Shuzhen widened her eyes, not understanding why the more she stayed, the more her Second Sister-in-law would leave? Looking at those small steps, scurrying with a kind of nervous energy, as if a wolf were chasing her!
Although the term "naive" was unknown back then, Shouyi also felt that his little sister's silly and blank expression was quite endearing. He reached out and ruffled her hair twice, satisfied to see her looking at him like an angry cat, her eyes full of complaints about him ruining her hairstyle.
Shouyi let out a heartfelt laugh, feeling that this truly was his own sister, untouched by any swap, this feeling lingered in his heart.
The sensation was eerie, yet incredibly real, and it brought him a profound sense of reassurance.
After his thoughts, he quickly comforted Shuzhen warmly, "Alright, little sister, go on talking, don't worry about your Second Sister-in-law. She, apart from worrying about eavesdroppers, also knows she has an open personality. Afraid she won't keep a secret, she simply doesn't listen. For someone as clueless as her, not knowing means no burden."
But as these words came out, Shuzhen pursed her lips, and Shouren widened his eyes. The siblings were also unsure where Second Brother/Her Silly Brother got the confidence to call Sister-in-law/brother's wife clueless?
Clearly, he's more the type to solve problems with fists rather than waste words!
If it were someone else being scorned by both the big brother and little sister, they would be terribly embarrassed.
But who is Second Brother Liu?
The man, with his radish-like face neither blushing nor paling, didn't feel a shred of embarrassment, and even spread his hands to confidently retort, "I just don't have the patience for all that twisting and turning of the mind. Why trouble oneself when speaking with fists is quicker and more straightforward? When have I ever missed a beat when it comes to handling things!"
Alright, Shuzhen agreed with this point.
Second Brother may be rough, but he's never short on brains. His fiery temper and habit of using fists to express himself simply stem from impatience with trouble-making or scheming. In fact, pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger is his forte, and he fooled quite a few last life without them having any rightful means of revenge.
If it weren't for Wu Xia's unexpected treachery and her play of 'righteousness over family', along with the innumerable ancient books, artifacts, and gold pieces they were punished to copy, which left the two elder brothers unable to argue. Plus, their attempts to curry favor with Dai Weiguo and Bai Jing by adding insult to injury. Their Liu family would never have ended up so miserably.
To say nothing of today, if it weren't for Second Brother boosting morale during the day, big brother certainly wouldn't have divorced so easily.
Although it's said to mend rather than break off ties, as the younger siblings, their persuasion support of big brother's divorce was somewhat unkind. But considering Wu Xia's inherently wicked nature, with no potential for turning good, Shuzhen felt it was better to cut the gordian knot quickly! Even if big brother never marries again in life, at least it's better than being angered to an early death by that heartless woman.
"Little sister, what do you think about this?" Ignoring his silly brother's antics, Liu Shouren turned his inquisitive eyes onto their little sister. Seeing her face full of confusion, clearly just awakened from a deep thought. Brother Liu sighed helplessly, resigning to ask again, "I'm saying, the things father entrusted were to be relied upon for our Liu family to rise again. For safety and secrecy, even your Second Brother only knows about it, but not where the stuff is hidden.
I'm sure I never mentioned a word to Wu Xia about it.
However, in the past few years, her family did often hinting that a starved camel is still bigger than a horse, indirectly asking if our family had any old assets left. I never gave away a single word, but..."
"But considering you two were married for eight years, sharing a bed, how could there be no small leaks? Not to mention, since Wu Xia entered the door claiming to prepare for pregnancy and taking care of her body, she rarely worked in the field, and at home, you alone worked to support the family, yet you were still the top earner in the village, that's quite a giveaway!"
Concerning matters of life and death for the Liu family, Shuzhen left no room for luck for her big brother: "Better be safe than sorry, big brother. Even I've heard you drunkenly say that our Liu family's difficulties are temporary, and better days are ahead. How less would Wu Xia have heard similar talk? You can't place hope on the basis that Wu Xia is not that smart or cruel. After all, I was her sister-in-law for eight years, didn't I treat her decently in the past? And what did that lead to? Just for two hundred bucks, she sold me out without hesitation! Knowing I had thoughts of not living, she didn't even offer a word of comfort, and instead took the chance to steal the two hundred bucks from my pocket while I was muddled..."
That's why severe illness requires strong medicine!
Earlier Liu Shouren still held onto some hope, but now cold sweat broke out. Originally thinking his disguise as a poor farmer was so successful, only to realize from his little sister's words how full of flaws he was. Luckily, their old dad had foresight, building his and Second Brother's houses at the edge of the village. Usually, due to lack of common topics, they had limited interaction with villagers. Otherwise, they would have been like lice on a bald head—out in the open!
Better listen to little sister, find time to move the stuff to another location. If the wind stays calm, it's just a bit of extra work for the two brothers. But if she guessed right, their Liu family could avoid a calamity.
Related to the family's property, safety, social status, and even life, the Liu brothers dared not slack a bit.
Find time?
Seeing the big wave looming, about to flood the entire family, how could Shuzhen let the brothers move at a snail's pace to find the time! They needed to disarm this ticking time bomb as soon as possible, or it would be sleepless nights for sure.
Urged by the little sister, driven by the silly brother, Liu Shouren, already somewhat anxious, couldn't sit still any longer.
He quickly scarfed down the rice left in his bowl and set down the chopsticks, ready to head with his silly brother to where the things were concealed. But Shuzhen, fearing the night was not yet late and the people not yet calm, held them back, afraid of drawing attention from watchers. After all, today's events had them as the hot topic of gossip in the village. Who knew behind which fence a few curious and gossiping eyes lurked?
And besides, resting for a few hours now would help relieve much of her exhaustion. By then, neither brother would have an excuse to leave her behind! Although her brothers had good intentions, fearing the dark that she might get tired again. But such a monumental matter, how could Shuzhen be at ease not tagging along?