CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: SHE WANTS TO SEND YE MANMAN BACK

As long as they get sent back, doesn’t He Chen still have to invite her whole family back?

She is his only family after all!

She didn’t believe He Chen could be so heartless, it must all be Ye Manman’s instigation.

Anyway, these two days she almost cried living in her old mud house, not only did she lose the labor of Liu Dongliang, but the stove was cold and there wasn’t anything good to eat, it was killing her!

She must make He Chen take them back!

Li Hongmei followed behind, like a bad aunt stalking good citizens, a few kids saw her and mimicked her, sneakily peeking from the corner.

Then they got dragged away by their parents by the ear.

As they caught their kids and dragged them home, those parents cast a look of disgust at Li Hongmei, as if looking at trash.

"Good kids don’t learn to be like that bad woman, stealing gets you thrown in jail!"

Li Hongmei heard the commotion behind her, but she just snorted and didn’t respond.

"Hmph, just wait till I go back home, then you’ll all be jealous. In the future, when He Chen catches wild boar, he can’t give any to those people, it should be kept at home to eat."

Her mind was busy calculating, and as she saw Ye Manman’s parents’ house, she quickly ran and followed behind He Chen, pretending they were all together, confidently walking into the Ye Family house.

The Ye Family was beaming today, especially Yang Xiumei, looking at the tobacco, liquor, tea, and pastries her own daughter Ye Xiaotong and son-in-law brought back from the town, her wrinkled old face almost blossomed into a smile.

"Oh my, our Xiaotong really went far, she’s married off but still thinks of her mom, look at this tobacco, isn’t it two bucks a pack?"

She picked up the pack to show it off to everyone, pride practically dripping from her voice.

Ye Guoqiang was equally proud, sitting happily by the side, his attitude toward Xie Fengmian evidently friendly.

After proudly showing off the tobacco, liquor, tea, and pastries, it was only then that Yang Xiumei shifted her satisfied gaze to the newly arrived Ye Manman and He Chen.

The two of them had just entered with gifts when they attracted the attention of everyone chatting inside.

How did she become prettier?

Ye Xiaotong frowned at the first sight of Ye Manman, it had only been three days, wasn’t she supposed to be bullied to the point of not being able to lift her head at the He’s?

Why did she seem better off than before, her face used to be fair, now it’s even fairer with a blush, Ye Xiaotong was furious, instinctively sensing something was off.

Similarly, at first sight of Ye Manman, Xie Fengmian’s eyes flashed with amazement once again.

The way she held her head high and chest out was increasingly stunning, that face had caught his heart the first time he saw it, if only she hadn’t always kept her head down and been afraid to speak, he wouldn’t have turned his affections to the enthusiastic Ye Xiaotong.

What a pity, he never got to touch that face, fair with a rosy blush, the feel must be much better than Ye Xiaotong’s...

The couple each had their own thoughts but wore smiles that revealed nothing.

Yang Xiumei took the basket from He Chen’s hands, her disappointment unhidden.

"The difference is stark when you compare, just look at what Manman brought back!"

She placed the basket on the table for all to see.

In it were some eggs and a rooster with a luxurious feathered tail, and nothing more.

"Just this? I’m not saying anything but one married into town and another into the village, there indeed is some difference..."

Ye Manman had just taken a seat, already annoyed by her boasting before she even entered the door.

Seeing her disdain for the gift she brought, she directly had He Chen pick up the basket again.

"Disdainful? Never mind then, I’ll just take them back."

As she turned to leave, Yang Xiumei quickly snatched the basket back from He Chen’s hands.

Even if a mosquito is small it’s still meat, she certainly wouldn’t dislike more, what’s more, these were brought by Ye Manman, maybe it was even a chicken she scrimped and saved to buy to save face, Yang Xiumei wouldn’t let that chicken go back with her.

"Now hold on, no matter what the conditions are, they’re still our Ye family, the return visit gifts can’t be returned, right, in-law?"

She spoke to Li Hongmei who was following behind them, but neither Ye Manman nor He Chen spared her a glance.

Li Hongmei didn’t feel awkward at all, not only did she make herself at home by sitting down but she also casually ate a piece of pastry.

"That’s true, no doubt."

Watching her Yang Xiumei’s heart ached, but for face’s sake, she resisted the urge to repack the pastries and put them away, forcing a smile.

"I wonder what’s the purpose of the in-law’s visit today?"

It’s usually just the couple that visits after marriage, this was the first time she saw a parent come along, Yang Xiumei and Ye Guoqiang were puzzled.

He Chen remained silent, quietly pouring water for Ye Manman.

Ye Manman was even less interested in getting involved in their affairs and quietly sipped tea while nibbling on a pastry.

Li Hongmei quickly finished a pastry and a whole cup of water before frowning at Yang Xiumei, expressing her dissatisfaction.

"I originally wasn’t planning to come today, but I have something to say about that daughter-in-law, Manman."

"You only agreed to the marriage of these two because you said Manman was gentle and sensible, but now everyone in the village knows about what happened with our He family these past two days."

Her tone was displeased, making Yang Xiumei’s heart skip a beat.

Good heavens, does this old witch want to send Ye Manman back?

That won’t do, if she’s sent back, Ye Xiaotong can’t fulfill her debt terms and she’ll end up in jail.

Li Hongmei didn’t notice Yang Xiumei’s face turning dark, she continued accusingly.

"That girl not only failed to hand in money but also ran to the team leader to report we were stealing things, not only did she instigate He Chen to kick us out, she also got our man imprisoned for half a month."

"A troublemaker like this, you still call her gentle and sensible?! Yang Xiumei, you’ve really harmed me!"

Her anger increased as she spoke, but by the end, her tone softened, giving Ye Manman a provocative glance, then continued.

"However, since the two kids haven’t consummated their marriage, if you are willing to return the bride price and take the child back, I can barely forgive your family."

She sat there with confidence, after finishing her thought she looked completely self-assured.

But not only did He Chen disagree, Yang Xiumei was a million times more unwilling.

She pointed at Li Hongmei’s nose and cursed outright.

"You shameless old witch, marrying when it suits you and sending her back just because you feel like it? What do you take our Ye family for?

"Besides, are you He Chen’s biological mother? What right do you have to decide for He Chen? Everyone in the village knows about you stealing, you’ve been kicked out and yet you’re still bold enough to come here to mooch, you better get out of here, our family doesn’t welcome people like you."

She knew Li Hongmei couldn’t have good intentions, she actually wanted to send this hot potato Ye Manman back! Not even in her dreams!

Really, what a waste of that piece of pastry, such a big piece, and it got eaten by this shameless old witch!

Yang Xiumei was heartbroken, twitching with anger, she ignored whatever Li Hongmei said and directly started to shove her out.

Li Hongmei tried to resist, but Yang Xiumei continued to curse at her fiercely.

"You shameless thing, stealing from the younger generation, the whole family is a bunch of thieves, and you still want to break up other people’s marriages, I even treated you well like an in-law, providing for you with good food and drink, you better get out of here before I fetch the broom!"