Wang Lianhua, though foolish, knew it was ti to admit her mistakes quickly. Otherwise, she feared she would lose the right to even speak in Shen ng’s presence. Shen ng was clear about who she liked and disliked. If she truly ca to despise Wang Lianhua, she probably wouldn’t even bother with Daqing and Erqing anymore.
"I was wrong, Shen ng, I really was. I didn’t want to hit the kids; I just, just lost control. I swear I won’t hit them again. With Xifeng around, I will definitely treat the kids well, really well. They are my children; I love them too and it truly breaks my heart. Please, please forgive !"
"Are your tears genuine remorse, or are you crying because you are afraid that if I ignore you, you won’t be able to work at the Head Flower Factory? Scared of being without work, isn’t that why you’re crying? You say you suffer, but aren’t Daqing, Erqing, and Yaoyao suffering too? Every ti Lu Yonggang beats you, don’t they bravely try to protect you? And when you’re in pain, isn’t their sorrow also because they care about you? Daqing and Erqing are already so sensible, how could you lay a hand on them? You should not be asking for forgiveness, but your children. Now, I can’t let you work at the Head Flower Factory. If you make money, wouldn’t you just give it to Lu Yonggang to spend on alcohol and at, and then when he’s full and drunk, he’d co ho to beat you and the kids? Just go. You’re no longer welco in our house. Leave quickly, or you’ll miss your chance."
Wang Lianhua wanted to say sothing, but Shen ng had already walked away. Covering her face, Wang Lianhua sobbed bitterly, filled with regret. She had truly lost control. Shen ng’s words made her suddenly realize how terrifying she might seem. Every ti she looked at Lu Yonggang, she found him so terrifying; now, did her own children see her as a frightful person?
Erqing was still asleep; Yaoyao climbed onto the bed after finishing a little cupcake and lay beside him. Lu Mingkai pouted, wanting to join them, but turned to see his mother coming over. He reached out to be held, and Shen ng sighed, exhaling the turmoiled air from her chest and held Ming Kai tightly. Looking at her adorable son, who could be naughty at tis, she and Lu Zhenping had also raised their hands against him.
Even Lu Zhenping had once used a belt on him but didn’t dare to hit hard. Seeing him crying forcefully, which tugged at the hearts of the entire family, how could they continue to hit him?
Erqing was cleaned up and lying on the bed, looking thin and pitiable. What kind of heartless parents must he have to be treated like this!
Her daughter-in-law watched the two children try to hold back tears. If not for the love she had for the three children, she would have insisted on splitting up the family long ago. Why else would she put up with such a degrading life?
"Don’t cry anymore. You’re already doing so well as an aunt. The kids will rember your kindness."
"What’s the big deal? I did it because I felt sorry for the children. Usually busy at ho, now that I have the chance to earn so money, I want to earn as much as I can, to eventually send the kids to school. Sister-in-law ng used to dare to fight viciously with her knife against my brother-in-law, just so Daqing and Erqing could go to school. And now, unbelievably, she’s turned to taking her anger out on the children. She... well, I don’t even know what to say. She has her own hardships!"
Shen ng held Ming Kai and stroked his soft hair. How could she not understand? It was precisely because she understood that she wanted to give Wang Lianhua one last push. As long as she learned to fight back, she would always be able to protect herself and her kids. Not everyone has Yu Xueli’s courage to get a divorce, nor does everyone have such an opportunity.
Yu Xueli had been brave enough to seize the right timing and to fight for herself. But Wang Lianhua was different; only when pushed to a certain point would she consider finding a way out for herself and her children.
After a while, Wang Lianhua ca back in to look at Erqing, gave Yaoyao a kiss, and then turned to walk out without saying anything. But watching her go, Shen ng felt that Wang Lianhua seed to have changed entirely.
"She’ll co to her senses. Daqing and Erqing won’t bla her. However, her ntal state is really a bit concerning. Tonight, after Mrs. Daya gets off work, take her to see Sister-in-law Lianhua and let them have a good talk. We can’t really understand their suffering; it’s easy to say the right words, but Mrs. Daya is different. She’s the one who can truly empathize with Sister-in-law Lianhua, and she’ll be the one they’ll really believe."
"Okay, Sister-in-law ng, thank you for your trouble. I’ll take Erqing ho now, and he’ll stay with us for a while. I’ll take good care of him."
Shen ng waved her hand. "Let’s talk about it when the child wakes up. He can have lunch at our place; it’s no problem. Daqing and Erqing have taken care of Mingyang and the others before. I can handle a al, and you just need to be more attentive in the future."
Xifeng nodded. They had been sisters for so long that being too polite sotis felt like creating distance. She carefully picked up Yaoyao and went back to her place.
Ming Kai looked at Erqing lying on the bed, sighed, glanced at Shen ng, and then lowered his head again.
"Ah, my brother used to be beaten by mom, and I was hit too. It was always my older brothers and sisters protecting ."
Shen ng: "......"
Damn it, I’ve stirred up bad mories for the child!!!
"Keep an eye on your brother for , and if he wakes up, call for . Today, Brother Xiao Long is coming over for dinner, I need to go butcher a chicken, and make stewed dishes and paste buns for you all to eat."
"I want it spicy!"
"Alright, alright, just play inside!"
"Okay!"
Lu Mingkai agreed readily; he wasn’t hungry at all now. When he had been feeding Yaoyao, he’d take a bite for every bite Yaoyao took, two bites for every one of hers, three bites for every one of hers—with a burp—he was full.
Shen ng let out a sigh of relief, thankfully her response was quick. Otherwise, if Ming Kai brought up more things from the past, she’d have to soothe him again. Now that all the kids were finally back to normal, they couldn’t start dwelling on the past again. Recalling the bitterness and the sweetness shouldn’t be done this way.
Around noon, Shen ng cooked a big pot of pumpkin and vermicelli stewed with chicken, a plate of hot and sour shredded potatoes, and another small pot of millet porridge, thinking that Erqing couldn’t eat anything too rich, so she took out a pot of lean pork porridge from the space for him.
Just as Mingyang and the other kids arrived ho from school, Da Long showed up. Daqing ca ho and didn’t see Erqing; he hadn’t even put down his schoolbag before coming over.
"Daqing, hurry and sit down to eat. Aunt made lunch for you and Erqing. I’ve already told your mom and your aunt; after eating, go to school with Mingyang."
"I, I have food at ho, I won’t eat at Aunt’s place, it’s good that Erqing is alright."
"When my mom tells you to eat here, you eat here. Is the food at your ho better than ours? Hmph, you weren’t so polite when eating cake this morning."
Ming Liang grabbed a hold of Daqing, and his words made Daqing’s face turn crimson as he glanced at Shen ng uneasily.
"Just eat, eat up. Aunt made plenty, made als for you and Erqing. But Erqing’s still sick, the dishes are a bit spicy, so help yourself with care. Aunt brewed so vegetable at porridge for you; have more of that."
Erqing’s nose was a bit stuffy, but looking at the at porridge served in front of him, it slled so good that he kept swallowing saliva.
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