Then they associated that with what they had seen the other day. He had been in a brawl with several people. Something must have happened.
They arrived at a conclusion.
“When that old hag comes over again, we’ll just give her a knock on the head! She won’t get any money!” Ye Mo said viciously. He was livid.
Liu Duo didn’t want to discuss this anymore. It was almost time to make lunch, so she brought Ye Ling into the kitchen.
She said she wanted to make something nice for Liu Ran, and she was not about to go back on her word.
Outside, Grandmother Liu’s throat had become hoarse from all the scolding, but no one went out to speak with her. Her blood boiled.
Liu Quanyan stood up trembling, then went to help her up, “Mother, I don’t think they’ll give us money anytime soon, so let’s go back to check on Qing Er. We’ll let Quanfu come to get the money!”
He thought about Liu Quanfu and Liu Liushi, and the fact that they were Liu Duo’s parents. Surely, Liu Duo’s husbands wouldn’t be so hard on them! Grandmother Liu also agreed that was the only way, as she was lifted onto her feet with Liu Quanyan’s aid. They walked back home, speaking ill of the Ye family along the way.
Villagers passed by them and took note of Grandmother Liu’s nasty language. Some whispered to one another.
Liu Qing heard the door open and immediately asked, “Uncle, is that my father and grandmother? Get them to take me to the doctor, quickly! Any more delays and I fear I may be disabled!”
He didn’t want to be a cripple.
Liu Quanfu also heard the noise and went out to check. He found Liu Quanyan covered in bruises, while Grandmother Liu seemed to have a bruise on one side of her face.
“Mother, Brother Yan, Qing Er’s looking for you.” Seeing them like this, he guessed that, not only was Liu Duo reluctant to give them money, she had also given them a good beating.
Then he went back inside, not wanting to meddle in their business.
Liu Quanyan entered the house and went to check on his darling son. Grandmother Liu followed.
When he entered the room, Liu Liushi asked Liu Quanyan, “Is Mother back?”
“Yes,” he sat on the bed feebly.
“Then…”
Liu Liushi didn’t finish her question, but Liu Quanfu knew what she meant.
He shook his head and sighed, “Of course Duo Er wouldn’t pay up. And now Mother and Brother Yan seemed to have been punched in the face.”
Liu Liushi found the outcome perfectly predictable; although she hadn’t expected Liu Duo and the gang would beat them up.
Silence descended in the household as the two of them didn’t know what to say or think.
The door made a ‘Bang’ as Grandmother appeared behind it, “Go prepare lunch! I have things to sort out with you later!”
She rolled her eyes at them and went back to Liu Qing’s room.
Liu Liushi and Liu Quanfu exchanged glances. They said nothing and headed to the kitchen.
When they arrived, Liu Liushi couldn’t hold it anymore, “Quanfu, I think Mother wants us to go talk to Duo Er.”
She couldn’t think of any other matter the old woman would have to speak with them about.
She knew clearly what kind of person the grandmother was, and so did Liu Quanyan, who nodded, “I know.”
“We can’t go! Whatever she says, we can’t go! Alright?”
“Yes, I know.” Why would he go?
They couldn’t show their faces in front of Liu Duo and Liu Ran again, not to mention begging for money.
After lunch, Grandmother Liu spoke up, “Quanfu, you and your wife are to go to your wretched daughter’s place later, and get a hundred taels from them. You saw how serious Qing Er is right now. As his uncle and aunt, you cannot ignore this!”
The couple exchanged glances again and lowered their heads in silence.
