C9 Chapter 9

Zhao Dahu couldn’t let it go. He stomped forward a few steps and gave Pingping a shove with his little hand, knocking him flat on the ground.

With a look of pure contempt, he sneered, “Yeah, I’m picking on An’an—and I’m picking on you too. What are you gonna do about it?”

As he spoke, he spat on the ground and let out a smug little laugh. “You two don’t have anyone looking out for you. What are you gonna do against me? When you get bullied, is she gonna help you? Is she gonna bring you food? You two are useless!”

Pingping scrambled up fast, his small chest heaving. “That’s not true! My mom’s always been good to us—she’s not like you said!”

Zhao Dahu snorted, crossing his arms over his chest, still wearing that same dismissive look.

Like parent, like kid.

Wan Qiqi noticed it right away—Zhao Dahu’s posture and expressions were exactly like Mrs. Zhao’s. Even the way he talked was the same, only he was even more cocky than his mom.

So this was what people meant by a kid who didn’t know when to be scared.

Well, today she was going to take that attitude down a notch. He’d bullied her kid right in front of her—and even called them “kids with a mom who gave birth to them but doesn’t raise them.” Enough was enough.

Wan Qiqi cleared her throat, about to speak, when Zhao Dahu spotted her—and his face went white.

He stumbled backward a few steps, tripped into a muddy rut, and dropped hard onto his butt, shaking all over.

Seriously? Playing the victim?

Wan Qiqi couldn’t help feeling helpless. She hadn’t even done anything yet—how was he already this scared?

She was starting to realize she’d seriously underestimated how intimidating this body could be.

With a soft sigh, Wan Qiqi walked over to An’an, helped her up, and gently brushed the dirt off her backside.

Then she pulled An’an into her arms and soothed her, “It’s okay, An’an. Don’t cry. Mommy’ll make you something tasty.”

“Mm... okay... Dahu’s mean...” An’an’s eyes were red and her lips stuck out in a pout, like she’d been wronged in the worst way—but inside, she was secretly thrilled.

Mom’s held her twice today!

Qiqi realized the kid could be taught—An’an was sharper than Pingping and even knew how to tattle.

But An’an was brave, too. Even when facing someone older and bigger, he still planted himself in front of his little sister to protect her!

Qiqi flicked a glance at Zhao Dahu, thinking about how to teach this kid a lesson.

But just like a moment ago, before she could do anything—before she even said a word—the boy across from her let out a “Waaah!” and burst into tears.

His wailing echoed through the whole yard.

“Who’s the lowlife picking on my son?” Mrs. Zhao stormed out, spatula in hand. When she saw Qiqi in the yard with her two kids, a cold smile curled at the corner of her mouth. “Well, look who it is—Chen family’s eldest daughter-in-law!”

She stared at Qiqi holding An’an, disbelief written all over her face. She even rubbed her eyes, like she had to make sure she was seeing things right.

Ever since Qiqi married into Lotus Village, Mrs. Zhao had known her—and she knew exactly what kind of person she was.

Qiqi had held the kids for a couple of days right after they were born, but after that she’d ignored them, like they weren’t even hers.

This, though? This was the first time Mrs. Zhao had ever seen anything like it. She eyed Qiqi sideways. “What are you doing at my place? Don’t tell me you’re here to borrow food—I’m not lending you a thing!” As she spoke, she glanced at Zhao Dahu on the ground, then shot Qiqi another look. “And now you’re even bullying a kid?”

Qiqi rolled her eyes. An’an had cried for ages and Mrs. Zhao hadn’t shown her face once. But the second Zhao Dahu started crying, she came running—could she make it any more obvious she was picking on An’an?

“Mrs. Zhao, did you actually see me bully him?” Qiqi asked, her eyes wide with innocence.

“He’s crying, isn’t he? And you’re saying you didn’t bully him?” Mrs. Zhao snapped, eyes bulging, all attitude.

Wan Qiqi didn’t bother with her. She lowered her gaze to Zhao Dahu, who wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Dahu, tell me—did Mrs. Zhao bully you?”

Zhao Dahu heard her voice and froze like he was facing an enemy. Hiding behind Mrs. Zhao, he trembled. “I... I...”

“Be a good boy, Dahu. Tell me, okay?” Wan Qiqi said gently, tilting her head.

But to Zhao Dahu, that look was terrifying. He didn’t want to keep talking. “N-no... she didn’t bully me.” The moment he finished, he took off running!

Mrs. Zhao watched her son fold and snapped at him a few times. Then she shot Wan Qiqi a sideways look. “Threatening a kid, huh? You’ve got some nerve—when’s the last time you washed that face?”

Wan Qiqi rolled her eyes again. “And you’re any better? Letting a kid run wild—aren’t you worried you’re going to spoil him rotten?”

“How I raise my son is none of your business, you vicious woman.” Mrs. Zhao glanced at Chen Yongnian behind Wan Qiqi, then turned and went back inside.