PCJ – Chapter 99 Mission Failure

Liu Biao and Zhang Jiaohua’s conversation was clearly overheard by Zhao Lanying. To get the Harmony Talisman, Liu Biao needed to accomplish two tasks: obtaining a strand of Zhao Lanying’s hair and finding out her birthdate and time.

The birthdate and time were easy to get since, when Liu Biao and Zhao Lanying got married, their birthdates had to be matched by a local fortune teller. If the birthdates didn’t match, it meant the marriage wouldn’t proceed. Once the birthdates matched, the marriage arrangements would begin. 

In the 1980s, although arranged marriages were transitioning to free-choice marriages, traditional matchmaking still played a significant role. Birthdates, family status, and other factors were carefully considered to ensure a stable family.

When the matchmaker paired Liu Biao and Zhao Lanying, their birthdates were given to each other’s families for verification. Thus, Liu Biao already knew Zhao Lanying’s birthdate and time. So, his task was half complete; he just needed to get a strand of her hair.

Liu Biao entered the room and grinned at his wife.

“Get out. I don’t want to see you,” Zhao Lanying said irritably, though she secretly hoped he wouldn’t leave and come back.

“Wife, are you still mad? I admit I was harsh yesterday, but I was really worried. Those guys are no good; I couldn’t let them take advantage of you,” Liu Biao said with a smile, moving closer.

Zhao Lanying turned her back to Liu Biao, fearing her resolve might weaken.

Seeing his wife turn away, Liu Biao saw an opportunity and reached out to pull a hair from her head, but she moved just in time.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. I’ll tell Jiaohua not to make the Harmony Talisman to prevent it from being misused,” Zhao Lanying said, annoyed that Liu Biao preferred a talisman over a heartfelt apology.

“I’m not a bad person. Telling Jiaohua won’t help. I’m his uncle. Ask him how many candies I’ve bought him. He’ll definitely side with me,” Liu Biao boasted.

“Then I’ll tell my sister,” Zhao Lanying decided, determined to teach him a lesson.

Zhao Lanying quickly left, and Liu Biao, unwilling to give up, chased after her.

“Sister, come see what Liu Biao is doing!” Zhao Lanying called out to Liu Qiaoye in the kitchen.

“Sister, don’t listen to Lanying. I was just joking with her,” Liu Biao, slightly afraid of his sister, tried to explain.

“I can judge for myself. Jiaohua just got home, and someone immediately tried to bribe him into making a Harmony Talisman. Fortunately, I overheard and caught him trying to pull my hair,” Zhao Lanying complained.

Upon hearing about the Harmony Talisman, Liu Qiaoye became displeased. The talisman had a bad reputation due to stories of evil Taoists using it to deceive people. Liu Qiaoye glared at Liu Biao.

“Sister, I was just joking with Jiaohua, not seriously asking for the talisman,” Liu Biao said, panicking at his sister’s anger.

Seeing her husband in trouble, Zhao Lanying felt a sense of satisfaction.

“Jiaohua!” Liu Qiaoye called out angrily, fearing her son might misuse his skills and get into trouble. She needed to nip this in the bud.

Zhang Jiaohua, unaware of the escalating situation at home, ran over at his mother’s call.

Liu Xi was still petting Zuan Sanbao’s head. Thanks to Zhang Jiaohua’s training, sanbao was behaving. But once Zhang Jiaohua left, Sanbao ran over to him.

“Mom, what’s up?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, sensing the tense atmosphere and fearing he was about to get scolded.

Sure enough, Liu Qiaoye grabbed his ear and dragged him to the main hall.

In the main hall, the family altar had four large characters: “Ancestral Virtue Flows.” The altar had three tiers: ancestors on top, the god of wealth in the middle, and the earth god below.

“Kneel before the ancestors!” Liu Qiaoye commanded sternly.

“Mom, what did I do wrong? Why are you making me kneel here?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, feeling wronged.

“Sister, it’s not Jiaohua’s fault. Why are you doing this?” Liu Biao regretted involving Jiaohua in his plan.

Even Zhao Lanying felt remorseful, not wanting Jiaohua to get punished.

“Don’t stop me. Jiaohua needs to learn right from wrong. The Harmony Talisman is not something to be taken lightly. If I don’t teach him a lesson, it might be too late when he does something wrong,” Liu Qiaoye said, worried but thankful she could prevent any future missteps.

Though he didn’t understand why he had to kneel, Zhang Jiaohua knelt before the altar.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” Liu Qiaoye asked, pulling out a rounded bamboo stick, about the thickness of a finger. Despite its size, it was painful to be hit with it. Zhang Jiaohua shivered at the sight.

“Sister, just explain the seriousness to him. Why hit him? This is my fault. Punish me,” Liu Biao stood in front of Zhang Jiaohua, trying to protect him.