Chapter 136

Chapter 136

"Thanks for your trouble. What did Xiao Zhang say?" Bai Xiuxiu finally started to believe it.

Zhao Xiaoru's voice was even softer: "Brother Zhang said that the matter you entrusted him with has been taken care of. You can go to the canning factory early tomorrow morning. The rest, he will take care of once you get there. Oh, right, there’s also a note Brother Zhang wrote just now."

Zhao Xiaoru handed the note to Bai Xiuxiu.

"Thank you. When I get home later, come over for dinner." Bai Xiuxiu put away the note and thanked Zhao Xiaoru.

"No need. Brother Zhang and my husband are friends; it’s no big deal. Sister Xiuxiu, I’ll be off now. If anything comes up, let me know." With that, Zhao Xiaoru left.

Bai Xiuxiu glanced at the note, which read: 300.

This must be the price for working at the county’s canning factory.

For more details, she would have to ask Xiao Zhang tomorrow.

The county’s canning factory is famous in the city, which is why they opened a branch in the commune.

Being able to work at the county’s canning factory for this price is indeed a good deal.

Bai Xiuxiu put away the note and went back inside.

"Xiuxiu, is something the matter?" Chen Jinhua asked worriedly.

"Nothing. I met her a few days ago when I went to the county. She said she was coming back, so I told her I’d take her mushroom picking in the mountains when she returned. Now that she’s back, I thought we could make plans." Bai Xiuxiu made up an excuse.

"I thought it was something serious. It’s good that it’s nothing. But you shouldn’t go mushroom picking now; it’s already late afternoon. Besides, the season for mushrooms is over." Chen Jinhua sighed in relief, thinking the Wang family might have caused some trouble for Xiuxiu.

"You’re right; we’ll have to wait until next year."

Bai Xiuxiu responded casually.

As soon as it got dark, the team finished work, and Bai Xiuxiu took the two children out. At the gate, they ran into Wang Qinghe, who had returned early.

"Well, I was going to see you off, but your husband is here to pick you up. Go home quickly." Chen Jinhua handed the children to Bai Xiuxiu and turned to leave with a smile.

This couple truly had a good relationship. He always came to pick her up whenever he could.

Wang Qinghe carried the children and looked at his wife. "Shall we go home? I’ve already lit the stove. I’ll start cooking when we get there."

"Okay!" Bai Xiuxiu followed him back.

On the way, she told him about Xiao Zhang.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qinghe was somewhat surprised. "Xiao Zhang works fast. I’ll go check it out tomorrow."

"I’ll pack things at home. If everything goes well, we’ll move." Bai Xiuxiu originally wanted to go along, but if she did, she’d have to bring the children, who were already exhausted from all the running around recently.

It would be better to let them rest in the village for now.

"Alright, I’ll borrow a cart from the team when we move." Wang Qinghe felt sorry for his wife and children; Xiuxiu had lost weight recently.

The couple chatted happily on their way home.

Compared to their relaxed atmosphere, the Wang family was not feeling so easy.

In the room, Wang Shoucheng looked at the injured Wang Qingfu and the equally beaten-up Wang Qingqi, wishing he could kick each one of them.

"How could you two come back like this? They beat you once, but why again?"

Wang Shoucheng was both heartbroken and angry. How could those people be so excessive?

Wang Qingqi, upon hearing this, felt extremely wronged. "Dad, it’s all Second Brother’s fault. We agreed that I would go to the black market to pick up my wife after work, but Second Brother insisted on coming along. I told him it’s better not to go with too many people.

He didn’t listen. As soon as we went out, the people who beat him yesterday recognized him.

They were waiting for us on the road.

They found out where Second Brother worked and were lying in wait near the factory!"

"Your Second Brother got beaten because of you, understandable. But what about you?" Wang Shoucheng looked at the bruised face of Wang Qingqi.

"Second Brother pointed at me when he saw them, saying they had mistaken someone else before. So they beat both of us."

Wang Qingqi’s resentment towards Wang Qingfu deepened when he mentioned this.

Why couldn’t he take the beating alone?

Why drag him into it?

No one spoke in the room.

Zhao Cuihua tried hard not to laugh, knowing that if she did, the whole family’s anger would be directed at her.

Wang Shoucheng was so angry he was trembling.

He sat down on a stool to calm himself.

"You two are useless! Couldn’t you fight back? If this keeps happening, how will you ever leave the village? Will you even be able to work? They beat you outside now, but what about in the future?" Wang Shoucheng nearly shouted hoarsely.

Wang Qingqi lowered his head and remained silent.

Wang Qingfu had lost a tooth this time and was seething with anger.

But the thought of possibly losing his job scared him.

For this job, the family has paid too high a price.

They can't lose the job!

"Dad, why don't we return the money to them? When they beat us today, they asked where the money had gone. They also said... it was a total of two hundred yuan. Dad, did Old Fifth's wife and Mom really only pick up seventy or so?"

Wang Qingfu grew suspicious.

Upon hearing this, Wang Shoucheng immediately looked at Zhao Guifen.

Zhao Guifen hurriedly assured them, "Really, that's all we got. Could I deceive others, but deceive you? Old Fifth's wife hasn't returned yet, but when she does, you can ask her. We really only picked up that much!"

"Enough, no need to ask further. This is their attempt to extort money. We have to find a way to deal with it, otherwise, this matter won't end."

Wang Shoucheng didn't want to offend those people, considering they would be living in the county in the future.

"Mom and Dad, Second Brother and Old Fifth came back, but what about Old Fifth's wife? How will she manage on her own?" As the family stewed in silence, Chen Fang brought up a new concern that jolted everyone awake.

Right.

They both came back, but what about Zhou Jiaojiao?

Who will bring her back?

At this hour?

"Bad! My wife!" Wang Qingqi immediately rushed out.

"Third and Fourth, you two follow him, don't let him get beaten again!" Seeing his youngest son go alone, Wang Shoucheng quickly instructed the other two to accompany him.

On the road from the county to the commune.

Zhou Jiaojiao walked back with a grim face, carrying a basket.

She felt extremely wronged. For whose sake was she doing this?

And yet, Wang Qingqi, that ungrateful man, hadn't come to fetch her?

Beside Zhou Jiaojiao, a man glanced at her, harboring some ulterior motives: "Jiaojiao, not to speak ill of anyone, but your husband isn't much, letting you return home alone at this hour.

By the way, regarding what you told me last time, I've agreed. It's just about kidnapping a couple of kids; I'll help you."

"Don't worry, Big Brother Hu, I won't treat you unfairly for this." Zhou Jiaojiao was secretly elated.

"Jiaojiao? Is that you, Jiaojiao?"

In the night, Wang Qingqi's voice echoed from the direction of the commune.

Zhou Jiaojiao thanked the man beside her and hurried over to Wang Qingqi, immediately taking the offensive: "Why did you take so long to come?"