160 Ease that Never Existed Before
Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan’s faces were now black. That Xie Yunjin had already put them in a bad mood and now, Xie Erzhu was also acting out.
When Xie Yunjin refused to listen to them, Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan would get somewhat fearful despite their anger. After all, Xie Yunjin was a scholar and will have a nice title in the future. They didn’t dare to provoke him too much.
But just who did Xie Erzhu think he was? How dare he talk to his parents in such a manner?
Xie Laogen felt his vision go dark as he screamed at Xie Erzhu, “You unfilial son! How dare you talk to your parents in such a manner? I am going to go to the Villager Leader and ask him to kick you out of the village! You and your family can get the hell out of here and beg for money!”
Xie Erzhu didn’t expect his own father to talk like this and he started to cry.
Lady Ruan fueled the fire, “If you want to die, go die! You think that idea scares us? We lack lots of things but a son is not one of them! Even if you die, we have other sons!”
Just then, the Village Leader’s voice carried inside, “Watch your mouth!”
The Xie family turned their heads and found the Clan Leader and some others walking over.
Other than the group of leaders and elders, Lu Jiao was there. The sight of her infuriated Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan, but they didn’t dare to act out
Not only was that woman mean, but she was also very capable. The leaders all adored her and they didn’t want to offend her in front of them.
Since they didn’t want to talk, Lu Jiao talked.
“Leaders, you’re here. I think I was the reason why this fight originated. As you know, I offered to teach everyone leech keeping. My mother and father-in-law had different opinions about who from the family should learn that skill from me. One of them wants me to teach it to the first brother, the other wants the fourth brother to learn. As you are aware, I do not have a good relationship with either one of them.
There is no way I am going to teach people I don’t like. I told them, if I were to teach someone from the family, it would be the second brother. It was because I said that, they came home to threaten the second brother.”
Lu Jiao then stared towards the leaders, “My intention was to gain wealth for the Xie Village. I didn’t know this would be the result. If that is the case, then I don’t think we should go ahead with this.”
Lu Jiao then turned around and left. The leaders were blindsided and the villagers were also stunned. When someone finally realized what was happening, he smiled at Lu Jiao, “Yunjin’s wife, ignore those people. Those people have issues.”
“Yunjin’s wife, don’t bother with those stupid people. Their brains don’t work well.”
“Yeah, they’re dumb. If they were smart, they never would’ve kicked out their scholar son.”
Lu Jiao waved around her hand and put on a sad face, “I say, why bother? When Yunjin was hurt, only his second brother helped us. We were very thankful and wanted to repay him by teaching him some skills. Who knew, because of us, he’s getting hurt? This makes me sad. That’s it then.”
Lu Jiao then left. Behind her, the villagers were completely dumbfounded. Collectively, they stared at the Xie family in fury.
The Clan Leader mightily announced to Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan, “If Yunjin’s wife really decides to not teach the villagers leech keeping, you and your family are banned from the Xie village.”
Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan were stunned. Once they recovered, they started to beg for forgiveness in front of the leaders.
Xie Laogen in particular was scared out of his mind. He vowed to everyone that he will never trouble his third son and his wife ever again.
The leaders and elders pulled together an emergency meeting to criticize Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan. In the end, they decided that since they were Xie Yunjin’s parents, they could stay in the village for the time being.
However, they made it clear that this would be the last straw. If they manage to provoke Xie Yunjin’s family again, they will be kicked out. In addition, if they treat Xie Erzhu’s family this unfairly again, they will also be kicked out.
At the end of the meeting, the leaders established a contract and asked Xie Laogen and Lady Ruan to stamp it with their thumbprints.
Lu Jiao knew she was setting up her in-laws for scolding. However, she didn’t expect the matter to get so serious.
Back at home, she whispered to Xie Yunjin about what happened.
“Your parents are too much. One of them tried to kick the second brother out of the village while the other asked him to die. I’ve never met such heartless parents.”
Xie Yunjin’s face was eerily gloomy and his hands formed into fists. At this moment, he wished he could cut off ties with his parents.
He was closest with Xie Erzhu and he was practically raised by him after failing to gain his parents’ liking.
After he was born, his parents frequently left him alone at the house. His second brother would get him porridge to feed him. And once he was older, his second brother would carry him around while doing housework.
Though they were brothers, he thought of his second brother more as a parent.
The more Xie Yunjin thought about it, the more hatred he felt. Just then, the four little ones burst into the room.
“Mommy, second uncle is here.”
Xie Erzhu soon entered. When Xie Yunjin saw him, he asked caringly, “Second brother, are you okay?”
Xie Erzhu shook his head. He carried with him a sense of ease that never existed before.
“Third brother, I am very happy today. I’ve never felt so free.”
Though his parents said many ugly words to him today, he still felt lighter than usual.
When he started to smash things, his entire family was petrified and acted like they didn’t recognize him anymore.
Only then did Xie Erzhu feel like a man.
However, he only managed to get out of there unscathed because of Lu Jiao’s words.
Xie Erzhu smiled at Lu Jiao, “Thank you, Lu Jiao. If you didn’t threaten to not teach the villagers, I wouldn’t be okay right now.”
Lu Jiao shook her head, “It’s okay. Second brother, if mom and dad trouble you more or if they do not apologize to you for today, I will not teach anyone leech keeping.”
Xie Erzhu was so touched to find out Lu Jiao did this for him.
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
He then added, “The Village Leader took mom and dad.”
Lu Jiao ignored that heartless couple and asked Xie Erzhu seriously, “Second brother, do you want to learn leech keeping?”
Xie Erzhu froze and helplessly gazed at Lu Jiao, “I’m afraid I’ll be no good.”
Lu Jiao shook her head, “I will teach you slowly until you learn all about it.”
Xie Erzhu was a little slow but he understood what it meant if he was able to gain this skill. Once he learned this, the entire village would have to treat him with respect and his quality of life will greatly improve.
The more he thought about it, the happier he became.
Lu Jiao hit him with another question, “Second brother, if you ever get an opportunity to leave the Xie village and do other things, are you willing to do it?”
Lu Jiao was thinking about her plan of buying land and planting medicinal herbs. If Xie Erzhu was willing, she would entrust him with the upkeep of the land. That way, he could fully pull away from his heartless parents.
Since he was so honest, Lu Jiao wouldn’t have to worry about his intentions.
However, Lu Jiao wasn’t sure if he would leave the Xie Village. After all, Xie Erzhu was born and raised in this village and never stepped foot outside of there. It was unlikely he was willing to leave.
As expected, Lu Jiao’s question made Xie Erzhu nervous, “I don’t want to leave the Xie Village.”
Lu Jiao understood and beamed, “That’s okay. Then I will teach you leech keeping.”