Caught between a rock and a hard place, Xu’s mother truly had no other choice. After all, in the countryside, daughters-in-law were often more overbearing than their mothers-in-law. Accustod to avoiding confrontation, the timorous woman was bullied daily by her son and daughter-in-law. Their constant insinuations and veiled abuses had compelled her to seek a compromise from her daughter. "Xiaoya, your store is doing so well, and you have a house now. You won’t miss the money... Besides, your father and I raised you. This is the last ti we’ll ask for your help. After this, we will never trouble you again. Please consider..." Her mother’s eyes were desperately pleading. She was at her wit’s end.
People often feared the aggressive, always seeking to appease them by sacrificing the weak in hopes of a fragile peace.
Yet Xu Xiaoya could not muster a shred of pity.
Indeed, the shop was doing well, and she did have a house now—but that was all thanks to Xixi. In truth, all the money had co through Xixi. In other words, everything she had today, she felt she had leeched from Xixi. Her own money was supposed to feed her brother and his wife—those two leeches—while she was to live off Xixi indefinitely? What a grand joke. The more ruthless people were to her, the more submissively she was expected to behave, tolerating their abuse. I’m sorry to disappoint you all, but I’m no longer the fool I once was.
At that mont, Xu’s mother’s cellphone rang. She glanced at the screen, anxiety spreading across her face. She dreaded picking it up. "Ah, it’s your sister-in-law again... Xiaoya, your mother is begging you. If you don’t agree, I’ll be too scared to go ho..."
Xu Xiaoya took the phone, her voice remarkably calm. "You and my brother should divorce at once. If you want the child, take them and leave imdiately. However, you won’t get a single cent of my money. After the divorce, I wish you a happy remarriage. May you soon take your two sons and marry into a rich family. And another thing, don’t get your family to co here and make trouble anymore. I’m telling you, I’ve had enough. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll arrange for soone to give your husband a vicious beating. Don’t believe ? Just wait and see."
Then, CLICK! She hung up the phone.
Xu’s mother stood there agape, too shocked to even cry.
Just then, a text ssage PINGED.
Xu Xiaoya glanced at her phone. The ssage was from the person in charge of demolition compensation: "The paynt is ready, Xiaoxu. Please find ti to co ho and sign for it in the next few days."
So that was it! Her parents had the money all along. They had been in such a rush, all to squeeze this bit of money out of her.
She silently put down her phone. "Mom, you should go ho."
"Xiaoya..."
She stated firmly, "If you can live with them, then do. If not, move out, and I’ll support you. But Dad is another matter. Even now, he’s still colluding with my brother to deceive . It’s a child’s duty to support their parents, but it should be a parent’s principle to treat their children fairly. The law doesn’t say that children who inherit property can shirk their duty of support. I’ll support you. My brother can support Dad. Even if Dad ends up in the hospital, let my brother look after him."
Xu’s mother grew flustered. "But your brother isn’t willing to take care of him!"
"That’s fine if he won’t. The demolition compensation has been paid out, hasn’t it? Good. Tell Dad to give a share, and I’ll go in my brother’s place imdiately."
Xu’s mother’s face flushed red, then paled.
Before Xu’s mother could say another word, Xu Xiaoya called over a sales assistant from the front desk. "Please get a cab to take my mom ho imdiately. Here, this is for the fare."
A taxi arrived shortly after.
Xu Xiaoya gave the driver the address and paid the fare. Left with no other choice, Xu’s mother finally climbed in.
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