Chapter 185.2

Su Xiaoxiao put on her coat and stepped out. As she arrived at Tiantian’s house, she could already hear the quarrel.

“You agreed to it, and now you’re backing out? What’s your intention now? Do you plan to return this burden to me, or do you plan to go to court? Even if you return this burden to me, if we go to court, you’ll still have to give me half of the money for the house. I’m doing this for your own good, so you don’t have to go to court at your age.”

Tiantian’s father, Tang Zhizhong, had the day off from work today. He was holding his daughter as he watched his former wife, who was now arrogant and overbearing, completely different from the woman he knew in the countryside, with shock, unable to utter a word.

After receiving some reassurance from Su Xiaoxiao, Tiantian’s grandmother appeared much calmer than before and spoke with confidence. “You don’t have to deceive me. I may not understand the law as well as you do, and I don’t have a cousin who is a lawyer. But let me make one thing clear: I want to see which court dares to give half of my property to a woman who abandoned her husband and daughter. Listen carefully, this is my house. Don’t say that it has nothing to do with me. As long as I don’t want to transfer ownership, it has nothing to do with Tang Zhizhong!”

“You!” Tiantian’s mother, Ma Xiaoli, never expected that during the past few days they hadn’t visited, Zhao Xinmei not only failed to sell the house but also kept refusing to give it to her. Her attitude underwent a 180-degree change from that day, which was completely different from what she had imagined. What happened during these days?

Ma Xiaoli’s lawyer cousin gave her a friendly glance and said to Zhao Xinmei, “Auntie, perhaps you don’t understand the law very well. Oral promises also hold legal weight. As a witness, I heard what you promised on the spot, and as a lawyer, I can attest to its validity. Even if you’re hesitating now, once we proceed to court, the judge will uphold our agreement. After we gain custody of Tiantian, you’ll still be obligated to provide monthly support. Our intention in seeking half of the house isn’t solely for ourselves, but to ensure Tiantian’s future well-being. We can’t allow you to possess both the house and the child. Do you understand? Any objections?” 

When Tang Zhizhong heard that they wanted to take Tiantian away again, he became anxious. “Mom, Tiantian is my lifeblood. We can’t let them take her away. Let’s just sell the house and give them half the money. We can’t let them take Tiantian away.”

“You shut up!” Tiantian’s mother, Zhao Xinmei, glared at her son, who was hindering their plans. “What are you panicking for? Why don’t you ask Tiantian if she wants to go with them?”

Ma Xiaoli knew that the child was Tang Zhizhong’s weakness. She wasted no time and went to Tang Zhizhong. “Tiantian, come with Mommy, right now, immediately!”

Ma Xiaoli hasn’t seen Tiantian for over a year or two since the divorce. Tiantian has already completely forgotten her, so why would she still go with her? She was originally timid, but now, terrified by this “ferocious aunt,” she huddled in her father’s arms, trembling and shaking her head: “I won’t go with you; I want to be with my father and grandmother!”

Ma Xiaoli wanted to come forward and grab the child: “I’m your mother!”

Su Xiaoxiao, who had seen and heard enough from the corner of the room, decided it was time to intervene. She appeared at just the right moment and said, “Oh, Aunt Zhao, what’s all the commotion about the house today? And who might these two be?”

Zhao Xinmei became even more calm when she saw Su Xiaoxiao coming and said, “It’s not a guest, but just a woman who abandoned her husband and daughter. Why did you come?”

Su Xiaoxiao gave her a wink and discreetly pinched the back of her hand before continuing, “Recently, we’ve been facing some financial difficulties at home, struggling to make ends meet. I was hoping to inquire about when you might be able to repay the three thousand yuan you owe me.”

Zhao Xinmei: “What?!”

Tang Zhizhong: “What?!”

Even Ma Xiaoli shouted along: “What?!”

Su Xiaoxiao pinched the back of Zhao Xinmei’s hand again, signaling for her cooperation. She then crossed over to Zhao Xinmei and walked up to Tang Zhizhong, saying, “Didn’t your mother mention the three thousand yuan she owes me?”

Tang Zhizhong was stunned and shook his head.

Su Xiaoxiao patted her forehead and said, “I almost forgot that you would cut in line in the countryside.” She turned her head and asked Zhao Xinmei, “So you didn’t tell your son about mortgaging the house to me?”

“What?!!”

“What?!!”

This time, Tang Zhizhong and Ma Xiaoli spoke out at the same time, and Zhao Xinmei observed. She probably guessed what Su Xiaoxiao wanted to do and immediately cooperated with her, saying, “You haven’t visited in so long to ask for money. I almost forgot about it. How could I remember to tell them? Look at our situation. Where do we have the money to give you? If you want this rundown house, take it. Everyone wants to snatch this rundown house from me. Take it and let the three of us sleep on the streets!”

Su Xiaoxiao stared at Ma Xiaoli and said, “Looking at your expensive clothes, you should be living a decent life.”

Turning to Tang Zhizhong, Su Xiaoxiao continued, “Technically speaking, your family’s debt to me was before your divorce with her. Your mother borrowed money from me to help you get married. Even though you’re divorced now, she still has to share half of the debt with you. Since you can’t pay me back, I’ll have to ask her for half of the money, right?”

Su Xiaoxiao turned her head back and, with a pollution-free little pear vortex, naturally opened her hand to Ma Xiaoli, saying, “So, since you’re right here, payback!”

Su Xiaoxiao’s words left everyone, including the little Zhuzi who was eavesdropping outside the yard, stunned.