Chapter 8: Family Scandal

Wang Guihua blocked her while stuffing the grain coupons and money into her own pocket.

"What are you screaming about? Do you want to live or not?"

After shouting, Wang Guihua felt it was a disgrace and immediately went to shut the door. Turning around, she looked at Shen Qingyao with eyes full of disdain and began muttering to herself.

"Just as small-minded as that mother of yours. No wonder people say like father, like son!"

Perhaps because she couldn't hold it in any longer, she finally let the word "mother" slip out. Hearing Wang Guihua insulting Du Tang, Shen Qingyao turned her head toward her.

"Who were you just talking about?"

Shen Qingyao’s gaze was like a cold blade. Wang Guihua suddenly sensed that Shen Qingyao had changed. She looked at her, stammering and unable to explain. Then, realizing why she should be afraid of her, she straightened her back again.

Ever since Du Tang died, Wang Guihua had been coaching Shen Mengyi to stir up trouble for Shen Qingyao. Originally, Shen Mengyi had the same surname as Wang, but to help the child gain a firm footing in the Shen family, Wang Guihua had pulled some strings to change her last name. Shen Dongsheng had no objections to this. He was always one to say something when he should stay silent, and stay silent when he should speak up—except when he was drunk.

After drinking, Shen Dongsheng would lose that spineless air and become a bully within his own home. The original owner had long been used to it, but Shen Qingyao would not allow such things to happen again, especially in this era.

Shen Dongsheng, hearing Wang Guihua and Shen Qingyao trading barbs, stood unsteadily between them. If it weren't for the fact that the soundproofing in houses during this era was so poor, Shen Qingyao would have truly wanted to come to blows with Wang Guihua.

Shen Dongsheng raised his hand. "Listen to me, this family..."

Before he could finish, he collapsed to the ground again. Shen Qingyao didn't help him up; instead, she retrieved the items belonging to Shen Qingye from Wang Guihua's pocket. As she stepped aside to count the belongings, Wang Guihua, unable to pull Shen Dongsheng up, simply sat down on the floor. It seemed Wang Guihua was resorting to her traditional tactics. While putting the items away, Shen Qingyao watched her with cold eyes.

Wang Guihua took a moment to compose herself, and tears welled up instantly. "Good heavens! You, Shen Qingyao, seeing your father finally manage to save a little private money, you just snatch it away..."

"I worked so hard to raise you and your brother, not expecting any repayment, and yet you still steal from the family!"

"Mom, what is going on here..."

The door opened, and Lu Shaojun and Shen Mengyi stood at the entrance. Neighbors who heard the commotion also emerged, standing in the hallway with their ears pricked. Wang Guihua signaled to Shen Mengyi with her eyes to open the door wider. Although the original owner’s reputation wasn't great, she wasn't a shrewish person. Wang Guihua had counted on this; as long as she could embarrass Shen Qingyao, the money and grain coupons would remain theirs.

Shen Mengyi understood, while Lu Shaojun stood there, stomping his feet in anxiety. What a mess! Should he tell the regiment commander?

Shen Mengyi pushed the door open and threw herself toward Shen Dongsheng. Both mother and daughter acted with such deep "affection."

"Shaojun, come help my father!"

Lu Shaojun had no room to refuse; the space was already crowded. "What happened? Mother-in-law, you should show some mercy."

Shen Dongsheng was helped up, but Wang Guihua’s expression changed instantly. Once he was laid on the bed, she grabbed Shen Mengyi. Her face was stern. "Did you finish the marriage application today?"

"Yes, just as you said, Mom. I have all the documents kept with me."

"That Lu Shaojun—does he really like you or Shen Qingyao? I heard a few people mention that he’s quite attentive to Shen Qingyao as well."

Wang Guihua looked grim. Hearing Lu Shaojun talking to Shen Qingyao outside, she pulled back the curtain and stepped out.

"Sister, please put in a good word for me with the squad leader next time..."

"Otherwise, should I call the squad leader now and see if you need anything?"

...

Lu Shaojun kept on talking, but Shen Qingyao ignored him.

"Yao, did you upset Auntie Guihua again?"

"Fighting in the middle of the day? What is it about this time?"

These mocking voices reached her, but Shen Qingyao chose to ignore them. Seeing two people she was on good terms with at the door, Wang Guihua changed her tune.

"Aunt Lan, Mrs. Xie, don't just watch the show. Everyone says it’s hard to be a stepmother!"

"Shen Qingyao, how has my mother ever wronged you? Dad is lying on the floor and you just watch coldly. Are you even human?"

Shen Mengyi and Wang Guihua coordinated perfectly, turning it into a grand performance. The onlookers in the hallway grew more intrigued, and Shen Qingyao couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop. I've endured you both for a long time."

Wang Guihua and Shen Mengyi looked as if they hadn't expected Shen Qingyao to speak like this. Whenever the original owner faced such situations, she would compete with Wang Guihua to see who could shout louder. The result was always the original owner’s throat becoming raw and Shen Mengyi starting to cry. As the saying goes, the crying child gets the candy. Shen Mengyi had been sweet-tongued since childhood, and the neighbors favored her. Combined with the fact that Wang Guihua and Shen Dongsheng were so biased toward Shen Mengyi that it was almost absurd, the neighbors naturally wouldn't stand on Shen Qingyao's side.

The air fell silent. Shen Qingyao slowly walked up to Shen Mengyi and tilted her head to look at her.

"What are you looking at!"

Shen Mengyi stepped back, but Shen Qingyao stepped forward. Shen Qingyao grabbed Shen Mengyi and suddenly raised her hand. Just as the slap was about to land, she pulled back, instead ripping the necklace from Shen Mengyi’s neck.

"This is my mother’s property. You have brazenly occupied it without shame; you are truly shameless."

Playing with the item in her hand, Shen Qingyao gripped the necklace tightly. It wasn't worth much, but it was made of jade. Because it was pretty, Wang Guihua had likely given it to Shen Mengyi to wear for fun.

The elderly residents in the hallway shrank back, their minds naturally drifting elsewhere. Du Tang hadn't been dead long before Wang Guihua married in. Nobody would believe there hadn't been something going on between them before. Moreover, Wang Guihua had no status and no background; marrying in with a child clearly meant she was after something.

"Aunties and sisters-in-law, I’m not afraid of being laughed at today. Everyone has seen how my stepmother has treated me all these years. Anyway..."

As she spoke, Shen Qingyao squeezed out a few tears. Wang Guihua and Shen Mengyi gritted their teeth. Wang Guihua walked over to close the door, but Shen Qingyao kept blocking it.

"Stepmother, why are you trying to close the door now? Isn't this your usual tactic?"

"I don't know what you're talking about! Your mouth has never spoken a word of truth since you were a child!"

Wang Guihua shoved Shen Qingyao and slammed the door shut. Once the door was closed, the people outside became restless. Before they had even walked far, they began gossiping about the events of the past.