Chapter 89 What's going on here?

The plates on the table were empty, with only some leftover soup and food remaining.

The room was dimly lit, and the family relaxed on the sofa chatting after dinner.

He spoke of his future plans with a tone full of anticipation.

The TV was on, the volume was turned down low, and soft background music was playing.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Thump, thump, thump—"

Zhou Haiqing didn't think much of it and stood up casually: "I'll drive."

He spoke as he walked toward the door.

But the person standing outside the door made him freeze in shock.

"Fourth brother."

Zhou Hairong called out in a low voice.

He stood at the doorway, his figure slightly hunched, though his clothes were still neat, with every button fastened at the top.

However, his mental state was completely different from before.

His face was ashen and dull, his eyes were sunken, and there were obvious dark circles under his eyes. His lips were dry, cracked, and peeling.

He used to be so arrogant at home.

He walks with his back ramrod straight and his nostrils pointing skyward.

He always held a book and stayed in his little room, not coming out. He even had Zhou Shufen bring his meals to his door.

He never paid any attention to his siblings, and he wouldn't even bother to look up when his father coughed.

Who has ever seen him address someone in such a humble and subservient manner?

What are you doing here?

Zhou Haiqing frowned, his voice cold and harsh as he blocked the doorway.

His eyes were wary, as if he feared that Zhou Hairong would act like he did before.

He nitpicks as soon as he enters the room, speaks with barbs, and always acts superior.

However, Zhou Hairong's gaze bypassed Zhou Haiqing's shoulder and landed directly on Zhou Shufen, who was sitting at the dining table inside the room.

His pupils contracted sharply, as if he had been struck by something.

The next second, he suddenly exerted his strength, shoving Zhou Haiqing aside with his shoulder and staggering into the house.

Before anyone could react, he had already knelt heavily in front of Zhou Shufen with a thud.

This happened so suddenly that everyone was stunned.

Zhou Haiqing's eyes widened in disbelief.

Zhou Shufen simply sat there, chopsticks still in her hand, her face expressionless.

"What are you putting on this for?"

She finally spoke.

"You come here and kneel down out of nowhere, do you think this is a stage? What are you trying to do? Act out a story of filial piety that is worth more than gold? I don't have time to play along with your act."

Zhou Hairong remained kneeling, his knees motionless, his head bowed.

His voice trembled slightly, tinged with suppressed sobs.

"Mom, I'm here today to admit my mistake... I really know I was wrong, terribly wrong, unforgivably wrong..."

His voice trembled as he spoke, and the tears welling in his eyes changed the atmosphere in the room once again.

However, to Zhou Shufen, it sounded absurd and laughable.

She slowly put down her chopsticks, tapped the edge of the table lightly with her fingertips, and let out a cold laugh.

Are you kidding me?

"No, it's not!"

Zhou Hairong suddenly raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed and tears streaming down his cheeks.

“During this time, I’ve been reflecting on my actions and haven’t been able to sleep at night. What I did before was really too much. I thought that just because I had a few years of schooling, I was smarter and more noble than anyone else. I looked down on my family, complained about their vulgarity, and found fault with everything… But now I realize that I was too arrogant and didn’t know my own limitations!”

His face no longer held that usual arrogance.

Instead, there was a near-collapse of regret.

“I suffered so much outside, being cheated, kicked out of my home, sleeping under bridges, and not even being able to get a hot meal... Those who once fawned over me turned their backs on me. Only then did I truly understand what family and home are!”

His voice choked with emotion, but he didn't stop.

"Mom, I sincerely admit my mistake. I'm not faking it, and I'm not lying to you!"

Zhou Shufen remained expressionless, simply staring at him indifferently.

"Are you really admitting your mistake?"

She finally spoke, her voice eerily calm.

"Did you only remember you had a mother to rely on after you ran out of money and had nowhere else to go?"

These words were like a knife, piercing straight into Zhou Hairong's heart.

He shuddered and shook his head frantically, his forehead almost touching the ground.

"No! Absolutely not! I... I'm all grown up thanks to you, who fed me and fed me every drop of water. You worked from dawn till dusk... Back then, I didn't understand, I just felt ashamed, I thought you were uneducated, and I thought you were nagging... But now, every time I think about it, it feels like my heart is being cut by a knife!"

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, falling in large drops to the ground.

He raised his head and looked directly at Zhou Shufen.

"Mom, when I came back this time, I didn't think about anything else. I just wanted to stay by your side and repay you properly. You can ask me to serve you tea and water, do your laundry and cook for you. I would even be willing to kneel down and serve you! Please... let me stay, let me fulfill my filial duty!"

He knelt there, his shoulders trembling slightly, his voice lowered.

Zhou Shufen listened quietly, her face remaining completely expressionless.

She looked at her son, who had once been so proud and arrogant, now kneeling before her and crying like a child.

But her heart was as cold and hard as stone.

She slowly stood up, picked up her coat draped over the back of the chair, gently shook off the dust, and then spoke softly.

"Alright, whatever your plans or what you're thinking, I don't need you to be filial to me now."

"No! As a son, it's my duty to be filial to you! Let me make up for it, I really want to change!"

Zhou Hairong was emotional, his voice trembled, and his hands were clenched tightly.

His eyes were red and swirling with tears.

His tone was full of regret.

“We separated a long time ago, and we can each live our own lives. I’ve never seen a family that’s separated still insist on staying together.”

Zhou Shufen frowned slightly, her tone cold, and refused without any mercy.

After she finished speaking, she waved her hand decisively.

Her words couldn't be clearer, leaving no room for negotiation.

After saying that, she stood up, walked steadily to the sofa, sat down slowly, and placed her hands folded on her lap.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Hairong seemed determined and suddenly stood up from the sofa.

His lips trembled slightly, his eyes were firm, and then he knelt down in front of her with a thud.

"Mom, if you don't agree, it means you haven't forgiven me yet. Then I'll kneel here today until you nod! I'm not afraid of being tired or ashamed, as long as you're willing to give me a chance."

Why is this person so stubborn?

After all that talking, it's like I can't understand human language.

Zhou Shufen had a headache and her temples were throbbing. She felt both angry and helpless.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her agitation.

But in the end, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

She simply turned her head away and turned to the side, pretending not to see what was happening in front of her.

But Zhou Hairong just knelt there, motionless, refusing to get up no matter what.

His back was straight, and his hands were placed on his knees.

Zhou Haiqing watched from the side, feeling increasingly awkward and uneasy.

He hesitated for a while before cautiously walking over and softly advising, "Mom, look at the situation, how about... we let him stay here tonight? It's getting late, and it's not safe for him to wander around outside."