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Gao was so frightened that she didn’t dare utter a word. The head of the household had told her that A’Feng and Dabao were both unfortunate and often reprimanded the two children, forbidding anyone to bully them. However, the mother-in-law and the youngest sister-in-law often spoke ill of them in front of the children, and sometimes the younger sister-in-law even instigated Dahua to bully them…
Wang’s eyes reddened, but she didn’t dare speak up for Chen Feng. Perhaps being a passive bystander had weakened her resolve.
Chen Dabao also didn’t dare utter a word and just ate his food with a sullen expression.
Chen Lu, feeling sympathetic, didn’t argue with them but instead made an effort to serve more food to Chen Feng and Chen Dabao, especially the limited meat, serving it quickly and accurately. This frustrated Chen Dahua and Chen Daya; while Dahua could help himself to the food, Daya couldn’t. Anxiously, she said to Gao, “Mom, quickly serve me some meat, don’t let Uncle Lu take it all.”
Mrs. Hu, infuriated, hit Chen Lu’s chopsticks with hers and said, “Greedy little ghosts, you’ve eaten all the meat. What will others eat?” She cleverly lowered her voice.
Chen Lu, somewhat afraid of Mrs. Hu, dared not serve himself anymore.
Chen Lan smiled and served some food to Chen Lu’s bowl, saying, “A’Lu is the most considerate one, even at such a young age, he knows how to take care of his sister and nephew.”
The meal was finished amidst a sullen atmosphere.
After seeing off the second branch, Chen Ye’s expression turned stern. He entered Chen Jue’s bedroom, Chen Jue was lying on the bed, upset, while Mrs. Hu was trying to console her.
Chen Ye took off one of his shoes, pushed Mrs. Hu aside, and pulled Chen Jue up from the heated brick bed, using the sole of his shoe to hit her twice. He scolded, “I’ll beat some sense into you, you reckless thing, resorting to such tactics. If A’Feng had really drunk that bowl of hot water, what would we do?”
Mrs. Hu hurriedly came to pull Chen Ye away, saying, “Please, stop hitting her. A’Jue was just angry…”
Chen Jue cried, “It wouldn’t have killed anyone, at most a few days without an appetite. So what? Can’t I let off some steam?”
Chen Ye slapped Hu’s face, scolding, “You’ve spoiled the children, and even when they do wrong, they don’t repent. If someone had really been scalded, our second brother’s family would have a hard time, and your daughter’s reputation would be ruined.”
Old Lady Chen also entered, saying, “Eldest son’s reprimand is justified. If we continue to spoil A’Jue like this, who knows what trouble she might stir up in the future. Using chili powder in candy is one thing, but feeding scalding water to a fool is harmful. If someone were scalded, it wouldn’t just harm her, it would also harm you. A girl this age should understand this; she dared to harm someone, truly foolish. Also, in the future, visit Old Hu’s house less; there aren’t many good people there…”
Old Lady Chen and Chen Ye reprimanded Chen Jue for her own good. After all, she was already a grown girl, and certain actions needed to be weighed.
However, Hu didn’t share the same view. First, she felt that the head of the household hadn’t received any benefits from the second branch, and she felt justified in allowing her family to mistreat the “fool” and the “wild child.” Second, she believed that Feng’s recognition of Dabao as her son had damaged the family’s reputation and made it difficult for her daughter to find a good husband. Not only did she think it was acceptable to mistreat them, but she also thought that if they were harmed, they deserved it, as one was a fool and the other was illegitimate. Now, hearing the Old Lady even involve her own family, she was even more resentful. But she didn’t dare defy the Old Lady and her husband, so she directed this resentment towards Chen Feng and her son.
Chen Gui also felt that his sister deserved some reprimanding; how could she harm someone like that? At the same time, he didn’t approve of his mother spoiling his sister without principles. Not only did she not intervene, but she also prevented Gao, who wanted to intervene, from doing so.
After closing the door, the couple Chen Gui and Gao reprimanded Dahua.
Upon returning home, Mrs. Wang still couldn’t comprehend the situation. She said to Chen Feng and Dabao, “I never expected A’Jue to be so cunning at such a young age. In the future, avoid her, who knows what she might do.”
Chen Ming added, “Your mother is right. Stay away from Jue, that child has been spoiled by your uncle’s wife.”
Chen Feng had been pondering a question these past few days—how to establish herself as the head of the female lineage and transfer Dabao’s status under her name. Currently, this plan had not been implemented. If she recovered from her illness, this plan might truly be lost. Even if she had to regress to treating him as her brother, she refused to do so.
Firstly, after spending several days with the young boy, their mother-son bond had truly developed. Secondly, the young boy had always regarded her as his mother, so if she couldn’t treat him as her son, he would surely feel abandoned, causing him great distress.
She solemnly stated, “Father, mother, I love Dabao—let him be my son. Could you, while I’m still unwell, establish me as the head of the female lineage and transfer Dabao under my name? If I am established as the head, my aunt won’t be—so displeased with Dabao being recognized as my son. Otherwise, once I recover, not only will I fail to establish myself as the head, Dabao truly won’t be able to be my son.”
Though Chen Feng’s speech was still a bit stuttered and slow, the logic was clear, indicative of a normal person’s speech.
Chen Ming and Wang were both pleased. Chen Ming nodded in satisfaction, saying, “That’s great, our A’Feng, you’ve finally recovered.” He continued, “I’ve already discussed with your mother. If you completely recover from your illness, you still need to get married. After all, a woman’s normal life involves marriage and having children. As for Dabao, we won’t treat him unfairly; he’ll be recognized as our son.”
Before Chen Feng could respond, Chen Dabao burst into tears. He cried, “So Grandpa still hasn’t transferred me under my mother’s name. I’ve been happy for so many years for nothing. Grandpa, Grandma, please let me be my mother’s son. I’m used to being my mother’s son, I’m not used to being her brother. Grandpa and Grandma already have Uncle Lu as their son, but my mother only has me as her son. She would be so sad without me. Moreover, Grandpa and Grandma were originally afraid that my mother and I would dilute Uncle Lu’s inheritance, so they probably don’t want to recognize me as their son. Who knows, one day they might just sell me. I heard Uncle Hu saying to Grandma that I’m cute and pleasant, worth at least ten taels of silver, equivalent to two acres of prime land…”
Chen Dabao’s crying halted the discussion, especially his last two sentences, which frightened everyone. Chen Feng had to console him, saying, “Dabao, don’t worry, I’ll talk to— your Grandpa and Grandma again. They’ll let you be my son forever.” Then she had A’lu take him to the west room.
Chen Feng continued, “Father, mother, after spending so many years with Dabao, we’ve already developed a mother-son relationship. If you make him my brother, not only will Dabao be unwilling, but I won’t be comfortable either.” Anxious, she spoke without stuttering.
Mrs. Wang hurriedly said, “A’Feng, if you establish the female lineage, it signifies a pledge not to marry or to seek a husband. You can’t spend your whole life unmarried. If you seek a husband, any man willing to marry into the family is just looking for an easy life, they lack ambition. My A’Feng is so charming, how can she find such a man? On top of that, if we wait for Dabao, we won’t find a good man at all. Your father and I only want what’s best for you; that’s why we came up with this plan.”
Chen Ming also nodded in agreement.