The original host had long since collapsed from the constant emotional abuse. Not long after, Chen Qianyue became pregnant, and Zhao Shixiao was eager to divorce the original host.
The original host refused to divorce, having suffered greatly from the lack of parents in her past. Stubbornly, she wanted her child to have a complete family.
Everyone in the Zhao family stopped speaking to her, leaving her to care for the child alone. When the child developed a high fever, she carried the infant and walked to the town hospital by herself.
The child could not be saved in the end, a tiny bundle no longer moving in her arms. Recalling the humiliation of the past years, the original host, unable to bear it, took her own life.
The Zhao family wished her no peace, so she granted them none either. She found a rope and hanged herself in the main hall of the Zhao residence.
Although it was suicide, Grandma Zhu cried heartbrokenly, and even the police could do nothing. It was Zhu Qingjiang who ultimately buried them, mother and child.
The Zhao family considered it bad luck, secretly hired someone to perform a ritual, and then happily welcomed Chen Qianyue into their home.
After the New Year, Chen Qianyue gave birth to a robust baby boy for the Zhao family, filling everyone with joy.
Upon learning the truth, Secretary Chen immediately severed ties with Chen Qianyue and forbade her mother and brothers from visiting.
The Zhao family became infamous for driving their daughter-in-law to her death, and none of them dared to misbehave again.
Even though Chen Qianyue no longer had her maternal family as a backing, they dared not bully her, for they did not want Zhao Shixiao to remain single for life.
Grandma Zhu felt responsible for the original host, regretting ever allowing her to marry into the Zhao family's pit of despair.
Her granddaughter, so young, had lost her life, and Grandma Zhu remained melancholic, unable to forgive herself, eventually succumbing to depression.
Zhu Qingjiang also hated himself for his weakness, for failing to protect his sister or care for his grandmother. He never married or had children, and it was kind neighbors who handled his funeral.
The original host hated herself for not being brave enough to divorce and burden her family. Her dying wish was for Grandma Zhu and Zhu Qingjiang to live good lives, free from any further entanglement with the Zhao family.
Shui Wa: "That fall just now wasn't hard enough; they should have let him die. Ծ‸Ծ"
Jun Jiuli: "..."
...
As soon as Zhao mother saw Zhao Shixiao returning, she hurried to greet him.
"Oh, my son. Why are you back so late? Come in and eat. The food will get cold. Cheng Cheng, go and reheat your brother's meal."
"Yes, alright."
As it was dim, Zhao mother only noticed the red and swollen slap marks on Zhao Shixiao's face when he got closer.
She slapped her thighs repeatedly, "Oh, my heavens. Which little beast did this? Shixiao, tell your mother quickly. Mother will go and confront them and make them give you justice. Don't be afraid, speak boldly, your father and mother are here to back you up."
As she spoke, she leaned forward and pushed aside Zhao Shixiao's left hand covering his face, trying to get a closer look. Zhao Shixiao impatiently stepped back and said with a frown.
"I don't need your help."
"What nonsense are you talking? I've raised you from a baby, feeding you and cleaning up after you. Now that you're grown, your wings are hardened, aren't they? Can your mother harm you? Which brat hit you so hard? If I catch them, I'll beat them until they cry for their mothers."
"Don't ask, I fell myself."
"Are you kidding me? Those are obvious slap marks. Why are you like this, child? Have you gone stupid from studying? You don't speak up when you're bullied; are you trying to worry me to death?"
Zhao Shixiao felt it was humiliating to be hit by a woman, and coupled with his failure that evening, his temper was particularly fiery.
He forcefully pushed away the nagging Zhao mother, who fell onto the ground with a thud, her body going numb.
"Are you annoying or what? I'm not eating. I'm going back to my room to sleep."
Zhao mother stared blankly, and upon reacting, cried out "Oh heavens, Buddha." She repeatedly slapped the ground with her hands and kicked her feet, stirring up dust.
"You wretched thing, I am your own mother! Can't I even ask you a question? You dare to push me? What kind of son have I given birth to? Are you trying to anger me to death?"
Before she could wail any further, Zhao father, who was sitting in the main hall smoking his pipe, came out.
"What are you shouting about? He's your own son. If he pushed you once, he pushed you once. He's not dead, is he? Stop pretending on the ground, it's not good if others hear it. They'll make up stories about our Shixiao, would that make you happy?"
Zhao mother wiped away her tears and nimbly stood up.
"I just didn't realize. Can't you speak nicely? I truly owe the Zhao family from a past life, two troublemakers."
"If Shixiao isn't eating, quickly clear the bowls. I think you're just idle all day. The children are so grown, they can handle their own affairs."
"Yes, yes, it's my fault for being talkative, it's my fault for being meddlesome, alright?"
Zhao mother thought to herself that the old man was right; their son was already grown. Besides, two slaps wouldn't kill anyone. If he didn't want to talk about it, then so be it.
Zhao father walked into Zhao Shixiao's room. After a moment of silence, he looked at Zhao Shixiao and said.
"That idiot from the Zhu family hit you."
Zhao Shixiao nodded.
Zhao father's face turned stern with anger. "It's her good fortune that you fancy her, and she still dares to put on airs and hit you. Truly ungrateful."
"She was probably frightened today. I'm fine."
He said this while grimacing, and Zhao father looked on with heartache.
"I'm telling you, you can play however you want, but you can't play with someone's life. Girls like that will cling to you and want to take advantage of you easily. Don't get yourself trapped; she's not worthy of you."
"Dad, I know. I wasn't serious, I just thought she looked good. As for who to marry, that decision still needs your approval."
"You rascal, it's good that you know. Your father won't harm you. Just a few sweet words to coax the girls and it's done. Don't refuse freebies, but don't let her get any leverage. If you find someone suitable later, you can break it off cleanly."
"Don't worry, your son isn't that stupid. A naive girl like her, who hasn't seen the world, will fall for a few sweet words."