28: Chapter 28 We Are Not Mud Figures
28 -28 We Are Not Mud Figures
Old Lady Zhouâs biggest regret in her lifetime was following orders of that dead old coot of hers, raising Madam Zhou, and finally allowing them to have their way, having Wufu out of wedlock.
âA marriage certificate, huh,â nothing but a trick for deceiving others and oneself.
If there was no banquet and no witnesses to see the marriage ceremony, it wasnât considered a real marriage, let alone such a huge scandal as âpure seed, bluefield.â
Moreover, it had been fourteen years, and that man hadnât shown even a ghost of himself.
What marriage certificate?
It had been forgotten in the passage of time, and their insistence on having a marriage certificate was nothing but a desperate attempt to save face and avoid idle gossip, including herself.
But the existence of Wufu and her mother, coupled with that manâs absence, was seen as nothing but a joke in the eyes of outsiders.
How could they, including the mother and daughter, including the Old Zhou family, avoid being pointed at and discussed over the years?
In the past, she had borne it; while the old man was still alive, people would somewhat take heed, after all, he was a scholar and a teacher.
But now, with the old man gone, and her Xueli about to be married off, she could not let them ruin her beloved sonâs matrimonial prospects.
At this moment, hearing Wufuâs question, Old Lady Zhouâs disgust intensified.
This bad child, undisciplined and uneducated, showed not a trace of a young ladyâs compliance, but was willful, domineering, and savage.
âIs this how you teach your child?â Old Lady Zhou disdained to speak with Wufu and instead vented all her anger on Madam Zhou.
âMother, Wufu sheâŠâ Madam Zhou tried to pull her daughter behind her, but no matter how she tugged, Wufu wouldnât budge.
âMother, be reasonable.â Wufu patted her hand and then looked at Old Lady Zhou, saying, âYou shouldnât take your anger out on my mother either; I fear sheâs also confused right now.â
Before either of them could question her, Wufu continued, âWe all bear the surname Zhou, clearly we are relatives, but your behavior makes it seem like youâre a Lai.
Thatâs why I asked who you are!â
This statement stunned them both as they came to understand.
Madam Zhouâs eyes reddened and she began to wipe away her tears.
Wufuâs words implied that Old Lady Zhou was siding with outsiders rather than her own family.
Did they hate them so much?
Heaven knows, they were family!
Old Lady Zhouâs face turned beet red as she pointed at Wufu, âYouâŠâ
âWe actually passed by the Lai familyâs doorstep today, but isnât that supposed to be a public road?
Is it named after the Lai family?
And so what if I broke their basin?
Do you know why?
Did you bother to ask?â Wufuâs voice was calm, âItâs because the Lai family couldnât keep their mouths shut, looking for trouble where there was none.
Just like that, they can provoke us first, but we canât defend ourselves?
What kind of logic is that?â
âBesides, I broke the Lai familyâs basin, so if anyone should come demanding reparations, it should be the Lai family.
But your attitudeâŠ
When did I not know that you became a member of the Lai family?
Taking the Lai familyâs side?â It was ridiculous.
She was her own grandmother, and yet she was helping outsiders to accuse them, what kind of sham of a family member was that?
More like an enemy!
âYou, you insolent girl!â Old Lady Zhou was furiously upset.
Madam Zhou stopped crying and hurried to intervene, âWufu, hold your tongue!â She was, after all, her own mother.
âMother, we are not clay figurines to be trampled upon by anyone,â Wufu glanced at her, then at Old Lady Zhou, her gaze sharp as a blade, âNo one is allowed to do that!â
Old Lady Zhouâs pupils shrank, and she instinctively took a couple of steps back.
This damned girl, that look in her eyes, sheâŠ
Old Lady Zhou swallowed hard, her heart starting to flutter erratically, a wave of panic washing over her.