Chapter 8 Bai Zimo Helps Cover My Retreat
Bai Zimo patted Zhou Haikuo on the shoulder.
“Sorry for your loss!”
“No… Grandpa, listen to , it’s not like that, let explain!”
Bai Zimo had no idea how Zhou Haikuo would explain himself, because Dahua had already pulled him and Ma Siyi away, heading straight to the next “victim’s” house.
“Hey, what are you three doing? Bai Zimo, are you up to so mischief again?”
Bai Zimo shrugged, putting on an innocent look.
“Alright, I’m heading to the kitchen. Oh, by the way, you’re welco to visit ‘Canal Ho’!”
“Uncle Zhou runs a restaurant at the Huajie intersection called ‘Canal Ho.’ He’s a Huaiyang cuisine master.”
“Haikuo’s mom sings Kunqu Opera—she’s even prettier than you! But she’s not ho today, so you won’t see her!”
Zhou Haikuo’s father was Zhou Linyan. His mother was Luo Zhii. Among the families in this compound, theirs was the wealthiest. But ironically, Zhou Haikuo was the most miserable. Not because of love—because of studying!
Next house!
This ti, Dahua took them to her own ho.
“Siyi, this is my house. My dad works on the river—he’s called Xia Lao’er. My mom is Li Yan. You’ve t her before!”
“Does your mom treat you well?”
Dahua blurted out, “Nope, she looks for chances to scold every day. She’s so naggy that she’d suffocate if she stayed quiet for three minutes.”
Bai Zimo shook Dahua’s shoulder.
“Save the shaking for when I’m on the swing. Why are you both staring at like that?”
Ma Siyi pointed behind Dahua!
Dahua turned around—and there was her mom, Li Yan, standing there with a dark expression!
“Dahua, who are you talking about?”
“Mom, is it possible you were sleepwalking?”
Bai Zimo couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Ma Siyi also chuckled uncontrollably.
______
“Mom, even though you’re angry, please don’t get too mad.”
“You itching for a beating? I’m gonna smack you, you brat! Now I understand why the feather duster seller said it’s so handy for hitting people!”
“Ahhh… You two! Not loyal at all! Didn’t even warn . Siyi, let’s run! Bai Zimo, help cover our retreat!”
Bai Zimo blocked for a second—and sure enough, got scolded too.
Li Yan fud, “Zimo, you’ve lost your mind too?”
“Entrusted by soone, loyal to the task!”
“Spouting fancy words—save it for the college entrance exams.”
“Right, right!”
“Don’t block the way. Dahua’s about to tear the house apart.”
“Don’t be mad, if Dahua tears down the house, she’s just helping you renovate it so it won’t leak!”
“You and your nonsense.”
Li Yan rolled her eyes, but after a few rounds of back-and-forth, her anger mostly dissipated. Seeing that Dahua and Ma Siyi had run off, Bai Zimo also retreated. The three of them headed straight to the Xie family.
“Uncle Hong!”
“Zimo, what are you up to now?”
Bai Zimo nudged Dahua, “Tonight it’s her turn to explain!”
Dahua knocked on the door loudly.
“Xie Wanghe! Xie Wanghe!”
“What?”
“Zimo and I brought Siyi over to get familiar with the place. We’re brothers now!”
Dahua clasped her fists dramatically, making Xie Wanghe’s mom, Liang Haihong, laugh.
“Dahua, where did you learn that line?”
“Uncle Xie is Wanghe’s dad.”
Xie Wanghe said proudly, “My dad, Xie Tiancheng, is the boss of the Canal Street river section. On the river, everyone listens to him. He’s like the Dragon King!”
“Dragon King! That’s aweso!”
Ma Siyi echoed.
“Yeah, he and my dad work together on the river. They make a ton of money!”
Liang Haihong quickly added, “Who told you that?”
“My mom!”
_____
“Aiya, it’s not that much money! Dahua, if we were really that rich, both our families would’ve bought houses by now instead of renting from Granny Ma.”
Liang Haihong squatted down to patiently explain.
You can’t flaunt wealth—Dahua’s chatter was dangerous!
Bai Zimo pulled Dahua away.
“Co on, listen to Aunt Liang this ti.”
“I wasn’t wrong though!”
“Let’s go! Otherwise your mom’s gonna co after you with a forty-ter sword.”
Dahua puffed up her cheeks, swallowing back her words. For a chatterbox, that must have been torture.
“Alright, let’s go. Don’t listen to her, she’s totally unreliable.”
However, when Xie Wanghe grabbed Ma Siyi’s hand, he imdiately got smacked away!
“A boy holding a girl’s hand—aren’t you ashad?”
“I was just worried she’d get lost!”
“She’s with Zimo, you think she’ll get lost? Siyi, stay away from Wanghe in the future, he’s a bad kid.”
“Excuse ! You’re always clinging to Zimo, you’re a bad kid too!”
“At least I don’t get punished by the teacher every day.”
“Dahua, you—!”
Bai Zimo’s mouth twitched. Dahua’s combat power was insane!
Final house!
“Shaoxingchi, let’s go play.”
“Eh, I can’t today. I’m busy.”
Shaoxingchi carefully carried a bowl of soup into the inner room.
“Wait, you’re cooking by yourself again?”
“My mom’s sick.”
Dahua blurted out, “Shaoxingchi! Why is your mom always sick!”
“Got sothing to say? If not, get lost.”
Bai Zimo had no doubt—Give Dahua one evening—She could break everyone’s ntal defenses and throw every household into chaos.
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