Chapter Five: She isn't even afraid of bursting from gluttony.

Director Liu saw Wei Yao’s face turn deathly pale and quickly took the child from her arms. He could see that she was on the verge of fainting from pure rage; it was a miserable fate indeed to be saddled with such a family.

Wei Yao offered a miserable smile and said coldly, "Don't try to brush me off with those words. There are four adults in this family, all working, and only two children to support. Anyone with eyes can look around my room and calculate exactly how much I have. Besides, my husband is rarely home to eat a single meal here, so how could we have spent that much? I’ll say it again: I want the wages that belong to me and Song Mingrui. I don't dare stay in that side room anymore. If you and Father truly care about us, convert the value of that side room into cash and give it to us as compensation. We will move far away and live on our own. Of course, if Song Mingrui wants to show you filial piety later, I won’t interfere."

Chang Yongqin’s chest heaved with fury, her lips twitched, and her hands, hanging by her sides, trembled incessantly.

Seeing her state, Wei Yao thought to herself that this was bad. Just before Chang Yongqin could collapse, Wei Yao fainted first.

The female police officer quickly arranged for her and the two children to be taken to the hospital. Liu Chunling held the child and glared fiercely at Chang Yongqin.

"There is a limit to how much you can bully people. Which of Wei’s requests is unreasonable? Let me tell you, Chang Yongqin, you and your family had better discuss this thoroughly tonight. Your son, Song Mingrui, is rarely home, yet he sends money back every month and entrusts his wife and children to your care. If something happens to Wei, you’d better think about how you’re going to answer to him."

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the neighbors, Chang Yongqin managed not to faint, but once the male officer took Li Ying to the police station, she finally succumbed and collapsed.

It was over. Everything was ruined!

After work, Song Dagui had specially bought a slab of meat, carrying it openly in his hand. He hadn't expected that instead of the usual envy, he would be met with look after look of disdain.

He returned home, simmering with anger. Before he could even ask what happened, Chang Yongqin and his daughter, Song Liping, rushed at him, weeping and complaining. Between their broken sobs, he finally learned everything that had occurred that day.

"Dagui, you have to decide what to do! Li Ying is still locked up at the police station. If something really happens to Wei Yao, the boy will end up in a juvenile detention center!"

"Father, you have to find a way! Li Ying is your own grandson; you can't just stand by and watch him die, Father! Wuu-wuu-wuu... The boy is all alone at the police station, who knows how terrified he is!"

The mother and daughter shook his arms as they wailed.

With his head buzzing from the noise, he threw the meat onto the table and slammed his hand down hard.

"What are you crying for? Now you know how to cry? What did I say yesterday? I told you to take care of her at the hospital, but you wouldn't listen. And you, Song Liping, today was your workday—why are you back at your parents' house again? You’re here every single day; aren't you afraid of what people will say?"

"So what? What's wrong with me coming to my parents' home? When I got married, you were the ones who told me to come back often. Let people talk all they want; it doesn't affect my life. But Father, this isn't the time to blame this or that. You have to make a decision. That shrew Wei Yao has blown this thing out of proportion just to trample on our Song family's face! You can't let her off easy this time."

Hearing her daughter's words, Chang Yongqin’s expression stiffened. She never imagined that even at this stage, her daughter would say such a thing.

Song Dagui laughed in sheer disbelief.

"Causing Wei Yao such serious injury is Li Ying's fault to begin with. Don't forget, she is an elder—she is Li Ying's maternal aunt. A nephew beating his aunt to the point of hospitalization—is that something that sounds good to tell people? 'Not let her off easy'? She’s made such a scene this time; you should be asking if she’s going to let our Song family off."

Chang Yongqin covered her mouth and wiped her tears. Her poor grandson was still at the police station. If Wei Yao insisted on not settling, the boy's future would be destroyed right then and there.

"Could it be... could it really be that we have to split the family? Dagui, you don't know how excessive she is. She doesn't just want the wages she and Mingrui earned all these years; she even wants us to buy her a house! Where would we get that kind of money? Wuu-wuu-wuu... She’s greedy enough to swallow an elephant; she’s just a low-class woman."

Song Dagui let out a long sigh. The trouble was that Song Mingrui wasn't home. If he were here, surely the years of upbringing and the bond between siblings would have made him yield. He was the head of the household and the pillar of the family; if he spoke up, how could Wei Yao refuse?

"Do as she says: split the family. Not only split it, but do it in front of the neighbors so everything is clear. She wants money for a house? We’ll agree to that too. Housing is scarce, so we'll just give her the money for a side room. Whether she can actually buy one is up to her own luck!"

Chang Yongqin and Song Liping’s eyes widened, staring at Song Dagui in disbelief. That amounted to four or five years of wages, plus Song Mingrui’s, plus the money for a side room—wasn't Wei Yao afraid of choking on it?

"Dagui, have you lost your mind? You really intend to give it to her? You must have forgotten that Mingrui... he’s ultimately separated from us by a layer. To give it all away—isn't that like throwing meat to a dog? Besides, where would our family get so much money?"

"If we don't give it, what then? Today she dared to bring the police here; tomorrow she’ll go to my workplace, to your workplace, and to the schools of Li Ying’s siblings to make a scene. If we lose our jobs and our reputations, how are we supposed to live? Give the money to Wei Yao if we have to. When Mingrui comes back, we can talk it over. After all, we have so many years of family ties; family can’t be cut off. Just listen to me; we won't lose much. Both my salary and Wei Yao’s and Mingrui’s wages have all been stored with you. Our living expenses aren't that high. Keep some for daily life and take out the rest; it should be enough!"

Song Liping lowered her head abruptly, retreating behind Chang Yongqin, who was also deathly pale.

Seeing the look on the mother and daughter, he understood everything.

"Grandma, Grandpa, I'm hungry! I want to eat, I want to eat!"

"I want to eat green onion pancakes and brown sugar millet porridge! Grandma, make it for me, Grandma, make it for me!"

Li Hua and Li Chun swarmed the three members of the Song family like starving ghosts, sniffing at the table like dogs when they saw the meat.

"Get out! Get back to your own home! Chang Yongqin, Song Liping, I don't care if you sell clothes, jewelry, houses, or grain—go borrow, steal, or rob! If you can't scrape together that much money by tomorrow, then there's no point in living like this anymore. Hmph!"

Once Song Dagui left, Chang Yongqin hurried after him. He was the pillar of the family; if he truly hardened his heart and stopped providing for the household, how would they survive?

She turned back and grabbed Song Liping.

"Good child, listen to your mother. Quickly, go sell your clothes, fabrics, shoes, and whatever else you have. Whatever you can scrape together, get it done! Oh, and your colleagues—borrow whatever you can from them. Go, hurry!"

"Mother, but... but those were so hard for me to buy. I can't bear to part with them! Why don't you let Father go borrow the money? I don't want to sell my clothes and shoes! Wuu-wuu-wuu..."

"Your son has caused such a heaven-shattering disaster, and you're still worried about a few ragged clothes? Do you still want your son? Do you still want your parents? Listen to me—your father said it too, just give the money out first. When your brother comes back, the money will come back to our hands. As long as there's money, you can buy whatever trendy clothes you want then!"

Song Liping was aggrieved, but in the end, she agreed. Ignoring the two children whose eyes were sparkling with hunger, she grabbed them and headed home.