Wang Haichao lay on the bed, wrapped tightly in a sheet. He did not dare to move an inch, not even daring to breathe heavily.
His heart was in his throat, terrified that if he opened his mouth, it would jump right out.
The person standing outside was none other than Wu Jinshan.
Last night, he had waited bitterly in Niuzhuang all night without even seeing a shadow of Wang Haichao. Wasn't this clearly playing him for a fool?
What was more, he had already paid Wang Haichao fifteen yuan in advance.
The more Wu Jinshan thought about it, the angrier he got. Just as the sky was turning pale, he pedaled his bicycle over to find him.
He noticed that the broken wooden door of the north room wasn't padlocked but bolted from the inside, so he knew Wang Haichao was hiding in there.
After shouting several times in the courtyard, there was no movement at all from inside.
Wu Jinshan had done business in Nangang for many years; he was not someone easily fooled.
Seeing Wang Haichao playing dead inside, he immediately stepped forward and started pounding on the door.
Wang Haichao! You have the nerve to scam money from me! Open the door right now! If you don't open up, you'll face the consequences!
Wang Haichao naturally knew how fierce Wu Jinshan could be. Hearing his tone, he knew he couldn't hide, so he dejectedly crawled out of bed and opened the door.
Boss Wu! He forced a flattering smile onto his face, pulled Wu Jinshan into the room, and bolted the door behind him.
Immediately after, he told Wu Jinshan everything that had happened last night in full detail.
Wang Haibao, hearing the noise, also got up.
Looking at Wang Haibao's black eyes, Wu Jinshan believed them a bit more, but he couldn't be vague about the money he was owed.
Since the job wasn't done, give me my money back!
Those fifteen yuan had long been lost clean at the poker table by Wang Haichao; his pockets were now cleaner than his face.
Wang Haichao hurried up to him with a cheeky smile, Boss Wu, don't worry! I'll get that little wife Li Chuntao into your hands sooner or later!
Wu Jinshan frowned, his face full of disbelief, You were caught this time. Can you guarantee you won't blow it next time?
Don't worry! There will be an opportunity sooner or later... Wang Haichao said, leaning into Wu Jinshan's ear and whispering for quite a while.
Wu Jinshan's mind immediately began to run wild with fantasies. His heart felt as if it were being scratched by a cat, incredibly tempted, so he relented and agreed to wait for another chance.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to warn him, Wang Haichao, you better hurry up!
Okay, okay! Don't worry!
After sending Wu Jinshan away, the smile on Wang Haichao's face instantly vanished, and his brows twisted into a tight knot.
Being caught by Zhou Zhijun this time meant Zhou would definitely be on guard everywhere from now on. Trying to get this done again would be harder than ever.
On the other side, Wang Jieshi lay in bed, countless question marks swirling in his mind, making him extremely frustrated and anxious.
Did last night's plan succeed or not? Why did Chuntao only come back at dawn? Or did she run back on her own? Did she know something...
That idiot Wang Haichao didn't even come over to give him a heads-up! Wang Jieshi lay there, grinding his teeth in hatred!
A few days flashed by, and the autumn crops in the fields were all planted. Wang Haichao simply hadn't shown his face, as if he had evaporated from the world.
Xiaohong, did that guy Wang Haichao go to work in the fields?
Wang Xiaohong carried a bowl of food, placed it on the old cabinet by the bed, and reached out to help Wang Jieshi sit up.
Hearing him ask about Wang Haichao, she immediately got angry, Could his lazy bones ever go work in the fields?
If he doesn't work, what does he do at home?
What else? Just resting!
Wang Xiaohong suddenly realized something and looked at his face, asking, Brother, why are you asking about him?
Nothing, Wang Jieshi's eyes dodged slightly, I was just thinking, our mother is already carrying his child. If he keeps idling about like this, how will we live in the future?
Not just him, Wang Haibao hasn't gone to the fields either...
Hearing this, Wang Jieshi's heart skipped a beat and sank even further.
Did something happen?
What could happen? They're just lazy to the bone!
Wang Xiaohong said, turning and walking out of the inner room, completely missing the uncertain and suspicious look on Wang Jieshi's face.
Could they have been arrested? The thought had just popped up when he snuffed it out himself.
If Wang Haichao and Wang Haibao were caught, they would definitely give him up.
It had been several days, and no one had come to the door, so they should be fine.
Thinking this, the worry in his heart lessened slightly.
On Zhou Zhijun's side, he hadn't mentioned that night's events to Chuntao from beginning to end.
Chuntao racked her brains but couldn't figure out how she ended up in the melon field. In the end, she could only attribute it to another bout of sleepwalking.
She had experienced it once as a child, putting on clothes in the middle of the night and running outside. It was her grandmother who stopped her in time, and only then did she wake up.
Her grandmother had said that children shouldn't play with fire, or they would easily get sleepwalking episodes.
Since then, Chuntao had never played with fire, and the sleepwalking had never returned. Why did it happen again now?
Sister-in-law, Hongxia and I are going to the field to watch the melons. You can rest at home!
After feeding the pigs, Wang Xiaohong saw Chuntao sitting in a daze in the kitchen, so she called out to her.
Some of the watermelons in the field were already ripe. Afraid that someone might steal them, Wang Xiaohong planned to keep watch in the melon shed overnight.
Chuntao's thoughts were interrupted, and she abruptly stood up from the low stool. Just the two of you won't do. I'll go with you!
Although it was to watch the melons and prevent theft, Chuntao knew in her heart that if they really encountered local ruffians, they wouldn't stand a chance.
However, they still needed someone watching. On summer nights, many people went to the East Ditch to bathe, and if no one kept an eye on things, anyone walking past the field might try to snatch a couple.
Just as they were talking, Zhou Zhijun walked in.
He lowered his voice and said to Wang Xiaohong, Xiaohong, let me go watch the melons!
Uncle Zhijun, you're busy working in the fields every day and must be exhausted. How can we trouble you?
What trouble? Sleeping in the melon shed is cool! I just like sleeping there! Zhou Zhijun said, but his eyes glanced toward Chuntao.
Chuntao noticed the burning heat in his eyes, and her heart immediately fell into a panic.
From the wheat harvest until now, the two of them hadn't done that for a long time. How could he not be anxious?
Wang Xiaohong still wanted to decline, but Zhou Zhijun spoke up again, Have you been sleeping at Hongxia's house these past few days?
It's getting late, hurry up and go! Just leave the melon watching to me!
Oh, then I'll be going! Wang Xiaohong knew Zhou Zhijun's temper; he meant what he said. Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Zhijun!
As soon as Wang Xiaohong left, Zhou Zhijun reached back and closed the kitchen door.
He pulled Chuntao up from the stool and hugged her tightly in his arms.
A chaotic sound of footsteps and laughter came from outside. From the noise, it was the village women heading to the East Ditch for a bath.
You better go! There are a lot of people over at the East Ditch. If someone casually picks a melon, we wouldn't even know!
Zhou Zhijun stroked her flushing cheeks with his thumb, his voice dropping a few pitches, Tao, I miss you, what should we do?
