RYEY – Chapter 190 They Hate You to the Bone

As soon as they saw Li Huan, the couple spoke at the same time: “Huanzai, wait a moment, we have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“The doctor said this child’s leg can’t be healed. He’ll definitely be crippled in the future. We can’t raise a disabled child.”

“So what do you mean?”

“Whoever wants to raise him can take him. Also, we’ve spent over ten yuan on his medical treatment, that money has to be reimbursed.”

“From who? Don’t tell me you expect me to pay you back?”

Li Huan narrowed his eyes. Chen Tiezhu panicked inside—what a joke, did he want to lose his kitchen privileges at home? He quickly shook his head.

“If you don’t want to raise this child, I’ll ask around the village to see who’s willing. Anyway, his father left him a house.”

“Huanzai, what do you mean? If we don’t raise this child, we can’t get the house either? Then what about the ten-plus yuan we’ve already spent?”

“You were the ones who happily agreed to take in this child in the first place. Now it’s too late to regret it. I’ll give you two days: if you want the house, then you raise the child. If not, return the land deed to me.”

Li Huan rode away on his bicycle. Who would want to waste words with such a black-hearted couple on a freezing day? They wanted both the house and the land, but not the child—what nonsense.

“Let’s go home.”

Chen Tiezhu looked at the child in his wife’s arms with disgust and headed back. By now, Chen Dazhu’s house had been renovated, and his wife and son had already moved in.

But he still lived in the old house, and he wasn’t about to leave it unless his father gave him money. Otherwise, once he left, that house would be gone for sure.

But what about this child? Were they really supposed to raise him? Looking at how much he resembled little Xu Laidi, Chen Tiezhu felt utterly repulsed.

Juhua, seeing her man walking back to the old house without even looking back, resigned herself and carried the child home. She tossed him casually into a bamboo basket in the living room and went to the kitchen to cook.

Her son, Chen Niqiu, bounced in happily. At a glance, he saw a little child lying in the basket.

“Little brother, are you okay? I’m your big brother Niqiu!”

The little boy stared at the unfamiliar face. He had stayed in the hospital for two months—he had survived, but his leg, which had been twisted and broken, would never recover.

The adults all knew he was ruined—at best, he’d be lame for life. But children didn’t understand such things. Seeing a bigger child come to play, he happily babbled “oh ah oh ah.”

“Mom, mom! My little brother says he’s hungry. Shouldn’t we give him something to eat?”

Hearing the words little brother, Juhua immediately thought of her own unborn child. She slapped Niqiu and scolded fiercely: “You little brat, who said he’s your brother? He’s a cripple, a cursed bastard!”

Niqiu rubbed his aching head, dazed. Everyone in the village said he had a new little brother, so why wouldn’t his mother admit it?

He wasn’t that little anymore—at seven or eight, he could already cut pig grass and gather firewood. Pulling his cotton-padded coat tight, he went out to play. After all, village kids didn’t just sit idle all winter.

But when he reached Goudan’s house, he found the door locked. Then he remembered Goudan had gone with his grandma to Uncle Huanzai’s place.

He wanted to go too. Goushan had said Aunt Cheng Qiao was generous—she always gave them candy when they visited. The candies were so pretty, in all kinds of colors. He wanted to taste them.

Thinking this, he first knocked on Goushan’s door. His mother looked displeased, but Goushan came bouncing out.

“Niqiu, where are you taking Goushan to play?” she asked, holding onto her son tightly.

Niqiu, not noticing her sour face, grinned and said he was going to Goudan’s house.

Hearing that, Goushan’s mother finally let go. “Don’t stay too long, and behave yourself at their place,” she warned.

The two boys happily ran off to Li Huan’s house, where Goudan was sitting in the hall reading with Ye Jun.

“Goudan, Goudan…”

Niqiu whispered from the doorway. Ye Jun glanced over, smiled, closed his book, and told Goudan he could go play, but not too far.

Seeing his friends, Goudan happily came out, and the three of them ran off hand in hand. But when Goudan came back, his expression wasn’t good.

“Goudan, what’s wrong?”

“Mom, just now Niqiu told me he saw Xu Laidi sneaking toward our house. He wanted to follow him, but Aunt Zhaodi called him away.”

Cheng Qiao’s heart stirred. Niqiu was just a child—of course he’d be curious seeing Xu Laidi sneaking around. But why did Zhaodi call him away? Was it intentional, or just coincidence?

Unfortunately, it was winter. Zhaodi rarely went out, and even if she did, it wasn’t so easy to bump into her. Cheng Qiao tucked the matter away in her heart.

Besides, most villagers were off repairing the river channel. After grain distribution, families with able-bodied men always signed up—it was the last bit of income before the New Year, and no one wanted to miss it.

Just then, Cuihua arrived with Chen Damao, both carrying big bags and bundles, making Cheng Qiao’s eyelids twitch. Were they moving their whole house over?

“Cheng Qiao, these are clothes Damao and Ermao wore when they were little. I picked the good ones, washed them clean. They’ll fit little Cheng Li. And these are Xiao Niu’s old clothes—if you have a daughter someday, they’ll be useful.”

The clothes were faded and patched, but clean. Cheng Qiao happily accepted them. Li Le was clever enough to bring out two cups of brown sugar water for Cuihua and Damao.

“Aiyo, Lele, you silly girl. Plain boiled water is fine—why waste sugar like this?” Cuihua scolded, but quickly took a sip. So sweet, sweet right down to her heart.

“Cheng Qiao, didn’t I always tell you? Don’t be fooled by Huanzai’s ruffian look. He’s actually a good man. Auntie was right, wasn’t she?”

“Mm, you’re right, Auntie. When will Damao report to school?”

“Right after the eighth day of the New Year. I came today to ask what things he’ll need to bring.”

“He’ll need bedding, a hot water bottle, a mug, a lunchbox, and changes of clothes. Books and notebooks get used up quickly, so bring plenty. Shoes, socks, hats, gloves, and scarves too.”

“And money? How much should he bring?”

“Worker-Peasant-Soldier universities don’t charge tuition. They even give ten yuan per month as living allowance. So no need to bring much money or ration tickets—if they’re lost, it’d be a real pity.”

“Ah, I see. Then I’m relieved. Damao, thank your Sister Cheng Qiao.”

Damao lowered his head, embarrassed. Though a year younger than Li Huan, he was a year older than Cheng Qiao. How could he call her sister? Better to call her sister-in-law.

“Sister-in-law, you should be careful of my uncle and aunt. They hate you to the bone.”