The children’s faces were filthy, and Xiao Bao’s clothes were still wet.
Seeing how bedraggled they looked, He Xiufang’s anger instantly flared.
“Look at you, just look at you! You’ve ruined perfectly good clothes like this! If people didn’t know better, they’d think I’ve been abusing you at home! That short-lived father of yours really had it easy—dumped you here and didn’t leave a single cent!”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
There was already one useless old person to support, and now she had to raise these three as well.
Even her precious son had to sneak around just to eat a piece of meat.
The children seemed used to such harsh words.
But when He Xiufang suddenly raised her voice, they still trembled involuntarily.
Er Bao’s eyes reddened, but she didn’t dare cry.
Gu Zhiming tugged at He Xiufang’s arm. “Why bring up the kids’ father again? The army hasn’t given any news yet. What if he’s not dead—”
“What ‘what if’? If he’s dead, fine! One of these days you go pack up and claim the compensation! If he’s not dead, then these kids are still eating and living here—I’ll definitely demand an explanation!”
Gu Zhiming’s expression turned awkward. Scolding Gu Yanzhou in front of so many people was basically slapping him in the face.
But she held the money, and after years of marriage, he couldn’t just fall out with her over Gu Yanzhou.
Jiang Yunshu glanced at the three little ones curled up in the corner. How could she not understand what kind of life they usually lived?
“For you to say such vile things without shame—calling them bastards at every turn. Not a single thing you do resembles a decent human being!”
He Xiufang had initially been in the wrong, but seeing Jiang Yunshu shift the focus to the children, she immediately became self-righteous again.
“I’m disciplining my own children—what’s it to you? You sure meddle a lot. These three brats eat my food and drink my water—can’t I scold them a couple of times?”
Jiang Yunshu hadn’t wanted to escalate things, but He Xiufang was determined to regain face. Her expression turned cold as she stepped forward.
Afraid things might turn physical, He Xiufang quickly retreated behind Gu Zhiming.
“He Xiufang, didn’t your mother teach you to keep your mouth clean when you speak? Did you eat shit or something? Why does your mouth stink so badly? Or do you produce and consume everything from your own toilet at home?”
“You—you…”
He Xiufang was used to hurling insults, but she’d never gone as far as telling people to eat shit. Jiang Yunshu’s crude language left her momentarily speechless.
“As expected, you’re just like these wild brats—no upbringing at all! So vulgar! And you call yourself the descendant of an old military doctor, someone educated? You’re not even as good as the village kids!”
Jiang Yunshu didn’t mind being called vulgar—but mentioning her grandfather? That was crossing the line.
She curled her lips into a cold smile, locking eyes with He Xiufang.
“You talk like a human to humans and like a ghost to ghosts. Why would I need manners when dealing with trash like you?”
“If you don’t even know what you are, at least take a look in the mirror. Next time you talk to me, wipe the gunk from your eyes first—figure out who you’re dealing with before deciding whether to provoke me!”
He Xiufang had dominated arguments in the village for years, but today she was completely overwhelmed by Jiang Yunshu.
Especially that look in Jiang Yunshu’s eyes—cold, almost unhinged, like she could kill someone. He Xiufang didn’t dare provoke her further.
She could only twist Gu Zhiming’s arm.
“Are you mute? Just going to let others bully your wife? And you three little brats, what are you staring at? Get back home now! No wonder people don’t like you—always mixing with shady people and getting led astray!”
Jiang Yunshu swallowed her anger. She couldn’t let her temper run wild.
The children still depended on that household for food.
Seeing He Xiufang truly enraged, the three little ones held hands and walked past Jiang Yunshu, obediently heading back into the courtyard.
Xiao Bao kept turning his head, looking at Jiang Yunshu with reluctance.
Her heart ached, but they weren’t her children—she couldn’t interfere too much.
Fortunately, their grandmother could at least offer some protection.
“One by one, all you do is open your mouths to eat. You’re here to drain my life! Even if I die, it’ll be because of you little parasites! Who knows what sins I committed in my past life—your short-lived father is completely useless!”
Even as the children reached the doorway, He Xiufang continued cursing loudly. Some neighbors couldn’t bear it and tried to persuade her.
“Xiufang, these three kids are actually quite sensible. Maybe you’ll be able to rely on them in the future. It’s just a couple more mouths to feed—families nowadays can at least eat their fill. You should show some mercy.”
He Xiufang shot Jiang Yunshu a glance, then spat toward the well-meaning neighbor.
“You make it sound so easy! Why don’t you take them in and see for yourself? Do you know how much they eat in a day? I’d rather feed that food to a dog—at least a dog would wag its tail at me!”
The neighbors climbed down from the wall, falling silent.
“Acting like some kind of saint, giving advice without knowing hardship! Do you think my family has it easy? Everyone’s eyeing what little we have!”
She then turned to Da Bao, who was still standing outside.
“Why are you standing there like a monkey? The laundry’s been soaking all day and you haven’t washed it! Did a dog eat your brains? Can’t you show a bit of initiative?!”
Da Bao didn’t move.
He glanced at Jiang Yunshu, hesitating, as if gathering all his courage before speaking.
“Auntie… the money for my younger brother’s injection today was paid by this auntie. Can you… give it back to her first? When I grow up and earn money, I’ll repay you.”
The kind, pretty auntie had already helped them so much—they couldn’t keep spending her money.
Jiang Yunshu paused. Even Gu Zhiming looked at He Xiufang.
As expected, more curses followed.
“What money? Where would I get money? I feed you, clothe you, and you still want money? I don’t owe you anything!”
With that, she slammed the gate shut, blocking Jiang Yunshu outside—afraid she might demand repayment.
“You little brats, I think you’ve had it too easy! Getting injections? From now on, if anything costs money, figure it out yourselves! I work myself to death and still have to spend money on you? I’m not some heavenly saint!”
Her own son would soon be starting school—she had better uses for her money.
And now these brats were eyeing it.
“Big sister-in-law, Yanzhou has been sending money home regularly all these years. Not much of it was actually spent on the children. Xiao Bao is in poor health—it’s only right to pay for his treatment. Maybe you should return the money.”
Fu Chunhong, the second son’s wife, glanced at Jiang Yunshu outside the door, unable to bear it.
Before Gu Yanzhou went missing, he sent money home every month—a considerable amount.
But very little of it was spent on the children. Most of it ended up in He Xiufang’s pocket.
Over the years, with a monthly salary close to 200, even if it didn’t total ten thousand, it was still several thousand.
What farming family in the village could come up with that kind of money?
Even though the children were being raised under He Xiufang’s roof, materially speaking, she wasn’t at a loss.