A few people surrounded Qiao Yue and the others. Xia He grabbed his hand, checking him over while asking, “Shanzi, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Little Dad.” Xia He checked him over thoroughly, and only after hearing the doctor say he was fine did he relax. “So, what exactly happened?”
When Yang Ge’er went to find Xia He, he only mentioned that Qiao Yue had been drugged at the Wang family. In his rush, Xia He didn’t have time to find anyone else and ran straight over. He was spotted by Zhou Shi, who was heading out to the outhouse, and they left together, meeting the Fang couple on the way.
So, the four of them weren’t very clear on what had happened.
Qiao Yue recounted the entire incident, “Little Dad, Aunt, I was drugged by him…”
Qiao Yue pointed at Zhao Fulang, who was standing behind the Lizheng’s wife. The Wang family realized that Qiao Yue and the others already knew who had drugged them.
Wang Lizheng, standing nearby, tried to stop Qiao Yue from speaking, even playing the family card: “Shanzi… let’s sit down and talk, sit down and talk.”
“Sit down for what, Wang Lizheng? Everyone says you’re the fairest in handling matters, but now I want to ask, why should our Qiao family suffer a loss here and not report it? Is this how you do things as Lizheng?!” Zhou Shi was almost pointing at Wang Lizheng and scolding him.
“Of course, he wouldn’t dare report it because…” Qiao Yue sneered at them, continuing to point at Zhao Fulang, “because I was the one he covered the mouth and nose of. He’s the culprit, and Fang Ge’er was just implicated by me. How could Wang Lizheng be willing to report it?”
The situation was dire! Wang Lizheng closed his eyes, knowing these two families would not let it go easily.
As for why a Ge’er was in the backyard, Qiao Yue glossed over it.
The others weren’t focused on that detail. Upon hearing that it was Zhao Fulang who drugged them, Zhou Shi suddenly understood, “No wonder he didn’t want us to report it!”
Xia He patted them, “You two go out first. The four of us will talk to them.” The two young ones didn’t need to stay and hear unpleasant things, especially Fang Ge’er. When negotiating, things would definitely get ugly, and harsh words would be exchanged.
Qiao Yue nodded, knowing he wouldn’t be of much use next.
This matter wouldn’t escalate to the county office. His Little Dad wouldn’t let them suffer a loss, so Qiao Yue looked at Fang Chuyue with confidence, “Shall we wait outside?”
Fang Chuyue hesitated. He knew his parents well; they were the type to get upset and cry after just a few words in an argument. Could they really handle this?
Zhou Shi also urged them out, “Hurry out, hurry out.”
Fang Chuyue and the others reluctantly left.
Once the door was bolted, Zhou Shi pointed at Zhao Fulang’s nose and scolded, “You old thing, ugly and delusional, not a good person! You had someone ask me to talk, and when refused, you resorted to such underhanded tactics! Truly vicious, I said Ge’er doesn’t have a…”
Xia He: “…” Staring straight at her.
Zhou Shi was momentarily speechless, then changed her tone, “You, as a Little Dad, are so malicious. I suppose the Ge’er you raised is just like you. Luckily, we’re not marrying into your family, or our Qiao family would be in big trouble.”
Zhao Fulang’s face turned pale, and the Lizheng couple looked grim.
“What, you don’t like being scolded by me? Let me tell you, Wang Tiangen, you shameless old man, openly abusing your power! How dare you serve as Lizheng of our Qingshan Village?”
Lizheng was furious, his head buzzing, “Zhou Shi! No matter what, I’m still Lizheng. Even your family head, Xingsheng, wouldn’t dare speak to me like this! If word gets out today, won’t it tarnish your family’s reputation? I’m doing this for everyone’s sake!”
“And besides, none of you suffered any loss. If you go to the county office, they might think you’re joking and punish you instead.”
Zhou Shi, hearing Wang Lizheng say this, turned to Xia He, “Uh… what do we do, Old Second’s family?”
Would her scolding really affect Xingsheng?
Xia He took over, “Lizheng, don’t speak so righteously. For everyone’s sake? It’s just for yourself. This matter may be small, but if Xingsheng steps in, the county office will still handle it. If it’s found that your brother-in-law did something stupid, even if he doesn’t end up in jail, he’ll get a few beatings. And you, as Lizheng, might be at the end of your term?”
“Am I right?”
“You…” Wang Lizheng looked at Xia He, furious.
“What to do?”
Outside, Fang Chuyue pressed his ear to the door, trying to participate in the argument inside.
Zhou Shi seemed to be intimidated by Wang Lizheng. Could they really handle this? Fang Chuyue doubted whether things would go as they wished.
It was all so unclear. Fang Chuyue frowned, pressing harder against the door.
He wished he could squeeze half his body inside.
Qiao Yue’s gaze unconsciously fell on the raised backside, then he looked up at the pitch-black night sky.
He raised his hand to scratch his burning ear.
Fang Chuyue, tired of bending over, stood up and let out a long sigh.
Seeing him straighten up, Qiao Yue also let out a sigh of relief.
“Why are you sighing, and what’s with that pose? Why are you holding your ear?” Fang Chuyue asked curiously.
“Nothing…” Qiao Yue mumbled, lowering his hand.
He scanned Fang Chuyue from head to toe with his eyes, finding nothing unusual. Fang Chuyue, arms crossed, said regretfully, “I should have asked Yang Ge’er to call your uncle on the way back. With your cousin here, it might be more advantageous for us.”
“No need, my Little Dad and the others can handle it.”
Fang Chuyue looked skeptical. Just because you say so? Who knows what’s happening inside.
No, he had to check again… no, listen again.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the tightly closed door finally opened. The night was as dark as ink.
Qiao Yue, squatting on the ground out of boredom, looked up at the people coming out.
“Hiss… how did the talk go, Dad and Mom?” Fang Chuyue asked, stomping his feet as he walked towards his parents.
Zhou Shi looked at the sky, “Oh, it’s so dark. Let’s go, let’s go.”
Xia He also said, “We’ll talk on the way, let’s go.”
Qiao Yue stood up and followed them out. As they left the Wang family’s gate, Wang Lizheng stood at the door, watching their departing figures.
Truly, a biting dog doesn’t bark.
He hadn’t interacted much with Xia He before. Firstly, their statuses didn’t match; if there was anything to notify, he only needed to inform Qiao Laohan or Qiao Xingsheng. Secondly, Xia He was known in the village for his good nature, not getting into conflicts, so there was no need to deal with him.
After today’s conversation, Xia He was much harder to deal with than the loud Zhou Shi. Without Xia He, perhaps…
The main door closed with a thud.
“Still looking, they’re gone,” Lizheng’s wife waved her hand, angry at Lizheng, “Why did you make my brother apologize in person? Doesn’t that just tell everyone he did it? Our Zhao and Wang families have lost face!”
Wang Lizheng turned around, face stern, silently looking at her and Zhao Fulang.
Lizheng’s wife averted her gaze, “I-I didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Your dear brother drugged someone on your son’s wedding day just because they didn’t want to marry his son! After this, you’re still worried about face?? Just wait and see how people talk about your son in the future!”
Wang Lizheng gave them one last look and left in a huff.
Seeing him leave, Wang Zhi and his wife, who wanted to come out and ask questions, exchanged a glance and quietly retreated back inside.
…
After walking a few steps, Fang Chuyue couldn’t wait to ask.
“So why did that Zhao guy drug us, and how will he be dealt with? It won’t just end like this, right?”
His reputation was at stake here.
Fang’s parents looked a bit embarrassed. They were not good with words and hadn’t said much earlier.
“Isn’t it all for his Ge’er? What else could it be for? It’s just that his Ge’er left midway, and Fang Ge’er ran in. Otherwise, they might have gotten their way today.” Zhou Shi said straightforwardly.
She took out two pieces of paper, “These are the confessions signed by Zhao Qing, clearly stating what he did, with his fingerprints. Below is Wang Lizheng’s promise, and each will compensate six taels. Tomorrow, he will apologize publicly, and neither he nor his Ge’er will appear in Qingshan Village again.”
Qiao Yue took the papers and handed one to Fang Chuyue, “Is this matter settled?”
This time, he looked at his Little Dad. Xia He nodded and explained, “Reporting to the authorities probably won’t work…”
Qiao Yue folded the paper and handed it to Xia He.
“It’s okay, I didn’t plan to report it. If we did…” If they did, they might have ended up as a pair of wild mandarin ducks.
Moreover, the magistrate of Qingshui County was very greedy. Even if they had a legitimate reason, they’d probably suffer a lot.
Xia He wasn’t worried about that. He glanced at Fang Chuyue.
The Zhao family matter was settled, but theirs wasn’t. The current plan was for the two of them to get married.
But this matter had to be discussed with the Ge’er first, “Now it’s about you two… Fang Ge’er, do you have any thoughts? Speak up, and we’ll listen.”
As for his son’s…
Seeing how familiar the two were, Xia He thought his son’s opinion wasn’t important for now.
Fang Chuyue, under the gaze of several pairs of eyes, was at a loss for words, stammering and not knowing what to say.
Marrying Qiao Yue, he hadn’t thought about it!
Fang Chuyue’s gaze shifted to the side, meeting Qiao Yue’s, and then they both looked away.
Xia He sighed, “Go back and discuss it with your parents. Whatever you decide, there’s no rush.”
Qiao Yue looked around, feeling very dissatisfied.
He pointed at himself—
“Isn’t anyone going to ask for my opinion?”