"I… I'm her mother! Why can't I come here! I'm just here to see my daughter!" Old Madam Li explained nervously.
"Even if the emperor is here, he has to show a pass! If you don't have a pass, you can't stay in our village tonight! Leave quickly!" Zhao Liang said.
"I'm just staying for one night! Look, it's already dark outside! If I walk back again, the two children won't be able to take it! Please be kind and let us off!" Old Madam Li used her thick skin again and knelt on the ground to kowtow to Zhao Liang non-stop.
Zhao Liang did not fall for it. He pointed at Old Madam Li and said, "What if something goes missing in the village? Our village has a lot of valuable things! If anything goes missing, it's all on you! What do you think!"
When Old Madam Li heard this, she slowly stood up. What could they lose in one night! He had said it to scare her!
If Qiao Mei said tomorrow that she had lost the betrothal gifts that Xia Zhe had given her, Old Madam Li would not be able to afford it even if it was just one!
Old Madam Li could not dissuade Zhao Liang and left dejectedly with the two children. Before she left, she even took the big pumpkin from the house.
It was very easy to get the pass. As long as she went to the village to explain the situation, she would be able to get it. It did not matter if she could not stay today. She would come back another day! She did not believe that Li Gui could keep avoiding her!
When Old Madam Li came, she had observed those chickens and ducks. Those chickens would definitely be able to lay eggs within the next three days! Her cousin used to raise chickens at the supply and marketing cooperative in the county city. She had also worked there when she was young. She could tell what the chickens were up to when they wiggle their butts.
No one knew chickens better than her! It was just that later on, she stole five eggs from the supply and marketing cooperative and was chased away.
"Thank you, Brother Zhao. I didn't expect to have to trouble you again," Li Gui said embarrassedly.
She felt really embarrassed to have to keep troubling Zhao Liang because of her family matters. Her family was poor and there was nothing she could give Zhao Liang to express her gratitude to him. If she rashly went to help out at his house, people would gossip about it.
She could only hope that the children could repay Zhao Liang in the future.
"It's fine. It's my job to help the villagers. You don't have to take it to heart. If there's nothing else, I'll go now." Zhao Liang waved his hand and was stopped by Qiao Mei the moment he stepped out of the house.
"Uncle Zhao, is there any way to stop them from entering the village? It's also very difficult for us if they keep coming," Qiao Mei asked.
"Sigh… There's nothing I can do. As long as the procedures are done properly, I can't stop them," Zhao Liang said awkwardly.
If he abused his power and got reported, losing his job was a small matter. He might even go to jail!
"I'll think of a way myself then. Thank you for today, Uncle Zhao. Without you, she would have stuck around for a long time!" Qiao Mei said with a sigh.
Zhao Liang also felt that Qiao Mei and Li Gui had tough lives. One of them had lost her parents and only had her grandfather since she was young, and the other one had a vampire-like husband and maternal family.
Their lives were really tough!
"So long as you're fine. Before Xia Zhe left, he asked me to take good care of you! I'm indebted to your grandfather and I'll definitely help your family if anything happens. Don't stand on ceremony with me!" Zhao Liang said with a smile.
"When we cook delicious food at home another day, you and auntie must come over!" Qiao Mei said.
As Zhao Liang walked away, he said, "No problem! Hurry up and go back!" Then he got on his three-wheeled vehicle and left.
Qiao Mei was also very surprised when she heard what Li Gui said to Old Madam Li while sitting outside. She did not expect Li Gui to be so determined to protect her this time round.
It seemed that Li Gui was no longer the submissive woman from before. She could protect her children well.
"Elder sister, where are Zhang Chao and Zhang Qin?" Zhang Wei asked in a panic.
As soon as Zhang Chao saw outsiders, he would run into the storeroom. It was useless even if Qiao Mei went to look for him. He would only come out after the person left.
Qiao Mei pointed at the storeroom helplessly and Zhang Wei immediately understood what she meant. As soon as he entered, he saw Zhang Chao hiding in a big vat. Zhang Wei carefully held his hand and said, "Don't be afraid. Eldest brother is back. I am here!"
Zhang Chao looked up timidly and slowly followed Zhang Wei out.
"Zhang Chao, don't be afraid. They've already left! Don't be afraid! Eldest brother is here!" Zhang Wei hugged Zhang Chao and comforted him.