Chapter 241 Power

Instead, they would be severely reprimanded.

In that instant, reason prevailed over impulse; his fist clenched and unclenched, leaving only the white marks on his fingertips.

He snorted, turned around and said, "Alright, use the rest to make sweet egg soup. So that no one will covet it."

This statement was delivered in a sarcastic tone; it appeared to be an order, but was actually an expression of venting.

He spoke lightly, but inside he was seething with anger.

He knew that the basket of eggs was specially reserved for him by his mother, but his aunt had secretly used them and was eating them without a care in the world.

He didn't dare to get angry at Zhou Xiuli, so he could only blame Shen Cuifen, his tone so cold it could freeze the air.

But he had to put on a brave face and maintain his brother's dignity, even though that dignity was already riddled with holes.

Shen Cuifen didn't reply, but silently served him a large bowl of sweet egg soup.

Zhou Anguo swallowed the food in a few gulps, turned around, crawled back into bed, and went back to sleep.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she bent down to ladle the soup, but she forced herself to remain calm.

The egg yolks in the bowl were golden yellow, the sugar water was clear, and the aroma was enticing, but she knew that no matter how delicious the meal was, it could not fill the resentment in Zhou Anguo's heart.

She gently placed the bowl on the table without saying a word or even glancing up at him.

Zhou Anguo wolfed down his food, swallowing it almost without chewing, and didn't care that the soup splashed on the table.

After finishing his meal, he didn't even bother to clean up the dishes. He turned over, crawled into the bedroom, pulled the covers over his head, and went to sleep, as if he could escape all the conflicts by sleeping.

Shen Cuifen went back into the house, locked the door, sat down next to Zhao Lin, and whispered, "Mom, you guessed wrong, Anguo... isn't angry."

As she sat down, she leaned forward slightly, her tone filled with confusion and a hint of unease.

She had expected Zhou Anguo to be furious and immediately confront Zhou Xiuli, but he didn't.

That restraint and forbearance only made her uneasy.

She wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing, so she could only report the situation truthfully.

The door was locked very quietly, but with extreme caution, as if afraid of being overheard.

Zhao Lin sneered: "Of course he wouldn't dare to be angry. He's afraid that if your father comes back and Zhou Xiuli complains, he'll be in big trouble."

When she sneered, the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, but her eyes were as sharp as ice blades.

She knew Zhou Anguo's character inside and out—he was all bark and no bite, bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

He could be domineering at home, but he would immediately back down when facing his father and his most favored aunt.

She knew that he wasn't unangry, but rather afraid to show it.

This pent-up anger will eventually escalate into a more intense outburst.

And she was waiting for that moment.

She paused, her voice growing colder: "This brat dares to treat us, mother and daughter, like pushovers."

As she said this, her fingers unconsciously dug into her palms, her knuckles turning white.

Over the years, she has suffered countless grievances, and Shen Cuifen has been completely manipulated and powerless to fight back.

Zhou Anguo, relying on being the son and the eldest son, always tried to be superior to others.

She had considered rebelling, but she had been patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Now, the time is drawing ever closer.

Shen Cuifen bit her lip, her eyes blazing with anger, but she couldn't utter a single word.

She lowered her head, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her lips were bitten until they turned white.

Feeling wronged, angry, and resentful, a mix of emotions surged within her, but she ultimately didn't dare to speak.

She knew that some things couldn't be said, and some things couldn't be started.

She could only swallow all her emotions, letting them accumulate in silence.

But the flame in his eyes grew brighter and brighter, like wild grass burning quietly in the darkness, waiting for the east wind to blow it away and spread for thousands of miles.

Zhao Lin gently patted her hand: "Don't rush, follow my plan step by step."

Her palms were broad and warm; that gentle pat seemed to soothe and also to convey strength.

Her tone was calm and steady, with an undeniable certainty.

She had already laid out her strategy, calculating every move precisely.

She is not afraid of delays or waiting.

She knew that as long as she persevered patiently, one day, those feet that had once trampled on them would be overturned one by one.

Around noon, Shen Cuifen went to the kitchen to cook, without calling Zhou Xiuli to join her.

Sunlight streamed into the kitchen, and the iron pot on the stove was already hot, with oil sizzling and crackling.

Her chopping movements were crisp and efficient, the blade striking the cutting board with a clear, rhythmic sound.

In the past, she would always take the initiative to ask Zhou Xiuli to cook together, and even if the other party was lazy and declined, she would smile and ask again.

But today, she didn't even glance in that direction.

This was not an oversight, but a deliberate act.

She wanted to make the other person realize that some conveniences are not something to be taken for granted.

She pushed open the door to eat, and when she looked at the table, there were no bowls or chopsticks for her at all.

Zhou Xiuli stood in front of the dining table, wearing slippers and with her hair uncombed, looking impatient.

Three sets of bowls and chopsticks were laid out on the table, and the aroma of food filled the air, but her portion was conspicuously missing.

She paused for a moment, then her face darkened.

She didn't expect that no one would wait for her at this meal, and they wouldn't even save her a seat.

She stood there, feeling like an outsider excluded, when a nameless anger suddenly surged within her.

"Oh, Zhou Anguo's home today? You usually don't come home for lunch."

She spoke in a sarcastic tone, her voice high-pitched and deliberately drawn out.

The phrase "Zhou Anguo is at home" was emphasized, as if implying that no one cares about me because he is there.

She didn't mention that she hadn't come to help with the cooking, nor did she reflect on why no one had called her. Instead, she pointed the finger directly at Zhou Anguo, as if it were all the result of his secret sabotage.

Her words were barbed, one barb after another, filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, as if the whole world owed her a meal.

Zhou Anguo's temper flared up instantly, his voice rising sharply, his face flushed red: "Go ask Shen Cuifen, who exactly didn't prepare chopsticks for? My mother, my brother, and my sister are all eating here, why am I the only one missing? Does she even care about this family?"

Even knowing that Zhao Lin was backing her up, Zhou Xiuli wasn't afraid at all. She raised the corner of her mouth and stared straight at Shen Cuifen with eyes as sharp as knives, saying word by word, "Shen Cuifen, are you deliberately making things difficult for your aunt? Or do you think I'm not worthy to sit at the table with you for dinner? Are you trying to slap me in the face, or are you trying to establish your authority in front of the whole family?"

"I'm here. Your older brother sent me."

Shen Cuifen finally spoke, her tone calm but tinged with coldness, "If you have any objections, go talk to him. I'm only responsible for setting the table according to the number of people, not a single extra bite. Now, quickly bring me my bowl and chopsticks! Don't make a fool of yourself here."

She plopped down with a swagger, her movements decisive and efficient. Without any hesitation, she took the seat next to the head of the table, her back ramrod straight, a hint of smugness on her face, as if she were saying, "What can you do to me?" It was as if she was eating this meal not to fill her stomach, but to establish her authority.

Zhao Lin glanced at Shen Cuifen and saw that her face was pale and her hands were trembling slightly. He sighed softly, turned his head, and said to Shen Cuifen in a gentle but firm tone, "Help your mother up. I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks. Don't let her lift a finger. Her leg isn't healed yet, and she can't take any more strain."