My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]-Chapter 166

On New Year's Eve, the sound of firecrackers filled the air.

The Spring Festival of 1972 fell in mid-February, having passed the coldest days of winter, but it was still freezing. Nonetheless, kids were not afraid of the cold. They ran around the courtyard and alleys early in the morning, bursting with energy, each holding small firecrackers that exploded with a crackling sound. Both boys and girls covered their ears and laughed happily, oblivious to the cold. The children in the courtyard ran back and forth between the alleys, full of life.

Adults, on the other hand, were busier than the children on this day. Everyone brought out their best culinary skills, frying, steaming, and boiling to prepare the reunion dinner. Ming Mei helped in the kitchen, an improvement from last year when she was heavily pregnant and did nothing. This year, she was part of the lively preparations.

Zhao Guihua: "Third daughter-in-law, get me two chili peppers."

Ming Mei: "Got it."

While others grew flowers in their pots, their family grew chili peppers and green onions. These small plants added great flavor to their dishes during the winter. Ming Mei picked two peppers and handed them to Zhao Guihua, who sliced them finely.

"Where are the kids?"

Ming Mei: "Zhuang Zhixi is watching them."

Zhao Guihua nodded, continuing to chop while saying, "Go prepare a Chinese cabbage."

Ming Mei: "Got it."

Though she didn't cook, Ming Mei was quite efficient with kitchen chores. Outside, she met He Lan, who was also heading to the cellar. Ming Mei suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, have you registered Bai Qingqing's household registration?"

He Lan nodded: "Yes, I registered it on December 31st."

Although Bai Qingqing's registration was almost a year late, it could save them trouble if they ever encountered the Fan Family in the future.

He Lan added: "Thanks for reminding me. I wouldn't have thought of it without your family."

Ming Mei: "We're neighbors, so if we thought of it, we had to remind you. It was my mother-in-law's idea. I wouldn't have noticed."

Sometimes, her mother-in-law's experience really amazed her.

He Lan nodded, realizing the importance of the reminder. She would rather have her daughter connected to Bai Fendou than the devious Fan family. At least Bai Fendou genuinely loved Qingqing as his own. The Fan family, on the other hand, wished they could disappear.

As they headed to the cellar, they continued their conversation.

At the same time, Aunt Shuihua led her family to Xing Hua Li. This time, the entire family was involved, but their cart wasn't filled with goods as before. Nevertheless, they still carried large baskets used for selling.

Aunt Shuihua looked at her sons and daughters-in-law and said, "Let's stick to the plan we discussed yesterday. Any questions?"

The family replied in unison: "No!"

Aunt Shuihua nodded and reaffirmed their tasks: "Alright, let's go over them again. Oldest, what's your job?"

Song Shu: "I'll get close to the street kids and try to lure away some familiar ones."

Aunt Shuihua nodded and turned to the second son: "And you, what are you doing?"

The second son quickly replied: "I'll drive the carriage, provide support, load the kids into the baskets, and keep an eye out for trouble."

Aunt Shuihua nodded again and addressed the oldest daughter-in-law: "What's your role?"

The oldest daughter-in-law: "I'm your daughter-in-law, and I haven't had children yet. I'll claim I want to hold their boys for good luck. Once chaos breaks out, I'll leave with you, carrying the children."

Aunt Shuihua approved: "Good. And you, second daughter-in-law, what's your task?"

The second daughter-in-law: "I'll create chaos by shouting 'Rape' at the entrance, drawing everyone's attention and giving you time to escape."

Aunt Shuihua then asked the other two: "And you two?"

The youngest son: "We'll work together. I'll cause chaos like Er Mao, pretending to be the victim of harassment. Then I'll escape, leading pursuers away. I'm fast and familiar with the area. We'll meet up tonight. My brother will act like the oldest son, persuading kids to buy firecrackers and take them away."

Each one had crucial roles.

Song Shu shook a bottle of water and said, "I've added sleeping pills to it. Once they drink it, they'll be out cold, no problem."

Aunt Shuihua was clear on her own responsibilities and reminded the group, "We're not amateurs. Everyone knows their part well, but remember, whether it's your first or hundredth time, the top rule is?"

"Caution!"

Aunt Shuihua smiled: "Exactly. Caution. With enough caution, we can escape quickly. Otherwise, we'll end like your father. Money is important, but our lives are more so. Got it?"

"Got it!"

"Alright, let's move."

The family marched towards Xing Hua Li, ready for business.

Aunt Shuihua led them to the alley. As she expected, it was full of children with firecrackers popping incessantly. She said, "Let's split up and act."

"Understood."

They swiftly separated. Aunt Shuihua and her eldest daughter-in-law went to No. 44 courtyard. They had already scouted that this was the street with the most infants.

At the gate, Xiao Yanzi, holding a small stick, stopped them and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

They were playing a game of catching bad guys.

Aunt Shuihua put on a kind smile and handed Xiao Yanzi candy, saying, "Little sister, I'm looking for Zhao Guihua."

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Xiao Yanzi nodded, not taking the candy, and ran back into the courtyard, shouting, "Grandma! Someone's looking for you!"

Zhao Guihua, preparing lunch, heard the call and wondered, "Who could it be?"

It was unusual for someone to visit on New Year's Eve. She looked out and saw Aunt Shuihua. She handed the spatula to Liang Meifen, saying, "You take over. I'll go see."

Liang Meifen: "Okay."

Ming Mei also peeked out, saying, "I'll help."

Liang Meifen quickly said, "No need, I can manage."

She didn't trust Ming Mei's cooking skills.

Ming Mei: "Then I'll go with Mom to see who it is."

Liang Meifen: "...Smooth talker."

But she didn't want Ming Mei helping, feeling she'd just get in the way: "Go ahead."

Ming Mei shrugged, appreciating Liang Meifen for her practical attitude. While it was a bit disheartening to be underestimated, it meant less work for her.

Liang Meifen: "Go, you're not needed here."

Ming Mei: "Hehe."

She followed Zhao Guihua outside, surprised to see Aunt Shuihua there.

Zhao Guihua's eyes narrowed as she greeted: "Aunt Shuihua, still doing business on New Year's Eve?"

Ming Mei stood quietly beside her.

Aunt Shuihua: "Of course, I still have some stock left. I decided to sell it all, especially since it's been thanks to loyal customers like you that I've done well. As I'm heading home for the new year, I thought I should at least drop by to say a belated Happy New Year. Happy New Year to you."

"Happy New Year to you too. And who is this?"

Zhao Guihua looked at the middle-aged woman beside Aunt Shuihua, who replied: "This is my eldest daughter-in-law, she helps me with business."

Aunt Shuihua paused for a moment before continuing, "My eldest daughter-in-law is nearly forty years old. She and my son have been married for nearly twenty years, but they haven't had a child yet. I heard that this courtyard is filled with good vibes and many children, so I thought I'd bring her along during New Year visits to soak up some of that good fortune."

Zhao Guihua became even more cautious towards Aunt Shuihua. Although her words seemed polite, the more polite they were, the more suspicious Zhao Guihua became.

Aunt Shuihua, appearing curious, remarked, "The people in this courtyard seem quite harmonious. Is this the Bai family? I heard they live by the gate."

At that moment, Bai Fendou came out to pour some water. In previous years on New Year's Eve, he wouldn't have hurried; he would spend the morning chatting idly in the courtyard. But now that he has a wife, he takes it upon himself to help out. As he poured the water, he said, "Oh, who’s this?"

Zhao Guihua answered, "This is Aunt Shuihua, she’s here to do some small trading."

Aunt Shuihua replied, "My, what a handsome man! Truly a pillar of the family, a man who can uphold the household with dignity and strength."

As soon as these words left her mouth, Bai Fendou turned livid, letting out a loud "hmph" and glaring fiercely at Aunt Shuihua before turning and walking away. The old woman clearly knew he was incapable, yet she still went on about him being a "pillar of the family." It was all so sarcastic and deliberate. Definitely not a good person!

On New Year’s Eve, she comes here to be sarcastic? How utterly disgraceful!

Bai Fendou stormed off, furious, though he refrained from cursing outright, something he would have done if it weren’t New Year’s. Instead, he cursed in his mind, thinking, "Damn it! Go eat your own excrement!"

Aunt Shuihua: "???"

She was known for being quite the conversationalist, so she couldn't fathom why this had backfired. What provoked such an abrupt outburst of anger? He was so unpredictable! She couldn’t make sense of it at all. According to her investigations, Bai Fendou was the man married to Zhao Guihua’s friend "Xiao Lan." Their family was sparse, with only three members, and he was the sole breadwinner.

Her compliment should have been well-received.

What kind of man is he?

Aunt Shuihua was inwardly irritated, almost wishing she could kidnap "Xiao Lan" to leave him without a wife and see how he’d flaunt himself then.

Having been scorned, Aunt Shuihua was furious but maintained her smile, saying, "This brother has a bit of a temper, doesn’t he?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "He’s alright."

Bai Fendou’s temper wasn’t anything out of the ordinary in their large courtyard.

Aunt Shuihua: "…"

Looking around, she decided to change the subject, feigning hesitation as she said, "Zhao Guihua, I shouldn’t really bring this up, but my eldest daughter-in-law has been childless for so many years, and I’m anxious. I heard you have a little boy. I was wondering if she could hold him for a bit. I’ve heard that holding a boy child can bring good luck and perhaps lead to the birth of a boy."

She chuckled awkwardly, "All I hope for is a little grandson."

Zhao Guihua was now at maximum alert. She didn’t believe a single word Aunt Shuihua said. Moreover, it was preposterous—visiting someone’s home on New Year’s Eve to hold a child for good luck? As if they were utter fools!

Zhao Guihua was indeed extraordinarily cautious. If it had been an average household, they might not have been so suspicious. After all, Aunt Shuihua had done many transactions with them and was considered acquainted. Moreover, these transactions always came with some bargain, so why wouldn’t they trust her?

Furthermore, the practice of seeking good fortune for childbirth wasn’t uncommon. In some rural areas, people would even borrow the used diapers of male babies and place them under their pillows, hoping for a son.

So Aunt Shuihua’s reasoning was quite plausible.

But, unfortunately, she ran into Zhao Guihua, who had been exposed to the modern deluge of information. Though she hadn’t experienced much personally, she had watched plenty of "Legal and Regulation" programs, "News for 30 Minutes," and various other talk shows. She had seen all sorts of bizarre schemes.

Thus, she felt Aunt Shuihua was off, especially considering the man who attacked Guan Guiling and Jiang Baohong. Though it wasn’t confirmed, the description matched Aunt Shuihua’s second son.

An attacker who beat people up wasn’t acting in good faith, that much was obvious.

That’s why Zhao Guihua was so vigilant. Even though her mind had whirled a hundred times over, in an instant, she responded with a smile, "My child is likely still asleep. Plus, won’t you be back home by midday for lunch?"

Aunt Shuihua said, "What’s the rush? We only have one meal at night. By the way, which household is Aunt Zhou?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "Aunt Zhou~"

Aunt Zhou: "Who is it?"

Since it was New Year’s Eve, everyone was busy, and the continuous sound of firecrackers had left them unaware of visitors. Aunt Zhou, busy cooking, came out upon hearing her name: "Hmm? Why are you here?"

Aunt Shuihua smiled and said, "I’ve come to pay my New Year’s greetings and soak up some good fortune."

She looked around, "I’ve heard so much about your little grandson’s virtues. I wanted to see for myself."

It would have been easier to abduct a lanky teenager, but Aunt Shuihua was greedy. She didn’t want to let go of the two infants. Babies this young were in demand. Families with good means preferred little ones, the tinier the better, as they wouldn’t remember their birth parents.

So she was willing to take a bit of a risk, thinking her actions were justified. This courtyard had bought plenty from her, so she was sure they trusted her!

But to her surprise, Aunt Zhou wasn’t hospitable, saying, "What are you looking at? My child is shy. You might scare him."

She scanned Song Shu’s wife and said, "Looks like she doesn’t have much luck."

Zhao Guihua chimed in, "Indeed, her appearance doesn’t show good fortune."

Song Shu’s wife, fuming, felt her chest rise and fall violently. These two old women were utter pests, how dare they comment on her lack of fortune! She had two sons! If it weren’t to steal a child, why would they even bother?

An enraged Song Shu’s wife watched as Aunt Shuihua, experienced and composed, held her temper, though she too wanted to curse.

Damn it!

With a forced smile, Aunt Zhou said, "You know, I have plenty of experience with fertility matters. Sometimes, it’s all about the timing—when the time comes, it’ll happen, if not, it’s just not the right time. No amount of effort can change that."

Hmph. Everyone knew her son and daughter-in-law tried for over ten years to have a child. Why else would these people focus on their family unless they wanted to remind them of those childless years? Intent on making them unhappy during this festive time. What a despicable bunch!

She looked at Aunt Shuihua and her daughter-in-law with disdain, saying, "During New Year’s, don’t let your ‘luckless’ daughter-in-law come near me. We want a lucky year ahead."

Pfft!

Aunt Zhou let out a loud huff, turned, and went back inside, slamming the door shut. When push came to shove, she wouldn’t let this embarrassing situation affect her. If it weren’t New Year’s, she would’ve surely let loose with a barrage of curses. Why target her family if not to take a jab given their history—deliberately making one feel miserable on such an auspicious day.

Aunt Shuihua and Song Shu’s wife: "…"

They had no clue why Aunt Zhou was angry. Shouldn’t they have been the ones offended? Why was Aunt Zhou so mad? Why did she have the audacity? Damn it!

Zhao Guihua commented, "Aunt Zhou tends to be outspoken."

Aunt Shuihua and Song Shu’s wife: "…" Could you be any more tactless? Saying "outspoken" is an understatement! How about labeling her rude and unreasonable!

Aunt Shuihua never expected that what seemed simple would prove so disastrous. It left her baffled. Just what kind of people lived in this courtyard? Why was it so difficult to get along with them? She had sold them heaps of cheap goods; otherwise, they wouldn’t have even let her in.

The tongues they’d given her during shopping expeditions had proven hollow; now, they were all turning their backs on her! Damn them all!

Yet her resolve only burned brighter. The more they responded like this, the more she determined to teach these people a lesson.

"Actually, I..." Aunt Shuihua was about to press on further when Wang Xiangxiu walked out to fetch water. It was her first time seeing Aunt Shuihua and she curiously asked, "Aunt Zhao, who is she?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "This is Aunt Shuihua, who often roams the streets to sell things. Didn't your family also buy from her?"

Wang Xiangxiu's expression shifted subtly. This change came from two things: one was caution, and the other was a sense of spotting a mark. Her family had bought two seven-jin (about 4.2 kg) old hens for two yuan and twenty-seven cents each. In contrast, Sister Tian from their workshop had paid two yuan and fifty cents for just a four-and-a-half-jin hen.

She was overjoyed, but also felt a strange sense of unease.

With a subtle expression, she greeted, "Nice to meet you, Auntie. What brings you here...?"

Aunt Shuihua gave Wang Xiangxiu a thorough once-over, knowing that she was Su Jinlai's mother. They knew about Su Jinlai's family—life was tough, with everything riding on his mother's shoulders. She was known to be a hardworking, diligent woman. Although she was a widow, she was clean and disciplined, possessing a noble and upright character.

Well, at least that's what Su Jinlai had mentioned.

She quickly said, "Everyone calls me Aunt Shuihua; you can do the same. You're Widow Wang, aren't you? I've heard so much about you. It's nice to finally meet you. You certainly look like a decent person. I've always heard that you’re very proper and self-respecting, someone we should all learn from..."

Clang!

Wang Xiangxiu slammed her water basin onto the sink, her expression darkening.

What kind of person is this, bringing discomfort during the New Year festivities? What’s the point of bringing up being "decent"? She admitted she used to rely on flattering men to get by, but now she worked hard. Why mention "self-respect" and "being a role model"? Isn't that deliberately speaking in reverse to make her uncomfortable? Despicable!

Everyone in this street knew her past wasn't entirely spotless.

This person is just too much. Normally, people avoid being a nuisance during the New Year, but this lady goes out of her way to provoke. Truly disgraceful. Although Wang Xiangxiu didn't have much schooling, she could tell when someone was twisting the truth to spite her.

She icily said, "What’s wrong with staying home for the New Year and wandering around aimlessly? You’re like a rat in the gutter – utterly disgusting."

Without another word, she turned and left.

Aunt Shuihua: "..."

What the hell is wrong with this person?

Even her daughter-in-law was fuming, her fists clenched tightly.

Zhao Guihua stood there, astonished.

As for Ming Mei, she didn't even register. After all, where could she possibly fit into the drama unfolding before her? This was her first time witnessing someone compliment so persistently and unwittingly land right on someone's sore spot. Ming Mei thought to herself: This is quite an education.

Aunt Shuihua and her daughter-in-law were equally baffled. They couldn't wrap their heads around why things had gone so wrong.

Zhao Guihua stammered, "Uh, well..."

Just then, Yang Lixin carrying a child came from the back courtyard. This year, the men hadn't gathered in the big yard; each family had their own children to tend to. Yang Lixin was taking his big plump daughter to the Zhuang family to play with the kids, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan. Passing through the front yard, he noticed a stranger and after a moment, realized, "Oh, she's the one selling things. Our compound even held a meeting about her."

He gave Aunt Shuihua a wary glance. Aunt Shuihua's eyes immediately fastened onto the plump child, lighting up.

"This is..."

"This is from the Wang family..." Before Zhao Guihua could elaborate further, Aunt Shuihua eagerly interjected, "Oh, I know, I know! You're the son of Aunt Wang, right? I've seen your boys, Lijunjun and Liweiwei – such well-behaved kids. Li...er..."

Yang Lixin's face darkened as he shot Aunt Shuihua a bitter glare, spat on the ground, and rolled his eyes before turning and walking away.

Aunt Shuihua was nearly at her breaking point. What the heck is wrong with the people in this compound?

Zhao Guihua noticed Aunt Shuihua teetering on the edge and quickly suggested, "Yang Lixin, take your daughter to my place."

Aunt Shuihua: "????"

Her daughter-in-law: "?????"

They had reliable information – the grandsons of Aunt Wang and Chef Li were named Jiweiwei and Jijunjun. Then why does this man have the last name Yang?

They hadn't expected this man to be a son-in-law.

They exchanged bewildered glances, having no quick answer. Meanwhile, Lan Sihai had been enjoying the show from behind the window and finally decided to step out, saying, "You guys are the ones who often come to sell things, right?"

Aunt Shuihua steeled herself, mainly because she'd been repeatedly routed in her attempts.

She forced a smile and asked, "Sir, and you are?"

Zhao Guihua introduced, "This is Aunt He's husband."

Aunt Shuihua: "????"

There's quite a noticeable age gap, isn't there?

Is it that the old man's rough appearance makes his wife seem younger, or is she genuinely youthful?

Truth be told, Aunt Shuihua didn't dare speak freely anymore. Anything she said might backfire. This was quite painful.

Lan Sihai looked at Aunt Shuihua and remarked, "Oh my. You look like such a kind-hearted person, a real benevolent soul."

Aunt Shuihua: "..." Even though you're praising me, it feels... off.

Zhao Guihua's lips twitched, realizing the old man's sarcasm. She knew he always spoke in a cryptic, roundabout way, and this wasn't a genuine compliment.

Aunt Shuihua chuckled awkwardly, "Well, that's very kind of you to say, I'm quite embarrassed."

Lan Sihai responded, "There's no need to be embarrassed. You exude sincerity – too much sincerity! You're also very kind – too kind! And your benevolence shines through – too benevolent!"

Aunt Shuihua: "..." Is this old man hitting on me? Why is he heaping such praise? This is our first meeting!

She stammered, "Well, this, uh..." She suddenly didn't know how to respond, as this degree of warmness was overwhelming!

Lan Sihai continued, "Since it's New Year and you've come by early to pay your respects, it shows how ethical you are."

Aunt Shuihua: "..." He must be fond of me. Aunt Shuihua felt a bit smug, proud of her enduring charm. Her daughter-in-law, on the other hand, felt her hairs stand on end. Why do these people talk like this? Hearing these words made her deeply uncomfortable. Aunt Shuihua, with her critical, malicious nature, didn't deserve such sweet talk. Their praise was misguided.

Ming Mei looked back and forth, recognizing her grandfather's caustic wit but sensing that the rest were oblivious to his subtle jabs.

Lan Sihai asked, "So, miss, it's just you here? What about your husband? Is he alive or...?"

Aunt Shuihua replied, "He has passed away." Taking a shine to me? Must be.

Lan Sihai continued, "How many children do you have?"

Aunt Shuihua answered, "I have three sons and one daughter. My daughter got married early and doesn't keep in touch with the family." She's never of any use. She was practically sold off!

Lan Sihai suggested, "Your two sons are fine too. Here, have a seat, miss. So tell me, why have you gotten into black market dealings? It's not an easy line of work, with those enforcers patrolling everywhere."

Aunt Shuihua sighed, "Who could argue? It's tough for me. Completely out of necessity." If it weren't for the connections and sussing out the area, she wouldn't have gotten into it. But it requires early mornings and late nights just to gather goods. It's really hard.

Lan Sihai commented, "This line isn't easy, certainly not for women."

"Indeed, what can I do? My sons aren't sturdy enough to shoulder responsibilities; we're barely keeping afloat."

She has a trusting face, ideal for conning others, but relying solely on her sons and daughters-in-law? That would complicate things. Swindling, she points out, relies heavily on appearance too.

Lan Sihai advised, "You need to train them. You can't always be there to hold their hands. Look at your daughter-in-law here; she seems sharp. Why not give her some responsibilities?"

Clearly, she doesn't look very bright.

Her daughter-in-law jumped in, "You hit the nail on the head, old man."

She's been capable of handling things alone for a long time, it's just this mother-in-law who always seems to doubt her abilities. Thankfully, an outsider can see her potential.

Lan Sihai sat on a small stool, engaging in a conversation with two people.

He glanced at Zhao Guihua and said, "Go home and cook, you don't have anything to do here. I'll chat with this big sister."

Ming Mei promptly moved her own small stool to sit beside Lan Sihai and said, "Grandpa, I'll keep you company."

Lan Sihai responded, "Sure."

He continued, "This is my granddaughter. She's very delicate and weak, which makes me quite worried!"

Aunt Shuihua's eyes lit up at the mention of delicacy. Delicacy was good—they specialized in taking advantage of the delicate. Only by being delicate could they turn a profit!

Aunt Shuihua gazed at Ming Mei, her eyes and eyebrows filled with smiles.

Ming Mei sat beside Lan Sihai while Zhao Guihua surveyed the scene. She understood profoundly that even if someone like Wu Song were present, they would have to hold back. The dynamic duo of an old man and a young girl, one soft and the other tough, was not easy to handle.

She had no illusions about Aunt Shuihua gaining any advantage over Lan Sihai.

Zhao Guihua said, "Alright, I'll go home to cook. You stay here and have a chat."

Aunt Shuihua replied, "Go ahead, go ahead."

She planned to casually chat with the old man, coax him into helping her, and then it wouldn't be long before she could take the child away. Although it might take some time, that was normal! Success never comes easily.

Aunt Shuihua began, "You have quite a few people in your courtyard, sir."

Lan Sihai responded, "Yes, many families live here. The area is small, and it's crowded, not like your spacious rural home. Which village do you come from?"

Lan Sihai continued, "How long does it take you to get home in the winter?"

Lan Sihai added, "Do you worry about getting caught while selling goods year-round?"

Lan Sihai kept up a steady stream of questions with Aunt Shuihua, while his delicate yet beautiful granddaughter sat by his side like a mascot. She didn't go home to cook or take care of children, enjoying the drama with great enthusiasm instead.

Aunt Shuihua tried to respond, "Let me tell you..."

While the conversation inside was lively, the outside world was equally bustling.

Separately, as Aunt Shuihua entered the courtyard, she found herself disorientated and unable to make much progress. However, this old woman was unflustered and proceeded steadily, maintaining her composure. But others in her group were less composed.

Aunt Shuihua's two grandsons, Da Mao (14 years old) and Er Mao (12 years old), each had their roles.

Er Mao, being the younger and smaller, held a string of small firecrackers and mingled with a group of children, saying, "Look, I have some too."

The children on this street were not only neighbors but also classmates from nearby schools. The elementary school and kindergarten were adjacent, and across the street was the middle school. So these children all knew each other well.

If a stranger showed up, they immediately questioned, "Who are you?"

Er Mao remained calm and said, "I'm here to visit relatives."

This family was well-versed in child trafficking, so even a 12-year-old like Er Mao was accustomed to their methods.

"Who are you visiting?"

"Yeah, who are you visiting? I’ve never seen you before."

Er Mao responded, "You wouldn't know them. Why don’t we have a competition? We’ll see whose firecracker is louder, and the loser will buy firecrackers for the winner."

His usual practice was to quickly lose, then lead the children to buy firecrackers and take them to a secluded alley. Once there, his uncle would cover their mouths and tie them up before administering a sedative and placing them in a basket. By the time they returned to their hideout, the sedative would take effect, and the children would fall asleep.

Don't think these traffickers lack sophistication. They invested heavily in their operations.

The children hesitated, not wanting to participate. If they lost, they would have to buy firecrackers for this stranger, but they didn't have any money.

None of the children spoke up.

Er Mao grew anxious. Why weren't these kids getting the hint? He took a deep breath to calm himself.

He smiled and said, "Are you all cowards?"

He jiggled the firecracker in his hand, "Alright, this is how it'll be: if I win, I won't ask for your firecrackers. But if I lose, I'll buy them for you."

Hutou sincerely asked, "Why would you do something so stupid?"

Xiao Yanzi chimed in, "Yeah, won't your mom hit you for losing?"

Li Junjun agreed, "You must have so much money you don't know what to do with it."

Li Weiwei remained silent.

The children seemed to be more astute than expected.

Er Mao pressed his lips together and said, "I have confidence in my firecracker."

He then said loudly, "You're all too scared to compete!"

"There’s nothing to be scared of!"

"Exactly!"

The young boys were each very competitive.

Even though they didn't know this boy, since he had challenged them, they wouldn't back down.

"But whose firecracker is louder is subjective, right?"

Xiao Yanzi, being quite sharp, immediately chimed in.

"I think my firecracker is louder. You think yours is. Neither can convince the other."

Hutou nodded after hearing his sister's words, "That's right. Every year we all like different things."

"Exactly, exactly."

Er Mao asked, "Then what should we do?"

These kids just wanted to enjoy themselves, coming up with all these complications. Once they were all sold, then they'd stop acting so cocky!

In his heart, he cursed them, but he said with a smile, "Let’s figure out a solution."

The children blinked, then Tonglai raised his hand and said, "I know, I know."

Since his older brother got sent to a juvenile reformatory and his second brother became sickly, Tonglai had no playmates. Gradually, he started playing with the others. Though they used to get picked on by the three siblings, kids don't hold grudges, and they all ended up playing together.

Tonglai said, "We can blow up cow dung and see who can send it flying the highest. The highest one wins!"

The children: "......"

Utter silence.

Why did your family always think of such things?

But upon further thought, it seemed reasonable.

How else could they prove whose firecracker was louder?

Er Mao didn't mind. After all, he would intentionally lose—how else could he lead them to buy firecrackers?

He said, "Sure, let’s do it your way."

Xiao Yanzi asked, "But where can we find cow dung?"

Finding cow dung wasn't easy these days.

Tonglai suggested, "Why don’t we blow up the toilet instead?"

He said, "We can blow up the latrine pit!"

"That sounds fun!"

Children’s mischief often exceeded imagination.

Xiao Yanzi strongly rejected the idea, saying, "I don’t want to. It's dirty!"

Er Mao responded, "Dirty little girl, go stand over there."

Li Junjun objected, saying, "Who are you calling dirty? Xiao Yanzi is very pretty."

Li Weiwei agreed, "Exactly, Xiao Yanzi is the prettiest. You’re the ugly one; your whole family is ugly!"

Hutou threatened, "If you insult my sister again, I’ll punch you."

The other children, big and small, all glared angrily. How dare this boy insult Xiao Yanzi? She was their favorite playmate. The area had more boys than girls. Though there were a few girls, most families still favored boys, so usually girls didn’t have much opportunity to go out and play.

But Xiao Yanzi was different. Zhao Guihua treated Hutou and Xiao Yanzi equally, allowing them both to go out or stay home as they wished. Xiao Yanzi also dressed nicely, making her the darling of all the boys in the neighborhood.

When Er Mao insulted her, it provoked their ire. Every child stared at him with hostility.

"What do you mean?"

"That’s ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍right!"

"How dare you insult Xiao Yanzi? She’s the cutest. Nobody is cuter than her!"

"Absolutely nobody!"

Er Mao thought, Damn it! He said 'dirty girl,' not 'ugly girl,' yet these kids misheard him badly! How infuriating!

He tried to calm himself, saying, "I didn’t mean anything. You’re misunderstanding me."

"Then why did you say dirty girl?"

Er Mao: "I accidentally said the wrong thing, I'm sorry."

“Hmph!”

“Hmph, hmph!”

Hu Tou: "Then tell me, whose house are you from? I know all the adults in this neighborhood."

He wanted to find out whose house it was, so he could go to their parents and report them. After all, such a big brother should not be saying bad things about Xiao Yanzi. They needed to be educated.

“I know them too.”

“Me too.”

Ermao: "..."

He pursed his lips and said, “From the neighboring street.”

Li Junjun: "Whose house is on the neighboring street?"

“Yeah!”

Copper said, "I know everyone on the neighboring street."

Er Mao: "The very last house."

He made up a random house.

“You're lying!” shouted a big boy, “You’re lying, you’re making it up! I live in that courtyard, and I’ve never seen you!”

Er Mao: "..."

How did this turn into talking about his actual house?

Why are you from the neighboring street running around this one? That’s just going too far.

“I, I misspoke. What I meant was, I’m from the street next to the neighboring street, not the one right next to this one. It’s the very last house there.” Surely that’s correct now, right?

“You’re lying again!” A clear voice echoed, and a chubby boy shouted, “You’re lying again! I live there!”

Ermao felt completely exposed. He didn’t understand, he really didn’t. Were these kids sick in the head? How did they all end up playing so far from their homes? What was going on? He got angry and shouted, “I can live wherever I want! What’s it to you? You little brats, you sure like to meddle! Who do you think you are?”

He screamed at the top of his lungs.

This, of course, infuriated everyone even more.

Hutou furrowed his brows and shouted, “You’re the one who lied, and now you’re yelling at others? That’s just wrong!”

“Yeah, it’s clearly your fault.”

“You look like a bad person.”

“I think you’re a bad person too. Where are you from? Why are you here? Why are you lying? Why are you swearing? Speak up! If you don’t, we’ll take you to the police station!”

“That’s right!” they all chorused.

Er Mao: "You, you..."

He had never seen such annoying kids before. However, his long experience in this line of work allowed him to quickly regain his composure. Although he was only twelve years old, he was a seasoned veteran. He said, “It was my fault. I didn’t mean to lie. I was just afraid you’d go to my house and tell on me, so I didn’t directly say whose house it was. Can you forgive me? I’ll buy you candy.”

He reached out, offering the candy, which was laced with something.

Hutou glanced down and firmly shook his head. “I don’t want it. Grandma says we shouldn’t eat candy from strangers. Bad people put medicine in candy to trick kids and kidnap them.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! It happens.”

Little Swallow: "Grandma says bad people are very cunning. They’re not like normal people. If there are no adults around, you must never eat anything from strangers."

“That’s right, Xiao Yanzi is the smartest.”

Ermiao: “!!!!!!”

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

He finally lost it and screamed, “You little brats, don’t you dare mess with me! I’ll make sure you all regret it! I’ll sell you all to the boonies…”

He was shouting and raging, completely forgetting that he was supposed to be a seasoned pro. Even the most experienced ones would lose their cool when faced with such kids.

He was furious, jumping and yelling.

The kids looked at each other, and quickly, their eyes met. They shouted, “He’s a bad guy! Let’s beat him up!”

“He’s a kidnapper!”

“Yes, beat him!”

“Beat him! We can’t let him get away! He’s definitely not a good person!”

“Charge!”

“Catch the bad guy!”

A group of ten to twenty kids rushed forward like a pack of little tigers, unafraid at all. Ermao screamed, “Oh shit, help!”

But the kids didn’t care. They surged forward, punching and kicking, determined to catch the bad guy. Aunt Shuihua’s family acted dispersedly. Although the squirrel was a familiar face on this street, kids and adults were still different. Their plan was for Ermao to lure the kids into an empty alley, where he would subdue them.

However, during this back-and-forth, Ermao hadn't lured anyone in, and instead, he heard commotion.

He frowned slightly, confused. “Didn’t we agree that I would round up a group of kids first, and then the second daughter-in-law would act based on the situation with the old lady? Did Mom succeed already? But I haven’t done anything yet!”

He had no idea what had gone wrong, but it was clear that something had derailed.

This Ermao, he’s so useless.

He then complained, “Why did the second brother's wife and Da Mao act prematurely?”

He didn’t know that the real reason was that Ermao was being attacked by the kids. Damao was hiding on the other side. He had better ears than his dad and could tell it was his brother’s voice. After all, he hadn’t caused any disturbance yet, so the problem must have been with Ermao.

He was anxious and hurried over. When he saw the scene, he almost had a breakdown. His brother was being beaten up by a bunch of kids, his face battered and bruised. Not only that, but one of the kids had produced a rope and had already tied him up.

Copper said: "I saw it, I saw it! They tie pigs like this at the pig farm. It’s the best way to hold them."

“Tonglai, you’re so smart.”

Copper said, "Hehe."

He had a deep-seated grudge against pigs and had learned at least three ways to tie them up.

One day, he swore he would eat all the pork to avenge his second brother.

Da Mao rushed out and realized things were bad. He quickly called, “Dad!”

“Dad, hurry!”

He shouted, “What are you doing? Let him go!”

He dashed forward. Ermao cried, "Big brother, save me!"

Da Mao: "Let go of my brother!"

He was already a teenager and, having been called by his dad Squirrel, wasn’t afraid. Squirrel didn’t know what had happened here but assumed they had been exposed. He rushed forward and grabbed one of the kids, who happened to be Tong Lai. With a quick chop, he knocked the boy unconscious…

They always acted swiftly. If the plan failed, they would take whoever they could. To them, kids meant money!

As for his own son, the squirrel wasn’t in a rush to save him. After all, there was still Big Hair, and even if there wasn’t, a ten-year-old boy would just end up in juvenile detention. They weren’t afraid of that. So, grabbing kids was more important than saving his son.

He knocked out another chubby kid and ran off with the two children.

The sudden turn of events stunned the kids. Before they could understand what was happening, they saw Tonglai and the chubby boy being snatched away.

Little Swallow: "The bad guy’s helper! Everyone, run! Auntie, Auntie…”

Little Swallow knew exactly who to call for help. She screamed and ran home, "Auntie, save me!"

Ming Mei was listening to the commotion when she heard Xiao Yanzi’s screams. She immediately stood up. “I’ll go check.”

She rushed out and saw Xiao Yanzi running towards her.

Aunt Shuihua was indeed quite clever. Today, with the constant sound of firecrackers, the kids’ noise hadn’t raised much alarm. Everyone thought the kids were just playing outside as usual.

But Ming Mei immediately realized something was wrong. Da Mao had already freed Er Mao, and the two were grabbing Hu Tou, clearly up to no good.

Ming Mei dashed forward. Da Mao and Er Mao weren’t worried. Da Mao was fourteen and thought he could handle a woman. He yelled, “Second Uncle, come help!”

Before the words even faded, Ming Mei sprinted over, jumping and delivering a powerful kick. She grabbed Hu Tou and sent Da Mao flying. He fell heavily to the ground.

Er Mao: "Brother!"

He screamed heart-wrenchingly and then grabbed a stone, hurling it at Ming Mei. Ming Mei dodged swiftly and, without hesitation, twisted the child’s arm, yanked a rope, and bound him tightly. "Don’t just stand there gawking—go and call for help," she said.

At this, the children realized they had encountered a bad person.

The scene immediately descended into chaos. Shan Mao arrived to assist his nephew. Upon seeing Ming Mei, his eyes gleamed with lecherous intent. Although their targets for this operation were the children, with the plan now failing and going awry, he didn’t hesitate. Thinking that since he was here, he might as well seize the opportunity, he decided to capture this young woman as well. After all, she was worth just as much.

What a beauty she was—he had long had his eye on her.

He charged at her, confident in his ability to capture this fragile little woman without much effort, a wicked grin plastered across his face... *"Ah!"*

In an instant, he was knocked to the ground. Without mercy, Ming Mei delivered two more powerful kicks.

The commotion quickly drew the attention of others. The children scattered, running off to scream for help. Hearing the noise, families poured out of their homes. The two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of House No. 44 heard the ruckus outside and knew something was wrong. They didn’t know what had gone awry, but they were certain that something had indeed gone wrong, or else this wouldn’t have happened.

Aunt Shuihua got up: "I’ll take a look..."

At that moment, Zhou Qun also came out, holding a child: "What’s going on...?"

Seeing Zhou Qun with the child, Song Shu’s wife, upon realizing it was a boy, didn’t hesitate. She snatched the child and ran. Zhou Qun: "Damn it!"

Aunt Shuihua: "Damn!"

Although their original plan was to snatch the child and run, this was not the time to be so hasty—it was prone to causing trouble!

Aunt Shuihua never expected her daughter-in-law to be so stupid, nor could she have anticipated that the elderly, fragile Lan Sihai, who had been shuffling along just moments ago, would suddenly swing a bench with lightning speed, as if he had been trained. He directly struck Song Shu’s wife, who let out a sharp scream and nearly vomited blood from the blow!

Although the distance within the courtyard was short, before she could even escape, a figure suddenly emerged from nowhere. With a swift stride, Bai Fendou seized the opportunity when she was staggering from the hit and snatched the child from her hands. This was Bai Fendou!

Living in the two rooms closest to the main gate, Bai Fendou was the fastest to react.

He grabbed Xiao Qijin in an instant. At the same time, Zhao Guihua, who had run out with a wooden staff—a self-defense weapon from the year they caught thieves—came charging forward and started hitting!

*"Ah! Ahhh!"* Song Shu’s wife was knocked to the ground, utterly powerless to fight back. Seeing the danger, Aunt Shuihua quickly made a run for it. At this point, she didn’t care about her daughter-in-law—escaping to save herself was the most important.

But she overlooked Lan Sihai beside her. Upon seeing her trying to flee, Lan Sihai kicked out with a powerful blow. Their family had a tradition of being skilled in fighting, and even at his age, he wasn’t to be underestimated. With one kick, he sent Aunt Shuihua sprawling to the ground.

He shouted, "Come and catch the kidnappers!"

This thunderous cry roused the entire courtyard.

Zhou Qun couldn’t believe that just by coming out to see what the commotion was about, his child had nearly been snatched. Enraged, he charged forward and delivered several heavy slaps to Aunt Shuihua. Aunt Zhou wasn’t far behind—though she had been a step slower to react, the scare had nearly cost her her wits. She didn’t hold back, launching her righteous iron fists at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo.

Zhao Guihua shouted to Zhuang Zhixi as he came out of the house, "Old Third, watch the children at home and don’t let anyone slip in. The rest of us, charge out! They must have accomplices!"

"We won’t let them off!"

"That’s right, we won’t let them off!"

"Charge!"