Chapter 13

“Juan Zi, what do you think about the separation? About Zhao Zhan’s house and land?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Let’s finish everything in one go.” Lizheng held a bowl of hot tea and took a sip. He didn’t feel cold at all. “That house and land originally belonged to Zhao Zhan. Hurry up and return them to him.”

“How? His father was poor in his studies, how much money could he leave after his death? Zhao Zhan is such a big boy, and he’s been eating at my place for six years. How much money did he take from me?

“If it wasn’t for our family, that land would have been abandoned long ago. Now that it’s so rich because of us, it’s already good enough that I don’t ask you for money!”

Zhao Kuazi couldn’t stand the cold and didn’t want to care so much for formalities anymore. She piled the things in her hands onto her husband’s body and walked over to dismantle the courtyard door herself. “I’ll only compensate you with 20 silver, nothing else.

“I don’t want that house anymore. Just give me the land.”

Zhao Zhan carried Yue Jiaojiao and placed her on a chair. He put on his straw raincoat and rushed into the rain to block the courtyard door. “If you don’t give me that land, I’ll dig up whatever you plant in the future!”

Originally, it didn’t matter if he had a place to live or not, but now, he wanted to grow many kinds of fresh vegetables for his sweetheart to eat.

1

On one end was a house, on the other end was land, Zhao Kuazi was reluctant to part with either.

Without waiting for her to make a decision, Zhao Zhan stared at her and said in a deep voice, “That house is not clean after you’ve lived in it. Jiaojiao will feel uncomfortable living in it. You can convert the house into money and give it to me. I’ll go to your house to get it now.”

Lizheng did not have a straw raincoat. He stood under the shed and cleared his throat to help. “It’s from his family. Just as Zhao Zhan said, it will save you the trouble of moving. Won’t you guys get a lot of money from the leather you took?

“The house is not big. There are three central rooms, two east rooms, a small courtyard, and a kitchen. The house is made of mud bricks, not tiles. You can give me five silver. Together with the twenty you just gave me, I’ll give you all of them.”

Lizheng didn’t want to waste any more time with Zhao Kuazi. He put on a stern face and said in a harsh tone, “If you don’t give him the money, I’ll send you to the authorities!”

“Forget it, forget it. Just give it to them.” the husband’s lips were blue from the cold. He couldn’t beat them in a fight, nor could he deny it. He pushed his other half away. “Hurry up and get the money. If you didn’t insist on coming today, we wouldn’t have to pay out all the silver that we have saved for so many years.”

“You shut up! You’re a man, why don’t you teach your nephew a lesson?”

Yue Jiaojiao was very annoyed by his words. She called out to Zhao Zhan in a soft voice, “Zhao Zhan, I’m hungry. Let’s go and come back early.”

Zhao Zhan immediately urged, “Hurry up!”

There was Zhao Zhan in front and Lizheng behind. Even if Zhao Kuazi was unwilling, she could only bring Zhao Zhan back dejectedly. She counted the silver from the money box and handed it to Zhao Zhan.

She had done this in secret.

If her daughters-in-law found out that she had lost all the money they earned, they would definitely make a fuss at home.

1

After taking the silver, Zhao Zhan went back and rolled up his sleeves to start cooking. When he was done with the food, the rain still did not stop. He gave the straw raincoat to the head officer and let him go home. After he cleaned up the dishes, he went over to Yue Jiaojiao and asked, “Are you tired? Do you want to take a nap?”

Yue Jiaojiao stared into his eyes and clearly saw her own reflection.

His eyes were serious and focused, and Yue Jiaojiao couldn’t help but pull Zhao Zhan’s ear. She looked at the redness on it with satisfaction and said, “I’m a little tired from sitting, but Zhao Zhan, I don’t want to be in the rain. It’s so wet that I feel uncomfortable.”

Seeing that the rain had no intention of stopping, Zhao Zhan’s brows furrowed tightly. Then he unbuckled his belt and opened his outer robe. “Lie in my arms. I’ll bring you into the room myself so you won’t get wet.”