Chapter 209: “the Whole Family Gets Their Comeuppance”
After Yuan Qin remarried, she no longer worked and became an old maid in her husband’s home, cooking, washing clothes, cleaning, taking care of her stepson and stepdaughter… It took up all her time.
In just two short months, her finger joints thickened, and several calluses formed on her fingertips.
Unfortunately, in this home, there was no other Meng Jiusi to help her with housework or buy her cold cream!
At midnight when she woke from dreams, Yuan Qin inevitably thought of her previous husband, her two sons, and the good old days.
As soon as dawn broke, she had to repeat yesterday’s life.
Yuan Qin gradually became numb, her eyes dull and lifeless like dead fish.
“The meal isn’t ready yet?” Yuan Qin’s stepdaughter said discontentedly, her face full of disdain for this stepmother, “Why so slow? What do you do all day at home? You can’t even cook properly, the clothes aren’t washed clean, freeloader?”
“My dad spent so much money, how did he marry a waste like you.”
“No dowry at all, so embarrassing, making me get mocked by others, total waste.”
“Waste, waste.” Yuan Qin’s stepson was young, imitating his sister, clapping his hands and shouting waste, shouting happily.
The neighbors on both sides heard that voice clearly.
The neighbors shook their heads.
Without commenting, they just urged the kids at home, “Eat your meal, cover your ears.”
The child looked over puzzled, “…How to cover?!”
Dazed and cute, holding chopsticks to cover his ears, but the quarreling from next door was still clear.
“…”
Woman: “Are you eating or not?”
The child didn’t dare make more noise and buried his head in eating.
At that moment, a knocking sound came from the door next door: thump thump thump.
Then…
“Qin ah, my Qin…” Old Mrs. Yuan wailed as she began, calling her Qin nonstop.
Yuan Qin went over to open the door, “Mom?”
Looking past Old Mrs. Yuan, she saw her younger brother and his wife, stunned for a moment, confusion flashing in her eyes.
“Why are you here?” Yuan Qin’s expression was cold.
Her second marriage wasn’t going well, she resented her biological mother deep down, but she knew she had nodded yes herself; if anyone was to blame, it was her own lack of firm stance.
Her mom had her remarry for her own good.
Old Mrs. Yuan grabbed Yuan Qin’s hand and cried, “Qin ah, our home is gone… Your brother and I have nowhere to live… You must help us.”
Yuan Qin was dumbfounded, suddenly opening her tired eyes wide in shock, “What do you mean?”
“People from the factory office came to the door, said that house doesn’t belong to us anymore, and drove us out.” Old Mrs. Yuan wailed miserably.
After learning the whole story, Yuan Qin’s face turned ugly, and she said emotionally, “How does it not belong to us? That’s my wedding house with Jiusi, we got married there, Jing Mo and Guang Bai grew up there, that’s our home, what right do the factory office people have to take it back just like that? I’m not accepting it…”
As she spoke, she took off her patched apron and rushed out the door to confront the factory office people.
The Yuan daughter-in-law feared Yuan Qin would ruin her own job, quickly grabbed her.
“Eldest Sister, don’t be impulsive first, your… that previous one is coming back!”
Yuan Qin’s struggling hand froze, looking at her sister-in-law in astonishment, “You mean Jiusi? Jiusi is coming back?!”
Her tone was full of disbelief.
Her face showed joy, and also some guilt—after all, she had lost the sons.
Her heart beat fast, Yuan Qin couldn’t figure out her own feelings, both expectation and anxiety.
“Yeah, it’s all over the factory.” The Yuan daughter-in-law’s words were full of resentment, “If not for him coming back, we wouldn’t have been driven out.”
Yuan Qin cast aside her complicated feelings and said angrily, “What right do they have? What right to take back that house? Where will Jiusi live when he returns?”
“They… they still have the Meng Family.” The Yuan daughter-in-law’s tone was sour.
The Meng Family had an ancestral compound; previously they were driven out and someone else moved in, but now with the Meng Family’s reputation restored, their ancestral compound would surely be returned sooner or later. Meng Jiusi hadn’t cut ties with Old Master Meng, and had suffered with him, so the Meng Family would have a room for him no matter what; so what was he worried about? The ones who should worry were them, right?
Yuan Qin was convinced once again.
Yeah, Jiusi could still rely on the Meng Family.
Her own life was a total mess.
“I’ve remarried, no possibility with Jiusi anymore, and no relation to that house.” Yuan Qin’s mind was unusually clear, her words bitter, waves of bitterness surging in her heart.
She regretted it.
Shouldn’t have remarried.
She stood in the sunlight, but it couldn’t shine into her heart; the cramped little room behind her was like a monster’s claws, ready to drag her into the abyss at any time.
Yuan Qin suddenly felt very tired, no longer in the mood to entertain her maternal family.
“Home is small, I won’t keep you.”
She turned to go home, but Old Mrs. Yuan grabbed her hair.
The old lady was heavy-handed, yanking Yuan Qin’s head back, her feet staggering as if about to fall.
Old Mrs. Yuan was very angry and stopped crying, one hand pulling Yuan Qin’s hair, the other hand slapping heavily on her back.
“I’m your biological mother, I gave birth to you, raised you, gave you a life, now I have nowhere to live, you must take care of me…”
She said it righteously.
Yuan Qin tried to struggle, but after long days of not eating enough, her limbs were weak, unable even to grab back her own braid.
“Mom, are you trying to force me to death!!” She broke down crying.
“How can I take care of you?” Tears flowed from Yuan Qin’s eyes, grievance and pain, her body trembling, “My money was all taken by you, and I have no job, what can I use to take care of you? Mom, you gave birth to me too, don’t force me.”
“How am I forcing you, unfilial thing!” Old Mrs. Yuan shoved her away, clutching a cloth bag and squeezing through the door. Seeing the children of her new son-in-law’s family, her eyes were picky, walking around looking at the room’s layout, finding it too small, disgust on her face.
“This room is really small…”
Younger Brother Yuan and Yuan Dimèi always listened to Old Mrs. Yuan; they let the old lady play the bad guy, following behind to pick up benefits. If they got some, all happy; if not, no big deal, just wasted some effort.
Seeing Old Mrs. Yuan barge in, the two smiled apologetically at Yuan Qin, pretending to pull the old lady out, but also entered the room.
Two pairs of eyes quickly scanned the room, faces showing the same pickiness as Old Mrs. Yuan.
This house… not even half the size of the Meng Family’s, how to live?
Seeing Yuan Qin’s stepson and stepdaughter, their eyes were even more disdainful, nuisances.
Yuan Qin’s stepdaughter felt offended, in a bad mood, shouted loudly, “Stepmom, what mess of people are these, how do you bring anyone home? Hurry and drive them out!”
Yuan Qin looked at Old Mrs. Yuan, “Mom, home can’t fit, you all leave first, my man is coming back soon.”
Her second husband’s temper was bad; when he glared, he was scary; she didn’t dare provoke him.
Old Mrs. Yuan: “So what if he comes back? I’m his mother-in-law, can he drive me out?”
This precisely hit Yuan Qin’s stepdaughter’s sore spot; she angrily said, “You old woman are not my dad’s mother-in-law, my grandma is my dad’s mother-in-law, get out of my home!”
Younger Brother Yuan was closest to her, very unhappy at these words, aimed at the girl’s head and gave her a big slap.
“A little money-losing thing, what’s it to you, shut your mouth, or I’ll beat you.”
The ten-or-so-year-old little girl was hit for the first time, her mind went blank instantly, staring at him dazedly, saying nothing.
Yuan Qin’s face went pale, rushed up to touch her stepdaughter’s head, asked nervously, “Honghong, you okay?”
This question fully awakened the little girl.
“You dare hit me!!” She shrieked, slapped away Yuan Qin’s hand, grabbed the broom at hand, and hit at Younger Brother Yuan.
The apartment building wasn’t soundproof; neighbors could hear a sneeze clearly, let alone shouting.
Neighbors on both sides were alarmed, crowding in the hallway to watch.
“What are you all doing here?”
A familiar voice came from the stairwell.
It was Yuan Qin’s second husband—Kong Wu.
“Master Kong, you’re finally back. Your new mother-in-law brought your brother-in-law and his wife. Your family’s Honghong was just crying…”
Before the quick-mouthed neighbor finished, the little girl’s yelling sounded again.
“You dare hit me, I’ll have my dad beat you to death waaah!” Honghong was a little girl, no match for the adult Younger Brother Yuan; the broom in her hand was forced away, her arm got hit several times, hurting so much she wailed.
Her younger brother saw his sister getting beaten and cried in fright.
The children’s crying reached Kong Wu’s ears; he rushed into the home.
His vicious eyes swept Yuan Qin once, the whole person exploding in rage, charging at Younger Brother Yuan, sandbag-sized fist smashing straight to his face.
“You dare touch my child! You’re dead!!”
Younger Brother Yuan’s nose stung, blood flowing instantly.
Just as he was about to wail, his cheek took another punch.
After several punches, the look in his eyes toward his new brother-in-law was tinged with fear.
Kong Wu’s movements were too fast; others hadn’t reacted yet, and Younger Brother Yuan was already beaten down.
Yuan Qin had been taught from childhood to protect her younger brother; seeing him injured, her first reaction was worry.
She hurried to help her younger brother.
Younger Brother Yuan spat out a mouthful of bloody water, with several teeth in the bloody water.
Seeing this, the look Yuan Qin gave her husband had some resentment.
Kong Wu laughed speechlessly.
Heh, knowing the previous one is coming back, her courage grew, even daring to glare at him.
He looked at his children, “Go inside, I’ll handle this.”
Honghong knew her dad wouldn’t suffer loss, glared hatefully at the Yuan Family, then left.
Back in the room, she said to her brother, “Stepmom is bad, stay away from that woman from now on. She’s bad to her own kids, even worse to us, got it?”
“I want Mom.” The little boy hung his head, tears falling, sobbing.
The girl’s eyes reddened too.
Outside.
Kong Wu said not a word of nonsense, threw out the Yuan Family’s things.
Old Mrs. Yuan started making a fuss, cursing him as unfilial like in an opera; Kong Wu said nothing, pinned Younger Brother Yuan and beat him. In a short time, Younger Brother Yuan was beaten into a psychological shadow.
He shouted at Old Mrs. Yuan, “Mom, can you let me off? I’m about to be beaten to death!”
He’d die sooner or later because of his mom’s mouth!
Old Mrs. Yuan was greedy and selfish, but valued her only son highly; unable to watch him get beaten, she shut her mouth, face flushed red from holding it in.
Kong Wu warned, “I’m not Yuan Qin’s previous one, letting you suck blood. I only married your daughter, not your family. My home doesn’t welcome you, don’t come again, or you’ll be busy finding work for your son…”
It was a warning.
Also a threat.
Younger Brother Yuan’s face turned green.
Why all staring at him? Temporary workers discriminated against this much?!
His swollen face full of despair.
Old Mrs. Yuan knew she couldn’t take advantage of her new son-in-law easily; her old eyes stared at him for several seconds, hugged her cloth bag, called her son and daughter-in-law, and left.
The cloth bag in her bosom, even when her son was getting beaten, she never let go.
Kong Wu’s gaze lingered on the cloth bag for a few breaths, then withdrew, eyes flickering, as if plotting something.
After driving out the Yuan Family, he looked at Yuan Qin, approaching her, “You didn’t fulfill your responsibility, this is the first time, I hope it’s also the last.”
Yuan Qin said, “They’re my maternal family, what can I do? You should understand me a bit.”
She was very dissatisfied that he beat her brother like that, “You injured my brother like that, didn’t think I’d still need to get along with my maternal family? You’re too selfish.”
Kong Wu sneered lightly, “Meng Jiusi wasn’t selfish, but he lost his wife and kids.”
He sneered coldly, “To deal with your maternal family, you gotta be selfish.”
“I’m not Meng Jiusi, I don’t support idlers, won’t indulge your family’s vermin. Remember my words clearly; next time… your brother’s job is gone.”
Yuan Qin said loudly, “You can’t do that…”
Kong Wu had no patience to listen, opened the door, left home, and while no one noticed, quietly followed the Yuan family members.
…They resented Meng Jiusi not dying outside, then cursed themselves, hoping he dropped dead…
Kong Wu’s eyes were frosty.
Curse away, wait till their road is blocked, see if they can still curse!
To be fair, the Yuan Family was really detestable—he wouldn’t say it for now, but that Doctor Meng was pretty good to their family, right? This family didn’t appreciate any good, only hated the ex-son-in-law（ brother-in-law） for not dying, causing them to lose the house. This wasn’t just ungrateful wolf territory, this was insane.
Up ahead at the street corner, ten or so young folks appeared, rowdy and fiery; no matter who they eyed, they’d stare extra. If sensing something off, they’d act immediately. Few on the road dared look at them; the young guys felt so cocky, necks held high.
Kong Wu felt opportunity came, followed a bit closer.
Time passed in a flash.
Chaos erupted ahead; Kong Wu took advantage of the disorder to snatch Old Mrs. Yuan’s cloth bag, slipping away silently.
Just as he disappeared around the corner, Old Mrs. Yuan’s shrill wail sounded, “My cloth bag, my cloth bag is gone…”
This time the panic was genuine.
Kong Wu’s mouth hooked up, quickly left the spot, and in a safe place, opened the cloth bag: inside all money and ration coupons, probably over a thousand yuan.
“!!!”
He was ecstatic.
Windfall.
To save this much money himself, it’d take Kong Wu three to five years; suddenly getting it for free, his mouth nearly grinned crooked.
Kong Wu guessed this money probably had half from Yuan Qin’s previous resentment; brief sympathy for a second.
Fengshou Brigade.
Meng Jiusi sneezed twice in a row.
“Who’s thinking of me…” he said with a smile.
Lin Zhao pursed her lips; she guessed it was the Yuan Family—who made them do guilty things, knowing Fourth Brother’s good… probably scared trembling.
She didn’t want Meng Jiusi returning to the capital for another reason: she feared Fourth Brother getting entangled by the Yuan Family.
From the letter Yun Jian sent, one could see the Yuan Family’s character: all cheapskates never satisfied. With Fourth Brother’s temperament facing so many shameless ones, easy to suffer loss.
Meng Jiusi noticed Zhaozhao looking at him… with excessive pity, full of bewilderment on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Zhao of course wouldn’t mention the Yuan Family, too unlucky.
She casually found an excuse, “Nothing. Fourth Brother, how do you find this room?! Say if anything’s uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s good, very thoughtful.” Meng Jiusi smiled warmly.
They had just arrived at the Gu Family, living like turtles with heads shrunk for months; this normal life made them slightly unadapted, but it would take time, all would be fine.
