Capítulo 16: 015 Is this still a birth mother?
Zhang Xiaoying: "..."
Really no progress at all, always fixated on food.
Zhang Xiaoying looked at her indifferently, "If you don't want to eat, then save your portion for Wencong. It's your affair if you want to spoil him, but you have no right to demand that all the elders prioritize him in everything!"
At these words, the atmosphere at the dining table changed instantly.
Zhang Xiaoying had to let the people of Second Branch know that the help from the main branch was a favor, not an obligation!
"But Wencong does not study for his own sake..." Mrs. Lin argued indignantly.
Zhang Xiaoying gave a faint smile and interrupted her, "He chooses to study on his own accord, not because I force him to. So primarily, he does it for himself; only if he becomes successful might we bask in his reflected glory.
"Second Branch, stop forcing everyone to sacrifice for Wencong with your ways. I too hope Wencong will be successful, but if his success comes at the cost of sacrificing other family members, then he might as well be mediocre!"
"Mother, Wencong is your own grandson; how can you say such things?" Mrs. Lin's eyes reddened with anger.
Zhang Xiaoying glanced at Xu Changsheng, then her gaze settled back on Mrs. Lin: "Even a mother is not obligated to give her child everything unconditionally. You can do so if you wish, and no one will stop you, but you must understand that Wencong is not born to others; no one can willingly and without regret do everything for him like you."
Clamping her teeth, Mrs. Lin retorted, "So, you don't care about Wencong's well-being anymore?"
"Just because I didn't save the meat for him today, I'm utterly wicked and trying to kill him? It's such a big wild boar; don't you think of making a fresh meal for him when he returns instead of insisting on giving him leftovers from several days ago?" Zhang Xiaoying retorted.
On hearing this, Mrs. Lin's face flushed, and she became speechless.
"Okay, okay, let's just eat. Why are you causing such a fuss? You know I am fond of Wencong!" Xu Changsheng hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Shut your mouth." Zhang Xiaoying glared at Xu Changsheng, "Why were you silent just now? You only know how to fuel the fire at this moment. What a blessing it is to have a son and husband like you for me and your wife!"
Xu Changsheng, scolded to the point of speechlessness, was confused. What had he done wrong? Why was it always him getting beaten and scolded?
"Eat!" Zhang Xiaoying was also hungry since she had divided the chicken with Da Niuniu earlier and she did not want to postpone her meal because she had to discipline (hit) her son.
Xu Qinglin and his two daughters were as still as quails, daring not move, afraid the fire might reach them.
Zhang Xiaoying pushed away Xu Changsheng's bowl, served herself first, and then the children.
Seeing the meat in the bowl, Da Niuniu and Er Niuniu were stunned.
In their household, only Xu Wencong was privileged to eat meat.
Mrs. Lin was served next, followed by Xu Qinglin and Xu Changsheng last.
Everyone looked at each other with uncertain expressions.
Zhang Xiaoying, unconcerned with their thoughts, began to eat.
The others, each with their own thoughts, picked up their bowls.
A piece of meat in their mouths made them forget everything else as they started to eat ravenously.
It was their first time tasting such delicious food, even more opulent than what was available during the New Year celebrations.
Da Niuniu and Er Niuniu ate until their stomachs were round and full, and they licked their bowls clean.
Having eaten her fill, Lin Shi knew Zhang Xiaoying was still thinking about Xu Wencong and took the initiative to clean up the plates and dishes.
Entering her room, Zhang Xiaoying took a bowl and filled it with some ointment she had made in the apocalypse for external injuries, and handed it to Xu Changsheng, "Apply this before you sleep."
Staring at the dark, eerily odorous salve, Xu Changsheng was so horrified that he almost burst into tears, "Mother, do you really want to kill me?"
Zhang Xiaoying originally didn't have such intentions, but at this moment she truly felt an urge to strangle Xu Changsheng. She wondered if the original owner might return from hell in the middle of the night to knock on her window and drag her down.
She said coolly, "If you want to die, go find a knife and slash your throat; I'd be spared the sight of you. Later I can find a good family for your wife, so she doesn't have to remain a widow her whole life."
Xu Changsheng: "..."
Is this really his own mother?
Zhang Xiaoying left Xu Changsheng and called for Lin Shi, "Second Branch's family, come with me."
Xu Changsheng was in a state of turmoil.
Throughout the day, he had been deeply shaken, and many things had suddenly changed.
Lin Shi, clueless, followed her in.
Zhang Xiaoying sat down by the bed and gestured for Lin Shi to sit as well.
Unable to understand what Zhang Xiaoying was getting at, Lin Shi remained motionless, "Mother, if you have something to say, just say it."
Zhang Xiaoying took out the Silver Coin she had prepared earlier that morning, "At the moment, this is all the silver the household has left. I know Wencong is your heart and soul and you want him to pursue his studies. But there are some things we need to discuss frankly."
"Is Mother planning to stop him from studying?" Lin Shi's tone grew colder, "Because Sister-in-law is also expecting a son?"
"Second Branch's family, when will you change your competitive, calculating nature?" Zhang Xiaoying said bluntly, "Everyone hopes for their children to succeed. If he truly wishes to study diligently, I'd sell pots and pans to support him."
"So why did Mother bring up the scholarship grant?"
"Let me ask you, haven't you noticed how much Wencong has changed in his year at school? Don't you understand our family's predicament? He's still so young, yet you constantly push him to compete with others. Are you trying to drive the whole family to their deaths?"
"But his classmates are all well-fed and dressed; he looks so shabby. Not only do his peers shun him, but the masters also look down on him. Wasn't everything I did for Wencong's sake?"
"Continuing like this will only lead Wencong down an irreversible path of comparison. He is intelligent, but without proper guidance, he will only be spoiled. That's why I don't plan on sending Wencong to the town school anymore; I want him to come back home first."
"What?" Lin Shi screamed in agitation, "Without the school, how will he continue his studies? Mother, Changsheng and I have only this one son; are you set on ruining him completely?"
"Shut up!" Zhang Xiaoying shouted angrily, "Wencong will continue his studies, but definitely not in the town! I will find him a different master on my own; the town school is no place for children to learn."
"The best schools are in the town..."
"But the best masters are not in the schools."
In the original owner's memory, Xu Wencong was a sweet and adorable child before attending school. However, after he started school, he became overbearing, started to act like a young master, treated his sisters like maids, and even learned to lie and coax the original owner for money!
On top of that, his parents always taught him how to scheme against the main branch. How could such a child grow up well?
Lin Shi, her eyes red and unable to hide her fury, asked, "All the masters in the school are no good, then who is the good one?"
Zhang Xiaoying replied seriously, "That's not your concern. If you insist on sending him to the town school, from now on, the public funds won't spare a single penny, and I will not meddle in Second Branch's affairs! Second Branch's family, think it through before speaking with me. I'll give you only one chance; think about your cousin!"
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder