Chapter 9: A Calculated Risk

Qiao Jiangxin reached for the knife on the stove, her eyes fixed on Qiao Jiuwang, “Try hitting my uncle again!”

Lei Honghua was crying with her eyes closed when she suddenly felt something pressing against her neck.  Opening her dry, bloodshot eyes, she nearly fainted.  She looked like a hen with its neck caught, clucking and squawking.

Qiao Youcai was also startled, “Jiangxin, no! Don’t do anything foolish, calm down.”

Liu Afang’s body went limp, almost collapsing to the ground. She glared resentfully at her father-in-law at the door.  Lei Honghua, that vicious woman, was one thing, but Qiao Jiuwang was Jiangxin’s grandfather, yet he had driven Jiangxin to this point.

If this got out, Jiangxin’s reputation would be ruined.

“Woo woo woo, Jiangxin, listen to your mother, give me the knife, don’t do anything reckless.”

The anger on Qiao Jiuwang’s face instantly dissipated. He didn’t dare meet his granddaughter’s hateful gaze. He could only stammeringly scold Qiao Youcai, “Youcai, look at the trouble your daughter…”

“Aaah”

Before Qiao Jiuwang could finish, Qiao Jiangxin pressed the knife against Lei Honghua’s neck, causing Lei Honghua to let out a pig-like scream.

Qiao Jiuwang’s anger dissipated. He nervously looked at Qiao Jiangxin, “What are you trying to do? If this gets out, will you still be able to get married? Your grandmother is your elder, no matter what. Look at what you’ve done! This is unfilial, against the natural order.”

Taking a couple of breaths, Qiao Jiuwang continued, “In the past, this kind of behavior would have been punishable by death. Even if you don’t want to live, think of your parents.”

Qiao Jiangxin said coldly, “If there’s a way to live, who wouldn’t want to live a good life? You’re blind to protect this vicious woman, as if you can’t see how our family lives.

Uncle and Dad are kind and don’t understand your intentions, but I do. When Lei Honghua saw a chicken missing, without asking, she raised the rolling pin to hit my mother’s belly.

Last time a chicken was missing, she pulled my mother’s hair.  And the result?  Ergou came to thank Qiao Jianguo for the chicken.

My mother was beaten for nothing, and Lei Honghua didn’t even apologize.  This time is the same. Doesn’t she want my father and uncle to have no children, so they’ll serve Qiao Jianhua and Qiao Jianguo their whole lives?

That vicious woman, Lei Honghua, wants to use my father and uncle as stepping stones for Qiao Jianhua and Qiao Jianguo. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.

They’re your sons, and you’ve always favored them, but you’re blocking my uncle and father’s path to help your two younger sons… Grandpa, even rabbits bite when cornered!”

Qiao Jiangxin’s eyes were red, “You only saw me hit Lei Honghua, but you didn’t see her raising the rolling pin to hit my mother’s belly. Don’t tell me you didn’t know what she was thinking?

No, you must have known, otherwise you wouldn’t have been so angry after Uncle spoke, and hit my uncle!”

Qiao Jiuwang’s face darkened, “We’re family. No matter what, your grandmother is your elder. She’s old and confused. Even if there’s a misunderstanding, let’s talk it…”

Qiao Jiangxin held the knife to Lei Honghua’s neck, and with her other hand, slapped her across the face, “Who the hell is family with her? Who the hell wants to be family with this vicious woman who wouldn’t even spare an unborn child?”

“Ah wah yi, old man, woo woo woo…” Lei Honghua, tears and snot streaming down her face, reached out to Qiao Jiuwang for help.

Qiao Jiuwang’s eyes were blazing, “What exactly do you want?”

Qiao Jiangxin’s gaze was fixed on him, “Don’t you know what we want? We want a way out.”

Qiao Jiuwang turned to Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai, “Is that what you two think as well?”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai exchanged glances and remained silent.

Qiao Jiuwang felt his authority as the head of the household had been severely challenged, but he suppressed his anger, “Fine, I agree to split the family!”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai’s faces lit up. Liu Afang, seizing the opportunity before her daughter noticed, grabbed her daughter’s hand holding the knife, “Jiangxin, did you hear your grandpa? Put down the knife.”

After freeing herself, Lei Honghua came back to life, shouting from behind Qiao Jiuwang, “Ungrateful brats! If you want to split up, get out! Everything in this house belongs to your father and me. You deserve to die childless!”

Qiao Youcai angrily stepped forward, “Lei Honghua, say that again, and I’ll tell you, you’re an elder, I can’t hit you, but I can beat up Third and Fourth!”

Hearing this, Qiao Jiuwang turned around and punched Lei Honghua, knocking her back several steps. He cursed, “Troublemaking shrew! I’ll beat you to death! What did I tell you yesterday? Did you ignore me?

Didn’t I warn you that Youfu, Youcai, Jianhua, and Jianguo should be treated equally?  Are you only happy when this family is torn apart? You cursed old woman, I’ll beat you to death! I’ll stop you from harming my children, I’ll stop you from driving a wedge between us father and sons! Look at what you’ve done! Why did I marry such a cursed woman?”

As Qiao Jiuwang cursed, he didn’t stop hitting Lei Honghua, causing her to cry and wail.

Neighbors who had heard the commotion rushed over to pull them apart, “Oh my, why are you fighting again so early in the morning? Old Qiao, Old Qiao, stop it, talk it over.”

“Youfu, Youcai, what are you standing there for?  Pull your father away!”

Qiao Jiangxin’s eyes narrowed.  To prevent the family from splitting, Qiao Jiuwang and his wife had really gone to great lengths, even resorting to a calculated risk. She turned to her uncle and father, and sure enough, they were both moved.

After beating Lei Honghua, Qiao Jiuwang seemed to have regained his lost face. He sat on a stool in the yard, catching his breath, while Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai stood beside him, awkwardly comforting him.

Qiao Youcai: “Dad, alright, don’t be angry, it’s not worth it.”

Qiao Youfu: “Yeah….”

A calculating glint flashed in Qiao Jiuwang’s eyes, his voice choked with emotion, “How can I not be angry? My happy home is about to be destroyed by this stupid woman. You are my sons. She bullies you right in front of me. How can I not be angry?

I warned her yesterday. I said you two are older, and it was right for you to give way to Jianhua and Jianguo before, but now they’re older too, they’re all my sons, and I have to treat them equally.

Do you really think your father is stupid? I’ve seen everything you’ve done over the years, and I’ve kept it in my heart.

If it weren’t for you two being capable, the family wouldn’t be where it is now.  Dad understands, I owe you, and it’s right for you to blame me…”