Chapter 22

Wu Tong was packing her luggage.

Her son, starving, was nibbling on a cold cornbread, so hard he could barely bite into it.

It had only been half a month since Yu Li severed ties with the Wu family, and Wu Tong’s son had already become so thin and yellow from hunger.

In fact, it wasn’t just him; Wu’s mother had also lost a lot of weight from hunger.

But Wu Tong herself appeared rosy and well-fed.

She continued stuffing her skirt into the suitcase, saying, “Mom, I told you! Let’s go straight to Guohua. He’s a platoon leader, and the days with the army are surely better than here! Over there, there’s a canteen, no need to cook, it’s safe, and it gives us face.

Guohua is getting married soon, and his wife can take care of you! Unlike now, when Yu Li, that wretched woman, destroyed the garden and the kitchen, we can’t even get by!”

Wu’s mother lay on the bed, dizzy and in pain.

Her illness was quite strange; no doctor could figure out what was wrong with her.

Previously, Wu Guohua had taken her to the county hospital, but the doctors couldn’t diagnose her condition either.

When she saw traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, some said it was “confinement sickness,” while others said it was an issue with her spleen and stomach. The medicine they prescribed didn’t help at all.

It was only a few years ago that Yu Li had somehow gotten her some medicine that really improved her health. She was able to get out of bed and visit people, and she wasn’t afraid of fighting anymore.

Wu’s mother once thought she was cured, but after Yu Li made a scene, the medicine was stopped, and her health deteriorated again.

Why was Yu Li so heartless? She knew her health was poor, yet she treated her like this!

“Go with the army? It’s so far! Can I even handle the trip? And when we get there, it’s even more remote, harder to find a doctor. What am I going to do with this body of mine?”

Thinking of this, Wu’s mother felt tears welling up from her anger!

She was also hungry, but Wu Tong didn’t know how to cook, and even when she managed, the food wasn’t tasty.

Unlike Yu Li, who was skilled in the kitchen—her millet porridge always smelled so fragrant, and even simple egg pancakes were so delicious they made people want to savor every bite!

Wu’s mother resented it. How could Yu Li be so restless?

She left without a second thought, with no regard for old feelings! A selfish, heartless woman like that would never have a good life!

But she still couldn’t help asking, “Yu Li really didn’t come by? I don’t believe she has no feelings for Guohua. If not, how could she have taken care of me for two or three years? If she came, don’t let her in easily, freeze her out properly.”

Wu Tong thought of Lu Guanshan, then of Wu Guohua, and deep down, she knew that if Yu Li had met Lu Guanshan, she would never choose Wu Guohua again.

But she still echoed, “Why would I let such a wretched woman into our house?”

Just as her words fell, Yu Li actually appeared!

She stormed into the Wu household and threw the letter straight at Wu Tong’s face!

Wu’s mother felt a surge of joy, followed by pride and satisfaction!

Ha, no matter how Yu Li caused a scene, she still couldn’t let go of Guohua!

“Alright, Yu Li, stop making a scene. If you really can’t let go of Guohua, come back and take care of me. Once my health improves, I’ll help you persuade him.”

Yu Li spat loudly in Wu’s mother’s direction!

Wu Tong widened her eyes and lunged at Yu Li, ready to hit her. “Who are you spitting at?! That’s my mom! Yu Li, you shameless…”

Before she could finish, Yu Li slapped her across the face with a resounding crack!

“Your mouth is so venomous, did you drink some pesticide? Wu Tong, did you forge this letter?! Trying to drive a wedge between me and Lu Guanshan? Is your whole family this despicable?

First, your brother sets up an engagement at home while fooling around outside. Then, you live as a widow with your kid at your mother’s house, secretly trying to steal my man?”

Wu Tong didn’t expect things to be exposed so quickly. What exactly was going on?

She had planned everything so carefully.

She instinctively denied it. “What letter? Don’t slander me, Yu Li! How many times have you hit me? Let’s go to the police, I’ll sue you!”

Yu Li smiled coldly. “Fine, let’s go! Not only are we going to the police, but I’ll also call the military and have them investigate Wu Guohua and this letter! Let’s see what’s really going on!”

This was clearly the Wu family’s weak spot!

If it involved Wu Guohua’s future, how could they joke about it?

Wu’s mother glared at Yu Li with malice, angrily banging her hand on the bed. “Now I understand, you ungrateful girl! I treated you so well, always speaking up for you, and this is how you repay me!”

Yu Li looked at her mockingly. “Is your kindness really just leaving a urine bucket for me to empty? If you really cared, you should drink the urine yourself! What a load of nonsense! To speak such words with that shameless old face of yours—don’t you feel embarrassed?”

“I haven’t even settled the score with you. Three years, and I was a better caregiver than any nanny you could hire! Since you and your daughter have been hopping around like toads, don’t blame me for being rude and settling accounts with you!”

“Here, let’s settle it: three years of nanny fees, I’ll give you a discount and only charge ten yuan a month. That’s 360 yuan for three years! You’d better pay me now, or I’ll go make a call and have Wu Guohua kicked out of the military. Let’s see if that woman will still marry him!”

Wu’s mother trembled with anger. “Scum, scum! There’s no one like you in the world!”

Wu Tong was furious and rushed at Yu Li, intending to tear her face off.

“You want money? I’ll kill you first! Shameless thing, my brother doesn’t even want you! It’s because you’re so cheap!”

But Yu Li was ready for a fight. She grabbed Wu Tong by the head and shoved it into Wu’s mother’s urine bucket!

“Ah!!” Wu Tong accidentally gulped down a mouthful of urine.

She hadn’t emptied the bucket for several days, so it was especially unpleasant.

As soon as her head was pulled out, Wu Tong couldn’t hold back and vomited.

Yu Li, disgusted, took two steps back and turned to make a phone call to report them.

Wu’s mother, still clinging to the last remnants of her sanity, knew she had been caught. Despite their anger, Yu Li had found a way to hold them accountable.

With Guohua’s upcoming marriage and a critical time for his promotion, there could be no mistakes!

Her voice trembling, her teeth chattering, Wu’s mother shouted, “Come back! I’ll give you the money, I’ll give it to you!”

Wu Tong ran to the river to wash her head, vomiting all the way. The child by her side was so shocked, he could barely move.

By the time she returned, Wu’s mother was frantically searching for money.

But… where was the money?

Wu’s mother gasped in shock. “Where’s the money? The money Guohua sent us?!”

Wu Tong avoided eye contact. “I… I used some of it.”

Wu’s mother stared at her, aghast. “Wu Tong! You took the money without asking me?! Do you know that was your brother’s salary? The dowry for his wedding is supposed to come from here! The bride’s family wants 168 yuan! How could you touch this money?!”

Reluctantly, Wu Tong pulled out the money.

But Wu’s mother’s 600 yuan savings had dwindled to only 300 yuan.

In just a few days, Wu Tong had spent 300 yuan!

Wu’s mother couldn’t believe her eyes. “When you returned as a widow with your son, didn’t your in-laws give you your husband’s pension? Over 800 yuan, wasn’t that enough for you?”

Wu Tong said nothing.

Yu Li knew exactly how Wu Tong operated—she was obsessed with looking good. Though she lived in the countryside, she never did farm work. Instead, she spent every day dressing up in coats, leather shoes, and dresses, buying at least ten new dresses every summer.

It was as though she couldn’t live without buying things.

She also loved going out, to the town or the county seat, and would often meet men for a good time.

How could anyone afford such a lifestyle?

Yet, Wu’s mother’s words made Yu Li laugh.

In the past, Wu’s mother used to scold her, saying other families’ daughters didn’t demand a dowry and even gave money to the groom’s family.

But now, Wu’s mother had already planned for Wu Guohua’s current bride to receive 168 yuan as a dowry!

Yu Li felt regret for her past self.

She couldn’t be bothered to listen to any more of their nonsense.

“Fine, you won’t give it, huh? Then I’ll report you!”

Wu’s mother, driven to madness and left with no choice, shakily counted out the 360 yuan.

Her eyes burned with malice, as though she wanted to bore a hole into Yu Li with her gaze.

“Here’s your money. Keep it for your coffin! But remember, if you ever dare to say another word about the Wu family, I’ll take your life!”