Chapter 567 - Uncle Zhao and Silly Zhao  

“Yu ‘Er, this is Uncle Zhao from the Zhao family village!” A man in his forties stood in front of Father Xiao.

“Hello, Uncle Zhao!” Xiao Lingyu greeted him. Xiao Lingyu had already heard stories about Uncle Zhao from her father. Uncle Zhao’s full name was Zhao Xiaojun. There was a certain distance between Taoyuan Village and Zhao Family Village.

Uncle Zhao served in the army when he was young. He was injured in a mission and was discharged from the army. Thus, he returned home. However, before he returned home, his parents died in an accident. The family asset was taken by his uncle and auntie, and they refused to return it to Uncle Zhao.

Zhao Xiaojun was in the army, so, of course, he wouldn’t be bullied. He slammed the table, and his uncle and auntie immediately returned him the family asset.

They were furious, but they were no match for a veteran. Therefore, they resorted to verbal violence. They would mock Zhao Xiaojun whenever he limped past. They called him an ingrate for abandoning his parents. His uncle and auntie had taken care of everything, but the moment Zhao Xiaojun returned, he kicked them away. He even scolded and hit them.

In the simple village, the people believed the elders. Therefore, Zhao Xiaojun’s reputation was ruined. Furthermore, he was a former soldier, so the villagers were scared of him. He couldn’t find a match in the local village, so he turned to the matchmaker. The matchmaker found him a girl from a far village but the girl’s family demanded a high betrothal gift. Zhao Xiaojun obliged.

After a year of marriage, she gave birth to a son.

At this time, Zhao Xiaojun felt very satisfied with his wife and son by his side, even though his wife was very dissatisfied with him and called him a cripple all day long.

Zhao Xiaojun endured.

However, when his son was one year old, Zhao Xiaojun went out to work and asked his wife to take care of their child. However, his wife left the child alone at home and went out to flirt with other people. She did not even know that the child was sick and had a fever.

When Zhao Xiaojun rushed back at night, his wife was not at home. The child’s fever had reached more than 40 degrees. Zhao Xiaojun immediately rushed his son to the village clinic. The village clinic didn’t dare to take his case, so Zhao Xiaojun ran for more than 20 miles overnight to the town hospital.

After the town hospital’s doctors saw him, they said that the child’s fever was too severe. They said there would be complications, but they would do their best to lower the child’s temperature. After working all night, the fever subsided. However, due to the long delay, the fever had burned the boy’s brain. He had a high possibility of cerebral palsy. The doctors suggested that Zhao Xiaojun bring the child to the county city for a check-up and treatment.

Zhao Xiaojun immediately obliged. The town hospital doctors were right. The child had cerebral palsy. With the medical skills at the time, it would cost a lot to possibly treat this illness. The result was not even guaranteed!

Zhao Xiaojun had spent most of his veteran payment on the betrothal gift. The rest of his earnings were spent by his wife.

In order to save the child, Zhao Xiaojun borrowed 20,000 RMB from his family, friends, and former comrades and went to the Beijing Children’s Hospital for treatment.

However, this kind of illness was not easy to treat. It was a bottomless pit. The hero was brought down by the common need for money.

After spending so much money, the child’s condition didn’t improve. The doctors at the hospital said that Zhao Xiaojun would need at least 100,000 RMB to continue the treatment.

Zhao Xiaojun was at a dead end. None of his friends and families was willing to lend him money anymore.

For the sake of his son, the iron-willed man knelt on the street to beg. However, he was treated as a swindler. He didn’t earn much.

After being a beggar for a few months, he was chased away by the city management. Zhao Xiaojun endured the humiliation.

Later, a reporter recognized his veteran medal and interviewed him. The reporter even went to the hospital to visit the child. After the article came out, many people donated to Zhao Xiaojun. Zhao Xiaojun spent it all on treating his son.

After a few months of treatment, the doctor said that there was little hope for his son to recover. At least he could walk on his own for now. Future improvements like talking and so on would have to depend on the parents.

Zhao Xiaojun thanked the doctors and carried his son home.

When he returned home, Zhao Xiaojun saw that the house was empty and covered in dust. He didn’t feel anything when he realized his wife had taken everything and left.

To take care of his son, Zhao Xiaojun didn’t dare to leave too far from home to work. He would often ask his neighbors for help too.

Zhao Xiaojun helped his son with rehabilitation every day. Every day, he would take great pains to make the child talk. Zhao Xiaojun was very reticent in the past, but for his child, he became very chatty.

Hard work paid off.

The child slowly learned to walk, although he did not walk well. He learned to speak, although he spoke slowly and was unclear. He even learned how to use the toilet on his own.

To earn a living, Zhao Xiaojun learned how to raise fish. This was because there was a pond close to home. He rented a pond and raised some fish.

He had a good start, but he couldn’t leave home to sell the fish. He had no choice but to sell them cheaply to the nearby villages. The income was not as high as in farming.

However, Zhao Xiaojun didn’t give up easily. His skill became better, and he gradually became famous. Every family who had a banquet would buy from him. Eventually, he started to earn money. However, the moment he had money, he would pay off his debts.

However, in the eyes of others, he had earned a lot of money, which made some people envious and jealous.

Once, a family had ordered a few hundred catties of fish. However, when Zhao Xiaojun went to the pond, all the fish were dead. He knew that someone had poisoned the pond and killed all the fish.

At that moment, his uncle and auntie jumped out to lecture him. They said this was God’s punishment. They punished him by killing the fish and making his son an idiot!

This was karma!

Zhao Xiaojun couldn’t finish his order. He could only compensate and apologize. He immediately contacted another fish farmer for his client.

Fortunately, the client didn’t mind. He understood Zhao Xiaojun’s character. He even felt pity and sympathy for him.

Zhao Xiaojun was crippled, his expensive wife packed up her things and left, his son was dull, and now his fish pond was poisoned.

Zhao Xiaojun’s uncle and auntie didn’t stop mocking him.

Zhao Xiaojun was also ruthless. He didn’t say anything and just called the police.

When the police officer came to grab his auntie and uncle, everyone was shocked. The officers said that Zhao Xiaojun had called the police because he suspected his auntie and uncle of poisoning the pond.

The villagers scolded the uncle and aunt, but they also said that Zhao Xiaojun was heartless, cold-blooded, and so on. Did he need to call the police for a pond of fish?

The villagers became afraid of Zhao Xiaojun, and his business dried up. Usually, when Zhao Xiaojun went on a slightly longer journey, he would ask the villagers to help him take care of his son, but no one was willing to help him anymore. What if he suddenly called the police on them?

Zhao Xiaojun was helpless. He started to stay at home more often. If he had to go on a long journey, he would bring his son with him.

…

“Uncle Zhao, I’ll have to trouble you with the fish in the reservoir in the future!” Xiao Lingyu said politely.

Uncle Zhao said, “You give me the salary, and I’ll work. There’s no trouble at all!”

Xiao Lingyu, “…” This man is too straightforward.

Uncle Zhao then said, “However, if you want me to work here, I’ll have to bring my son with me. Don’t worry, my son is very sensible and won’t cause trouble. This shouldn’t be a problem, right? Zhengyang promised me that it’ll be fine!”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Of course, it won’t be a problem.” Then, she said, “I remember there’s a small house next to the reservoir. Is it occupied now, Dad?”

Father Xiao said, “No. That house belongs to a family in Shangshui village. That family later moved to the town, so this house became vacant.”

Xiao Lingyu said, “Dad, can you contact the owner of that house? We’ll rent it for Uncle Zhao and his son to live in. If they don’t want to rent it, we’ll build a house ourselves.”

When Uncle Zhao heard this, his eyes turned red. He said, “Thank you!”

The reason why he agreed to Xiao Zhengyang’s request was that his son was too discriminated against in the village. His son became so depressed that he stopped speaking. Uncle Zhao wanted to give him a new environment.

Xiao Lingyu said, “Uncle Zhao, the salary is 1500 RMB a month. Is that okay?”

“Of course!” Uncle Zhao said excitedly. “I don’t mind the amount of salary. My son and I only want a place to stay!”

Besides, 1500 per month was already very high for the countryside. It was a year’s living expenses for the father and son.

Xiao Lingyu looked at Uncle Zhao. She felt sympathy and pity, but more than that, she admired him.

This man had encountered so many difficulties and setbacks, but he still did not give up on his child. He was a great father.

He did not ask for pity. He didn’t feel sorry for himself and led a strong life with his son. Moreover, his character was upright, and his outlook on life was also correct.

Xiao Lingyu felt that there was nothing wrong with this person. Now, it all depended on his fish farming skills.

If he failed, Xiao Lingyu would arrange another job for him.

Xiao Lingyu turned to her father. “Dad, after the house is arranged properly, let Uncle Zhao and his son move in. For now, we’ll have them stay in the company dorm.”

“Okay!” Father Xiao nodded.

“Uncle Zhao, do you need to pack anything? I can drive you back.” Xiao Lingyu offered.

Uncle Zhao rubbed his hands and said, “My son is still at home. Zhengyang said that he would bring me to see the reservoir, so I didn’t bring my son here. Boss, thank you.”

Xiao Lingyu smiled and said, “Uncle Zhao, you’re too kind. I’ll drive you back now. For the time being, you can stay in the company dormitory.”

“Okay!” Uncle Zhao did not refuse. There was nothing waiting for him back at Zhao Family Village, but he had a lot of things to do at the reservoir, so he wanted to get started as soon as possible.

“Boss, shall I go check on the reservoir first?” Uncle Zhao said.

“Uncle Zhao, there’s no rush!” Xiao Lingyu said, “We should bring your child over here first. It’s too unsafe to stay at home alone.” Plus, he was a special child.

“Thank you!” This time, Uncle Zhao was very grateful. His eyes were slightly red, and his voice was choked with sobs.

All these years, he had seen the faces of humanity as he brought his son along with him on his jobs. His family treated him badly, but it was these strangers who gave him warmth and help.

Back when he was penniless and had to beg, it was the strangers who donated to help save his son.

They helped him to get through the most difficult times. He used a notebook to write down the names of those benefactors.

In the future, when he had the ability, he would repay them. He also remembered the anonymous benefactors.

He would also teach them to his son. He would read his son the names of their benefactors every day.

Today, a few more names were added to the benefactor list.

…

When Xiao Lingyu brought Uncle Zhao back to Zhao family village, she saw a scene that made her very angry.

“Haha, The Fool is waiting for his crippled father to come home again.”

“Haha. Idiot! Your father doesn’t want you anymore. Your mother has abandoned you too.”

“I… I… My… father… would… would… wouldn’t… wouldn’t… not… abandon me.” Silly Zhao stuttered.

“Hmph, clearly, he doesn’t want you anymore.” While these children were mocking and scolding, they picked up the stones on the ground and threw them at Silly Zhao.

Silly Zhao instinctively held his head to shield it from the stones. Even though it was painful, he didn’t say a word.

This was nothing compared to the pain he suffered in the hospital. He was already used to it.

“Haha, the idiot doesn’t feel pain! Let’s continue pelting him!” One of the children shouted loudly. A few children picked up the stones on the ground and threw them at the fool.

With a whoosh, Xiao Lingyu quickly stepped on the brakes.

“Stop!” Uncle Zhao quickly opened the car door and shouted anxiously.

The moment the children saw Uncle Zhao, they all dispersed. They had never expected that Silly Zhao’s crippled father would come back in a car.

If he had come back on foot, they would have seen him from afar. They would not have dared to hit Silly Zhao in front of Uncle Zhao.

Xiao Lingyu also got out of the car very quickly. When she saw the child in Uncle Zhao’s arms biting his lips with red eyes, her heart ached terribly.

She quickly rolled up the child’s sleeves. There were bruises all over his arms. There were some new scars and old wounds.

Xiao Lingyu immediately shouted angrily, “These children are too much. Where are their parents?”

At this moment, Silly Zhao raised her head and looked at Xiao Lingyu innocently. She said, “Sis… sis… I… I don’t… Feel Pain! No… No… Don’t… Get Angry!”

Xiao Lingyu covered her mouth, and tears immediately flowed down. She sobbed, “This child is too sensible!”

Uncle Zhao hugged the child and cried silently.