Chapter 54: The Old Couple’s Thoughts

Xu Cuihua was unhappy. What did this young woman mean? Did she think Xu Cuihua couldn’t afford the bill?

Just as she was about to speak, Mo Haoyue smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we can definitely finish it all.”

Liu Baoguo had also witnessed Xu Cuihua’s greed. No wonder Mo Haoyue had chosen to treat them to a meal here. Although the standard was high, it lacked intimacy. A home-cooked meal would have been better.

“Don’t worry, young lady, we can definitely finish it all. Please tell us how much it is,” Wang Fen also smoothed things over.

Seeing this, the young woman said nothing more. After Wang Fen paid the bill, she returned to the table.

“Thank you, sister, for all these years. Haoyue’s success is all thanks to your upbringing,” Wang Fen said politely.

“My dear sister, you’re absolutely right. These past years, we old folks have sacrificed so much for our youngest son. We worried about his life and found him a good wife.”

If Wang Fen and Liu Baoguo hadn’t investigated how she treated Mi Xia beforehand, they might have believed this heartfelt performance. It was truly eye-opening for Wang Fen.

Mo Haoyue sat silently to the side, increasingly disappointed in his parents.

Soon, the dishes arrived. There were seven or eight ounces of swimming crabs, a three-kilograms (approximately 1.5kg) yellow croaker, large prawns as long as a child’s arm, extra-large mantis shrimp, and more. A table laden with food left everyone speechless.

Old Man Mo and Xu Cuihua’s eyes were glued to the table. Conveniently, Liu Baoguo and Wang Fen didn’t want to talk to them.

So everyone ate in silence. Just as Liu Baoguo was about to pick up some food, two pairs of chopsticks continuously transferred dishes from the platters to their bowls.

They ate as they transferred food, their speed like someone who hadn’t eaten for days.

Mo Haoyue coughed lightly, and the old couple remembered that others were present.

Old Man Mo blushed in embarrassment and picked up a crab, intending to put it in Liu Baoguo’s bowl.

“Brother, no need. You eat, you eat,” Liu Baoguo quickly waved his hand, using his other hand to shield his bowl.

He was afraid that Old Man Mo’s saliva-covered chopsticks would reach his bowl. Seeing that Liu Baoguo genuinely refused, Old Man Mo unceremoniously continued eating, though slightly more refined than before—only slightly.

Mo Haoyue and Liu Baoguo’s wife barely ate anything. Old Man Mo and his wife, however, ate heartily, treating Liu Baoguo and Wang Fen as if they were family.

Xu Cuihua even belched after finishing her meal, attracting stares from a nearby table. Wang Fen felt the most humiliated she had ever been in her life.

“Let’s go after we’re finished,” Wang Fen couldn’t wait a minute longer to leave; it was incredibly embarrassing.

Old Man Mo, patting his round belly, said, “Fourth son, your mother and I ate a bit too much. Let’s sit for a while longer.”

Mo Haoyue said calmly, “My parents wanted to take you to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things. Since you and Mother ate so much, let’s not go.”

Hearing Mo Haoyue call them “Mom and Dad,” Liu Baoguo and Wang Fen, forgetting their embarrassment, were overjoyed. Their son had finally accepted them.

Hearing about the supply and marketing cooperative, Xu Cuihua couldn’t sit still. She pulled Old Man Mo towards the exit.

“We’ve rested enough. Let’s go.”

Xu Cuihua’s actions further shaped Liu Baoguo and his wife’s opinion of them.

At the supply and marketing cooperative, the old couple were truly unrestrained, wanting everything they saw. Wang Fen, thinking about how they had raised Mo Haoyue safely, didn’t say anything. Seeing their silence, the old couple bought even more enthusiastically. They bought several bra-and-skirt sets alone, Xu Cuihua muttering about buying two for her daughter, two for her eldest daughter-in-law and third daughter-in-law. Old Man Mo couldn’t resist either, buying several pairs of leather shoes and ready-made clothes for himself, saying he’d never worn any before.

Watching these two insatiable people, Liu Baoguo and Wang Fen noticed that they hadn’t bought a single thing for Mo Haoyue. The usually good-tempered couple felt like punching them.

Seeing Mo Haoyue’s indifferent attitude, Wang Fen felt extremely guilty. It was her fault that she had lost her son, causing him so much suffering over the years.

Mo Haoyue paid for the ready-made clothes, his eyes devoid of emotion as he looked at Xu Cuihua. “Are you finished? Can we go?”

Xu Cuihua nodded fearfully. The four of them were laden with goods, carrying many more in their hands.

“Mom and Dad, go ahead. I’ll take them back to the village and then return,” Mo Haoyue smiled at Liu Baoguo and his wife.

Seeing that her fourth son had even called them “Mom and Dad,” and considering his recent attitude towards them, Xu Cuihua forgot her fear. “Fourth son, I’m not trying to be difficult, but now that you’ve acknowledged your biological parents, will you still take care of your father and me?”

Old Man Mo also looked at Mo Haoyue. “Fourth son, your mother is right. What are you thinking?”

“I’ve said it before, you raised me young, and I will support you in your old age,” Mo Haoyue said hoarsely.

Looking at Mo Haoyue’s expression, Xu Cuihua gritted her teeth. “We don’t need you to support us in our old age. Give us 1,000 yuan, as your support for us old folks.”

Xu Cuihua had seen how wealthy this couple was. They had paid for all those things at the supply and marketing cooperative without batting an eye. So she wanted to take the opportunity to ask for a sum of money, even if they didn’t get money from Mo Haoyue, she and her husband could still live well.

Mo Haoyue looked at Old Man Mo, who remained silent. He understood; his father also wanted money!

Wang Fen, seeing Mo Haoyue’s hurt expression, felt heartbroken. If she could buy off their relationship with her son for 1,000 yuan, she would.

Mo Haoyue looked calmly at Xu Cuihua and Old Man Mo, never expecting they would sell him for 1,000 yuan.

Xu Cuihua also felt a little uncomfortable. After all, she had raised her fourth son, and it was impossible to have no feelings for him. But compared to money, feelings meant nothing.

Besides, he wasn’t their biological son. If they didn’t take the money now, what if he never came back? She would be heartbroken.

“All these years, I’ve sent all my allowance to you. And all these things you’re carrying are worth many times more than 1,000 yuan. I only have 300 yuan. Take it if you want, otherwise forget it,” Mo Haoyue said coldly.

Seeing Mo Haoyue’s cold eyes, Xu Cuihua felt very uncomfortable, and said softly, “Fine, 300 yuan then.”

Wang Fen was about to pay, but Mo Haoyue stopped her. “Mom, this is my business, I’ll handle it.”

He took 300 yuan from his pocket and handed it to Xu Cuihua. “Mother, this is the last time I’ll call you that. I don’t know why you don’t trust me, but I’ve never thought of not supporting you.

Since you want money, I’ll give it to you. But from now on, I’m no longer your son. I wish you good health and long life.”

Xu Cuihua didn’t listen to what Mo Haoyue was saying; her eyes were fixed on the 300 yuan in his hand.

Old Man Mo couldn’t help but sigh. How had things come to this? Just 300 yuan, and he was no longer related to his fourth son?

Had Old Man Mo forgotten? All these years, Mo Haoyue’s allowance had been given to them. Not to mention that, the things they were carrying were worth hundreds of yuan.

Even if he ignored all that, he only saw the 300 yuan Mo Haoyue gave Xu Cuihua now.