PCJ – Chapter 90 The answer to a mystery worth

“Your family can’t produce tofu, what does it have to do with my son? He’s never even been to your place. If something happens in the village, you blame it on him, then from now on, he’ll be falsely accused by you every day. You say it’s a curse he put on you that’s preventing you from making tofu, then present some evidence.” Zhang Youping loosened his grip on Zhang Enzhong and shouted loudly.

Even though it was late at night, the commotion was heard throughout the village, and people crawled out of their beds to see what was happening.

“You two, Youping, Enzhong, why are you making such a racket here so late at night? What’s going on?” Zhang Dechun shone his flashlight on Zhang Youping and Zhang Enzhong’s faces, forcing them to shield their eyes from the glaring light.

“You can speak first.” Zhang Youping said calmly.

Then Zhang Enzhong explained the recent incidents of not being able to make tofu, naturally blaming it on Zhang Jiaohua’s curse.

“Enzhong, I’m not blaming you. Why bother with a kid? Even if something happened, how can you blame Jiaohua for not being able to make tofu? He was busy helping the Qigao family build a bridge at that time. He didn’t chant any curses or draw any symbols. How could he curse you? It’s your fault for coming over and blaming Jiaohua. You owe Youping an apology.” Zhang Dechun said.

“Uncle Dechun, you should be fair in this matter. Jiaohua said during the day that our tofu wouldn’t turn out right, and that night a pot of tofu went bad. And tonight, another pot of tofu went bad. Who else could it be if not Jiaohua?” Zhang Enzhong said indignantly.

“Shut up and listen to me finish.” Zhang Dechun glared at Zhang Enzhong, “Since Jiaohua said it’s not his doing, then it’s definitely not. Why don’t you carefully ask Jiaohua whose business it is? If Jiaohua can see that your tofu went bad and it’s not because of him, then he should know what’s going on.”

“Then why didn’t he tell me?” Zhang Enzhong muttered.

“Should he tell you something that’s not his concern? You come over in the middle of the night causing a ruckus at someone else’s doorstep. If others don’t blame you, should they still remind you? You think Jiaohua would tell you? Let me tell you, you deserve not being able to make tofu. It’s not about owing you anything now, it’s about you begging others.” Zhang Dechun was also dissatisfied with Zhang Enzhong’s attitude.

Zhang Qigao also stepped forward, “Enzhong, yesterday Jiaohua helped our family with the bridge. You were causing trouble there during the day, and I didn’t even argue with you. Now you come to Youping’s house to cause trouble. Do you really think Meizi Village has no one who can deal with you?”

Zhang Shicai pointed at Zhang Enzhong and said, “How long has it been since the disaster? If it weren’t for Jiaohua, would the village have peaceful days? People should have some conscience, you can’t be so ungrateful!”

Liu Qiaoye stood behind the door and didn’t come out this time, feeling that Zhang Enzhong was being too unreasonable. It would be better if Zhang Youping gave him a beating to teach him a lesson and make him remember. Hearing everyone’s words, Liu Qiaoye’s eyes became moist. Despite everything her son had done, there were still people who remembered.

Liu Qiaoye entered Jiaohua’s room, gently pushed him and softly called out, “Jiaohua, Jiaohua.”

Zhang Jiaohua opened his eyes groggily, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Jiaohua, get up quickly. Uncle Enzhong is here again. You explain to him why they can’t make tofu at their home.” Liu Qiaoye picked Jiaohua up and helped him put on his clothes.

Zhang Jiaohua rubbed his eyes, walked outside, and found a crowd gathered in their yard.

“Jiaohua, come and tell him why their family can’t make tofu.” Zhang Dechun saw Zhang Jiaohua approaching and went over to him.

“He came to my house and disturbed our peace. Why should I tell him? This has nothing to do with me. Is it my fault he caused a disturbance?” Zhang Jiaohua sneered.

“If you dare not say it, then you must have something to hide. Our family has been making tofu for generations, and this has never happened before. If it’s not your doing, then what is it?” Zhang Enzhong rushed out and stood in front of Zhang Jiaohua, pointing his finger at him.

Zhang Youping immediately pushed aside the neighbors and rushed to Zhang Jiaohua’s side, protecting him, “Zhang Enzhong, I see you’re itching for trouble. If you dare to touch my son, I’ll see if I don’t beat you to death today.”

Zhang Enzhong was scared by Zhang Youping’s momentum and took a few steps back, “I’m just reasoning with him.”

“Zhang Enzhong, don’t try to twist my words. Let me tell you, if it weren’t for your father begging me when he was about to die, I wouldn’t bother with you. I don’t want to deal with your matters!” Zhang Dechun was also angry. Zhang Enzhong seemed unwilling to let the matter rest.

“Uncle Dechun, you see, even if I tell him the reason, he won’t appreciate it. One hundred yuan! Not a penny less. When the money is in my hand, I’ll tell him the reason. This one hundred yuan will count as his apology!” Zhang Jiaohua said and walked back into the house.

“A chip off the old block, this kid is growing up to be just like his father, always stirring up trouble.” Zhang Dechun sighed as he watched Zhang Jiaohua’s figure, feeling quite emotional.

“Uncle Dechun, what should we do now?” Zhang Enzhong, seeing Zhang Jiaohua go inside, immediately became anxious.

“You’re so capable, why don’t you solve it yourself? What else can we do now? Bring out the money, one hundred yuan. Otherwise, don’t bother making tofu.” Zhang Dechun looked at Zhang Enzhong with some disappointment. Though his words just now seemed to be on Zhang Youping’s side, in fact, he was helping Zhang Enzhong. But Zhang Enzhong couldn’t see it, only adding fuel to the fire. At this point, there was nothing more to say. In fact, at this point, Zhang Dechun also had some suspicions that Zhang Jiaohua had tampered with something.

Zhang Enzhong had no choice. He had to do business. Besides, he was unwilling to leave the matter unresolved. He went back and pulled out a hundred yuan from the cabinet. The money was wrapped in layers of plastic film, probably pressed with some heavy object, without a single crease.

A hundred yuan, Zhang Enzhong felt a pang in his heart, but he still gritted his teeth and handed it to Zhang Dechun, “Today, even if I have to empty my pockets, I’ll get to the bottom of this matter!”

Zhang Jiaohua took the hundred yuan, clapping it in his hand, making a clattering sound, and said with a smile, “Listen carefully. Your family’s tofu not turning out right really has nothing to do with me. If you want to blame someone, blame your wife for getting pregnant! She’s the reason! Who told her to carry a baby!”

After Zhang Jiaohua said this, most of the people in the village understood. There’s a saying in Meizi Village that pregnant women carry bad luck. Tofu-making is especially sensitive to bad luck. Because the baby has just been reborn into the world, it still carries yin energy. So in rural areas, many things, such as raising the roof beams or getting married, are taboo for pregnant women.