Chapter 105: What Are They Trying to Do?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If it were that easy, it would be perfect. They are a great match for each other.
As they were about to return home, they heard the voices of Yuan Jiaqi’s parents at the door.
“Jiaqi, our fifth son!”
Yuan Jiaqi felt uncomfortable hearing their voices. While most people would be delighted to hear their parents, he couldn’t stand it.
He was considering ignoring them when another voice spoke up.
“Mai, my dear Mai!”
Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai stopped in their tracks. One voice belonged to Qiao Mai’s mother, and the other was Yuan Jiaqi’s parents.
Why were they all here together?
Qiao Mai waved to the children. “Go home and study for an hour, then you can play freely.”
“Yes, Mother!”
In the meantime, Shopkeeper Lu asked Ruxin and Ruyi to return to the shop. She stood side by side with Qiao Mai, glaring at the newcomers.
“Mai?”
“Jiaqi?
The Yuan and Qiao families stepped forward, but Qiao Mai’s icy tone made them stop.
“If we were as poor as we used to be, I doubt you would have come here. You’ve searched for us so many times, only to gain benefits from us.”
“Mai, what are you saying? We may be old, but we’re still your parents. That’s a fact you can’t change.”
“If you keep bothering me, do you think I won’t go to the authorities and have you jailed for a few months?”
“Are you going to be so heartless?”
“Hmph, you can try me.”
“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. But you know, in our village, in the town, in any family, women are never well-treated. I came from that era.”
“I don’t hate you. I’ve settled the financial matters between us, understand?”
“Mai, please forgive us as we’re getting older. Life has been hard, and we had to ask you for money because times were tough.”
“Does that give you the right to watch me suffer, see me sell myself, and witness me mistreated by the Tian family? Where is your compassion? Do you have any conscience left? Look at other mothers and fathers who do anything to protect their children, and then look at yourselves, only thinking about squeezing money out of your child. Are you even human?”
“I… I know I was wrong.”
“Go away. Even if you know you were wrong, it’s too late now. I will never forgive you, and I will never acknowledge you.”
After saying this, Qiao Mai grabbed Shopkeeper Lu’s hand and walked into Lucky Garden. Madam Qiao Lu wanted to follow but was stopped by the maid. Seeing that they had sticks in their hands, she cried outside.
When Yuan Jiaqi’s parents saw the Qiao family had finished their scene, they walked to Yuan Jiaqi. He stepped back a few steps.
“I am the same with my wife. We won’t acknowledge any relatives. Please leave and stop causing a scene.”
“Son, our family has split up, and your elder brother and the others treated us poorly. Now that you’re living well, can’t you help us a little?”
This couple was straightforward, asking for things directly.
“I don’t have anything now, and I won’t have anything in the future, forever.”
Yuan Jiaqi couldn’t bring himself to say the word “get lost,” but he turned away and entered the courtyard. The old couple knew that this was not the Qiao family, so they didn’t dare to force their way in. Learning from Madam Qiao Lu, they sat at the gate and cried.
The gatekeeping maid immediately shouted at them.
“If you don’t leave, I’ll report to the authorities. When they come, you’ll see!”
“You dare! I’m Qiao Mai’s mother.”
“That’s right, and I’m her mother-in-law.”
The maid coldly hummed. “How disgusting to see shameless people like you. Our mistress doesn’t acknowledge you, but you still come here with your heads high. If you had treated our mistress well from the beginning, would she treat you like this?”
“Wait until we make amends; I’ll have your mouth torn apart.”
“Hmph, do you think this is your home? Even if you reconcile, this place doesn’t belong to you. Now, go away!”
“Hey, everyone, look at this pair of shameless couples. They don’t acknowledge their child. They had a good life once they got rid of us.”
Another maid with a stick and a few others approached them. Scared, Yuan Jiaqi’s parents and Madam Qiao Lu got up and ran.
The maids chased them for a few steps before scolding them.
“You cowards!”
Seeing the crowd gathering outside their gate, one of the maids spoke up.
“Don’t listen to them. Both of these families are no good. They suck their children dry and eat their flesh. They even wished for their children’s deaths. Don’t trust a word they say.”
“We heard long ago that it was their fault. We’re just here to watch the commotion. Madam Qiao and her husband are good people. We don’t believe a word from those three scoundrels.”
“That’s right. Our lady has been through tough times, and her parents tried to harm her. Remember this. When it comes to marriage, never look for the Qiao family from Lihua Village or the Yuan family from Apricot Blossom Village. These two families are despicable.”
The maids returned to Lucky Garden. After Yuan Jiaqi’s parents returned home, they cursed angrily.
They were unwilling to give up so easily. Since they had rented out their ten acres of land and had nothing to do all day, they planned to visit Lucky Garden regularly.
They would coax their son back no matter what.
Once they reconciled, they would definitely live in Lucky Garden.
After Madam Qiao Lu ran away, Qiao Shicheng arrived at the north gate’s archway to wait for her.
Seeing her return in a hurry, Qiao Shicheng asked, “What happened?”
“What can you expect? That girl has a stubborn personality, as you well know.”
“In a few days, we’ll come back. I don’t believe that even if we acknowledge our mistakes and speak kindly to her, she won’t relent. If that doesn’t work, we’ll kneel in front of her, and everyone will judge who’s right.”
“If she cared about what people thought, she wouldn’t treat us like this. Haven’t you seen how she cares for those children, spending so much on their clothes and accessories? She would rather raise other people’s children than help her poor parents.”
Qiao Shicheng’s eyes flashed with a malicious gleam. “Once we coax her back, I won’t spare her. By then, her shop will be handed over to the Jiang brothers, and our family will have a better life.”
“Seeing how well her business is doing, even if she shows a slight opening, our family will be much better off than before.”
“Don’t worry. That shop will be in our hands.”
“She even dares to write ‘Qiao’s Small Eatery’ on it, using the family name. That shop rightfully belongs to us.”
Qiao Mai didn’t hear the conversation of this couple. If she had, she would have given them a good piece of her mind; they were shameless beyond measure.
Shopkeeper Lu led Qiao Mai into the living room. Yuan Jiaqi took the children to the back to study.
The two maids carried Ling’er to the back garden to play while the two sisters sat together in the living room, sipping tea and chatting.
“Every family has its troubles. Although you’ve managed to get rid of them, they still want to squeeze money out of you.”
“Even if they come up with a thousand schemes, I have my steadfast rule: I won’t pay attention to them or give them any money.”
“Sigh…
Qiao Mai gave her a side-eye. “From what you’re saying, it seems like your family also has its own share of troubles?”
“To be honest, my parents and brother treat me well. But that sister-in-law of mine, for some reason, always finds me displeasing. Even when I bring so many gifts to their house during holidays, she still doesn’t like me. She’s always hot-tempered and acts as if I were an outsider.”
“She’s just jealous.”
“Huh?”
loves you. She’s also a woman, so naturally, she wants to be loved. When your family showers you with love, it means less attention for her.”
“But my parents treat her well. As their daughter, I haven’t visited home in a while, so it’s natural for me to be excited when I do. She’s always by my parents’ side, enthusiastic every day, acting like a stranger needs to prove themselves.”
“If she understood this, she wouldn’t reject you. By the way, I made mooncakes this time, and you have a share. Your family too.”
“You are so considerate.. Thank you on behalf of my parents!”
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