The old woman waved her hand. “I didn’t see anything.”
“What? You’re blatantly lying. It was clearly her who made the first move.” Chen Lang pointed at Li Mu.
Li Mu flinched, the stick in her hand falling to the ground. Her expression turned innocent. “If others didn’t see it, what can I do?”
“So you’re all ganging up to bully me?” Chen Lang said furiously, turning to glare at Li Xianglian. “I’ll ask you one thing—are you coming home with me or not?”
Li Xianglian raised her brows. “Going back? Of course I’ll go back—but not now. You’re a grown man with hands and feet. If you’re hungry, cook for yourself. Do you think the house will collapse without me? I don’t believe it!”
“YOU!” Chen Lang snapped. “Fine. Fine! Have it your way!”
He stormed off angrily.
The two children still stared longingly, stomachs growling.
Seeing Chen Lang walking back into the courtyard, Chen Xuan immediately ran over. “Father, did Mother come back?”
“Don’t mention her to me,” Chen Lang snapped.
Chen Xuan froze in place.
Chen Lang sat down heavily and slammed the table in frustration, startling her.
He hadn’t brought her back.
Chen Lang’s throat was dry. He grabbed the water jug—but it was empty. He went into the kitchen, only to find no fire, no food, nothing usable at all.
His anger flared again.
“Li Xianglian! You’ve really embarrassed me this time. Don’t ever come begging me to take you back!”
Chen Xuan hesitantly called out, “Father… my brother is still sick…”
Chen Lang turned to scold her, but seeing her red eyes, he softened slightly.
“I know. I’ll cook for you.”
That night, rumors spread throughout the village.
“Pah! A so-called scholar, yet he doesn’t work and only waits for his injured wife to serve him.”
“I heard he even lets his sick wife’s parents take care of everything.”
“And his daughter is only three years old, already twisting truth and lies!”
Chen Lang walked through the village, enduring every insult in silence.
But when a bucket of cold water suddenly splashed over him—
“Ah! Sorry, sorry! I didn’t see you there!”
He stood drenched, fists clenched, but said nothing.
Still, resentment burned in his heart.
At home, the children saw him return soaked.
“Father, why are your clothes wet?” Chen Xu asked.
Chen Lang said nothing and went inside to change.
“What happened?” Chen Xu asked again.
“Nothing. Go eat,” Chen Lang replied coldly.
Chapter 10: Intercepting a Letter
Chen Xuan glared fiercely at Li Xianglian, then immediately switched to a pitiful expression when she looked over.
Li Xianglian tapped her forehead. “Who taught you to glare like that at such a young age?”
Chen Xuan cried out angrily, “You stole Father’s things! You dare to do it but won’t admit it—you’re a thief!”
Li Mu became angry.
Li Xianglian’s father put down his bowl, feeling regretful for letting them stay.
Chen Xu pulled Chen Xuan behind him. “Mother, she’s still young. Don’t hit her.”
Chen Xuan cried louder, “She’s a thief! She stole Father’s money!”
Li Xianglian’s chest rose and fell in anger.
“Get out. All of you, get out!”
Chen Xu clenched his fists. “Mother, you should know your limits. If you don’t want us, why did you give birth to us? You are unworthy of being a mother!”
Slap!
A loud slap echoed.
Chen Xu’s face stung.
Chen Xuan screamed and cried harder.
“Brother, you’re bleeding!”
At that moment—
“Who is Xu Langzhong?”
Chen Xu immediately covered his sister’s mouth. “Nothing. She said nonsense.”
Li Xianglian narrowed her eyes. “Speak clearly.”
Chen Xu quickly changed his tone. “We made a mistake. We’re leaving now.”
They ran out of the house.
Later that night, the children returned home soaked in tears.
“What happened?” Chen Lang asked.
“They say Mother is a thief…” Chen Xuan cried.
Chen Lang’s anger exploded.
“If she’s your mother, go find her yourself. I don’t care about her life or death!”