Chapter 35

The Old Hag

What was said struck He Taohua deeply. Her eyes reddened as tears fell in large drops. “I—I didn’t!”

Da Jiuma, ready to continue provoking, opened her mouth, but He Laolao rushed out of the room, grabbed her by the hair, and slapped her hard across the face. “If you can’t speak properly, just give your tongue to someone else!”

Da Jiuma cried out in pain. “Ahh, Mother, you’re bullying me again! Boohoo… I can’t live anymore, you’re always picking on me!”

He Laolao had heard such complaints many times before. She coldly said, “Has giving you face made you think you’re some kind of lion? If not for the children, would He family even keep you? Don’t mistake our kindness for weakness.”

He Dajiu pulled Da Jiuma aside and coldly scolded her. “What kind of talk is that? You know it’s Wang Bo’s fault, but you go and say those things to Taohua?”

Da Jiuma, seeing that even her own husband wasn’t on her side, began to cry miserably. “Boohoo… You always help your mother and your sister, but forget about me, the one who gave you sons. Are you even human? Do you feel any guilt toward me?”

Since the subject was out in the open, He Dajiu didn’t hold back. “If you were a good woman, a family-oriented one, wouldn’t I help you? But look at all the things you’ve done these past years. Taking things from the kids, stealing money meant for my father’s medical treatment, abandoning our oldest daughter on the mountain… The list goes on.”

Da Jiuma realized He Dajiu was truly angry and quickly tried to explain. “I already said, I didn’t do it on purpose. It was those kids who angered me, so I took their things. And the stealing money incident was a misunderstanding! I was hungry and looking for food, and I accidentally came across the money.”

He Dajiu stared at her coldly. “Do you think I’m a fool?”

Da Jiuma, afraid He Dajiu might send her back to her family, grabbed his clothes. “You said you’d be good to me if I changed. I’ve changed now, and I’m treating the kids well. You can’t go back on your word!”

He Dajiu closed his eyes, a wave of anger burning in his chest, lingering and unresolved.

He regretted not listening to others before marrying her. If he had asked around more, maybe he wouldn’t have brought this disaster into his life.

“Don’t bully Taohua again, or get out and go back to your family.”

Da Jiuma quickly admitted her fault. “I won’t bully her again, I promise!”

Elsewhere.

He Laolao cut one of the apples in half and handed it to He Taohua, sighing deeply. “Sigh, such bad luck for the family. Your eldest brother used to be so cheerful. Ever since he married this disaster, he’s become quiet, his smile hardly ever appears.”

He Taohua didn’t know how to comfort He Laolao. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Mother, it’s better we don’t get involved in their matters.”

He Laolao didn’t want to interfere, she was just upset for her eldest son. “Hmm, we won’t interfere.”

Li Meipo, upon discovering her husband’s affair with Liu Widow, didn’t make a scene but instead began gathering evidence.

After observing for several days, she found that her husband would occasionally visit Liu Widow in the middle of the night, returning before dawn.

Li Meipo shared her findings with Mrs. Xu. “Sister-in-law, I’ve worked so hard for this family, and yet he’s out there messing around. I can’t help but feel it’s all for nothing.”

Mrs. Xu understood that Li Meipo was suffering, but the situation had already happened, and complaining wouldn’t solve anything. “You two should have a good talk about it.”

Li Meipo scoffed coldly. “For Liu Widow, he’s even willing to give up his life. Is there even a need to talk anymore?”

Mrs. Xu nodded in agreement. “Yes, he’s already gone too far. It’s like trying to pull a bull back with ten ropes; it’s impossible. Since your man is useless, then give him up. Keep your money tight, don’t give him a penny.”

After sitting with Mrs. Xu for a while, Li Meipo’s anger and frustration started to dissipate.

She stood up and patted her pants. “No more talking, I’m going to cook.”

Today, Li Meipo made two dishes.

One was a fried egg, and the other was pickled vegetables stir-fried with dried bamboo shoots.

Everyone came to the table, drawn by the delicious aroma, and were mildly surprised to see eggs in the bowl.

“Hey, there are eggs today. Mother, you’re being generous!”

In these times of scarcity, they couldn’t eat as much as they wanted, so Li Meipo divided the portions carefully.

The children got a small bowl of rice.

The men, being the laborers, got a large bowl.

The women got less.

After dividing the rice, Li Meipo began serving the dishes.

Each room got two eggs.

Everyone had a portion—except Wang Changsheng. He looked at Li Meipo and asked, “What about mine? I work in the fields every day, and there’s no food for me. Is this how you treat your husband?”

Li Meipo responded calmly, “Aren’t you always complaining? I asked the barefoot doctor today, and he said you’re suffering from indigestion, so you need to be hungry.”

Wang Changsheng scowled. “He’s talking nonsense.”

Li Meipo replied, “I don’t know if he’s talking nonsense, but I know you’re the one talking nonsense. Your farts are so bad that your pants are about to rip.”

The younger ones in the house, afraid that the argument might spread to them, quickly picked up their bowls and left the table.

Wang Changsheng was furious. That barefoot doctor didn’t know anything about medicine, only an old woman would believe him.

“Give me the key, I’ll cook myself.”

Li Meipo managed the household’s grain, and she kept all the keys locked in a cupboard.

“We’re out of food.”

Wang Changsheng, slow to react, began to realize something was wrong with Li Meipo. He frowned and asked, “What’s going on?”

Li Meipo continued eating without responding to him.

Mmm.

The eggs were really delicious.

One bite, and she couldn’t stop.

After finishing the egg, Li Meipo glanced at Wang Changsheng’s crotch, taking a few extra looks while she still could.

Wang Changsheng felt uneasy under her gaze. He looked at her warily and said, “What are you up to now?”

Li Meipo sneered, stood up, and walked out of the room. “Eldest daughter-in-law, wash the dishes.”

The eldest daughter-in-law nodded. “Okay—”

Wang Changsheng: “…”

Damn it.

What’s this crazy woman up to?!

In the dead of night.

Wang Changsheng slept uneasily. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him, sending a chill down his spine.

He opened his eyes and saw Li Meipo right in front of him, making him jump. “Damn woman, not sleeping at night, who are you trying to scare?”

After speaking, he suddenly felt something was wrong. He looked down and realized his limbs were tied.

A terrible premonition hit him. “Damn woman, what are you doing?”

Li Meipo, afraid of waking the younger ones in the house, stuffed his mouth with his pants. “Soon, you’ll know what I want to do.”

Wang Changsheng saw the strange smile on Li Meipo’s face, and cold sweat broke out on his back. He struggled, but the ropes didn’t loosen at all.

“Uhh… uhh…”

Damn woman, let go of me, let go!

Li Meipo saw his fear and smiled like a madwoman. “Now you’re scared? When you were with Liu Widow, why didn’t you think of this day?

Men…

They’re just worthless.

You have a wife, yet you still want to lick someone else’s stinky feet!

So, what is it?

Liu Widow has big breasts, or a big butt? Is that why you’re so obsessed, running over there in the middle of the night?”

Wang Changsheng’s pupils contracted. She knew everything. She was going to take revenge on him!