Chapter 5: The Swindler Turns Back to His Old Tricks

  Zhang Wang and King Quan's parents are too busy to care about the excitement of cherry blossoms, they are now excited to see their children grow up from birth, learn to speak and walk, this process is the happiest thing for parents.

  Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan became like a treasure, being watched and surrounded, occasionally called out with sweet voices. After a round of fuss, Zhang Xiaobao didn't mind at all, he was willing to enjoy this warmth. But Wang Juan couldn't take it anymore, she just didn't understand why Zhang Xiaobao, such a big man, liked to act like a young girl. It seemed that the organization's decision to send her to ask for money was wrong, they should have sent a mother holding a child instead, believing they could get more money that way.

  To avoid this awkwardness, Wang Juan had to pretend to be tired and gave Zhang Xiaobao a hint, thinking that they could still keep in touch later. Zhang Xiaobao also cooperated with Wang Juan, yawning together, and their eyes began to droop.

  Waiting for the adults to find another place to discuss today's exciting events, Wang Juan, who was put back on the couch, finally let out a sigh and patted Zhang Xiaobao beside him, saying: "Can you not be so childish in the future? How old are you?"

  "You've never lost, so you'll never understand the happiness of having. How many times can a person experience this in their lifetime? And I haven't even experienced it yet, I don't plan on leaving any regrets behind. You be your adult self, and I'll be my childish self, let's see who has problems first?" Zhang Xiaobao was still thinking about the feeling from earlier, narrowing his eyes as he tried to persuade Wang Juan.

  "Get dressed, this day is what, when can we have a quiet space to arrange our own affairs? Also said to help your father pave the way, looking at it now, don't expect it." Wang Juan muttered, wanting to turn her body, but found that this body couldn't do so yet, the only posture was lying down.

  "Give me one more week, and I'll start making excuses for us to play to our strengths. This week, you and I will continue talking, adding a bit more content each day, so people think we're prodigies. That's settled." Zhang Xiaobao made his final decision.

  *

  The summer sky changes suddenly, a few days ago it was still sunny and clear, but today it's gloomy and overcast, as if the sky might fall at any moment. The wind is blowing strongly, sweeping across the ground, even the dust that's been blown up looks dark and gloomy. Most people have retreated to their homes or under some outdoor tea stalls.

  Only a few people were particularly spirited, looking like they were going to rain, and deliberately carried an umbrella, walking to the bridge or outside the tea shed, waiting for the arrival of the heavy rain.

  Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan spent seven days pretending to be divine children, making adults proud. As a result, they were given special treatment: the two of them could command a maid and a male servant (or housekeeper) to do things for them, such as having the maid and housekeeper carry them outside to look at the scenery or take them to the backyard to admire the flowers and grasses.

  Two people are exceptionally fond of this limited freedom, today looking at the outside wanting to rain heavily, hiding in the house, letting someone open the window, just looking at the outside scenery. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan both like this weather, especially the dark clouds in the sky, giving people a sense of pressure. The two of them are willing to face the pressure, looking very enthusiastic.

  This made life difficult for Ya Niang, Sakura and the other servant Er Niu. They were afraid that the two little ancestors would be blown away by the wind, and worried that a big rain would come down and get them wet, so they anxiously stood guard beside them, constantly persuading them to stay put.

  "Baogongzi, why don't we retreat a bit and take another look? We can also see what it's like to rain. Adding more clothes will make us feel even more comfortable." Erniu people are relatively clever, and they stick to Zhang Xiaobao's suggestion.

  Zhang Xiaobao seemed not to have heard, after a while, the rain seemed to be coming down, and suddenly said: "Er Niu, you say that the wind brings the rain in and blows us wet, we two cry together, when my mother comes, just say it's you who pushed us to the window, do you think my mother will believe your explanation or believe us two?"

  Zhang Xiaobao spoke up, but what he said shocked Er Niu and Sakura, their mouths wide open in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.

  "Yes, I and Xiaobao will tell my mother-in-law that you two don't want to take care of us, so we'll do something like this, which is to prepare to go somewhere else to work. What would be the consequences?" Wang Juan also helped to persuade on the side.

  The two cows no longer considered why the two children would say so many things that shouldn't be said by children, and with a thud, they knelt on the ground, their faces squeezed together, begging Zhang Xiaobao:

  "Little ancestor, my whole family has been working hard on the farm without offending you. You can't do this to me! Even if I'm not beaten to death, I'll be driven out and my whole family will be finished. Please spare me, I kowtow to you!"

  Cherry also reacted and knelt down together, which scared Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, they didn't expect such a light sentence would have such consequences.

  "Get up, get up, don't kneel down or kowtow. We're just casually asking to see if my mother believes you or us." Zhang Xiaobao wanted to help the two people up, but when he stretched out his hand, he found that it was just right to touch their chests, and was afraid of not being able to lift them, so he could only persuade them.

  "Little master, do you need to ask? Which adult would believe that their own child could tell lies at the age of one? The more Cherry and I explain, the more trouble we'll get into. Besides, it's both of you saying this together, even if Madame finds out you're lying, she'll wonder why you're doing this, and think that you don't like me and Cherry, which means we haven't taken good care of you." Er Niu didn't dare to get up, and answered honestly from where he was.

  "Oh! So that's how it is. Well, in that case, we need to discuss something with the two of you. What do you think?" Zhang Xiaobao had been waiting for this answer.

  "You say, and Cherry and I will definitely listen, no need to discuss it, what you say goes." Er Niu only then thought that the young master and Quan Quan's words didn't sound like a child, and Cherry was also nodding vigorously beside him.

  Now it's easy, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan put forward a requirement to Er Niu and Sakura, that is, one, no matter how outrageous the two people do things, they cannot tell others, including their wives, husbands, old ladies and old gentlemen.

  From now on, no matter what they ask the two of them to do, don't ask for reasons and can't not do it, and even more can't let others notice, otherwise think about the consequences yourself.

  The two oxen and the cherry blossom didn't dare say a word, whatever Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan proposed, they all agreed to. Offending the two children was more serious than offending their wives, offending their wives would only result in docked wages and beatings, but offending the children would be fatal, at least they would lose their skin. Anyway, when mistakes were made, naturally the two children would take the blame, this was also a promise made by Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.

  The heavy rain finally fell, pattering against the open window, and the wind blew against the window with a creaking sound. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's mood became even better, gazing at the outside misty rain, they smiled at each other, everything was understood without words.

  It rained all day and didn't stop until evening, when it gradually subsided. After having milk, the two people who had woken up called over Er Niu and Sakura. First, they instructed Sakura to go to the outer door and keep watch, warning them to alert others if someone approached. Then Zhang Xiaobao asked Er Niu:

  "Second Cow, who else is at home? Are you married?"

  "I'm not married, I'm only seventeen years old. Don't look at my size, I'm actually still young and not in a hurry to get married. Let my older brother get married first, then we'll talk about it. Oh, my parents are still alive, there's an older brother above me and a nine-year-old younger sister below me. My mother said that if we save up for another year, she can find a wife for my brother, and I'll have a sister-in-law." Er Niu replied respectfully.

  "Oh, great, parents are fine, having brothers and sisters is even better, this is what a family should be like. I also want to have a sister or brother, unfortunately, I'm the eldest, don't know if my mom will give birth to several younger siblings for me in the future," Zhang Xiaobao continued to ask.

  The second cow didn't expect to hear such words, thinking about his own family, it's really not bad, and he smiled happily again, and replied: "In response to Young Master's words, my brother Big Cow is busy farming during the busy season, and when he's not busy, he does some odd jobs, and can also get some more rice and salt. My sister helps with chopping firewood, and my parents are also busy farming during the busy season, and when they're not busy, they do things for others."

  "It seems like it's not yet the busy farming season?" Zhang Xiaobao asked this to Wang Juan, and after thinking for a moment, she nodded.

  "Not busy, will be busy in two months, just idle now." Er Niu replied when he heard someone asking.

  "Not busy, huh? Can find something to do, especially you big cow, what are you going to do?" Zhang Xiaobao fell into deep thought, Wang Juan knew that this international big scammer was about to start scheming again, and she also made preparations, if Zhang Xiaobao still wanted to continue scamming, then she would stop him no matter what.

  Wang Juan looked at Zhang Xiaobao's furrowed brow and couldn't help but secretly worry. Such a big scammer, really had to be so worried and think of things that weren't just small matters. The scammer's ability was beyond doubt.

  "I've got it!" Zhang Xiaobao suddenly exclaimed excitedly.

  "What's going on? Can't cheat people." Wang Juan was shocked and thought to herself, "This swindler wouldn't dare try to cheat the highest officials in certain regions, would he? Like the provincial governor or the heads of the three provinces and six ministries? It's possible, after all, he didn't cheat many at the provincial level before."

  Zhang Xiaobao looked at Wang Juan with a hint of dissatisfaction and said, "Do I need to cheat to make some small money? Do you think I'm always a cheater in your heart? I can turn back too."

  "The swindler says he's turning back, but who can guarantee this isn't another deception?" Wang Juan showed no mercy to Zhang Xiaobao.

  "Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. Look, Er Niu is confused, let's get down to business. This matter should be handled by Er Niu's older brother Da Niu. Er Niu, listen carefully, I'm entrusting you with a glorious and solemn task. Do you have the confidence to complete it?" Zhang Xiaobao gave him a meaningful glance and said seriously to Er Niu.