Chapter 89: My Intestines Are About to Turn Green with Regret
Uncle Guai arrived again, driving his ox-cart, but this time he brought his wife, Zhu Juying. She wasn’t comfortable at home, even lying on the kang, the discomfort was unbearable. Their family was having a string of bad luck. Her daughter-in-law’s constant turmoil, and she felt suffocated whenever she left her room.
“Tell me, what’s going on? Xiao Meng is such a good person. Chang Zhu must be losing his mind, going to his daughter-in-law’s house and beating her! Look at how he beat the child! They’re going to the county hospital late at night. What if something bad happens?”
Uncle Guai said this while poking Zhu Juying with his elbow. Although she was distressed by the family problems, she immediately understood her husband’s concern.
“Isn’t that right? Why ruin a good life? Whether they’ve separated or not, the couple should live as they please. Why do you need to interfere? You’re getting on in years; you should know better. Your body is already half-buried in the ground, yet you’re still meddling in your son and daughter-in-law’s life. What’s wrong with you? If something truly happens to Xiao Meng, you’ll be the most wicked old man. Your son and grandson will hate you, and there won’t even be anyone to wave a flag for your funeral.”
Uncle Guai: “. . .”
It feels like you’re not just scolding Chang Zhu, but also his in-laws!
“Be careful, Juying. It’s getting dark, and everyone is still awake. We’re talking so loudly, they can hear us. At least I and Chang Zhu are close relatives. We shouldn’t speak so harshly, or we won’t be able to see each other again.”
“You’re afraid I’m speaking harshly, so don’t make things worse. They’ve separated; why should you care about how they live? Even if Xiao Meng didn’t give the head ornament factory slip to her family, how could it fall into your hands? This isn’t a joke. I’ve been thinking about this, but I still don’t know who spread this rumor. Isn’t this harming others?”
Uncle Guai pursed his lips, looking left and right, getting closer to Zhu Juying. Before he could speak, she pushed him away.
“What are you doing? You’re annoying me! What are you doing so close to me, you old fool?”
“I’m telling you something. The village gossip, Lazybones’ wife, said Director Guo said it. Chang Zhu’s wife said she heard it from her.”
Zhu Juying opened her mouth in surprise, never expecting it to be Director Guo. She thought back to the day Ming Fang almost fell into the river, when Director Guo and Xiao Meng went out together. It seemed like someone had come looking for them.
Her heart skipped a beat. Director Guo was trying to get close to Shen Meng, but now he’s telling this to Liu Sanjin’s shrewish wife? How could he be so spiteful?
“Fortunately, we found out early. Just knowing who said it is enough. Look at how Zhen Ping cares for her. You know their relationship is good. Director Guo probably wanted Zhen Ping to help him with something. He just misjudged the relationship. Now he must be regretting it so much that his intestines are about to turn green with regret.”
The couple continued to Shen Meng’s house in the ox-cart. Zhu Juying worried about the children, so she stayed home to help take care of them. After getting to know them for a few days, Ming Yang and the other children welcomed her.
After Zhu Juying helped secure the ox-cart, Lu Zhen Ping carried Shen Meng and her bedding onto the cart. He made sure she was covered before returning to his bag to get an overcoat.
“Father took your mother to the county hospital. You stay home and listen to Grandma’s words.” His gaze held a warning. Ming Yang felt that his father had more to say, probably that if they didn’t listen, he’d punish them when he returned.
Meanwhile, Guo Xiuqin had been at a commune meeting all day. When she returned, she learned about the fight at the Lu’s, and her involvement. She was furious, slamming her hand on the table and turning to her family.
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“Who? Who said it?”
Everyone lowered their heads, which only made her angrier. She stood up abruptly, giving a cold snort.
“It doesn’t matter who it was. From now on, don’t come to me with any problems. Don’t expect me to help my sister-in-law with any more of these complicated matters.”
She walked out. She needed to explain to Shen Meng that this had nothing to do with her. She had initially wanted to befriend Shen Meng and build a relationship with Lu Zhenping. Even though he was still in the army, many people in the county had transferred from the army and were now in new positions.
These connections were beyond the scope of a small women’s director like her. But the more she got to know Shen Meng, the more she appreciated her. Intelligent, gentle, and genuine. Such a wonderful woman; she wanted to befriend her.
“Hey, Xiuqin, Xiuqin, don’t be angry. Mother…Mother didn’t mean to…she was just listening to you and Zhijie talking, Mother meant well. She was thinking about Zhijie’s age, and how he wants to join the army. Zhenping is always respectful, if Mother told Sanjin, then wouldn’t Sanjin be able to stop Zhijie from joining the army? Mother meant well!”
Guo Xiuqin glared at her mother,
“Mother, what are you doing? Is the army Lu Zhenping’s? He can join if he says he can, but the army is the country’s. Zhijie wants to join the army, but he needs to see if he’s suitable. If he’s not capable, not only will Zhenping not allow him to join, I won’t either. Zhenping is respectful, but he’s a grown man now. He shouldn’t always listen to his mother. His father and mother beat his wife, and if you can’t pacify Xiao Meng, not only will Zhijie not be able to join the army, but he’ll be unable to secure a good job in the future. You’re really incompetent. You’re going to ruin your grandson’s future.”
Guo Xiuqin strode toward the door. Her words were sharp. The old woman was stunned. She then slumped to the ground.
“Oh, heavens! I’m so old, and this women’s director is scolding me. How can I maintain my dignity? What am I doing this for? It’s not for anyone but my son. In the end, it’s my fault. Oh, heavens, open your eyes and see this terrible daughter-in-law of mine, who is constantly tormenting me!”
The old woman’s outburst caused the family to rush over.
Guo Xiuqin stood at the doorway, watching the scene helplessly. Every time her mother-in-law did something wrong, she’d fall to the ground and wail. She knew she was wrong, but her mouth was stubborn.
The doctor examined Shen Meng and found that she had a mild concussion, thankfully not serious. She’ll be observed in the hospital, and if it’s not serious, she can be discharged tomorrow.
Lu Zhenping watched Shen Meng, who was hooked up to a saline drip, looking weak. In his mind, he pictured her fighting with the Lu family, and she looked quite spirited.
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