CHAPTER 315: CHAPTER 316: ONE CRIES, ONE CREATES A FUSS

He Xuebing couldn’t help but say, "What’s wrong with Xia Xiao? If Gao Jiaxing could be specially recruited into the army, it was because Xia Xiao’s cousin appreciated him, giving him the opportunity to join the army."

"What? Gao Jiaxing got into the army because Xia Xiao’s cousin specially recruited him? What does Xia Xiao’s cousin do?" Li Shengmei exclaimed in shock, and even He Hongjun turned to look.

Dong Meihua couldn’t help but chime in, "That shouldn’t be possible, Xia Xiao just comes from a working-class family; she doesn’t have any strong connections."

He Xuebing continued, "Xia Xiao’s cousin graduated from a military academy. The new recruits in Gao Jiaxing’s squad were trained by Xia Xiao’s cousin and it was because of him they won first place in the team’s assessment. Gao Jiaxing even got first place individually."

"This cousin of Xia Xiao is quite something. After graduating from the military academy, he started as a deputy company-grade officer. But without backing, how could he train over a hundred recruits and lead them to first place within just two years? He’s truly talented," He Xuejun nodded, then turned to his two sons and said,

"Getting into the military is a matter of fate and luck for Gao Jiaxing, and you shouldn’t envy him. He has his destiny, and you have yours. There are so many military talents across the country, you can’t be jealous of them all. Instead of envying others, you should make yourself stronger—that’s what really matters."

Dong Meihua’s heart grew even sourer, but He Xuexiang hadn’t realized Xia Xiao had such a connection. If he had known, he certainly wouldn’t have disapproved before.

Li Shengmei was feeling regretful now, thinking how Zheng Xianghong’s son had lucked out. She had thought he was just a country bumpkin from the city, not realizing he was actually a phoenix in disguise.

However, Li Shengmei would never admit her own faults. Fearing that her son might blame her, she said, "Xia Xiao clearly didn’t have you in her heart. Otherwise, wouldn’t she have told you about her cousin in the military academy?"

Li Shengmei had no idea that her words were like twisting a knife in her son’s heart. Although He Xuebing had lost Xia Xiao, he still believed that she had him in her heart at that time, so Li Shengmei’s words were particularly grating to him.

"Mom, stop talking, you’ve ruined my marriage prospects for this lifetime," He Xuebing said dejectedly.

"What do you mean I ruined them? If you two were truly in love with each other, could I have separated you? It’s because she didn’t have you in her heart. What use is there in pining for a fickle and unsteady woman who gives up so easily?" Li Shengmei was actually fanning the flames with her words, igniting the bitter resentment and anger that He Xuebing had been suppressing.

"Is this how you stab your own son in the back? My past life’s debt to you must be why I’m your son in this life, paying it back," He Xuebing shouted at Li Shengmei.

"Bingzi," He Hongjun reprimanded.

"Dad, I can’t take it anymore," He Xuebing said as he grabbed his things, "I’m going back to the army."

"Go on then," He Hongjun sighed inwardly.

Li Shengmei hastily said, "You’ve only been back for a few days, why leave so soon?"

"I can’t stand staying with you," He Xuebing rushed out.

Li Shengmei burst into tears, lamenting, "What did I do wrong? I’m not at fault. This unfilial son, siding with a woman over his mother—I really gave birth to an unfilial son."

Li Shengmei was beating her chest and stomping her feet, utterly heartbroken.

He Hongjun directly said to He Xuexiang and Dong Meihua, "If you’re going to leave, then go quickly."

He Xuexiang hesitated, wanting to comfort Li Shengmei, but he also felt that his mother shouldn’t have provoked Bingzi, driving him away with her words.

Dong Meihua promptly began packing to leave with He Xuexiang but paused and turned to He Xuexiang, "Ask your mom for money."

"Why do I need to ask my mom for money?" He Xuexiang asked.

Dong Meihua said angrily, "Does it not cost money to go back to my house? Don’t I need to buy some things?"

"Who does that anymore?" He Xuegang said.

Dong Meihua’s eyes immediately reddened, "Gao Jiaxing is going back to his mother’s home with Xia Xiao, and you should see how much stuff they’re carrying. If you return empty-handed, how can I dare to let you through the door?"

"Alright, I’ll go ask Mom for some money." He Xuegang said and then spoke to Dong Meihua, "Didn’t I send you money? Have you spent it all?"

"Spent it all." Dong Meihua was reluctant to take out the little money she had saved.

"Prodigal woman." He Xuegang muttered as he went to ask Li Shengmei for money.

Li Shengmei was still grieving over He Xuebing’s departure when she heard He Xuegang asking for money. Instantly, her face dropped, and she said displeased, "Don’t you have your own savings?"

"Not enough." He Xuegang said.

"How is it not enough? You only give me half each month, and the other half is with Meihua. She doesn’t spend much in the work team, where has her money gone? It can’t all have been sent to her parents’ house, right?"

At that moment, Li Shengmei became unhappy. It would be fine if Dong Meihua had saved it, but sending all the money to her parents’ house was unacceptable for a daughter-in-law.

"Meihua, come out here!" Li Shengmei called out.

"Mom, what is it? I’m packing things here." Dong Meihua responded.

"Where did your money go? Xuegang sends you half every month, and you’re saying you have no money left? You haven’t been sending it all to your parents’ house, have you? I mean, now that you’re married to Xuegang, you should have saved quite a lot after all these years, but now you’re out of money? What have you used it on?" Li Shengmei interrogated out loud.

"Mom, how can you say I don’t spend money? Plus, I haven’t been back to my parents’ house in years. Isn’t it right to send some money back home for the New Year?" Dong Meihua replied unhappily.

"Is that just a little money?" Li Shengmei got angry, loudly berating Dong Meihua, venting all the frustration she held from He Xuebing’s issues onto Dong Meihua, "You think about your parents’ house but don’t you think about the life you need to live with Xuegang...?"

"I didn’t say I spent it all. If Mom doesn’t want to give, then forget it. To say such things..." Dong Meihua burst into tears, thinking about her life after marrying into the He Family, toiling indoors and outdoors, with her husband not at home, and often being criticized by her mother-in-law, she felt utterly wronged.

"Enough, enough. Xuegang is going to his mother-in-law’s house, take some money out for them," He Hongjun said.

He Xuegang helplessly said, "Mom, can you say less? Bingzi left because he was upset by you."

"Even you blame me. You all blame me, I might as well die." Li Shengmei said and tried to walk outside.

Dong Meihua also cried, "I don’t want to live either."

Just then, the He Family mother and daughter-in-law were one crying and the other making a scene. He Xuewu had long escaped, leaving He Hongjun and He Xuegang with a headache.

At this time, He Xuegang especially envied He Xuebing, who could just up and leave. Now he felt like he couldn’t leave even if he wanted to.

"Take it, hurry up and take your wife back to her mother’s house." He Hongjun directly took out his private money, tired of the crying and fussing from Li Shengmei and Dong Meihua.

He Xuegang took the money and left, dragging the weeping and sniffling Dong Meihua with him.