BTYFOV Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Thug

Ignorance of the law is not scary, what is scary is that the ignorant still break the law.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

His second uncle instantly wanted to kill him.

Qin Feng clicked his tongue: "The way you look like you want to kill me but are too afraid to do anything is really interesting." He even shook his head slightly—really interesting!

His second uncle was so enraged that he was out of breath.

Qin Feng’s cousin came out and said, “Do you really think we won’t hit you?”

Old Qin’s heart instantly jumped to his throat.

The five younger brothers all simultaneously gathered around Qin Feng.

Qin Feng wiped his smile and said, "Do you really think I won’t call the police and have you arrested?"

His second aunt sneered, "Who are you fooling? The police won’t handle family matters like this."

Qin Feng shook his head again, with a face full of sympathy: "Ignorance of the law is not scary, what’s scary is when the ignorant still break the law." Before she could speak, he continued, "Since the police can’t be bothered, Wang Genbao doesn’t want to take care of Qingyun and Lingyun, so he can’t just throw them at my doorstep. My sister had to step in and force my parents to agree to help take care of them?"

Upon hearing this, his second aunt and her family were left speechless.

Yesterday, this whole family had wondered why Qin Feng took his children to the city. Wang Genbao didn’t want to raise those two kids, so he could just throw them in an orphanage. Why make Qin Feng help take care of them? It made Qin Feng cut ties with them—it was not worth it.

Qin Feng said, “Got it?” He glanced at them coldly, full of disdain in his eyes. “A bunch of law ignorants!”

His cousin habitually raised his fist.

Qin Feng remained still, "Come on."

His second uncle hurriedly stopped his son—don’t do something stupid.

Qin Feng’s cousin calmed down.

But Qin Feng was afraid they would try something behind his back. "Since we all share the same surname, I'll be generous just this once—what the public security bureau won’t handle, the local precinct will. Some things need to go to court, some don’t need a sentence, but they will still lock you up for ten days or half a month. Like damaging someone’s property or petty theft. I’ve heard the conditions in detention centers are worse than in prisons."

Madam Zhou asked in a hurry, "How do you know that?"

The whole family of his second uncle turned to look at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng smiled and looked at them: "I'm sorry to disappoint you. I’ve never been in there, but I have a high school classmate who works at the public security bureau. He seems to have been assigned there after serving in the military."

This wasn’t just nonsense from Qin Feng.

He was the most successful student in their school. No matter whether he knew the students or teachers, anyone who recognized him would greet him from far away when they saw him on the street.

After years, when he got back in touch with that classmate, it turned out the guy had been on a mission and ran into him on the street, stopping to greet him. In the end, he even bragged to his colleagues, "This returned PhD graduate is my classmate."

Seeing them shocked, Qin Feng added, "If you want to experience it for yourselves, I can talk to that classmate."

"Who wants to experience it?" His second uncle barked angrily.

Qin Feng shrugged, "If you don’t want to, then just speak properly. Why yell so loud? I’m not old and deaf, you know."

His second uncle suspected Qin Feng was implying something, but he had no evidence.

Qin Feng gave a look to his five young sons: "Let’s go. The sun’s out, and it’s getting hot."

The old couple, fearing their son might get hurt if a fight broke out, immediately locked the door and followed Qin Feng.

Qin Feng’s cousin saw their chicken run to his door, picked up an iron bar, and was about to smash it. But before he could strike, his father stopped him. "You want to die?"

"He doesn’t know!"

Qin Feng’s second uncle asked, "Do you know that a thug isn’t scary, but a thug with education is? Qin Feng is a thug!"

Qin Feng scratched his itchy ear and turned to his parents: "I suspect that Second Old Qin’s family is cursing me."

Madam Zhou replied, "You don’t even need to suspect that. I can tell by the way you speak that I want to slap you twice."

"…You’re my biological mother, why are you so polite?"

Madam Zhou was choked by his words, so she angrily tugged at Old Qin.

Old Qin laughed and tried to smooth things over: "Let’s all say less." Without giving Qin Feng a chance to speak, he asked his grandchildren, "Where do you want to go pick acacia flowers? There are some by the river in the east, and by the ditch in the south. We have trees in our yard, and others do too. I’ll just talk to them."

The kids, who hadn’t been to the river, couldn’t help but look east.

Old Qin pointed south. "Go over there, then head east. There are trees and shade by the ditch. Walk by the ditch, it’s neither hot nor sunny."

Qin Feng didn’t comment on such trivial matters. Wherever his father said to go, he would go.

When they reached the river, they put down their hooks and baskets. Qin Feng let the kids handle it. First, he didn’t know how to hook acacia flowers, and second, there were five kids, so they didn’t need him to pick the flowers. So, he walked toward the river.

Miaomiao instinctively followed him.

Qin Feng turned around and asked, "Do you want to eat acacia flowers?"

The child caught the implied meaning—if you don't want to eat, then don't do it and just hang out with him.

The child stomped over to the grandparents to complain, "He just makes me do everything."

Gu Xiao’er replied, "Then don’t do it."

The child was taken aback, then angrily shouted, "If I don’t do it, do you think I would need to complain?"

Gu Xiao’er was left speechless.

It was pretty bold to say that so confidently, not even worried about being overheard.

Qin Feng heard them, stood up, and looked over in their direction.

The child quickly crouched down and began picking acacia flowers.

Old Qin chuckled, "With me and your grandmother here, he still dares to hit you?"

"What if Daddy gets mad?"

Old Qin replied, "Let him get mad."

The child shook his head, lowered it, and muttered, "I’d rather not. Master said I shouldn’t make Dad angry."

Old Qin didn’t hear clearly, "Master?"

"Yes," the child nodded.

Gu Wuyi and the others couldn’t help but look at the child. Two years had passed, and he still remembered.

Old Qin opened his mouth, and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat, speechless.

Madam Zhou felt heartbroken, "Your master is just scaring you."

The child looked up.

Madam Zhou forced a smile, "Your master is afraid you’ll cry and run to find him."

The child asked curiously, "Why would I go looking for Master?"

Madam Zhou thought for a moment about how to explain, "You were raised by your master, and he’s afraid you can’t live without him."

The child couldn’t help but say, "I’m not that unreasonable. Master raised me and even helped me find Daddy. Why would I cling to Master? What’s the difference between me and Wang Genbao?"

Madam Zhou was at a loss for words.

The child was puzzled.

—Why isn’t Grandma speaking?

Gu Wuyi explained, "You were only four years old back then. Who would believe that a four-year-old child is really sensible?"

The child nodded, "I believe it."

Gu Wuyi was left speechless and got up to walk to the other side to pick acacia flowers with the grandparents.

The child blinked and looked at his second brother with confusion.

—What’s going on with Big Brother?

Gu Xiao’er didn’t want to pay attention to him, fearing he’d be unable to speak if he got caught up in his own thoughts.

The child refused to believe it, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, whose side are you on?"

Fu Qingyun couldn’t help but say, "I also suspect you’re threatening me."

"Yes," the child nodded.

Fu Qingyun moved to stand beside Gu Wuyi.

Madam Zhou couldn’t help but laugh, "Miaomiao, if you keep speaking such harsh truths, none of your four brothers will want to talk to you."

"I see," the child said, enlightened, "No wonder Daddy told Big Brother that the truth is hard to hear but beneficial for action."

The four brothers and Old Qin turned to look at him at the same time.

Old Qin was the first to ask, "Do you know what this means?"

The child nodded. "Of course! Daddy explained it to my eldest and second brothers, and I was right there. I’m not a kid who forgets things after just one night."

Old Qin wanted to say, You’re only six years old, a first-grader!

But having witnessed the child’s extraordinary abilities, he dared not speak lightly.

Madam Zhou, curious, asked, "Miaomiao, do you miss your master?"

The child nodded again. "Grandma, do you know where my master is?"

Madam Zhou shook her head. "I asked your dad. Your master might be worried your dad wouldn’t take care of you if he got too angry, so he never said where he lived. We’ve even gone around asking at temples within a hundred miles. There was indeed a little monk there, about three or four years old, but the monks said his master had returned to secular life."

Miaomiao couldn’t help but say, "That little monk must be me."

In fact, Madam Zhou wasn’t telling the whole truth.

Qin Feng knew the real story but never intended to search for the master, claiming he was too busy.

Old Qin, however, wanted to personally thank Miaomiao’s master. Otherwise, he would feel unsettled. He took advantage of a Sunday to ask around. After three attempts, he finally found the place — but he was too late.

Miaomiao’s master had returned from the coastal region, donated his property to the state, and then taken medicine to end his life.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to live. His hands no longer obeyed him, and he feared that if his children discovered this, they would, just like before, abandon him once they had taken his property.

The old master’s only attachment in life was Miaomiao.

Knowing Miaomiao had found a home with Qin Feng, the master passed away with a smile on his face. He was buried behind the temple on the mountain.

Old Qin visited again later. He hired some villagers to bring supplies and repair the rundown temple. After offering his respects at Miaomiao’s master’s grave, he finally felt at peace.

If Miaomiao hadn’t brought up the master, Madam Zhou wouldn’t have asked such questions. The family had already discussed it with Qin Feng: they would only tell Miaomiao the truth once he grew older.

Qin Feng found out about all this much later. At the time, he wanted to say, The truth you think you know isn’t really the truth.

The real truth had long since been burned to ashes by him.

Speaking of which, Madam Zhou kept her expression perfectly normal, so much so that all five children believed her story.

Gu Xiao’er curiously asked, “Does Miaomiao’s master have family?”

Miaomiao nodded. “They got separated a long time ago and only found each other after many, many years.”

Gu Xiao’er assumed it was due to the Cultural Revolution. “Ah, that explains it.” After a pause, he added, “Your master was really kind to you. Before he returned to secular life, he even helped you find your dad.”

Miaomiao nodded again.

Suddenly, the old couple felt something strange. How exactly did Miaomiao’s master manage to find Qin Feng?

Given that Miaomiao’s biological mother had decided to abandon him, it was unlikely that she left any letter or clues with him. If she had, why wouldn’t she have sent him directly to Qin Feng?

The more Old Qin thought about it, the more things didn’t add up. He called Qin Feng over.

When Qin Feng arrived, Old Qin voiced his doubts.

Qin Feng regretted going near the river. How long has it been, and I’m already getting my feet wet?

“Miaomiao’s biological mother only knew that I’m from Binhai and that my name is Qin Feng,” he lied casually. “His master might have guessed that someone who managed to go abroad wouldn’t be an ordinary person, and it’s unlikely I’d be working in some government office. So he probably went straight to the biggest factory in Binhai, the Northern Railway Factory, to ask around—”

“Wait!” Old Qin interrupted. “What if you hadn’t come back?”

Qin Feng didn’t dare let him continue. “There was no what if! If I dared not return, wouldn’t you have sold the family’s entire fortune to fly overseas and kill me yourself?”

“...As long as you know,” Old Qin grumbled, waving his hand dismissively. “Go on, get back to whatever you were doing.”

Qin Feng found a shady spot, sat down, and faced the wide river. “Dad, does this river flow into the sea?”

Old Qin shot him a sideways glance.

Qin Feng got the hint. He had asked a pointless question. “This area counts as a brackish water zone, right?”

Old Qin couldn’t hold back. “Brackish water? And you think you can irrigate crops with that? How long have you been away from farming?”

Two lifetimes combined, I’m fifty-two years old, Qin Feng thought to himself. I’ve only spent about twelve years as a farmer. So what if I don’t know how to irrigate fields anymore?

But he didn’t dare say that aloud. There was no need to spill everything.

“My question is whether the brackish water zone is around here. But judging from your response, it’s obviously not.”

Old Qin grew suspicious. “What are you up to this time?”

“What could I possibly be up to? I work with junk and scrap metal,” Qin Feng said with a self-deprecating smile. “I was just curious if there’s any seafood around here.”

“No seafood, but there are river snails,” Old Qin replied.

“I’ll go take a look!” Qin Feng stood up and dusted off his pants.

Madam Zhou sighed, exasperated. “What’s there to see? Summer snails are full of mud and sand. You’d need to soak them for eight days, and they’d still be gritty. How would you even eat them?”

Qin Feng honestly hadn’t known that. No wonder his mother looked so displeased.

“I just want to see if there are a lot of them. If there are, we can make this our autumn outing spot.” He glanced at his five sons. “Wuyi can take Miaomiao to collect snails while the rest of us fish.”

Old Qin frowned. “The fish from the river taste muddy and earthy. How do you plan to eat that?”

Qin Feng chuckled, impressed by his family’s refined palate. No wonder they’re from the coast — they’re even pickier about fish than I am. “It depends on how you cook it. Ever had squirrel fish?”

Madam Zhou shot back, “What do you think?”

Gu Wuyi chimed in, “Dad, we had it at the Binhai Grand Hotel once.”

Fu Qingyun and Fu Lingyun both turned to look at him in surprise. Squirrel fish? When was that? We don’t remember.

Sensing their confusion, Gu Xiao’er explained, “It was before. Whenever Dad had time, he’d take us out for a meal.”

The two brothers immediately turned their gazes to Qin Feng.

So that restaurant visit wasn’t because we were tired from walking, nor because he wanted to treat us to something special. It was just routine for him!

Qin Feng felt awkward under their stares. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Fu Qingyun looked a bit speechless.

Fu Lingyun said, “I heard from people at the residence that starting next year, universities will start charging tuition fees, and there’ll be no more living stipends. The four of us will need quite a bit of money for school.”

Qin Feng laughed. “I thought it was something serious. Don’t worry, your two older brothers are already earning money.”

The brothers knew he was referring to selling popsicles. But that wasn’t their point. They were thinking about having some emergency savings — in case of medical expenses, for example. Even if they themselves stayed healthy and didn’t need money, what about Grandpa and Grandma? They were both over fifty.

But this kind of talk shouldn't be coming from them — they were still too young.

Fu Qingyun gave Gu Wuyi a look.

Gu Wuyi said, “It’s only during my first two years of college that we’ll really need money. By the time you guys go to college, our family will be fine. I’ve done the math — by then, Grandpa’s savings will have reached the ten-year mark. If we don’t spend it, Aunt will keep coming around asking for money, like she’s collecting some dog meat debt.”

Miaomiao was curious. “Do we still owe her money?”

Gu Wuyi shook his head.

“She’s so shameless,” Miaomiao exclaimed.

The old couple instinctively glanced at Gu Wuyi and Gu Qingkuang.

Gu Xiao’er met their gaze. “Grandpa, Grandma, we know who truly cares about us. If that money had been in Aunt Gu Xue’s hands, she would’ve taken it and spent it all by now.”

The old couple wasn’t worried that the kids couldn’t tell right from wrong. They were just afraid that someone might say something to them over time, planting unwanted ideas in their minds.

Qin Feng didn’t want to dwell on the topic. “Mom, will one basket be enough?”

Madam Zhou nodded. “With so many people at home, if everyone has a bowl, we’ll need at least two baskets.”

The five children were stunned.

Madam Zhou chuckled. “Acacia flowers take up more space than vegetables. Even a whole basket of vegetables wouldn’t be enough for a full dish.”

Miaomiao couldn’t help but fiddle with the pale white petals. “It doesn’t look like it. Grandma, do we need these unopened buds too?”

Madam Zhou said, “No, the ones that haven’t bloomed aren’t as tasty when steamed.”

Hearing that, Miaomiao raised his hand and scattered the unopened buds into the air.

Everyone ended up with white petals on their heads.

Qin Feng raised his palm, pretending to hit him.

The child quickly ducked away.

Qin Feng said, “Qin Jingzhe, if your skin is itching for a beating, just tell Dad directly. No need to hint at it like this.”

The little one backed away even further.

Old Qin glared at his son.

Qin Feng said, “When I was a kid, you disciplined me, but Grandma always shielded me. And what did you say back then?”

Old Qin couldn’t come up with an answer, so he changed the subject. “What kind of name did you give him? Jingzhe? Aren’t you afraid you’ll scare the little one with such a name?”

Originally, Qin Feng thought Qin Miaomiao was a good enough name.

But after thinking it over, he remembered how the old monk said he found the boy on Jingzhe Day (the Waking of Insects, one of the 24 solar terms). What if Miaomiao’s parents didn’t abandon him on purpose? What if they encountered some disaster, or what if Miaomiao was kidnapped by his parents’ enemies? In that case, his parents might still be searching for him.

【Jingzhe 惊蛰 literally means "Awakening of Insects.” Jīngzhé Day is seen as a time of renewal and growth. Plants begin to sprout, animals become more active, and farmers start preparing for the planting season. Qin Feng chose "Jingzhe" to symbolize the child's new beginning, survival through hardships, and hope for reunion with his family.】

If someone came looking for Miaomiao years later, it would mean he’d gain one more person — or even a whole family — who would love him. And if no one ever came, that name wouldn’t harm him or his relationship with his son.

The most important thing was that there was no character named Qin Jingzhe in the original story. Not even someone with the same name.

This meant both he and Miaomiao were completely safe.

And in the future, if his four older sons got swayed by the male lead’s golden finger, Miaomiao could help pull his brothers back on track.

Qin Feng had already planned it out: if Miaomiao showed an interest in law, he’d encourage him to apply to a top law school. With four brothers and a legal background, there was no way they wouldn’t be able to take on the male lead.

“My son, my choice of name. Who do you think you are to tell me otherwise?” Qin Feng shot a glance at his father.

Old Qin grabbed the stick he’d been using to pull down acacia flowers and swung it at him.

However, the stick was grabbed from both ends — one in front and one behind.

Old Qin, half amused and half annoyed, said, “Let go!”

Gu Wuyi and Fu Lingyun glanced at Qin Feng. The moment he stood up and barked, “Let go,” the two immediately let go.

Old Qin glared at them. “Truly your father’s sons.”

Fu Lingyun said, “When we get back, I’ll help Grandpa chop grass and feed the cows.”

“We don’t need it!” Old Qin shot him a glare.

In truth, he didn’t dare let the children do that task.

The chopping blade was extremely sharp, and if they weren’t careful, they could easily cut their hands.

He and Madam Zhou were used to it. They didn’t have to look at the cutting blade, and nothing would go wrong.

Children’s skin is tender. If grass was stuffed into the cutting slit, a strong pull could cut their hands.

Madam Zhou said, “Let your dad do it.”

Old Qin glanced at her. “What are you saying? Our son's hands are so precious."

Madam Zhou was at a loss for words.

Gu Xiao’er suddenly burst out laughing.

Old Qin looked puzzled.

Miaomiao asked, “Grandpa isn’t mad at Daddy anymore?”

Old Qin’s expression shifted slightly. He looked a little uncomfortable, so he stood up and went back to picking acacia flowers.

Qin Feng had found a fishing spot nearby. His parents and sons had also picked a basket and half a bag of acacia flowers.

When Madam Zhou saw her son return at just the right moment, she wanted to scold him. But he was like a slick piece of meat – whatever she wanted to say got stuck in her throat and never came out.

“What else are we eating for lunch besides acacia flowers?”

Qin Feng replied, “Fried bun slices.”

Madam Zhou regretted asking.

Qin Feng added, “Later, you can teach me how to make dough, and I’ll help you knead it.”

Gu Wuyi knew that he and his brothers were eating more and more, the elderly were getting older and older. “Grandma, I can help too.”

“You? With those little hands? The dough wouldn’t even be edible.”

Gu Wuyi said, “I can wash it really clean!”

Cough! Qin Feng choked on his own saliva.

Old Qin sighed. “Your strength isn’t enough. The steamed buns you make wouldn’t be chewy and would waste the flour. If you really want to knead dough, do it at your own house and make some noodles. Making noodles is tiring, so the three of you brothers can take turns. It’s still a long way off before you can start selling popsicles. Once you’ve made enough noodles, put them in the freezer. Then, whenever your grandma and I feel like having noodles but don’t want to make them ourselves, we’ll just go to your place to eat.”

Gu Wuyi nodded vigorously.

Qin Feng remembered something: the freezer compartment of their fridge was too small, and every time they made popsicles, it could only hold half a box.

A few years ago, buying a fridge required a ration ticket, but in recent years, policies had loosened — if you had the money, you could buy one!

The next day, Qin Feng went to the bank, withdrew all his savings from his current account, and bought a freezer.

When the freezer arrived, it didn’t cause much of a stir because the adults were still at work and the kids hadn’t returned from school.

However, the elderly folks in the courtyard saw it.

By evening, everyone knew about it.

Curious, people came over to ask why he had bought another one. Qin Feng explained directly that the freezer would be used to store popsicles. They could buy them whenever they wanted.

As soon as he said that, those craving red bean popsicles asked when he would make them.

Definitely not now.

Who would buy popsicles in early May?

They wouldn’t even make enough to cover the electricity bill.

Qin Feng didn’t want to say that outright, so he just mentioned that the kids would make them during the summer break.

On the first evening of the summer break, the kids, full of energy, got everything ready and made a batch.

The next day, Fu Lingyun and Miaomiao stayed home to sell popsicles.

Meanwhile, the elderly couple took the three boys to the fields to harvest wheat.

Since Qin Feng had helped with two hours of harvesting in the morning, and Gu Wuyi and Gu Xiao’er were both a year older than last year, plus Fu Qingyun worked without holding back, they managed to bring in four acres of wheat in just two days.

The summer break lasted ten days. For the next eight days, the five kids took turns staying home to make popsicles. The freezer was never empty. Their popsicles tasted great, and they followed the principle of small profits but quick returns. As a result, not only did the residents of the staff residence buy them, but even kids from the village ran to their door, calling for Gu Wuyi to come out and sell popsicles at the gate — because entering the staff residence required registration, which was too troublesome.

In the final days, the elderly couple were drying wheat nearby. Seeing the five kids spinning around like tops, they were curious about how much money they had made in a day.

The kids hadn’t counted yet — they wanted to give themselves a surprise.

On the last night of the break, after an early dinner and baths, the boys climbed into bed and poured all the money from the drawer and cash box onto the bed.

Even though Qin Feng was mentally prepared, he was still shocked by the bed covered in small bills. “This much?!”

Gu Wuyi nodded. “I did a rough calculation. We make this much in a day.” He held up Miaomiao’s two little hands and one of his own.

“Fifteen net profit?” Qin Feng asked.

“Exactly!”

Qin Feng didn’t hold back his praise. “Good job, kid! At this rate, one summer break will cover your tuition and living expenses for the whole year.”

“And the money for the freezer,” Gu Wuyi couldn’t help but add.

Qin Feng shook his head slightly. “A freezer can last ten years. If you spread out the cost, it’s not much per year. Besides, now that we have the freezer, we don’t need to use the fridge’s freezer compartment. We can use it to freeze buns, steamed buns, and noodles, which means we don’t have to buy dried noodles anymore. That saves us a lot too.”

Miaomiao couldn’t help but chime in, “And bread.”

Qin Feng nodded. “Yeah, any leftovers go in the freezer. Your grandma saw that and hasn’t stopped praising me for being good at managing the household.”

Gu Wuyi looked at his father’s proud expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s because she doesn’t know how much the freezer cost.”

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. “You know?”

Gu Wuyi did know, but he couldn’t explain it. No one in the whole staff residence, except his dad, knew the price of the freezer. Plenty of families had fridges, but theirs was the only one with a freezer. Nobody would bother going all the way to the city just to find out how much it cost.

It wasn’t like his dad’s idle neighbors, who had nothing better to do.

Thinking of this, Gu Wuyi suddenly remembered something. “Dad, isn’t your sister due to give birth soon?”

Qin Feng shook his head. “She’s not my sister. But she already gave birth.”

The boys all turned to him at the same time.

Qin Feng explained, “It doesn’t concern you, so I didn’t mention it. She cut ties with me but kept in touch with my uncles. My eldest uncle told me when he passed by on his way home.”

Gu Wuyi couldn’t hide a glimmer of hope. “Boy or girl?”

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