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Wan Chunmei nodded. “That’s right. We are indeed building a house. Not only that, but we also plan to tear down this old house and rebuild a two-courtyard house.”
A two-courtyard house was not something an average farmer could afford to build.
Wan Daya was momentarily in disbelief. “How is that possible? Where did you get so much money?”
Old Tan snorted. “Of course, it’s from all the hard work our family has put in.”
After saying this, he began ushering them out. “If you have nothing else to say, then leave quickly!”
Wan’s stepmother didn’t waste time and said bluntly, “Wan Chunmei, I’m not trying to tell you how to live, but you can’t be so selfish. Look at you, building a house, eating well, living comfortably, and you don’t even think about your brother. Your brother and his wife are still squeezed into a small room with us.”
Wan Chunmei rolled her eyes at her and coldly replied, “Don’t talk nonsense. I don’t have a brother.”
Wan’s stepmother was furious, ready to argue back, but Wan Chunmei cut her off with harsh words. “Zhang Juxiang! Stop beating around the bush with me. I’ll tell you straight—my name is Wan Chunmei. I have no father, no mother, and no siblings. So stop trying to latch onto me!”
As she spoke, she took a step closer to Wan’s stepmother, her gaze icy. “Even if my Tan family were rolling in wealth, it has nothing to do with you!”
“You—you unfilial daughter!” Wan Daya stood up, shouting angrily.
Wan Chunmei sneered. “I’m unfilial, so what? What are you going to do about it? Report me to the authorities? Go ahead!”
She had long been neglected by her father, who always favored her stepmother and her younger siblings. Since he never treated her like a daughter, she didn’t see him as a father either.
Moreover, before she got married, she had already done enough for her parents. Now, if they called her unfilial, she didn’t care at all.
Old Tan, who couldn’t stand seeing his wife so angry, stepped forward, looking stern. “Enough, enough! If you don’t leave now, I’ll let the dog loose.”
At the mention of the dog, the small black dog in the corner suddenly lifted its head, glancing toward the bed.
Little Qiyue on the bed turned over, kicking with her little legs.
The small black dog slowly rose, its bright black eyes slowly turning ferocious.
Wan’s stepmother, her voice sharp, sneered, “Let the dog loose? Are you planning to have it bite me? I’m really curious if you dare!”
She said this and kicked a chair in the room. “Wan Chunmei, there’s one more thing I need to say to you today.”
Wan Chunmei urged her to leave, saying, “Go on, go. I’m not interested in hearing your nonsense.”
Wan’s stepmother, thick-skinned and unbothered by being told to leave, refused to go. She, relying on Wan Chunmei’s father-daughter affection, boldly blurted out, “Wan Chunmei, you know your third sister had a miscarriage and can never have children again.”
“What’s that got to do with me? She brought it on herself!”
Wan’s stepmother raised an eyebrow. “Your third sister’s in-laws are quite fierce. They said that if your third sister can’t have children, they’ll divorce her. You know how much your father cares about her, and if she gets divorced, it would be her life on the line—and your father’s too.”
Wan Chunmei snapped back, “Can’t you understand? My father is already dead.”
Wan’s stepmother continued, unfazed, “Well, to save your third sister, and to save your father, your father and I came up with a plan.”
Wan Chunmei thought her stepmother was just trying to annoy her, but she never expected her to say something even more shocking.
Wan’s stepmother straightened up and said in a serious tone, “Wan Chunmei, you’re capable of having children. You’ve already had six strong boys and a girl. So your father hopes that you can lend your womb to your third sister.”
“What?”
Before Wan Chunmei could process this, Old Tan raised his fist, shouting, “What did you just say?!”
“Lend her womb!” Wan’s stepmother said quickly.
“Your mother’s head!” Old Tan screamed in fury.
Wan’s stepmother, feeling some fear, took a step back. She turned toward Wan Chunmei and said, “Wan Chunmei, if you agree, your father’s life will be saved. If you don’t, he’ll be heading for the coffin. The choice is yours!”
Wan Chunmei found the absurdity of the situation laughable. However, she remained calm, replying slowly, “Don’t worry. I can still afford the coffin.”
“You!” Wan’s stepmother was so furious her teeth were chattering. She was about to continue her rant.
But at that moment, the little black dog in the corner suddenly lunged forward, its mouth open, and bit Wan’s stepmother on the calf.
Though small in size, the little black dog had sharp teeth, and once it bit, it could tear off a chunk of flesh.
Wan’s stepmother screamed in pain, “Ah! Someone, get this damn dog off me! Quickly!”
She struggled and tried to pull the dog off with her hands.
The little black dog released her calf and bit straight at her hand.
With one swift bite, it tore off one of her fingers.
The onlookers were stunned.
Even Old Tan was frightened.
Wan Daya had been ready to step forward and grab the dog, but seeing the bloody scene, he turned and ran.
Wan’s stepmother sat on the ground, clutching her hand, wailing in pain, “Wan Chunmei, hurry up and get your dog away from me! Now!”