Chapter 44: Mother Does Everything for Your Sake

Chapter 44: Mother Does Everything for You

Xie Jinghao lay on the kang, waiting a long time for the pain to subside before she felt any better. However, as a mother, it was inevitable that she would be anxious; her eyes remained fixed on her belly, terrified that something might happen to the child.

Beside her ear, Liu Sanjin was still chattering incessantly, her coarse, dark hands slapping forcefully.

"You're just looking for trouble! If you're pregnant, you should stay home properly. Why do you keep running over here every single day? When I was young and pregnant, I went to work, and the day after I gave birth, I was back in the fields. You, on the other hand, do nothing and yet you've disturbed the fetus. If you ask me, it's because you don't do enough work. A cheap life, and yet you act so precious."

"Did you hear me speaking? Why are you just staring blankly? Hurry up and get off the kang and go home. You think you're lucky? Lying on your sister-in-law's kang... let me tell you, if anything happens to this pregnancy, I'll have Jiasheng divorce you!"

Xie Jinghao listened to her words without saying a word. Beside her, tucked in with Lu Mingkai, little Gang felt heartache for his mother. Seeing her being scolded by his grandmother, he reached out, took her hand, and pressed it against his face.

The tender little hand seemed to transmit strength, and a flicker of warmth rose in Xie Jinghao's heart.

She also felt it was inappropriate to keep lying on her sister-in-law's kang, so she patted little Gang and moved her legs, preparing to get down.

Just as she was getting off the ground, Shen Meng walked in, and seeing her state, Shen Meng's expression turned sour with anger.

"What are you doing? Get back on the kang immediately! Do you still want this child or not? You can't move right now, do you understand? Tomorrow, we're going to the county hospital to have a doctor take a proper look and run some tests. You're pregnant, yet you don't know how to be careful? Don't you know you shouldn't lift heavy objects or do strenuous work?"

Liu Sanjin: "..."

Why was she looking at her while speaking? What did all this mean??? Who was she targeting???

"Just because she's pregnant, she acts all precious. Going to the hospital? Who's paying for the hospital? If you're willing to spend the money, you take her. You could feed her dragon meat and no one would stop you."

Shen Meng was indeed targeting her. Setting aside the fact that everyone's constitution is different, even if one is healthy, one shouldn't do heavy labor while pregnant. You'll realize it when you're old—it leads to a mountain of problems. Shen Meng herself had gone through being a daughter-in-law, and now that she was older, she had started to mistreat her own daughter-in-law.

"Mother, you're wrong. Jinghao isn't carrying my child; it's not my grandson. Why should I spend the money? The issue with her disturbed pregnancy was caused by Wu Xianglan. The money Jinghao needs for the doctor to nourish her body should be paid by Wu Xianglan. Mother, you know Jiahé's temper; once he finds out, that couple is going to have a massive fight!"

Liu Sanjin stood up abruptly, pointing at Shen Meng. "Then what do you mean? You want me to pay? Let me tell you, I have no money. I don't have a single cent."

Fearing that Shen Meng would demand money from her, she began to walk away with her small feet.

"Mother, in a few days, Jiasheng will be back. If anything happens to Jinghao's health, the Lu family won't be able to keep peace. Lately, the Lu family has been putting on a daily drama, becoming the laughingstock of Lu Village. As the head of this household, I don't know how you'll explain this to Father when he returns."

Lu Changzhu was a man who valued face immensely. If he returned and found that his family was a continuous spectacle, Liu Sanjin would certainly not have easy days.

Liu Sanjin turned back to look at Shen Meng, gnashing her teeth in anger. She fumbled with her clothes, pulled ten large yuan bills from her waistband, threw them on the ground, and glared fiercely at Shen Meng.

"Don't call me Mother anymore! You're my mother! I don't have the fortune to let you call me that. I don't dare come to the First House anymore. If I come twice more, my life will be taken by the anger you cause!"

After the old woman finished speaking, she stormed out of the courtyard in a rage. Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan were waiting nearby; seeing her come out, they hurriedly rushed to her side.

"Mother, how is Third Sister-in-law now? Is she feeling better?"

"Mother, why are you trembling? Are you cold?"

Having been provoked into a rage, Liu Sanjin felt a slight ache in her heart upon seeing her two devoted sons and daughters-in-law.

"Go home, go home! I must deal with Wu Xianglan properly today. She's looking for death! She's made a mess of this family. If your eldest brother finds out she bullied Mingyang and the other children, and that so many people know about it... oh, it won't end well. No one will have it easy."

"Mother, this matter must not be blown out of proportion. Otherwise, even if Sister-in-law doesn't write to Eldest Brother, Doctor Lu or others will tell him. Mother, I told you before, I want to work as a clerk at the commune. Only Eldest Brother can help make that happen. We absolutely cannot make him angry."

How could Liu Sanjin not know? Even if she hadn't liked Mingyang, Mingliang, or Mingfang over the years, it had always been in private; she had never mistreated them openly. Shen Meng was right; the Lu family had indeed benefited a lot from those three children, but outsiders didn't know that. Outsiders only thought the Lu family was using their own grain to raise three outsiders.

Having spoken so openly tonight, the Lu family had truly lost both face and dignity.

"That cheapskate Shen Meng wants to take Xie Jinghao to the county hospital, making a fuss about asking your Second Brother for money. You know what Second Brother's temper is like; if it falls on him, they'll surely end up fighting. The reason he's never home these days is because of the matter of building the courtyard. Mother just gave your Third Sister-in-law ten yuan, so that matter is settled. Jiaxuan, Mother does everything for you! Otherwise, I wouldn't have parted with such a large sum. Mother is heartbroken. If you go to work at the commune, you must dutifully show your filial piety to Mother. Mother will hold your salary for you, alright?"

Zhou Jiaojiao's eyelids twitched as she listened. She also felt heartache over those ten yuan. If they weren't given to the third family, the money her mother-in-law had saved would all belong to her husband. In an ordinary family, who wouldn't want to favor their youngest son? But right now, her husband's job was the most important.

"Mother, don't worry. When the time comes, we'll make sure Jiaxuan lets you keep an eye on his salary. Mother, you really work too hard. You've endured so much anger for the sake of us two. Tomorrow, I'll cook some brown sugar eggs for you to nourish your body."

"Ah, Jiaojiao is so thoughtful. Jiaxuan, you must treat your wife well in the future. When your eldest brother returns, Mother will bring up the matter of building the courtyard to him."

Zhou Jiaojiao was overjoyed, gripping Liu Sanjin's hand tightly.

"Mother, you are so good. No one ever doted on me like this when I was at home. In the future, Jiaxuan and I will take good care of you in your old age. We won't let you do anything at all."

"Good, good, good. You, go work hard for Jiaxuan and give me a big, fat boy, then I'll be truly happy!"

"Mother~"

Seeing his wife and mother getting along so well, Lu Jiaxuan also felt at ease. As long as the commune job was secured, life would be much better in the future.

Shen Meng picked up the money from the ground and stuffed it directly into Xie Jinghao's hand.

"Take it. If you still feel unwell after tonight, we'll go to the county hospital. If you feel okay, we'll just go for a stroll, treating it as a trip to the county hospital. Just keep this money; consider it your private savings."

Xie Jinghao hurriedly pushed the money back to Shen Meng.

"Sister-in-law, I can't take this. How about you keep it? In the future, when little Gang and I come over to stay with you, we can eat a bit better. If this money is in my hands and I hide it today, Mother will dig it up tomorrow. Even if I put it on the roof beams, she'll find it."

Shen Meng thought about it and agreed. She had her space; even if Liu Sanjin dug up the very foundation of this house, she wouldn't find the money.

"Alright then, I'll keep it here. You rest first; we'll talk more later. My kitchen knife is still on the locust tree by the door; I'd better go grab it quickly before someone steals it."

Xie Jinghao: "..."

Her sister-in-law was truly too good. For her sake, she was even willing to resort to using a kitchen knife!!!