Chapter 247: Chapter 247: The Big Fool
247 The Big Fool
Zhou Hai said, "Sister, are you stupid? Once we get it, we’ll hurry to sell it. When they come looking, we’ll just deny everything. They won’t find any evidence. Who would believe a child’s words?"
Seeing Zhou Meiniang still hesitant, Zhou Hai added, "If you don’t help me get it, I’ll tell Brother-in-law that you went on several blind dates in the past!"
Zhou Meiniang’s voice turned shrill as she stared at Zhou Hai. "Are you insane?"
...
Meanwhile, Granny Zhou was trying to find an opportunity for her daughter and Sun Youcai to spend some time alone, so she told Sun Youcai not to work.
"Youcai, look at you. You just arrived at our home and you’re already working. That’s enough, stop it. You rarely get to visit. I’ll have Mei Niang take you for a stroll around the area."
With that, she went to call Zhou Meiniang.
Overhearing this, Zhou Meiniang composed her expression and approached with a smile.
Sun Youcai couldn’t object further, so Zhou Meiniang led him out of the house.
Sun Youcai naturally wanted to bring Zhao Zhitong along, but everyone else just saw Zhao Zhitong as a child who understood nothing and paid her no mind.
Zhou Hai, however, was fixated on the necklace around Zhao Zhitong’s neck and secretly followed them.
Sun Youcai and Zhou Meiniang chatted as they walked.
During their conversation, Zhou Meiniang’s gaze unintentionally fell upon the necklace around Zhao Zhitong’s neck. She hadn’t noticed it during her last visit to the Sun Family. It had to be said, the necklace was indeed a fine piece.
The necklace was silver, and suspended from it was a small, exquisite jade Longevity Lock. Both the necklace itself and the Longevity Lock were intricately carved.
In any case, in all her life, she had never seen such a beautiful necklace.
Her heart filled with envy; she wished she could own such beautiful jewelry too!
Once this thought took root, it began to grow wildly, making her heart ache with an intense, gnawing desire for it.
Just then, Sun Youcai pointed to a Thorn Apple Tree in the ditch beside the road. "This Thorn Apple Tree is growing so vigorously! Look at those fruits, they’re so delightful and bright red."
Zhou Meiniang smiled absently. "Yes, they are."
Zhao Zhitong, however, was captivated by the fruit tree. The fruits were bright red and looked plump and juicy; they seemed delicious.
Zhao Zhitong immediately tugged at Sun Youcai’s hand, cooing, "Younger Uncle, I want some!"
Sun Youcai readily agreed. "Alright, you wait here, and I’ll pick them for you. But I should warn you, they don’t taste very good."
Then he asked Zhou Meiniang, "Mei Niang, would you like some too?"
Zhou Meiniang glanced at the Thorn Apple Tree in the ditch. How unsightly, she thought with disdain, but her face lit up with a feigned joyful expression. "Oh, yes, please! I’ll love anything you pick."
Saying this, she took a silk handkerchief embroidered with her name from her sleeve and handed it to Sun Youcai. "Wrap them in this handkerchief after you pick them. It’ll be cleaner, otherwise the juice from the Thorn Apples will get on your hands."
Seeing the silk handkerchief embroidered with Zhou Meiniang’s name, the tips of Sun Youcai’s ears turned red. He took the handkerchief, smiled happily, and said, "Alright, you two wait here. I’ll pick the biggest ones for you."
With that, he swaggered down into the ditch.
Only Zhao Zhitong and Zhou Meiniang remained above. Zhao Zhitong’s attention was entirely focused on the Thorn Apple Tree below, and she didn’t notice Zhou Meiniang staring at her.
After a short while, Zhou Meiniang spoke first. "Tongtong," she asked, "did your parents buy you that necklace you’re wearing? It’s truly beautiful."
Seeing that Zhou Meiniang was willing to talk to her and try to please her, Zhao Zhitong, not being a petty child, answered her question. "No, an uncle of mine gave it to me."
She rarely wore it, but today, because they were going to the county town, she had suddenly remembered it and put it on.
"Oh," Zhou Meiniang said, her mind racing. She then feigned concern. "This necklace is quite valuable, isn’t it? Be careful not to lose it while we’re walking. How about I, your big sister, hold onto it for you for now? I’ll give it back to you when we get home."
Children are forgetful, Zhou Meiniang schemed, and easily distracted by other things. By the time we get home, Zhao Zhitong will surely have forgotten all about asking for the necklace.
And then, once that wretched girl is back home, this necklace will be mine!
However, Zhao Zhitong didn’t fall for it. She shook her head and said, "No need. It’s hanging around my neck, so it won’t get lost."
Seeing her plan fail, Zhou Meiniang felt a surge of hidden resentment and started racking her brain for another way.
At that moment, Zhou Hai, who had been following them, grew impatient seeing that his sister still hadn’t succeeded.
He then rushed out.
Zhou Meiniang was startled by Zhou Hai’s sudden appearance. "What are you doing here?"
Zhou Hai ignored Zhou Meiniang and addressed Zhao Zhitong directly in a coaxing tone, "Little girl, look what Big Brother has in his hand."
Zhao Zhitong looked where the voice came from and saw a few pieces of candy lying in his hand. She blinked, then looked at Zhou Hai as if he were an idiot. "It’s candy," she stated.
He doesn’t even know that, and he has to ask me?
Seeing the little girl’s reaction, Zhou Hai frowned. Don’t all children love candy? Don’t they usually freeze up when they see it?
How is this wretched girl different from others!
Zhao Zhitong stared at Zhou Hai and Zhou Meiniang with wide, round eyes. What are they trying to do? Are they trying to bribe me into saying good things about them to Younger Uncle?
It wasn’t until Zhou Hai said he wanted to trade the candy for her necklace that Zhao Zhitong finally realized—they wanted her necklace!
Then, pointing her little finger at Zhou Hai, she said in her childish voice, "Wow, are you trying to trick a three-year-old? This necklace of mine could buy a whole pile of candy, okay!"
"Humph! Big fool, I’m not a three-year-old anymore, I’m a seven-year-old! You can’t fool me," she added, her little face beaming with pride.
The ’big fool’ Zhou Hai’s face turned green with frustration. He decided to just take it, lunging forward, grabbing Zhao Zhitong by the collar, and yanking her up.
"You wretched girl, you dare call me a fool? Watch how I teach you a lesson!"
He reached for the necklace around Zhao Zhitong’s neck. Zhao Zhitong clutched it with both hands and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Sun Youcai, who was just about to climb out, was startled by Zhao Zhitong’s screams. He didn’t even want the Thorn Apples in his hand anymore, tossing them to the ground as he scrambled up.
When Zhao Zhitong screamed, Zhou Meiniang knew Sun Youcai would be coming up. So, precisely as Sun Youcai climbed out, she feigned a fall, collapsing to the ground.
Consequently, the moment Sun Youcai scrambled out of the ditch, he saw a shocking scene. Zhou Hai was yanking Zhao Zhitong by the collar, his hand reaching toward her neck, while Zhou Meiniang lay fallen to one side.
Sun Youcai’s face turned livid. Without a second thought, he charged forward and punched Zhou Hai squarely in the face.
"You bastard! What are you doing?"
Caught off guard, Zhou Hai staggered back several steps. He missed his footing and tumbled straight into the ditch on the other side.
Zhao Zhitong wailed, and Sun Youcai quickly gathered her into his arms, comforting her.
The image of Zhou Hai’s earlier actions flashed through Sun Youcai’s mind, and waves of fury surged through him. "Damn it, Zhou Hai!" he roared. "You must have a death wish, daring to touch my niece!"
This was the first time Zhou Meiniang had ever seen Sun Youcai so furious; her heart trembled. She managed to squeeze out a few tears and sobbed, "Brother Sun, please don’t be angry. This is all my fault."