The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 917: Chapter 895: Top Student of the 1980s 23 (Bonus for 200 Monthly Tickets)

”I, I...”

Zhang Gouxiong’s face reddened, and he was panting with anger, but he didn’t dare to respond to Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan still had a smiling demeanor: ”Your family isn’t taking in a son-in-law; you’re marrying a wife. We need to make it clear that whoever marries a wife has to take care of her needs. If you’re counting this against us, then it’s not just one wife for the Zhang Family; all of this has to be accounted for.”

Zhang Gouxiong was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged.

But he just couldn’t out-talk Xiao Yuan and had to stew in his anger.

”If you’re not settling the score, then my sister doesn’t want to live with your son anymore. Why can’t we take back the dowry?”

Xiao Yuan sternly rebuked Zhang Gouxiong and said to Xiao Baohu, ”Brother, go in and move it, smash what you can’t take.”

Xiao Baohu and Xiao Heizi immediately went into the house.

Once inside, Xiao Baohu and Xiao Heizi quickly carried out a large cabinet and then moved two boxes.

Xiao Baohu walked around and said to Xiao Yuan, ”We’re missing a pair of cabinets and three quilts.”

Xiao Yuan smiled and asked Zhang Erzhu, ”Where are the things?”

Zhang Erzhu, frightened, stammered, ”My sister-in-law took the cabinets, the fourth son’s wife took the quilts.”

What Zhang Erzhu really meant to say to Xiao Yuan was that their family had divided up the things, and if Xiao wanted them back, he’d have to take them by force.

Xiao Yuan didn’t argue with him and turned to walk out.

At the door, Xiao Yuan looked back at Zhang Gouxiong: ”Is your Zhang Family not tired of going to prison or something? If you think you’re not done with that, then we’ll continue to report you. When my sister came over, she wasn’t even of legal age yet. My father didn’t agree to it back then and said to wait two more years, but your family was so impatient. We really should discuss this properly. This counts as abducting a minor and restricting a citizen’s personal freedom. It’s also a crime. If you hand over the stuff today, we can talk nicely. If not, don’t blame us for turning our backs on you.”

This statement frightened the whole Zhang family, male and female, young and old.

They had psychological shadows from their past.

Zhang Erzhu’s mother was already sentenced to death, soon to be executed, and the family was terrified of causing more trouble and getting someone else into trouble.

Zhang Erzhu’s sister-in-law and younger siblings didn’t say a word and hurried back into the house to pack things up.

Over here, the village chief of Tuliang Village heard the commotion and came over.

He happened to catch this part and quickly smiled and apologized: ”No, please don’t. Even if we’re no longer relatives, we shouldn’t turn against each other like this. It’s your right to come for the dowry, it’s your right.”

Then he started scolding Zhang Gouxiong: ”Hurry up and give them their things.”

The village chief’s words still carried weight.

The village chief of Tuliang Village was related to Zhang Gouxiong within five degrees of kinship and was of a higher generation, so Zhang Gouxiong had to call him uncle. His words were very effective.

Zhang Gouxiong didn’t dare to resist and had his two daughters-in-law bring out the things quickly.

The two daughters-in-law who were fierce at home became silent when faced with tough outsiders.

They quickly brought out the items, and Xiao Yuan had Xiao Baohu move them outside.

He smiled and said to Zhang Erzhu, ”I now understand why my sister has suffered all these years. A man like you is just a cowardly wretch. How can you call yourself a man if you can’t stand up? If you’re not a man, why make demands on my sister about this and that, and even having a son? Pah, you’re not worthy. If you had any guts, my sister might have left, but you’re still part of the Zhang family, right? While you’re still at home, your sisters-in-law dare to come into your room and move your things.”

At this point, Xiao Yuan cupped his hands to Zhang Gouxiong: ”Now I see the family upbringing of the Zhang family; it’s truly admirable. Your family’s so open that there’s no distinction between men and women. Your younger brother’s wife openly moves things that your elder brother used. People would hardly believe there’s nothing going on between them, and the elder brother’s wife freely goes in and out of the younger brother’s room. Ha ha... It’s eye-opening how messy this family is.”

Finishing his words, Xiao Yuan pulled Xiao Heizi away: ”It’s truly wise for my sister to have left the Zhang family. It’s because of our good family upbringing that despite staying at the Zhang family for so long, she didn’t learn their ways. It’s like a lotus that emerged unsullied from the mud.”

These words implied that the Zhang family was a muddy cesspool.

But, even though Zhang Gou and the village chief were infuriated, they could only stare blankly without daring to say anything.

After all, they let their words be caught by others.

Just like Xiao Yuan said, things in Zhang Erzhu’s room were boldly taken by his sisters-in-law. If word got out, it would be unspeakable.

Now, Zhang Gouxiong just wanted to beat those two daughters-in-law.

Outside the Zhang family house, seeing the boxes and cabinets placed outside, Xiao Yuan said to Xiao Baohu, ”Brother, go borrow a machete and some fire. These things are tainted, and even if we’re starving, we wouldn’t take them. Let’s burn them and use the fire to warm everyone.”

Xiao Baohu did go and borrowed a knife and some matches.

After borrowing the items, he diligently chopped up the boxes and cabinets, slashed the quilts, and Xiao Yuan lit a match. In no time, the pile in the snow outside was set ablaze, the fire illuminating the entire Zhang family.

The Zhang family shut their doors, too afraid to come out.

Xiao Heizi only felt satisfaction, a feeling he’d never experienced before.

Xiao Baohu also felt relieved in his heart.

He truly admired Xiao Yuan.

He thought that his brother was indeed capable, managing to humiliate the entire Zhang family with just a few words, yet leaving them speechless despite their rage.

Moreover, if it were him, he wouldn’t have thought of burning the stuff directly; he’d probably have taken it back.

What good would taking those things back do? It would only fuel his anger. Better to burn them here and vent out the frustration.

Even though his family was poor, they weren’t in such dire need of those boxes and cabinets. Even if they needed them, to vent their anger, he’d disregard it.

Xiao Yuan and his two sons stood not far away, chatting with villagers who came to watch the spectacle, while watching the fire turn everything into ashes.

Before leaving, Xiao Yuan got the full story.

Xiao Yuan learned of the Zhang family’s intentions and was even more furious.

It turns out that after Xiangling left Zhang Erzhu’s house, Zhang Erzhu was despondent for a few days. But later, his brother, his other brothers, and even his father advised him to forget about Xiangling since the woman had brought about his mother’s demise. Zhang Erzhu, knowing his mother was soon to be executed, dismissed any thoughts of bringing Xiangling back.

But with Xiangling gone, Zhang Erzhu couldn’t remain single.

The Zhang family planned to find another wife for Zhang Erzhu.

However, due to the notoriety of their family matters, everyone nearby knew how Zhang Erzhu’s mother killed Xiangling’s two daughters, and no one was willing to marry into the Zhang family.

Even widows didn’t want to marry into the Zhang family.

The Zhang family searched for a long time but found no one willing to come.

Zhang Gouxiong was afraid Zhang Erzhu might remain a bachelor. After much thought, he came up with an idea.

He discussed it with his sons, and everyone agreed.

Zhang Gouxiong’s idea was to bring Xiangling back but to adopt his brother’s nephew as their own, thereby ensuring Zhang Erzhu had an heir. The idea was to have Zhang Erzhu and Xiangling work hard and save money to build a house and marry off the nephew in the future.

Zhang Gouxiong had a cunning plan.

He knew Xiangling was capable and intended to bring her back to use her as a laborer and servant for the Zhang family.