Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Wang Shoucheng practically leaped up as if there were nails on the stool, bouncing high.

In just a few steps, he rushed out. The speed at which he moved was completely different from his usual slow pace. His expression was more terrifying than a ghost.

It scared the pickles right out of Wang Qingqi's hand: "What's going on?"

"Mom, what's wrong with Dad?" Wang Qingqi asked halfway, almost choking on the last syllable. Zhao Guifen's expression wasn't much better than Wang Shoucheng's; even her hand holding the chopsticks was trembling.

Zhao Guifen couldn't sit still either and hurriedly put down her chopsticks.

Seeing her sons and daughters-in-law looking curious, she took the food off the table: "What could be the matter? It's probably someone asking about something. Your father and I have seen plenty in our day. Back then, to make ends meet, we traveled far and wide.

From the sound of it, it might be your Uncle Yang. He and your father are old buddies, so he'll definitely want to chat.

Take this food and eat it in Old Fifth's room.

Second daughter-in-law, go to the kitchen and cook something nice. Fry four eggs and take a bit of meat from our portion to stir-fry some cabbage." Zhao Guifen, having been shocked, now seemed calm.

The fewer people who knew about this, the better.

"Mom, why are you being so generous all of a sudden? Are you hiding something from us?" The second son, Wang Qingfu, had more wits than Wang Qingqi.

Why would Mom react so strongly to the commotion outside about finding a child?

"What could I possibly be hiding? Every time Uncle Yang comes over, doesn't he always eat something good with your father alone? Now, get lost before you annoy me further. If it weren't for you two brats, we'd be eating meat today."

Zhao Guifen glanced at her second son, feeling exasperated.

Wang Qingfu couldn't say anything more. His parents wouldn't tell him, no matter how curious he was.

He decided to focus on the immediate benefits instead.

Wang Qingqi also wanted to listen in, but since his older brother had already been scolded, he didn't want to invite trouble.

Zhou Jiaojiao saw that both her husband and her brother-in-law had stopped talking and felt a bit disappointed. If they could figure this out, they might gain leverage over their in-laws.

As they left, Wang Shoucheng brought in a man around his age.

It was Uncle Yang, wasn't it?

He was the captain's cousin and a skilled carpenter. He often made furniture for others on the sly and didn't have to do heavy labor in the team, only carpentry work.

He earned more points while doing less work.

Both Wang Qingfu and Wang Qingqi greeted him: "Hello, Uncle Yang."

Yang Chenggong looked at Wang Shoucheng's two sons and felt envious. He had six daughters and only one son, whose health was questionable.

Wang Shoucheng had five children, especially the eldest, who was incredibly strong.

Thinking about it, Yang Chenggong nodded in response: "Yes, you look energetic. That's good."

"Alright, go do your own things and don't interrupt me and Uncle Yang." Wang Shoucheng glanced at his sons. Right now, he had no mood to boast about having many children and good fortune.

He was terrified.

Wang Shoucheng went inside, and Wang Qingfu and the others went to the east room.

Wang Qingqi felt a bit resentful: "Older Brother, what do you think Dad and Uncle Yang are discussing? Our parents aren't usually keen on helping others. They mentioned something about finding a child, and they've been to that place before.

Whose child is missing?

Older Brother..."

"So what? Can't you keep quiet while eating? Just finish your meal. Our parents may not like helping others, but Uncle Yang doesn't know that. Uncle Yang is one of the few friends Dad has in Xiahe Village, and Dad pretends well in front of him.

As for whose child is missing? It's certainly not ours."

Wang Qingfu didn't like hearing Wang Qingqi talk like this. He also had a slight premonition.

He felt that this matter... might have something to do with the eldest brother.

After all, their parents treated the eldest differently from them.

But he didn't want to entertain that possibility. If the eldest wasn't part of their family and had capable biological parents, wouldn't his life be better than theirs? Why should that be the case when they all grew up together?

Even from a young age, the eldest had to share everything with him.

Someone who has always been inferior to him should stay that way.

There shouldn't be any changes.

Seeing his older brother's attitude, Wang Qingqi stopped thinking about it.

His stance was similar to his brother's. If something were true, they would treat it as if it weren't! As long as their parents didn't mention it and no one said anything, it wouldn't exist!

Zhou Jiaojiao watched the brothers fall silent and found the pickles tasteless.

She desperately wanted to eavesdrop next door.

"I'll help Second Sister-in-law," Zhou Jiaojiao said, leaving the room.

She intended to eavesdrop but was startled to see Zhao Guifen sitting by the door.

"What are you doing out here?" Zhao Guifen frowned at her youngest daughter-in-law.

Zhou Jiaojiao felt guilty under her gaze: "Mom, I just thought I could help Second Sister-in-law with cooking. She can't manage it alone."

"Who’s showing off here? Go back and stay there. Your second sister-in-law can handle it alone."

Zhao Guifen's attitude was firm.

Zhou Jiaojiao, seeing that it wouldn’t work, had no choice but to slink back.

In the kitchen, Liu Xiaoe heard the commotion outside and immediately felt wronged.

Mom is being too unfair, making her do all the work. Even when Old Fifth’s wife offered to help, Mom didn’t agree.

In the room, Wang Shoucheng was so anxious he could barely breathe. Watching Yang Chenggong sit down, his expression was inscrutable, which only added to his unease. "Old Yang, what child did you mention outside? Whose child is missing in the provincial city?

I used to go there with my wife to make a living.

That was over twenty years ago. I don’t know if I can still remember anything."

"Who said otherwise? Today, I went to the city to make some furniture for someone and happened to overhear this. The person often deals on the black market and knows a lot of information. It seems that a child from a high-ranking official’s family in the provincial city went missing years ago and has been missing for quite some time.

They haven’t found the child yet.

Now they’re starting to search counties and villages, asking around everywhere.

This is a paid search.

Isn’t this great news for you? If your family can provide any clues, they might give you hundreds or even thousands. Isn’t this like finding money?"

The more Yang Chenggong spoke, the more excited he became.

Wang Shoucheng felt like fighting him.

Good news?

It’s not good at all!

The more he listened, the more it sounded like they were looking for his eldest son. The two people clearly weren’t ordinary.

As for the child’s parents, they had heard them called something that indicated they weren’t commoners.

After all these years, it’s possible they’ve become high-ranking officials.

Wang Shoucheng felt a chill in his heart.