FID – Chapter 957

Chapter 957 – Badou Inherited His Father’s Temper

Grandma supported him, but she didn’t indulge him blindly. She worried he might get too arrogant, or that he might not be able to handle things.

This was her way of reminding him to stay grounded, to never forget his original intentions. Between the lines was the old lady’s deep expectations and love for him.

He was already in his twenties, but when acting spoiled, he was still like a child, clinging to her and refusing to let go.

Grandma indulged him for a moment, but before Liu Zhiqiu could fully feel moved, she slapped him away. “Now that everything has been explained, you younger ones who need to discuss things, go sort it out somewhere else. Don’t keep bothering us old folks. You’ve even kept me from spending time with the three little beans.”

With that, she, along with Chen Xiulan and Du Juan, picked up the awake little beans, Maodou, Badou, and Hongdou, from the cradle, gathered them together, and started playing, enjoying family time.

The younger ones, feeling slightly rejected, slunk off to the kitchen, where they stoked the fire and helped Liu Zhiqiu refine his plans.

Since they had promised support, it couldn’t just be words. And since Liu Zhiqiu wouldn’t let them be idle anyway, it was better to voluntarily help him complete his plan.

In another corner of the estate, Wei Hong and Wei Lan were idling through the winter, cozying up with Elder Jiu. A small brazier, a low square table, a jug of wine, and three cups—everything was set.

Contentment filled the air.

The main hall was crowded, and they didn’t feel like squeezing in to deal with their master’s complicated plans. It was better to hide out here and enjoy themselves.

“If Zhiqiu really expands his plan after the New Year, we’ll have things to do again,” Wei Lan said, sipping his wine with a satisfied smack of his lips. “It’s been so long since we’ve exercised properly. Wife, go in secret, while I stay in the open?”

“Zhiqiu’s skills aren’t worse than ours. He doesn’t need our protection,” Wei Hong said.

“Good as his skills are, two fists can’t fight four hands. And if those big families suddenly find their profits snatched, won’t they fight back?”

Elder Jiu nodded, squinting and shaking his head. “The King’s authority is intimidating, but it may not hold back a cornered dog. Better to be cautious.”

Wei Lan agreed wholeheartedly. “Don’t think those big families are just local landlords. Their roots run deep, and we don’t even know how many connections they have. If we trace layer by layer, we might end up tracing all the way to the court.”

Hearing this, Wei Hong frowned and glanced toward the kitchen. “I’ll remind Nannan later…”

“No need. If His Highness couldn’t think of what we can, he wouldn’t be the King. He surely has a way to handle it, no need for us to worry. Besides, the others are there too,” Wei Lan said, grinning, and sent a silent message to a corner outside the yard. “Right, Boss?”

As expected, there was no response, but he knew Boss had heard him.

Sipping his wine again, Wei Lan’s eyes narrowed into a happy slant.

Ever since moving into the Liu courtyard, life had been calm and uneventful. Now that their Boss was here, he finally had someone to spar with.

Wei Hong glanced at him coldly and let out a faint hum. She could tell from the twitch of his tail what he was thinking. Was this fool looking for a fight with Boss?

She’ll wait for him to come back with a black eye, crying for his parents.

On New Year’s Eve, the Liu courtyard was bustling as ever.

Local dignitaries and gentry continuously brought New Year gifts to the courtyard. All day long, carts and carriages came and went through Xinghua Village, the streets full of activity.

Liu Yusheng, Feng Qingbai, and Liu Zhixia couldn’t be idle that day. They were roped in by Liu Zhiqiu to help with preparing return gifts.

In previous years, Liu Zhiqiu had gone house to house to return the gifts himself. After a couple of times, he learned a smarter way: when someone came with a gift, he handed the return gift directly to them to carry away, sparing himself the trouble of running all over Yunzhou.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s valuable or not, as long as it looks decent. After all, they aren’t giving gifts expecting a big return from us,” Liu Zhiqiu instructed as he returned to the main hall after seeing off a group of guests, noticing the others still meticulously selecting items.

“You’re impressive. You just open your mouth and have the rest of us running around in circles,” Liu Zhixia huffed in exasperation.

“Brother, look at what you’re saying. I get a break this year, but every other year it’s me personally delivering the gifts! When I’m running myself ragged, you never show a hint of pity.” 

Watching her second brother’s shameless, unflappable expression, Liu Yusheng turned to Liu Muqiu. “How did you end up liking such a shameless person?”

Liu Muqiu’s eyes shimmered like autumn waters, shyly responding, “Even though he’s shameless, I like him.”

“…” Liu Yusheng and Fu Yuzheng both scooted away, putting some distance between themselves and this shameless pair.

The elders sat by the fire, holding the three little beans, listening to the playful banter, their smiles never fading.

Now Maodou was already two years old, able to toddle around and speak simple phrases. Badou and Hongdou, at over eight months old, could sit steadily on their own without support.

The three little ones, all around the same age, often clenched their tiny fists, eyes wide open.

Maodou was particularly curious about the two babies who spent most of their time lying in the cradle, only occasionally sitting up on their own when they woke.

After staring at each other for a while and finding it insufficient, Maodou wobbled over and reached out a little finger, trying to poke Badou’s chubby, jiggling cheek.

Smack.

Badou immediately raised a paw and swatted Maodou on the head.

Maodou was stunned, and after a moment, realizing his forehead hurt, he burst into tears.

In the cradle, the two little heads watched the crying toddler, then glanced at the adult nearby with wide eyes. Soon, tears welled up in their glassy eyes, and they let out a loud wail.

The adults “…” They bent over laughing, almost falling over.

The babies were afraid of getting in trouble and started crying first.

“These two little beans, how are they so clever?” Du Juan laughed, wiping away tears.

“Exactly! They’re only eight months old and they already know how to read a situation. What will they be like when they grow up?” Chen Xiulan said, holding the wailing Maodou and gently soothing him while stifling her laughter.

Grandma Liu chuckled warmly. “Our little one was clever as a child too, but not this bossy. Looks like Badou got his temper from his father.”

Poor Feng Qingbai, caught in the crossfire, felt his temples darken slightly.

“Tsk-tsk-tsk, in our generation at home, it’s always been the older bullying the younger. But with the three little beans, I see the tables have turned,” Liu Zhiqiu clapped his hands. “The sins of the father are repaid by the child. Oh my, Badou is helping Uncle get revenge!”

Liu Zhixia smirked. “You ask someone to do a favor, and before the task’s even done, you’re already pulling the bridge out from under them?”

Liu Zhiqiu’s smile faded. “Brother, I’m joking! How could I ever hold a grudge against you?”

“Mm, I’m joking too. I couldn’t possibly have your back anyway.”

“…” Liu Zhiqiu realized. In terms of holding grudges, his elder brother was just as formidable as Feng Qingbai.

Meanwhile, the adults deliberately ignored Badou and Hongdou, who were still wailing, and didn’t help. The babies cried while peering through tear-filled eyes at the adults around them, blinking as if confused: why wasn’t anyone picking them up?

“Stop wailing. Only two tears came out after all that,” their mother, sitting nearby, said without a shred of sympathy. “Your royal grandma isn’t here, so no one’s spoiling you. Stop crying, then you’ll get held.”

The two little beans hiccupped through their sobs and wiped their tears.

The main hall erupted in laughter again, the adults bending over in amusement.