Chapter 24 : The Han Family Wants Revenge

“Third brother, can you think of a way to deal with that woman?” Han Meili grabbed his arm when he didn’t respond and pleaded, “If we let this go, she’ll only become more arrogant in the future and won’t take our family seriously.”

In Han Meili’s eyes, this third brother of hers was the smartest in the family. Not only did he get into high school, but he also found a partner from the city. She’d heard that her third sister-in-law’s father was a minor official in a factory.

Han Zhenmin pulled his arm away impatiently. “You stay here and rest. I’ll go ask Mother and Second Brother about what happened.”

Han Meili pouted but followed him to the field.

Han Baoguo and Yang Lanhua were delighted to see their third son return.

Yang Lanhua pulled her prideful youngest son close and fussed over him, “Zhenmin, you look thinner this time. Haven’t you been eating well at school? I’ll make you some egg pancakes tonight.”

Zhang Qianyun, standing nearby, curled her lips and muttered to Han Zhenhua, “Mom spoils Third Brother too much. She gives him all the good food at home. You work in the fields all day, and I’ve never heard her say she’d make you an omelet.”

Han Zhenhua glanced at her but didn’t say a word.

Though his mother loved him, her affection for the third son was unmatched.

He’d grown used to it since childhood, but hearing his wife mention it still made him feel uneasy.

Glancing at his parents and third brother, he lowered his head and continued working.

Zhang Qianyun smirked secretly. It seemed her husband wasn’t entirely indifferent after all.

In this family, the eldest son was lazy, spent all day wandering around, and barely earned any work points in a year.

The third son was still studying and had found a city girl for a wife. The mother-in-law constantly praised him for being the family’s most promising child.

But no matter how capable Han Zhenmin might be, he still relied on his family’s resources.

Even if he worked in the city in the future, what would that have to do with them?

Would he take his older brother and sister-in-law to the city to enjoy a better life? Not a chance.

Zhang Qianyun wanted to push for dividing the family’s property but knew her in-laws wouldn’t agree, and Han Zhenhua followed his mother’s wishes in everything.

For now, she could only plant seeds of discord, making her husband feel disappointed in his parents. When the time was right, it would be easier to propose splitting the household.

Meanwhile, Han Zhenmin recounted the trouble caused by Su Xieqiu to Yang Lanhua and Han Baoguo. “Dad, Mom, you don’t know how outrageous my sister-in-law is. I just got home and hadn’t even had a sip of water before she started yelling at me. She even insulted you two, saying you forced my eldest brother to beg for food. The neighbors all heard it, what must they think of us now?”

Yang Lanhua ground her teeth. “That wretch has been causing chaos these past two days. She beat your sister and your second sister-in-law the day before yesterday. Yesterday, your sister-in-law threw her freshly washed clothes into the toilet in anger. I tried to confront her, but that brat nearly strangled me to death. Your second brother tried to intervene, but she hit him too.”

Han Meili added, “That brat also extorted 50 yuan from me.”

“What? She extorted 50 yuan? Did you give it to her?” Han Zhenmin asked anxiously.

Han Meili replied indignantly, “Yes, the village leader gave it to her.”

“Mom, why didn’t you discuss this with me?” Han Zhenmin asked, his voice rising in anger.

He’d been planning to use the family’s money to secure a job at the factory through his connections, but now it was gone, handed over to that brat. What was he supposed to do now?

Yang Lanhua sighed, looking distressed. “I didn’t have time to discuss it with you. That brat threatened to report us to the police if we didn’t pay up. At first, she demanded 100 yuan, but after I argued for a long time, and the village leader mediated, she settled for 50 yuan.”

Han Zhenmin grew more certain that this was a scheme by Han Zhenyu and Su Xieqiu to swindle money from their parents.

He shared his suspicions with the family.

Yang Lanhua, realizing the truth, slapped her thigh in frustration and cursed, “I knew something wasn’t right! If that brat was really as injured as she claimed, how could she have had the energy to beat your sister? So it was all a setup by that wretched brat and her husband!”

She threw the hoe in her hand and said angrily, “No, I have to go get the 50 yuan back.” Then she called out to Han Baoguo and Han Zhenhua, “His father, second brother, let’s go back and settle the score with them.”

Han Zhenhua, without even looking up, replied, “Mom, I haven’t finished work yet. Let’s talk about it when I get home tonight.”  

He had been punched by Han Zhenyu the previous night, and his face was still bruised. He didn’t want to provoke his cruel and ruthless younger brother again.  

Anyway, even if they tried to get the 50 yuan back, it wasn’t likely to happen. All the family’s money had been taken by his third brother to curry favor with others, so why should he get involved in this mess?  

Besides, the money was already in Han Zhenyu’s hands, and getting it back wouldn’t be easy. They might even end up getting punished by him.  

Over the years, his parents hadn’t gained any advantage over Han Zhenyu either.  

Yang Lanhua thought that made sense. It wouldn’t be long until the end of the workday. If she left now, all her afternoon labor would be wasted.  

But Han Zhenmin didn’t feel the same. He was still fuming and felt he had to confront Su Xieqiu right away to vent his anger.  

As a grown man, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to do much, but his mother could handle that troublemaker.  

He said, “Mom, Han Zhenyu isn’t home now. This is the best time to ask for the money. If we wait until he’s back, it’ll take a lot more effort to talk to him.”  

Yang Lanhua thought about it and realized that was true. That little brat wasn’t easy to deal with. She made up her mind immediately, “I quit. I’m going back.”  

“Mom, I’m not going back. I’m a grown man, I can’t fight with a woman. If someone sees us, it’ll be embarrassing,” Han Zhenhua protested.  

He didn’t want to get involved anymore. Han Zhenyu had warned him the day before.  

“If you bully my wife again, you’ll face the consequences.”  

That younger brother was ruthless, and his hits were heavy. Han Zhenhua didn’t want to be beaten again.  

“Fine, you and your father stay in the fields to work. Let your wife come with us,” Yang Lanhua said.  

Zhang Qianyun, eager for a break and excited by the prospect of causing trouble for Su Xieqiu, immediately put down her hoe and joined Yang Lanhua, Han Meili, and Han Zhenmin on their way back.  

Su Xieqiu was sound asleep when she heard voices in the yard.  

She assumed they had finished work and sat up, stretching. Just as she was about to get out of bed and put on her shoes, there was a loud knock at the door.  

The knocking was aggressive and angry.  

“You shameless little tramp! For just a few scrapes, you cheated me out of so much money. Return the money now, or I’ll never let you go!” Yang Lanhua’s furious voice came from outside the door.  

Su Xieqiu immediately sensed trouble. It was obvious they were here to cause problems. Instead of opening the door, she peeked through the crack.  

Yang Lanhua stood there with a vicious expression, Han Meili was grinding her teeth, and Zhang Qianyun looked gleeful.  

Even Han Zhenmin, who had been scolded earlier, kept his distance, likely afraid she would cause a scene at his school.  

Su Xieqiu sneered, grabbed a stick from the kang cabinet, and suddenly threw the door open.  

Swinging the stick wildly, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Help! Murder! Han Zhenyu’s stepmother is trying to kill his wife!”  

The group outside the door froze, speechless: “………”