I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

Chapter 198: Chapter 188: Zhao Wendong Sets the Rules

Zhao Wendong finally understood what Zhao Pandi had tried and failed to tell him the day before. Zhao Dahai continued to avoid Zhao Wendong’s gaze, sighing as he lay on the heated brick bed. Wang Jinzhi also acted as if she hadn’t heard his question. In the end, it was Zhao Laidi who stepped forward.

She had long been unable to stand her younger brother. Ever since they were little, he had ordered her and her sister around like maids. Now, to pay off his gambling debts, they were selling her older sister. Next year, it could be her. That Limp Zhou was more than ten years older than her sister; she had no desire to follow in those footsteps.

”He’s at Zhao the Eighth’s place in the back courtyard.”

Zhao Wendong nodded, then patted Zhao Pandi and comforted her in a gentle voice.

”Don’t cry, sister. Brother San is here. As long as it’s something you don’t want to do, no one can force you. Got it?”

”Thank you, Brother San,” Zhao Pandi sobbed.

Zhao Pandi had wanted to ask Zhao Wendong for help yesterday. But ever since they were children, Zhao Dahai and his wife had favored their son over their daughters, which made Zhao Pandi timid and insecure. Furthermore, Zhao Wendong had never been on good terms with her family and wasn’t close to the sisters in the past. It was only recently that they had started talking more, which was why she had backed down yesterday when she saw how busy he was.

She hadn’t expected Zhao Wendong to take the initiative and stand up for her today. This gave the young girl a sudden surge of confidence. Zhao Wendong shot an icy glare at Wang Jinzhi and Zhao Dahai.

”I don’t care if you spoil Zhao Wenhua, but don’t you dare sell my two sisters for his sake. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting nasty.”

With that, he strode into the west room and spoke to Lin Zhiyin and the others.

”You all stay and chat with Grandpa and Grandma. I’m heading out to take care of something.”

Zhao Wenwu knew Zhao Wendong all too well. Every time Brother San spoke in that tone, it meant a fight was about to break out. He shot up excitedly and followed at Zhao Wendong’s heels out of Zhao Dahai’s house. Ye Qingmei sighed but said nothing. Zhao Chuanhe, however, narrowed his eyes and cursed fiercely.

”My grandson is the only one who can deal with them. They’re all a bunch of good-for-nothings.”

Outside, the northwestern wind howled. But inside Zhao the Eighth’s house in Zhao Dahai’s back courtyard, the scene was bustling with energy. A large group of people were playing Pai Gow with handmade paper cards.

In this game, each player was dealt four cards, with point values from one to nine. They would then split their cards into two pairs—a front hand and a back hand. The back hand’s value could not be lower than the front’s. Finally, the dealer and players would compare hands to see who was higher.

”Fuck, I’m betting one yuan this time.”

”I’ll bet two yuan.”

”Damn, I had a Heavenly Pair.”

Zhao Wenhua’s voice stood out from the crowd. He occupied the main seat opposite the dealer, his immature face filled with a domineering air as he slammed the table and shouted.

”Zhao the Eighth, hurry up and deal! This young master is gonna get a Supreme Treasure this time and win all my money back at once!”

KLANG!

The door to the outer room swung open, letting in a gust of cold wind. During the slow winter months, many of the men liked to play a few hands to pass the time, so it was normal for people to come and go to watch the fun. None of the men at the table, who were in the middle of a four-player game of Pai Gow, even looked up. Their eyes were glued to the paper cards in Zhao the Eighth’s hands.

Zhao the Sixth was near the door, holding a few small bills and getting ready to ”ride a bet”—meaning he would bet along with one of the main players. Hearing the door, he casually glanced up to see who had come in. The next second, the expression on Zhao the Sixth’s face changed. He almost lost his grip on the bills, and he felt his crotch go cold.

Zhao Wendong entered with a faint smile on his face, stood behind Zhao Wenhua, and said nothing. More and more people noticed him, and eventually, a strange silence fell over the room. Only Zhao Wenhua, oblivious, was still shouting.

”Zhao the Eighth, hurry up and flip the cards! Come on, come on, watch me wipe you out this round! My hand is amazing, haha—HIC!”

As Zhao Wenhua laughed, he finally sensed that something was wrong. Following everyone’s gaze, he looked over his shoulder and saw Zhao Wendong standing behind him.

”Zhao Wen—”

SLAP—!

Before Zhao Wenhua could finish, Zhao Wendong had already delivered a resounding slap across his face. Zhao Wenhua was completely stunned. He clutched his cheek, staring at Zhao Wendong with a mixture of shame and fury.

”What right do you have to hit—”

SLAP—!

Another hard smack. Many people in the room flinched as if the slap had landed on their own faces, not Zhao Wenhua’s.

Zhao Wendong still wore that faint smile, but no one in the room dared to speak. Everyone watched in terror as he relentlessly slapped Zhao Wenhua. After another three or four slaps, Zhao Wenhua’s face was swollen like a pig’s head. Only when he was beaten to the point that he no longer dared to talk back did Zhao Wendong finally stop.

”He’s a thirteen-year-old little bastard who doesn’t know any better. But you all are grown men. Have you lived your whole lives like dogs?”

Zhao Wendong’s gaze swept across the room. Whoever he looked at immediately lowered their head, not daring to meet his eyes. Once Zhao Wendong was sure everyone had submitted, he reached out and slowly flipped over Zhao Wenhua’s cards. It was a Heavenly Pair, a nearly guaranteed winning hand. As the saying goes, nine out of ten gambles involve cheating. With Zhao Wenhua’s skill—or lack thereof—it would have been a miracle if he *hadn’t* lost.

”From now on, in Dragon King Pond, the betting limit for cards is fifty cents. If you want to play for high stakes, go to another production team. I, Zhao Wendong, have decided this. If anyone plays for stakes this high again, don’t blame me for getting nasty!”

”From now on, this is the rule in Dragon King Pond. Do you hear me?”

Although Zhao Wendong spoke with a faint smile and in a light tone, sweat was already trickling down many of their faces. At his words, they all nodded vigorously.

”We hear you, we hear you.”

”We were just having a bit of fun to pass the time.”

”We’ll all listen to you, Dongzi.”

Zhao Wendong nodded in satisfaction, then pointed at Zhao Wenhua, who was whimpering softly, his face swollen like a pig’s head.