บท 2: Encountering Disaster (2)
บรรณาธิการ: Atlas Studios
She pretended to be calm and coughed softly. She casually placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table and looked at the youngest girl. She said mischievously, "Darling, if you're willing to beg me, I might be able to think of a way to save your father after I've eaten."
Without waiting for the child to reply, the man beside them finally said, "Chu Nanzhi, have you gone crazy? How can you behave so shamelessly in front of your own child?"
His expression was stern, and the look in his eyes made it obvious that he hated her guts.
Chu Nanzhi casually looked at the man was immediately transfixed.
Although the man was thin, he was very handsome. He had an otherworldly elegance that formed a sharp contrast with the man behind her, who had scolded her.
However, he had injured his leg a few days ago while transporting the taxes, and was still holding a walking stick. It was difficult for him to walk, so he could only sit on a stool and curse at her. Otherwise, considering how the Host had acted today, he would probably be fighting with her.
Lin Jinxiao glared at her maliciously and said in disgust, "If you want to leave, leave quickly. I won't stop you. You're an eyesore to the children and I. This money…"
He paused and stared at the bundle in his son's hand. He choked and said, "If you can really bear to take it, then go ahead. You don't care whether they survive anyway."
With that, he snatched the bundle from his son and threw it angrily in front of Chu Nanzhi.
Chu Nanzhi felt a little stunned as she looked at the few silver ingots and two pieces of silver jewelry that were scattered on the ground.
She had just transmigrated. Now she was a mother and was about to be sold. She was really at a loss.
Her gaze landed on the adorable children. When she thought about how they would be sent away or sold at such a young age, she could not help but feel inexplicably sad.
Even if she did not think about them, she should think about her own means of escape.
She did not want to be sold, nor did she want to flee. Now that she had transmigrated, it was only right that she lead a comfortable and dignified life.
She was about to explain, but before she could say anything, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
They could hear her hurling abuse, even before they could see her.
"You shameless b*tch. You've brought my son so much harm. Now that he's in trouble, you still want to flee on your own? Where is your conscience?"
Chu Nanzhi followed the direction of the sound saw a middle-aged woman barge in.
Li Ce, who had been silent for a long time, quickly cupped his hands at Lin Jinxiao. "Brother Jinxiao, you still have family matters to deal with, so I won't disturb you anymore. However, don't give up until the last moment."
Then, he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Chu Nanzhi saw the woman bend down to pick up the silver and jewelry on the ground. At that moment, she remembered that this person was Lin Jinxiao's stepmother, Madam Chen.
Lin Jinxiao's father had been the county magistrate of Luyan Harbor. He died in the line of duty more than ten years ago. Madam Chen was afraid of acquiring the reputation of a bad mother, so she had no choice but to keep Lin Jinxiao and raise him.
However, as time passed, she finally lost her patience. She was also greedy for the money offered by the Host's family. Lin Jinxiao had just turned 18 years old when she hurriedly forced him to marry the Host.
In order to force Lin Jinxiao to accept this marriage, Madam Chen even colluded with the Host's mother and asked him to leave with nothing. She did not give him any room for fantasies.
The small courtyard they were living in now was built with money given by the Host's family.
Two years ago, Lin Jinxiao lost his job as a small official in the county office and lost his income. This woman had never visited their family. She relied on the help of the Host's family to scrape by.
Now, she wanted to show her concern.
Seeing that Mdm Chen had neatly wrapped the bundle up and was hugging it lovingly, Chu Nanzhi snatched it back and said sternly, "This silver is for the children. You can't take it."
"If I don't take it, do you think I'll let you spend it on that pretty boy?"
Madam Chen frowned and looked at Lin Jinxiao. "At dawn tomorrow, the county office will send someone over. Son, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do to salvage the situation. Let me keep this money for you. If you're convicted, we will need a lot of money to take care of the children."
As she spoke, she glanced at the package in Chu Nanzhi's hand and said reluctantly, "I heard that your mother-in-law sent fifteen taels of silver. Why is there only half of it left after two to three days?"
Lin Jinxiao was clearly a little dejected and did not want to bother about these trivial matters. He lowered his head silently.
Chu Nanzhi knew that Mdm Chen was only visiting because she heard that the Host had taken the money. If she really cared about them, she would have come three days ago.
On the day Lin Jinxiao had been carried back after his injury, the original owner had asked Madam Chen to come. However, she had pretended to be sick and refused to show her face. She also used this an excuse to refuse to lend the original owner the money to treat her son's injuries and even asked someone to chase the original owner out. The latter had no choice but to ask her mother for money.
What did she mean by taking care of the children? Could she, a woman, rescue Lin Jinxiao on the way to prison?
Chu Nanzhi did not stand on ceremony with this woman, and directly retorted,
"You may not live here, but you have sharp ears and eyes. The silver my mother sent is for us, not for you. Brother Lin needs to have his injuries treated and the family has many expenses. It's your first time here after so long but you don't even ask about your son's injuries. You only care about that bit of silver. You aren't even a good stepmother, why are you pretending to be a good mother?"
"You… you b*tch, how dare you say such things to me?"
Madam Chen was furious. She pointed at her and her entire face turned red. "You enjoy going out and hooking up with pretty boys, right? Your husband hasn't been convicted yet, but already you can't wait to abandon him and the children. When you're sold to a brothel, you'll have plenty of opportunities to hook up with others."
Smack
Chu Nanzhi could not control herself any longer. She slapped Madam Chen.
As a cultured person, she really did not like to swear.
Neither did she want to argue with this woman anymore. Time was tight, and she could not watch helplessly as this family was sent to jail. She quickly got rid of Madam Chen.
"You don't have to worry about what I say. In short, whatever happens this family is none of your business. Stop putting on your disgusting airs. Put away your tricks and get out. Get out quickly. Brother Lin treats you as his mother, but I won't stand for any nonsense."
Madam Chen's eyes widened in rage. She covered her face and scolded, "You… you…"
"Enough."
Before Madam Chen could continue to argue, Lin Jinxiao lost his patience. He shouted at the two of them and said coldly to Madam Chen, "It's getting late. Mother, you should go back early."
The four children were not worried when they saw the two of them arguing bitterly. Instead, they were very happy.
In their eyes, their grandmother and mother were bad people. It was best if they fought to the death.
When Lin Jinxiao had finished speaking, the four children quickly helped him into the bedroom.
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