Author: Popcorn
“Mingyu, let’s talk.”
No sooner had Huo Mingfeng spoken than a sharp, piercing voice cut through the air.
“Mingyu! Get out here!”
The arrogant tone was instantly grating.
Huo Mingfeng frowned and turned to look.
In the courtyard of the Huo family home, a mother and son had just walked in.
The one shouting was none other than Jiang Mingyu’s mother, Jiang Qianqin.
She was petite, dressed in a blue cotton jacket with a mandarin collar, the fabric clearly better than what Jiang Mingyu had worn before.
Standing beside her was a sturdy young man, though compared to Huo Mingfeng, he looked noticeably smaller.
Neither of them wore friendly expressions.
“Mom?”
Jiang Mingyu lifted the door curtain and stepped out. The moment she saw them, the word slipped out instinctively.
And just like that, she understood.
These two were the original owner’s mother and younger brother.
There wasn’t much to say about her background—just a poor rural family in this small town. Back when the original owner was about to take her high school entrance exams, Jiang Qianqin had forced her to give up her education to work and earn money so her younger brother, Jiang Mingzhi, could continue studying.
So over the years, aside from the money spent on Qian Youde, most of what she earned had gone to support her brother.
Worse still, she had been so thoroughly brainwashed by Jiang Qianqin that she believed it was only right to sacrifice everything for him.
“Hmph! So you still remember to call me ‘Mom’?”
Jiang Qianqin strode over, her face dark, grabbing Jiang Mingyu’s arm.
“Speak! Why did you suddenly divorce Qian Youde? If I hadn’t gone to the grain station to sell some grain, I wouldn’t have even known you were doing this behind my back!”
“You’re an unmarried young woman—aren’t you afraid of people laughing at you? And now you’re getting involved with him? Don’t you know how terrible Huo Mingfeng’s reputation is?!”
If there was one thing to say about Jiang Qianqin, it was that she had no sense.
Huo Mingfeng was standing right there, yet she dared to spout nonsense without restraint.
Jiang Mingzhi didn’t speak, but his pressed lips made it clear he agreed.
“Sis, you should just go back and reconcile with Qian Youde. At least when you’re with the Qian family, you can still send us some of the living expenses he gives you. He even sends us gifts every year.”
After a pause, he looked at Jiang Mingyu seriously.
“If he bullies you, tell me. I’ll beat him up for you.”
Jiang Mingyu wasn’t the original owner. She had no intention of indulging them.
But hearing what Jiang Mingzhi said afterward, she still fell silent for a moment. After letting Jiang Qianqin vent, she finally turned and said,
“It’s cold outside. Let’s go in and talk.”
Huo Mingfeng stayed by her side the entire time, like a wall shielding her, blocking out Jiang Qianqin’s incessant nagging.
“Dad, who are they?”
The three little children, seeing Jiang Qianqin and Jiang Mingzhi, curiously gathered around.
Jiang Mingzhi had little patience for kids, but Jiang Qianqin unexpectedly stopped and shot Huo Mingfeng a glare.
“Well? Aren’t you going to take the kids inside? Do you want them to listen to us mother and daughter arguing?”
“Dad, she’s so scary!”
The youngest girl quickly hid behind Huo Mingfeng.
Huo Mingfeng frowned. Jiang Mingyu turned back.
“Mingfeng, take them inside first.”
It was the first time she had called him so gently.
Huo Mingfeng’s heart softened. He glanced at her.
“Can you handle this?”
They were already legally married. He wouldn’t let her be put in a difficult position because of these two.
Besides, everyone in town knew how these two had been draining Jiang Mingyu dry—it just wasn’t something people said openly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
Only then did Huo Mingfeng lead the three children inside.
Once the main hall was left with just the three of them, Jiang Mingyu looked at Jiang Qianqin.
“Mom, I know what you’re thinking. You’re just afraid that after I leave Qian Youde, you won’t have money anymore.”
“But I promise you—since we’re family, I’ll still take responsibility for your living expenses and your retirement.”
“I won’t short you a single cent.”
Hearing her calm tone and steady voice, Jiang Qianqin unconsciously calmed down a little. She snorted.
“So you still know how to say nice things? If you admit I’m right, then think about divorcing Huo Mingfeng! His wife died because of him. If you want to die too, then pretend I never said this!”
She pursed her lips, looking aggrieved.
“If you weren’t my daughter, would I bother coming all the way to this miserable place to drag you back? Look at this house—sure, it’s in town, but it’s even worse than our old place in the countryside!”
Seeing her start up again, Jiang Mingyu shook her head, poured her a cup of hot water, then turned to Jiang Mingzhi.
“As for you—you said Qian Youde gives you money and sends gifts during holidays, right?”
Jiang Mingzhi nodded.
“Right!”
“In this area, there’s no son-in-law as good as him.
Brother Qian is educated—he graduated from university at such a young age. He has a bright future and won’t stay in this small town forever.
He even tutors me during summer and winter breaks. He’s a really good person. Sis, you shouldn’t divorce him. While he’s not angry yet, go back quickly!”
“If he asks you to apologize and you feel embarrassed, I’ll apologize for you!”
“Heh.”
A cold laugh suddenly cut through the air.
Jiang Mingyu looked at him and shook her head.
“All these years, most of the money I earned was taken by Qian Youde.
Whether it’s the money he gives you every month, the gifts during holidays, or the tutoring during vacations—every bit of it was something I begged for from him in his bed, day and night.”
For a young woman to say something like that—how could she not feel ashamed?
Jiang Qianqin flushed red and quickly tugged at her.
“What nonsense are you spouting! Everyone in town knows how good that son-in-law is! He’s refined, well-mannered—why would you need to beg him for any of that?”
Jiang Mingzhi also looked unconvinced.
“Sis, are you making this up just so you don’t have to go back? Are you slandering my brother-in-law on purpose?”
Making it up?
Fine. These people would rather believe an outsider than her.
That just showed how little backbone the original owner had in front of them.
Shaking her head, Jiang Mingyu felt there was nothing more to say.
She stood up.
“Mom, Mingzhi, everything I said is true. If you don’t believe me, go ask around at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Everyone knows how Qian Youde and I got divorced.”
As she spoke, she glanced toward the room.
“As for Huo Mingfeng’s reputation—I don’t care. He treats me well. When Qian Youde tied me up and tried to frame me for cheating, he was the one who saved me.”
“So what if he’s said to bring misfortune to his wives? My life… might just suit him perfectly.”
“Hey! You—why won’t you listen?!”
Jiang Qianqin stomped her foot in frustration.
Jiang Mingzhi frowned deeply.
“Sis! Don’t act rashly! After winter break, I’m about to take my high school entrance exams. I can’t do it without someone tutoring me!”
High school entrance exams?
Jiang Mingyu suddenly turned to look at him.
The boy’s features bore some resemblance to hers.
Stubborn, though. Despite Jiang Qianqin’s favoritism toward sons, he had always treated the original owner fairly well.
This year, he should be seventeen.
After a moment, she spoke calmly.
“You need tutoring? Come to me during winter break. I’ll teach you.”