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“Mom and Dad, is this how you see me? Am I that worthless?” Li Xing’an sadly asked his parents. Wu Zhiqiu was so angry and replied. “Am I wrong? You know what you’ve done, don’t you? Tomorrow, your glorious deeds will be known throughout the neighborhood—coveting your dead husband’s sister’s money and house and nearly driving your niece to death! I’m saying this in a kind way. You can go tomorrow and listen to what everyone has to say about you! Then come back and tell me how we spoke harshly!”
Li Xing’an knows that it was over for him, completely over! His mother was right; they probably thought what she said was a kindness.
“Mom, what should I do?” Li Xing’an panicked. He had some pride too; when he did this, he thought at most his parents would know, but he never expected the neighbors would find out. “What are you doing? Are you afraid of what others will say? What should you do? Just listen and see how everyone praises you! Do you think we’re the bad guys for saying you’re being too much? What if everyone thinks you’re in the right?” Wu Zhiqiu answered him coldly. Li Xing’an wasn’t foolish; he knew he couldn’t flaunt this matter!
“Mom, I’m embarrassed; our family will be laughing stock as well! Please think of something for me!” Li Xing’an clung to his mother as if she were his last straw. “I didn’t raise you well; you deserve to have your back stabbed! I admit my mistake; I acknowledge it! You quickly pack your things and get out of this house. This house doesn’t allow people with a wolf’s heart and a dog’s lungs to step in!” Wu Zhiqiu angrily said to him.
“Mom, are you really going to be this ruthless?” Li Xing’an asked, his eyes begging for mercy. “It’s you who is being brutal! What you are is far greater than me!” Wu Zhiqiu retorted sarcastically.
“I’m not leaving!” Li Xing’an stubbornly said. Where would he go? His pockets were emptier than his face! “That’s not up to you!” Li Mancang said in a deep voice, firmly wanting him out!
“Dad, I was wrong! Please give me another chance! I truly made a mistake! I beg you!” knelt Li Xing’an down before Wu Zhiqiu.
Li Feng Chun trembled, shrinking herself to reduce her presence. When she came to visit earlier, she hadn’t spoken up, so her parents must have remembered her too! Now, she didn’t dare say a word, fearing she’d also be kicked out!
Wu Zhiqiu remained expressionless. “Is it beneficial for a killer to own their errors? That’s crocodile tears; that person is already dead! You wouldn’t be here with your dad and me if you really believed you were mistaken! You are no longer a child; we have performed our parenting responsibilities; now is the time for you to look for yourself! ” Li Xing’an knelt on the ground, crying with snot and tears. He truly knew he was wrong.
Li Mancang and Wu Zhiqiu, in their room, couldn’t sleep, both thinking about how they had raised their child to be like this. Their eldest daughter, Li Fenglan, was somewhat better with outsiders, but when it came to her own affairs, she was indecisive and fearful of offending anyone. Their eldest son, Li Xingguo, was selfish to the extreme, treating the family like leeches, wanting to distance himself from them, but when it comes to money, he wanted to drain them dry.
The youngest son, Li Xing’an, was the most cunning, afraid of losing out, fearing that everything in the house would be taken by the eldest, he tried his best to squeeze what he could from them, wanting to suck them dry. Their youngest daughter, Li Feng Chun, seemed desperate to escape this family, wishing to get into university as soon as possible to get far away from them.
Both of them were confused about how their children had turned out this way. When they were younger, they were all quite sensible, understanding their parents hard work, and would help out—going out to gather wild vegetables, collecting firewood, doing chores, and cooking—there was no need for their parents to worry at all.
When exactly did the children start to change? Wu Zhiqiu also reflected on her past life, realizing it wasn’t just about family assets. The children had already changed before that. She had just been immersed in her own world, unwilling to notice!
Wu Zhiqiu decided not to think about it anymore; in this life, she didn’t want to entangle herself with her children again. They could be however they wanted; she wouldn’t exhaust herself anymore. Anyone who upset her, she would use her position to make them uncomfortable in return. For the sake of her own health, she wouldn’t sacrifice herself for others in this life!
After resting for a while, Wu Zhiqiu got up, boiled the last two eggs on the stove, and made some millet porridge. She ate a bowl herself, leaving a bowl and an egg for Li Mancang. She packed the rest, took her toiletries, and went to the hospital.
Manman was already awake at the hospital, but no matter what Li Fenglan said, she wouldn’t respond. Wu Zhiqiu entered the ward, taking out the millet porridge and eggs. “Eat it while it’s hot; it’ll get cold soon!”
Li Fenglan wiped her tears and took the food container. Wu Zhiqiu felt annoyed. She couldn’t solve problems by crying; tears seemed worthless. Her previously cleared ducts felt clogged again!
“The child is fine; why are you crying?!” Wu Zhiqiu asked “Manman won’t talk to me!” Li Fenglan continued crying.
“When you were beating her, where was that energy? You’re behaving as though you’ve been wronged now that someone has been struck! For whom are you crying? People will forgive you as long as you cry a little! You should apply to be a weapon if your tears have that much power!” Wu Zhiqiu scolded Li Fenglan harshly, meanwhile Li Fenglan was stunned, forgetting about her tears.
“If you don’t recognize your mistake, don’t come to the hospital; the child feels annoyed seeing you!” Wu Zhiqiu told Li Fenglan to leave.
“But… Manman needs someone to take care of her!” Li Fenglan said quickly. “Mom, you should go. Grandma is here to take care of me, and it’s fine!” Before Wu Zhiqiu could speak, Manman spoke up.
Li Fenglan was shocked. “Manman, you don’t want your mother?” Tears welled up again. Seeing her mother’s sadness, Manman felt bad, but she felt even worse about her mother slapping her without asking why.
“Mom, can you give me some space? You’ve been crying since last night, and I’m very tired. I can’t rest with you here, and you’re disturbing others!” Manman said because there was a middle-aged woman in the ward frowning, clearly having had a bad night’s sleep because of them.
Li Fenglan looked hurt; she hadn’t meant to hit her daughter; she regretted it immediately afterward. Yesterday, Manman disappeared, and she was almost scared to death! Why couldn’t Manman understand? That was her uncle, after all! Couldn’t she wait until he left to complain?
Seeing that Li Fenglan didn’t realize her mistake, that she was upsetting everyone and delaying Manman’s recovery, Wu Zhiqiu told her to leave first. She hadn’t rested well either; she could come back later when Manman was in a better mood.
Fenglan reluctantly left. Manman secretly sighed in relief. “Thank you, Grandma!” “Rest and recover; don’t overthink things!” Wu Zhiqiu peeled an egg for Manman, who sipped her porridge slowly.
The ward quieted down. The middle-aged woman in the next bed relaxed as well; Li Fenglan had been crying all night, and she couldn’t say anything, resulting in a sleepless night for her. It was much better with Wu Zhiqiu here. The child was fine now; the woman didn’t understand why Li Fenglan was crying so much, disturbing everyone’s sleep,
After breakfast, the doctor came for a check-up. Manman still had a slight fever and was weak, needing another injection. The doctor told Wu Zhiqiu to give Manman nutritious food to help her recovery. Wu Zhiqiu readily agreed. There were few fat people at this time; most were skinny. But Manman’s body was considered normal.