Chapter 82
Chapter 82: Chapter 82 Calculations Begin – 1
Chapter 82: Chapter 82 Calculations Begin – 1
Actually, Zhao Quan’s friend, the merchant family’s illegitimate son and Zhao Quan’s fair-weather friend, who ended up penniless due to his stepmother’s harsh restrictions, heard about the constable positions at the Government Office from conversations between his father and stepmother and hatched a plan to swindle Zhao Quan’s Silver. As long as he got the silver in hand, whether or not the plan would succeed was none of his concern; after all, he had put in the effort. As for friendship, who cares? What could be more solid than silver? Besides, Zhao Quan was just a country bumpkin; deceiving him wouldn’t cause any trouble.
Zhao Quan was completely unaware of his friend’s intentions, only thinking that once the silver was delivered, he would be a government officer himself. Then, even Zhao Xinglin wouldn’t be able to act superior in front of him, and the villagers would all have to treat him with respect. If anyone dared to offend him, he could just lock them up in jail. Reveling in these thoughts, he became increasingly smug. He strutted not only in front of the villagers but also at home, flaunting his authority, much to the dissatisfaction of his brothers and sisters-in-law, who didn’t dare to criticize him to his face but often mocked him behind his back.
“Pah, acting all high and mighty as if he were some big-shot government officer, as if he accomplished something grand. We all had to chip in for that position, and I got an earful from my sister-in-law back at my parents’ house for trying to borrow money. He doesn’t even show any gratitude towards us; instead, he just shows off, feeling proud for no reason!”
Li Xiaomei was always the type to stir up trouble and, backed by the Wei Family, she couldn’t stand seeing Jin Family’s wife walking tall ever since Zhao Quan obtained a good position, acting superior in front of the other sisters-in-law as if she were better than everyone else. Li Xiaomei felt so annoyed that she wished it had been her own husband who had gotten the position.
“You women are always so petty. Can’t you hold your tongue for once? No matter what, the third brother is still our own flesh and blood, different from those two,” Zhao Cheng remarked pointedly, glancing in a certain direction. Despite feeling some sourness and envy over his brother’s new position, he still spoke up for Zhao Quan, as they were brothers born of the same mother.
“Having the third brother in that position will make things much easier for us. We’ll have to rely on him to look after us from now on. Be more courteous to your sister-in-law and tone down your sharp tongue. Don’t act snooty or you’ll offend people,” Zhao Cheng warned his wife, knowing her temperament all too well and not trusting her to keep her composure.
Li Xiaomei could not stand being criticized by her husband and exploded like a firecracker, pinching Zhao Cheng’s ear, “Oh, Zhao Cheng, I didn’t see it before but you really disdain me. Who was it that said I was gentle, beautiful, and understanding when I first married into the family, promising to treat me well for life? It’s only been a few years, and you’ve already changed your heart, accusing me of being mean and sour. Say it! Do you have someone else outside? You heartless man, I’m done with this!”
“Ouch, ouch, be gentle, my ear’s about to come off,” Zhao Cheng protested while guarding his ear, feeling helpless at Li Xiaomei’s tendency to overreact. He had only spoken a few words of the truth, so how did it turn into such a scene? With a tigress like her at home, he wouldn’t dare to fool around outside; if the tigress ever found out, she would eat him alive.
Remembering what Li Xiaomei had been like when she had first married him, Zhao Cheng felt an inexplicable sadness. At that time, as a newlywed bride, Li Xiaomei was indeed gentle, beautiful, and understanding. He was overjoyed to have such a wife, wishing he could serve her all day long. But slowly, she changed, becoming the person she was now. It’s no wonder people say women become like dead fish after marriage, losing their former charm; even the good things become things of the past.