She had been foolish, believing Zhan Hongmei’s lies, turning a blind eye—last life, she should have made that ugly business public.
Zhan’s father, infuriated, nearly couldn’t breathe. Just then, Zhan Hongmei came hand in hand with Li Baoguo. In a rage, Zhan’s father slapped her hard.
“Dad, what are you doing?”
“How dare you speak! Did anyone agree to your coming here? Come home with me!”
Zhan Hongmei’s tears poured as she looked at Li Baoguo: “Are you going to marry me or not? Say something…”
Li Baoguo held up a finger: “I will marry. Mom, can you stop making a scene? Just let Dazhuang go and let your son get married peacefully.”
He looked helpless. Normally, his mother doted on him, but these past few days, she’d been acting like a madwoman…
Liu Meiling slapped him back, and even knowing the eldest son’s usual behavior, her heart froze:
“Zhan Dazhuang almost bullied your sister, and you call that trivial? You want to get married—did you ask Zhan Hongmei if she would go along without that 800-yuan bride price? Since we’re here in front of everyone, I’ll be clear.
Even 200 yuan—I won’t pay. Our family has nothing. Willing to marry? Fine. Not willing? Then don’t come knocking.
Zhan Dazhuang’s crime is that of a rogue—he should be punished severely. No one can stop it.”
Li Mingliang panicked, covering her mouth: “You’re insane! You really want to ruin the eldest son’s marriage?”
Liu Meiling coldly shook him off: “If it isn’t ruined, how am I supposed to pay? You haven’t given a penny to the family. Eldest son, blame your father if you must—after all these years, it wasn’t easy for me to raise you all.
Your father earns 85 yuan a month. Over the years, he should have at least 2,000 saved. Want a wife? Go ask him.”
“You’re talking nonsense! I have no money.”
Li Mingliang hung his head in shame. All his salary went to Xiangru—there was nothing left.
“What? No money?”
Liu Meiling sneered: “No money? All these years, I’ve paid every family expense. You’ve given me nothing. What, the steel mill doesn’t pay your salary? Tomorrow I’ll go ask them why you haven’t been paid!”
Li Baoguo glanced at his father suspiciously.
“Dad, Mom’s right. If you haven’t given money to the family, and you don’t have any, where could it have gone? It can’t just vanish!”
The compound buzzed with whispers. Everyone had seen Li Mingliang’s stammering. They all knew he hadn’t given a penny to his family in over a decade.
Even fellow steel mill workers were disgusted:
“Li, this is outrageous! Over ten years, not a cent to your family?”“Yes, Li, you always act frugal, claiming the children put pressure on you. Where did all the money go?”
Zhan Hongmei frowned. She had chosen Li Baoguo for his dual-income family and good house—800 yuan should be nothing. Yet now… she hesitated. She wouldn’t marry him if he gave nothing.
Li Mingliang’s eyes darkened. Gritting his teeth: “I didn’t want you to save money poorly. 800 yuan, I’ll pay.”
He reached out his hand.
“For what?”
Liu Meiling’s eyes glinted: “For the money! You’ve got money and haven’t given it to your family? What do you think you’re doing? Ask any man—if you marry, you provide food and clothing. I do everything else. What do you do?”
She stopped pretending to be polite. In front of everyone, she stripped Li Mingliang bare, finally pulling 50 yuan from his underwear and sock.
“I’ll say it again: Zhan’s daughter is shameless. I won’t pay a cent!”
“Mom, you’re too much! How can you speak to Hongmei like that?”
Li Baoguo protested. Liu Meiling slapped him: “I said it—so what? When her mother called me a cheap woman, where were you to protect me? Everyone else fights in the house, and you protect outsiders? You’re the kind who eats at home and robs from it. I wouldn’t want you even if I raised you!
You’re not really Zhan’s? Then go be their son! Change your last name if you want! Marry as a son-in-law if you must—I’ll have raised you for nothing.
Get out! Pack your things and leave!”
Liu Meiling packed the eldest son’s belongings and tossed them outside in a flash.
Li Baoguo’s head spun. Was his mother really giving up on him?
Zhan’s father squinted, eyes malicious: “Young lady, that’s too much. No matter how angry you are, you can’t treat Baoguo this way. He’s your son! He’s capable, far better than my two brats—if he were truly our son, I’d be proud!”
Li Baoguo’s eyes welled with tears, ready to call him “Dad.”
“No… stop—slap!”
Liu Meiling smacked Li Mingliang, ripping off his newly worn trousers.
“Keep them!”
Slap!
Door closed. She breathed out. No bratty children, no old scoundrel—house instantly felt fresher.
Li Baomei quietly brought her a cup of water: “Mom, you must be tired. I’ll massage your shoulders.”
Third son Li Baohai cowered in the corner. Quiet. Well, now that the eldest was gone, maybe he was next.
Li Baojia scratched his head: “Mom, when do we eat?”
Seeing him, Liu Meiling fumed again: “Eat, eat, eat—you only know eating! Big frame, nothing else? Didn’t you see your eldest get thrown out?”
Li Baojia: “But that was my brother-in-law’s family… Dad even let Baomei pour water for them.”
What? Liu Meiling exploded. The old fool does nothing, yet serves water to those freeloaders?
She poked Baomei on the head: “If you’re pouring water, pour it on their faces! What kind of people deserve our water?”
Baomei stuck her tongue out. She couldn’t help it—her father’s glare scared her.
“Liu Meiling! I think you’re rebelling!”
Liu Meiling, full of fury, opened the door and kicked them all out without looking.
“Auugh~”
Third son’s eyes squinted: “Go… cook! Why are you squatting there? Can you fill your stomach like that?”
Li Baohai: “Me? Cook?”
Liu Meiling slapped his arm: “What, missing a limb? Such a big guy and you can’t even cook? What can you do?”
After this “lesson in love,” Li Baohai managed to cook edible porridge.
Just as it was placed on the table, Qin Xiangru entered, one hand over her mouth in shock:
“Sister-in-law! Why are the kids cooking? Baohai is so young—he can’t cook…”