Zhang Sanlang scoffed, ridiculing, “These sweet words are just to flatter people, Mother. Did you really believe them?”
Among the four brothers, Zhang Silang was the cleverest, the best-looking, and had the sweetest tongue. He knew how to charm people, thus earning their parents’ greatest favor.
Zhang Laotou fixed a deep stare at his three sons. Even though Zhang Dalang remained silent, his expression alone spoke volumes about his stance. All three sons harbored resentment in their hearts.
Trying to maintain the authority of the head of the family, Zhang Laotou’s expression remained impassive as he looked at them and asked, “I will ask you one question: are you willing to save Silang?”
Zhang Dalang and the others fell into silence, their heads bowed.
Seeing them unresponsive, Zhang Laotai became enraged, pounding them one by one while crying out, “You heartless ones! You ungrateful creatures! I will report you all to the authorities for being unfilial! I’ll have you all imprisoned! Since you don’t want to save Silang, then we’ll all go in together to keep him company! At least the three of you can suffer with him!”
The three daughters-in-law stood outside the door, hearing Zhang Laotai’s words. Their expressions reflected both anger and worry. Liu Shi almost rushed in, but was stopped by Wang Shi. If they rushed in now, it would only make things worse. If they pushed Zhang Laotai too far, she might actually go to the authorities to report them.
Zhang Laotou reached out, pulling Zhang Laotai and speaking to her in a low voice, “Calm down!”
Zhang Laotai replied sadly, “How can I calm down? I gave birth to these heartless beings! They want my Silang to die in prison!”
At this, Zhang Dalang could no longer hold back and spoke up to defend himself, “Mother, we also want to save our fourth brother.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Laotai immediately responded, “Then sell those girls!”
Zhang Dalang fell silent once again.
Zhang Laotai was about to continue pressing them when Zhang Laotou barked, “Shut up!”
Now, Zhang Laotai could only cover her face and cry.
Turning to her three sons, Zhang Laotou’s gaze deepened, landing on the eldest son, and asked, “Dalang, what are your thoughts?”
Zhang Dalang genuinely did not know what to say. With Zhang Silang locked up, they certainly wanted to rescue their brother. However, selling their own daughters to bail Zhang Silang out was something they simply could not do.
Fidgeting with his pants, Zhang Dalang’s expression was pained and conflicted as he struggled to say anything.
Even knowing the stance of his three sons, Zhang Laotou did not give up. He said to them, “Silang will surely earn a degree in the future. Once he does, he will undoubtedly take care of you elder brothers. Don’t you want your sons to have a bright future like Silang’s? If there is someone in the family who is educated, knowledge will be passed down, and each subsequent generation of the Zhang family will have scholars. We won’t be mere peasants anymore.”
Zhang Laotou was forcing his sons to make a choice.
Zhang Erlang, unable to contain himself, clenched his fists and shouted angrily, “Father! Wake up! How many times have we heard this? Only you two believe that the fourth brother will succeed!”
For something that cannot even be tasted now, he could not betray his daughters by selling them.
Faced with his son’s rebuttal, Zhang Laotou’s face turned ugly.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became especially heavy. Only the sound of breathing and Zhang Laotai’s sobbing filled the silence.
Finally, Zhang Laotou shut his eyes, looking utterly disappointed, and drove his three sons out.
Zhang Dalang hesitated to speak, but was pulled out of the room by Zhang Erlang.
Zhang Laotai wiped her tears, choking back words of anger, “Those heartless creatures! Silang is their brother, yet they just watch him suffer! I will go to the authorities and have them all imprisoned!”
Saying this in front of her sons and daughters-in-law was meant to threaten them into submission. Speaking such sentiments behind their backs showed that Zhang Laotai was truly consumed by a frantic idea. Since her beloved youngest son could not come out, they might as well all go in together to keep him company! At least they could be a complete family!
Zhang Laotou covered his face with his hand, the sighing sound he made sounding particularly weak.
Seeing him unresponsive, Zhang Laotai turned and asked, “What should we do about Silang?”
Zhang Laotou did not want to speak; he did not even take off his shoes and lay down on the bed, covering his head with the blankets. He looked like he was trying to escape from facing the situation.
Seeing this, Zhang Laotai began to cry again, muttering, “My poor Silang! Mother is sorry for you, giving birth to those three cold-blooded creatures!”
Continuing the earlier content, Zhang Fang busily penned away for two days and finally finished the draft! He even specially called for Zhao the prison guard to read it to him.
Zhang Fang suddenly stopped reading, making Zhao the guard stare eagerly, unable to resist urging, “Keep reading! Zhang brother!”
Zhang Fang replied, “I’ve only written this much.”
Zhao the guard was astonished and immediately pressed him, “Then hurry and write more! This story is riveting!”
Zhang Fang expressed his difficulty in saying, “I plan to publish this story. According to our agreement, my father will come today. Once he takes the draft to the publishing house to see if they are willing to accept it, I will continue writing.”
This sounded quite impressive to Zhao the guard; he felt he had struck it rich. What Zhang Fang was writing was meant to be published, and he was the first to know its content!
“I’ll go check to see if your father has come.” Zhao the guard immediately went outside.
Zhang Laotou had indeed arrived but stood outside the prison lost in thought.
“Zhang uncle! Come in quickly!” Zhao the guard was extremely polite to Zhang Laotou.
Coming back to his senses, Zhang Laotou pushed aside his worries and followed Zhao the guard inside to visit Zhang Fang.
“Father, what’s wrong? Did something happen at home?” Zhang Fang noticed his father’s expression was not good.
Zhao the guard thought they would first discuss the manuscript. Hearing Zhang Fang say this and then looking at Zhang Laotou, he noticed that indeed the latter’s expression was not right.
“You two father and son chat. Call me if you need anything!” Zhao the guard discreetly left the room.
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