Chapter 8: 8. Chapter 8: Let the Performance Begin

Chapter 8: Let the Performance Begin

Lu Mingkai looked at the woman lying on the *kang* with a deathly pale face, not daring to take a step forward. His small hands gripped Shen Fugui’s pant leg tightly. Seeing this, Mingfang shuffled over and gently wrapped her arms around him.

Shen Meng watched the child crying his heart out and wanted to reach out, but she didn't dare; the look of fear and terror on his face made her own heart ache with bitterness.

Before she could even open her mouth to say anything, two more children entered the cramped room.

They were dressed in rags, patch upon patch, their hair as messy as a bird’s nest, and they were covered in dust from head to toe. The younger one was even barefoot.

That wasn't the most important thing. What mattered most was that both children were expressionless, their eyes fixed on her with a cold, sinister gaze. The corners of their mouths were pulled slightly upward, as if they were rejoicing in her impending death.

Shen Meng was horrified. She couldn't believe she saw such terrifying thoughts in two children so young. A breath caught in her throat, unable to go up or down.

The wind blew in from the window, and she began to cough violently. When she finally came to her senses, she realized she was drenched in cold sweat.

Liu Sanjin had a belly full of words she hadn't been able to get out. From the initial shock of seeing Shen Meng to the nervousness of seeing Shen Fugui, it wasn't until Shen Meng coughed that she realized today’s situation might not end well.

"Come, Mingkai, go quickly and see your mother. Your mother is seriously injured. Look at this—your grandmother, your uncles, and aunts are just standing there watching your own mother die, not even calling a doctor. Do you know what they want? They want to swallow up the brick-and-tile house your father built for you and your mother! Once your mother is gone, imagine how they’ll bully you! Oh, my grandson!"

Shen Fugui hadn't intended to cry, but looking at his severely injured daughter, his young grandchildren, his vicious in-laws, and his own helplessness, he suddenly burst into tears!

"In-law, in-law, you can't say it like that! When the eldest daughter-in-law came back earlier, she was perfectly fine, just a small injury on her head. Otherwise, we wouldn't have failed to call a doctor. We, the Lu family, are good people in this area; you can't go around slandering us!"

"Slandering? I'm slandering? Then how did my daughter end up like this? Why aren't my grandchildren at home? You’re here eating and drinking well, while the children are out catching sparrows to eat. If they weren't starving, would children barely taller than a leg go out looking for food themselves?"

Liu Sanjin was choked by Shen Fugui’s words. They had fried a plate of eggs at noon today and hadn't called the eldest branch’s children because they were afraid they’d eat it all, but there were two bowls of porridge left in the pot for them; they hadn't intentionally starved them.

Liu Sanjin had never liked Mingyang and the others to begin with. Seeing that they were now being used as leverage against her, she became even more annoyed and immediately glared viciously at the children.

Wu Xianglan prayed silently, terrified that if Shen Meng really died, she would come back to haunt her in the middle of the night. She didn't dare say a word. Zhou Jiaojiao was also afraid to speak, but she couldn't remain silent. She couldn't afford to argue right now; she had to play nice. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to live in those three big tile-roofed rooms, and the infamy of seizing the eldest branch’s property would fall on her.

"Sister-in-law, you have to hold on. Mingkai is still young. If you go, how will the children live? *Wuwuwu*..."

Shen Meng couldn't be bothered to deal with her. She only wanted to use her miserable state to win some sympathy from the children. The path through Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingling was clearly blocked, so Shen Meng set her sights on Lu Mingfang and Lu Mingkai. Little girls were soft-hearted and easier to win over, and the toddler was even easier.

"Zhou Jiaojiao, move aside. You’re blocking me from seeing the children."

As soon as Shen Fugui heard this, he didn't care if the children were willing or not; he grabbed them and pushed them to the edge of Shen Meng’s *kang*, shoving Zhou Jiaojiao aside in the process.

"Little Meng, Mingkai and Mingfang are here. Look at the children. If you have anything to say, say it slowly. Don't rush, daughter!"

Zhou Jiaojiao was shoved so hard she stumbled and nearly twisted her ankle. She didn't dare say a word, terrified that Shen Meng might be clear-headed enough to remember the house.

Shen Meng looked at the two children before her and pinched her thigh hard under the quilt. Tears welled up instantly.

The eye drops she had used earlier must have been low quality; the effect was terrible. Not only had it worn off, but her eyes were now dry, sore, and strained.

"Mingkai, my son, Mother has failed you. Mother carried you for ten months and gave birth to you, watching you grow up bit by bit. How could Mother not love you? But I was only nineteen when I had you. I didn't know anything. I was anxious, your father wasn't around, and no one was there to help me. You were so small; every night I would wake up in a panic and put my hand under your little nose, terrified that something might happen to you. *Wuwuwu*, you are my own son, how could I not love you?"

Shen Meng’s hand rested gently on Lu Mingkai’s head, stroking it affectionately.

The little guy had his grandfather’s large hands pressing on his back, so he couldn't run even if he wanted to. He looked at the woman who usually hit, scolded, pinched, and twisted him. She was crying so miserably, saying she loved him and that she was sorry. He didn't understand. He wanted to run, but... but in his memory, he had never been treated so gently by his mother. For a moment, he was stunned.

Mingfang’s tears were also streaming down. It wasn't because she was moved by the wicked stepmother’s words, but because she was terrified seeing her hand on little Mingkai’s head, fearing that the hand stroking his hair would suddenly slap her little brother.

"Mingfang, child, Mother is also sorry to you, Mingyang, and Mingling. When I first married into this family, you were so good to me. Such a small girl, not even thinking of your own hunger, only wondering if Mother was hungry in the bridal chamber. You brought me a bowl of rice, and your little hands were burned bright red. I regret so much that I treated you poorly afterward. They say a daughter is a mother’s thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket. If I had another chance, I would definitely cherish you like the apple of my eye. Father, take out that black cloth bag from the *kang* cabinet. Inside is the fabric I saved for Mingfang. I was planning to make her a new outfit at the end of the year, but I’m afraid I won't have the chance now."

Shen Meng spoke in fragments, exerting a great deal of effort. No one in the Lu family dared to interrupt, fearing that if she suddenly stopped breathing, Shen Fugui would blame them. Besides, with Mingyang and the others there—Mingyang and Mingling were old enough to have good memories—even if Shen Meng was bad, she was still Lu Zhenping’s wife. When he returned and found out how his wife died, wouldn't he be furious?

Lu Mingfang stared with her small face, watching as her grandfather took a black cloth bag from the bad woman’s cabinet and pulled out a piece of green peony-patterned cotton fabric, placing it in her hands. Her heart felt as if it had been pricked by a needle, and it softened instantly.

Leaning against the door frame, Lu Mingyang sneered in his heart. This woman was truly wicked; even at death’s door, she was still trying to trick people. She had clearly shown off this fabric before, saying she was going to make new cotton pants for herself. Now she was claiming it was for Mingfang, just to make the younger ones remember her fondly. She was probably already eyeing the offerings and incense money for the holidays.