Hearing Chen Ermao's words, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank.
He had deliberately taken a detour from far outside the village to the north of the village to avoid being seen, but he still couldn't escape Chen Ermao's eyes. This meant Chen Ermao had been watching him from somewhere.
The thought sent a chill down Chen Xiaobei's spine.
Seeing Chen Qiao'er's frightened and flustered appearance, Chen Xiaobei felt annoyed. He took a step forward and asked in a deep voice, "Chen Ermao, what are you doing here again?"
"Brother Xiaobei, it's about yesterday's matter. Think about it again. I'm telling you, if Cui Hongyu goes to Baihua Tower, she won't be at a loss. With her looks, it's not impossible for her to become a top courtesan. If she gets even a little bit of favor, you and Qiao'er will have enough."
He was saying more and more outrageous things. Chen Xiaobei gritted his teeth in anger.
Even if he had no connection with Cui Hongyu, he couldn't just stand by and watch Chen Ermao push her into a fiery pit. What kind of place was Baihua Tower?
Chen Xiaobei didn't reply. Instead, he turned and pulled Chen Qiao'er back into the house.
Then, he took out two taels of silver from under the bed and approached Chen Ermao.
He held the silver in one hand and dangled it in front of Chen Ermao.
"Chen Ermao, here's the silver. We're even on Qiao'er's matter. Don't bother me anymore."
Chen Ermao's gaze swept over the two pieces of silver, but he didn't take them.
"Chen Xiaobei, you've got it wrong. You owe me two taels of silver, and we agreed on interest. It's been five days now."
"The interest alone should be at least half a tael by now."
Playing this game with me.
Chen Xiaobei let out a cold laugh. He turned his hand and took the silver back, stuffing it into his pocket.
"You've already taken the silver, so please leave."
Chen Ermao's eyes widened. "What? Chen Xiaobei, you dare to play tricks on me? Aren't you afraid of what will happen in the future..."
"What future? There is no future between us."
Chen Xiaobei said decisively. Chen Ermao's eyes darted around as he started calculating. The two taels of silver that were about to be in his grasp were now gone.
A wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him. "Alas, Brother Xiaobei, I was just joking. Don't get angry. Two taels it is. We're brothers, how could I ask you for interest?"
Seeing Chen Ermao's change of expression, Chen Xiaobei became uneasy. He raised his voice and shouted, "Second Aunt, Dachun, come quickly."
This shout startled Chen Ermao. "Brother Xiaobei, what are you doing? I already said, two taels it is."
"Chen Ermao, don't be scared. I'm calling Dachun here just to be a witness."
Soon, Dachun, who heard the shouts, came over carrying a hoe.
Although Chen Ermao was arrogant in front of Chen Xiaobei, he was a little intimidated when he saw Dachun.
Chen Dachun was tall and strong, and he had the strength of a farmer from working in the fields every day. If it really came to a fight, Chen Ermao was no match for him.
"Brother Dachun, don't, don't, don't make a move. I just want to talk to Brother Xiaobei about something, talk about something."
Seeing the situation, Xiumei walked over and quickly stepped forward to block the doorway. She turned to Qiao'er in the house and said, "Qiao'er, don't be afraid, Second Aunt is here."
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei's heart warmed.
Dachun, this brother, was dependable. He really stepped up when there was trouble.
"Brother Dachun, don't make a move. I called you here to be a witness. A few days ago, I had bad luck and lost two taels of silver to Brother Ermao. Today, he came to collect the debt, so I'm giving him the two taels of silver. From now on, this matter is settled."
Hearing him say it so lightly, Xiumei's heart trembled.
Chen Xiaobei could actually produce two taels of silver.
A thought flashed through her mind: Chen Xiaobei had been sneaking into the mountains secretly at night for the past two days.
He must have found a way to get rich in the mountains.
Dachun, however, shook his head helplessly.
Two taels of silver was a huge sum of money. Even if he went to the city to do manual labor, he would probably have to work for a year.
Taking the two taels of silver, Chen Ermao said a few perfunctory words, and then turned to leave.
Dachun sighed helplessly again. "Alas, two taels of silver fed to the dogs. What a waste, what a waste."
Xiumei, however, didn't sigh. She gave Chen Xiaobei a few instructions and then took Dachun back to her own home.
As soon as she got home, she pulled Dachun into the inner room. "Dachun, do you know what Xiaobei has been doing these past two days?"
Dachun shook his head. "I was at home at night, I didn't go with him, how would I know."
Xiumei continued, "Alas, look at him. In just two days, he can produce two taels of silver. This silver must not have come from the Cui family."
"So I guess he must have found some way to get rich in the mountains."
Upon hearing this, Chen Dachun immediately came to his senses. "That makes sense. Otherwise, how could he produce two taels of silver?"
After saying that, Dachun turned to leave. "I'll go ask him and see what exactly he's been doing!"
Xiumei quickly grabbed her foolish son. "You really are a blockhead. How can you ask about getting rich face-to-face? You follow him secretly tonight and see what he's doing in the mountains."
After sleeping for a while at home, Chen Xiaobei prepared to go into the mountains again. But this time, he was more careful and decided to bring Chen Qiao'er with him.
Because if the pheasants didn't go back, there would be too many wild eggs left at the scene, and Chen Qiao'er would help carry them back.
To make it easier to walk at night, he also made a torch, wrapping an old mosquito net around a branch, pouring in some cooking oil, and preparing a wick.
With everything ready, the two of them, taking advantage of the early evening, walked towards the mountains. Su Dan Novel Network.
Hearing Chen Xiaobei leave the house.
Chen Dachun also strapped on a machete, went out the door, and followed far behind.
As soon as he left the village, Chen Dachun felt that something was wrong.
By the roadside ahead, acting suspiciously, a head peeked out. It was Er Lengzi from the village.
Seeing Er Lengzi, Dachun had a bad feeling. This was because Er Lengzi usually hung out with Chen Ermao all day.
What was the meaning of him secretly following Chen Xiaobei?
Chen Dachun kept his distance, following far behind Er Leng.
Chen Xiaobei, walking ahead, had no idea he was being followed. His mind was entirely on the pheasants.
And so, Chen Xiaobei, completely unaware, entered Qingniu Mountain with Qiao'er.
Chen Er Leng followed to the foot of the mountain, hesitated for a moment, and then turned back.
Dachun hid in the bushes and waited until Chen Er Leng was far away before straightening up.
At this moment, he was conflicted. Should he tell Chen Xiaobei? If he told Chen Xiaobei, wouldn't that mean he was also following him? But if he didn't tell Chen Xiaobei, what if...?
After much thought, Dachun finally gave up the idea of warning Chen Xiaobei.
In his opinion, it was just Chen Ermao following the Chen siblings for a bit, and there were no other actions.
At this time, on the mountain, Chen Xiaobei and Chen Qiao'er climbed into a tree and waited patiently for nightfall.