BTYFOV Chapter 44

 

Chapter 44: Say One Things and Think Two Things

Wearing the "silver bracelet" will stir up a hornet's nest.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Miaomiao pulled his arm hard, just like a calf pulling a cart.

Qin Feng laughed: “What's the hurry?”

“If I'm late, it's over.” Miaomiao jumped anxiously.

Qin Feng helplessly said: “OK......”

Hurrying into the crowd, Qin Feng was surprised to find everyone chatting peacefully, nothing seemed wrong.

“Why is everyone here?” Qin Feng asked uncertainly.

Qin Feng's cousin's aunt said: “Do not know, right? Something happened.”

Qin Feng was afraid of exposing himself by making a mistake, so he deliberately asked, “Who fought?”

A villager interjected, “No one fought.”

Unable to contain himself, Miaomiao pointed at the police car, 'What's going on there? Grandma, please tell me!”

The middle-age woman couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the child's bald head, “Okay, I'll tell you. But this started over half an hour ago...”

The weather is so hot and few homes in the village had fans. Villagers avoided going indoors when it's time to cook. Either on the side of the road, or under the trees, debating  whether to eat lunch or not and what meal cooks the fastest.

Before they could decide, a small car arrived.

There are many illiterate people in the village who are ignorant and fearless enough to beat up the people from the family planning office. This leads to the fact that when the family planning office comes to collect fines, or to conduct surprise inspections, they call in the police - so that the villagers don't dare to mess around.

The police rarely visited, maybe once or twice a year.

Strict family planning had been in place for five or six years now.

The police responsible for this area had visited seven or eight times, so the villagers recognized them.

Seeing the police, some villagers ran off.

Some villagers run away when they see the police get out of the car.

The police thought they had committed some kind of crime and chased after them as a conditioned reflex.

With many alleys in the village, the police soon lost track.

They paused to coordinate with the village chief and heard a series of abuses—”old bastard, why don't you die, why are you still alive,” and so on.

The police remembered the mission they received, someone had abandoned an elderly person in Wulin Village, torturing the old man.

It's a matter of life and death.

If there is a murder in the area that the public security police are responsible for, they will have to investigate it, regardless of whether it is a homicide or a suicide. If the situation is serious, they may have to hold a meeting and write a self-criticism report and to analyze the case.

Every police officer does not want anything to happen in their area.

Worried that explaining things properly wouldn’t work on the unreasonable villagers, the police recalled that villagers feared the family planning office, which often conducted legal awareness campaigns. So, they asked them to explain the consequences of not supporting the elderly.

Mentally prepared before arriving, the police immediately confirmed that the person shouting profanities was the one their leader had mentioned—someone suspected of elder abuse.

Following the cursing, the police saw a frail, emaciated old man collapsed on the ground and quickly intervened.

The person cursing was the old man's third daughter-in-law, the village people call her Zhaosan’s wife.

Zhaosan’s wife believed she had paid all required fines, undergone sterilization, and did not commit any other crime, so she boldly told the police to stay aside.

Seeing that reasoning was futile, the police immediately handcuffed her.

The moment the silver bracelets were put on, it was like kicking a hornet’s nest.

Zhaosan’s brothers and their wives all rushed out.

The villagers, who love to watch the fun, gathered around.The village chief, who learned that the police had come to the village, also arrived. But unlike the onlookers, he was there to assist the police.

Fearing a fight might break out, the village chief asked the police what was happening.

Seizing the moment, the police explained the legal responsibilities of caring for elderly family members.

Then they told Zhaosan’s wife that just by pushing the old man to the ground, she could be arrested.

Zhaosan's family was not convinced.

The police then told the village chief that if the old man starved to death, by law, his son and daughter-in-law could be arrested. If he was killed or poisoned by his vicious daughter-in-law, it would be intentional homicide.

Murder must be repaid with life!

As soon as words came out, the tough woman collapsed to the ground.

Zhaosan, who had been swinging an iron hoe at the police, turned pale with fear.

The villagers didn't know the consequences of not supporting the elderly were so serious that they crowded around to watch—including Qin Feng’s parents.

Qin Feng's cousin's aunt was the first to hear about this. Feeling stifled in the packed crowd, she stepped out for some air and to discuss with others whether the police would arrest all of Zhao San’s brothers.

But before they could come to a conclusion, Qin Feng arrived.

His cousin's aunt asked Qin Feng: “So poisoning or starving your own parents to death counts as intentional murder?"

Qin Feng: “Everyone is equal, don't you think?”

"But that's their own parents," his cousin's aunt couldn’t understand.

A curious villager asked, "What about sons and daughters?"

Qin Feng nodded, “Everyone is equal. Beating one's child to death is also a crime.”

"It didn't used to be like this, right?"

Qin Feng responded, "The past you’re talking about was during the Republic of China, or even the late Qing Dynasty. But this is a socialist country."

The villagers thought back to the old days when they worked for big landlords, struggling to get a full meal even during the busy farming season. Now, they only needed to pay a small portion of grain to the state.

Even this change alone was something they couldn’t have imagined before.

Thinking about it, the villagers started to understand why the law now prohibited beating children or abandoning parents. Otherwise, how would it be different from the old society?

Qin Feng's cousin's aunt: “According to you, then the police will really take them away?” Then she thought about her own family's situation, “Xiao Feng, Old man Zhao's daughters won’t be taken away too, right?"

Qin Feng: “His daughters haven't asked for anything from their parents since they got married. The reason why Old man Zhao is starving and stumbling around is because his sons took everything from him. If his sons don’t want to take legal responsibility, they can return the house their father built for them. Old man Zhao can rent it out and use the money to buy food for himself."

His cousin's aunt nodded, “That's what I thought. I'm really afraid the married daughters would also be held responsible.”

Qin Feng could not help but look at her.

Feeling a little guilty but convinced she wasn’t wrong, his cousin's aunt said, “My brothers from my mother's family didn't treat my parents well either. They used to treat me badly. When your younger cousins were small, your granduncle and grandaunt were gone, I couldn't take care of them during the busy farming season, so I had to send them to my mother's family to help me for a few days, but they were all unwilling to do so. They even said, ‘So many kids coming over—how are we supposed to feed them?’ But it’s not like I didn’t give them rice and flour."

“In the end, it was your grandmother who couldn’t stand it anymore and took care of them. Even you and your--Qin Ying, the little ones from your great-grandfather and your second-great-grandfather's family's, together, were all locked up in the yard. Otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to watch over them all."

Qin Feng laughed, “You did the right thing. They should have thought of today when they were so biased.”

Several women who had suffered as much as Qin Feng's cousin's aunt in their mother's house could not help but breathe a long sigh of relief and coincidentally said, “That's good. It seems that this law is quite humane.”

Qin Feng shook his head, "According to the law, you still have to provide some financial support to your parents. After all, they gave birth to you and raised you. But the law is only the bottom line of morality. Like I just said, if they treated you poorly, you’re not obligated to take care of them—that’s a matter of morality. If morality and negotiation can’t solve it, then it has to go to court."

His aunt waved her hand, "Don’t throw all that legal talk at me—I don’t understand. Just tell me, if this really goes to court, will I be thrown in jail?"

Qin Feng shook his head.

His cousin's aunt immediately said, “That's good. Things will stay the same as before. Once they die, I’ll just go take a look.”

A woman asked curiously, “Do you have to pay for the burial?”

Qin Feng's cousin's aunt glared, "Wishful thinking! Whether they bury them or cremate them, I don’t care.  I'm telling you, you can't be soft-hearted. As long as you have a soft heart, just wait, you'll suffer.”

Qin Feng was surprised that this aunt, who was barely even considered close family anymore, was actually so clear-headed, “If you treat my cousins like your parents did to you, in the future, when you grow old, they will probably become what you are now.”

“I know. I'm not as biased as my parents.”

Qin Feng nodded, “It's good that you've thought it through.”

“Dad!” Miaomiao tugged at him.

Qin Feng's cousin’s aunt  asked, “Going to watch the fun? You can't get in. Your grandparents didn't even get in.”

“So many people?” The child gaped in shock.

Qin Feng took his little hand, “Then we're not going.”

Gu Wuyi added, "The police car is still over there. Sooner or later, they’ll come this way. We can just wait here."

The kid couldn't help but lean on his dad.

Qin Feng: “Tired?”

The kid nodded obediently as he was a bit tired from making popsicles for a long time with his brothers.

Qin Feng didn't want to hold him—it was too hot.

But when he thought about how he only knew how to play when he was this old, and how lazy he was when he was this old, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the little kid.

Qin Feng hesitated for a moment, turned around and squatted down, “Come up!”

The child was confused.

Gu Wuyi paused for a second before quickly reacting and lifting the child onto Qin Feng’s back.

Qin Feng straightened up with him on his back.

The child grabbed his neck as a reflex, realizing the novelty of being on his father's broad back.

Qin Feng's cousin’s aunt took a look at the child and said to him, “You really know how to love a child. He’s already so big."

"No matter how big, he’s still a child," Qin Feng replied with a carefree smile. "Qin Miaomiao, are you hot?"

Gu Xiao’er was the most impulsive and anxious, and was the first to ask the little one to scramble for his neck, “It's not hot! Don’t think about making me get down!"

“Don't move.” Qin Feng was caught off guard and nearly lost his grip.

The child obediently lay against his shoulder.

Aside from Miaomiao, the youngest, Fu Lingyun couldn't help but envy him.

Although he had a hard time as a teenager in his previous life, he had three older brothers who looked after him. When he died in his previous life, he was the same age as Qin Feng was now—twenty-eight—not exactly mature. Now, as a child again, he was treated like one, making his mindset a bit childish at times.

This wasn’t the cautious and restrained world of the political arena—it was just a village. Fu Lingyun forgot to hide his emotions and let his longing show on his face.

Qin Feng glanced down and immediately noticed the hopeful look in Fu Lingyun’s eyes. An idea formed in his mind.

After the police left, Qin Feng carried the child for about ten meters before setting him down.

Miaomiao was surprised. "We’re not home yet?"

"Was Dad’s back comfortable?"

The child nodded vigorously: “Comfortable.”

"Your brothers always share delicious food with you, shouldn't you also let your brothers experience what it’s like too?"

Miaomiao was reluctant, but then he remembered how his third and fourth brothers had let him sleep with them last night, how his second brother had bathed him, and how his eldest brother had made him cake. Feeling embarrassed, he didn’t insist on staying on his father’s back.

The four brothers thought they had misheard. "Dad, what did you just say?"

Qin Feng: “Do you want your old man to carry you for a while? I'll carry you now, but when I'm old, you'll carry me instead?”

That last sentence was mainly to keep them from feeling too embarrassed.

Sure enough, they hesitated, but after thinking it over, they found his reasoning quite convincing.

Gu Xiao’er eagerly cracked his knuckles, looking like he was ready for action.

Qin Feng chuckled and bent forward slightly.

Gu Xiao’er immediately jumped onto his back.

Qin Feng staggered forward.

Gu Wuyi quickly grabbed him and yelled, "Can’t you take it slow?!"

"Then should I get down?"

Qin Feng held him with one arm and gave him a smack on the backside with the other.

Gu Xiao'er’s face instantly turned bright red.

Miaomiao burst into gleeful laughter, clearly enjoying the scene.

Gu Xiao'er instinctively wanted to kick him.

Fu Qingyun smacked him on the leg. "Get down!"

Gu Xiao'er immediately behaved.

Qin Feng carried him for about ten meters before setting him down and switching to Gu Wuyi.

Then it was Fu Qingyun’s turn.

As soon as Fu Qingyun got onto his back, his whole body stiffened, not daring to move a muscle.

Qin Feng thought he was nervous. "Don’t worry, even if I can’t hold you, I’ll just fall forward."

Fu Qingyun wanted to explain but hesitated to say too much. He opened his mouth, and after a moment of struggle, managed to squeeze out a single word—"Dad…"

Qin Feng's steps faltered slightly, and he was deeply surprised.

At first, when the two Fu brothers wanted to follow him, Qin Feng had assumed they just needed someone reliable to take care of them. He never thought they saw him as a father. Since their household registration had been transferred under his name, they used to call him "Uncle Qin."

But one day, when he got off work early, he overheard Fu Qingyun chatting with Gu Wuyi: "When is Dad getting home? Should we wait for Dad?" Later, he heard him telling the neighbors, "My dad this, my dad that." That’s when Qin Feng realized the boy was just shy.

Fu Qingyun and Fu Lingyun have him in their hearts, and Qin Feng did not force them to do so, because the children are too pitiful - one is ten years old, the other is eight years old, and together, they just reached eighteen,yet they had already been abandoned twice.

Qin Feng had expected that they would call him "Dad" in front of others but be unable to say it to his face.

He never thought Fu Qingyun would actually say it.

Without showing any reaction, Qin Feng casually asked, "What’s wrong? Are you hot?"

"Hot" meant getting down.

Fu Qingyun didn’t want to get down. "Has Grandpa Zhou arrived yet? We have something to ask him."

Qin Feng had gone into the city earlier and then rested at home for half a day, so he wasn’t sure if his uncle had arrived.

"Probably not. If he had, my aunt would have mentioned it."

Fu Qingyun nodded his head.

Fu Qingyun tugged on his shirt.

“What?”

Fu Lingyun glanced at Qin Feng, saw that he didn't look back, and boldly said, “It's my turn.”

Qin Feng stopped.

Fu Qingyun didn’t have the heart to insist on staying on his back.

Qin Feng knows that this little rascal is the most envious, so he carries him all the way to the door of the house.

Miaomiao couldn't help but mutter, “Dad is biased, carrying Fourth Brother so far.”

Qin Feng put down Xiaosi, "If you say that, then we have to do some math. If you say so, then you and I have to do some math. Dad carried you without moving for a good ten minutes, right? How many ten-meter distances could I have walked in that time?"

【小四 (Xiǎo Sì) – "Xiaosi" a nickname or a name, literally meaning "Little Four"】

The little one had forgotten, but with that reminder, he immediately turned and ran inside, avoiding the question.

Qin Feng shook his head with a helpless smile.

Gu Wuyi remarked, "He's the cleverest one."

Gu Xiao’er added, "Only Dad can handle him."

"All of you, go inside," Qin Feng said, gently patting their little heads.

Fu Lingyun tugged on his brother’s hand and whispered, "I think I heard you call him ‘Dad’ earlier?"

"Don’t you want to?"

Fu Lingyun hesitated. "I don’t dare."

"Once you say it, you’ll realize it’s not that hard," Fu Qingyun assured him. "Dad won’t laugh at you. If you're afraid Big Brother and Second Brother will tease you, wait until Dad goes to his study to work. You can bring him water or fruit and call him then."

Fu Lingyun thought it was a good idea and nodded repeatedly.

Just then, his eyes suddenly lit up when he spotted a vehicle in the corner. He pointed it out to his brother.

Fu Qingyun knew that it belonged to Grandpa Zhou’s family's, and immediately pulled his brother to run in.

However, Grandpa Zhou is not at home. He was still at Old man Zhao’s place, watching the commotion and chatting idly with the others. 

Meanwhile, Qin Feng helped his mother mix two large basins of cold noodles made from hand-pulled wheat noodles. Then, he scooped out the broth from the boiled noodles and carried it to the main hall. Just as he finished, his father and uncle finally returned.

Madam Zhou, who had left early to cook for her grandchildren and missed the rest of the spectacle, immediately asked, "So how was it settled?"

Old Qin said, “Old Zhao's three sons will take care of him for four months each.”

Madam Zhou was doubtful. "Will they properly take care of him?"

Old Qin nodded, “They are more afraid of something happening to Old Zhao than anyone else. They are afraid of being accused of intentional murder.”

Madam Zhou sighed, “That's good. After this, no one in our village will dare to trample on their parents.”

Gu Wuyi: “No one will dare to beat their children or take out their anger on them.”

Uncle Zhou agreed: “That's right! Before the police left, they specifically said that this is considered abuse. People can report it to them.”

Gu Wuyi, unaware of what Qin Feng had done, simply remarked, “These two police officers are quite good.”

Qin Feng laughed: “The village people are peaceful, so the officers’ job is easy. Otherwise, who could stand working in this heat?"

Uncle Zhou thought about it carefully, and it was really true, “Worthy of being a public security police officer—they think ahead."

Qin Feng didn't know what to say, so he just buried his head and ate his noodles.

Madam Zhou took out a string of fresh garlic, kept one bulb for herself, and gave one each to her brother and husband. Then she asked Qin Feng if he wanted some.

Qin Feng couldn’t help but frown. His parents had this habit of eating garlic with their noodles—if there were no noodles, they wouldn’t even think of eating it. Every time, the whole house reeked of garlic inside and out.

Seeing his expression, Madam Zhou scolded, “Who did you learn this from? You don't even eat garlic.”

Qin Feng thought to himself, Sorry, it’s a habit from my past life.

Old Man Qin defended his son, "He never ate it since he was a kid. You know that. Why do you keep offering?" He then turned to his grandson. "Big boy, do you want some?"

Miaomiao reaches out, “I want it!”

Qin Feng’s brow twitched. He quickly said, "No! You’re not allowed to eat it!"

The child stopped. "Why not?"

Qin Feng explained, "First, because your dad doesn’t eat it. Second, monks don’t eat strong-smelling food. You used to be a little monk, and now you’re my son. Any objections?"

“Crooked reasoning.” The kid muttered and shrunk his little hand back.

Qin Feng was satisfied.

Madam Zhou, however, was not. "Eating garlic is good for your health!"

Qin Feng countered, "I’ve only ever heard that eating radishes in winter and ginger in summer so I don't need a doctor's prescription. I've never heard that eating garlic has these benefits.”

Madam Zhou opened her mouth but couldn't think of any specific health benefits of eating garlic. Frustrated, she simply said, "I can't be bothered to argue with you."

Before the garlic smell from Uncle Zhou's mouth could spread, Gu Wuyi quickly asked, "Is there anyone growing watermelons near your hometown?"

Uncle Zhou shook his head. "Why do you ask?"

Qin Feng: “I made a new friend named Lin Xiaobo. His family grows watermelons. I just want to find out where they live."

Gu Wuyi, worried that Qin Feng might overthink it, quickly added, "I'm just curious, not planning to go play with him."

Qin Feng chuckled. "Did I say anything?"

Gu Wuyi, pretending to be caught off guard, huffed and lowered his head to focus on eating.

Qin Feng said, "Now that you're on break, he's probably on break too. He should be coming around to sell watermelons in a few days."

Gu Wuyi deliberately replied, "Who cares if he comes or not?"

Qin Feng glanced at him—a kid saying one thing while meaning another.

Then, thinking about it further, he realized that Wuyi was finally willing to make friends instead of just thinking about making money all the time. It was a good sign—he was acting more like a child. So, he let it go and changed the topic.

"Uncle, has my cousin found a store yet?"

Uncle Zhou said, "I was just about to talk to you about that. Your cousin and his wife don't want to do it. The main reason is that we still owe money from buying the store. Their idea is to follow my trade and let their families open shops on their own."

Old Qin eagerly asked, "What did your wife say?"

Uncle Zhou said, "My wife feel that no matter how much money my daughters make with their skills in the future, they won’t be envious. But if they ever need to borrow money, they should sign an IOU. Since they put it this way, I can’t insist on giving them the money, can I? Otherwise, there would definitely be a fight."

Madam Zhou couldn't help but say, "Ask your daughters!"

Uncle Zhou answered honestly, "They said they’d discuss it and get back to me in a few days."

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