Chapter 116: Old Habits Die Hard

After crying on the threshing floor for over an hour, Liu Wanqiu finally left.

As for borrowing money, she didn't get a single cent. It wasn't that Liu Dazhao was hard-hearted; it was just that the amount Liu Wanqiu wanted—ranging from a few dollars to several tens—was simply not something he was willing to provide. Of course, Liu Dazhao wouldn't have lent her more than ten dollars anyway. It wasn't that he was stingy, but rather that once he lent money out, he never intended to ask for it back. Therefore, he certainly wouldn't lend her anything over ten dollars. After all, when Liu Wanqiu had money in the past, she had looked down on him so much. Now that she was leaving because he wouldn't lend her enough, it suited him just fine.

Watching Liu Wanqiu disappear down the country road, Liu Dazhao sighed softly. "Third brother, have you been drugged today? Why did you bring Liu Wanqiu to my house?"

Ever since Liu Wanqiu had come over previously and caused a scene, he no longer considered her his eldest sister. Consequently, he no longer addressed her with the respectful title, calling her by her full name instead.

"I didn't want to either! She started asking me for money the moment she opened her mouth, and I had no choice but to bring her to you," Liu Dazhu replied, feeling embarrassed.

In truth, he found Liu Wanqiu just as annoying, especially after the way she had caused a ruckus at his home. But now that she had fallen on hard times, he felt bad if he didn't help; after all, they were blood siblings.

"Hmph! Do you think I haven't been scolded enough by her already?" Liu Dazhao huffed, turned, and walked away from the threshing floor with his hands behind his back.

Liu Dazhu wanted to explain further, but his legs felt frozen. "Sigh! What a mess! I've gone and offended my second brother, too." He gave himself a frustrated slap, and seeing that Liu Dazhao had locked the gate, he had no choice but to turn around and head back.

He hadn't even walked two meters when he froze. From the direction of Old Eight's house, shrill, ear-piercing curses rang out. The owner of those curses was none other than Liu Wanqiu.

"This Liu Wanqiu, a leopard really can't change its spots." Liu Dazhu was quite shaken, secretly resolving to take a detour whenever he saw her in the future. He really couldn't stand her habit of throwing tantrums and hurling insults. He just couldn't understand how, even in her current destitute state, she still had the energy to pick a fight with Old Eight, Liu Yaoqing.

...

Liu Dazhao, hiding inside his house to eat, was equally baffled. He felt a sense of relief that he hadn't lost his temper with her earlier, or he would have been the target of that abuse. Seeing Zhou Qiuxiang eating silently beside him, he spoke softly, "Wife, don't worry. I will never have anything to do with Liu Wanqiu again; this time was just an exception."

"It's fine, but do you know?" Zhou Qiuxiang set down her bowl and chopsticks. "Seeing Liu Wanqiu and Liu Changsheng end up like this, I don't feel a shred of joy, nor do I have any desire to gloat."

"Sigh, I can't find any joy in it either," Liu Dazhao sighed. "But the current situation is of their own making. They have no one else to blame."

"That's true."

"By the way, what exactly did Liu Changsheng do?" Zhou Qiuxiang couldn't help but ask.

Liu Qiuyuan, resting nearby, pricked up her ears. Liu Dazhao knew Zhou Qiuxiang would ask, so with a bitter smile, he briefly explained the inside story. Of course, it was far from the full truth, as he only knew what he had heard from Liu Wanqiu. But no matter how much was hidden, the fact that Liu Changsheng had been arrested and was going to jail could not be concealed.

After hearing the explanation, Liu Qiuyuan couldn't help but say, "Liu Changsheng deserves it. To dare to threaten the factory director and the supervisor of the Hengshui Distillery—a man like that deserves to be shot."

"Shh, keep it down. Don't let Liu Xing hear you," Liu Dazhao said quickly.

Zhou Qiuxiang also looked nervously toward the room where Liu Xing was. Seeing no movement, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you really that afraid of letting Xing-yazi know?" Liu Qiuyuan asked, confused.

"He's very busy right now. Is there any benefit to distracting him with Liu Changsheng's affairs?" Liu Dazhao replied.

"That's true," Liu Qiuyuan said with a sheepish smile.

Although she knew Liu Xing certainly wouldn't step in to help Liu Changsheng, it would inevitably have some impact on him. Therefore, under the current circumstances, it was better not to tell him.

However, they didn't know that Liu Xing had already overheard their conversation; he was simply being calm about it. People like Liu Changsheng and Liu Wanqiu were destined for trouble sooner or later. Unable to sleep in his room, he grabbed Guazi and walked out. "Dad, Mom! I'm going to the black market. I might be back late."

"Go if you must, but don't always take Guazi. Let her stay and gather pig feed," Zhou Qiuxiang replied. She had no choice; they were currently harrowing the fields for rice planting, and she had to cook for the people helping with the shoe production. She had no time for anything else, so Guazi had to handle the pig feed.

"I wasn't planning on taking her today anyway!" Liu Xing laughed.

"That's right, that's right! I'm not going!" Guazi made a face at Zhou Qiuxiang, grabbed a woven bag from the corner, and ran off.

Liu Xing pushed his bicycle and followed behind.

On the threshing floor, Guazi hugged Liu Xing's right leg. "Big brother, remember to buy me something yummy! The White Rabbit cream candies are gone, and the twisty crackers are finished too."

"I know," Liu Xing said, lovingly pinching Guazi's little cheek.

"Then I'm going to gather pig feed first." Guazi turned and ran toward the eastern field ridges with her short legs.

"Slow down," Liu Xing said, watching her go with a smile. Seeing that it was getting late, he rode his bike toward the black market.

...

In the black market on the eastern outskirts, there were many pedestrians today. The hustle and bustle made it impossible to see more than ten meters ahead. Liu Xing had no interest in admiring the scene; he pushed his bike straight to Zhou Can's blacksmith shop.

The entrance to the shop was packed. Many villagers were clamoring for Zhou Can to come out. The reason for their summons was, surprisingly, to hold him accountable. They wanted to know why their custom-ordered new-style iron plows still hadn't been delivered.

Liu Xing smiled at the scene, parked his bike, and walked straight in. The two young men at the door initially tried to stop him, but upon recognizing him, they quickly stepped aside.

Inside the shop, two staff members from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce in white uniforms were taking notes, occasionally asking Zhou Can questions. Zhou Can looked nervous, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Assuming the blacksmith shop was being investigated by the authorities, Liu Xing retreated immediately. After all, obstructing the Bureau of Industry and Commerce was not a wise move.

But he quickly noticed something: the two staff members didn't seem to be conducting an investigation. They looked more like they were processing paperwork for Zhou Can. Relieved by this conclusion, Liu Xing prepared to walk over to ask what was happening.

Just then, Ding Lan, wearing a white uniform with her hair in a ponytail, emerged from the backyard holding a folder. Beside her was a handsome staff member who was acting very attentive. Seeing the noisy crowd outside, she couldn't help but say to Zhou Can, "Your shop's operating method is problematic! Why are so many villagers here causing trouble?"

"No, let me explain," Zhou Can said anxiously, but before he could, Ding Lan interrupted him in surprise. "Oh! Liu Xing, why are you here?"

"Yeah, what a coincidence," Liu Xing said with a smile, greeting Ding Lan.

"You... know each other?" The handsome staff member pointed at Liu Xing and asked Ding Lan.

"Yes, he's my younger brother, Liu Xing," Ding Lan replied with a playful tone. "By the way, this is my colleague, Wu Guoqing," she added, introducing him to Liu Xing.

"Hello," Liu Xing nodded slightly.

"He's your younger brother?" Wu Guoqing was stunned. Based on what he knew of Ding Lan, it seemed impossible for her to have such a young brother. He was about to ask for details, but Ding Lan ignored him and pulled Liu Xing out of the shop. With no other choice, Wu Guoqing had to follow.

"Leader... Leader! Don't go!" Seeing this, Zhou Can reached out to stop Wu Guoqing. "Listen to me, the reason so many villagers have come to my shop these past few days is because..."

Before he could finish, Wu Guoqing interrupted him rudely. "Sorry, I don't want to hear your explanation. A blacksmith shop with these kinds of issues cannot be issued an individual business license. If you are dissatisfied, you can go to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce to file a complaint."

"I... I..." Zhou Can stammered, unable to get a word out. Wu Guoqing ignored him and walked straight out of the shop.