Chapter 570: Chapter 561: The Stepmother Who Refused to Be a Stepping Stone 49 (Bonus for 450 Monthly Tickets)
Anning beat up Wang Baozhu and got up to leave.
No one tried to stop Anning, knowing that she was furious, and that they wouldnāt be able to hold her back.
Wang Baozhu picked herself up from the ground and shouted at Li Zhifang, "Are you handicapped? Donāt you know how to stop them when Iām getting beaten up? Are you even a man?"
Li Zhifang kept his head down, not daring to speak.
It was Li Baolai who felt embarrassed: "This is so shameful, so shameful. Iāve lived for most of my life and never lost face like this."
Zhang Fengfeng, on a tirade, scolded Wang Baozhu then threatened Li Zhifang, "Lao Si, Iāve told you already, I donāt permit this woman to enter our house. No matter how you two get by, I wonāt recognize her as my daughter-in-law."
After threatening Li Zhifang, Zhang Fengfeng turned to berate Wang Baozhu: "Wang Baozhu, you can cling to my family if you want, since my son doesnāt have a wife now. If he canāt live without a woman, then you can serve him, just like a free prostitute. We donāt lose anything. If you had any shame, you would leave immediately."
"Mom, what are you saying?"
Li Zhifang didnāt like hearing that; his affection for Wang Baozhu was genuine, and he didnāt want anyone to insult her.
"Whatās wrong with what Iām saying? With what sheās done, canāt I even speak up?"
Zhang Fengfeng was so angry she was breathing heavily: "Iām your mother; I gave birth to you and raised you, yet you donāt take my side. Now you defend her instead."
Anning hadnāt walked far when she noticed something off with Zhang Fengfengās breathing.
Anning used to be a Divine Doctor with top-notch medical skills. Realizing something was wrong, she quickly turned back to check on Zhang Fengfeng.
She jogged over and held Zhang Fengfeng, pressing one hand on her back: "Mom, donāt get agitated, calm down. Letās not stoop to their level. Take a deep breath, right, breathe deeply."
Wang Baozhu saw Anning cozying up to Zhang Fengfeng and got irrationally angry: "Calling her mom, you really think too highly of yourself. Pah, youāre divorced from Li Zhifang, youāre no longer a daughter-in-law of the Li family. What a scene youāre making here."
"Shut up."
With one cold, murderous glare from Anning, Wang Baozhu immediately felt weak in the knees.
It took a while before Anning managed to calm Zhang Fengfengās breathing.
She looked at Li Baolai: "Dad, Momās breathing sounded a bit off just now. When you find time, take her to the hospital for a check-up, okay?"
Li Baolai nodded: "Alright."
Zhang Fengfeng waved it off: "What hospital, Iām fine, Iām really healthy."
Anning smiled: "Mom, since I moved to the Provincial City you havenāt visited me. Yuzhen really misses you. When you have the time, come to the Provincial City and stay with me for a few days, okay? You donāt know, Iāve been busy with the embroidery and canāt look after Yuzhen all the time. Itās okay when sheās at school, but picking her up for piano lessons on Sundays is hard to manage. Can you help me out for a few days? If you go on Saturday, take Jing Han with you and let Jingming drive you there. It wonāt take long."
If it was just to have fun, Zhang Fengfeng would definitely refuse.
But since Anning was asking for her help looking after the children for a couple of days, Zhang Fengfeng would surely agree.
"Alright then, this Saturday Iāll bring Jing Han over. Since you guys bought the house, I really havenāt visited. Iāll go have a look and enjoy myself for a couple of days."
After thinking it over, Zhang Fengfeng agreed with a smile.
Anning chatted a few more words with Zhang Fengfeng before leaving.
Anning was satisfied, but Li Zhifang was not too happy about it.
He complained to Zhang Fengfeng, "Mom, what are you doing? Anning and I are divorced, why are you going over there?"
"What do you mean?"
Zhang Fengfeng put a hand on her hip, "Do I need your approval to go somewhere? Anning may have divorced you, but does that mean I have to sever ties with her forever? Iāve never had a daughter of my own, and Anning is just like my own daughter, isnāt she? Over these years, itās she who has taken care of your father and me. Have you taken care of us for even a day? Have you cooked for us, made clothes for us, or visited us in the hospital?"
Li Zhifang was truly at a loss for words.
Indeed, when it came to filial piety, Anning had done much more than him, her own son.
Zhang Fengfeng glanced at Li Zhifang, then said to the villagers who were still around enjoying the drama, "Anning has made everything clear. She hasnāt done anything shameful. But some people are truly shameless. Youāve all seen it and heard it with your own ears. Donāt go around spreading nonsense. If I hear anyone gossiping about Anning, donāt blame me for getting tough with them."
Those who had spread rumors quickly smiled apologetically, "How could we possibly do that? We definitely wonāt say anything. In fact, if anyone else tries to slander Anning, we should band together and give that ill-intentioned person a beating."
Everyone knew who "that ill-intentioned person" referred to.
Wang Baozhuās face turned even uglier.
After leaving Li Jiazhuang, Anning went to the town and made a call to Liu Ru.
"Third Sister-in-law, do you have some time?"
Liu Ru was currently in the City, and Li Zhicheng was about to be transferred to the Provincial City. She was busy with the work transfer, but she still put everything aside after receiving Anningās call, "Yes, I do. Whatās up?"
Anning expressed her concern for Zhang Fengfengās health, "I often hear Mom having trouble breathing. I tried convincing Dad to take her for a check-up, but she refuses. So, I coaxed her into coming over on Sunday to help me look after the children for a day. Sheās agreed to bring Jing Han to the Provincial City, and I was hoping you and Third Brother could make some time to come over too. No matter what, we must take Mom to the hospital for a check-up. Itās good if thereās nothing wrong, and if there is, itās always better to be prepared."
Liu Ru agreed readily, "Okay, Iāll let Zhicheng know."
After hanging up, Anning went to the county to see the children and then headed back to the Provincial City.
She arrived back home just as Xiao Yuan had finished bringing Liu Yuzhen back from piano lessons.
Seeing Anning, Liu Yuzhen was extremely happy, nonstop chattering while holding Anningās hand.
Anning said a few words to Liu Yuzhen and smiled at Xiao Yuan, "You havenāt eaten yet, right? Iāll make dinner now. You should stay and have dinner with us."
Xiao Yuan was eager to accept the offer, of course.
Anning headed to the kitchen to cook, and Liu Yuzhen chatted with Xiao Yuan.
After spending a couple of days together, Liu Yuzhen had grown quite fond of Xiao Yuan, appearing closer to him than before.
Anning was quick to prepare the meal, and soon, everything was served on the table.
After dinner, Anning got Liu Yuzhen ready for bed, then went out for a stroll with Xiao Yuan.
The two walked the streets, with the night breeze gently blowing, the warm wind carrying a heady scent that made Anning relax completely.
Xiao Yuan took her hand as they walked and asked, "If youāre still angry, I can find someone to beat up Li Zhicheng and Wang Baozhu."
Anning laughed, "No need. Iāve already taken my revenge. Besides, beating them up is letting them off too easy. Iāll do it gradually, with my own hands, Iāll corner them into a dead end."