The group returned home laughing and joking, but without exception, they were all scolded by Yun Motan.
"Stop laughing! It's just that the village head didn't hold us accountable this time. Otherwise, if we were really charged with speculation, our whole family would end up in jail!"
The second elder brother pursed his lips somewhat defiantly and mumbled under his breath.
"What do you mean he didn't hold us accountable? He's just greedy. Who knows what he'll do with those sweet potatoes..."
Yun Motan heard it clearly. Immediately, with a stern face, he said, "Do you really think you're just lucky? You'd better spend that time reading some books instead of always thinking about devious ways. Being an honest person is the right path. I've told you many times to be well - behaved at home. Our ancestors were all honest people. I've said it so many times that the family's moral integrity can't be damaged. You kids..."
Yun Que'er shivered slightly. How come this Yun Motan is like an old - fashioned private school teacher in ancient times? Are all scholars this rigid?
Yun Que'er stuck out her tongue gently. The family's moral integrity shouldn't be damaged, but the times are about to change. If they just "behave themselves" blindly, the whole family won't be able to make ends meet.
Yun Fujin seemed to understand Yun Que'er's little thoughts. He gently ruffled her hair.
"Be a good girl, Que'er. Listen carefully."
Yun Que'er smiled. Two chubby dimples appeared on her round face. She tugged at Yun Fujin's hand and shook it.
"Que'er will always listen to big brother."
Such a cute Yun Que'er almost melted Yun Fujin's heart. He liked this little sister even more.
Yun Que'er felt a warm sensation between her eyebrows. Sensing Yun Fujin's affection for her, she snuggled closer to him, looking soft and cute.
Yun Fujin adored her so much that he always held Yun Que'er's little hand tightly in his palm.
Seeing this, Yun Yi snorted softly, "Putting on an act of being cute."
Yun Que'er giggled and deliberately teased, "Que'er will be obedient from now on. Sister, don't scold me anymore."
Yun Yi blushed and turned her head away. She thought to herself that this little girl really knew how to tug at people's heartstrings.
After being lectured by Yun Motan, Yun Jianzhou looked completely dejected. He covered one of his ears and said helplessly, "Okay, okay, I know I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again."
Yun Motan sighed, "Alas, every time you say you know you're wrong and you'll remember, but you still make the same mistake next time."
He turned around with his hands behind his back and walked away, shaking his head.
The children in the room looked at each other and couldn't help but burst into suppressed laughter. Even Yun Yi couldn't help but curl her lips and tease,
"Come on, second brother. Do you even believe what you're saying?"
Yun Jianzhou pretended to hit her. "Hey? Have you grown too bold, girl? How dare you make fun of your second brother!"
Yun Que'er and Yun Fujin laughed merrily. Yun Motan, who was walking towards the door, turned around and said seriously,
"What are you still laughing at? Hurry up and come over for dinner."
Yun Fujin picked up Yun Que'er and slung her over his shoulder. "Let's go! It's time to eat meat!"
Yun Yi gave Yun Jianzhou a disdainful look and walked past him.
Yun Jianzhou stood there stunned, staring with wide eyes. After a while, he finally reacted. "Don't you guys think you can hog it all!"
The group got busy, started the stove, reheated the remaining meat, and roasted two sweet potatoes that they hadn't handed in. The whole family had a rare and happy meal.
Liu Kui happened to pass by the door. Hearing the laughter and chatter inside, he was so angry that his nostrils flared. He spat hard on the ground.
"Happy? Let's see how long you can be happy!"
Liu Kui carried his butcher's knife and walked towards home. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. His son was already over ten years old and would have to get married and start a family sooner or later. Liu Kui, being an experienced man, knew the family's situation. Comparing with those worse off, their family's condition was not bad. However, his wife was a money - grubber. She had run away with a city - dweller when their son was three years old, and there had been no sign of her since.
Liu Kui thought that his son shouldn't end up like him, becoming the laughingstock of the whole village and still not married.
He thought that since Yun Que'er was just an adopted girl, giving her a mouthful of food wouldn't make the family go bankrupt. And since she had no relatives, if he took her in, when she grew up, she could be his son's wife. He was sure she wouldn't dare to object. For this reason, he had offended all his relatives.
But now, the Yun family just went back on their word. If he didn't get this anger out, Liu Kui wouldn't feel at ease.
Liu Kui tightened his grip on the butcher's knife in anger. He really wished he could kill Yun Motan on his way to work.
Just then, the village head walked over from the opposite direction. Liu Kui thought the village head was an eyesore and didn't want to talk to him. He turned around and walked away.
The village head knew that Liu Kui didn't like him at the moment, but he didn't want to ruin their relationship. After all, on weekdays, even without meat coupons, he could still get some meat from Liu Kui when pigs were butchered.
Such a good deal, the village head wasn't going to miss out. So he chased after Liu Kui with a big smile.
"Old Liu, what are you so angry about? It's obvious that the Yun family can't afford to raise those four kids. They'll send one away sooner or later. What are you worried about?"
Liu Kui snorted, "It's easy for you to say. If you're so capable, go and get the kid for me."
"Wait, just wait. I'll get the thing done for you sooner or later." The village head repeated the same thing several times before Liu Kui's expression finally improved a bit. Liu Kui asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm just taking a walk. Just a casual stroll." The village head prevaricated.
Liu Kui could tell that the village head wasn't telling the truth. It was getting dark. Why wasn't he at home having dinner but wandering around the village?
The village head casually fobbed Liu Kui off and left.
Seeing that the village head was heading towards the back mountain, Liu Kui was curious and secretly followed him.
The village head stumbled along the road, muttering to himself.
In this pitch - black place with no light, what kind of treasure could there be?
Even if there had been bandits here before, it had been so many years. Any rare treasures must have rotted in the mud by now.
The village head wandered around aimlessly but didn't find the so - called treasure. He thought he'd come back at dawn tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, he wasn't paying attention and slipped. He actually fell into a mud ditch.
Liu Kui heard a cry of pain from afar. He rushed over quickly. Stretching his neck to look, he saw the village head rolling into a big mud ditch.
The mud ditch was very deep, and the sidewalls were very slippery. Once you fell in, it was not easy to get out.
Seeing the village head moaning in pain, Liu Kui felt extremely pleased.
Serves him right! He couldn't even get the job done. This is retribution!
Liu Kui didn't plan to help him at all. Let him suffer. So he left in a hurry.
At the Yun family, after dinner, the family was getting ready for bed.
Yun Fujin carried Yun Que'er onto the bed. As usual, he helped her arrange the quilt and was about to coax her to sleep. But Yun Que'er immediately noticed that Yun Fujin didn't look well. He seemed to be preoccupied. So she asked,
"Big brother, what are you thinking about?"