Chapter 36: The Door Was Forced Open

To complement the braised fish with tofu, Li Xiangqin specially steamed multigrain rice. A handful of sorghum was added to the snow-white rice, resulting in a beautiful pink hue that was visually stunning.

However, one couldn't add too much sorghum, as it could get stuck in the throat.

"Wow, smells amazing! When it comes to cooking, Mom is still the best. This feels almost like Chinese New Year," Old Fifth remarked without hesitation, showering her with praise.

"Mom, you've worked hard. Have a piece of fish first," Old Sixth said solicitously, placing a piece in her bowl.

Watching their well-behaved behavior, Li Xiangqin thought about the outburst she had had this morning. It seemed the two of them had become quite sensible because of it; it was a productive outcome.

The half-basin of braised fish and tofu was wiped clean by the three of them, aside from the small portion set aside for the class, and even the final bit of sauce was mixed into rice by Old Sixth.

Having eaten their fill, the two brothers exchanged a glance and suddenly realized that if Mom could cook delicious meals after getting angry, it might actually be acceptable.

"What are you staring at? Go wash the dishes."

Li Xiangqin glanced at Old Sixth's stomach. A growing boy could eat a father out of house and home; this brat had just polished off three bowls of rice.

"Mom, you go rest. Leave the washing and sweeping to us," Old Fifth said, standing up and patting his chest in a guarantee. Once Li Xiangqin entered the room, he immediately nudged Old Sixth with his chin.

"Go wash the dishes. I've been helping Mom all morning, staying on high alert and even shielding you from a lot of risks. Now it's your turn to repay me."

Old Sixth shot him a look but didn't resist, obediently heading off to wash the dishes.

With only the three of them left in the house, any conflict would inevitably affect everyone.

Lying on her bamboo mat, Li Xiangqin thought of the third son and his wife, and she suddenly sat up.

"Old Sixth, since the third son and his wife have moved out, that room belongs to you from now on. Go tidy it up and move in later."

"...What if Brother Three and his wife come back?"

That couple wasn't exactly known for keeping promises. If they came back and saw him occupying their room, wouldn't they tear him apart?

"Do you think this house is a marketplace where people can just come and go as they please?"

Li Xiangqin snorted. The moment that couple walked out the door, there would no longer be a place for them in this home.

Especially given the resentful look in the third son's eyes when he left; the bond between mother and son had vanished at that very moment.

Old Sixth smacked his lips and, seeing his mother's cold gaze, nodded.

Turning to look at the bed shielded by a curtain, a faint sense of excitement rose in his heart. He was finally going to have his own room.

Seeing his mother go back to rest, Old Fifth immediately dropped his broom, approached Old Sixth, patted him on the shoulder, and winked.

"You're playing the fisherman who reaps the benefits, you know that?" With Brother Three gone, they wouldn't have to fight over food and drink anymore.

From now on, there would only be four people in this house, and they wouldn't have to queue for the toilet.

The more Old Fifth thought about it, the happier he became. He rushed to open the door, only to find it was locked.

"Mom, Brother Three's door is locked. Old Sixth can't get in!"

"Just unscrew the hinges," Li Xiangqin replied casually before turning over to sleep.

The two youngsters exchanged a look, looking quite eager to act.

"Six~ Go for it! If you dare, this room will be yours forever," Old Fifth whispered, egging him on.

Old Sixth didn't hesitate. He found some iron pliers and a screwdriver and got to work.

The manual dexterity of young men was unquestionable; whether they could put it back together was another matter, but when it came to breaking things, they were incredibly efficient.

With a few quick movements, the two hinges and the lock fell to the floor, and the door swung open.

Standing at the doorway, Old Sixth looked at the large bed in the room and blinked. "Do you think Brother Three will want this bed back?"

Old Fifth's heart was pounding with excitement. He walked in and looked at the two wardrobes against the wall, and the dressing table with its round mirror by the window.

These large pieces of furniture were brand new, commissioned by their mother when the couple got married.

"With Sister-in-Three's personality—only taking and never giving—she probably won't leave a single thing behind."

Though that couple wasn't particularly bright, they were quite calculating.

He couldn't understand why they chose to defy their mother instead of living a good life. Now, they had lost their very nest.

"Forget it, I'll stick to my small bed for now. I'll move in once they've moved out for good."

Old Sixth scanned the room and backed out. He felt a twinge of regret; he shouldn't have been so impulsive.

Given Brother Three's temper, if he saw his nest had been pried open, he'd probably want to strangle him.

***

Meanwhile, at the Zhao family home.

Liu Hehua looked at the bundles piled on the floor and then at the two of them, who looked disheveled and defeated, like two beaten chickens.

"What happened?"

"Mom, that old woman kicked us out. She even told me to divorce Jianshe," Zhao Meijuan complained directly, her eyes red.

Zhang Jianshe pursed his lips and lowered his gaze, offering no rebuttal.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hehua stood up abruptly. "What? Divorce?"

"Yeah! You have no idea, that wicked old woman is so heartless. As soon as Jianshe argued a bit, she told us to get lost..."

Zhao Meijuan was filled with resentment, exaggerating the morning's events as she spoke, her teeth clenched in anger.

"That heartless old woman! Other people's parents side with their sons, but she's obsessed with favoring her daughter while driving her own son out of the house. That old hag... I hope she gets hit by a car on her way out!"

Zhang Jianshe had been lost in his own thoughts, but hearing his wife's harsh insults, he turned to look at her in surprise.

Liu Hehua's expression tightened, and she quickly tried to restrain her daughter's loose tongue.

"Ahem... you silly girl, what are you saying? No matter how difficult your mother-in-law is, she is still an elder. It's only natural for children to endure some grievances."

She thought to herself: *This idiot.* No matter how much a mother and son clashed, she was still his mother, and he had every right to be resentful. But if a daughter-in-law spoke ill of her mother-in-law, it would trigger a man's sense of filial piety if she wasn't careful.

"What did I say wrong? She *is* an old hag! She's practically retired anyway; what does it matter if she steps down a day early or a day late? Look how worked up she got, like someone lit a firecracker under her. I was volunteering to take over to lighten the family's burden—wasn't I just trying to make things easier for Brother Three?"

Zhang Jianshe's furrowed brow smoothed out amidst Zhao Meijuan's lamentations.

Today, his mother had indeed gone too far. Forget his wife—even as her son, he was harboring a belly full of resentment.

"Mom, Jianshe and Meijuan are planning to move out. We'll go to the housing bureau later to see if there are any vacant houses for rent."

Zhang Jianshe spoke in a low, serious voice.

"Mom, you can help us ask around about private rentals. As long as the price is right, we'll rent one immediately."

"Oh my! Are you two serious?"

Seeing their indignant expressions, Liu Hehua slapped her thigh.

"We're family, let's not be strangers. It's common for mothers and sons to bicker. Who runs away from home just because of a fight? You are a son of the Zhang family, the pillar of the future. Why pick a fight with your own mother?"