Chapter 74: A Difficult Scripture

When Lü Chunqiu finished her task and hurried back to Mo Fei’s home, Grandma Zhang was already there, holding a lunchbox in her hand.

“My son’s rowdy friends have sent food again. I’m just an old woman, and they bring me beef—really, I don’t know what they’re thinking.” Grandma Zhang busied herself setting dishes out as she called to Mo Fei. “Eat more. If you don’t finish it, it’ll spoil and go to waste.”

Even Lü Chunqiu, usually spirited, became meek in Grandma Zhang’s presence, obediently greeting her, “Grandma Zhang, you’re here to bring food to Xiao Fei again?”

“Yes, I am.” Grandma Zhang responded cheerily, beckoning her over. “Come join us. Girls shouldn’t be dieting—look how skinny you are.”

Mo Fei never needed coaxing to eat; he was already holding his bowl, ready to dig in.

Seeing Lü Chunqiu return, he managed to ask, “Did you deliver the stuff?”

“I did.” Lü Chunqiu replied as she washed her hands. “You were right, that family is indeed quite pitiful.”

Grandma Zhang looked up, “Which family?”

“The one on the eighth floor of the third building at the back.” Lü Chunqiu served herself half a bowl of rice and sat down. “The old man is sick, and the child is so young.”

“That’s a good thing.” Grandma Zhang said with a smile.

Lü Chunqiu’s eyes widened in surprise. “How is that a good thing?”

“You don’t know about that family, but I’ve lived here so many years—I know.” Grandma Zhang shook her head, a knowing look on her face.

Gossip is a human instinct, and the eager expressions of Lü Chunqiu and Mo Fei clearly delighted Grandma Zhang.

“The wife’s family favors boys over girls. They married her off, but in truth, they sold her for the bride price. She’s cut ties with her family.” Grandma Zhang recounted. “That household isn’t good either. The elders are mean and bitter, and the son in charge is violent.”

“For a while, the woman was beaten so badly she couldn’t even leave the house. So pitiful.”

Grandma Zhang shook her head, regret heavy in her voice.

Lü Chunqiu asked in confusion, “Why doesn’t she get a divorce?”

“Divorce?” Grandma Zhang snorted coldly. “If she dares to divorce, they’ll kill her!”

“That’s not my words—it’s what that brute said.” Grandma Zhang sighed. “The woman has no money, all her documents are with them—her ID, marriage certificate… Later she had a daughter, and her life got even harder.”

“You said the old man in that family is sick? That’s wonderful.” Grandma Zhang clapped her hands. “I heard her son was arrested too. No wonder the neighborhood’s been quieter lately.”

Lü Chunqiu felt uncomfortable after hearing this, poking her rice as she tried to think of a solution.

There must be a way to get her out, surely?

Grandma Zhang seemed to see what she was thinking and shook her head, advising, “Don’t bother. Divorce is hard enough now. Even if she managed to divorce and wasn’t hacked to death by that brute, she’d still end up being dragged back by her family and sold again.”

“Some people are like leeches—once they latch on, it’s hard to shake them off.”

Mo Fei nodded in agreement, “With the traditions here, parents’ problems are the hardest to solve. You know that. We help if we can, but if we can’t, there’s nothing to be done.”

Lü Chunqiu shot him a glare. “Eat your food.”

“But things are looking up now.” Grandma Zhang smiled. “Since her husband’s in jail and the old man is sick, no one can keep her down.”

“Looking at it that way, it really is a good thing,” Lü Chunqiu muttered.

“A very good thing. No wonder she seemed livelier buying groceries the other day.” Grandma Zhang urged them, “Enough talk, eat up.”

After the meal, Lü Chunqiu and Grandma Zhang cleared the dishes and headed downstairs to help wash them.

Mo Fei meant to follow, but Lü Chunqiu’s glance rooted him in place.

If he went to Grandma Zhang’s house, half his snacks would disappear.

‘I’m back.’

A black cat, sleek and elegant, leapt down from the windowsill, the brilliant celestial pearl around its neck gleaming.

“Big brother, you’re back. Did you have fun?” Mo Fei picked up the cat, wiping its paws.

‘So-so. There’s always some clueless kitten asking where I got this big stone.’

The cat squinted contentedly. ‘Oh, right—bad news for you. That sharp-eyed human police officer hasn’t been to work for days.’

“Sharp-eyed human police officer?” Mo Fei thought for a moment. “You mean Officer Xu?”

‘Probably.’

The cat never remembered names, lazily sprawling on the sofa and rolling over. ‘When I went to show off at the police station, I ran into a silly dog. It said someone hadn’t come to work for days.’

‘It’s worried that person might be dead and asked me to check.’

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Officer Xu for a few days.” Mo Fei opened his phone and sent a message. “Last time he joked that if I died, someone would collect my body.”

He pressed his hands together in prayer. “Please, don’t let it be the other way around.”

Organizing a funeral would be a real hassle.

His phone buzzed—Officer Xu replied.

Mo Fei: You haven’t passed away, right?

Officer Xu: Typo? [Bean emoji, puzzled]

Mo Fei patted his chest. “Good, he can reply—he’s fine.”

Mo Fei: No, just heard you haven’t been to work lately, checking in.

Officer Xu: Thanks for your concern. I got a minor injury handling the dog shelter. I’ll be back in a few days. [Bean dog emoji]

“See, he’s recovering.” Mo Fei showed the screen to the cat. “Tell that silly dog not to worry—wish him well instead.”

The cat said nothing, just turned around and presented its rear.

“If he’s recuperating, according to human social etiquette, shouldn’t I pay him a visit?” Mo Fei stared at the screen, lost in thought.

If he didn’t know, it wouldn’t matter. But now that he did, not visiting would be poor form.

But what do you bring when visiting an adult man?

Cigarettes, alcohol, tea?

Would that be too mature?

Give a red envelope?

Officer Xu might get reported for bribery…

Mo Fei scratched his head and decided to go downstairs and buy a toy excavator.

The top-tier excavator—no one could say he was being rude!

Having made up his mind, Mo Fei messaged for the address: Where are you recuperating? I’ll come visit.

Officer Xu: Just a minor injury, no need. [Bean OK emoji]

Mo Fei replied earnestly: It’s etiquette, etiquette!

He wasn’t actually clueless—he knew exactly what should and shouldn’t be done, just sometimes let his brain take a break.

Officer Xu: Alright, just come to my place.

Officer Xu: [Location information]

No time like the present. Mo Fei jumped up, grabbed his jacket, and headed out.

The cat called out, ‘I’m coming too.’

Mo Fei turned, scooped it up, and placed it on his shoulder. “Alright, let’s go together.”

They were heading down the stairs when they ran into Lü Chunqiu coming up.

Seeing their hurried faces, Lü Chunqiu called, “Where are you going?”

“Taking the cat for a walk!”

“Meow!”

‘Taking the human for a walk.’