The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 149: Melodramatic Family Soap Opera

Chen Sufen’s sobbing abruptly stopped, and she mumbled, "It’s really too embarrassing."

Tong Huaqiong said, "What’s there to be embarrassed about? If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be Xu Si and Yan Pozi. Besides, even if Xu Si had succeeded, there’s no need to seek death. What would Man Er do if you died?"

Man Er immediately threw herself into Chen Sufen’s arms.

Gu Taohua chimed in, "Big sister-in-law, perhaps you still don’t know. Mother has sent Xu Si to prison, and he probably won’t be back for ten or twenty years. Oh, and he’s crippled now too."

Liu Yueer added, "Yan Pozi was also taken away, along with Xu Kun and Xu Yong. The Xu Family has completely collapsed this time. I must say, big sister-in-law, you’re really too much. You’ve been bitten by a dog, and instead of hitting the dog, you’re seeking to die. It’s truly..."

Liu Yueer almost said she deserved the past bullying from her mother-in-law.

"Mother, are Xu Si and the others really in prison?" Chen Sufen sniffled and asked.

Tong Huaqiong replied, "Of course, it’s true."

Chen Sufen took a deep breath.

A wave of guilt rose in her heart. Her mother-in-law had sent Xu Si to prison for her sake, yet she wanted to die. She felt she had let her mother-in-law’s efforts go in vain.

Thinking this, Chen Sufen knelt down in front of Tong Huaqiong with a thud, crying, "Mother, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have done something that would bring joy to the enemy and pain to our own. I should live well..."

"For your kindness to me today, I will repay you with filial piety. Even if I can’t repay it all in this life, I will repay you in the next as a horse or an ox."

Tong Huaqiong’s mouth twitched.

She really didn’t like this kind of sentimental family drama.

Tong Huaqiong signaled for Gu Dahan to help Chen Sufen up, and with a sharp glance around at everyone, she said, "No one is allowed to mention today’s events to anyone else."

Gu Dashi promised, "Mother, rest assured. We won’t say a word."

Everyone made their promises diligently.

"Aunt Tong, I’ve thought about it, and today Xu Si’s target wasn’t my big sister-in-law, it was me..."

The sharp-witted Lu Zhaozhao recounted how yesterday evening Xu Si had given her a death stare, and how on leaving for the Liu home this morning, she felt followed, and then met Chen Sufen at the threshing ground...

Tong Huaqiong broke into a cold sweat, realizing that Xu Si targeting Lu Zhaozhao was indeed a big possibility.

This wealthy heiress from the Lu family luckily hadn’t gotten into any mishap.

"Big sister-in-law, I owe you gratitude; you took the fall for me," Lu Zhaozhao then thanked Chen Sufen.

At the threshing ground, Chen Sufen had already realized that Xu Si wasn’t after her. Now, hearing Lu Zhaozhao’s thanks, she felt a bit undeserving.

"Alright, since Xu Si can’t make a comeback, this matter shall not be spoken of again," said Tong Huaqiong.

Gradually calming down, Chen Sufen stopped crying and began doing laundry and cooking.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t stop her, knowing that Chen Sufen needed busywork to distract her mind away from the threshing ground’s incidents.

"Second daughter-in-law," called Tong Huaqiong to Liu Yueer.

"Mother, what do you need?"

Liu Yueer instantly returned to her Taohua Dessert service attitude towards Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong found it a bit unsettling.

"Your eldest uncle is now the village head, so when you speak or act in the village, be careful. Don’t be like Yan Pozi, gossiping about everything," Tong Huaqiong advised since she knew Liu Yueer enjoyed neighborhood gossip.

"Not only should you mind your words, but also don’t get carried away."

"Mother, I will listen to you, I promise to keep a low profile," Liu Yueer replied. "Besides, I usually run the shop in town and hardly have time to chat at the village."

That was true.

Tong Huaqiong was relieved.

"Right, isn’t your brother’s daughter Xiu Xiu ten years old now? I think she’s a great, steady, meticulous girl. Ask your brother if he wants her to learn pastry-making at our shop?"

Tong Huaqiong thought that Chen Sufen had managed to escape Xu Si thanks to Liu Yueer’s niece, Liu Xiuxiu. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Moreover, this kid kept a good secret and didn’t spill what happened to Chen Sufen.

In the countryside, girls didn’t have many opportunities. During these times, girls couldn’t take exams or get official positions.

They mostly started considering marriage at twelve or thirteen, married by fourteen or fifteen.

After marriage, they bore children, and no matter their talents, they were buried in the backyard.

Even though the Liu family cherished daughters, Liu Xiuxiu’s probable path would be the same. At most, like Liu Yueer’s eldest sister, they’d match her with a well-off suitor and provide a bit more in the dowry.

Liu Yueer didn’t know when her niece had caught her mother-in-law’s eye, but it was good that her mother-in-law wanted to help Xiu Xiu, and the thought made Liu Yueer’s face beam with joy.

"My brother and sister-in-law would certainly be willing," Liu Yueer said, eager to visit the Liu family to discuss the matter with her brother Liu Shan.

Her niece was bright and capable, managing their home well despite her young age. She was respectful, always addressing her as aunt sweetly, so Liu Yueer wanted to also help her. With this skill, she could work at Taohua Dessert in the future, and having a craft would give her leverage in marriage.

Liu Yueer then quickly dashed off to her family home.

They were preparing lunch at her family home.

During the harvest, they needed substantial meals for energy. The Liu family had upgraded their meal, cooking a chicken stew.

Liu Yueer sat at the table, tearing at a chicken leg while speaking, "Big sister-in-law’s not home, so this meal was made by mother and Xiu Xiu, right."

Mrs. Zhao said, "This whole table was prepared by Xiu Xiu."

Despite being only ten, Liu Xiuxiu was already adept at handling all sorts of household chores in this era, especially in rural families.

"I actually came to discuss Xiu Xiu," Liu Yueer said. "Her cooking is quite good; this chicken tastes better than at my sister-in-law’s. My mother-in-law said she appreciated Xiu Xiu’s capabilities and wondered if she’d like to learn pastry-making in town."

Upon hearing this news, Liu Tiechui, Mrs. Zhao, and Liu Shan were so excited they could barely hold their chopsticks.

"Well, your brother and sister-in-law are already employed at the shop and getting paid. Would it be inappropriate for Xiu Xiu to go too?" Liu Tiechui felt a bit concerned.

He suspected Tong Huaqiong was offering thanks for his help which led to the Xu family’s downfall by suggesting that Liu Xiuxiu learn the craft.

"It’s totally appropriate, why wouldn’t it be?" Liu Yueer asserted. "If Gu Xiaocao can go, why can’t Xiu Xiu? Besides, my brother and sister-in-law work at Taohua Dessert, not run it, so my mother-in-law knows our family has proper boundaries."

"Husband, since our in-laws regard Xiu Xiu highly, we shouldn’t be ungrateful and refuse," Mrs. Zhao stated, then turned to Xiu Xiu, "Xiu Xiu, would you like to go?"

Liu Xiuxiu was thrilled; she had long dreamed of learning a craft in town.

Alas, as a girl, no other shop in town besides Taohua Dessert would hire her.

"Yes, I’d like to go," Liu Xiuxiu confidently said.

Liu Tiechui didn’t say another word, only advising, "When the time comes, you must do your best, don’t bring dishonor to the Liu Family. Be prudent and listen to your Grandma Tong and Taohua."

Liu Tiechui knew that the shop was mainly supported by Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua, reminding Liu Xiuxiu expressly to listen to them.

Not to follow her aunt’s whims, as Liu Tiechui knew Liu Yueer’s nature, and he didn’t want her leading Liu Xiuxiu astray.

Liu Shan was also pleased that Tong Huaqiong valued his daughter. Chuckling quietly, he thoughtfully tore another chicken leg for his sister.