Chapter 13: Liu Dani’s Manipulation

In the east room, Liu Dani sat collapsed on the edge of the bed, still shaken, her back against the wall, chest heaving violently.

If her little grandson hadn’t been quick just now, her old life would’ve ended right then and there at the hands of her daughter-in-law, Zhang Xiulian.

“Zhao Guang, tell me—has your mom gone mad? Always yelling about hitting and killing someone… She’s going to destroy this family sooner or later.

If your dad doesn’t want her anymore, who will you stay with then?” Liu Dani cast a glance at her little grandson.

Zhao Guang rubbed his swollen, bun-sized cheek, eyes full of sincerity as he mumbled, “I won’t stay with anyone else. I’ll stay with Grandma. Only Grandma loves me the most.”

Hearing this, Liu Dani’s wrinkled face immediately bloomed into a chrysanthemum-like smile. She reached out and patted Zhao Guang’s little face lovingly. “My little grandson is still the most reliable. Grandma will get you something tasty.”

She stood up and walked to the large chest at the foot of the bed. From her jacket pocket, she pulled out a key.

Click—

The yellowed brass lock made a crisp sound as the key turned.

Liu Dani lifted the lid, stood on tiptoe, leaned in, and took out a packet of taosu (traditional Chinese shortbread cookies) from the chest.

Inside the package, the cookies were wrapped in oiled paper. On the outside was a square red label with four bold characters: “Old-Fashioned Taosu.” The whole thing was tied up nicely with hemp string.

Zhao Guang stared at the taosu like a hook locking onto prey. The sweet aroma filled his nose, and saliva was practically bursting out of his mouth.

He quickly wiped his lips, his eyes full of longing for the treat.

“Here, little glutton, eat slowly,” Liu Dani said, handing him one of the cookies. Watching her grandson drool, she couldn’t help but smile.

Just then, a sudden breeze whooshed by.

Zhao Guang blinked—and the cookie in his hand was gone.

Liu Dani’s scolding voice followed immediately. “Zhao Wen! Look at how old you are, still fighting your little brother for food. Were you born a starving ghost?!”

Zhao Wen had snatched the taosu and stuffed it straight into his mouth. His jaws worked furiously—within seconds, the cookie had vanished into his stomach. Even calling it wolfing down the food didn’t do it justice.

“Grandma, I’m starving! You don’t know—I haven’t eaten in two days! You didn’t even think to bring me food. This morning, I came looking but you weren’t here. I almost went to meet Grandpa early,” Zhao Wen choked up as he spoke, crumbs still clinging to the corners of his mouth.

“Oh dear, what was I thinking? I completely forgot! This is all your mother’s fault. If you want to blame someone, blame her,” Liu Dani frowned deeply, then turned around and grabbed four more cookies—two for Zhao Guang, and two for Zhao Wen.

“Eat up, you two little ancestors.”

The peach crisps were crunchy, and the crumbs stuck to Liu Dani’s palm. She quickly picked them up and popped them into her mouth. The sweet and greasy taste of the peach crisp instantly burst on her tongue, making her smack her lips in satisfaction.

“You don’t need to be afraid of your mother. In a few days, I’ll make sure she pays!”

Zhao Wen and Zhao Guang had always sided with their grandmother and father. Lately, their mother had been disciplining them pretty harshly — they’d had enough.

If Grandma had a way to turn their mother back into how she used to be, that would be the best outcome for them.

They hated the current version of their mother. They still preferred the one who was obedient and submissive — the mother and little sister who always listened without question.

“None of you are allowed to eat her food tonight. Let’s see if that makes her panic!”
Liu Dani whispered her instructions.

The two grandsons nodded obediently.

As the sun dipped behind the western hills, a low-watt incandescent bulb flickered on in the courtyard.

Zhang Xiulian stir-fried shredded potatoes and scrambled eggs with chili peppers.

Zhang Lili kneaded a piece of dough — half scalded flour, half regular — and combined them into a single dough. She rolled it out into thin pancakes.

As the scallion and Sichuan pepper-infused pancakes hit the hot oil, the aroma spread in all directions.

The moment the pancakes came out of the pan, the entire courtyard was filled with their mouth-watering smell.

“Mom, should I go call Grandma and the boys to come eat?”

“No need. Let them come if they want. We’ll eat on our own.”
Zhang Xiulian told her daughter to bring the dishes into the kitchen, then turned to call her younger daughter.

“Pingping, time to eat.” She stood at the doorway and knocked gently.

Zhao Pingping bounced to the door, holding the suspender dress in her arms, her eyes sparkling like stars.
“Mom, is this dress for me?”

Zhang Xiulian wiped her hands on her apron.
“Of course it’s for you. If I tried to wear it, wouldn’t it be a bit too small?” she joked.

“Thank you, Mommy.”
Zhao Pingping tiptoed up, tugged her mother’s shoulder, and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

Zhang Xiulian’s smile bloomed like a flower.
“Hurry and eat now. You can admire yourself after dinner.”

That meal was absolutely delightful for the three of them.

Zhang Xiulian devoured an entire scallion pancake in one go. While eating, she praised her daughter:
“Lili, this pancake is amazing!”

Zhao Pingping was happily chewing on the pan-fried dumplings her mother and sister had brought back for her. The crispy, fragrant crust was so good she could barely keep from drooling.

Thinking back to how her mom had stood up for her earlier, Pingping couldn’t stop smiling.
Mom was treating her better and better.

After dinner, Zhang Xiulian brought over another pancake—She returned to her room.

As she opened the door, Zhao Debao was still lying tightly wrapped in the blankets.

Hearing the sound, he deliberately pretended to be asleep.

But the faint rustling and small movements didn’t escape Zhang Xiulian’s sharp eyes.

She shoved the fried pancake onto the table and said coldly, “Your eldest daughter made this for you and insisted I bring it to you. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t bother with you at all. Hurry and eat it, so my girl doesn’t worry.”

Zhao Debao didn’t move under the covers.

Zhang Xiulian gave him a sideways glance and raised her voice, “Not eating, huh? Then I’ll just feed it to the dogs. That stray dog, Huang, on the street hasn’t had anything to eat. If you won’t eat it, I’ll give it to the dog.”

Saying that, she turned around, ready to leave with the pancake.

“Don’t feed the dog—I’ll eat it, I’ll eat it!”

Zhao Debao flung off the blanket with both hands, crawled forward a few steps on his knees, and shouted at Zhang Xiulian.

He hadn’t eaten anything all day. At this point, never mind a pancake—even if you gave him a rock-hard steamed bun, he’d eat it without hesitation.

He had no strength left to oppose Zhang Xiulian.

Zhang Xiulian tossed the pancake to Zhao Debao, poured him a bowl of water, and sat at the edge of the bed, watching him.

Zhao Debao, who normally kept his hair neat and tidy, now looked like a bird’s nest. Stubble darkened the area around his mouth, and his complexion was gloomy.

Every time he moved, his face showed signs of pain.

Zhang Xiulian had been careful when she scratched his face last night—she showed some restraint.

Now, the scratches from her nails had started to fade. With one more night of rest, he’d mostly be fine.

As for the injuries on his body, they would take five or six days to fully heal.

Zhao Debao held the pancake with both hands, folded it several times into a thick, narrow stack, and wolfed it down in a few big bites.

Watching him devour the food like that, Zhang Xiulian couldn’t help but feel a faint trace of pity—almost too subtle to notice.

No, no. Feeling sorry for a man is a shortcut to disaster.

I mustn’t be fooled by his performance.

She picked up the washbasin and toothbrush and walked out.

A few minutes later, just as she was about to push the door open again, she overheard a conversation between someone and Zhao Debao inside.

“She still has a bit of conscience, knowing to bring you something to eat. Just hang in there one more night. Tomorrow will be her reckoning.”

“What reckoning? I just can’t beat her right now—otherwise, I’d have knocked all her teeth out long ago.

A woman thinking she can shit on a man’s head? I’ve been too soft on her. Just wait till I recover. I’ll show her what’s what!”