Zhou Yue didn't take Xiao Jiu's words of comfort to heart, partly because of her age, which made them unconvincing.
But that doesn't mean Xiao Jiu didn't worry about it; at least she knew that Zhou Dashan had secretly come back.
The crime did not extend to his wife and children. Zhou Dashan made a mistake, and he ran away. The fact that people took his wife and children in was only to gather information.
After questioning them and finding no valuable clues, they released them.
Zhou Dashan had been running around for several days, but he had run out of money and had no food to eat. He had no choice but to come back.
However, he had to take Zhou Yue's abilities seriously and dared not show his face in front of him, especially after learning that the old couple had died, he was even more afraid.
Yes, it was fear, not self-blame.
He feared Zhou Yue's revenge, yet he never shed a single tear of regret for the elderly couple who had raised him from childhood, helped him marry and have children, and raised their grandchildren. That's the kind of ingrate he is; even his own parents cursed him as a heartless wretch.
Many villagers were cursing the Zhou family behind their backs, cursing the older generation and Zhou Dashan. Even his wife couldn't stand the villagers' gossip and ran back to her parents' home for two days before returning with her tail between her legs.
Why did you come back?
It's because her family heard the news too. If she doesn't go out, her brother, sister-in-law, and nephew will scold her. If she does go out, she will be scolded by the villagers.
She was so scolded that her parents couldn't even lift their heads, and they immediately sent her back home. She was no longer the arrogant person she used to be.
After returning to the village, he stayed indoors and never went out.
When Zhou Dashan came back, she naturally had to make a scene with him. They didn't have their own house anymore and lived in the third house, which had many siblings, and they argued every day. Why did she go to the Zhou family's house to make a scene during the Lunar New Year? It was because she wanted to go back to the Zhou family's house to live, but the old couple disagreed, so he started arguing with them.
Once they start arguing, they can't control their mouths and say the most hurtful things. In the end, they made Old Master Zhou faint from anger.
He was startled when he saw his neighbors rushing over to berate him. He got scared and ran away in a panic.
But he never expected that the person would die like that, and even the old lady would go after him, one after the other, not even an hour apart.
When Zhou Dashan heard the news, he was stunned. He instinctively thought of the two brothers, Zhou Yue and Zhou Xing.
One of them went to join the army. Fortunately, the military kept him in check, so he didn't dare to do anything to himself.
The other one, though still young, was just as ruthless. He was so scared that he hid outside for a few days, and only when he figured that nothing was wrong did he dare to sneak home for the New Year.
Xiao Jiu knew that Zhou Dashan had secretly returned home; Zhou Yue knew as well, and the Tao family knew even more.
If they weren't worried that Zhou Yue might do something impulsive, the Tao brothers wouldn't have followed him and tried to stop him.
But can they really stop it?
In Xiao Jiu's view, it was just superficial self-comfort; if he really wanted to do something, no one could stop him.
Fortunately, the child is sensible and still has his senses. As long as he doesn't cause trouble, they can make a proper plan.
Isn't it said that three cobblers with their wits can outwit Zhuge Liang?
After visiting relatives on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the boys gathered together to discuss some issues. Xiao Jiu, with her sharp ears, overheard Zhou Dashan's name.
She felt she couldn't just talk the talk; she had to find a way to deal with this beast.
The sisters left the Tao family around 3 or 4 pm. They had already agreed to go to the Tang family together tomorrow.
For safety's sake, Xiao Jiu will not go; he will stay at the Tao family's house with Zhou Yue.
Because of the Tao family's special circumstances, and because Xiao Jiu and Cui Hua look so alike, everyone unanimously decided not to take her along.
Xiao Jiu had gotten used to this kind of indirect protection, and pulled Zhou Yue aside to ask.
"Is there a movie showing in town tomorrow night?"
"Hmm, 'Crossing the River to Reconnoiter,' your brother and the others said they'd be back soon, so I'll carry you along?"
In those days, there was no electricity in the countryside. Electricity was not widely available in rural areas until around the 1970s or 1980s. There was a people's activity center in the town, where temple fairs and gatherings were held during festivals. However, movies were not shown every year, so when the news was released, people from all around would probably rush there.
Who would have thought that the brothers would take this opportunity to deal with Zhou Dashan, and they weren't going to do it tomorrow, but tonight.
"Brother Yue, that day I heard the old lady of the Zhou family's third branch beating and scolding Zhou Dashan's wife, complaining that she only eats and doesn't do any work. Now she's only allowed one meal a day because of her. Her son stood up for her and got a severe beating from the old lady. She's so angry that she's not giving their family any food. So if you use food to lure that girl in, then... umm..."
Xiao Jiu raised her eyebrows at just the right moment, making Zhou Yue's heart skip a beat.
"Jiu'er, if I remember correctly, you're only six years old, right?"
"Yeah, he'll be six in a month or two. What, you don't like my plan?"
Zhou Yue patted her head. "A six-year-old should be thinking about eating, drinking, and having fun. I won't let you worry about anything else."
"That won't do. They bullied you, and I want to avenge you. I told you I would help you,"
Zhou Yue sighed, "We've already discussed it, so don't worry. Tomorrow, your third and fourth brothers will take you to the movies. As for the rest, we'll handle it."
Seeing his confident demeanor, Xiao Jiu pursed her lips and didn't say anything more. However, she took the opportunity of visiting the Zhou family to glance at the 'grand gift' they had prepared for Zhou Dashan.
That day was another chaotic one for Zhou Dashan's family. All the other sons from the third branch of the family had gone back to their parents' homes with their wives and children, but Zhou Dashan slept until dawn. Not only did he not have any gifts or money, but his wife was so anxious that she sat in their yard and wailed.
In previous years, this daughter-in-law was always the most glamorous when she returned to her parents' home. She didn't have to worry about anything, as her parents-in-law would prepare the gifts and money for her.
Because of the generous gifts she brought, she was valued by her family. But what kind of life has she been living these past two years?
Now it's gotten to the point where everyone is against her; even if her in-laws give her money and gifts, she's too embarrassed to go back to her parents' home.
She couldn't forget the sarcasm and ridicule she received from her family when she last went home, nor could she forget the embarrassment of her mother-in-law complaining that they were good-for-nothings, yet only giving her a dark, mushy meal a day. She hated even more the scoundrel in front of her who was just sitting around waiting to die.
Knowing they cared about their image, she sat at their doorstep and cried, crying about her bad luck, her inability to survive, and even more so about being abused.
After being woken up by his parents hitting him with a rolling pin, Zhou Dashan tried to pull his wife up with a cold face, but he couldn't and even got scratched. He was so angry that he slapped his wife on the spot.
"You think you're so great? If you can pass, then pass; if not, get the hell out of here!"
"Ah...ah ah...Zhou Dashan, you bastard, I bore your children and this is how you treat me?"
You murderer, do you think you can find another wife after you divorce me?
You're dreaming! Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror? You're an ungrateful wretch, shameless!
You listened to your mother's advice and went to find your mother-in-law and the others, which resulted in the old couple being driven to their deaths. Therefore, you and your mother are both murderers.
You old hag, with your pointed mouth and monkey-like face, you're obviously no good. No wonder your own son looks like you!
Just you wait, you'll all get struck by lightning sooner or later, damn it!
So what if you said that? Fine, I'm not going to live with you anymore!
Even if you kneel down and beg me, don't expect me to come back. Divorce! I'm not living with you anymore!
Zhou Dashan's wife left. Her eldest son is already over ten years old, so she definitely won't take care of him. She does want to take her second son with her, but she has no money and no food.
With a heavy heart, she pushed them away, gritted her teeth, went back inside to pack her clothes, and left without looking back.
Zhou Dashan regretted it as soon as he started, but her words became more and more offensive, making him furious and wishing he could slap her a few more times to vent his anger. Especially his own mother, who was sitting there wailing and howling, while she was the one who complained first.
Zhou Dashan was annoyed and, not caring how his two sons were going to live, followed his wife out the door.
Ever since he learned that Zhou Yue, that coward, wouldn't dare to touch him, he dared to go out for most of the day.
He accidentally wandered to the entrance of the Zhou family's main house. Feeling guilty, he shrank back and quickly walked away.
He bumped right into the Tao brothers, who had just seen their guests off. They glared at him fiercely.
Zhou Dashan snorted coldly, showing no fear whatsoever, and even dared to glare back.
With his keen ears, he overheard an important piece of information as he passed by them.
The next day, before dawn, Grandma Tao and Zhao Lingli got up to make dumplings.
They would arrive at Taoyuan Village by noon, as they also needed to take good care of their two children at home.
Make dumplings for them, and they can steam or boil them at noon.
Xiao Jiu didn't get out of bed until the sun rose, and she knew it when her grandma and the others left.
But she didn't want to get up; it was too cold. She hadn't even eaten, so she hid under the covers and continued to sleep in.
Unexpectedly, as I yawned and stepped out of the house, I saw Zhou Yue sitting on the porch weaving baskets.
"Brother Yue, you're up so early! Have you eaten yet?"
"Is it still early? It's already past nine o'clock. You can really sleep. Grandma Tao heated up some goat milk and boiled some eggs for you. They're all in the steamer. Hurry up and eat."
Xiao Jiu calmly walked into the kitchen, lifted the lid of the pot, and smiled happily, but still generously took out an egg and gave it to Zhou Yue.
"Brother Yue, you should eat too."
Zhou Yue stopped what she was doing, looked at the child whose eyes were full of light, and used the back of her hand to push the egg in front of her.
“I’ve already eaten with Grandma Tao, so stop offering me food and hurry up and eat. There’s hot water in the other pot, so you can wash up.”
What thoughtful grandma and brother! They were worried that she would be scared alone at home, so they made sure Zhou Yue stayed with her after finishing her meal.
Even her own grandparents in her past life didn't do this much; their love for the old lady was unmatched by anyone else in the family.
Seeing that Zhou Yue wasn't just being polite, she didn't insist. She quickly went to the kitchen to get hot water to wash her face and brush her teeth. After washing up, she enjoyed a delicious breakfast.
Xiao Jiu glanced meaningfully in the direction of his house, "Brother Yue, has your fish taken the bait yet?"
Zhou Yue glared at her, "Young lady, stop worrying. That's how you keep your hair black and shiny, you know?"
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