CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 561: TOFU RICE

Tian Manjin and Tian Mantong found out about Tian Lili’s situation and were really at a loss for words about their cousin. If it were their own daughter, they would have slapped her a long time ago. At the same time, they also felt immense sympathy for Tian Aiguo, who had married a troublesome wife and had such a difficult daughter. Their third brother truly had it rough.

Four years ago, Tian Mantong resigned from the transportation company. He borrowed some money from Tian Manjin, combined it with his own savings, and bought a truck to start contracting on his own. Up to now, he owns eight trucks, and is so busy with just the business from the distillery and Tian Manjin that he barely has time to drink water.

Wang Qiuyang also resigned from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to take care of the four children. Yes, Wang Qiuyang gave birth to a little girl four years ago, named Tian Youyou, who was an over-quota child, costing them a fine of five hundred yuan. This was the reason they both resigned.

Thus, the Tian Family dubbed the little one as their precious child. Losing two stable jobs just for her, if she isn’t precious, what is?

However, Tian Mantong and his wife had no regrets at all. The little darling was delectably cute, just like a steamed bun, and had such round, adorable black eyes that could melt even the toughest man, especially when she looked at you.

The Old Man and Granny Zhao also adored this sweet little granddaughter, always saying she reminded them of Ah Nan when she was a child, so lovable.

Youyou had a temperament like her mother, Wang Qiuyang, very gentle, just like dough, while Du Du was absolutely a little overlord, quick to resort to physical assault at any frustration. But he still knew how to respect his elders, was quite polite to his little aunt, and would even share his toys and snacks with her, earning him praises from everyone for being a good kid.

Sisi knew her family well. Du Du was only being nice because Youyou was pretty. Would he be this courteous if it were another child who wasn’t as pretty?

The day after Sisi and her family returned, they heard Zhu Aiqing telling the Old Man that they might have to eat tofu rice soon because Tang Qiubai’s wife Wang Yueyue was probably not going to make it.

Wasn’t Wang Yueyue Zhong Yuying’s mother?

Sisi remembered from her previous life, Wang Yueyue lived quite comfortably. She wasn’t sure if she lived long, but Wang Yueyue certainly wasn’t dead at this time and was domineering in the village using her daughter Zhong Yuying’s influence!

Why suddenly she was not going to make it?

Granny Zhao was also surprised, "What happened? I remember Wang Yueyue is just in her early fifties, how could she be not going to make it?"

"Shancai’s wife heard it was stomach cancer. It was discovered early, and doctors said she would be fine with early surgery and chemotherapy. But Wang Yueyue, for some reason, refused to go to the hospital. She drinks herbal medicine every day, and within less than a year, she has deteriorated to the point where she cannot even drink water, shrinking to just thirty kilograms," Zhu Aiqing explained.

"It’s not because they have no money, right?" Granny Zhao sighed with sorrow. Although she disdain the Zhong Liangcai family, now with them in jail, sick, and lost everything, it’s hard to hold a grudge.

"They actually have money. Wang Yueyue herself had some savings, and both Hong Ying and Zhuying had sent money too, enough to cover the surgery costs. But Wang Yueyue just doesn’t want to spend the money, claiming she could heal with just herbal medicine, and wanted to save the money for when her son returns," Zhu Aiqing said with a helpless expression.

"Wang Yueyue is asking for death, isn’t she? She has cancer and still doesn’t hurry to treat it? When people are dead, what good does money do?" Granny Zhao couldn’t understand.

Zhu Aiqing snorted, "Doesn’t she still have a son? She doesn’t even consider whether this would hurt her daughter’s feelings. It’s fortunate that Zhuying and Hong Ying have good consciences and don’t hold this against her. If not for the sisters taking care of her all this time, Wang Yueyue wouldn’t have lasted so long."

"What about Yu Ying? Didn’t she contribute even one cent?" Sisi asked.

"No, Zhuying sent her several telegrams without any response. It was only a couple of days ago when Hong Ying sent a telegram saying Wang Yueyue was dying that Yu Ying finally came back with her husband and children, dolled up so flashy. Everyone in the village says Yu Ying must be messing around outside."

"Yep, I know about that, Yu Ying got together with Tang Qiubai, and she probably has more than one man."

Sisi knew this all too well and blurted out everything about Yu Ying, Granny Zhao only knew that last time Qiubai caused trouble for Sisi in Shanghai, she didn’t know there was so much more to it. She was left dumbfounded as she listened.

"Qiubai looked alright as a kid, how did he turn out like this when he grew up? It couldn’t have been Yu Ying seducing him, right?" Zhu Aiqing couldn’t believe it, her impression of Qiubai had always been good.

"As a kid, when was he good? I’ve never thought he was that great," Sisi pursed her lips.

Granny Zhao and Zhu Aiqing couldn’t help but burst into laughter, remembering that Ah Nan had always been particularly unimpressed with Qiubai as a child, got along well with everyone else, but always lukewarm towards Qiubai. It seems Ah Nan was quite prescient.

Wang Yueyue passed away on the third day after Sisi and the others returned, reportedly dying in severe pain, crying out in agony all night until she passed.

Both of the Zhong Family’s men were in jail, so the responsibility fell on Mei Ying’s father, Zhong Shancai. Although the two families weren’t on good terms, they were still blood brothers, and to not step up at this time would invite criticism from the clan members.

Fortunately, Hong Ying’s father-in-law’s family originally contracted to provide banquet supplies, having ready tables, chairs, bowls, mourning clothes, and mourning shoes, thus no need to rent them elsewhere. Also, her father-in-law Xie Gaofeng was a master chef and had extensive experience with funeral services, sparing Zhong Shancai much trouble.

Hong Ying had two sons, the eldest eight and the youngest six, both robust as their grandfather and looking very much like they were cast in Xie Gaofeng’s mold, very much doted on by him. Hong Ying’s status in the Xie Family climbed progressively, it’s said now that she holds the economic control of the family.

Regarding the origins of the two children, opinions varied, but most were sure they were Hong Ying’s children with her father-in-law, Xie Gaofeng. According to a neighbor of the Xie Family, he had seen Hong Ying and her father-in-law kissing several times, and the Xie Family’s fool doesn’t even know to eat, let alone have children.

While it’s against traditional morals for a father-in-law and daughter-in-law to have an affair and bear children, the situation of Hong Ying and Xie Gaofeng received understanding from most villagers, and not many spoke ill of them behind their backs.

First, Xie Gaofeng was a very capable person, a prominent figure locally, and also very generous and good at socializing, maintaining good relationships with most people.

Secondly, the affair was consensual, Xie Gaofeng did not steal someone else’s wife, nor did Hong Ying steal someone’s husband, if their own spouses had no objections, why should outsiders meddle in their affairs?