Shen Jiaojiao hadn’t checked out of the hotel room. She never intended to stay long at the Shen family home—she planned to leave as soon as she got what she was owed.
Besides, she didn’t plan to linger in Yangcheng either. The Xi family definitely wouldn’t let her off easily. For now, Uncle Xi was holding back, afraid she might ruin Xi Shuhua’s marriage. That was why he was tolerating her.
Once Xi Shuhua got married, Uncle Xi would surely make his move. With her being outnumbered and Xiao Yueyue to worry about, she couldn’t possibly win against that old fox.
The best strategy was to leave!
Shen Jiaojiao packed a few changes of clothes and took Xiao Yueyue to the Shen family home. On the way, the mother and daughter bought two ice cream cones—one yuan each, with a rich creamy flavor. Both of them enjoyed their treat happily.
The Shen family lived in the residential building of the textile factory. Shen’s father used to be a worker at the textile factory, and Shen’s mother also worked there, though as a temporary employee. In recent years, the textile factory hadn’t been doing well, and many employees had found other ways to make a living.
Quite a few people had done well for themselves and moved out of the shabby residential building. Those who remained were mostly elderly or those who hadn’t fared as well.
Shen’s father fell into the latter category.
The residential building was three stories tall, with shared bathrooms and showers. As the textile factory declined, many units in the building had been left vacant. The Shen family originally had only one room but had rented two more, so they lived relatively comfortably.
Cooking was done in the hallway, where a row of gas stoves was set up. It was mealtime, and many people were busy cooking, including Shen’s mother.
“Go wash these amaranth leaves.”
Shen’s mother barely glanced at them before giving her habitual order. She added, “Yueyue, go peel these garlic cloves.”
Xiao Yueyue instinctively moved to do the chore, but Shen Jiaojiao didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, she led the little girl into the room, completely ignoring the instructions.
Inside the room was a chubby boy—the original Shen Jiaojiao’s nephew, Xiao Bao, a spoiled and universally disliked brat.
Xiao Bao was completely absorbed in watching Journey to the West, sitting sprawled out with both feet propped up on a stool like a little lord. When he saw Shen Jiaojiao and her daughter, he only lifted an eyelid, probably too focused on the TV to make a fuss.
Xiao Yueyue quietly sighed in relief. Every time she had visited before, Xiao Bao would hit her. Thankfully, he wasn’t acting up today.
Sensing the little girl’s nervousness, Shen Jiaojiao shot a cold glance at the Little Fatty but said nothing, motioning for Xiao Yueyue to sit down.
“Didn’t you hear me telling you to wash the vegetables? Are you deaf?” Shen’s mother shouted angrily from the doorway.
She had waited for a while, but Shen Jiaojiao hadn’t washed the vegetables. It was downright rebellious.
“I’m here to eat.”
Shen Jiaojiao walked coldly to the TV and twisted the channel knob, turning it repeatedly with a series of clicks until she finally found the cartoon Xiao Yueyue liked to watch.
“Who still uses a black-and-white TV these days?”
Shen Jiaojiao patted her hands disdainfully, deliberately speaking loudly. Shen’s mother at the doorway was so shocked she even forgot to be angry, her expression turning suspicious.
Was this still her timid and weak daughter?
It was as if a fierce Zhang Fei had possessed her.
“Ah… I want to watch Sun Wukong! Get out, you worthless girl! Get out of my house!”
Before Shen’s mother could even scold her, Shen Xiao Bao erupted. He rushed at Shen Jiaojiao, swinging his fists and kicking at her.
Shen’s mother at the doorway watched coldly, saying nothing.
“You little brat with no upbringing—today, your auntie will teach you how to behave!”
Shen Jiaojiao wasn’t about to indulge this spoiled child. She grabbed the feather duster next to the TV and swung it hard at him while using her other hand to yank the Little Fatty’s hair, immobilizing him.”Disrespecting elders and speaking rudely, which bastard taught you to say ‘money-losing goods’? Your grandmother and your mother are both ‘money-losing goods’—how dare you insult them too? Today, your aunt will teach you a proper lesson so you don’t get beaten to death by others in the future!”
Little Fatty was utterly powerless in Shen Jiaojiao’s grasp, the feather duster striking him with piercing pain as he wailed loudly, still cursing: “Bitch… slutty fox…”
All sorts of foul language poured out endlessly, and it was unclear where the child had picked it up.
Shen Jiaojiao had originally intended only a light punishment, but the little brat’s words ignited her anger, and her strikes grew heavier. Aside from avoiding vital areas, she showed no mercy.
Finally snapping out of it, Shen’s mother rushed over to rescue her precious grandson.
“What madness has taken you? Let Xiao Bao go at once!”
Shen’s mother tried to snatch the feather duster, but she was shorter than Shen Jiaojiao and couldn’t reach it. She could only watch helplessly as her precious grandson continued to be beaten.
“Mom, a child’s character is set by three and confirmed by seven. Xiao Bao is already seven—if he isn’t taught properly now, he’ll either end up in prison or executed by firing squad. You’ll be left to collect his corpse!”
With that, Shen Jiaojiao delivered another fierce strike with the feather duster. This little fatty had always bullied Xiao Yueyue before; now she was collecting both principal and interest.
“Bullshit! Xiao Bao is perfectly fine. As his aunt, you don’t wish him well but instead curse him—has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”
Shen’s mother was furious, raising her hand to slap Shen Jiaojiao.
“Fine, I won’t bother then. He’s not my son anyway.”
Shen Jiaojiao abruptly let go, and Little Fatty, unable to steady himself, fell heavily to the ground, erupting into another round of wails.
Shen’s mother had no time to deal with her rebellious daughter, quickly comforting her precious grandson instead, shooting occasional glares at Shen Jiaojiao and her daughter. Once the forty-eight thousand was in hand, she would not let this rebellious girl off lightly.
“The food is burning!”
Shen Jiaojiao kindly reminded her; the pot was nearly scorched through.
Shen’s mother hurriedly ran outside, followed by a clattering commotion. Shen Jiaojiao, in high spirits, casually opened the refrigerator, found some grapes inside, and unceremoniously took them out to share with Xiao Yueyue.
Shen’s father returned drenched in sweat, carrying a watermelon. Earlier, Xiao Bao had clamored for watermelon, and despite the scorching heat, he had dutifully gone to buy one.
“Your precious daughter beat Xiao Bao black and blue!” Shen’s mother immediately tattled.
Shen’s father’s expression darkened. Rushing into the room, he saw his precious grandson sitting pitifully on the floor, face red from crying, while the rebellious girl leisurely ate the grapes meant for his grandson.
How outrageous!
Rage surged to the top of his head, but Shen’s father forcibly held it back, squeezing out a kindly smile instead. “Jiaojiao, Yueyue, I bought this watermelon especially for you. Just chill it in the fridge, and it’ll be ready to eat.”
“The watermelon is mine! Don’t give it to them! Make them get out…”
Xiao Bao rolled on the floor, crying and shouting for Shen Jiaojiao and the others to leave.
Shen Jiaojiao sneered coldly, finished the last grape, took Xiao Yueyue’s hand, and headed out.
Shen’s father’s expression shifted. Suddenly, he grabbed Xiao Bao and slapped him hard. Hitting his grandson pained his own heart, but he couldn’t catch the forty-eight thousand without sacrificing something.
He had to be ruthless.
Xiao Bao was stunned, staring blankly at Shen’s father—this was the first time his grandfather had ever hit him.
After a long moment, he finally reacted, opening his mouth wide and wailing as if his parents had died.”Jiaojiao, Xiao Bao was being disobedient, I’ve already scolded him. Don’t take it to heart with a child. Your brother and sister-in-law, along with Xiaoming, will be back soon, and we’ll all have dinner together as a family,” Shen’s father said with a smile.
Shen Jiaojiao snorted and sat back down. She hadn’t planned on leaving anyway—her debt collection wasn’t finished yet.
Shen Qiang and his wife, along with Shen Ming, returned one after another. Shen’s father had given them a heads-up, so they were relatively polite to Shen Jiaojiao, at least maintaining a harmonious atmosphere when the meal began.
However—
“I want the chicken leg!” Little Fatty shouted. He had already eaten one chicken leg, and the other had just been picked up by Shen Jiaojiao for Xiao Yueyue.