Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Eccentric Mother Comes Borrowing Money

The little girl in a pale yellow dress blinked her big eyes and pointed with delicate fingers at Da Zhuang behind Chen Ruyun, speaking in a sweet, childish voice, “It was Brother Da Zhuang who hit Brother Xiao Xing first.”

“Children don’t lie. Chen Ruyun, what do you propose we do about this?”

Someone chimed in, “Since Da Zhuang caused the trouble, how can you, as his mother, still have the nerve to hit Xiao Xing and Sister Liu?”

“Yunfei’s wife, didn’t you just hit poor Xiao Xing last time and promise not to do it again?”

The crowd volleyed words back and forth, making Chen Ruyun’s face flush with embarrassment.

“Sorry everyone, my wife was worried about our son and acted impulsively and recklessly. I’ll make sure to talk to her about it,” Li Yunfei apologized with a forced smile.

“Sister Wan Yue, since it’s for my sake, why not let it go this time?”

Li Yunfei was someone Su Wanyue knew well—he often helped her father in the production team and was a genuinely good man.

So, for his sake, Su Wanyue reluctantly stepped down from the matter. After all, she never truly intended to harm Chen Ruyun; she just wanted her stepmother to hold her head high in front of everyone from now on.

“It’s not about me forgiving her; it’s about respecting my mother. If my mother wants her to apologize, then she must apologize; if she wants to hit her, then she must endure it!”

Su Wanyue wanted everyone to know that her simple-minded little brother was not to be trifled with, and her stepmother, Liu Zilan, was not someone to be bullied.

“Ruyun…”

Li Yunfei approached his wife and tugged at her sleeve.

Chen Ruyun was clever but domineering and quick-tempered.

After hesitating a moment, she stepped forward to Liu Zilan, knowing well that Liu Zilan wouldn’t hit her.

“Aunt Liu, I’m sorry. I was worried for my child and misunderstood Xiao Xing. Not only did I hit him, but I also accidentally hurt you. If you have any grievances, feel free to hit me back—I promise I won’t resist.”

This was the first time Liu Zilan had heard someone apologize to her in front of so many people.

Besides feeling grateful to Su Wanyue, she breathed a long sigh of relief.

“I’m the elder, I can’t stoop to the level of a junior. Just don’t hit my child again—I really feel sorry for him.”

Chen Ruyun smiled faintly and said perfunctorily, “I won’t, really won’t.”

Back home, an unexpected visitor arrived.

It was Su Wanyue’s biological mother, Liu Xiangling.

Though in her forties, she was well-preserved and looked like a young woman in her twenties.

“Wan Yue.”

“Your mother came specially to see you,” Su Junye explained, then led his wife and child into the house.

Su Wanyue gave her no warm welcome. She sat down on the nearby stool with a cold gaze, harboring deep resentment toward this mother.

“Wan Yue, your mother heard you divorced Dr. Lu.”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of annoyance and impatience crossed Su Wanyue’s face. She furrowed her brows slightly, her eyes cold and distant. Irritated, she retorted, “What does that have to do with you?”

Liu Xiangling’s face showed embarrassment. Awkwardly, she brushed her hair away from her forehead, her eyes revealing a hint of panic and urgency as she tried to explain, “I’m your real mother, how could I not care about you?”

“Enough!” Su Wanyue snorted coldly, her gaze growing even colder. She looked at Liu Xiangling as if she were a complete stranger. “Ever since you abandoned Dad and me, we’ve had nothing to do with each other.”

Her voice was icy and resolute, each word squeezed out with deep-seated resentment and dissatisfaction. “I have nothing to talk to you about. Leave now!”

She waved her hand impatiently, as if shooing away an annoying fly.

Liu Xiangling’s face showed helplessness mixed with an ingratiating smile. She sighed lightly, her eyes sincere yet desperate, with a hint of sycophantic warmth as she said, “Wan Yue, you can tell me anything. I’ll help you sort it out. Dr. Lu is such a good catch—how could you divorce so easily?”

“I’ve already finalized the divorce. There’s nothing for you to worry about,” Su Wanyue’s eyes flashed with anger. Raising her voice, she shouted, “If you don’t leave now, I’ll have Dad chase you away with a shovel!”

Her hands clenched involuntarily, her body trembling slightly, the fury within her ready to explode.

Faced with her daughter’s angry gaze, Liu Xiangling suddenly felt a surge of guilt. She seemed drained of all strength, slowly lowering her head, her eyes filled with self-reproach and regret.

“Wan Yue, I only came to advise you because I care…”

Before she could finish, Su Wanyue impatiently interrupted.

“For my sake?” The fire burned in Su Wanyue’s eyes as she glared at Liu Xiangling and shouted, “The only ones who truly care about me are Dad and my stepmother. You’ve neglected me for years—don’t come pretending to care anymore!”

Liu Xiangling bit her lip tightly, her lips trembling slightly, tears shimmering in her eyes as she whispered, “Mom has difficulties too…”

“Mom! I’m hungry! When’s dinner ready?” Su Wanyue didn’t want to argue any longer. She stood up decisively and walked toward the kitchen.

Su Wanyue was no longer the reckless girl she once was.

Now, she called Liu Zilan “Mom” with sincerity and wholeheartedly protected her simple-minded little brother Xiao Xing, filled with a strong sense of responsibility for her family.

“Almost ready,” Liu Zilan replied from the kitchen.

Watching her daughter’s retreating back, Liu Xiangling’s expression was complex—guilt, helplessness, and a trace of sadness. She stood frozen, unable to move for a long time.

“We don’t welcome you here. Leave now!” Su Wanyue stuck her head out of the kitchen, shooting Liu Xiangling a disdainful glare, her eyes full of disgust and impatience.

Liu Xiangling opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

She slowly picked up the cloth bag by her side and silently left.

Her figure seemed lonely and helpless, her steps heavy.

In truth, she had no choice but to come because she urgently needed money to resolve her current crisis.

Since she couldn’t borrow from her ex-husband or daughter, she had to shamelessly try her luck with her former son-in-law.

In Liu Xiangling’s heart, Lu Zeta was a responsible and good man.

Even though they were divorced, they hadn’t yet finalized it legally or divided their assets. She thought borrowing some money as a temporary measure wouldn’t be a big problem.

After the eccentric mother left, Su Wanyue took the hot water Liu Zilan handed her. A faint blush appeared on her face, looking a little shy.

“Um, Liu…” Su Wanyue started to speak but felt it was inappropriate to call her Aunt Liu now—she feared it would disappoint Liu Zilan.

So she lifted her head slightly, her eyes steady and sincere, and boldly called her “Mom.” “Thank you, Mom.”

That night, Su Wanyue lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, her mind filled with thoughts of how to make money.

She knew selling wild chestnuts alone wouldn’t last long, and the village’s potatoes were running low, so they couldn’t make fried potato sticks many more times.

She pondered desperately for a money-making idea that would be low-cost, profitable, fresh, and loved by everyone.