Chapter 24: The Truth Revealed

Hearing Tang Xiaorou, everyone was surprised.

“Can… can this really be checked? Is it that convenient now?”

Tang Xiaorou nodded confidently. “Of course, it’s very convenient.”  While hospitals couldn’t perform DNA tests yet, only simple blood type tests, she couldn’t say that. She said mysteriously, “Just a blood test will reveal if Tang Jianhua is Widow Xia’s son.”

Seeing her certainty, others were doubtful.

Tang Jianhua felt like the sky was falling. He was the eldest son of the Tang family, but now he was Widow Xia’s son?  He was a bastard?

Tang Jianshe had a similar expression.

“How could this be? Big Brother is Big Brother.”  How could his brother suddenly become his father and Widow Xia’s illegitimate child?  Their brotherhood was a lie?

Tang Jianshe couldn’t accept this, let alone Grandma Tang.

Before anyone could react, Grandma Tang lunged at Widow Xia, slapping her furiously.  “You wicked woman! You killed my son! Give me back my son’s life!”

“Slap! Slap! Slap…”

Grandma Tang slapped Widow Xia mercilessly until her face was bloody and unrecognizable.

Others finally reacted and pulled them apart.

Grandma Yao watched curiously. Tang Xiaorou not only knew about her grandfather and Widow Xia’s affair but also Tang Jianhua’s true parentage.  The girl was incredible. She had endured, waiting until after her mother’s divorce to retaliate against the Tang family.

The Tang family deserved it for how they treated Tang Xiaorou and Qin Xueqiong.  Grandma Yao had seen Qin Xueqiong beaten while pregnant.

After being pulled away, Grandma Tang, still furious, looked at Widow Xia. “You wicked woman!  You said your child with the old man was alive. 

It’s Tang Jianhua! My eldest son, whom I raised for so many years! My real son was switched at birth, died, and buried in that small mound! You’re both going to die!”

Everyone understood.

Tang Jianhua was Grandpa Tang and Widow Xia’s child, not Grandma Tang’s.  If they were Grandma Tang, they would want to kill them.

Tang Jianshe sat on the ground, dejected.  He never imagined his older brother wasn’t his real brother though they shared a father.

He recalled the past.

His parents always favored his brother.  Anything good was for his brother. He watched enviously but never resented it. Now he knew his brother wasn’t his mother’s son.  He and his mother had been deceived.

Seeing Grandma Tang confess, Tang Xiaorou smiled.  Things went smoothly; she could leave.

Grandpa Tang, who had been watching Tang Xiaorou, stepped forward to stop her as she was about to leave.

“You wicked girl! You’re determined to destroy our family! Are you satisfied now?”

Seeing Grandpa Tang’s furious gaze, Tang Xiaorou smiled and nodded. “Satisfied. Very satisfied. But Grandpa, it’s not my fault. If you hadn’t had an affair with Widow Xia, I wouldn’t have had to expose you.”

“You cursed child!”

Grandpa Tang raised his hand to strike Tang Xiaorou, but she grabbed his hand.

“Grandpa, don’t forget, I’m not part of your family anymore. You can’t bully me.” She flung his hand away, her eyes cold.

Seeing Tang Xiaorou’s attitude, Grandpa Tang regretted his decision.

Why did they decide to marry Tang Xiaorou to Yang Erzhu? If not for that, Tang Xiaorou wouldn’t be like this, and their family wouldn’t be suffering.

Wang Yougen watched, feeling a headache coming on. He was shocked by the Tang family and Widow Xia’s affair but knew they needed a solution. He looked at Grandma Tang. “Auntie, it’s late. Go rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Grandma Tang was distraught.

“My child… my child…”

She never expected her son to die so young, and her eldest son, raised for so many years, was Widow Xia’s illegitimate child. She hated them.  “Village chief, I’m going home. But…” She looked at Tang Jianshe. “I don’t want to see you again. Don’t come to our house.”

“Mother…”

“Don’t call me that. I’m not your mother. Widow Xia is your mother.”

Tang Jianhua didn’t say anything.

Grandma Tang looked at Tang Jianshe. “Jianshe, take me home.”

“Okay.”

Tang Jianshe helped Grandma Tang leave. Others left as well, leaving Grandpa Tang, Tang Xiaorou, and Grandma Yao.

“Tang Xiaorou, you wicked girl.”

Grandpa Tang stared at Tang Xiaorou, his mind racing. Before he could think of anything, Wang Yougen spoke.

“Uncle Tang, it’s useless to say anything now. Think about how to handle this.” He looked at Tang Jianhua.  Tang Jianhua and Widow Xia did resemble each other, but they hadn’t considered it before. Now, they looked alike.

Grandpa Tang took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

“Yougen, let’s keep this quiet. It won’t benefit us or the village.”

Wang Yougen knew. “Okay, I won’t spread it, but I can only warn others. I can’t control what they do.”

Grandpa Tang knew. “Village chief, I understand.” He stared at Tang Xiaorou.

But Tang Xiaorou ignored him and left with Grandma Yao.