Chapter 12  

Madam Li put the cloth back on. People would pass by the house occasionally. If anyone saw the watermelon, it would cause an uproar.

After covering it with the cloth, she asked carefully, “Qingzhi, who gave you the big watermelon?”

Chu Qingzhi pointed at the room. “Let’s talk inside.”

Everyone followed Chu Qingzhi into the house.

Madam Li placed the basket on the table, removed the cloth, and took out the watermelon. Then, she heard the sound of metal colliding. She quickly looked at the bottom of the basket and saw two silver ingots.

She rubbed her eyes. Was she hallucinating? How could there be silver ingots?

She looked into the basket again and saw that there were really silver ingots.

She took out the silver ingots and placed them on the table with a crisp sound.

Everyone looked over and were stunned again.

Silver ingots were worth fifty taels each.

Chu Qingzhi went to the kitchen and took out the kitchen knife. There were a total of thirteen people in the house. She held the kitchen knife and quickly slashed at it a few times. Then, the watermelon was sliced into exactly thirteen pieces. “One for each of you. Take it.”

The Chu family widened their eyes.

Seeing that no one was moving, Chu Qingzhi took the initiative to put the watermelon in everyone’s hands and explained the origin of the watermelon and silver ingots.

After everyone heard this, they looked at Chu Qingzhi as if she was a fairy. Their eyes were filled with surprise, joy, and disbelief.

The eyes of the younger ones were filled with admiration. Chu Tai held his chest. He was too shocked and could not breathe. “Qingzhi, you know medicine?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded and said honestly, “Yes, and my medical skills are not bad.”

Everyone looked at each other and did not know what to say.

After a while, Madam Li seemed to have thought of something and asked, “Qingzhi, did you just say that you treated the eldest daughter of the Xu family?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Yes.”

Madam Li took two deep breaths. This was too much of a shock for her. “There’s only one family in the county with the surname Xu. They’re the richest people in the county. I didn’t expect you to save their daughter.”

Chu Qingzhi was surprised. “The Xu family is the richest?”

Madam Li nodded. “That’s right. I heard that the Xu family even opened shops in the capital and is very, very rich.”

Hearing this, Chu Qingzhi suddenly had an idea, but now was not the time.

She said, “Everyone, eat the watermelon to stay cool. Let’s talk as we eat.”

Chu Tai looked at Chu Qingzhi amiably. Their family had brought back a lucky star.

Everyone picked up the watermelon and nibbled on it carefully.

In the past, they did not even dare to think about eating a watermelon.

…

After everyone finished eating the watermelon, they suddenly heard a commotion, accompanied by cries. In this hot weather, it was annoying.

The commotion came from their neighbor. Madam Li quickly walked out, and the others followed behind her. “You good-for-nothing, get lost!” Zhao Xiuhua cursed as she pushed her daugher-in-law out of the courtyard.

Madam Li went forward to support Fu Haiyan. “Child, are you alright?”

Fu Haiyan shook her head with silent tears streaming down her face. “Auntie, I’m fine.”

Fu Haiyan was Zhao Xiuhua’s daughter-in-law. After marrying into the Zhou family for two years and not having any children, Fu Haiyan was scolded by Zhao Xiuhua every day. Later, she was even beaten.

Zhao Xiuhua’s son, Zhou Qingzhong, watched coldly, as if it was not his wife who was beaten and scolded.

Zhao Xiuhua said to Madam Li, “Qingyu, ignore that woman. It’s been two years, but she still can’t give birth. Does she want our family to have no descendants?”

Madam Li’s full name was Li Qingyu. It was a beautiful name.

Li Qingyu took the fan from her daughter’s hand and fanned Fu Haiyan. “You’re always forcing her. She’s under a lot of pressure. She can’t give birth even if she wants to.”

“Qing Yu, don’t speak up for a hen that doesn’t lay eggs. There’s something wrong with her.”

Zhao Xiuhua pointed at Fu Haiyan and cursed, “Back then, I said that I would give you another year. If you still can’t give birth, I’ll kick you out. Now that the deadline is up, get lost.”

Fu Haiyan broke down and hugged Li Qingyu, crying.

Li Qingyu patted Fu Haiyan’s back. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll persuade your mother-in-law.”

She looked at Zhao Xiuhua. “Haiyan has been married to your son for two years. If she’s divorced, how will she live in the future?”

Zhao Xiuhua’s face was filled with disgust and heartlessness. “Who cares? Even if she’s dead, it has nothing to do with me.”

Chu Qingzhi really couldn’t stand it anymore. She hated it when girls were bullied, so she said, “Hey, you. Your mother hit and scolded your wife. Are you just going to stand there like a fool?”

A crisp voice sounded in everyone’s ears. It was as if a cool breeze had blown over in this hot weather, immediately attracting everyone’s attention.

Zhou Qingzhong did not realize that Chu Qingzhi was talking to him. He stood there with his head lowered like a log.

Chu First shouted, “Zhou Qingzhong, my sister is talking to you!”

Only then did Zhou Qingzhong raise his head and look at Chu Qingzhi with an unfriendly gaze. “What does my mother hitting and scolding my wife have to do with you?”

Chu Qingzhi said sarcastically, “It’s none of my business, but I feel that you’re a coward, so I can’t help but want to fight injustice.”