Chapter 475: The Zhu Family Brothers' Home

The courtyard isn't small, it's been tidied up fairly clean, a fence has been set up in the corner, and a few chickens are kept inside.

"Sit, sit, I'll go pour you some water," Old Lady Li said a bit nervously, having the two sit in the courtyard, then she went into the house to pour water.

But just after she went in, she came back out holding two bottles of cola, and asked tentatively,

"Do you young people like drinking this?"

Ye Cheng hadn't expected there to be cola to drink here,

"Old Lady Li, let's just drink cola."

Upon hearing her guess was right, Old Lady Li immediately said happily,

"Eh, then I'll get you an iced one; iced tastes better."

Soon, the old lady brought out two bottles of iced cola.

"Old Lady Li, I don't know what you usually like to drink, so I brought two cases of milk." Ye Cheng put the milk on the ground.

"Look at you, coming over and even bringing gifts—this is too polite." Though she said that, Ye Cheng saw happiness in the old lady's eyes, a genuine joy from the heart.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the old lady also sat down, and Ye Cheng chatted with her on and off, finally getting a rough idea of their family's situation.

The old lady's husband died early, leaving the household without a main labor force; the four brothers were raised by the old lady raising chickens and doing odd jobs for others.

Speaking of the past days, the old lady couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Life had been extremely hard, but according to her, the sons turned out fairly filial when they grew up.

Because she fell ill and needs long-term medication and regular hospital check-ups, expenses are high.

Most of the money the sons earn goes to her, leaving them unable to afford wives even now.

Furthermore, to care for her, they dare not go work in the city like others; they can only scrape together money to buy a secondhand fishing boat for catching fish.

While listening, Ye Cheng exchanged a glance with Xiao Hu; everything the old lady said was praise for her sons, and she clearly had no idea what the Zhu Family Four Brothers were up to outside.

Ye Cheng's visit this time wasn't just to hear these things; seeing the conversation winding down, he then spoke up,

"Old Lady Li, actually we came this time mainly to talk about me and your four sons."

The old lady had been happy enough, after all, being old she enjoys chatting with people.

Upon hearing Ye Cheng say that, the old lady's face darkened instantly, and she looked at the two with a guilty expression,

"Xiao Ye, I'm really sorry; I didn't know they were such scoundrels, actually going to steal your fish, and it serves them right that their boat sank."

"Don't worry, when they come back today I'll certainly give them a good talking-to; they can earn less money, but they mustn't do such wicked things."

As she spoke, the old lady burst into tears again, patting her thigh and promising she would surely keep her four sons in line.

Seeing that this old lady understood reason, Ye Cheng felt embarrassed to say harsh things, so he could only speak a few sentences tactfully,

"Actually, we're mainly worried that after they get out, they'll cause trouble at the dock again."

"Old Lady Li, you also know that we don't make much money from fishing at sea; if the dock gets chaotic, our livelihood will be affected too."

"So." Ye Cheng paused, glanced at Old Lady Li's grim face, steeled himself, and continued,

"So, we want to tell you, Old Lady Li, that after your sons come out, they should try to avoid going to the dock as much as possible."

"Do you think that would work?" Ye Cheng looked at the old lady.

A muscle twitched on the old lady's face; she lowered her head a bit embarrassedly and then spoke softly,

"Xiao Ye, rest assured, I'll talk to them when they return; after listening to me they won't go there."

Hearing Old Lady Li say that, Ye Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.

At least this household, this old lady is still reasonable.

"Alright, Old Lady Li, we've said what we needed to say, so we won't disturb you any further." Having said that, Ye Cheng prepared to stand up and leave.

After all, the awkward chat was unpleasant, mainly because Xiao Hu this guy, once seated just drank cola like an old man, saying nothing.

As soon as he heard they could leave, Xiao Hu sprang to his feet; sitting had been agonizing for him, and facing an old lady he didn't dare speak loudly, so he just held it in.

Unexpectedly, just as Ye Cheng stood up, Old Lady Li suddenly rose as well and grabbed him firmly,

"Xiao Ye, you can't leave; after making the trip here, you must have lunch before you go."

"Huh? Old Lady Li, that's unnecessary; we still have to go out to sea this afternoon." Ye Cheng hurriedly declined, thinking it would be shameful to let a poor old lady arrange lunch for them.

I had thought the old lady was just being polite, but Old Lady Li instead stepped directly in front of the two, speaking with firm certainty,

"No, you've come all this way, and you didn't even ask for our medical fees; not sharing a meal would be inexcusable—you must stay."

"Don't worry, our dishes may lack big fish or meat, but they're all homegrown."

Ye Cheng looked at the old lady with a helpless expression,

"No, Old Lady Li, we really have things to do this afternoon and still need to go out to sea."

"You can eat before you go out to sea; you're on motorcycles, so it'll be quick." Old Lady Li insisted.

Afterward Ye Cheng kept saying more, but Old Lady Li stubbornly insisted the two stay for a meal, saying it was to make amends.

Finally Xiao Hu couldn't hold back any longer and burst out,

"Old Lady Li, in a bit when your sons come back, seeing us they might start fighting again."

Today is the day the Zhu family brothers are released; if they return, they might indeed run into us, and whether they'll fight is anyone's guess.

"They dare!" The old lady suddenly erupted with aura, shouting sharply; the force even stunned Xiao Hu.

After shouting, Old Lady Li looked at Xiao Hu and said solemnly,

"Young man, rest assured; as long as I, your old lady, still have a breath, if they dare to lay a hand on you, I'll throw myself headfirst into death in this house!"

"Just stay here and eat in peace; I want to see whether they still have any regard for this old mother of theirs in their eyes!"

Ye Cheng and Xiao Hu exchanged a speechless glance; the old lady's words were too frightening—talk of head‑butting oneself to death made them dare not refuse the meal.

According to Ye Cheng's estimate, the old lady also wanted to use this occasion to establish authority over her sons and force them to submit.

"Well then, we'll stay for the meal, but Old Lady Li, please don't prepare too much; don't overwork yourself." Ye Cheng agreed.

As soon as Ye Cheng agreed, Old Lady Li immediately clapped her hands happily.

Is this right? Sit down, you all—I'll go kill a chicken for you. I'm telling you all, ah, my chicken is really delicious, the meat is firm.