Adopting Charlie Thompson

The three people from the Old Su family were already so scared they were weak and helpless. Little Squirt, probably because he was hungry and uncomfortable, kept crying loudly in Wu Caiwei's arms.

Wu Caiwei, feeling sorry for the child, said, "Ali, let's go home first. Squirt has been at their house for so long, I need to go back and check on the child’s condition."

Su Li said, "Alright, the child’s well-being comes first. Let's go home."

Su Li took a few steps outside, then the Old Su patriarch finally came to his senses and asked, "Did those bandits release the child? What about my Old Su family's only seedling?"

Su Li turned back and looked at the Old Su patriarch with sarcasm: "Bandits? Hmph, those bandits are Su Shimao. He killed the child, killed him with his own hands. Your only seedling is gone."

This terrible news was like a bolt from the blue; the Old Su patriarch staggered and sat down on the ground.

Su Li escorted Wu Caiwei out, and after a few steps, saw Zhao Shi jumping down from the mad carriage.

Fearing Zhao Shi might hurt someone in her madness, Su Li quickly shielded Wu Caiwei and circled around Zhao Shi.

But Zhao Shi’s eyes were fixed tightly on the baby in Wu Caiwei’s arms, murmuring, "Good grandson, let grandma hold you..."

Saying that, Zhao Shi lunged over to hug the child, but Lingdang quickly blocked her away.

Zhao Shi hung onto Lingdang’s outstretched arm, eyes locked on the child, hands waving in the air, her expression a mix of anxiety and grievance: "Why won’t you let grandma hold my good grandson... Good grandson, are you hungry? Grandma will make you some rice soup..."

Wu Caiwei glanced back at Zhao Shi, then hurriedly held the child and walked home with Su Li.

Su Li looked back at Zhao Shi and shook his head: "She’s really gone mad."

Wu Caiwei nodded: "First she saw her own son kill her grandson, then personally killed her son. It’s no wonder she went mad."

Su Li knew how much Zhao Shi loved Su Shimao, practically doting on him since he was a child, spoiling him endlessly.

Having personally killed her only son, Zhao Shi completely broke down.

Su Li and Wu Caiwei were talking as they walked. When they neared their doorstep, they saw Tang Shi and Zhang Zhaocai.

As soon as Tang Shi saw Wu Caiwei holding the child, she hurriedly grabbed Zhang Zhaocai and ran over, putting on a sorrowful act, though the joy in her eyes was hard to hide.

Su Li saw Tang Shi approaching and lifted her skirt, making a kicking gesture. Tang Shi stopped in her tracks and didn’t rush forward.

Lingdang broke free from Zhao Shi and followed along. Seeing Lingdang, Zhang Zhaocai quickly lowered his head, seemingly very ashamed to face Lingdang.

Tang Shi loudly exclaimed, "Oh my, Wu Caiwei, I heard the mountain bandits killed your son! Oh, how pitiful, losing your son so young. What will you do without a son? Your Zhang Mu is young, handsome, and rich. You’d better hurry and have a son to bind Zhang Mu’s heart! It’s no big deal that your son died. I’ll give you my Zhaocai to adopt as your son! Look how good Zhaocai is—almost ten years old, strong and smart! If it weren’t for us being from the same village, I wouldn’t be willing to give you my son! Your husband Zhang Mu shares the Zhang surname, and so does my Zhaocai. We’re practically relatives. Having Zhaocai as your son is such a good thing!"

Wu Caiwei was so angry at Tang Shi that her whole body trembled: "My son is perfectly fine, why are you spreading such baseless curses? Take your son and get lost!"

Tang Shi put her hands on her hips and glared: "Wu Caiwei, I’m just trying to help you. Why are you so ungrateful? Fine, fine, since you’re upset about losing your son, I won’t argue with you. From now on, my Zhaocai is your son, consider him your eldest. Zhaocai is clever; if you have Zhang Mu take him into business, in a few years he’ll be a big shopkeeper."