Wang Yongqiang waited for a long time without seeing his mother take out any money, growing increasingly impatient with a troubled expression on his face.
“Mom, do you want me to help you vent your anger or not? You need to give me an answer. The people I’ve contacted are waiting. If you agree, we can make it happen tomorrow night. I guarantee Third Brother and his wife will only feel fear whenever they see you from now on.”
Su Qing sobbed a few times and, supported by Wang Yongqiang’s strength, sat up and leaned halfway against the kang cabinet.
“My poor son, what does venting anger matter now? What truly worries me is you!”
“Why worry about me?”
“When I’m full, the whole family is satisfied. I occasionally receive your support, and when I go out, I can admire young girls and married women. My life couldn’t be more carefree.”
“Ah, son, you’re still too young and don’t understand the seriousness of the situation, the apple of my eye. Look at what’s been happening these past few days—first your Seventh Brother quietly brought home a widow, then your Third Brother and his wife want to divide the family. While I’m still healthy enough to keep them in check, what if I’m gone? You won’t have anyone to support you then!”
“Everyone in the family can see I favor you. If I’m no longer here, your brothers and sisters-in-law might not only refuse to help you but could even kick you when you’re down. Right now, people despise you and dogs shun you—they curse you to your face and spit behind your back. Even if I piled gold and silver mountains before you, could you protect them in your current state?”
“Mom…”
Wang Yongqiang blinked. He spent every day scheming for his own benefit but had never considered this. Now that his mother analyzed it this way, it seemed absolutely true.
Over the years, he had secretly taken many delicacies from his mother’s room. Though done stealthily, it appeared to be an open secret known to the whole family. He once overheard Dabao complaining about it.
If children as his juniors felt this way, his brothers and sisters-in-law must have cursed him endlessly in private. Once mother was gone, wouldn’t they take the opportunity to bully him severely and vent their pent-up frustrations?
The more Wang Yongqiang thought about it, the more panicked he became, his hands holding Su Qing’s trembling. He couldn’t bear to imagine how bitter his life would be if his mother passed away.
“Sigh, your father left us early, and I just wanted to shower you with extra love. What’s wrong with that? If they resent anyone, it should be me, not you. But don’t be afraid, son—I’ve thought it all through. All my valuables will be left to you. However, for your future happiness, you need to put on a show. Starting tomorrow, you must go to work!”
“Ah? So soon, Mom? Can’t I rest a bit longer? The Double Rush is coming up—it’s exhausting. I don’t want to go!”
Su Qing pushed his hand away and cried out in anguish, “Do you think I want this? Seeing you work hurts me more than gouging out my own flesh! I’m doing this for you. If you don’t put on a act to deceive your brothers and sisters-in-law, what future will you have?”
As she spoke, she reached into the kang cabinet drawer and pulled out a piece of cold sesame sweetheart cake.
“Take it. I baked it for you tonight when no one was looking.”
Wang Yongqiang’s mouth watered uncontrollably. Clutching the sesame cake, he swore to Su Qing that he would definitely go to work. He had genuinely come to understand—in this entire large family, his mother was the only one who truly cared about him.
After he left, Su Qing closed the door and immediately entered the Space. Sure enough, a blue panel appeared before her eyes before long. Not only was the Spirit Spring Water unlocked, but a People’s Benefit Pharmacy had also been unlocked in Happiness Town. As soon as she entered, the NPC in the shop warmly greeted her and introduced the prices of some medicines.
The costs were very affordable. Basically, one gold coin in Happiness Town equaled one yuan. With billions of gold coins, she could afford everything.
The news that the Erlizi (layabout) of the Wang family was going to work soon spread throughout Hongxing Village.
“The sun must be rising from the west. That little brat can actually work in the fields? Let’s hope he doesn’t ruin the crops.”
“Can’t you keep your voice down? Your sister-in-law isn’t someone easy to deal with. If she hears you, watch out—she might come for you later.”
“As if I’m afraid of her, hmph!”
Qu Laidi snapped sharply, hands on her hips, and spat on the ground.
If anyone in Hongxing Village had the most conflict with Wang Old Lady, it was undoubtedly her elder sister-in-law, Qu Laidi. Their situations were extreme opposites. Qu Laidi was the eldest in her maiden family, with a string of younger sisters below her. Growing up, she was steeped in the belief that sons were the most important.
After marrying into the Wang family, she went all out to have children with her husband. Unfortunately, she gave birth to daughters one after another. It wasn’t until the fifth child that she finally had a son, whom she treasured like nothing else.
She had struggled so hard to have just one son, while her sister-in-law gave birth to sons one after another. She was green with envy, blaming her own womb for failing her. After her son was born, she never conceived again. Privately, she believed that Su Qing, that shameless woman, had used up all the Wang family’s fortune, leaving none for her.
For decades, during festive occasions when offering incense to the ancestors, she never missed a chance to complain about Su Qing.
The person speaking with her frowned and quickly shut their mouth. In the Wang family, Su Qing was the most difficult to handle. If she found out they were gossiping about her behind her back, she might storm into their house and smash their cooking pot!
As for Wang Yongqiang going to work, almost everyone saw it as a spectacle—even the Wang family members themselves thought the same.
Farm work wasn’t easy. Even if he was just putting on a show, by just one morning, Wang Yongqiang was already exhausted and breathless, tears welling in the corners of his eyes. He couldn’t help but think of backing out, planning to go home and ask his mother if he could rest for a couple of days before continuing.
When the noon work bell rang, he was the first to throw down his hoe. As he passed the work-point recorder, the person shot him a glance that clearly said, “I knew it.” Instantly, Wang Yongqiang felt offended.
His fists clenched tightly, but his body was too weak. Fuming with anger, he snorted coldly and walked away.
At noon, the Wang family had stewed vegetables. Zhou Chunxia had put all five cans of Meat Canned Goods into the pot, along with potatoes, green beans, and bok choy. The old lady had personally kneaded a large batch of Two-Flour Noodles, made them into noodles, and added them to the pot. Stewed together with the vegetables—good heavens, the aroma was to die for.
Those who had worked hard all morning were momentarily stunned at the sight of such a lavish meal, then scrambled to wash their hands and wait to eat.
Wang Yongqiang, after washing his hands, was about to rush over and grab a spot when a towel was handed to him.
“You must be tired. Wipe yourself quickly and eat. Mother brought out all the hidden Meat Canned Goods just for you.”
Hearing how much his mother had planned for him, tears streamed down his face.
As he passed by Wang Weidong, his eyes turned sharp. He deliberately bumped into Wang’s shoulder and let out a cold sneer.
In fact, it wasn’t just him. For some unknown reason, the entire Wang family had simultaneously begun showing hostility toward the third branch since yesterday. Starting from morning, they’d either been making veiled criticisms or throwing out sarcastic remarks.
For the whole morning, not a single family member had shown the third branch a friendly face. Even the old lady pretended not to see what was happening, making the third branch members so cautious during meals that they hardly dared reach for food with their chopsticks.