Chapter 280
“No matter how malicious I am, I’m not as malicious as you, the grandfather! When you were beating your grandson to near death at noon, didn’t you feel any pain? Now, are you saving your grandson or just trying to appease your conscience? Our small family still needs to support our son and daughter; we don’t have extra money to appease your conscience.”
Hu Yuezhen was clearly enraged from being beaten, so she no longer maintained the image of a good daughter-in-law and shouted back loudly. Her shouting seemed like it was meant to gather everyone in the production team, causing Jiang Guoli to become anxious instantly.
He wanted to strike Hu Yuezhen again but was afraid of causing more serious harm as he had done at noon. He could only glare at his eldest son, who had been standing silently.
“Why are you just standing there? Can’t you manage your own wife?” Jiang Guoli shouted with disdain.
His eldest son was always less clever than his younger brother, let alone compared to his youngest son. If the second son were still alive, such an issue would never have arisen in the first place.
Jiang Quankun slowly lifted his head but did not speak immediately. Hu Yuezhen knew from his expression that he was also unwilling to spend such a large amount of money, which gave her more confidence.
“Jiang Quankun, let me tell you, I’ve never asked for a good life since I married you. The only thing I care about is our small family. But if you don’t understand and spend all the little money we have, don’t blame me for taking the children back to my parents’ home.”
Jiang Guoli sneered derisively at these words. “You’re almost thirty and have two children. How would your family even want you back? Quankun, if she leaves, I’ll get you a new wife as soon as she’s gone.”
Jiang Guoli knew very well that Hu Yuezhen’s arrogance was because his eldest son was also reluctant to spend the money. But now he had only one son left, and there was nothing else he could do.
He planned to first drive away this troublesome daughter-in-law and then find a more obedient and capable new wife for his son. He didn’t believe that any man could resist a beautiful new wife.
However, Jiang Quankun looked at his father with difficulty.
“Dad, stop making trouble. Yuezhen is the mother of my two children. She truly cares for them. If I get a new wife, I’ll have to worry whether this new stepmother will mistreat my children. Besides, Yuezhen is right; we’re only the uncle and aunt. There’s no need to risk our own children’s future for a nephew from another room.”
Although he was biased towards sons and felt that daughters would eventually be married off, the dowry for a high school girl and the support for her family were not things that a casual girl could imagine.
Their production team didn’t even have a school, so sending children to school meant they had to be sent to the county town, which was quite a substantial amount. As for their son, he needed to study hard. He even wanted to send him to the city to befriend city kids, so he wouldn’t grow up with a country bumpkin attitude.
Furthermore, with so many issues happening in their family, could they still just marry a young and beautiful girl?
With Jiang Yexun offering such a high dowry, other incoming daughters-in-law would definitely compare. After all, they would be stepmothers and have to face Su Xiaoxiao, who was superior.
“How did I end up with such a useless son?” Jiang Guoli was so angry that he nearly lost his breath, his eyes turning dark.
Su Xiaoxiao, leaning on the wall, recalled all the sad things from her past life and barely managed to suppress her laughter.
The argument in the Jiang Family courtyard continued, but Su Xiaoxiao lost interest in watching. The outcome was already predetermined; Jiang Mancang was certainly beyond saving. After all, it was impossible for Jiang Guoli to come up with so much money and travel to another city alone.
Su Xiaoxiao pouted in boredom. Just as she was about to climb down from the wall, she saw her brother riding his bicycle back. Her eyes brightened, and her mouth curled into a sweet and innocent smile.
But as soon as the smile appeared, Su Xiaoxiao immediately recalled what had felt off earlier. She hurriedly descended the stairs, so quickly that she startled Jiang Yexun.
He quickly reached out to hold her waist, intending to scold her, but Su Xiaoxiao blushed and pushed him away a bit. “My brother is back.”
The young woman explained urgently, as if trying to distance herself from him even more. Jiang Yexun’s brows furrowed deeper, but Su Xiaoxiao didn’t have time to comfort him and quickly spoke up about her realization.
“Did you hear about the five hundred yuan treatment fee? I just looked around the courtyard and didn’t see our bicycle. Do you think your father might have sold the bicycle to make up the medical expenses?”
Jiang Yexun was momentarily stunned by this question, then his face darkened completely. “You go back to the room. It’s too cold tonight; don’t catch a cold,” he said gently, suppressing his anger.
“Are you going next door to settle this? Take me with you!” Su Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Yexun with wide, hopeful eyes.
Before she could finish speaking, the courtyard door was pushed open.
“Settle what?” Su Hongchen pushed the bicycle in, his gaze shifting between them with confusion.
The noisy quarrel in the neighboring courtyard had quieted down completely. Su Xiaoxiao, not afraid of making trouble, pointed to the next yard. “Didn’t they borrow the bicycle from Auntie to take the child to the hospital at noon? The situation was really bad; they not only needed to go to a big city but also needed five hundred for medical expenses. And then I found out the bicycle we lent them was missing.”
“Let Jiang Yexun handle this. You stay at home,” Su Hongchen said with a stern face.
Su Xiaoxiao protested, “Why? I won’t be at a disadvantage if I go!”
“You’re a young girl. Our family has never made you worry about these things. How come you’re already dealing with so many problems before even marrying into the Jiang family? I really need to reconsider if Jiang Yexun is suitable to marry you.”
Su Hongchen did not relent due to his sister’s anger but instead looked meaningfully at Jiang Yexun.
Jiang Yexun’s expression remained calm and unwavering. “I can handle this matter alone,” he said earnestly.
Then he turned and locked his gaze on Su Xiaoxiao, his eyes soft but determined. “You and your brother go inside and rest well. I will make sure to get every penny of that money back.”
His promise was firm—no one would take even a penny from Xiaoxiao.