Chapter 43: What am I afraid he'll do?

Chapter 43: Do I Look Afraid of Him?

Lu Debang was the village chief after all. Even if you were a soldier's wife, you couldn't brandish a knife in front of so many people. In fact, precisely because you were a soldier's wife, you were expected to show more patience and tolerance than others. You had to win people over with reason; if you resorted to violence, you wouldn't be the only one facing criticism.

"Zhenping's wife, put that knife down quickly. Let's talk things through. Even if Jiahe's wife did something wrong, we can't just go around using knives, can we?"

Wu Xianglan shrank back, finally feeling a sense of fear. She had an injury on her arm, but if anything happened to Xie Jinghao's pregnancy, it wouldn't just be the in-laws—even that brat Lu Jasheng wouldn't let it slide.

She looked around anxiously. Almost everyone from the Lu family had arrived, but no matter how much she searched, she couldn't see her husband, Lu Jiahe. Her heart grew restless.

"Village Chief, let everyone witness this today. Mingyang is Lu Zhenping's eldest son. Since Lu Zhenping isn't here, he has the authority to decide. We are separating the household, and this matter can no longer be delayed. Wu Xianglan is right about one thing: as long as we haven't separated, they can come to my door and eat my grain whenever they want. But everyone knows very well how long the children and I have gone without a proper meal at home. If we don't separate today, the Lu family is essentially forcing us to our deaths. Tomorrow, I will take the children to the river and drown ourselves."

Lu Jiaxuan frowned, feeling irritated by Shen Meng's agitated state.

"Sister-in-law, don't be so impulsive. Didn't we agree to wait until Father returns? We have to at least write a letter to Big Brother. He is the eldest son of the Lu family and the most filial to our parents. If he finds out you've separated the household, he will be angry with you when he comes home on leave."

"Let him be angry! Do I look afraid of him? Everyone knows that Mingyang, Mingliang, and Mingfang are not Lu Zhenping's biological children. I just heard someone say they are 'jinxes' to their parents. Ha! Their fathers were iron-willed men, heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect the country. Why are you all standing here watching my family's tragedy? It's because people built a wall of flesh and blood to protect your peace. Among those walls of flesh and blood were the fathers of Mingyang and the others. They are the descendants of heroes! Wu Xianglan, and those who were just gossiping—you are insulting the descendants of heroes! How do you have the face to say such things? Over the years, because of these three, how many supplies have the soldiers sent home to us? Wu Xianglan says the Lu family is supporting them, but haven't they also brought benefits to the Lu family? I'll say this once and for all: from this day forward, Mingyang, Mingliang, and Mingfang are Shen Meng's children. If anyone dares to gossip about them again, I will fight them to the death!"

Having finished her impassioned speech, Shen Meng applied force to her hand and swung the knife hard against the locust tree at the entrance. A deep notch was left in the wood, appearing as if it had struck deep into the hearts of the onlookers.

The three siblings, who had been chased out of the courtyard by Liu Sanjin, were moved to tears by Shen Meng's words. Mingfang, in particular, was sobbing uncontrollably.

The expressions of the crowd shifted repeatedly. No one dared to speak. Some felt guilt, some regret, some sighed, and some remained indignant.

Regardless, no one dared to contradict Shen Meng. Even Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan, who had intended to play the peacemakers, remained silent.

Seeing that Shen Meng was serious, Lu Debang waved his hand and said, "Wu Xianglan, apologize to your sister-in-law and your nephews and niece immediately. You're an adult, yet you can't watch your tongue. Why bring up things from years ago? Have you forgotten what Zhenping told you back then? If he knew you were mistreating his children in his absence, just you wait!"

Shen Meng knew that tonight's confrontation had reached its limit. Lu Debang was clearly trying to smooth things over. Separating the household was a private family matter; he couldn't make the final decision. Last time, when he and Zhang Hongfa had decided on the distribution of the Lu family's grain, it had already caused significant dissatisfaction for Lu Jiahe. If he tried to decide on the household separation now...

Old Man Lu, who was working away from home, would likely have a serious word with them upon his return.

Wu Xianglan tried to struggle further. She scanned the crowd for her husband but couldn't find him. Feeling wronged, she looked at Zhou Jiaojiao and suddenly burst into tears.

"Jiaojiao, you have to take my side! Sister-in-law didn't mean any harm; it was just a slip of the tongue. How can an elder be forced to apologize to a junior? It's so humiliating! Besides, Yongqiang and Yongli were hit too. Can't we just call it even? *Waaaah...*"

"Sister-in-law, oh dear... Sister-in-law, look, we are all family. Let's talk this out calmly, okay? I'm sure she didn't mean it. How about this: Third Sister-in-law is due to give birth in two months. We'll have Second Sister-in-law help her with her postpartum recovery and look after her, alright?"

Shen Meng had spoken much and was now catching her breath. She silently strained her muscles, trying to pry the knife out of the locust tree. In the darkness, she used her hands, feet, and even her face to pull, but the knife wouldn't budge.

"Heh, don't direct those words at me. Go find Jinghao and tell her yourself. I'll say it again: separate the household and apologize to my children. Otherwise, this isn't over. Tomorrow, I'll take the children to the military base to find your Big Brother. I heard that at his rank, he can be assigned a courtyard and live with his family. If that happens, our family won't be coming back, and don't come begging him for help in the future!"

Lu Jiaxuan's heart skipped a beat. He was already worried because his brother hadn't replied to his letters or helped him talk to the commune. If Shen Meng actually took the children to the military base, who knew what exaggerations she might tell? If they truly never returned, his brother would become estranged from the Lu family.

"Sister-in-law, don't be angry. I'll write to Big Brother about the separation and ask him, okay? Second Sister-in-law, we are all family. Since you made a mistake, apologizing to Mingyang and the others is nothing. Besides, Sister-in-law is right—they are the children of heroes. What's so embarrassing about apologizing to them?"

"And just like that, it's fine that he bit me? My arm is covered in blood!"

"I'll have Jiaojiao find Doctor Lu to take a good look at you later. It'll be fine. Second Sister-in-law, just apologize to the children. Everyone is watching!"

Shen Meng watched Lu Jiaxuan navigate the situation without saying a word. This man was purely driven by self-interest; his words were beautiful, but he was subtly mocking her for causing a scene. However, looking around, Shen Meng realized there weren't many clever people here; if you didn't say it explicitly, few would catch his sarcasm.

With a bitter face, Wu Xianglan apologized to Mingyang, Mingliang, and Mingfang. Once finished, she grabbed Yongqiang and Yongli and ran off. Lu Debang offered a few words of comfort and quickly dispersed the onlookers.

Shen Meng gave Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan a cold snort and headed home, with Lu Mingyang, Lu Mingliang, and Lu Mingfang scurrying after her.

Lu Mingliang licked the mucus about to drip from his lip, sniffled, and said, "Mom, we didn't bring the kitchen knife home!"

"Mom used too much strength just now. It cut too deep, and we can't pull it out."

The three children: "..."