Chapter 36 Save Yourself Some Dignity

The previously “pleasant” atmosphere was instantly ruined by the thoughtless actions of the child. Guo Rufeng was mortified. Forcing a smile, she said, “Fangfang, Chai Jin, don’t mind your little brother. He’s still young and doesn’t understand.”

“All children are like that.”

Then she stood up and placed the entire bowl of abalone in front of her son.

Chai Jin still said nothing. When he finished eating, he reached out to take some fish from the table. The unruly boy, emboldened by his mother’s protection, became even more brazen: “That fish is mine too!”

Chai Jin remained silent. He reached for some ribs, but the boy piped up again: “The ribs are mine! Everything on this table is what I ordered and my favorite, none of you can eat it!”

“Put down your chopsticks, all of you!”

Guo Rufeng’s embarrassment deepened. She mustered up her composure and said, “Jinjin, Fangfang, your little brother…”

“Are you going to say again that he doesn’t understand?” Chai Jin put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth, cutting her off.

“Well, he’s just a child…”

“A child? Shanshan is also a child. How does she behave?”

“She never touches her chopsticks before the adults at the table. She serves rice and dishes for her father, brother, and sister.”

“She even helps out with the dishes and chores at home, and serves tea to the adults.”

“Has she ever been so ill-mannered?”

“Do you even remember your six-year-old daughter?”

Guo Rufeng’s face was tinged with bitterness. “Of course I remember. She was my own flesh and blood.”

“Jinjin, you were young back then. You didn’t understand the conflicts between adults.”

“I truly had no choice…”

“No choice?” Chai Jin shook his head with a cold smile. “You’ve always lived in Yuanli County, haven’t you?”

“The county is barely thirty kilometers from Daohua Village—easily accessible, back and forth, countless times in a day.”

“If you truly cared about your children, you would have found a way to see them.”

“So now that our family’s situation has improved, you suddenly have a way to visit your children?”

Guo Rufeng’s expression darkened at once. She spoke with the air of an elder: “Jinjin, watch your tone. No matter what, I am your mother.”

“That’s an unchangeable fact. You may not understand the hardships I endured for your sake.”

“But you can’t misunderstand me like this. It truly breaks my heart.”

With those words, she began to sob again.

Chai Jin had no patience left for her. He pressed on, “Are you even worthy to be called a mother?”

“What are that father and son downstairs doing? Waiting to celebrate with you after you’ve gotten money from me?”

“If you really were a mother, would you swindle your own son right to his face?”

Seeing her brother’s agitation mounting, Chai Fang quickly tugged on his sleeve. “Let it go, brother. Don’t be angry.”

“Not be angry? How can I not be angry!”

“I came today only to see what face she would put on to deal with us.”

“Just as I expected—utterly repulsive!”

Bang! Guo Rufeng lost control. She never imagined the son she once raised would dare speak to her like this. Her true nature burst forth: “Chai Jin, do you even know what you’re saying!”

“I’m your mother! Is this how a son should behave? What kind of upbringing did Chai Min Guo give you?”

Chai Jin took a deep breath. Looking at the woman before him, he suddenly felt there was no point in arguing with her. She wasn’t even as decent as one of his own neighbors.

He shook his head. “Enough. Let this be our last meal together.”

“After we’re done, please don’t disrupt our lives again.”

“And if I ever hear that you’ve gone back to the village to curse my father, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, Chai Jin stood and walked out.

Chai Fang was stunned for a moment but instinctively followed her brother.

“Ungrateful child! I should never have given birth to such a thankless wretch!”

“You’re just like your father, Chai Min Guo—heartless and unfeeling!”

“The whole Chai family is the same kind!”

Failing to get any money and instead being shamed by Chai Jin, Guo Rufeng trembled with rage, stood up, and began hurling abuse.

Chai Jin turned as if to hit her, but Chai Fang held him back.

“No matter what, it’s wrong to strike your own mother,” she pleaded. “If we raise a hand, others will talk behind our backs—they won’t care about the reasons. Let it go.”

Chai Jin cooled down a little.

“She’s inhuman! I’ve never seen a mother like her. When our family was starving and desperate, she abandoned us for her supposed happiness, living in luxury every day.”

“And now that our situation has improved, the moment she faces a bit of hardship, she comes to us for money. It’s shameless!”

Chai Fang tried to calm him. “I know you’re angry, but let’s just leave it. We won’t have anything to do with her from now on. That was the choice she made when she abandoned us.”

“Let’s go.”

With that, Chai Fang pulled Chai Jin outside.

No sooner had they stepped out than the father and son squatting by the roadside, smoking, stood up.

After a moment’s hesitation, they put on ingratiating smiles and walked over.

Deng Anzhi laughed heartily, “You’re Jinjin, right?”

Chai Jin eyed him coldly. “What do you want?”

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m your mother’s lawful husband—your stepfather. My name is Deng Anzhi.”

“And this is my son. You should call him brother—Deng Tao.”

He gave his taciturn son a nudge as he spoke.

Deng Tao quickly caught on and extended a hand with a smile. “Hello, little brother. First time meeting you. Let’s keep in touch from now on.”

“After all, our families are now one. We—”

“Out of my way! Good dogs don’t block the road!”

Chai Jin didn’t let him finish. He shoved Deng Tao aside and strode off with his sister.

The father and son stood there, dumbfounded.

Guo Rufeng soon stormed out of the restaurant, cursing up a storm. Her words were vile—Chai Jin was a thankless, rebellious son, and she nearly threw herself on the ground in a tantrum.

Her voice was loud, drawing strange looks from bystanders.

The Dengs’ faces darkened at once.

Deng Anzhi, only concerned about the money, hurried over. “What happened? Why are you arguing? How much did you get?”

“Pah! That ungrateful brat didn’t give a cent!”

“I must have been blind to give birth to such a beast!” Guo Rufeng shrieked.

Deng Anzhi grew even more irritated. “So what are we supposed to do? Tao Tao is about to propose marriage—can’t you rein in your temper?”

“I’ve supported you all these years—now that the family’s in trouble you ought to contribute something!”

Guo Rufeng shot back, “What can I do if he won’t give money? He’s heartless—do you want me to kill him?”

Just as the two were about to quarrel, a flash of inspiration crossed Deng Tao’s mind.

“If he won’t give us money, we can sue him!”