The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(136-140)

Chapter 136: The Boss Misses Home and Misses Her


Xiao Wei stared at the phone intently, not blinking once. His small frame sat straight with a proper posture.


A long sound of a ship's horn echoed, reaching from the other end of the phone, resonating through the air.


The voices of Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dazhuang, along with their footsteps, approached from a distance.


Bai Lu saw Xiao Wei so tense, and her own heart fluttered a bit. Her breath gradually lightened.


"Goodnight."


A man's slightly amused voice, with a hint of "goodnight," came from the distant horizon, adding a touch of color to the night and soothing the slight nervousness in their hearts.


Bai Lu also said, "Goodnight."


Waiting for the other person to hang up first.


However, on the other end, Xiao Cheng didn't hang up, despite the voices of Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dazhuang getting closer.


Bai Lu had no choice but to hang up first.


"Alright, go back to sleep."


Xiao Wei's big eyes were no longer resentful. He nodded to Bai Lu, stood up with an excited and brisk pace, and ran back to his room to sleep.


Bai Lu also returned to her room.


Sitting by the window reading, as she read, her gaze was drawn to the white chestnut flowers falling outside the window.


The wind opened the white flower curtains, revealing the swaying branches and fences along the small river, exposing the rose bushes on the other side of the river.


The pink roses were in full bloom.


Countless delicate and beautiful pink petals, like a faint watercolor painting, quietly unfolded under the bright moon.


A gentle breeze came, carrying a faint fragrance that wafted in with the wind. The fragrance, carried by the shimmering moonlight, entered through the open window with a gentle touch.


The room was filled with a subtle and elegant fragrance. Through the crack in the door, it spread to the courtyard, where the scent of roses filled the entire yard.


Bai Lu's hand holding the book moved slightly, and her fingertips were surrounded by the fragrance. Her calm heart was inexplicably touched.


The image of a man driving bamboo into the water, the scene of the river flowing against the current, played back frame by frame in her mind.


Finally, it wove into a picture of him bending over in the rose bushes, nailing bamboo, handling wood, sprinkling medicine powder, and planting hollyhocks.


What is this...?


Why is it all about Xiao Cheng!


Bai Lu shook her head vigorously, shaking away the handsome face that surfaced in her mind, and tried to focus on reading!


Concentrate on reading! Reading! Reading!


After reading for who knows how long, flipping through two pages, Bai Lu felt that it must be late at night and time to sleep.


Well, let's go to bed first.


Maintain good sleep, be energetic, and welcome a better tomorrow, roasting chestnuts and making big money.


However, with an electric chestnut roasting machine, it seems like it doesn't require much physical effort. The chestnut machine was made by Xiao Cheng.


Bai Lu: "..."


Well... this was her doing a good deed, a reward from the landlord, very normal, as normal as it could be.


Sleep!


Close your eyes!


Why is it a bit glaring?


Bai Lu suddenly opened her eyes, and the big light bulb on the wall was still on, casting an orange light that filled the entire room.


Xiao Cheng forgot to turn off the light again!


Every time she had to remind him to turn off the light.


Subconsciously reaching out to the side, she pushed, but it was empty. Bai Lu just realized.


Xiao Cheng is not at home.


Stunned for a moment, she moved from the inner side of the bed to the outer side, got up, pulled the rope to turn off the light, and then moved back to the inner side.


Rolled up the blanket, closed her eyes again.


One sheep, two sheep, five sheep...


On the other side of the sky, the night was as dark as ink, and the stars fell on the river surface. The starlight in the water shone on a man leaning casually on the railing, looking towards a distant figure.


"Missing home?"


Jiang Zhengang walked over, handing him a cigarette. Xiao Cheng took it and absentmindedly placed it behind his ear. The sound of a lighter rang out, a cluster of flames appeared before him, and the smoke drifted with the wind.


The familiar tobacco smell filled his mouth, catching him off guard. Xiao Cheng was unexpectedly choked.


Jiang Zhengang exhaled smoke and smiled, "In the past, I couldn't even imagine. What kind of little wife can make you miss her so much that even smoking can make you choke."


His words were full of the experience of a person who had been through it all. Amidst surprise and disbelief, there was also a bit of admiration.


What kind of person was Xiao Cheng? Everyone in Pingcheng knew him, indifferent and heartless. Not to mention missing a woman, he found even a glance annoying.


No one dared to hand a woman to Xiao Cheng in the nightclub, fearing that he would kick her out without mercy.


No matter how long he stayed outside before, Xiao Cheng never showed any signs of missing home, let alone worrying about it.


The person who could make Xiao Cheng undergo such a tremendous change, put down his butcher's knife, and return to a normal life, besides Xiao Cheng's little wife who had never appeared in front of others, who else could it be?


Jiang Zhengang admired Xiao Cheng's decisive and bold actions. Seeing him come ashore, he felt relieved. "A real man's ambition is in all directions. The world outside is vast, full of opportunities. Earn money and settle down wherever you want. Bring your wife wherever you want."


"You have a keen and far-sighted eye for the market. This batch of pine wood is worth a lot. Have you found a buyer? I deal with sand and gravel on my boat route and don't understand the timber market. I can't help you much."


Xiao Cheng took a drag from his half-burnt cigarette, showing his acceptance of goodwill. "The pine wood can smoothly leave the province. You've already helped a lot."


"I know someone in the timber market in Guangdong Province from before, so I have some understanding of the pine wood market."


Business information was only shared to a certain extent.


"Alright, you have an idea in your mind." Jiang Zhengang also took a long drag on his cigarette, wisely not asking more. "It's windy outside. Go to sleep early."


Xiao Cheng was a smart man, doing things with discretion. On the surface, he contacted a shipping fleet to help transport the pine wood out of the province, but the necessary social procedures were not neglected. Xiao Cheng didn't cut any corners in terms of spending money on meals, gifts, transportation fees for transporting the pine wood out of the province, and customs fees. It all added up.


In the end, Jiang Zhengang also did a big business of transporting goods outside of the sand and gravel business, not losing at all.


In business, it was a back-and-forth transaction. Everyone owed nothing to each other, and there was no concept of who helped whom.


At most, Xiao Cheng borrowed a path, and he took the opportunity.


Jiang Zhengang finished smoking and returned to the cabin.


The ship carrying the pine wood sailed orderly on the river. When encountering other ships or turning, the distant horn would pierce the quiet night, echoing far and long.


Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dazhuang were eating snails in the stern cabin. Seeing Xiao Cheng coming over, they waved to greet him.


"Brother Cheng, come and taste the freshly cooked snails. Jiang Zhengang's men are quite considerate. They didn't sleep at this late hour, stir-frying all the snails they caught during the day. We just tried two, and the taste is not bad."


There were still three unopened bottles of beer on the small table.


Xiao Cheng picked up a stir-fried snail, without adding mint or enough chili peppers, the taste was just average.


Seeing him furrow his brows, Xiao Dazhuang decisively agreed, "I also think it's not as delicious as Sister-in-law's."


Luo Shiliu, surprised at the sudden intelligence of this honest man, said, "You discovered the truth so early this time. It's worth praising."


Saying that, he picked up a large field snail for him.


Xiao Cheng glanced at the ordinary stir-fried snails, unexpectedly echoing, "Indeed, it's not as delicious as hers."


The three of them tacitly did not drink.

























Chapter 137: Don't Want Face Even When Given


The next day, Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li didn't come to pick up the goods.


As for Wu Xiuyun and Yu Fugui, they didn't know what happened. When chatting with Bai Lu, she simply mentioned that maybe the journey was too far, and they needed to reconsider.


During the days of cooperating in selling candied chestnuts, Wu Xiuyun had gained some understanding of Bai Lu. Bai Lu was known for being discreet in her speech, never uttering unpleasant words.


Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li had chatted with her yesterday, but they decided not to take the goods. There must be something fishy going on.


Without Bai Lu disclosing the details, they probably wanted to save face for her and Yu Fugui.


After setting up their stall in the market, Wu Xiuyun told Yu Fugui, "Don't introduce unfamiliar people in the future. If we successfully negotiate a deal, it's fine, but if not, and we provoke Bai Lu, our cooperation will be affected."


Yu Fugui nodded solemnly, "I never expected Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li to be two-faced like this. I knew they had big appetites, but before they came, they kept saying that they wanted to test the market by cooperating in selling candied chestnuts. If it went well, they'd continue; if not, they would give up, with no other intentions."


Wu Xiuyun recalled some information about Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li's rise to prosperity and shook her head, "Our fruits are just ordinary; they're not something rare. They can be sold everywhere, not catching the attention of Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li."


"If we were selling candied chestnuts, Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li wouldn't be so accommodating."


"When Li Fengjuan's hometown had just started growing big jujubes, Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li went to the village to discuss cooperation. They insisted that only they could buy the big jujubes."


"Later, because Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li couldn't find enough outlets, the big jujubes on the mountain were almost rotten. With no one to continue buying them, the villagers had to elect representatives to find other merchants in the nearby city to sell them. The blocked prices were revealed only when the villagers compared them to the prices offered by other merchants. Those villagers thought they had made a lot of money, but when compared to the prices offered by other merchants, they found out they hadn't made any profit and had even incurred losses."


Yu Fugui furrowed his brow, "Looking at it this way, when Gao Jianchuan and Wen Li came to our village to buy peaches, they probably had similar thoughts. When we started selling fruits, the village head mentioned that you and I were also selling fruits, so they didn't bring it up again."


"I just casually listened and didn't take it seriously. I didn't expect they had done such things before, monopolizing the market."


Yu Fugui had only recently gotten to know Gao Jianchuan and was unaware of his past deeds.


Everyone had fruit shops in Pingcheng, but theirs might be a chain, while Yu Fugui only had one shop.


Usually, a few familiar shop owners occasionally discussed business experiences. Gao Jianchuan was introduced into the conversation by another shop owner, and they were not aware of each other's characters. What he said made some sense, so they chatted.


"Fortunately, Bai Lu is not foolish. She wasn't deceived by immediate small benefits and sold the candied chestnuts as she did."


"Bai Lu is not only not foolish but also very smart." Wu Xiuyun couldn't help but praise with lingering fear, "For those who can't think straight, if they treat us as part of Gao Jianchuan's group, our business would be ruined."


Yu Fugui also nodded in agreement. Doing business with people like Bai Lu meant fewer troubles.


Today, at noon, Bai Lu picked garlic sprouts and stir-fried preserved duck meat, spicy crucian carp...


She went to the vegetable garden, picked a bunch of garlic sprouts, green vegetables, and chili peppers, and returned to wash them in the courtyard.


While washing, there was a knock on the door.


When the door opened, Chen Chunli, with her big belly, burst in, shouting angrily.


"Chen Dafu!"


"Chen Dafu, get out of here! You come to find Bai Lu every day and sell chestnuts, right?"


"Don't think I don't know. I heard people on the street saying that you came to Xiao Cheng's house early in the morning, and you even tied a large basket to your motorcycle. You must have come to Bai Lu to get chestnuts to sell. You, Chen Dafu, you spineless coward! Get out of here! Watch me beat you to death!"


The roar from the east bank echoed outside. Passing neighbors, hearing the noise, couldn't help but look over. However, they only saw Bai Lu smiling and greeting them, then closing the door.


These were neighbors, and it wasn't appropriate to eavesdrop or pry. After glancing, they left.


Chen Chunli heard the door closing, and her expression changed from anger to embarrassment: "Why did you close the door! Open the door!"


"Open the door and let you make a fool of yourself?"


Bai Lu's tone was cold and her words were sharp: "Or embarrass Wang Hao and Xiao Cheng again, tarnishing their reputation? Why don't you tell people that they are secretly having an affair? Are you trying to smear what our family has worked so hard to restore?"


Chen Chunli was intimidated by Bai Lu's cold and stern words, unable to say anything.


She, who had just scolded Chen Dafu with a loud voice, now retreated to the door, her back against the cold wooden door.


Hearing Bai Lu's measured scolding, Chen Chunli felt a surge of anger. She opened her mouth as if to say something in return.


After a long time, she only managed to utter one sentence: "Why is it my business if others think that way? What does it have to do with me!"


Bai Lu approached her step by step, reaching the entrance and facing her: "Afraid now? When you were making a scene earlier, why weren't you afraid? Why didn't you think about the consequences?"


"Do you want to tear your face with me, destroy the brotherhood between Wang Hao and Xiao Cheng, and make it difficult for both of them?" Bai Lu's tone turned colder.


Chen Chunli, under Bai Lu's intense gaze, retreated to the door, her back against the chilly wooden board.


Hearing Bai Lu's words, her previous imposing manner vanished.


Bai Lu stood in front of her, sneering: "Now you're scared? Just now, when you were making a scene, why weren't you scared? Why didn't you think about the consequences?"


Chen Chunli was unable to say anything, her face turning red and white.


Bai Lu's expression remained calm, her demeanor cold as ice: "You've repeatedly caused trouble unreasonably, spreading rumors and causing disturbances. The only thing you've relied on until now is Wang Hao's child in your belly, not yourself, Chen Chunli. You think everyone is afraid of you, afraid to confront you?"
























Chapter 138: Pain and Joy


"You dare to lay a hand on me; if you harm the child in my belly, Wang Hao will surely not let you go!" 


Even though Chen Chunli was losing in momentum, she still threatened harshly.


Bai Lu coldly snorted, "You know that if something happens, you should look for Wang Hao. Without Wang Hao, you are nothing."


"You constantly criticize others as useless, but when trouble arises, you can only hide behind a man. Who is the useless one in the end? Do I need to give you examples one by one?" 


Chen Chunli gritted her teeth but couldn't utter a word.


Bai Lu, not wanting to meddle in other people's affairs, initially refrained from commenting on private matters. However, due to Chen Chunli's repeated provocations, she decided to set aside propriety and be stern with a pregnant woman.


Is Wang Hao useless? 

From the time he dared to collect debts with Xiao Cheng at the age of thirteen, it was evident he wasn't. He fought and struggled to earn every penny through blood and sweat.


When he brought wine to Xiao Cheng's doorstep, knocked on the door but hid, afraid to face Xiao Cheng, it showed that he still regarded Xiao Cheng as his elder brother, holding that position even before betraying him.


In his past life, Wang Hao did ultimately choose his family over his brothers. At the moment before betraying Xiao Cheng, he pulled back from the edge, choosing to escape everything by jumping off a cliff.


Bai Lu couldn't imagine how dire the family situation must be to force a fearless and upright man to such desperation.


Now it seemed that Chen Chunli was the catalyst, at least responsible for half of the main reasons.


"It's none of your business!" Chen Chunli retorted defiantly. "Wang Hao is my husband, and whatever he does for me is his duty. Whether he is useless or not is for me to decide! When does it become your business to meddle in our affairs!"


"Then don't come to Xiao Cheng's house and tarnish Xiao Cheng's reputation," Bai Lu said angrily.


"You can't stand certain stalls on the street, so you overturn their stands, curse and fight in public, embarrassing the Xiao Cheng brothers. It damages Xiao Cheng's reputation."


"Those vendors tolerate you not because of you but because of Wang Hao's status as Xiao Cheng's brother. They give face to Xiao Cheng, not to you, Chen Chunli."


"You've been arrogant and bullying for so long, avoiding retaliation only because you're Wang Hao's wife, and Wang Hao is Xiao Cheng's brother. With the reputation of the Xiao Cheng brothers protecting you in the new town, no one dares to touch you."


"Do you think being pregnant makes you untouchable? Based on your actions, if it weren't for Xiao Cheng and Wang Hao, you would be beaten by others the moment you step out. If you don't believe it, just release the news that Wang Hao and Xiao Cheng have severed their brotherly ties and see if you can crawl back home."


Chen Chunli was rendered speechless by the scolding.


The facts laid out by Bai Lu, word by word, were exposed in broad daylight. Even if Chen Chunli didn't want to admit it, she had to. Some people need a good scolding to wake up.


Without making things clear, pretending to be ignorant, she clung to her delusions, thinking the world should revolve around her. Accustomed to being pampered, she believed everything should be handed to her.


Chen Chunli felt a chill as Bai Lu stared at her, unable to refute the accusations.


Not understanding when Bai Lu became so imposing, she used to be timid and unwilling to cooperate on the first two visits. She never spoke harshly, let alone scolded her.


Chen Chunli pressed against the wooden door, a cold sensation permeating her entire body. Her lips felt cool: "Don't come over..."


"I can just stop cooperating with you in selling chestnuts!"


People tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. After being scolded, they become obedient.


The seemingly reprimanding words, when heard from outside the door, made Wang Hao's eyes well up with tears.


Before today, Wang Hao's perception of women was like Chen Chunli—irrational, aggressive, and quick to anger over minor issues.


Or like Wang Cuihua—fragile and pitiful, unable to carry a burden, needing a man's help for everything, crying at the slightest inconvenience.


Wang Hao never thought that there was another type of woman in the world—like Bai Lu. She understood others' hardships, comprehended their bitterness, sympathized with their difficulties, and appreciated every drop of sweat earned by the laborers. She never belittled any worker.


Wang Hao finally understood why Xiao Cheng was willing to give up the knife, abandon a life steeped in blood, and opt for a modest existence on the construction site in the small town—just for ordinary days of shopping, cooking, and living with ordinary people.


Because Xiao Cheng had Bai Lu at home.


Because of Bai Lu, it was worth it for Xiao Cheng.


Having said what needed to be said, Bai Lu opened the door, pulling Chen Chunli, who was still in shock, removing the latch, and letting her leave.


Outside the door, Wang Hao still maintained the posture of raising his hand, as if he had just hurriedly run from a distance, ready to knock on the door.


Bai Lu's cold expression instantly turned into a smile. "Chen Chunli came to talk to me. We just finished chatting, and she might have been sitting for too long; her legs are a bit weak. Hurry and help her back to rest."


Wang Hao stepped forward to support the weakened Chen Chunli, stepping over the threshold. Unable to resist turning back, he said, "Thank you, sister-in-law."


Thank you for giving me a dignified exit.


Bai Lu smiled, "No need to thank me. You and Ah Cheng are brothers, and we are all family."


Wang Hao nodded solemnly, his departure steps steady and firm. His back was straighter than when he arrived.


The brilliant sunlight bathed the earth, never forgetting which corner to warm, even if it couldn't reach it directly.


When the returning Xiao Wei saw Chen Chunli from afar, he quickly turned into a little whirlwind and flew to Bai Lu's side.


"Why did Chen Chunli come to find you?"


His little eyes scanned Bai Lu like X-ray vision.


Bai Lu pointed at his small forehead with a smile, "It's nothing. She came to look for Chen Dafu. When she couldn't find him, she left."


"Did she find out about Chen Dafu selling chestnuts?" Xiao Wei's face suddenly became sympathetic.


Bai Lu shook her head lightly, "I don't know. Chen Chunli only suspects, she probably hasn't found out yet."


"Oh." Xiao Wei immediately withdrew his sympathy, took off his school bag, and pulled out a small burlap bag.


He handed it to Bai Lu, "I picked some honeysuckle on the way back."


Bai Lu took it and looked at it. The small flowers, alternating between yellow and white, were quite beautiful. "So you like to drink honeysuckle tea?"


Xiao Wei wanted to deny it, but it came out as, "Yes, I like to drink honeysuckle tea."


Bai Lu was reminded of his big brother. Lately, she had started stir-frying chili peppers again. Although not too much, eating them every day was unbearable. It was a mix of pain and joy.


He had to find a way to cool him down.






























Chapter 139: Telling Stories to Soothe the Big Shot to Sleep


The night falls.


Bai Lu stained her outer garment when she spilled chestnuts today. It got some syrup on it, so she washed another one, used dish soap, and laundry detergent to finally clean the stains.


The phone in the main house also rang.


"Ding Ling Ling—"


Xiao Wei, just like last night, had already taken a bath, washed his clothes, hung them up, and sat at the table waiting for the phone. As soon as it rang, he ran out to find Bai Lu.


"Big brother is calling."


The little guy was as excited as last night.


Bai Lu, also like last night, was twisting clothes, smiling: "You answer the phone; my clothes aren't dry yet."


Seeing that she was indeed twisting clothes and had to hang them up, Xiao Wei decisively ran back.


His small steps were like having roller skates, much faster than last night, afraid that the phone would stop ringing.


Fortunately, when he ran to the table in the main house, the phone hadn't stopped ringing yet, and he picked up the receiver just in time.


"Hello!"


"LuLu."


Voices sounded at both ends of the phone.


Xiao Cheng: "......"


Xiao Wei: "......"


Another bucket of cold water poured down.


Xiao Wei's heart became cold. His voice softened: "Sister-in-law is washing clothes."


There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and the same question as last night was asked: "Is she done washing?"


Xiao Wei turned his head and looked; Bai Lu was still hanging clothes and hadn't come over yet: "Not yet."


Another long silence followed.


The sound of dripping water from the clothes in the corridor.


The distant sound of a ship's whistle on the river.


Bai Lu finished hanging the clothes, put the washbasin back in place, placed the bucket back, and when she returned to the main house, Xiao Wei had already finished talking to Xiao Cheng and was about to call her.


Seeing her come in, he immediately handed her the handset.


Then, just like last night, he sat at the table with an impossible-to-ignore look of slight grievance, his elbows on the table, two small hands supporting his chin, staring at her with big eyes.


Bai Lu touched his little bald head, put the handset to her ear, thought for a moment, but didn't know what to say.


Actually, it's not that she doesn't know what to say; it's just that she suddenly feels a bit hesitant. She wants to greet, but it feels a bit silly. Moreover, Xiao Wei had already greeted him just now, and she knew who was on the other end. Repeating a simple "hello" would be inappropriate. She thought about going straight to the point and discussing important matters, but she didn't have anything important to say.


She wanted to say that name directly; Xiao Cheng agreed last night, but the tone...was not quite satisfactory.


Entangled and entangled, she didn't know what to say.


So, she fell silent.


"LuLu?"


A low, melodious LuLu, traversing the endless night sky without any warning, entered her ears.


Shattering all hesitation, Bai Lu's mind instantly brightened: "Um, I'm here! Have you eaten? What are you doing? Xiao Wei and I have already had dinner. For dinner, we had stir-fried preserved duck with fresh bamboo shoots, spicy and fragrant fish, and stir-fried hollow vegetables with small chili. What did you have for dinner?"


Oh, my goodness... What kind of nonsense is this!

Bai Lu slapped her forehead, feeling that her life had reached the pinnacle of awkward small talk and she could just crawl into a hole.


Sure enough, a low laughter from the man on the other end of the phone followed.


Then, a long list of home-cooked dishes was recited, detailing every dish consumed, even the number of bowls eaten.


Bai Lu felt the strange gaze of the little guy behind her, and she only felt that the phone quality was too good, and it had nothing to do with what she had just said. She hadn't said anything.


The man's low laughter came from the phone. After that, he asked, "Did Chen Chunli come again?"


The voice tone dropped from 100 degrees to 0 degrees.


Bai Lu was surprised at how he knew, turned her head to look, and the little bald head had lowered without her noticing.


Five short little fingers were picking at the table.


Bai Lu suddenly understood: "Chen Chunli just came to find Chen Dafu and left when she couldn't find him."


The man's voice on the phone remained cold and indifferent, and there was no room for doubt: "Tomorrow at noon, you make Wang Hao come to the house, and I'll talk to him."


"No need, no need. I've already driven away Chen Chunli. Wang Hao came to pick up Chen Chunli. I opened the door, and he was already outside. There's nothing wrong. Chen Chunli still has a big belly and can't move her hands." Bai Lu's tone and voice were light and cheerful, showing no sign of anger.


Xiao Cheng called out in a low voice: "LuLu..."


"You don't believe I won't let myself suffer, do you?" Bai Lu's laughter, like a silver bell, passed through: "My patience also has its limits. Have you ever eaten chili? Besides, Xiao Wei is still here. Who can make me suffer? Xiao Wei can't beat them, but he can use a three-toothed rake to drive them away."


Xiao Cheng wanted to say something, just opened his mouth with a "me," but was interrupted by Bai Lu: "Alright, alright, I know you care about me. I didn't mean to defy you. What I want to express is that I really haven't been bullied by Chen Chunli. I've driven her away."


In Xiao Cheng's mind, Bai Lu, who was gentle and soft like water, could never do the things of driving someone away in person.


This statement was obviously not convincing.


But Bai Lu's voice was as clear and pleasant as a lark, like the sound of melting ice and snow, dispersing all the tension in the air.


Like a seal, breaking free from the shackles, the evil dragon that was about to break free and soar was pushed back into the abyss.


The wind quieted down, and the lighthouse illuminated the dark river. Xiao Cheng closed his eyes, walked back to the bed from the window, and there was a creaking sound of the bed.


Afterward, there was the sound of the bed regaining some warmth: "How did you drive her away?"


How could the big shot ask such a boring question.


Bai Lu suspected he had been drinking, "I said a few impolite words, and she left."


The low, charming voice of Xiao Cheng came from the phone: "Oh."


"Are you drinking?" Bai Lu took the initiative to change the topic; this state was too much like that of a three-year-old.


The topic she forcibly turned, Xiao Cheng reacted after a slight daze and answered, "Not drinking."


"Then go to bed early; it's very late."


Xiao Cheng: "......"


Bai Lu deliberately yawned lazily: "Isn't your ship landing tomorrow morning? You'll definitely be busy then. Sleep early to maintain sufficient sleep, and you'll be full of energy. Everything will be more efficient."


"I can't sleep."


Xiao Cheng lay on the bed last night, staring at the ceiling until dawn, closing his eyes didn't help either.


Back and forth, all he saw was a smiling face.


Bai Lu, on the other hand, felt that Xiao Cheng must have been drinking, otherwise, he wouldn't say such straightforward words as a three-year-old.


The tone instantly returned to the gentle and soft way of coaxing a child: "Do you want me to tell you a story?"


Xiao Cheng was slightly stunned, then immediately denied: "I didn't drink."


"Yes, yes, you didn't drink. Even when you're drunk, you say you're not drunk. Do you want to hear a story from me?"


Xiao Cheng: "......"


"You can say it."


"Then promise me first, don't drink so much when you're away from home." Bai Lu made a request first.


Xiao Cheng wanted to say he didn't drink, but he said, "Um."


"Very obedient." Bai Lu's light and gentle laughter came over: "Listen to me telling you a story. Once upon a time, there was a mountain, and on the mountain, there was a temple. In the temple, the old monk was telling stories to the little monk. The story he told was once upon a time, there was a mountain..."































Chapter 140: Looking for Trouble Again

At the end of the story.


Both Big Bald and Little Bald were asleep.


Bai Lu softly said "good night" into the telephone receiver and placed it back on the telephone stand.


She picked up the sleeping Little Bald from the table, carried him to his room, placed him on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and closed the door.


Afterwards, she returned to her room, read a book, wrote a few notes, and then turned off the lights to sleep.


The moon rose and fell.


The myriad stars of the Milky Way were gradually obscured by the whitening sky. The rising sun slowly ascended from the horizon, breaking the darkness, welcoming the dawn's light, and everything came to life.


The day before, Xiao Cheng had gone to the countryside to bring in goods. The house was piled with chestnuts, enough for Bai Lu to use for a long time.


After all the chestnuts were sold today, Bai Lu cleaned three electric chestnut roasting machines and the sand.


She also boiled a bucket of malt syrup.


After cleaning the kitchen and preparing everything, Bai Lu took a broom and went to the chestnut warehouse to clean.


After cleaning, she went to the vegetable garden to water and pick vegetables. She removed the old and rotten leaves, throwing them into the chicken coop for the old mother hen and the chicks to enjoy.


"Knock, knock, knock—"


It was knocking on the door again while washing vegetables.


When Xiao Cheng was away, anyone, including odd characters, would dare to come knocking. Li Xuelan and Bai Chaojie were no exception.


As soon as Bai Lu opened the door, the mother and son entered as if it were their own home, without even greeting, and walked in.


Li Xuelan walked and observed the yard and main house, not sparing even Bai Lu. Finally, she looked disdainfully, "You've been selling candied chestnuts for so long and still live in such a shabby tile house, wearing such old clothes. The basin is full of vegetables. Where did your money go?"


"Spent where it should be spent," Bai Lu replied as if she didn't understand Li Xuelan's insinuations, not engaging further in the conversation. She closed the door, sat back on the small stool by the well, and continued washing the vegetables nonchalantly.


Bai Chaojie came over and kicked the basin.


The washing basin was quite large, almost the size of a bath basin. If it were filled with water and kicked forcefully, water would surely splash everywhere.


It was heavy, and it couldn't be moved instantly.


But Bai Lu just pulled it with both hands, turned it, and quickly moved the basin and water in another direction, avoiding the kick.


Unable to control his body, Bai Chaojie split, and the crisp sound of bones cracking echoed.


"Ah!" A scream akin to a pig being slaughtered, "Mom! It hurts! Help me up quickly!"


"My leg is going to break! Help me up!"


Li Xuelan had just smelled the faint aroma of candied chestnuts coming from the kitchen. She hurriedly went there. Just three steps away, she heard Bai Chaojie's screams and quickly returned to assist.


"What's wrong with you, stumbling even when walking? The injuries from the beating by Xiao Cheng last time just healed, and now, if you break your leg, who knows how long it will take to recover."


Not to mention broken bones, Bai Chaojie suspected that his legs were broken. He couldn't stand steadily.


All relying on Li Xuelan's support.


Helping him to a chair on the side of the yard, as soon as he sat down, the dilapidated old wooden chair couldn't bear the weight, and it collapsed with a crash.


Bai Chaojie was thrown upside down, and his legs, already apart, widened further with a cracking sound.


The pig-like screams started again, "What a broken chair! My butt is going to be broken, my legs are broken! Mom, be gentle! Help me up quickly!"


Li Xuelan didn't expect the chairs in Xiao Cheng's house to be so unusable, to the point of being in such a ghostly state.


She quickly helped Bai Chaojie up, not daring to assist him to sit on a chair. Who knew which chair was good?


Bai Chaojie couldn't control the trembling of his legs. He couldn't exert any strength, shaking as he was supported to sit on the corridor floor, glaring at Bai Lu who was still washing vegetables.


"Mom, look, Bai Lu doesn't take us seriously at all! Not only did she knock me down, but she also gave us a broken chair to sit on. She completely disregards us!"


Before Li Xuelan could speak, Bai Chaojie, pointing in Bai Lu's direction, began to shout, "It's you who moved the washing basin and caused me to fall. You must compensate me for medical expenses immediately!"


In this era, there were even people who would fake accidents right at someone's doorstep. Bai Lu coldly smiled, "I have no money."


"You've sold so many candied chestnuts. How can you not have money, Mom! Bai Lu must be lying. Make her compensate us for medical expenses immediately!"


Li Xuelan knew that Bai Lu couldn't possibly have no money. She must have hidden it. However, Bai Lu was no longer as easily manipulated as before. She listened to Bai Lu in everything, right or wrong.


Bai Lu had become smarter, directly saying that money was the same as last time, and not a penny would be given.


Li Xuelan squinted her eyes and walked to the washing basin in front of Bai Lu, saying, "You've sold so many candied chestnuts. We want to sell them too."


Bai Lu, a polite person, had to respond when someone spoke to her, "Oh."


Li Xuelan choked, "What's with your 'oh'? When will you bring the chestnuts for us to sell? Give a specific time."


Sell all the chestnuts to her? Bai Lu wasn't stupid. She wouldn't do such foolish things. "Can't roast that many."


"You can roast so many for others every day, but when I ask for a share, you refuse. Do you still consider me your mother? If you don't roast, teach me how to make candied chestnuts, and I'll roast them myself when I get home." Li Xuelan made demands without considering herself an outsider.


Indeed, she wasn't an outsider.


She was the original owner's mother.


The previous owner might have compromised, but it didn't mean the current Bai Lu would. "If you want the recipe for candied chestnuts, pay for it."


Li Xuelan subconsciously asked, "How much?"


"Thirty thousand."


"A recipe for a simple candied chestnut is worth thirty thousand yuan? Why don't you go rob a bank!"


The money hadn't been earned yet, but she had to take money out of her pocket. Li Xuelan would never agree. Was she treated as a fool? Even if she were a fool, there was no extra money at home. Not to mention thirty thousand, they couldn't even come up with five thousand. Bai Chaojie needed money for his education, and there were daily expenses at home.


Last time, when she took Bai Chaojie to the hospital to treat the injuries caused by Xiao Cheng's beating, she spent a considerable amount. Everything required money, and there wasn't much spare money at home. The three thousand yuan owed to the brick factory boss from building the house was repaid by Xiao Cheng.


Bai Lu, well aware of the family's difficulties, made such excessive demands. Li Xuelan was instantly infuriated.


Opening her mouth, she scolded Bai Lu, "You've earned so much money selling candied chestnuts, and you don't take care of your family. Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? Yout younger brother is still in school. Your father and I can't earn much working in the brick factory for a month. You won't even agree to give us a way to sell candied chestnuts. Do you still regard me, your birth mother, as your mother? Do you still have a home in your heart?"

The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(141-145)