Chapter 9: 9. Chapter 9: Old Geezer, I'll Scrub You to Death

Chapter 9: Old Hag, I’ll Wipe You Out

Although Lu Mingyang thought this way, he didn't say it out loud. No matter what, his maternal grandparents had always been kind to them, and it was better not to add to their troubles at a time like this.

Shen Meng’s words had the two young children weeping buckets. Suddenly hearing a commotion outside, she sat up abruptly and pulled the land deed, some household receipts, and the last of their money from under her pillow.

"Mingyang, Mingliang, come here. Mingyang, Mom has failed you, and I’ve failed your father’s final wishes. This is our family’s land deed and grain coupons, and these fifteen yuan are all the money we have left. Keep them safe. After I’m gone, you must take care of your younger brother and sister. Mom doesn’t want to leave this mess behind to drag you down, child, but look at your grandmother and your uncles and aunts—they are all eyeing your things. Mom is truly afraid. If you can’t survive in the Lu family after I’m gone, go to the Shen family. If the Shen family won’t take you, then even if you have to beg for food, don’t stay in the Lu family; there’s no life for you here! Mom... Jiaxuan, Jiaojiao, I beg you, have some mercy. You’ve already occupied our house; once I’m gone, please just give these children a way to live. I’m begging you!"

Lu Mingyang was called to the edge of the kang, and a stack of items was suddenly shoved into his hands. Then, he saw the woman who had been half-dead just a moment ago actually sit up, sway as she climbed off the kang, and look as if she were about to kneel to his grandmother and the uncles and aunts standing at the door. He was startled and hurriedly pulled Mingliang aside to clear a path for the "bad woman." He and Mingliang were still children; they couldn't afford to have her kneel to them. For a mother to kowtow to her sons would shorten their lives.

"Xiao Meng, what are you doing? Get up quickly! Even if the sky falls, your father is here to hold it up for you. Let’s see who dares to bully my grandson and granddaughter! Hmph, you Lu family claim to treat my daughter like your own, yet you seize the brick house belonging to the eldest branch for your youngest son to live in? Even favoritism should have a limit; don't be so heartless."

Liu Sanjin was so angry she nearly keeled over, pointing at Shen Meng and starting to curse.

"Shen Meng, you little hussy, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? When did Jiaxuan and Jiaojiao ever seize your house? Wasn't it agreed that they would just stay there temporarily for their wedding to make things lively? If you weren't happy, you should have said so earlier! What kind of act are you putting on for me now, as if the whole Lu family is bullying you alone? You should ask around—in the entire Lu Village, who could possibly bully you? Mingyang, Mingliang, Minkai, Grandma’s good grandsons, look at your mother’s behavior; you must help Grandma speak up!"

"That’s right, that’s right, sister-in-law, what are you saying? Didn't we agree that it was just for the wedding this year, to stay temporarily? Mom even pays you rent every month—two yuan a month. Forget about our countryside; even in the provincial capital, that’s about the going rate for a big apartment. You calling it a forced seizure now is truly unreasonable!"

Lu Jiaxuan was a bit angry, but he was too busy arguing to notice the guilty expressions on Liu Sanjin and Zhou Jiaojiao’s faces.

"But Third Brother, my Zhenping gives three yuan a month for their support; he hasn't shortchanged Father and Mother. And yet, over the past half-year, I haven't seen a single cent! Jiaxuan, who did you give that money to?"

Lu Jiaxuan: "..."

Didn't he just say Mom gave it? Why ask him? Was there something wrong with her ears?

"Daughter, daughter, how are you? Don't worry, the officials are here. The village chief and the party secretary of Lu Village have both come; they will see justice done for you. Daughter, tell them whatever grievances you have... *sob*... What’s going on? Why are you off the kang? Old man, didn't you know our daughter was seriously injured?"

Supported by Shen Fugui, Shen Meng stood weakly, unable to stay upright, as if she might kneel at any moment. The wound on her forehead was still oozing blood, her face was as white as a ghost, and her clothes were crumpled. She looked like a completely different person from when she was carried back earlier. They immediately looked at Liu Sanjin.

With Lu Changzhu away, Liu Sanjin was the one in charge. When they and several commune members had sent Shen Meng home, Liu Sanjin had insisted she was fine and that there was no need to call a doctor. Now, the person looked like she was on the verge of death.

Regardless of her character, Shen Meng was Lu Zhenping’s wife, a legitimate military dependent. He was away serving in the army, protecting the country; if his wife died under unclear circumstances, they would be held accountable by those above.

"Auntie, what is going on? When we left, Zhenping’s wife was perfectly fine. How did she end up like this?"

Liu Sanjin was used to putting on a show in front of outsiders. Now, being questioned by a junior, her old face turned beet red, and she didn't know what to say.

Seeing this, Zhou Jiaojiao hurriedly said, "Brother Debang, my sister-in-law was fine before. The aunt and uncle from the Shen family were in the room talking to her for a while, and I don't know how her illness suddenly worsened. Jiaxuan brought her food, but she wouldn't eat, and then she suddenly ran out. Mom, the second brother, the second sister-in-law, and I rushed over, and then sister-in-law started saying she couldn't go on living. Honestly, it’s embarrassing for you to see this, sigh!"

"That’s right, that’s right, Debang, Hongfa, when Xiao Meng came home, she was still cursing at Jiaojiao—you saw it yourselves. Now she’s acting like she’s dying. I understand that the in-laws love their daughter, but everyone knows that I’ve always cared deeply for Xiao Meng and the children. Sigh, it’s my fault for failing the organization and failing my son. As a mother-in-law, I’ve been remiss. Xiao Meng, stop making a scene, get back on the kang quickly. Whatever you want to eat or use, just tell Mom, and Mom will make it for you."

With a nudge from Zhou Jiaojiao, Liu Sanjin reacted instantly and spoke to Li Debang and Zhang Hongfa.

The two village cadres, who had been dragged over by Wang Guizhi, heard the kind and loving words of Liu Sanjin and immediately felt that Shen Meng was being ungrateful. Their expressions changed at once.

Shen Meng narrowed her eyes. *Old hag, even at this point, you not only want to dump the blame on my parents, but you also want to make me hold the bucket of filth yourself? Heh, since that’s the case, today I’ll let you know that someone from the 21st century can stir things up until you’re wiped out.*

"Village Chief, Secretary, thank you for your trouble. Although I was nearly killed by the production team’s ox and have a gaping hole in my forehead, and although no one from the production team called a doctor for me or even came to check on me, and although I haven't had a drop of water or a bite of food, and my children have been left uncared for, starving and catching sparrows outside to eat, and although my elderly parents were beaten and scolded... I am still breathing. The production team and my in-laws have already been very kind to me. After all, I only lost my life, but Jiaojiao was scolded by me and will have to continue to suffer by living in my house and starving my children. The production team’s ox wasn't even hurt by me, so I am still very grateful."

Her words left everyone in the room blushing, gasping for air, and trembling all over.

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