She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

Chen Xiangnan listened to the third brother's words with mixed feelings, unsure whether to comfort him first or help him find a way to explain to Grandma Xia.

This matter is both a big deal and a small deal; it all depends on how his mother views it.

After all, sweet potatoes and cabbage aren't considered valuable items, but who would dare take things from their own home without their mother's permission?

The third brother is indeed bold.

Chen Xiangnan racked his brains for a long time. Although he had the money and the tickets to make up for the things that were stolen from Lao San, why should he pay for them?

He was unemployed and only managed to save money through buying and selling. He was generous to himself and his daughter, but not so much to others.

Moreover, he needs to get closer to Tang Jiao in the next few days. He can't expect her to treat him to food when he takes the initiative to visit her, so this is also an expense. However, it's a high-risk, high-reward deal, a necessary expense for him.

But Chen Xiangbei's situation, in the end, was his own fault for misjudging people, and he brought it upon himself. He deserved to be beaten, and it had nothing to do with him.

So, after thinking it over, he decided he didn't want to bleed money. At worst, his third brother would get beaten up; his money was his life. His third brother's life was important, but wasn't his own life also important?

At times like this, he didn't want to talk about brotherhood anymore. The third brother, with his blockheaded mind, probably didn't even remember his kindness, just like his other brothers outside, who would kick people aside when there was no benefit for them, without understanding the importance of long-term planning.

If it were him, and he saw his third brother stealing grain from home to feed them, he would praise him a few times, no matter how good or bad it was. After praising him to the point of losing his mind, he would gradually start stealing better things, so that all his brothers could benefit from it.

They don't even consider that anyone could have the experience to steal valuables from a house on their first try?

"Brother, do you think Mom will believe that a thief broke in and stole our sweet potatoes?" Chen Xiang asked hopefully, hoping his second brother would give him the answer he wanted to hear.

Chen Xiangnan said with a blank face, "Even a fool wouldn't believe it, let alone our mother."

Chen Xiangbei said dejectedly, "Then what should I do? I'm still young, I don't want to die."

Chen Xiangnan: "Why didn't you think about it when you were stealing?"

Chen Xiangbei: "But I can't just watch them starve to death."

Chen Xiangnan: "A person who is starving to death doesn't have the strength to beat you up like this."

Chen Xiangbei: ......

"I think you should just honestly tell Mom you're wrong, then get a beating from her. At worst, she'll make you do some chores to pay off the debt, and that should be the end of it." Chen Xiangnan thought about his mother's previous methods. Anyway, that was all she could do; he just had to get through it.

Chen Xiangbei: "Second brother, you have to help me."

Chen Xiangnan: "I'll speak up for you, since you're my own brother."

When Grandma Xia returned, Chen Xiangbei had already started cooking. Tonight, he cooked a rare dish of pure white rice, without a single sweet potato mixed in. He also used the pickled fish that Chen Xianghong had sent from the countryside before; it was salty and savory, very appetizing, and enough for several meals.

Because there are no more sweet potatoes.

Grandma Xia sat down to eat, and asked with a smile, "What day is it today? What good thing happened? Why are you eating so well?"

Chen Xiangbei smiled humbly and shoveled rice into his mouth, afraid that he wouldn't have the strength to be beaten later.

After washing the dishes, Chen Xiangbei thoughtfully poured hot water for them all. Now that it's autumn, the weather is getting colder every day, and drinking some hot water will warm them up.

"Third son, you've become quite clever lately," Grandma Xia said with great satisfaction as she drank her hot water.

Chen Xiangbei moved a small stool and sat down a distance away from Grandma Xia before saying, "Mom, I have something to tell you."

Grandma Xia was in a good mood, so she said gently, "Go ahead and tell me, I'm listening."

Chen Xiangbei timidly moved his lips and whispered, "Our sweet potatoes and cabbages were stolen."

Chen Xiangnan: ...That's a brilliant way to put it!

Grandma Xia slammed the cup down with a loud bang, "Who stole it? How did they steal it? Who dares to steal from me like that?"

Chen Xiangbei: "Anyway, we were robbed."

Grandma Xia stood up and walked in front of him. Chen Xiangbei immediately jumped aside, wary of Grandma Xia.

"If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I'm going to report it to the police. I want to see which audacious thief dared to steal from me, Xia Yue'e!"

Chen Xiangbei's ear was grabbed, and he cried out in pain, saying, "It was me, it was all my fault."

He recounted what had happened that day, but concealed his intention to steal, as he had a premonition that if he revealed it, he would truly die.

"Your friends?" Old Mrs. Xia squinted. "So, this bruise on your face was caused by them?"

Chen Xiangbei: "Yes, Mom, let go of me first, my ear is going to fall off."

Old Mrs. Xia: "How could I have given birth to a son like you? Not only did you get beaten up, but your things were also stolen. What did you gain from this?"

Chen Xiangbei: "They used to treat me so well; I considered them my brothers."

Grandma Xia pointed at Chen Xiangnan and said, "You don't seem to care much about your own brother here, but you're pouring your heart out to someone you've only known for a short time?"

Chen Xiangbei: "They weren't like this before."

Grandma Xia: "Let's go to their house. I want to see what kind of man could fool you like this?"

Chen Xiangbei clung to the door, unwilling to go in.

How embarrassing! He's so old, yet his parents still bring him to their door demanding an explanation. He's not a little kid anymore.

"I'm not going, I'm not going, it's too embarrassing."

Grandma Xia: "You weren't ashamed when your things were stolen, and you weren't ashamed when they ganged up on you. Now that I'm going to seek justice for you, you feel ashamed?"

Chen Xiangbei: "Mom, just beat me up. I really don't want to go. I swear to you, I'll never see them again."

Grandma Xia: "I don't care whether you see them or not, I just need my sweet potatoes and cabbages back. Go to their door right now and ask for them back, or I'll never forgive you."

Chen Xiangbei pleaded pitifully, hoping to awaken even a little bit of maternal love in Old Lady Xia, "Mom, I'll serve you like a slave from now on, so please don't make things difficult for me."

Grandma Xia pointed to the gate, "Go quickly."

Chen Xiangbei acted like a rogue, saying, "I'm not going. Go ahead and kill me if you dare. Even if you kill me today, I won't go."

"Then I'll go ask your Aunt Wang's second son. Dahe is in the same grade as you, so he should know who you play with every day." Grandma Xia turned and went out the door.

"Mom!" Chen Xiangbei cried out in anguish.

Grandma Xia turned around and came back. Just when he thought Grandma Xia had softened her heart, Chen Xiangbei was slapped hard across the face.