Chapter 223 - Chapter 223: How Smart!
Chapter 223: How Smart!
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
‘You’re harming him by defending him like this!” Shen Dashan was so angry that his face turned red. He growled angrily, “No matter what reason Shen
Zhang has, it will never be an excuse for him to enter and leave the brothel!”
After Shen Dashan retrieved the rattan, he looked coldly at Shen Zhang, who was kneeling in the middle of the central room. His usually gentle eyes were filled with sharpness. “Give me your hand!”
Second Brother Shen, who was kneeling on the ground, silently opened his palm.
The moment the rattan landed on his palm, it made a dull sound.
The onlookers could not bear to look at it.
One hit after another, Shen Zhang’s palm was swollen to the point where it was unbearable to look at.
Shen Zhang furrowed his brows tightly as tears welled up in his eyes.
“Father, stop!” Second Sister-in-law Shen hurriedly hugged Second Brother Shen, her heart aching.
‘Second Brother is a craftsman. In the future, he will rely on his hands to earn money. If you really hit his hands and cause any harm…” Zhao Lanhua hurriedly grabbed Shen Dashan’s arm and pulled out the long rattan from his hand.
“Father, Mother.” With Second Sister-in-law Shen’s help, Second Brother Shen slowly stood up. “It’s a fact that I entered the Wind and Moon Restaurant, so I accept my punishment.
‘Qingqing.” Second Brother Shen thought for a moment and turned to look at Second Sister-in-law Shen beside him. He explained gently, “I’ve never done anything to let you down.”
‘Shen Zhang, I believe you!”
Second Brother Shen smiled gratefully and began to tell the whole story.
‘When Master brought me to work at Minister Wu’s house in Thunder Mountain County, I happened to meet a big brother named Wu Gang. Brother
Wu’s hands are very good. He’s best at carving. The furniture he carved has exquisite patterns and novel designs.”
‘More importantly, this Brother Wu is very enthusiastic and takes good care of us juniors. He taught me a lot. There was even a time when I damaged a rosewood. It was only because Brother Wu helped to carve an exquisite pattern on it that I was saved.”
‘Later on, after chatting with Brother Wu, I found out that he already had a sweetheart. His sweetheart was his fellow countryman, Miss Fengdie, who was forced to enter Wind and Moon Restaurant. They had already agreed that after saving up enough money to redeem buy her freedom, he would help Miss
Fengdie redeem herself and then return to their hometown to live together.”
‘But Brother Wu passed away unexpectedly.. The coroner’s conclusion was that he was drunk and accidentally fell into the moat and drowned.”
At the mention of this matter, Shen Zhang’s heart was filled with grief.
“When I was helping Brother Wu pack up his belongings, I happened to see some things he wanted to transfer to Miss Fengdie. That’s why I went to the Wind and Moon Restaurant to see Miss Fengdie.”
‘But that day, Miss Fengdie was especially flustered. She stuffed a bag into my arms without any explanation and then got someone to chase me out.” Shen Zhang frowned and said in a low voice, “I keep feeling that this matter is strange. I originally wanted to ask Miss Fengdie about it, but Miss Fengdie entrusted a beggar to send me a letter. In the letter, she asked me to take good care of that bag and instructed me not to step foot in the Wind and Moon Restaurant again.’
“What about the things Miss Fengdie entrusted to you?
“I lost it.” Shen Zhang pinched the space between his brows in frustration, “Father, do you still remember how you, Big Brother, and Third Sister-in-law picked me up before the new year? At that time, I accidentally fell into a deep pit. If it wasn’t for you guys arriving in time, I’m afraid I would’ve already been dead. The thing that Miss Fengdie gave me also fell into that deep pit.”
Second Brother Shen said apologetically, “Father, Mother, I didn’t expect the brothel madam of the Wind and Moon Restaurant to come knocking on our door. I’m sorry.”
‘This matter seems to be strange in every way?” Ji Zhao, who had been sitting at the side and listening, couldn’t help but frown and say, “Second Brother, doesn’t that Big Brother Wu know how to swim?
“I’ve mentioned it for Brother Wu before. When he was young, he lived by a small stream. He had learned how to swim at a very young age.” Shen Zhang shook his head helplessly, “But the county office concluded that he drowned.”
‘Then Second Brother, do you remember what’s in the bag that Miss Fengdie gave you?” Shen Yao also realized that this matter was extraordinary and asked curiously.
‘There’s nothing special about it, but there’s a very old booklet.” Shen Zhang thought for a moment before shaking his head, “I can’t really remember.” ‘IIS there any gold, silver, or jewelry in that bag?”
‘That’s strange.” Ji Zhao subconsciously looked at Shen Yao beside her and frowned. “Just now, the brothel madam kept saying that Second Brother cheated Miss Fengdie of her money. What exactly is going on?
‘No matter what the cause and effect of this matter is, I’ll give you two days to resolve it.” Shen Dashan’s face was tense as he said in a deep voice.
‘Okay.” Second Brother Shen immediately nodded.
It was really displeasing to encounter such a farce on the first day of the Lunar New Year;
However, after Ji Zhao made a sumptuous breakfast, the atmosphere clearly eased up.
“Father, try this chicken soup. It’s been stewed for several hours.” Ji Zhao scooped a large bowl of chicken soup with a smile and brought it to Shen Dashan, who was frowning and not saying a word. “And this puffed rice is very crispy. It’ll taste better if you soak it in chicken soup! Try it?”
Although Shen Dashan was not in a good mood, his mood improved when he saw the smile on Ji Zhao’s face. “Okay, I’ll try it.’
‘There’s also this winter bamboo shoot shrimp dumpling. You have to try it too.” Ji Zhao smiled and said, “This winter bamboo shoot shrimp dumpling is amazing. Every one of them are full of good ingredients!”
With Ji Zhao, the atmosphere had obviously eased up a lot.
After a warm and happy breakfast, Ji Zhao returned to her room and prepared to change into the pair of sheepskin boots that Zhao Lanhua had made for her a few days ago.
‘Ah Tao, I’ll go with you.” Shen Yao pushed open the door and walked to her side with a smile. His gentle tone was firm.
‘How did you know I was going out?” Hearing his voice, Ji Zhao looked up curiously. Her bright almond-shaped eyes flickered with a smile. She was extremely cute.
Shen Yao smiled faintly and did not say anything. Suddenly, he leaned close to her face.
Ji Zhao felt nervous for no reason. She did not dare to look into his affectionate eyes again. “You… What are you doing?
‘Ah Tao and I are connected.” Shen Yao suddenly leaned close to her ear and exhaled. “That’s why I can guess what Ah Tao is thinking.”
‘What a glib tongue…” Ji Zhao chuckled and muttered.
“Isn’t it true?” Shen Yao naturally held her hand, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
‘Since you’re so smart, why don’t you guess where I’m going?” Ji Zhao couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows, her tone carrying a hint of cuteness.
‘The deep pit that almost took Second Brother’s life.”
‘You’re so smart!” Ji Zhao couldn’t help but pinch his cheek and praise him with a smile..