Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 277 - 277 278 Kidnapping the Child_1

Chapter 277: Chapter 278: Kidnapping the Child_1 Chapter 277: Chapter 278: Kidnapping the Child_1 Madam Zhao was stunned. “Why’s that?”

Qiao Yuanzhen should be the one who cares the least about this child, right? In his eyes, this child is no different from an encumbrance.

“Even if I don’t care for it, does Li Qinghe not care? She dared to drive me to this embarrassing state, so I won’t let her have an easy time!” Qiao Yuanzhen’s face twisted savagely, his originally handsome appearance turned utterly hideous at that moment.

Now without Li Qinghe’s financial support, Qiao Yuanzhen had been completely reduced to a penniless state, not to mention that he couldn’t rely on Miss Qin either. These days, he’d been living in extreme frustration. Since he couldn’t find happiness for himself, he naturally wouldn’t allow Li Qinghe to be happy either.

Exhausted from giving birth, Li Qinghe looked at her child, who was safe and sound, and then peacefully fell asleep.

Mrs. Lin was especially fond of the baby, as if she were looking at her own grandson, holding the child and smiling like a flower. “Muniang, what should we name the baby?”

Muniang looked towards Li Cheng, who had hurried over not long ago, and said, “We should ask Chengzi, shouldn’t we?”

Li Cheng was delighted to see the child as well and didn’t know what to say. Scratching his head, he said, “I’m a simple man; how would I know how to name a child? Muniang, you’re smart, you should name the baby.”

“So indecisive? In the future when you have kids, will you need me to help pick their names too?”

Li Cheng blushed, “Have, have kids… It’s too early for that?” As he spoke, he sneakily glanced at Song Wanwan, but to his surprise, Song Wanwan’s face turned even redder, and she chastised with annoyance, “Muniang, you always tease us.”

Muniang laughed heartily and stopped teasing them, saying, “As for the name, I think Xi’er is a good choice. After all, her arrival has made everyone so happy. I hope she lives her whole life joyfully; how’s that?”

Li Cheng nodded again and again: “Good, good, it suits a girl well. Li Xi’er, Li Xi’er, sounds nice!”

Everyone burst into laughter, but suddenly, a discordant and gloomy voice interrupted, “Who says she bears the Li surname!?!”

Upon turning her head, Muniang saw it was the Qiao family, and her face immediately turned cold—these people were quick to get news!

“She is the flesh and blood of our Qiao family; how can you folks mess around like this? Hand the child over to me!” Madam Zhao said sharply, and then she tried to snatch the baby.

Mrs. Lin was so scared she didn’t know what to do and clutched the child protectively. Muniang’s eyebrows furrowed at this thuggery. Just as she was about to step in front of the old lady, she saw that Li Cheng had already beaten her to it.

“This is my sister’s child! What does it have to do with your Qiao family? You all divorced her, and now you still covet her child, have you no humanity left?” Li Cheng bellowed angrily.

“Heh, even if Li Qinghe was divorced, the child is from our family! That child has the blood of the Qiao family; how can we not want it? What a joke! I’ve never heard of a woman who shamelessly takes the child away after being divorced!” Madam Zhao’s shrill voice was quite grating.

Seemingly frightened, the baby began to cry suddenly, and Muniang hurriedly had Mrs. Lin take the child to the back hall to avoid the commotion.

“What are you doing? Why take the child inside? Don’t think our Qiao family is easy to bully. If you know what’s good for you, bring him out immediately, or else we’ll take our complaint straight to the Village Head!” Madam Zhao said righteously.

Li Cheng was furiously indignant, “If you wanted the child, why did you insist on divorcing my sister even after knowing she was pregnant, and even went so far as to drive her out? If you wanted the child, why didn’t you ask about her during her pregnancy? Now that the child is born, you immediately run to the Shangmen. How thick can your faces get?”

Qiao Dazhi said in a grave voice, “The flesh and blood of our Qiao family is the child—not related to Li Qinghe. Why should we care about her? No matter what, the child has to be a Qiao, so hand him over quickly. Otherwise, we’ll take the matter directly to the Village Head, and you won’t have a leg to stand on in this dispute.”

Li Cheng staggered. Strictly speaking, the child indeed belonged to the Qiao family. If the Qiao family insisted on making an issue of it now, they indeed had no standing. But how could he hand over the child now? The baby was Qinghe’s entire conviction for the latter half of her life.

Qiao Yuanzhen stood by, not uttering a word, but his attitude was equally firm. He simply didn’t want to participate in such an undignified quarrel. If the Li Family handed over the child peacefully, all would be well; if not, he would just seek justice from the Village Head.

Muniang’s fists were tightly clenched in her sleeves. She had truly underestimated the Qiao family, these beasts. Qinghe had painstakingly carried the baby for ten months. She had toiled to provide precious remedies to strengthen Qinghe’s body, resulting in a healthy, plump child. Now the Qiao family wanted to take the baby away with a single claim of him being a Qiao. It seemed they had been counting on Qinghe’s pregnancy from the start!

“Who was it that came here before, claiming Qinghe was carrying a bastard? Now you start recognizing her as your granddaughter? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?” Muniang said sharply.

Sure enough, at these words, the elders of the Qiao family turned pale. This matter was a thorn in their side, which was why they hadn’t wanted the grandchild. But after a covert glance at Qiao Yuanzhen, they held back.

Qiao Yuanzhen said coldly, “If you admit the child is a bastard, then it’s simple. I will report directly to the Village Head and have Li Qinghe, that wretched woman, and her bastard drowned in a pig cage.”

Muniang’s expression darkened, and looking at Qiao Yuanzhen, she seemed ready to devour him. She could see that the Qiao family didn’t truly want the child; Qiao Yuanzhen was clearly seeking revenge against Li Qinghe! He just didn’t want to see her happy!

Li Cheng raised his fists, ready to charge, “You son of a bitch, dare to insult my sister again, believe it or not, I’ll—”

Yu Ze stopped him, speaking in a low voice, “Don’t be impulsive.”

He then addressed Qiao Yuanzhen, “I know what you’re furious about. You want to associate with noble gentlemen, but you’re strapped for cash and might be looked down upon by them. You wish to curry favor with influential people, like Miss Qin, but that plan has fallen through. Now, you’re nothing but a penniless Scholar, without any real power and despised at every turn.”

Qiao Yuanzhen exploded in rage, “Nonsense! I’m the only Scholar in the village, respected by everyone. How dare you say I’m despised?”

Yu Ze sneered, “Only Tupo Village treasures you like some precious gem. Beyond that, aren’t you just useless? Which one of your classmates isn’t wealthier than you? Now, without Qinghe’s financial support, and unable to rely on the Qin Family’s backing, aren’t you just a broke wretch?”

Qiao Yuanzhen’s eyes reddened with fury. If not for knowing he was outmatched in strength, he might have lunged at Yu Ze to start a fight. Yu Ze’s words were true, but they were the very things he least wanted to admit. Qiao Yuanzhen roared, “Get out! How does it matter what you say? Today, I just want Li Qinghe’s child!”

However, Yu Ze spoke evenly, “Compared to Li Qinghe’s child, are you sure you don’t want something more meaningful? Like, money.”

(Recommend a friend’s story “Devilish Husband, Pamper One”）