Chapter 173 Zi Guorong is Abandoned
Zi Er Sao, upon hearing her brother-in-law's words, exploded, her ladylike demeanor vanishing as she shrieked.
"Fourth brother, what nonsense are you spouting? Those houses were gifts from Eldest Sister-in-law."
"Exactly, exactly. Those houses were all gifts from Eldest Sister-in-law. How can one take back something that has been given away?"
Zi Lao Si paid no mind to these trivial matters. He had never wronged his Eldest Sister-in-law or Zi Yi Sheng, so he was not afraid and had no need to get involved.
"Fine, as long as you can withstand Director Zi's retaliation, feel free to enjoy the possessions of his mother. Hmph, I just fear you won't live long enough to enjoy them."
Seeing the farce before her, Liu Mei Er could no longer afford to cry. Now, not only her daughter but even her man was no longer a member of the Zi family. Without the Zi family's status, would she still have a good life?
What would happen to her then? Where would her only daughter go?
Zi San Sao was already fuming. Seeing Liu Mei Er still sitting at home, she realized everything that had happened that day was because of this woman. If it weren't for this bitch Liu Mei Er, she wouldn't have to return the houses she received from Eldest Sister-in-law. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she stood up, lunging towards Liu Mei Er.
Liu Mei Er was awakened by a slap. She covered her face and looked at the furious woman. This woman, who was supposed to be her future sister-in-law, actually dared to hit her. Liu Mei Er was not one to be bullied and immediately got into a brawl with Zi San Sao.
The two women were evenly matched, and soon their battleground was the floor, where they kicked and scratched each other.
Although Zi Er Sao was also angry, she absolutely would not do anything that tarnished her status. She stood up and left the Zi residence. She was going to pack up Eldest Sister-in-law's houses; there were still quite a few tenants there.
Zi Lao Ye came out of his study and handed the dowry list from his eldest daughter-in-law to Lao Si. Seeing the two women fighting on the first floor, he trembled with rage.
"You're just going to watch and not pull them apart?"
Zi Lao Ye glared at his youngest son, his indifferent demeanor making him want to grab a stick.
"Hmph, old man, you'd better think about how to appease Zi Yi Sheng, or the Zi family will truly be a laughingstock."
Zi Lao Si took the dowry list, and a trace of imperceptible pain flickered in his eyes. His kind and gentle Eldest Sister-in-law had been ruined by the detestable Zi family.
Zi Guorong woke up that night. He had a concussion from being beaten by his grandfather. There were no family members in the hospital room. He was completely unaware that he had been abandoned by the Zi family.
It wasn't until the next day that a "kind person" handed him a newspaper, and he learned that he had been kicked out of the Zi family. At that moment, Zi Guorong felt a sense of desolation. At his age, he had reached this point. However, he thought that with the fortune he had accumulated over the years, living a good life would be easy, and he wouldn't have to be held back anymore.
At the same moment, Zi Wen Wen also got off the train. She was escorted back to the Zi family by the two people who were escorting her. However, upon returning home, she received no warmth. Instead, she was kicked out without even being given a chance to speak.
It was her uncle who kindly sent her to Liu Mei Er's place. Before she could even process the news she had just learned, she met her so-called birth mother. With just one glance, she knew she was born to this woman because she resembled her by five parts.
Liu Mei Er, with a face full of injuries, embraced her beloved daughter. She had been sent away so young, without even getting to feed her a single drop of milk.
"Wen Wen, you're finally back with your mother. From now on, Mother will take care of you."
Zi Wen Wen finally felt the warmth of her mother's embrace at this moment. But thinking that everything she had suffered originated from this mother, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, unsure whether to hate or to love.
"Child, Mother will cook for you. You must be very hungry. After we eat, we'll go to the hospital to see your father, and then the three of us can live together."
Zi Wen Wen remained listless, unable to taste the food even as she ate.
Liu Mei Er knew the suffering her poor daughter had endured. She had lived her entire life for one man, and now she wanted to live for her daughter's protection.
"Wen Wen, if you don't want to stay in Mingcheng, once we see your dad, Mother will take you away from here. I have money, and we can live very well if we find a new place."
When Zi Guorong saw Liu Mei Er and their daughter, he showed no joy. He regretted it at this moment, regretting that he had ruined his future for a woman.
Liu Mei Er was such an astute person. Over the years, she had known Zi Guorong's every move. She sneered inwardly; the man she had relied on her entire life was ultimately unreliable.
"You take care of Wen Wen, and I'll give you some money later, enough for your future living expenses."
"How much?"
"What?"
"I asked how much money you are going to give?"
Zi Guorong was stunned for a moment, angered by the woman's coldness and her willingness to discuss money with him.
"Five thousand, enough for you and your daughter to live a good life. The house you are living in now will be yours. Is that satisfactory?"
"Fifty thousand, I want fifty thousand."
"Are you crazy? Where would I get so much money?"
"Zi Guorong, I know very well how much money you have. Asking for fifty thousand from you is not too much. Think about how many years I've been with you and how much I've sacrificed. Moreover, fifty thousand includes Wen Wen's living expenses and future marriage costs."
Watching her parents haggle, Zi Wen Wen suddenly felt cold. Was this the parents she had longed for? No, she didn't need them anymore.
"Dad, can I still go abroad? I want to continue my studies overseas."
Zi Wen Wen wanted to escape everything around her. She wanted to start anew. These disgusting, heart-chilling things had nothing to do with her.
Zi Guorong still felt pity for his daughter. He thought for a moment and realized that even if it cost more money, he could still send her away.
"It should be possible, but what about your life abroad? It's not easy out there."
"I'll go with the child. You convert all the money you promised into foreign currency."
Liu Mei Er wanted to go with her daughter. She wanted to make up for the love her child had missed over the years.
"No need. I want to go alone. My future life will be better without you, at least I won't have to be reminded of all the pain."
Zi Wen Wen's words silenced them. A sour guilt surged in their hearts. Liu Mei Er, in particular, sobbed uncontrollably.
"Zi Guorong, you were the one who provoked me back then, and I've sacrificed enough over the years. Just send the child abroad and give all the money you promised to our daughter. That will be considered your duty as a father."
Zi Guorong didn't speak, but he nodded.
However, the three of them, a family, had no idea that Zi Yi Sheng's revenge had just begun. Endless torment and suffering awaited them, for they had forgotten that they were carrying the burden of a human life.