Ch 120: I’m Only Responsible To Lian’er, Who Are You?
“Grandmother.” Song Rui’er, now appearing sensible, said: “We’re here to see if you need any help, like cleaning or weeding and catching insects in the fields.”
Song Rui’er’s gaze at the Qiao family courtyard was different from before.
Though poor and dilapidated, this is still a good foundation, worth dozens of taels.
Seeing his strange expression, the Qiao family members felt very uneasy.
“Song Rui’er, when did you become so kind? Aren’t you up to something?” Qiao Lian’er laughed.
Chen Shi observed the Qiao family’s expressions. She couldn’t detect any nervousness or worry; it must have been feigned. Their men had died, yet they showed no reaction.
This thought gave her more confidence.
“What scheme? We’re relatives. Your family has no men left, and we’re kindly offering to help, yet you suspect us. By the heavens, the Qiao family is too unreasonable!”
Saying this, they entered the courtyard one by one.
The Qiao family understood: this wasn’t help; this was to seize their inheritance.
In families where all the men had died, relatives would use helping as an excuse to enter the house and steal things; they couldn’t be stopped. When the crops were ready to harvest, they would rush in to take them, and then claim the homestead and fields for their own.
With no men left at home, the world was this cruel. Crying to heaven or earth would be of no use.
The essence of human survival is no different from that of beasts; they take advantage of your weakness to kill you.
No wonder Song Rui’er exuded the feeling that this courtyard already belonged to him.
“Who says the Qiao family has no men? Even if we don’t have men, just we women can beat you all to a pulp.” Feng Shi said, unfastening the rope from her waist, throwing it to the ground, forcing them back a few steps.
Lü Shi held a thick stick, hitting her palm repeatedly: “Take another step forward and we’ll beat you until you soil yourselves.”
Song Laoda was afraid, but not as much as before. While pretending to retreat, he said insincerely: “It’s not easy for you women at home, and the two elders are old. What’s wrong with our helping? Since we’re here, even if you don’t want our help, let us help and show our goodwill.”
His eyes darted around, seemingly searching for a room to break into and steal things.
The others also eyed the rooms.
The Qiao family’s silver might be with Old Mrs. Qiao, or perhaps with Qiao Lian’er. That was the most likely bet.
Snapping up one or two hundred taels at once, they wouldn’t have to work for the rest of their lives.
Song Rui’er also said: “Grandfather, Grandmother, and eldest aunt, you have no sons to care for you. I am your grandson, your child; I won’t abandon you.”
“With this attitude, and since we truly want to help, we can’t be stopped.”
“Get out! You’ve gotten too bold, trying to steal things in broad daylight! Dream on! Don’t even think about it! If you manage to steal even a single pair of chopsticks, I’ll consider myself beaten!”
Old Mrs. Qiao, unable to bear it any longer, raised her broom and swung it at Song Rui’er.
Song Rui’er quickly dodged, and the broom missed.
Feng Shi’s whip descended, and Lü Shi’s stick struck Song Daming on the head.
The Song family fought back fiercely. They had come with the determination to seize everything, so men and women alike attacked.
The Qiao family courtyard immediately became chaotic, everyone fighting with all their might.
Song Rui’er, short in stature, took advantage of the adults fighting to rush towards Old Mrs. Qiao’s room.
His collar was suddenly grabbed; his feet were still running, but he couldn’t move.
Looking up, he saw Qiao Lian’er’s grim face. Qiao Lian’er raised her hand.
A slap landed, and Song Rui’er’s face reddened—but it wasn’t from her.
Qiao Yunni stood silently to one side, her eyes devoid of emotion.
The slap had considerable force; her palm also burned.
She thought the Qiao men were all dead, and her own son, with the Song family, had come to seize the Qiao family’s belongings, to seize their inheritance.
What kind of child had she given birth to?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind: It would be better if Song Rui’er were dead.
Song Rui’er covered his face. He hadn’t expected Qiao Yunni to hit him so mercilessly.
He thought that Qiao Yunni’s earlier silence was anger, and that she still harbored maternal affection, which he could use to manipulate her.
But that one slap shattered his fantasy.
“Qiao Shi, you…you dare hit me.”
“I was wrong,” Qiao Yunni shook her head gently. “I shouldn’t have given birth to you.”
Song Rui’er glared at her, suddenly feeling wronged.
“But you did give birth to me; you must take responsibility for me for the rest of your life.”
He didn’t have to be filial to Qiao Yunni, but Qiao Yunni couldn’t completely ignore him.
Qiao Yunni sneered: “I’ll only be responsible for Lian’er. Who are you?”
“The Qiao men are dead; you’ll have to rely on me from now on.”
Qiao Yunni chuckled, too lazy to respond. The fight intensified, and she grabbed a stool and charged into the fray.
This situation arose because Qiao Dameng and Qiao Xiaomeng were in the fields, and Wan Shi and Qiao Zhizhi were getting pig feed.
So many Song family members had arrived, making it difficult for them to cope.
The Qiao family was fighting against the odds, with only a few women, and two elders, against the entire Song family.
Except for Old Mrs. Song, who was guarding their home, everyone else was there.
Now the Song family was like hyenas, targeting the weakest, Old Mrs. Qiao, trying to cripple her to distract the Qiao family and sneak into the house to steal things.
Old Mrs. Qiao’s white hair was loose; Old Man Qiao desperately protected her.
Seeing Song Laoer about to elbow Old Mrs. Qiao in the head, Qiao Lian’er jumped up and threw a stone at Song Laoer’s head.
Song Laoer screamed, clutching his head and rolling on the ground. Qiao Lian’er chased after him, stamping on him repeatedly.
The Qiao family was furious.
Villagers ran to break up the fight, but the Song family was determined to seize everything, and the Qiao family’s anger was ignited. The fight could not be stopped.
They not only had to protect their home, but also cripple the Song family members to relieve their anger.
Seeing this, Qiao Dameng and Qiao Xiaomeng quickly ran back from the fields; Wan Shi and Qiao Zhizhi also returned, dropping their back baskets and rushing over.
The tall and strong Dameng and Xiaomeng threw Song Daming and Song Xiaoming to the ground.
Then they quickly subdued Song Laoda.
With Wan Shi and Qiao Zhizhi joining the fight, the Song women were quickly overpowered.
Qiao Zhizhi delivered a stunning blow, and Song Dahua’s face was twisted, and she cried out loudly.
Wan Shi picked up a wooden block and smashed it onto Chen Shi’s back.
With the new reinforcements, the Song family members were soon lying on the ground, groaning in pain.
Song Laoda saw Dameng and Xiaomeng, and his eyes widened.
“Aren’t the Qiao men all dead?”
