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Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Able to Eat, Drink, and Run Everywhere
"Fine then!" Tong Yao nodded gently, sneering, "Uncle, it’s perfect that you want to deal with this matter. I was indeed worried about not having anyone in charge. With mom playing deaf and dumb on the side, ignoring the issue, I’m actually curious about your judgement on this matter, uncle..."
"Yaoyao..."
Lin Fengying attempted to stop Tong Yao from speaking further, yet she was interrupted by Si Chen.
"Let Yaoyao finish."
"..."
Lin Fengying’s face turned pale, and her eyes welled up with tears. Her son and daughter-in-law were united against her; she felt as if she had become the enemy.
How did she end up raising a son who saw her as an enemy?
Si Weimin, with a stern face, asked Tong Yao, "What exactly happened, tell me."
What had happened during the day, Si Weimin had only heard bits and pieces from Si Xiaohui. In regards to the specifics, he honestly did not know. But the fact that Tong Yao had hit Xiaohui was true, he didn’t believe that Tong Yao could justify assaulting someone.
This niece-in-law, just because her family is wealthy and she owns a few boba tea shops, was likely looking down on her sister-in-law and Xiaohui.
Si Chen said nothing but gently held Tong Yao’s hand. His intention was apparent - no matter what had happened, he stood by Tong Yao.
The corners of Tong Yao’s eyes curved like crescent moons. As long as Si Chen stood beside her, she didn’t care about anyone else’s opinion.
With that thought, Tong Yao lifted her chin and declared, "I won’t even mention how Xiaohui meddles in the affairs of my shop. She called me a ’fruitless hen.’ Just for that, don’t you agree she deserved that slap?"
Having heard this, Si Chen’s face darkened immediately, while Lin Fengying remained silent with her head lowered.
Si Weimin didn’t expect Si Xiaohui would say such a thing. He paused for a moment, and after noticing Lin Fengying didn’t deny Tong Yao’s words, he reluctantly said, "Xiaohui said you insulted her first. If that’s the case, it’s understandable why she would retaliate verbally."
Despite defending Si Xiaohui, the sternness in Si Weimin’s voice was lacking compared to before. Clearly, he also knew Si Xiaohui shouldn’t have insulted Tong Yao like that.
Tong Yao laughed coldly. She straightforwardly passed the ball onto Lin Fengying, "Mom, weren’t you present? When Xiaohui was adding fuel to the fire, you didn’t correct her at all?"
"I... I forgot at that moment." Lin Fengying was so ashamed she didn’t dare to look at Tong Yao.
With everything out in the open, Si Weimin finally understood that Tong Yao had hit Si Xiaohui because of this. It seemed that Si Xiaohui did indeed deserve what she got.
Even though he knew this, Si Weimin still couldn’t bear the thought of his daughter being hit.
"It indeed was inappropriate for Xiaohui to insult you, but as her elder, you should have been more magnanimous. If she insults you a little, you should let it slide; it won’t have any impact on you. She had a miscarriage and hasn’t fully recovered, and she cried all morning because of getting hit. If she develops any chronic health issues, it would be a lifelong burden."
Tong Yao: ...
She never imagined that a phrase from a certain TV series— "you just lost a leg, but she lost love" — would manifest itself in her life.
Tong Yao found it amusing and let out a small chuckle, then derided without pulling any punches, "Uncle, I didn’t think you’d be this funny and guilt trip others. Xiaohui’s miscarriage has nothing to do with me. Why am I the one who has to indulge her? She wasn’t carrying my child in her belly. I share no kinship with her, and I’ve never received any favours from her, why should I be magnanimous? You’re quite persuasive, why not tell Xiaohui to be more magnanimous? Wouldn’t the issue be resolved? What’s the point of coming here to speak up for Xiaohui?"
One had to admit, when it came to confronting others, Tong Yao was quite the pro. She didn’t provide any leeway for Si Weimin, leaving him floundering in mid-air.
Si Weimin’s face turned green and pale, unable to respond to his niece-in-law’s retort. As the room filled with a tense and awkward atmosphere, Lin Fengying suddenly stood up and said,
"This whole thing is my fault. I should’ve explained everything clearly to your uncle. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I don’t know how to be a mother or mother-in-law. All your dissatisfaction should be directed at me, and not your uncle."
"Sister-in-law..." Si Weimin uttered with embarrassment. He had originally come here to vent for his sister-in-law and Xiaohui, but ended up being at a loss for words by the younger generation.
This was the first time it had happened in his decades of life.
However, he had to admit that Tong Yao had a sharp tongue, and she made valid points.
"It’s late. If there’s nothing else, you should go back. If you want to air your grievances again in the future, make sure to understand the situation first." Si Chen suddenly stood up and signaled them to leave.
He used the word ’you guys.’ The message was plain for all to see— he was asking even Lin Fengying to leave.
Being dismissed by her own son in front of her daughter-in-law, Lin Fengying felt her old face was being trampled on the ground by her son. Her eyes teared up once again, and she choked up.
"Xiaochen, am I really no longer of any importance in your eyes?"
Tong Yao smirked, thinking to herself, ’Was her mother-in-law trying to use the ’suffering for sympathy’ strategy?’
Who would have known, Si Chen didn’t fall for it at all. With a blank expression, he said, "At home, you were well cared for and comfortable, yet you’re eager to run here to stir up trouble. Stop saying these things."
Lin Fengying was left speechless. She didn’t expect a response from Si Weimin who awkwardly said, "Sister-in-law, let’s not say anything else. Let’s go!"
It was starkly clear that his nephew held a grudge against him. If the conversation continued any further, he feared his nephew would air their old disputes.
Si Weimin had come to a realization— whether it was in the past or the present, they were always in the wrong. If they continued to stay, it would be nothing more than an embarrassment.
The long-standing issues between him and his nephew seemed impossible to resolve in this lifetime.
"Xiaochen." Lin Fengying wanted to say something but stopped herself. In fact, she had come here to prevent any awkwardness between her son and his uncle. However, she ended up being the one who sparked the confrontation.
She had to admit, during the day, she did show bias towards Xiaohui. But she had no ill-intent. All she wanted was to curb Tong Yao’s fierceness a little and push her towards starting a family.
Her son had been married for over a year, and there was still no sign of a grandchild. With gossip spreading within the village, she was getting anxious!
Si Chen looked at her coldly and said, "You can stay wherever you want. If you don’t want to go back, you can spend the night here. I’ll get you a bus ticket for tomorrow."
Lin Fengying hung her head in sorrow. Seeing her son’s cold demeanor, her heart squeezed in pain. However, going back to Li City now was out of the question.
At present, she was living together with Si Xiaohui and Si Weimin, just like a family. This had been Lin Fengying’s dream for many years and she clung to this happiness.
"Xiaohui is currently not feeling well, I want to stay with her for a while."
Si Chen bluntly saw through her poor lie. "She can eat, drink, run around, cause trouble. Where is she not feeling well?"
Lin Fengying’s face turned beetroot, and she could barely lift her head in front of her son. Knowing that her son was aware of all his mother’s unsightly actions, was tormenting her.
