Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 160: Liu Youning

"Only three daughters?" Lou Wenjian looked curious and feigned confusion, "I heard there’s a little son too."

"That’s Liu Guangmao’s youngest brother’s." The middle-aged man sighed, "Guangliang used to be our brigade’s only officer, but who’d have thought he’d pass away so young, leaving a little child to make a living in someone else’s hands."

"Make a living?" Lou Wenjian was surprised, "Logically, since their family has no son, wouldn’t they be even more affectionate towards their nephew?"

"Hey, their family..." The middle-aged man started to say but then thought better of it, realizing the person was here to inquire about the girls’ family. It wouldn’t be good if he ruined their chance, so he made an excuse to leave for work.

Next, Lou Wenjian found some women. Women like to talk more and once they heard he was asking about Liu Guangmao’s family, the women sitting under a big banyan tree in the village, cooling off and sorting vegetables, began to chatter away.

"If you ask me, they will get their comeuppance. Every month, rain or shine, the little brother postman delivers the remittance order. That’s money Guangliang risked his life for. Even if they don’t spend it all on Gouwa, they should at least use half on him, right? But their family just uses it all for themselves. A child who used to be healthy and pale is now being raised to be skinnier and skinnier."

"Is that true? Sometimes I pass by and see Lv Amei serving that child some egg custard," wondered a relatively young woman.

"Oh, you’re the daughter-in-law of the brigade leader’s house. Lv Amei is the kind who puts on a show. You see her bring the egg custard, but have you seen Gouwa eat it?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The young woman shook her head, "I, I just walk by and take a glance, I can’t keep staring at a child’s egg custard, right."

"It’s all for show. I’ve seen it before, not just egg custard, but also malted milk powder. At first, I even thought Lv Amei was sincerely good to her nephew, especially since she doesn’t have a son, I thought she was grooming him to take care of her in the future."

"But once, when I walked past, I realized I forgot something and went back. You know what I saw?"

"What did you see?"

"That Gouwa kid was sitting on a stool, staring at Lv Amei who was eating the egg custard heartily beside him. She even scolded him, ’What are you looking at, you little bastard. This precious stuff isn’t for an orphan like you...’. Oh, just hearing that made my heart sink."

"Really, or are you making it up?"

"I told the brigade leader about it right then. He even went to their house to ask in person. Lv Amei wouldn’t admit it, bold-faced denying it, claiming they loved their nephew genuinely."

"But take a look at the clothes and accessories of Lv Amei’s three daughters, then look at Gouwa. The kid came to our brigade two years ago, and I haven’t seen him grow much since."

"One time I saw that Gouwa sitting halfway up the mountain, his stomach growling. I thought it was strange, as it was just after mealtime."

...

The women’s ability to gossip was astonishing. Initially, it was just to inquire about Liu Guangmao’s family situation, but it soon turned into a tale about Liu Youning’s plight in their household. The more Lou Wenjian listened, the heavier his heart became, but more than anything, he felt anger.

"Thank you, ladies." After thanking them, Lou Wenjian left and headed towards Liu Guangmao’s house. On the way, he ran into Yi Weiliang riding a bicycle towards him.

"Mr. Lou." Seeing Lou Wenjian, Yi Weiliang was both excited and surprised, quickly getting off his bike to greet him.

"Weiliang, just call me Lou." Lou Wenjian said with a smile.

"Lou." Yi Weiliang nodded in greeting.

"I just conducted some inquiries and, indeed, Liu Guangmao’s household is unfit to look after the soldier’s orphan. I intend to see the child and ask them their opinion. I’ve asked my colleague to review the personnel records. Liu Guangliang had more than just Liu Guangmao as a brother; there’s another brother and a sister."

"Liu Guangsheng works at the post office in Huaixi County, a window staffer. He has two kids, a son in ninth grade, and a daughter in seventh grade. Liu Guangmei works in a textile factory, also with one son and one daughter, both in elementary school. Both families have dual incomes and live relatively well-off lives."

"I’ll go ask when I get back. If they’re willing to take in Liu Youning, all the better." Lou Wenjian observed the concern and reluctance in Yi Weiliang’s eyes.

"I understand your thoughts. The best option would be for one of them to foster him first, then your chance to foster him would be much greater afterward. They’re thinking Liu Guangmao is unemployed in the countryside, hoping to benefit from Youning’s compensation. If they’re not after the money, it would be easier to persuade them." Lou Wenjian explained.

Yi Weiliang understood this point, rubbing his head in embarrassment, "Sorry to trouble you, Lou. I’m not well-educated, quite foolish, this whole matter relies on you."

Liu Guangmao went to work, and since Lv Amei started taking Liu Youning’s pension, she hasn’t worked, nor have the three daughters. The youngest daughter only cleans and does the laundry, while the other two are nowhere to be seen; they’re either at the commune or in the county, quite busy.

People generally don’t want to marry girls like this as daughters-in-law. Only loafers or those interested in appearances would chase after them to marry, which is why most suitors are undesirable. Liu Molin and Liu Moli are still unmarried to this day.

Lou Wenjian saw Yi Weiliang take a distant glance at Liu Guangmao’s house but made no move to approach, which puzzled him, but he stopped anyway.

"Youning isn’t in, he must be up the mountain." Yi Weiliang, familiar with the place, made his way up the hill. Indeed, on a rock halfway up, they found Liu Youning sitting with his face resting on his hands, gazing into the distance. The small child’s back looked somewhat desolate.

"Youning." Yi Weiliang called softly, and the sitting child suddenly turned around. Upon seeing Yi Weiliang, a hint of a smile appeared, but when he noticed Lou Wenjian beside him, Liu Youning’s smile faded and he stared fixedly at Lou Wenjian for a while.

"Youning, eat up, it’s still warm." Yi Weiliang took out a white bun wrapped in oiled paper from his pocket, "This uncle here is a policeman, a catcher of bad men; don’t be afraid."

Liu Youning glanced at Lou Wenjian again, then focused on eating the mantou, which was about the same size as his own face, devouring it entire in no time.

"Youning, haven’t you had lunch?" Lou Wenjian asked with concern, to which Liu Youning didn’t answer.

"Youning, this police uncle used to be a soldier like your father. He’s here to help you. Just answer him honestly." Yi Weiliang gently tousled Liu Youning’s overly long hair, feeling a bit sour inside.

"I ate porridge, no rice. I’m hungry, but now I’m full." Liu Youning stated earnestly.

Yi Weiliang’s eyes were misty.

"And the brigade leader doesn’t care?" Lou Wenjian’s anger was difficult to contain.

"Hit, hurts, but I don’t say." Liu Youning said with a serious little expression, lifting his shirt to reveal his skinny body with several welts marked across it.