In Qi’s view, her daughter’s kick was still too light. It should have left the child speechless from the pain, obedient from just one punishment, so as not to act recklessly and cause any major trouble in the future.
Old Qi’s face reddened with embarrassment. The son-in-law was being so disrespectful, causing a mix of anger and frustration in his heart that he could not express.
He was still thinking about his daughter’s belongings. The family could barely afford to eat until they were half-full each day, and his stomach was certainly uncomfortable too, so naturally, he nodded for the sake of his stomach.
Moreover, he had seen the disagreements among the children. The main problem was Dabao’s aggressiveness. Not only did he threaten people, but he also struck first. Even if he wanted to protect him this time, he couldn’t, especially with the big brother-in-law watching.
Qi Dabao was somewhat afraid of his big brother-in-law, especially when he saw the cold glint in his eyes. It made him burrow into his grandmother’s embrace, feeling a chill in his heart.
However, having been spoiled since childhood, he developed a character that refused to suffer losses. Not only did his beloved grandpa scold him, but the big brother-in-law also subtly urged grandpa to discipline him. Immediately, his rebellious nature flared, and the more he was told not to do something, the more he insisted on doing it. Besides, with his grandmother’s protection and his parents around, how could he hold back his temper?
Suddenly, he wriggled out of his grandmother’s arms, glaring angrily at his big brother-in-law, not even thinking about their family’s belongings, just wanting to vent his own frustration.
He shouted, "Who do you think is being overbearing? My aunt’s things are my things, so what if I take what’s mine? This is my home. What right does an outsider have to talk to me? Xiao Si and the others are younger than me, so they should listen to me. I’ll hit them if I want to, scold if I want to, and I won’t let that money-losing good-for-nothing off." He then looked at Qi Grandma, "Granny, go beat that good-for-nothing to death right now. Anyway, I don’t want her as my wife anymore."
By the last sentence, the old woman was so frightened that she covered her grandson’s mouth.
"What nonsense are you saying, what nonsense? She is your cousin," Qi Grandma pretended to scold Qi Dabao but dared not meet her eldest daughter’s fiery gaze.
She regretted revealing this uncertain matter to her eldest grandson. Now, even if she wanted to operate secretly, it would probably not work.
Qi Dabao, after being struck, didn’t understand what his grandmother meant. He only knew that the granny who always loved him hit him. Although it didn’t hurt, he, spoiled and arrogant, couldn’t tolerate it. He immediately shook off the hand covering his mouth and forcefully pushed Qi Grandma away, shouting loudly.
"I wasn’t talking nonsense. I don’t want such a fierce cousin. Didn’t you say she would be married to me? Whatever I tell her to do, she has to do it. If she doesn’t, I’ll hit her until she’s obedient. Also, have her bring more stuff from home; maybe the whole Hua family will be mine someday..."
In his anger, Qi Dabao spoke quickly, and by the time Qi Grandma reacted to cover his mouth, everything had already been said.
For a moment, the courtyard was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
The three Qi brothers immediately looked at their younger sister and brother-in-law, realizing things had truly turned bad. They also cast reproachful glances at their mother.
Always liking to speak recklessly in front of children, now all the plans were ruined.
Old Qi wished he could just kick his wife.
The father and sons forgot that when Qi Grandma said these things, none of them stopped her—in fact, they thought her idea was brilliant. If Dabao could marry Hua Jin, given how the Hua family doted on her, they wouldn’t let her suffer. By then, the whole family would benefit, eagerly wishing for time to pass quickly.
The three daughters-in-law knew things were bad too. How could this foolish child say such things out loud?
Even Dabao’s mother, upset over her son being beaten, couldn’t care about being angry anymore and glared fiercely at her foolish son.
Thinking now, they truly offended their sister-in-law, and they could forget about getting anything good in the future.
Hua Jin narrowed her eyes, watching the reckless Qi Dabao. Her hands itched with regret for holding back her strength earlier, wishing she had let this nuisance lie bedridden for a few months.
Xiao Si, like a fiery little calf, charged towards Qi Dabao, only to be blocked by Hua Chengtian, who just gave Qi Dabao a cold, cold look.
The person who should have been angriest was intimidatingly calm at this moment.
Seeing his father’s stern face, Xiao Si, who had been angrily chattering, was also silenced by fear.
Qi just laughed. Her smile made the Qi family recall things from over a decade ago, almost collectively shivering.
The entire courtyard’s atmosphere was suddenly heavy.
It was Dabao’s mother who broke the silence with a dry laugh, cautiously looking at Qi, but she dared not look at Hua Chengtian beside her. Somehow, the more normal Hua Chengtian’s expression, the more frightening it seemed, as if he was brewing something.
"Well, big sister, Dabao is just a brat talking nonsense. It’s not like that. Please don’t take it to heart. The child must have been so scared by that kick earlier that it mixed up dreams with reality. Our family would never dare to think like that, Jin’er is so delicate and charming, how could Dabao be worthy? Big sis, don’t get angry, it’s not worth getting upset over a child."
The three sisters-in-law immediately nodded repeatedly, saying "yes."
They thought to smooth this over first and discuss it further when the big sister wasn’t mad anymore.
"Yes, Xiu, Dabao is just foolish. Don’t believe what he says, kids often speak nonsense. Knowing how much you love Jin’er, our family wouldn’t dare to entertain such thoughts," said old Qi hurriedly, maintaining denial.
"Yes, eldest sister, don’t you trust Dad? That child needs a good spanking. I’ll definitely discipline him severely later, don’t be angry," the eldest uncle quickly said, giving his son a glare too.
For the first time in his life, he felt that spoiling his son wasn’t good, and the boy needed proper teaching.
"Grandpa, Dad... what’s going on... I, boo hoo..." Fearing that he might say something shocking again, Qi Grandma quickly covered Qi Dabao’s mouth, smiling ingratiatingly at her daughter.
But seeing the smile getting wider on her eldest daughter’s lips, Qi Grandma couldn’t maintain her smile any longer.
"Oh, Xiu, it’s all mom’s fault for spoiling this child too much, making him talk nonsense. Mom assures you; there really are no such thoughts, please don’t get angry." Qi Grandma hastily stated her position too, afraid her eldest daughter would start a rage.
The thought of the consequences made Qi Grandma remember the incident more than a decade ago when her daughter exploded in anger.
Back then, Qi Xiu hadn’t married Hua Chengtian yet, but she was of the age to be engaged.
Qi Xiu was the oldest of the three daughters and the prettiest; she wasn’t raised all these years for nothing. The old couple was waiting for her to bring in a substantial dowry.
Naturally, whoever offered the highest price would get the bride.
The eldest son’s marriage fund was waiting for the daughter’s dowry.