Chapter 15: Little Brother, Prepare to Die

Zhao Fengtian had missed the big scene earlier because he went to the county to fetch medicine. Although he didn’t understand what his mother meant at the moment, he was still able to respond cheerfully.

“We don’t need to eat, Mother. You should just replenish yourself.”

After hearing this, everyone quickly nodded in agreement.

They did so quickly, afraid they would fall behind and have Chen Shuilian remember it.

Chen Shuilian sighed deeply.

She was at fault.

The soft approach wasn’t working, so it seemed she had to take a hard line. With a swift motion, she stood up.

The movement startled everyone.

She quickly grabbed the plate and served a big helping of eggs into everyone’s bowls.

As she served, she didn’t forget to speak: “Eat, all of you, eat! That unfilial Zhao Jiagu made me angry. He’s allowed to enjoy all the luxuries outside, but we’re not allowed to eat something good? Without him, we won’t have to live so tightly anymore. We can eat, drink, and not be afraid! Eat!”

The others stared blankly at the eggs now in their bowls. They had suspected it all along—Mother wouldn’t just casually give them eggs.

They certainly didn’t have that kind of privilege.

It turned out she was angry because of eldest brother.

So, in a fit of rage, she decided to give them the eggs that originally belonged to eldest brother.

Now, everyone felt their worries ease.

They looked at the eggs in their bowls, no longer afraid.

If that’s the case, then let’s eat!

Zhao Maizhou was the first to pick up his chopsticks.

Zhao Fengtian didn’t quite understand what his mother meant by saying “without eldest brother,” but seeing his second brother already eating the eggs, he hurriedly followed suit.

The first bite hit him with a delicious, roasted egg flavor that sent a rush of satisfaction through him.

What a heavenly taste!!!

Seeing that the two daughters-in-law still hadn’t moved their chopsticks, Chen Shuilian spoke again, “What? Are my words not working anymore?”

Wang  Miaomiao and Li  Xiaoxing, not daring to hesitate, quickly brought the eggs to their mouths.

With just one bite, both of them couldn’t help but squint their eyes in satisfaction, as though all the troublesome matters of the day had suddenly disappeared.

For the rest of the meal, everyone at the table, except for Chen Shuilian, sat there happily, their eyes squinting in enjoyment.

This made Chen Shuilian’s heart ache more and more.

It was just an ordinary egg, yet it made everyone feel like they were eating a luxurious dish.

It was clear what kind of food she had been giving them all this time.

How long had it been since the children had eaten something like eggs?

A month?

Two months?

Or was it half a year…?

The time felt too distant, and Chen Shuilian could no longer remember.

What she could remember at that moment was the overwhelming regret and self-blame filling her heart.

Seeing everyone so happy over a simple egg, she silently vowed in her heart.

Since Heaven had given her a second chance, she wouldn’t waste it. She would make sure they had a better life, one where they’d have meat at every meal!

While she was still feeling sentimental, Zhao Maizhou had already swallowed the last bite of egg with the flatbread in his hand.

He felt that he had eaten enough for today.

Normally, he might have had a few more bites, but after eating the egg, he decided to eat less rice.

He didn’t want to eat too much and risk being looked at by his mother like earlier—it was really scary.

With that thought, he quickly set down his bowl and chopsticks.

Chen Shuilian, noticing Zhao Maizhou had put down his bowl, was surprised. “You’re done?”

“Mm.” Zhao Maizhou nodded innocently.

Chen Shuilian couldn’t bear it, and picked up a piece of flatbread, placing it in his bowl. “How can you, a young man, only eat this much? You’re eating like a cat. You still have to work later. If you don’t eat enough, you won’t have the strength.”

Zhao Maizhou looked at the flatbread in his bowl. This was the first time in nearly twenty years of his life that he felt his mother’s affection.

He nervously pressed his lips together. Wasn’t that look his mother had given him earlier one of disdain…

Did she want him to eat more?

Was this affection?!!

No, something was off. His mother was really acting strangely…

So much had happened in just half a day, why was her mood so good today?

Could it be… that she was driven mad by eldest brother?

After all, he was the child she had pampered since he was little, yet he had chosen to abandon her for a woman.

So, in a fit of rage, was she trying to share the love she had for eldest brother with the other children?

It wasn’t entirely impossible when he thought about it.

Zhao Maizhou, feeling somewhat sentimental, picked up the flatbread. Since that was the case, he wouldn’t be polite.

He was still really hungry…

Before he could even take two bites, he felt someone kick him under the table.

He looked around and realized it was his wife who had kicked him.

She subtly glanced at his eldest sister-in-law, as if saying, “Don’t you think it’s a good time for you to talk to Mother now that she’s in such a good mood? Maybe you can stay in this family after all.”

Zhao Jiagu felt that Li  Xiaoxing’s idea was correct. He took a deep breath and looked up solemnly, saying, “Mother, I have something I want to discuss with you.”

Chen Shuilian was somewhat surprised. Her child was now daring to discuss things with her?

Had he already felt the warmth from her?

That was a good sign.

A smile appeared on her face as she said, “Go ahead.”

Zhao Maizhou hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and said, “You know the situation at Big Sister-in-law’s house, right? There’s nowhere for her to go. Sending her back now would be like pushing her to her death. Mother, this is what I think… can we let her stay here for now? Let her stay until she finds a way to support herself, then she can leave.”

Wang  Miaomiao hadn’t expected her younger brother-in-law to speak up for her. She looked at him with teary eyes, feeling deeply grateful.

Zhao Fengtian, still confused, became even more puzzled after hearing this.

He naively asked, “Leave? Where does Big Sister-in-law want to go? Why would she go back to her parents’ home?”

Zhao Maizhou patted his shoulder. “Little brother, you were out fetching medicine, so you didn’t hear…”

“What happened at home? Eldest brother and sister-in-law have already divorced…”

“What!” Zhao Maizhou shot up from his seat. “Divorced? How could they agree to that just for that woman? Mother, are you out of your mind?”

Zhao Maizhou glanced at him awkwardly and quickly pulled him back down.

“Calm down, it’s not Mother’s fault. Mother couldn’t stop eldest brother. He insisted on divorcing sister-in-law and marrying that woman. Mother couldn’t stand it, and before you came back, she was so angry that she kicked eldest brother out…”

“Huh?”

Zhao Fengtian’s expression was completely confused.

He understood every word his second brother said, but when they were strung together, he didn’t understand at all.

What did he mean by “Mother couldn’t stand it”?

And what did “kicking eldest brother out” mean?

Was he dreaming?

Zhao Fengtian reached out and pinched Zhao Maizhou’s thigh. Zhao Maizhou immediately winced in pain.

Zhao Maizhou deadpanned, “What are you doing?”

Zhao Fengtian, also expressionless, asked, “Brother, does it hurt?”

Zhao Maizhou shot him a glare. “Obviously! Pinch your own thigh and see if it hurts!”

Zhao Fengtian blinked, stunned. “So, I’m not dreaming after all…”

Zhao Maizhou sighed in resignation. “…”

Great, another one gone mad!

But honestly, it was infuriating!

Why did he have to suffer through two unwarranted disasters today? Mother and little brother were both doubting whether they were dreaming! Why not pinch themselves instead of constantly pinching him?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got!

He glared at Zhao Fengtian—

Zhao Fengtian caught the silent resentment in his gaze and gave an awkward smile. “I wasn’t pinching myself in case I wasn’t dreaming. That would hurt too much!”

Zhao Maizhou: “…”

Well, he couldn’t argue with that logic.

But still, his anger only grew!

If Mother hit him, he wouldn’t dare resist, but when it came to little brother… No hesitation at all!

Little brother, prepare to die!