Chapter 12

Madam Li put the cloth back on. People would pass by the house occasionally. If anyone saw the watermelon, it would cause an uproar. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After covering it with the cloth, she asked carefully, “Qingzhi, who gave you the big watermelon?”

Chu Qingzhi pointed at the room. “Let’s talk inside.”

Everyone followed Chu Qingzhi into the house.

Madam Li placed the basket on the table, removed the cloth, and took out the watermelon. Then, she heard the sound of metal colliding. She quickly looked at the bottom of the basket and saw two silver ingots.

She rubbed her eyes. Was she hallucinating? How could there be silver ingots?

She looked into the basket again and saw that there were really silver ingots.

She took out the silver ingots and placed them on the table with a crisp sound.

Everyone looked over and were stunned again.

Silver ingots were worth fifty taels each.Chu Qingzhi went to the kitchen and took out the kitchen knife. There were a total of thirteen people in the house. She held the kitchen knife and quickly slashed at it a few times. Then, the watermelon was sliced into exactly thirteen pieces. “One for each of you. Take it.”

The Chu family widened their eyes.

Seeing that no one was moving, Chu Qingzhi took the initiative to put the watermelon in everyone’s hands and explained the origin of the watermelon and silver ingots.

After everyone heard this, they looked at Chu Qingzhi as if she was a fairy. Their eyes were filled with surprise, joy, and disbelief.

The eyes of the younger ones were filled with admiration.

Chu Tai held his chest. He was too shocked and could not breathe. “Qingzhi, you know medicine?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded and said honestly, “Yes, and my medical skills are not bad.”

Everyone looked at each other and did not know what to say.

After a while, Madam Li seemed to have thought of something and asked, “Qingzhi, did you just say that you treated the eldest daughter of the Xu family?”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Yes.”

Madam Li took two deep breaths. This was too much of a shock for her. “There’s only one family in the county with the surname Xu. They’re the richest people in the county. I didn’t expect you to save their daughter.”

Chu Qingzhi was surprised. “The Xu family is the richest?”Madam Li nodded. “That’s right. I heard that the Xu family even opened shops in the capital and is very, very rich.”

Hearing this, Chu Qingzhi suddenly had an idea, but now was not the time.

She said, “Everyone, eat the watermelon to stay cool. Let’s talk as we eat.”

Chu Tai looked at Chu Qingzhi amiably. Their family had brought back a lucky star.

Everyone picked up the watermelon and nibbled on it carefully.

In the past, they did not even dare to think about eating a watermelon.

…

After everyone finished eating the watermelon, they suddenly heard a commotion, accompanied by cries. In this hot weather, it was annoying.

The commotion came from their neighbor. Madam Li quickly walked out, and the others followed behind her.

“You good-for-nothing, get lost!” Zhao Xiuhua cursed as she pushed her daugher-in-law out of the courtyard.

Madam Li went forward to support Fu Haiyan. “Child, are you alright?”

Fu Haiyan shook her head with silent tears streaming down her face. “Auntie, I’m fine.”Fu Haiyan was Zhao Xiuhua’s daughter-in-law. After marrying into the Zhou family for two years and not having any children, Fu Haiyan was scolded by Zhao Xiuhua every day. Later, she was even beaten.

Zhao Xiuhua’s son, Zhou Qingzhong, watched coldly, as if it was not his wife who was beaten and scolded.

Zhao Xiuhua said to Madam Li, “Qingyu, ignore that woman. It’s been two years, but she still can’t give birth. Does she want our family to have no descendants?”

Madam Li’s full name was Li Qingyu. It was a beautiful name.

Li Qingyu took the fan from her daughter’s hand and fanned Fu Haiyan. “You’re always forcing her. She’s under a lot of pressure. She can’t give birth even if she wants to.”

“Qing Yu, don’t speak up for a hen that doesn’t lay eggs. There’s something wrong with her.”

Zhao Xiuhua pointed at Fu Haiyan and cursed, “Back then, I said that I would give you another year. If you still can’t give birth, I’ll kick you out. Now that the deadline is up, get lost.”

Fu Haiyan broke down and hugged Li Qingyu, crying.

Li Qingyu patted Fu Haiyan’s back. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll persuade your mother-in-law.”

She looked at Zhao Xiuhua. “Haiyan has been married to your son for two years. If she’s divorced, how will she live in the future?”

Zhao Xiuhua’s face was filled with disgust and heartlessness. “Who cares? Even if she’s dead, it has nothing to do with me.”

Chu Qingzhi really couldn’t stand it anymore. She hated it when girls were bullied, so she said, “Hey, you. Your mother hit and scolded your wife. Are you just going to stand there like a fool?”

A crisp voice sounded in everyone’s ears. It was as if a cool breeze had blown over in this hot weather, immediately attracting everyone’s attention.

Zhou Qingzhong did not realize that Chu Qingzhi was talking to him. He stood there with his head lowered like a log.

Chu First shouted, “Zhou Qingzhong, my sister is talking to you!”

Only then did Zhou Qingzhong raise his head and look at Chu Qingzhi with an unfriendly gaze. “What does my mother hitting and scolding my wife have to do with you?”

Chu Qingzhi said sarcastically, “It’s none of my business, but I feel that you’re a coward, so I can’t help but want to fight injustice.”

Chapter 13

Zhou Qingzhong clenched his fists. From his posture, he looked like he was about to rush over and beat Chu Qingzhi up. “Who are you calling a coward?”

“You,” Chu Qingzhi said calmly. “She’s your wife. When she’s bullied, not only do you not help her, but you also let others bully her. Are you still a man?”

For some reason, the last sentence hit Zhou Qingzhong’s sore spot. He immediately became irritable. “Chu Qingzhi, You are also someone who was abandoned by others. What right do you have to talk to me like that?”

Chu Rong immediately stood up. “Who said that no one wants Qingzhi? We’re all her family.”

Zhou Qingzhong snorted. “I’m talking about her adoptive parents. Her adoptive parents are rich in the county. When they don’t want her, they kick her out like a dog. Why is she talking to me like she is a noble?”

Chu Qingzhi’s expression became colder and colder. If the Host heard this, she would probably commit suicide again. “It doesn’t matter if I’m a dog or not, but you’re worse than a dog.”

Zhou Qingzhong glared at her. “You…”

Chu Qingzhi interrupted Zhou Qingzhong. “Me what? Is your wife to blame for not getting pregnant?”

Zhao Xiuhua could tell that Chu QIngzhi was hinting at something and quickly asked, “What do you mean?”

Chu Qingzhi said coldly, “You have to ask your son!”

Zhou Qingzhong looked like his secret was about to be exposed. He glared at Chu Qingzhi. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Chu Qingzhi snorted. “Do you have a guilty conscience?”

Zhou Qingzhong threatened, “Chu Qingzhi, I advise you not to stay out of it. Otherwise, you won’t be helping her but harming her.”Chu Qingzhi sneered. “Why? Do you want to kill your wife?”

Fu Haiyan was so frightened that her body trembled. She had been married to Zhou QIngzhong for two years. The first year was fine, but the second year, her body was covered in bruises. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but wonder if she would be beaten to death by this family.

Chu Qingzhi turned around and asked Fu Haiyan, “Are you still going to live with him? If you continue, you’ll never be able to get pregnant and will always live in misery.”

Fu Haiyan’s body trembled violently. She was afraid of being beaten, but she was already married. If she left, where else could she go?

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. “Qingzhi, I don’t know what to do.”

Zhou Qingzhong walked over fiercely and pulled Fu Haiyan over. “How vicious you are. I’ve heard of people persuading others not to get divorced, but I’ve never heard of people persuading others to get divorced.”

Fu Haiyan instinctively struggled to break free from Zhou Qingzhong. She had a feeling that if she was pulled back home, what awaited her would definitely be a good beating. She was terrified.

Zhao Xiuhua rushed over. “Chu Qingzhi, what do you mean?”

Chu Qingzhi looked up at Zhao Xiuhua, whose face was twisted with anger. “Your son is infertile, but you actually blame your daughter-in-law. You’re really crazy.”

Zhao Xiuhua’s face twisted with anger even more. “What do you mean my son is fertile?”

Just now, Zhou Qingzhong had scolded her for being a dog, so there was no need for her to show mercy. “Your son got into a fight with someone when he was young and was injured. He doesn’t have the ability to have children at all. If you want a grandson, wait until your next life.”

Zhao Xiuhua’s vision darkened. “You, you’re talking nonsense!”

Zhou Qingzhong’s expression instantly turned ferocious. He looked like he wanted to swallow Chu Qingzhi in one bite. Such a secret was exposed by Chu Qingzhi in front of everyone. It was as if he had been stripped naked and was forced to walk in the public. He was filled with hatred and anger.

Fu Haiyan lowered her head. She had been married for two years and was still a virgin, but her mother-in-law wanted her to give birth. She had been enduring such a grievance for two years.The others looked at Zhou Qingzhong in shock.

Zhou Qingzhong was furious. He picked up a rock from the ground and threw it at Chu Qingzhi.

The rock was as big as a plate. If it hit someone, they would definitely bleed.

Chu Qingzhi wanted to move aside, but her family was still standing behind her, so she could only reach out to catch it. After she caught it, she threw it back at Zhou Qingzhong. In the end, it hit him between the eyes and knocked him back, causing him to bleed on the spot.

Everyone was stunned. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hearing the argument, the villagers all came over to watch. Tang Jinghong was among them. He saw Chu Qingzhi catching the rock clearly.

His eyes flickered. It seemed that he was not the only one in this village who hid his ability.

Zhao Xiuhua quickly went to help Zhou Qingzhong up. At the same time, she shouted, “Chu Qingzhi, why did you hit my son? Chu Qingzhi, you’re a vicious woman. Not only did you ruin my son’s reputation, but you also hit him with a rock. You’re too uncivilized.”

Everyone found Zhao Xiuhua unreasonable. Chu Qingzhi was only self-protecting.

Chu Qingzhi mocked, “I couldn’t be bothered to ruin your son’s reputation. I just can’t stand you bullying a good girl, so I interfered.”

Zhao Xiuhua said fiercely, “Go, go and invite the village chief over. Chu Qingzhi maliciously injured my son. I can’t let this matter rest just like that.”

When the village chief heard that the two families were arguing, he came over. “Why are you arguing here?”

When Zhou Qingzhong’s father heard that something had happened at home, he rushed back from the field and entered the house with the village chief. “What are you doing?”

Zhao Xiuhua quickly exaggerated what had just happened.

The village chief said seriously. “Chu Qingzhi, how do you know that Zhou Qingzhong can’t have children?”

Chu Qingzhi replied casually, “Because I’m a doctor.”

A doctor?

Everyone immediately looked at Chu Qingzhi, their gazes filled with judgment. If Chu Qingzhi was a doctor, they could not afford to offend her. Everyone would get sick and need a doctor.

Chapter 14

“Are you really a doctor?” The village chief looked at Chu Qingzhi and was in disbelief. If Chu Qingzhi was a doctor, would her adoptive parents in the county let her go back?

With a faint smile on her face, Chu Qingzhi pointed at Zhou Qingzhong.

Zhou Qingzhong shrunk back. He had just been exposed by Chu Qingzhi and had yet to regain his calmness. If she exposed more of his secrets, he might not be able to withstand it.

Chu Qingzhi moved her finger to Zhao Xiuhua and said, “This evil woman, she will often feel pain in her right ribs and upper abdomen. Sometimes, she will feel slight pain.”

Zhao Xiuhua’s expression changed slightly. Chu Qingzhi was right.

Chu Qingzhi looked at Tang Jinghong. “He worked so hard that he fell ill. He was injured by an arrow in his lower ribs and almost died. He was stabbed three times. He was close to death many times in his life.”

Tang Jinghong was shocked, but he did not show it on his face.

“Village Chief, you often have a headache and your limbs are weak. At night, you will have nightmares and can’t sleep well.”

Chu Qingzhi diagnosed a few more people and hit the nail on the head every time.

Third Uncle’s wife, Wang Qiu, was one of the people diagnosed by Chu Qingzhi. She walked towards Chu Qingzhi in surprise. “Since you can see my illness, can you make a prescription for me?”

“Of course,” Chu Qingzhi said. “Third Grandma, I don’t have a pen, ink, and paper here. How about this? I’ll go find some herbs later and send them to you?”

Wang Qiu smiled and agreed. “That will do. When you send the herbs to me later, I will pay you.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “Sure.”Seeing that Chu Qingzhi did not seem to be lying, Zhao Xiuhua’s eyes lit up and she began to curry favor with her. “Qingzhi, I didn’t mean what I said just now. Don’t take it to heart.”

Chu Qingzhi naturally would not take these women seriously. She was not so narrow-minded. However, it was impossible for Chu Qingzhi to help her.

She pretended not to hear Zhao Xiuhua and continued to talk to Wang Qiu.

Zhao Xiuhua knew that Chu Qingzhi was resentful of her, so she walked towards Li Qingyu. “Qingyu, we are neighbors. Neighbors are like families. Even if we quarrel, we can’t cut ties, right?”

Li Qingyu still remembered that Zhou Qingzhong had called Chu Qingzhi “dog”, so she said bluntly to Zhao Xiuhua, “We can’t afford to be your neighbors.”

Zhao Xiuhua’s face stiffened. She turned around and walked towards the village chief. “Village chief, we’re all from the same village. If we hold grudges against each other, it won’t be good for the harmony of the village, right?”

The village chief looked at Zhao Xiuhua coldly. He had always known that this vicious shrew did not treat her daughter-in-law well, but he did not expect it to be so bad.

He ignored Zhao Xiuhua and asked Fu Haiyan, “What are your plans? If you want to leave, get divorced. If you want to stay, you can. No matter what you choose, I’ll help you.”

In the village, the village chief was the most prestigious person.

When Zhou Qingzhong heard this, he panicked. Now that everyone knew that he could not give birth, if Fu Haiyan left, who would be willing to marry him in the future?

Zhao Xiuhua was also so frightened that her face turned pale. If Fu Haiyan left, her son would be a bachelor forever.

“No, Haiyan, you and Qingzhong have been married for two years. You must have feelings for each other. I won’t hit you in the future. I’ll treat you well. Don’t leave, okay?”

Fu Haiyan’s eyes were red and filled with confusion. After a while, she asked Chu Qingzhi, “Qingzhi, what should I choose?”

“I don’t know what you should choose, but I can help you analyze the situation.”

Chu Qingzhi sympathized with Fu Haiyan. This girl was only 18 years old and looked like a 28-year-old woman. She was really pitiful.If you choose to stay, you’ll very likely be beaten and abused. At that time, no one will help you.”

Everyone agreed with Chu Qingzhi, so no one objected.

Fu Haiyan stammered, “But my mother-in-law said that she would treat me well in the future.”

Chu Qingzhi had lived for so long and knew human nature the best. “You have to know that a leopard can’t change its spots.”

Fu Haiyan fell into a dilemma.

Chu Qingzhi patted Fu Haiyan’s shoulder and continued to analyze. “If you divorce him, you’ll still be a virgin. There are many men who will marry you. Don’t be afraid that you won’t be able to get married.”

Fu Haiyan was a little tempted. She wanted a harmonious family and a few children. If she stayed in the Zhou family, she would never be able to be a mother for the rest of her life.

“Haiyan, don’t listen to Chu Qingzhi. She’s lying,” Zhou Qingzhong said anxiously. “Even if you’re a virgin, you’ll definitely be despised by men because you were married once.”

Fu Haiyan looked at Zhou Qingzhong. Before she married him, she had many expectations of this man, but in the end, they all turned into beatings and curses. She lived in fear every moment. Was this the life she wanted?

Zhao Xiuhua glared at Chu Qingzhi and said to Haiyan with a smile, “Haiyan, our family let you down in the past. As long as you stay, we can go and adopt a child. Our family will also treat you very well and won’t hit or scold you anymore.”

Just as Fu Haiyan was about to speak, Mr. Zhou suddenly said, “Haiyan, I hope you can stay too. If your mother-in-law hits you again in the future, I’ll definitely stop her.”

Chu Qingzhi was extremely speechless. Why didn’t he stop his wife in the past? He and his son were both cowards!

When Fu Haiyan heard this, she suddenly recalled the scene of Mr. Zhou handing a stick to Zhao Xiuhua. She took a deep breath and held Chu Qingzhi’s hand. “I want to divorce!”

The surrounding instantly fell silent.

Zhou Qingzhong could not accept it. He reached out, grabbed a stick, and swung it at Chu Qingzhi. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The stick was aimed at Chu Qingzhi’s head. When everyone saw this scene, they held their breaths. It was too ruthless!

How could Chu Qingzhi let herself be hit? Not only would she not be hit, but she was also prepared to cripple Zhou Qingzhong’s arm.

However, someone beat her to it…