Chapter 46: Qiao Fangfang Returns to the Village

Gaoshi Village.

Lei Honghua and Qiao Jiuwang talked late into the night and woke up early.

But by nine o’clock, the Chen family hadn’t arrived, and Qiao Jiangxin’s family had almost finished breakfast.

Because of the heat, Liu Afang made rice porridge with salted beans and fried eggs.

The family ate in the yard. They didn’t invite Qiao Jiuwang, who was too angry to eat.

Lei Honghua was about to yell.

Qiao Jianguo, still in a cast, stood at the doorway. Seeing his mother about to speak, he stopped her.

“Mom!!”

Lei Honghua looked at him. Her son shook his head.

Lei Honghua was close to tears.  Her son was suffering.

She turned to her husband, “Old man, didn’t you go to Lijiagou to see Jianhua yesterday? What did he say? When is he coming back?”

Qiao Jiuwang said coldly, “Li Sanfa is busy. I didn’t see him yesterday.  His wife said he’s staying at his employer’s place.

He’ll be back in two days. I told him to come home.”

Qiao Jiuwang glared at Qiao Jiangxin’s family, annoyed by the sound of them eating porridge.  He felt even hungrier.

“Forget it for now. Go cook.  Even if you don’t eat, Jianguo and I need to eat.”

Lei Honghua wanted to object but looked at her son and went into the kitchen.

She hadn’t cooked in years.  It was unfair.

After the Chens took Qiao Jiangxin away, she would punish her ungrateful sons.

Despite her anger, Lei Honghua cooked.  Seeing they had eggs, she fried some for her son.

After starting the fire, Lei Honghua went to her room and came out angrily, “Those three thieves, those brats left by that short-lived man, stole my eggs! May they get diarrhea…”

She thought they stole a few, but her half-jar of eggs was gone.

Qiao Jiangxin rushed towards Qiao Jianguo, kicked him in the collarbone.

Qiao Jianguo flew backward and fell on the table, scattering things.

Lei Honghua stared at her son.

“Aaah, Jianguo, my Jianguo~”

Qiao Jiangxin clapped, “Can you control your mouth? If you want your son to die early, keep talking.”

Qiao Jiuwang pointed at Qiao Jiangxin, trembling, “He’s your uncle! He’s injured!!!

You’re heartless!  Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?”

Qiao Jiangxin rolled her eyes, “You only realize I’m heartless now? I dared to hit my grandfather.  I won’t care about a stepson from a vicious stepmother.  If he’s injured, let him die.  A living waste of food.”

Qiao Jiangxin glared at Qiao Jianguo, “Glare all you want! I didn’t want to hit you. She wanted me to.  Your mouth is still running.

We haven’t divided the family property.  Everything is ours. Why can you eat eggs and we can’t?”

Who took care of the chickens?  You two lazy bums, you’re lazy and want to eat eggs? You don’t even deserve to clean the chicken coop!”

Qiao Jiangxin returned to the table and continued eating.

Qiao Jiuwang glared at the four people at the table but didn’t speak.

It was fine if they attacked him and his wife, but they were only hurting Jianguo.

Qiao Jiuwang helped Jianguo into the house and said coldly to Lei Honghua, “Shut your mouth. Do more and say less.  Be patient.”

Lei Honghua went into the kitchen, muttering to herself.

Those damn thieves! Her half-jar of eggs was gone! She had saved them for Xiaoping and her grandson.

She was heartbroken.

She made noodle soup, but before she could eat, a child came running.

“Uncle, Uncle, you have guests! A whole tractor! Auntie Fangfang is back!”

Lei Honghua’s eyes lit up. She rushed out.

She glanced at Qiao Jiangxin.  Great, the people to take Daya away were here.

Qiao Jiuwang lifted his eyelids and blew on his soup.

His frown slowly eased.

After Daya left, their family would be peaceful again.

Outside, a group of angry people approached the Qiao house, followed by onlookers.

The Qiao family had been the village’s hottest topic.

“Fangfang, you’re here” Lei Honghua greeted her cheerfully.

But seeing her daughter, her smile faded.

“Fangfang, what happened to your face? Who did this? Who beat you?”

Lei Honghua looked at Qiao Fangfang’s swollen face and yelled.

She couldn’t help it! Her daughter was beaten up.

Qiao Fangfang’s eyes were swollen, tears streaming down her face. She looked around fearfully.

Lei Honghua followed her gaze and saw Deng’s mother, full of hatred.

“Mother-in-law, you’re here…”

Lei Honghua suddenly realized, her voice rising, “Did you beat my Fangfang?”

Deng’s mother didn’t hide it, “Yes, I did. I didn’t hit her hard enough! I wish I had killed her!”

Lei Honghua’s face turned red, then purple.

She jumped up and yelled at Deng’s mother,

“I raised my daughter and sent her to your family.  This is how you treat her?

Do you think this is the old society?  You beat your daughter-in-law?

You’re a vicious woman who enjoys abusing your daughter-in-law?”