Transmigrated into a 1980s Novel: I Suddenly became a Mom and was Pampered by the Cold-Faced Military Officer
Transmigrated into a 1980s Novel: I Suddenly became a Mom and was Pampered by the Cold-Faced Military Officer Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Mess, Borrowing Money

Ye Qiu hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to be quite decent—she could tell right from wrong and didn’t make things difficult for her daughter-in-law.

After a few polite refusals, Zhao Menglan accepted the gift with a beaming smile. No matter what her daughter-in-law and son gave her—even if it were just a fart—she’d still give a thumbs up and praise it as delightful.

Seeing her grandsons had come over, Zhao Menglan wanted to show off a little and called out for Ye Qiu to stay with the kids for dinner. It was the perfect opportunity to stew the meat and let everyone eat together.

Ye Qiu gladly agreed and rolled up her sleeves to help in the kitchen. When she saw only Wu Laidi working inside, she paused and asked: “Mom, where’s Eldest Sister-in-law?”

“Don’t mention that foolish woman.” Zhao Menglan said, immediately annoyed at the mention of Zhuang Meifeng. She felt like she must’ve been blind back then to let her son marry such a daughter-in-law. If it weren’t for her watching over things, Zhuang Meifeng would’ve cleared out the Lu family’s valuables and sent them all to her own family.

Zhuang Tiedan had burned someone’s house down—it was only right and proper to pay compensation. Delaying it wasn’t a solution. Even after getting beaten, Zhuang Meifeng was still thinking of using the family’s money to plug the holes in her maiden home.

Thankfully, Lu Hailiang found out in time. After a big argument, he hid all the money in the house, and no matter how much Zhuang Meifeng talked and begged, she couldn’t get her hands on it.

“I used to think Zhuang Meifeng was alright, but now I see she’s just a muddleheaded fool.” Zhao Menglan couldn’t help but complain. Even if they sold everything valuable in the Lu family, it still wouldn’t fill that giant hole.

Ye Qiu just smiled and said nothing. The three of them busied themselves in the kitchen. As dinnertime approached, there was a sudden burst of crying from the yard. Lu Tianjie was bawling with his head thrown back, while Lu Zhinan and Lu Zhibei stood frozen in place.

Ye Qiu’s heart dropped and she immediately ran outside. “Zhinan, Zhibei, are you alright?”

The two children shook their heads. Lu Zhibei, still quite young, pointed at Zhuang Meifeng and said: “Mom, Eldest Aunt took Lu Tianjie’s stuff.”

The three kids had been playing happily together. Zhao Menglan had even given each of them a handful of sunflower seeds and peanuts. There was an open can of meat on the table too, so they could have a snack if they were hungry.

Meat and fruit cans were common in the house; Lu Zhinan and Lu Zhibei were already sick of them and hadn’t tried to snatch anything from Lu Tianjie. But Zhuang Meifeng, with eyes swollen like walnuts, came out and saw her son eating canned meat. She immediately snatched it away.

Lu Tianjie began sobbing, and Zhuang Meifeng tucked the meat can into her arms without hesitation.

As soon as he saw Zhao Menglan, Lu Tianjie acted like he’d seen his savior. “Grandma, wuwuwu—my mom won’t let me eat.”

“You greedy thing, even robbing snacks from your own kid. Have you no shame? What kind of daughter-in-law are you? Don’t work, don’t sweep, all you do is cry. Even blessings get scared away by your crying.”

Zhao Menglan slapped her hard. Zhuang Meifeng cried out in pain and ran off, muttering: “Canned meat is such a luxury item—how can you finish it in one go? Tianjie is my son. I love him too much to deny him food.”

Three kids sharing one can of meat. Third’s Wife had two kids—split it evenly, and her son wouldn’t get much. Zhuang Meifeng thought she’d put it away first and give it to him after Ye Qiu left with her kids.

Second Branch only had daughters anyway—sooner or later, all the good stuff would go into her son’s mouth. If they didn’t finish the can, maybe she could even send some to her family. Tiedan had been traumatized too—he needed good food to recover.

Zhao Menglan saw the guilty look in Zhuang Meifeng’s eyes and instantly knew she was guarding the food from Ye Qiu and Da WaEr Wa. She immediately beat her harder, picking up a stick from the ground and chasing after her.

“How did I not know your heart was this small? That canned meat was brought by Third’s Wife’s family—what’s wrong with the kids eating a little? You think everyone’s as petty as you, your heart no bigger than a watermelon seed. You get upset over a bit of food?”

“You think everyone’s like you—always sneaking things from your husband’s family to feed your maiden home like a thieving rat. Let me tell you the truth—Third’s Wife came today to give us money. And what about you lot? One by one, you’re all nothing but troublemakers.”

The moment she heard “give us money.” Zhuang Meifeng stopped in her tracks. Even after taking a hit to the back, she didn’t get angry. She immediately handed over the meat can, and her expression changed faster than a color palette.

She walked over to Ye Qiu, rubbing her hands and smiling obsequiously. “Third Sister-in-law, do you have any extra money? Could you lend me a little?”

Before Ye Qiu could say a word, Zhao Menglan reacted even more fiercely. “No. Absolutely not. You are not lending her anything.”

“Mom—” Zhuang Meifeng was confused. She wasn’t even asking Zhao Menglan for money, so what business was it of hers if she asked Third’s Wife?

“Don’t think I don’t know. No one can clean up the mess your maiden family made.” Zhao Menglan turned and warned Ye Qiu: “Third’s Wife, don’t you lend her a thing.”

Even if Zhao Menglan hadn’t said anything, Ye Qiu hadn’t planned to lend money. She knew the saying: a favor as small as a cup of rice turns into resentment if it becomes a burden. If she lent money this time, Zhuang Meifeng would definitely come back next time. Ye Qiu wasn’t about to let herself get stuck with someone like that.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, I don’t have any money left either. Just a few things on hand. I’ve already spent almost all of it.”

Zhuang Meifeng didn’t quite believe her. But thinking of how Ye Qiu always spent money so freely, and looking at her clothes, it made sense. Even if she didn’t have money, things were fine too.

If she could sell them, that would be a bit of money as well. Her own older sisters had given money to help out—she couldn’t be the only one who didn’t.

“Fine. A few items would work too. Canned meat, canned fruit or something. Huaichuan must’ve sent back a lot.”

“You open your mouth and ask for stuff? Zhuang Meifeng, does the Lu Family owe you something?” Zhao Menglan slapped her again.

Zhuang Meifeng let out a loud wail. “Mom, I’ve been married into the Lu family for so many years. Even if I haven’t made great contributions, I’ve suffered plenty. Not to mention I gave you a grandson. Little hasn’t even been home all these years.”

“I’ve taken care of everything in the household. Third’s Wife hadn’t even been married in long before she split off. Haven’t I been serving you? What’s wrong with asking her for a little something? It’s what she should be doing.”

“Ye Qiu owes you? She should be giving you things? Where do you get your nerve?” Zhao Menglan didn’t hold back and let loose a storm of scolding.

“What did you ever do to serve us? Your dad and I are still capable. The housework is shared. When have we ever exploited you? You tell me.”

Zhao Menglan wasn’t like other elders who didn’t treat their daughters-in-law like people, making them work hard and eat little. Ever since the First and Second branches married into the Lu family, everyone had remarked that they’d gained weight.

When Zhuang Meifeng was in her postpartum period, Zhao Menglan had taken care of her for half a month, feeding her brown sugar eggs and changing up chicken soup recipes every day.

How could Zhuang Meifeng even have the gall to say such things?

“Why is it that Third’s Wife does nothing, but we’re supposed to serve? Then either Third should stay home and serve too, or they should give money to us Second Branch every month.”

Zhao Menglan laughed in anger. So it turned out Zhuang Meifeng had her eyes on Third’s family’s money. Shameless and unreasonable—Zhao Menglan had truly underestimated her eldest daughter-in-law’s gall.

stillnotlucia[Translator]

Hi~ If you want to know the schedule of updates, please visit the Novel's Fiction Page and look at the bottom part of the synopsis! Thank you so much for reading my translations! ૮꒰˵• ﻌ •˵꒱ა PS. You can also read my translations in my PATREON

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