Chen Xiangnan was speechless after hearing what the third brother said. He didn't know whether to comfort him first or help him find a way to explain to Old Lady Xia.
This matter is very big and small at the same time. It all depends on how his mother looks at it.
After all, sweet potatoes and cabbages are not valuable items, but who would dare to take things from home without their mother's consent?
The third brother is really brave.
Chen Xiangnan thought for a long time. Although he had the money and tickets to replace the stolen items for the third brother, why should he pay this money?
He had no job and saved some money by speculating. He was generous to himself and his daughter, but not so much to others.
Moreover, he also has to get close to Tang Jiao in the next few days. He can't ask her to treat him to a meal if he takes the initiative to find her, so this is also an expense. However, this is a small-win-big deal, and it is a necessary expense for him.
But in the case of Chen Xiangbei, it was ultimately his own fault for not judging people well. It was his own fault, and the beating he got was his own fault alone. It had nothing to do with him.
So, he thought about it and decided not to bleed. At most, the third brother would get beaten up. His money was his life. The third brother's life was his life, so was his life not his life?
At this moment, he didn't want to talk about brotherhood. The third brother was so dull that he might not even remember his kindness. Just like his brothers from outside, they would kick people away when they were no longer useful. They didn't know how to play the long game and catch the big fish.
If he saw the third brother stealing food from home for them to eat, he would praise him no matter whether it was good or not. After praising him to the point of losing his mind, he would gradually start stealing better things, so that his brothers could all benefit from it.
They don’t even think about it, who can steal valuable items from a house on the first try?
"Brother, do you think Mom will believe that a thief from outside came in and stole our sweet potatoes?" Chen Xiangbei hoped that his second brother would give him the answer he wanted to hear.
Chen Xiangnan said with a wooden face, "Even a fool wouldn't believe it, let alone our mother."
Chen Xiangbei said dejectedly, "What should I do? I'm still young and I don't want to die."
Chen Xiangnan: "Why didn't you think about it when you stole something?"
Chen Xiangbei: "Then I can't just watch them starve to death."
Chen Xiangnan: "A starving person wouldn't have the energy to beat you like this."
Chen Xiangbei: ...
"I think you should just tell mom the truth, admit your mistake, and then let mom beat you up. At worst, you'll have to work hard to pay off the debt or something. I guess this matter will just pass like that." Chen Xiangnan thought of his mother's previous actions. Anyway, this was all she could do, so he just had to get through it.
Chen Xiangbei: "Second brother, you have to help me."
Chen Xiangnan: "I will speak up for you, since you are my brother."
When Old Lady Xia returned, Chen Xiangbei had already started cooking. Tonight, he cooked pure white rice, a rare treat, without any sweet potatoes mixed in. He also used the pickled fish that Chen Xianghong had sent from the countryside. It was salty and fresh, and went very well with rice, enough to last for several meals.
Because there are no sweet potatoes left.
Old Lady Xia sat down to eat and asked with a smile, "What day is it today? What good thing happened? Why is the food so good?"
Chen Xiangbei smiled humbly and ate his rice vigorously, fearing that he would not have the strength to get beaten later.
After washing the dishes, Chen Xiangbei thoughtfully poured hot water for them all. It is autumn now and the weather is getting colder day by day. Drinking some hot water will warm the body.
"Third brother, you have become smarter recently." Old Mrs. Xia drank the hot water, feeling very relieved.
Chen Xiangbei moved a small stool and sat down at a distance from Old Lady Xia. Then he said, "Mom, let me tell you something."
Old Mrs. Xia was in a good mood, so she said with a pleasant face, "Go ahead and talk. I'm listening."
Chen Xiangbei moved his lips timidly and whispered, "Our sweet potatoes and cabbages were stolen."
Chen Xiangnan: ...This statement is brilliant!
Old Lady Xia put the cup down heavily, making a loud noise. "Who robbed it? How did they rob it? Who dared to rob me?"
Chen Xiangbei: "It was robbed anyway."
Old Mrs. Xia stood up and walked in front of him. Chen Xiangbei immediately jumped aside, wary of Old Mrs. Xia.
"If you don't explain it to me today, I'm going to report it to the police. I want to see who is this daring little thief who stole from me, Xia Yue'e?"
Chen Xiangbei's ears were grabbed, and he cried out in pain, saying, "It's me, it's all me."
He told everyone what happened today, but concealed the fact that he wanted to steal things. He had a premonition that if he told it, he would really die.
"Those friends of yours?" Old Lady Xia narrowed her eyes. "So the bruise on your face was caused by them?"
Chen Xiangbei: "Yes, Mom, please let me go first, my ears are going to fall off."
Old Lady Xia: "How could I have given birth to a son like you? Not only did he get beaten up, but his things were also stolen. What do you want?"
Chen Xiangbei: "They were very nice to me before. I treated them as brothers."
Old Lady Xia pointed at Chen Xiangnan and said, "You don't seem to care much about your own brother being here, but you're pouring your heart out to someone you've only known for a short time outside?"
Chen Xiangbei: "They weren't like this before."
Old Lady Xia: "Let's go to their house. I want to see what kind of man could fool you like this."
Chen Xiangbei was holding onto the door, unwilling to go.
How embarrassing! He is so old but still has to be brought to the door by his parents to ask for an explanation. He is not a child anymore.
"I won't go. I won't go. It's too embarrassing."
Old Lady Xia: "You weren't ashamed when your things were robbed, and you weren't ashamed when you were beaten up by a group of people. Now I'm asking for an explanation on your behalf, and you feel ashamed?"
Chen Xiangbei: "Mom, just beat me up. I really don't want to go. I swear to you, I will never see them again."
Old Lady Xia: "I don't care whether you see them or not. Anyway, my sweet potatoes and cabbage must be returned. You should go and ask for them now. If you don't, I will never forgive you."
Chen Xiangbei pleaded pitifully, hoping to bring back some of Old Lady Xia's motherly love. "Mom, I will serve you like a slave from now on. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Old Lady Xia pointed at the gate and said, "Go quickly."
Chen Xiangbei acted like a rogue, "I won't go. If you have the guts, just kill me. Even if you kill me today, I won't go."
"Then I'll go ask your Aunt Wang's second child. Dahe is in the same grade as you, so he should know who you play with every day." Old Mrs. Xia turned around and walked out.
"Mom!" Chen Xiangbei screamed miserably.
Old Mrs. Xia turned around and came back. When Chen Xiangbei thought that Old Mrs. Xia had softened her heart, he was slapped hard in the face.
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