Chapter 64 : Choking

“Go home everyone, hurry up and leave.” Leader Xie Qingbao waved his arms to drive the crowd away. Reluctant as they were, everyone had to leave.

Some people, still unwilling to let go, craned their necks and looked back repeatedly, hoping to catch more of the commotion. But the Liang family’s courtyard fell into an eerie silence—no one spoke, and no one moved. They didn’t see what they had hoped for and could only leave awkwardly.

“The Liang family must be cursed to have run into such a disgusting situation. Tsk, tsk, who would have thought that someone who looks so proper would secretly be involved with his own brother?”

“Luckily, Ma Xiuzhi remained clear-headed and didn’t rush to marry off her daughter. Otherwise, it would have been like pushing her daughter into a fire pit.”

“Zhao Cuihua’s family is really something. For fifty bucks, they’ve lost their conscience. Now it’s clear Ma Xiuzhi just said that either Huang Shumin is kicked out or the family splits! Keeping such a troublemaker around means no peaceful days ahead.”

“Just don’t know what Liang Er (Liang Shuqing) will choose.”

Having finally driven away the crowd of onlookers, Xie Qingbao and village chief Xie Changkun wiped the sweat off their foreheads, exchanged a look, and sighed with relief. They then turned to the Liang family members packed in the courtyard and immediately felt a headache coming on.

Family matters were always tricky to handle.

“If there’s nothing else, we’ll be on our way,” Xie Qingbao said after thinking for a moment and decisively offered his farewell.

“Okay, thanks for your help today,” Liang Xueyong said, stepping forward to personally see them off. But just as he took a step, Ma Xiuzhi called out to him, “Wait, since both of you are here, help me witness this, we’re going to split the family!”

“Splitting the family is no small matter. Sister-in-law, don’t act on impulse,” Xie Changkun said, frowning. The principle of harmony was important, and he advised her.

“The village chief is right. You can’t just split up on a whim. How about this sister-in-law, first tell us the whole story. We’re still confused and don’t know anything.”

On a rest day with no farm work, their family was originally called to help with the situation.

Hearing this, they couldn’t sit still and quickly grabbed their tools, called on relatives and friends, and rushed over.

They knew the Liang family had been wronged but didn’t know the specifics until they arrived on the scene and heard bits and pieces from others, piecing together about 40% of the story.

Liang Xuefu, Liang Xueyong’s elder brother, was known for his integrity and fairness and had a good reputation in the village. He also held considerable sway in the Liang family. With him speaking up, Ma Xiuzhi couldn’t ignore his face. Moreover, she actually didn’t want to split the family, she just didn’t want to live under the same roof as Huang Shumin anymore.

Huang Shumin was like a well-fed white-eyed wolf. The things she said earlier still haunted Ma Xiuzhi’s mind. It pained her deeply she considered herself a good mother-in-law. Since Huang Shumin married into the family, she had done nothing wrong by her, giving her respect and face. Yet, Huang Shumin had not appreciated it and had even stabbed her in the back at a crucial moment.

It was heartbreaking.

If Liang Junqiang, after hearing the whole story, still chooses to side with Huang Shumin, then Ma Xiuzhi would consider him as if he were no longer her son. Even if he decided to change his surname to Huang from now on, she wouldn’t mind!

Ma Xiuzhi took a deep breath and slowly laid out everything that had happened. By the time she finished speaking, the room was silent.

“This family shouldn’t be split. Why should it be split? In my opinion, the Huang family is in the wrong here. It has nothing to do with Junqiang. Just kick out that traitorous daughter-in-law, and we’ll get the betrothal gifts back for you. I don’t believe they’d dare to refuse!”

Liang Xuefu was known for his temper and his tendency to favor his own family. Hearing the truth from Ma Xiuzhi, his gaze at Huang Shumin was as if it were poisoned.

Ma Xiuzhi and Liang Xueyong the couple, exchanged silent glances but did not speak, though they didn’t refute it either. It was clear they agreed with Liang Xuefu’s statement. With the head of the household agreeing, no one else would speak up. Liang Qingqing stood still and a breeze stirred around her as she looked over and met a pair of deep, piercing eyes.

“Don’t get involved,” Fan Yanxing whispered. Liang Qingqing nodded. She hadn’t planned to intervene in this matter. As for Huang Shumin…

She sighed, resigned to the fact that it was a consequence of her own actions.

Huang Shumin stood behind Liang Junqiang, afraid to say a word throughout the ordeal. Her body trembled uncontrollably, sweat already dripping down her forehead, her fingers digging into her palms as if trying to draw blood to steady herself.

It all felt like a dream. What was supposed to be a good marriage had turned into a disgusting mess in the blink of an eye, and now her mother-in-law wanted to kick her out, even going so far as to consider splitting the family.

Given her own actions, Huang Shumin knew that with Ma Xiuzhi’s temperament, everything was beyond redemption. All she could do now was to hold onto Liang Junqiang. Their relationship was so strong, he wouldn’t just abandon her. Yes, he definitely wouldn’t abandon her.

Upon reflection, a family split might not be so bad after all. In the future, she would be in charge, and both she and Liang Junqiang were capable workers. All their labor points could be used to support their small family. Without Liang Qingqing as a drag, she was confident they could rebuild their life!

Liang Qingqing’s talk of becoming a broadcaster, constantly practicing at home, initially seemed ambitious. She supported it, thinking it would bring benefits to the whole family. But as time passed and there was no sign of her becoming a broadcaster, Huang Shumin began to suspect that it was all a ploy by Liang Qingqing to avoid work.

Now that this has happened, Huang Shumin feels that Liang Qingqing is a disaster. She had sensed from the very beginning that they were inherently incompatible. Looking back now, she realizes she was right. If it weren’t for Liang Qingqing, how could she have ended up in such a dire situation?

Huang Shumin suppressed her emotions, tears streaming down from her reddened eyes. She quickly moved to kneel beside Liang Junqiang, grabbing his arm and crying with a tear-streaked face, “Junqiang, I didn’t know, I really didn’t know the details. My mother never told me.”

Hearing this, Liang Junqiang slowly lifted his long-bowed head. His shoulders slumped, his eyes were dull and lifeless. The corners of his mouth slightly lifted, but it only conveyed endless bitterness and disappointment. He said in a hoarse voice, “Shumin, what you said and did has nothing to do with whether you knew the details or not.”

These words left Huang Shumin stunned, her movements frozen. As Liang Junqiang lifted his arm, her hand slid off. She snapped back to reality, trying to grab him again but was repelled by the coldness in his eyes.

“Shumin, let’s end it here,” Liang Junqiang said, his head lowered and his fists clenched. The image of the bright and cheerful girl in his memory was becoming increasingly blurred, replaced by a face of hostility.

“If you had married into the family… would you really be willing to give up?”

“This was originally a good match. You all had to overthink it.”

“If it weren’t for my several disappointing younger cousins… Liang Qingqing wouldn’t even have had a chance.”

If younger sister is really swayed by Huang Shumin’s words, what will await her? Liang Junqiang could hardly imagine what kind of hellish life that would be.

Scenes flashed through his mind. Liang Junqiang closed his eyes and said, “Pack your things, and I’ll send you back to the Huang family.”

“No, I don’t want to go!” Huang Shumin screamed, trying to throw herself at Liang Junqiang, but she was blocked by several of Liang’s aunts.

“This woman should adhere to her role once she’s married. How can she help her natal family harm her in-laws? We can’t afford such a woman in the Liang family. We’ll send you back, and it will align with your mother’s wishes. Go to Deng Weiping and earn that dirty fifty dollars!” He Yuxia, Liang Xuefu’s wife, snorted sarcastically, causing Huang Shumin’s face to turn pale instantly.

“Little sister, where’s your room? I’ll help pack your things and send you back before dark. We’ll also get the dowry money back otherwise, there could be more trouble later.”

Ma Xiuzhi glanced at Liang Junqiang and, seeing he had no objections, nodded. She knew Huang Shumin would never pack her things willingly, so she called Wang Xiaomei to help with the packing.

“Mother, you can’t be so heartless. If you send me back, how will I survive?” Huang Shumin cried out in heart-wrenching sobs, but it did not elicit the slightest pity from Ma Xiuzhi. With a blank expression, Ma Xiuzhi said, “Oh, I’m heartless? Then why didn’t you think about how I would survive if Qingqing had really been sent to the Deng family because of you?”

Everyone must pay the price for their choices.

Huang Shumin collapsed on the ground as if all strength had drained from her. Unable to utter any more complaints, she turned her head with hollow eyes to look at Liang Junqiang, who was still kneeling in front, seemingly atoning. She belatedly realized that she had indeed ruined her peaceful and happy life because of a moment of foolishness and lost the love of her husband.

“Have all the things been packed?” Wang Xiaomei, looking at the once sister-in-law, felt a bit uncomfortable, but she thought this was the best outcome. Otherwise, how would Huang Shumin adjust if she stayed in the Liang family?

“Yes, including her dowry. Everything related to her should be packed up and taken out.” Ma Xiuzhi, still not reassured, instructed Liang Xuefu to keep an eye on things. She went into the room to help pack and patted Liang Qingqing on the shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

No girl would feel good facing such a distressing situation.

If anyone is to blame, it’s the damned Huang family for causing such an undeserved disaster for them because of money!

Liang Qingqing smiled back, indicating she was fine, though somewhat disgusted. She never expected in her lifetime to encounter such things…

She could say she was completely overwhelmed by these misfortunes.

She couldn’t believe if today’s schemes hadn’t been exposed, or if another family had agreed to the marriage…

Thinking of this, Liang Qingqing was covered in goosebumps.

Huang Shumin had not been married for long, and the dowry the Huang family had given her was pitifully small, almost as if they were selling their daughter. So, all things considered, she had packed only two or three bundles.

“Junqiang, don’t go.”

Liang Junqiang was soft-hearted and simple-minded, and he had some feelings for Huang Shumin. If he were to be persuaded to change his mind by just a few words, it would be trouble for him.

Hearing this, Liang Junqiang was about to say something, but Ma Xiuzhi shot him a stern look, causing him to press his lips tightly together. He glanced at Liang Qingqing but ultimately said nothing.

Two aunts half-dragged Huang Shumin out of the yard, and Liang Xuefu followed along. Just before they left, Liang Xuefu gave Liang Junqiang’s back a kick and said in irritation, “What are you kneeling there for? Get up, it’s embarrassing.”

Fan Yanxing happened to be nearby, preparing to help, and nearly got caught by Liang Xuefu’s kick. Seeing this, Liang Xuefu chuckled awkwardly and said, “Fan, you’re close with our Junqiang, please help to persuade him a bit. Thank you.”

“Sure, Uncle, don’t worry,” Fan Yanxing replied with a smile, not taking the kick to heart. After watching the group leave, he turned to Liang Junqiang and said, “Junqiang, get up. They’re all gone.”

Liang Junqiang avoided Fan Yanxing’s hand that was offered to help him up, and with his head lowered, he sighed, “How can I have the face to get up?”

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps approached, and a figure squatted down to his eye level. With a cold snort, the figure said, “Second Brother, if you don’t get up now, we’ll sever our ties completely.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Liang Junqiang slowly lifted his head, his eyes red. A long string of words rolled in his throat but finally turned into a choked, “I’m sorry.”