't help with this. Tell your family to stop worrying about this. There is no such person as Qi Aiguo in this world, and that's something you allowed."
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