Chapter 592: Helpless Liu Haizhong's Scheme with the Corn Stubble

Liu Haizhong's idea came to nothing; even if he bitterly begged the supervisor for help, he eventually got to see his eldest son Liu Guangqi as he wished, but the result was worse than not seeing him.

Not seeing him.

He still had a glimmer of hope in his heart.

The people inside the detention center would also, because they harbored hope, give Liu Haizhong some leeway.

That saying really came true.

One mistake, and he kept making mistakes.

Liu Guangqi's attitude toward Liu Haizhong made Liu Haizhong very displeased.

Besides openly declaring to his face that he was called Li Guangqi, the turtle son also put on a righteous posture, adopting an attitude of never having dealings with the evil Liu Haizhong, spoke words of severing ties, and afterward ignored how Liu Haizhong called or begged him, simply patted his butt and left.

Watching Liu Guangqi's retreating back, Liu Haizhong felt like dying; he seemed to have nothing left, and no one could understand his feelings at that moment.

Among the three children, he had always held expectations for the eldest, truly treating the eldest as the Liu family's heir in training, not even willing to utter a harsh word.

Sometimes when the eldest angered him, Liu Haizhong would, without thinking, vent his anger on the second and third children, ostensibly to "kill the chicken to scare the monkey," using the beating of the second and third to educate the eldest.

A bowl of water cannot be leveled.

When they got married, he emptied the family savings to set up property for the eldest, also a bicycle, also a radio, and even a brand‑new set of furniture with a hundred and eight legs.

The neighbors all gave a thumbs‑up.

Effort and reward were not proportional.

All his painstaking thoughts went to waste; Liu Guangqi not only changed his surname to Li, calling himself Li Guangqi, but also declared that Liu Haizhong was unworthy to be his father, and took shame in being Liu Haizhong's son.

He used to mock Yi Zhonghai for being doomed to have his line cut off, scheming in every way for his old age, saying he wanted to see how Yi Zhonghai would meet misfortune.

The words mocking Yi Zhonghai eventually came back on Liu Haizhong down to the last character; just thinking that he would end up worse than Yi Zhonghai.

Liu Haizhong's heart.

It exploded in an instant.

Over twenty years, he poured out much effort and much money, got nothing in return, and he damn got three white‑eyed wolves.

Likewise, both are raising children to guard against old age.

Yet he himself ended up in this state.

Although Yi Zhonghai is not a human, he's a bastard; at least when he left, he was neat and tidy, not having been cut off.

Really, he's pissed off the heavens.

Why did it become like this?

Liu Guangqi ignored Liu Haizhong, while Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, who had been beaten by Liu Haizhong since childhood, dared, relying on the situation back then, to give Liu Haizhong a dirty look and even want to beat him, let alone now.

His brows furrowed into a big lump.

After returning to the room, looking at the people before him, Liu Haizhong hesitated.

Stick out your head, it's one stab.

Pull back your head, it's also one stab.

Either way, you'll get stabbed.

That's settled.

Liu Haizhong lay flat on the ground, using both arms to shield his head as much as possible, exposing his thick‑skinned, meaty buttocks outside—this spot can take a beating.

The people in the room, seeing Liu Haizhong's attitude, knew he hadn't succeeded in his task, and unconsciously glanced toward Boss.

To hit or not to hit?

It depends on Boss's word.

With Boss's shake of the head, this beating also vanished into nothing.

Liu Haizhong lay on the ground, bitterly awaiting the opponent's punching and kicking massage; he gritted his teeth and endured for a while, then found his body felt no pain from punches and kicks. At first he thought he had cultivated an Indestructible Diamond Body, unafraid of beatings; later he thought the people in the room were giving him face, not using much strength. He then opened his eyes, realized he was mistaken—those people had not struck him hard, but were looking at him as if he were a fool.

He felt somewhat surprised in his heart.

He had just opened his mouth to ask.

But Boss's words frightened him into becoming a complete idiot.

"Old Liu, what are you doing? Do you think the brothers are itching and want to spar with them? I said I'd give you a week's time, and I'm giving you a week's time. As for what consequences will come after a week, you figure it out yourself."

In his words.

There wasn't a trace of threatening language, yet it was full of threatening intent everywhere.

Liu Haizhong was enveloped by a creepy, hair‑raising sensation.

He panicked.

He had thought that if he threw caution to the wind and endured a beating, the matter of being called "Second Uncle" would be blown over, but he didn't expect Boss to care not about a beating, but about that cigarette.

Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

Liu Haizhong trapped in the cage, where could he find a cigarette for him?

The three sons are hopeless; Er Da Ma can't even earn her own food, let alone have the ability to help Liu Haizhong solve the cigarette problem.

Liu Haizhong, anxious as if on fire, even wanted to call Boss "dad."

But Boss wouldn't want a son of Liu Haizhong's age.

Useless.

He reached out and lightly patted Liu Haizhong's cheeks a few times, saying "I believe you," then went outside to get some fresh air.

Helpless Liu Haizhong could only think of those around him, seeing who would be willing to be his sucker and get him a cigarette; they weren't stupid—when Liu Haizhong asked them for a cigarette, they either used the excuse that his wife was giving birth, or simply turned their pockets inside out to show him.

After making the rounds.

He got nothing.

Except for white eyes and ridicule.

People all avoided Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong's heart also fell into despair, this depressed mood continued until he met Bangeng, then it slightly improved.

He immediately went up and shouted at Bangeng.

His body instinctively put on the airs of the Second Steward, mainly worried Bangeng would also refuse him, preparing to use the former Second Steward's identity to control Bangeng.

Bangeng knew that Liu Haizhong, pretending to be the Second Steward, owed Bage a cigarette.

Regarding Liu Haizhong's situation.

Also understood.

Initially, Jia Zhangshi often told Bangeng the Liu family's gossip, saying Liu Haizhong couldn't even balance a bowl of water, that he might regret it someday, warning Bangeng not to learn from Liu Haizhong's three children's behavior, but to be filial to himself.

As for the reason Liu Haizhong blocked him, Bangeng understood completely; besides having Bangeng help him solve the cigarette matter, there was no other possibility.

For things Liu Haizhong couldn't solve, how could Bangeng help him solve them? He quickly used words to block Liu Haizhong's plea for help.

Second Steward, your matter, I truly am powerless; I'm just like you, also a master here, can't go out, where would I get you cigarettes?

Bangeng was Liu Haizhong's last hope.

It wouldn't be extinguished by just a few words, the thought of Bangeng.

In Liu Haizhong's heart, Bangeng is absent, but that doesn't mean Jia Zhangshi doesn't have him.

Who doesn't know Bangeng is Jia Zhangshi's beloved?

For Bangeng, Jia Zhangshi would do anything. It's guessed that as long as Bangeng tells the supervisor, saying to let Jia Zhangshi or Qin Huairu come see Bangeng, Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi will definitely come; then Bangeng will open his mouth to demand money from the Jia Family widow, and the Jia Family widow will surely hand over the money.

Liu Haizhong's predicament was thus also resolved.

Bangeng was Liu Haizhong's only lifeline.

He organized his words in his mind, then began to scheme Bangeng.

Bangeng, your family's situation, others don't know, not even the Second Steward knows? You are the sole heir of the Jia Family, your grandmother dotes on you, your mother coddles you, you've never suffered hardship since childhood, during those tough years you also ate meat every day, now you're playing tricks with the Second Steward, saying you can't help the Second Steward—that's wrong of you, Bangeng.

He looked left and right, seeing no one paying attention, quickly took out a small half piece of steamed cornbread from his pants pocket and stuffed it into Bangeng's hand.

Fishing needs bait; to have Bangeng help solve the cigarette problem, there must also be a contribution.

This small half piece of steamed cornbread is Liu Haizhong's tool to deceive Bangeng.

Otherwise, who would believe Liu Haizhong with just empty talk?

Seeing Bangeng's gaze fixed on the steamed cornbread in his hand, Liu Haizhong knew Bangeng was moved; hungry, seeing food naturally felt like seeing his parents.

He softly urged in his mouth.

"While no one's around, hurry up and eat."

Bangeng was really starving.

He involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Even though the smell of the steamed cornbread was a bit off, he still followed Liu Haizhong's meaning, gulping down the steamed cornbread in a few bites into his stomach.

Having food in his stomach, Bangeng felt much better.

Bangeng, don't rush, the Second Steward will still save some steamed cornbread for you to eat later. But you also know the Second Steward's current situation; it's not just the Second Steward saying empty words—we are neighbors from the same Siheyuan, the Second Steward has watched you grow up, with no other intention, just feeling we two should support each other: you help the Second Steward solve the cigarette problem, the Second Steward helps you solve the food problem—isn't that mutual support?

Bangeng fell into deep thought.

He seriously considered Liu Haizhong's proposal.

Actually, it's just the matter of a county magistrate being inferior to the current overseer.

Agreeing to Liu Haizhong, at least he could eat his fill for several days, and this money wouldn't come from Bangeng but from Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu; he had been sent here by them for so long, yet never once had they come to see him.

Liu Haizhong, taking in Bangeng's facial expression, began to strike while the iron was hot.

Bangeng, why did your Second Steward come in? You also know, thinking back, your Second Steward at the Yagangchang was truly second to none, stamping his foot would make the Yagangchang tremble; you don't know others, but you definitely know Lou Xiaoe—after all, you kid stole someone's old hen with your two sisters, you know Lou Xiaoe has money, you know her parents have money, and you know it was I, Liu Haizhong, who moved against them; unfortunately, it came to nothing, but those people unlike Lou Xiaoe's parents have all been dealt with by me, Liu Haizhong; my meaning, you should understand.

Bangeng's facial expression.

Even more moved.

After returning from Dongbei, Jia Zhangshi, over the house matter, scolded Liu Haizhong many times, saying Liu Haizhong's home actually hid so much gold and silver treasure, yet it was confiscated; over and over she said Liu Haizhong would rather be confiscated than give it to the Jia Family, saying if given to the Jia Family, the Jia Family would still remember Liu Haizhong fondly; she also said Liu Haizhong was a fool, why not hide more, why not change the hiding place, all hidden in one spot, letting people take it all in one go.

Qin Huairu said a line that Bangeng still remembers deeply; who knows if Liu Haizhong might have hidden gold and silver treasure elsewhere, after all they aren't Liu Haizhong's intestinal worms, unaware of his true thoughts at the time.

Liu Haizhong's current words to Bangeng seem to confirm Qin Huairu's past guess of Liu Haizhong having three burrows like a cunning rabbit.

"Second Steward."

"It seems you understand the meaning of my words."

Liu Haizhong looked at Bangeng, continuing to spout nonsense.

People die for wealth, birds die for food, riches move hearts.

Now he can only use this excuse to scheme Bangeng.

As for whether there is or not.

None.

Those things inside Liu Haizhong's house weren't because he didn't want to hide more, but because he hadn't had time to implement it when he was removed as captain of the Action Team; afterwards, the neighbors in the courtyard began to surveil and retaliate against Liu Haizhong, preventing him from separately hiding those treasures.

"I, Liu Haizhong, may be lowly educated, but I understand the meaning of having multiple backups; why must I have my three brats come see me? Is it that I don't know what they think? No! I'm looking to see which of them is worthy of my regard; those things are my reliance for my old age after I go out."

He smiled.

He raised a finger toward Bangeng.

"Those things are enough for me and you to spend a lifetime."

Bangeng's heart.

Moved.

He looked at Liu Haizhong's eyes, with a hint of greed.

As a Jia Family descendant, and also a good grandson taught by Jia Zhangshi, with an innate nature of blood-sucking and greed, this now occupied Bangeng's mind.

His mind was full of just one thought.

This Liu Haizhong fellow still hid a lot of gold and silver treasure.

This is his opportunity; ten years later, when he goes out, what situation will he be in? Bangeng understands clearly: no good workplace will hire him, no good girl will marry him, even those bad girls look down on Bangeng. No job, no money, how will he live?

The treasures that Liu Haizhong embezzled have become Bangeng's only hope.

"You are a smart person; I, Liu Haizhong, like dealing with smart people. Those things cannot see the light of day; I cannot take them out, and even a cigarette is not worth my taking them out. You ten years, me twenty years — to put it bluntly, I might even die in here. You will be the owner of those treasures, on the condition that you believe my words and help me solve the problem before me; otherwise I would rather let them go with me into the coffin."

Liu Haizhong's words.

Suddenly Bangeng felt as if sitting on pins and needles, as if countless sharp needles pointing upward had suddenly appeared beneath his buttocks, pricking his buttocks until they were sore, and as if someone were again slapping Bangeng's face with a big palm, putting Bangeng entirely in intense pain.

In Bangeng's mind.

He unnaturally recalled a scene from his childhood: mischievous as he was, while playing hide-and-seek, he inadvertently ran into Hou Yuan and heard movement coming from Liu Haizhong's house.

Driven by curiosity.

Bangeng secretly lay on the window of Liu Haizhong's house, looking through the glass; the scene that entered his vision made Bangeng unable to forget it to this day.

On the floor of Liu Haizhong's house lay two large wooden chests, their lids wide open.

Inside lay much gold and silver treasure emitting dazzling brilliance.

Therefore he wholeheartedly approved of Liu Haizhong's words.

He licked his lips and nodded at Liu Haizhong.

The stone in Liu Haizhong's heart fell to the ground.

Bangeng took the bait.

Taking the bait is good.