The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 58: Fateful Encounter Emerges

"Mom, we spent exactly two taels of silver," Jingzhe said.

"Did you really spend two taels?"

Tong Huaqiong expressed doubt while feeling the pinch.

Two taels of silver, she had to sell a lot of pastries to earn that.

"Mom, why would my brother and I lie to you? The castrator has a black heart. At first, he refused to castrate our pig, later agreed only after our third brother pleaded with him. He opened his mouth and asked for five taels of silver. Our pig only has a couple of eggs, and he wants five taels—why not just rob us." Dashi couldn’t bear Tong Huaqiong’s skeptical look and hurriedly explained, cursing the castrator heavily along the way.

That castrator’s heart was indeed made of coal, blacker than how mom used to treat big brother.

Not only did he charge two taels of silver for one cut, he even suggested keeping the removed parts to roast and eat.

Originally, Dashi thought there would be several hundred coins left from two taels, and he and Jingzhe could perhaps buy some meat soup noodles or big meat buns to eat.

In the end, the castrator insisted on two taels, not budging an inch.

The brothers didn’t have a single penny left, thankfully they brought sorghum buns from home in the morning, so they didn’t starve.

"Mom, that castrator said it was his first time castrating a pig, and he was inexperienced, so the fee was a bit high. If we have more pigs, cattle, or sheep to castrate in the future, we can look for him, and he would charge us a lot less," Jingzhe said.

Tong Huaqiong thought this castrator was really a swindler, using her pig as an experiment and trying to sell her a favor.

No wonder they call it a business that breaks lineages.

What broadened Tong Huaqiong’s horizons even more was when Jingzhe took out a castration contract from his pocket.

Tong Huaqiong glanced at it, generally similar to a disclaimer notice from a hospital in her past life.

Tong Huaqiong thought, this unseen Master Tan is quite cautious, probably familiar with the medical dispute processes of future generations.

Tong Huaqiong felt this disclaimer was necessary; if their pig met with an accident due to castration, she would mourn and take the risk herself. But dealing with an annoying person like the original Tong Dajiao would be tragic.

She’d probably have to castrate the castrator to vent her anger.

"Mom, what are you doing here? Mr. Lu is still on the cart. Big brother is asking where Mr. Lu is going to stay?" Taohua asked, bringing Lu Zhaozhao to the pigsty.

Uh-oh, they focused so much on the pig’s issue that they forgot Lu Zhaoyang on the cart.

Da Han didn’t yet understand his stepmother’s mind and dared not recklessly help Lu Zhaoyang off the cart because where to place him needed his stepmother’s instruction.

"You have to ask me about everything; without me, this house would fall apart," Tong Huaqiong complained a bit.

Is Da Han a simpleton?

Can’t he let the person sit on a chair and rest first?

He has to watch her face to decide on actions.

Just shows how hard he was gaslighted by Tong Dajiao.

Tong Huaqiong put away the castration disclaimer and took Man Er away from the pigsty.

"Oh my!"

Miss Lu Zhaozhao, a pampered daughter, was visiting a pigsty for the first time.

Curious, she stretched her neck to peer into the pigsty. The tassels hanging from her hairpin swayed, startling a little pig that let out a yelp and stood up, frightening Lu Zhaozhao so badly she nearly fell.

Jingzhe reacted quickly and steadied Lu Zhaozhao.

"Miss Lu, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

Tong Huaqiong slightly frowned.

The look Lu Zhaozhao gave Jingzhe was no different from the look Taohua gave Fan Tong.

On the way, she noticed, Lu Zhaozhao peeked through the carriage curtain and her eyes were fixed on Jingzhe.

An ill-fated debt from a past life!

Not to mention, Jingzhe is this vibrant shine amidst the rundown courtyard of the Gu family, blessed with a good appearance and a sharp mind. How else could he have been singled out as a top scholar, captivated the countless charming young men from the Capital, and won the heart of the Commandery Princess at first sight?

Moreover, Lu Zhaozhao, only a fourteen-year-old innocent flower, had normal feelings towards him.

Even Tong Huaqiong herself often clicked her tongue in admiration when seeing Jingzhe. With that face, that physique, if only she could bring him to the modern world, she’d bring nothing else along besides him.

Then send him to participate in talent shows, or publish videos on apps, turning Jingzhe into the top of the entertainment industry, while she reaps the benefits comfortably.

"Jingzhe, it’s time to make dinner, go light the fire in the kitchen," Tong Huaqiong said to Jingzhe.

From an emotional perspective, Jingzhe was deeply in love with Lu Zhaozhao in his past life, but his affection could not stand up against his prospects and interests.

In this life, to prevent Lu Zhaozhao from repeating her fate, she had to take action from Jingzhe. As long as Jingzhe still dared not entertain thoughts about Lu Zhaozhao, she had to extinguish any sparks between them.

So she sent Jingzhe to light the fire, keeping him busy, ensuring he had no opportunity to interact with Lu Zhaozhao.

Anyway, the Lu siblings were returning home tomorrow.

"Mr. Lu still needs support," Jingzhe said.

"Is your big brother and second brother dead, that you still need to support Mr. Lu?" Tong Huaqiong’s sharp gaze didn’t spare Jingzhe.

Jingzhe was scared into entering the kitchen.

Lu Zhaozhao stuck out her tongue, whispering to Taohua: "Is Aunt Tong your third brother’s stepmother?"

Taohua chuckled and said, "My mom is indeed the stepmother, but she’s my big brother’s stepmother."

"Da Han, are you just going to let Mr. Lu sit here idly? Don’t you know to help him to the room?"

Tong Huaqiong approached the cart and saw Da Han standing there waiting for her instructions, and got infuriated. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Stung by Tong Huaqiong, Da Han didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

"Dad."

Man Er, seeing her father Da Han had returned home, let go of Tong Huaqiong’s hand and ran into Da Han’s arms with excitement calling him.

Da Han awkwardly hugged Man Er!

Since returning home, Da Han’s attention had been on Lu Zhaoyang, unaware of Tong Huaqiong’s interactions with Man Er in front of the pigsty.

Upon seeing Tong Huaqiong holding Man Er’s hand, and Man Er leaning on Tong Huaqiong, Da Han felt disbelief as if he saw his father resurrected.

What happened to his stepmother? He sensed something was amiss on the way, and her attitude towards Man Er amplified that feeling.

Could the stepmother treat his Man Er so well? Man Er had always been the worthless commodity in her mouth? Why did he have to work hard earning money outside? Because the stepmother always threatened him that if he didn’t bring money home, she’d sell Man Er to a rich family as a maid.

Just now, did he see it wrong? The stepmother holding Man Er’s hand, giving a treatment even Gu Family’s first golden grandson Gu Yaozu did not receive.

"Daughter, dad is busy, let me talk to you later." Da Han rubbed Man Er’s little head.

"You’ve been away from home for so long, your daughter greets you, shouldn’t you be happy? Why are you pushing her away? You’re not needed here, let your second brother take care of Mr. Lu, you go have a good chat with your daughter and wife."

Tong Huaqiong noticed the momentary gloom in Man Er’s eyes and reprimanded Da Han.

Once again, Da Han was overwhelmed by the stepmother’s attitude, unsure if her words were sincerely meant or ironic.

Chen Sufen was busy preparing a place for Lu Zhaoyang when she heard Tong Huaqiong, her heart warmed, and she almost teared up.

She intended to tell Da Han what happened at home these past few days, especially her mother-in-law’s transformation.

"Da Han, no need for you here, I can handle it myself."

Lu Zhaoyang felt a bit better, took a few deep breaths, and with Dashi’s help, got off the cart.

By now, Chen Sufen had tidied up a resting place.

Gu Family didn’t have many rooms, so Chen Sufen cleared out the room Jingzhe originally used for studying and writing.

Seeing the clean bedding and bed, Tong Huaqiong was satisfied.

Given the rural family conditions of Gu Family, being able to prepare a clean room for Lu Zhaoyang was quite commendable.

Dashi supported Lu Zhaoyang into the room.

"Mr. Lu, you can rest here," Tong Huaqiong said to Lu Zhaoyang.