Font Size:
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family was someone who would repay any slight with resentment, a narrow-minded person. Now that Wan Chunmei had caused her to be scolded by Old Master He, she couldn’t let it go so easily. So, she spat into both cups of tea and stirred them with a smelly wooden stick from the outhouse.
One cup of this foul, sour water would be enough for them to drink, she thought, grinning with satisfaction. She carried the cups forward and said, “Eldest sister, brother-in-law, here’s some tea.”
Wan Chunmei, upon seeing the smile on her face, felt a chill run down her spine. After taking the tea, she placed it aside and made no effort to look at her again.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family also handed a cup to Old Tan. “Eldest sister, this is some fine tea that our Old Master left behind. You probably haven’t tasted such good tea before, come, try it.”
Though Wan Chunmei hadn’t had much experience with fine tea, she wasn’t a woman without any discernment.
She had her pride—if you insisted that I drink, then I would refuse even more. She turned her head and said nothing.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family was about to urge her further when she suddenly heard Old Master He call out, “Eldest daughter-in-law, I’ve heard that you and your eldest sister don’t get along. Now that she’s here, you should apologize to her. After all, we’re family. Don’t let things get too distant.”
Wan Chunmei waved her hand, saying, “No need, no need.”
Old Master He mistook her refusal for modesty and glared at the fourth daughter-in-law of the He family, “Why haven’t you apologized yet?”
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family hesitated, lowering her head and remaining silent.
Old Master He let out a loud shout, “Mute now, are we? Hurry up!”
Startled, the fourth daughter-in-law of the He family’s legs grew weak. She quickly turned to Wan Chunmei and said, “Eldest sister, in the past, it was our fault. I hope you can forgive us and not hold it against me, your ungrateful sister.”
Wan Chunmei coldly stared at her, and after a long pause, replied in a chilling tone, “Forgive the past? That’s impossible.”
From childhood, Wan Chunmei had endured countless mistreatment from her stepmother and younger siblings—hair-pulling, slaps, pinpricks—you name it, she’d been through it all.
She could never forgive them, and Old Master He was simply wasting his breath in trying to mend what had been broken for so long.
With this thought, Wan Chunmei snorted coldly, and without heeding Old Master He’s interference, she took little Qiyue in her arms and stormed out of the room.
Old Tan quickly ran after her, calling, “Wife, wait for me!”
Old Master He stepped forward again to block their way, “Little Tan!”
Old Tan, as he walked, glanced back and said, “Old Master He, don’t even mention making peace with Fourth Sister. My wife is most averse to that.”
With that, he hurriedly ran out the door.
Old Master He, seeing the daughter of an old acquaintance and reminiscing about the past, felt a rare sense of joy. He wanted to keep her here for dinner, so he had tried to use the excuse of reconciling the sisters. However, things had only worsened, and he ended up driving her away.
Frustration welled up inside him as he turned back to look at the fourth daughter-in-law, growing even angrier.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family, holding two cups of the undrunk foul, sour tea, looked slightly disheartened. She was preparing to return to the kitchen and dump it out.
Old Master He, with a sharp tone, called out to her, “Where do you think you’re taking that good tea?”
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family froze for a moment, then replied, “It’s the tea leftover by my eldest sister and them. I’m just going to dump it out.”
“Drink it, drink it! Which of your eyes saw them drink it? You’re the one who made them angry!” Old Master He scolded, extending his finger as if about to poke her forehead.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family lowered her head, “I—I’ll take it to the kitchen.”
Old Master He retracted his hand and snatched one of the cups from her. “Fine, give it to me, don’t waste my tea leaves.”
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family was stunned. She couldn’t let Old Master He drink this foul tea! She quickly called out to stop him. “Father.”
Old Master He stopped, looked up, and asked, “What is it?”
She forced a smile, “Father, since this tea has already been touched by the guests, it’s not very appropriate for you to drink it. Let me take it back and brew a fresh cup for you instead!”
Old Master He liked this kind of respectful tone and felt she had a point. He placed the cup back and waved his hand, “You drink it then, just drink it here. Don’t think you can sneak off and pour it out.”
Though his tea wasn’t as precious as the fourth daughter-in-law of the He family had claimed, it was a rare treat in their rural village, and every drop was precious to him.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family hesitated, looking at the tea in her hand that had been stirred with a dirty stick. She honestly couldn’t bring herself to drink it.
Old Master He, already irritated with her, saw her hesitation and snapped, “What, do you really want to pour this tea out on me?! Drink it, drink it now!”
The fourth daughter-in-law cradled the cup in her hands, motionless, her body trembling slightly.
Old Master He bellowed again, “If you don’t drink it, get out of here!”
She shuddered, not even thinking, and immediately brought the cup to her lips, gulping it down in one go.
The taste of foul, rancid water filled her throat, and she could even recall what everyone had eaten for lunch that day.
Her stomach churned violently, and she almost threw up.
Old Master He frowned. “You’re rejecting tea that you served to your eldest sister? There’s still another cup, drink it! I’m getting old, and I can’t stand your pretentiousness!”
He shoved the tray of tea towards her, pushing her further into discomfort.
The fourth daughter-in-law of the He family, feeling lightheaded, had no choice but to drink the second cup.
It was still the same foul, nauseating taste.
Unable to bear it any longer, she rushed out of the room.
Old Master He, not knowing what had just happened but dismayed by her rude behavior, muttered to himself, “They were all from the same father. How can they be so different?”
He sighed, turned, and returned to the inner room.