Chapter 17: The Worst Mother Makes Another Appearance
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Zhang Cuihua skillfully twisted the narrative. She turned her own “forceful demands” into accusations of “child abuse” against Zhou Susu. The neighbors who didn’t know the truth began to whisper and point fingers at Zhou Susu’s household.
“This is way too petty! What’s wrong with letting the kid have a taste?”
“Exactly, they all live in the same compound; is it really necessary to be so stingy?”
Seeing his mother gaining the upper hand, Wang Xiaohu joined in crying, even more pitifully than she did.
“She won’t let me drink... sob sob... she’s bullying me...”
Just as public opinion was about to turn completely against Zhou Susu, the front gate of her house opened once again. Zhou Susu appeared, carrying a large tea container, walking out slowly.
There was no anger or panic on her face; instead, a faint smile lingered. Ignoring the tantruming Zhang Cuihua and her son, she walked straight to the other children in the courtyard who had been drawn by the noise.
Those children had once joined Wang Xiaohu in causing trouble, but after Zhou Susu had “taught them a lesson” last time, they dared not provoke An An again.
“Little friends,” Zhou Susu’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, “Auntie sees you all playing until you’re sweating—surely you must be thirsty? Here, Auntie made some sweet syrup for you. Everyone take a sip to quench your thirst.”
She opened the lid of the tea container.
A sweet aroma with a peculiar fragrance wafted out. It was syrup made with spirit spring water diluted and lightly sweetened with sugar.
The children’s eyes lit up at the smell of sweetness.
They gathered around, happily sipping one by one.
“Thank you, Auntie!”
“Auntie, your syrup is so delicious!”
Throughout it all, Zhou Susu kept smiling warmly.
Only Wang Xiaohu, standing aside and crying even louder, drooling down his chin, was treated as if invisible air.
Watching the other children get to drink while he did not, jealousy and grievance welled up inside Wang Xiaohu, and his cries became heart-wrenching.
“I want to drink too! I want to drink too!”
Only then did Zhou Susu seem to notice him. She turned her head with an innocent shrug and addressed Zhang Cuihua, who was still throwing a tantrum on the ground.
“See, Sister Zhang, I’m not stingy, am I?”
Her gaze swept over the surrounding neighbors, and though her voice was low, everyone heard it clearly.
“The syrup in my house is for any child in the courtyard who wants to drink. Except for your son, that’s not allowed.”
“As for why, you know very well yourself.”
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“If you have time to make a scene here, why not go home and properly teach your son what politeness and respect mean?”
“Don’t let him grow up to be hated everywhere he goes because he has no manners.”
After saying this, she looked at Zhang Cuihua, who was so furious she nearly fainted, and delivered the final blow.
“Oh, right.”
“While you’re at it, teach him that just because he wants something doesn’t mean he’s entitled to it.”
“After all, you’re not the sun; no one is obligated to revolve around you.”
Zhou Susu’s words were flawless and merciless.
Not only did she rub Zhang Cuihua and her son’s faces in the dirt, she also established herself as someone who is clear about right and wrong—not stingy, just discerning.
Zhang Cuihua was left speechless, her face a mottled mix of reds and blues, as if she had opened a dye shop.
She caught the disdainful and amused looks from the neighbors and felt as if she had lost all dignity in her life right then.
Unable to stay any longer, she grabbed the still wailing Wang Xiaohu and tailing her tail, slunk back to her home in shame.
The compound fell silent again.
Zhou Susu watched the mother and son flee and the corner of her mouth curled into a cold smile.
You want to pick a fight with me?
You don’t even know what I did in my past life.
Dealing with bratty kids and bad parents is my specialty.
In high spirits, she led An An back inside, closed the door, and continued their warm, tender mother-and-child time, as if the earlier drama had been nothing more than a trivial interruption.
...
Zhoujia Village.
Wang Cuifen was grimacing as she rubbed red flower oil on her ankle.
She had sprained it when she was scared off by Lu Zhan last time. After days of rest, the swelling had finally gone down, but walking still caused stabbing pain.
“Ouch... it hurts so much...” she mumbled, cursing as she massaged, “That Zhou Susu is truly ungrateful! She'd forsake her own mother for a stranger! She’ll be cursed by heaven sooner or later!”
At that moment, a sly-looking young man sneaked in from outside.
“Mom, I’m back.”
The man was Zhou Susu’s younger brother, Zhou Baogen, a lazy and good-for-nothing idler.
“You even know how to come back!” Wang Cuifen got angry at the sight of him and grabbed a feather duster nearby, ready to hit him. “You little brat! Where have you been sneaking off to again? You don’t do any work at home and only know how to run around!”
“Hey, Mom, don’t hit, don’t hit!” Zhou Baogen nimbly dodged, “I was just out gathering some news for you!”
“What news?” Wang Cuifen paused, lowering her hand.
“My sister’s!” Zhou Baogen leaned in mysteriously, “Mom, guess what I heard when I went to the county town just now?”
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Without waiting for Wang Cuifen to ask, he went on.
“I heard that my brother-in-law Lu Zhan recently made a big fortune! Several thousand yuan!”
He made an exaggerated gesture.
“What?!” Wang Cuifen’s eyes instantly lit up, and the pain in her ankle vanished. “Several thousand yuan? Who told you that? Is it for real?”
“For sure! Absolutely for real!” Zhou Baogen spoke confidently. “Several people saw it. My sister went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things like there was no tomorrow, pulling out bills one after another!”
“She even bought twenty yards of fine fabric! I heard she even renovated Lu Zhan’s old house and laid... oh, wooden flooring!”
Wooden flooring!
Wang Cuifen gasped.
That was a luxury only official families in the city could afford.
So... Susu really has money now?
Thinking of those thick stacks of bills, Wang Cuifen’s heart itched and burned like it had been clawed by a cat.
That was her own daughter!
Her money was, after all, her own money!
No, this can’t just be let go!
“Baogen!” Wang Cuifen’s eyes gleamed sharply. “Help me up! Let’s go to the city and find your sister!”
“All right!” Zhou Baogen perked up at the mention of the city.
If his sister had money, then as the younger brother, he would surely benefit!
The next morning, just as Zhou Susu had finished breakfast with An An, the door was knocked on loudly and insistently.
The force was even greater than Zhang Cuihua’s pounding yesterday.
Zhou Susu frowned.
What now?
Did they lose the argument and feel resentful, so they brought reinforcements?
She settled An An and, with a look of impatience, went to open the door.
But standing there was not the expected Zhang Cuihua, but her own mother, Wang Cuifen, and beloved younger brother, Zhou Baogen.
Wang Cuifen leaned on a stick, still hesitant to put weight on one leg, but her demeanor was that of a triumphant general returning from battle.
“Zhou Susu! You really are something! Got rich and forgot your own mother, huh? Haven’t even come home once?” Her tone was accusatory from the first word.