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Fuming with anger, the eldest of the Zhang family pointed at Geng Lianhua, “You, you, you are nothing but a shrew. Let’s go.”
Dragging the Zhang brothers, they slinked away from the crowd, prompting laughter from the onlookers. “Safe travels, old man. Watch out for someone trailing behind you. The spirits of the wronged child might seek you out,” the crowd jeered.
Over the years, the village residents had gleaned some knowledge about the Zhang family’s affairs. These brothers, in particular, were known for their callous nature. During Zhang Wanyou’s illness, a neighbor had sought their assistance, only to be coldly turned away with a claim of poverty. This incident had spread throughout the village, highlighting their lack of empathy and integrity.
After shooing away the troublesome individuals, Geng Lianhua noticed her son standing silently beside Qu Zhaodi. Enraged, she strode forward and delivered two resounding slaps.
“You ungrateful wretch! How dare you come here seeking mercy? When you were throwing ammonium sulfate, did you consider it was your own father? Is this how I raised you? I toiled to raise you, only to nurture a snake in the grass! Do you even have a place in your heart for your old parents?” Geng Lianhua scolded vehemently.
Geng Lianhua’s tears flowed as she confronted her son, feeling the weight of his misguided path. She had hoped to steer Zhang Wei’s family back on track through persuasion, but the situation had spiraled out of control. Under the influence of Zhou Ping, Zhang Wei had lost his way.
“Mom, Zhou Ping made a mistake too. Don’t stoop to her level. We don’t have a woman at home to look after us. Should we consider bringing back the child’s mother?” Zhang Wei suggested, still unable to see his own faults.
Disheartened by her son’s lack of understanding, Geng Lianhua expressed her frustration, “You ungrateful child! How did I give birth to such an ungrateful soul? Fine, if you want your wife back, let’s make this clear. From now on, we sever all ties. Do you agree?”
Zhang Wei hesitated, but Qu Zhaodi saw an opportunity. Cutting ties with them meant freedom from serving the elderly couple, especially since their property had been sold. Although it meant financial strain, it would relieve their daughter’s burden and free them from caregiving duties.
Seizing the moment, Qu Zhaodi stepped forward with his grandson, “Agreed. We accept this condition.”
The onlookers shook their heads in disbelief. After Geng Lianhua’s ultimatum, Zhang Wei’s family hesitated, but with the prospect of freedom from obligations, they swiftly agreed. They insisted on drafting a formal agreement to ensure the complete dissolution of any ties or responsibilities in the future.
Initially, Wang Qian had intended to speak up, but observing her uncle’s eagerness, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, pondering how such an individual could come from her kind-hearted grandmother.
Geng Lianhua, with a sense of despair, closed her eyes and wiped away her tears. She instructed Wang Qian to prepare pen and paper, urging witnesses present to sign as well, ensuring a documented agreement to prevent any potential backtracking.
Once the document was prepared, Zhang Wei’s family and Qu Zhaodi carefully reviewed its contents, finding no discrepancies. After signing and sealing, the neighbors also added their signatures, marking the conclusion of the dramatic episode. Wang Qian safely stored the document.
“Uncle, your wife can return tomorrow morning. But I warn you, if you dare to harm my grandfather and grandmother again, I can release you or send you back in. Remember, you are not welcome here. Get out,” Wang Qian declared firmly, amidst the laughter of the crowd.
The trio, with their noses in the air, exited the scene, with Qu Zhaodi mistakenly believing they had gained a significant advantage.
Relieved to have shed two burdens for her daughter, Geng Lianhua considered it a profitable deal. With the Zhang family’s poverty, she felt there was little more to gain. However, regrets awaited her in the future, but for now, she remained unaware.
After the commotion subsided and the crowd dispersed, a few kind souls approached Geng Lianhua to offer words of comfort. It had been a day of immense sadness for the elderly woman, having lost her son and sold their home. Once everyone had left, Geng Lianhua sat down heavily, murmuring to herself, “Did I make a mistake? The Zhang family shouldn’t have ended up like this. Now even my own son doesn’t want to acknowledge me as his mother.”
Unable to bear seeing her grandmother in such distress, Wang Qian quietly sat beside her, resting her head on the elderly woman’s shoulder. “Grandma, the blisters on your feet are from your own journey, not directly related to you and grandpa. Your eldest son’s current state is a result of accumulated actions. It may be hard to make him change his ways immediately, but one day, he will regret his decisions. He thinks without you both, his life will improve, but he’s mistaken. Despite your age, you and grandpa still have the ability to rebuild your legacy. Maybe then, your eldest son will come back seeking your forgiveness,” Wang Qian comforted.
Geng Lianhua shook her head absentmindedly, stating, “Love cannot be bought with money. In his eyes, we no longer matter. There’s no point in forcing anything. Let him be. I still have my younger son. I hope he doesn’t turn out like this in the future, or it will truly be the end of me.”
Upon returning home, Zhang Wanyou heard about the situation. Though saddened, he retained his composure, understanding his wife’s pain. Hastily, both he and his grandson rushed back home.
Witnessing his wife’s expression in the courtyard, Zhang Wanyou’s heart ached. To have a son return only to demand repayment was a bitter realization for him.
“Wife, you should look on the bright side. We have more than one child. We still have our son and daughter. At the very least, these two here can take care of us in our old age. Don’t be sad. With Qianqian and the others around, we have moments of joy. Didn’t you hear your granddaughter say she wants to build a big house for us? When our son returns, we’ll have a new home to live in,” Zhang Wanyou reassured his wife.
Despite her husband’s optimism, Geng Lianhua couldn’t shake off her concerns. The idea of her daughter funding their new house weighed heavily on her mind, especially considering the expenses of her children’s education. “Dear, try to be happy. There’s nothing we can’t overcome. We need to focus on the present and not dwell on the past. Each day is what we make of it. Let’s live happily, making those who mock us envious. Our days will surely be better than theirs,” he advised, taking her granddaughter’s wisdom to heart.
Deciding to lift their spirits, Geng Lianhua suggested cooking a special meal with Wang Qian, intending to treat Zhang Wanyou. While they prepared food in the kitchen, Mingcheng updated the elderly couple on Zhang Weiguo’s situation in the yard.
Although disappointed that their son hadn’t returned, the elderly couple found solace in the fact that he was with Old Wu, knowing he was in good hands. They understood that Old Wu was securing their son’s future, leaving no room for complaints.
“It’s alright. When you see your younger uncle, tell him we’re doing well. Let him know not to worry. Tell him not to be stingy, as your parents help support us. Our life is better now than before,” Zhang Wanyou reassured Mingcheng.
Geng Lianhua found contentment in her current life. If not for the troubling issues with her son’s family, she would have considered herself the happiest person alive.
“Alright, the scallion oil pancakes are ready. Later, we’ll have some egg soup with them,” Geng Lianhua announced, proud of her scallion oil pancakes. Mingcheng rarely had these at school since their cafeteria served simpler fare like steamed buns and occasionally mantou or baozi.
“Grandma, your scallion oil pancakes are delicious. Both my younger uncle and I have been craving your cooking. You should come stay in Beijing sometime. Grandpa Chen and I can handle cooking, and you’ll have a place to stay. We can enjoy your dishes more often,” Mingcheng suggested.
Upon hearing his grandson’s plan to take his wife to Beijing, Zhang Wanyou playfully tapped Mingcheng with his chopsticks. “Young man, I’m still here. Don’t try to steal grandma away. If we go, we’ll go together. We can see Tiananmen Square. When we’re older, we won’t regret it,” Zhang Wanyou joked, contemplating the idea of visiting Tiananmen Square, a dream they never thought possible.
The prospect of visiting Tiananmen Square was something the elderly couple had never dared to dream of, but with their son studying there, it was now a possibility. Mingcheng, brimming with ambition, proposed, “Grandma, it’s not difficult. When I get into university, you two can move the shop to Beijing. We can live near the Forbidden City, explore the emperor’s former residence, and then we’ll go climb the Great Wall. A true man must visit the Great Wall!”
In the serene atmosphere painted by Wang Qian, the four of them enjoyed a cozy lunch. After a morning of commotion, Wang Qian ushered the elderly couple to rest, while she and Mingcheng sat in the yard discussing plans for Beijing.
“Brother, when you return, check if there are suitable courtyards or houses for sale in Beijing. Once we all move there, we’ll need a place to settle. It’s not ideal to keep staying at Grandpa Chen’s house, especially with his son and grandchildren around. When our family gathers, it might not be very convenient there. Don’t worry about money; I have enough for it,” Wang Qian suggested.
Glancing at Wang Qian, Mingcheng inquired, “Little sister, does our family’s shop really make that much money? Building a house for Grandpa and buying a house in Beijing will require a significant amount of money.”