Chapter 3 The Gloomy Little Darling of the 1970s

Wang Layue looked at Zhou Huai, who was kneeling on the ground and was half a head shorter, with a mocking smile.

“Sure, kowtow to me ten times, and I’ll go back to my parents’ home to borrow money.”

However, she didn't guarantee she could borrow it. A calculating glint flashed in Wang Layue's eyes. This little brat was tough; he had survived. He was so good at studying; she definitely wouldn't dare to go on to higher education.

Kneeling ten times is enough to break a young man's back.

However, none of the parents—his own father, grandfather, and grandmother—stood up to say anything was inappropriate.

"Son, our family doesn't have that kind of means. Your mother ran away with someone and abandoned you, taking all the family's money with her."

If you have someone to blame, blame your mother for being heartless.

Old Man Zhou, puffing on his pipe, said that he was indeed Zhou Huai's grandfather, but he had more than one grandson.

"If I kowtow, will you agree to support my education?"

Something was etched in Zhou Huai's dark eyes as he slowly asked the question. High school was different from junior high; the tuition, accommodation, and food expenses were all much higher. He had supported himself through junior high, but it wasn't enough to go to high school.

"Of course, as long as you kowtow loudly enough."

The stepmother's eyes gleamed slyly, radiating a triumphant air.

"good."

Zhou Huai promised that as long as he could go to school, he would do everything in his power to get out of there, and what did kowtowing matter?

Just as he was about to lower his head, a child's shout interrupted his movement.

"Brother Zhou Huai!"

You have guests! Your mom's here!

"Brother Zhou Huai, your mom's back!"

Several children, holding candy in their hands, ran towards the Zhou family's house, shouting as they went, their faces beaming with joy, as if it were New Year's Day.

"Huh? Who's here?"

The stepmother, refusing to believe it, pressed on with the question.

Zhou Huai's fingertips twitched slightly. Who? He heard it clearly; the children were saying, "His...his mother?"

Does he still have a mother?

"What nonsense are you talking about? Where did you learn all this talk? Go home and don't come to watch the show."

Zhou Dayou scolded irritably, "What are these kids saying!"

"I'm not making this up, you can see for yourselves!"

The little boy pointed to the gate, where Zhou Zheng was pushing his bicycle, following behind Shen Ci in a protective manner.

In the autumn wind, the boy's trouser legs swayed, and he was as thin as a bamboo pole.

Shen Ci looked around, his face serious. This was the future villain, and now he was in such a miserable state.

Smash it!

Shen Ci gave the order without hesitation. Zhou Zheng hesitated for a moment. This was his cousin's house. Zhou Huai's grandparents were his uncle and aunt. They were all relatives. How could he do something like that?

"yes!"

After hesitating for a moment, but only for a moment, Zhou Zheng picked up a stone from the ground and smashed it towards the largest water vat in the yard.

"Splash—"

What's wrong with my cousin? He's a bodyguard now, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders! He can only obey his boss's orders now!

The water tank broke, and the water inside gushed out, flooding the entire yard, and then everything in sight.

"Stop! Who are you? What do you want?!"

The Zhou family members were eager to stop Zhou Zheng, but Zhou Huai remained motionless, his gaze fixed on Shen Ci.

In the chaotic yard, a mother and son looked at each other.

Shen Ci stepped forward and helped him stand up.

"Son, I'm your mother."

With tears in her eyes, Shen Ci tightly grasped Zhou Huai's hand and started smashing the Zhou family's belongings.

"Stop hitting him! Stop hitting him! Someone's going to die!"

As they smashed, Shen Ci started hitting people with the stool in her hand. She held Zhou Huai with one hand and grabbed the weapon with the other, cooperating very well with Zhou Zheng.

"stop!

Zhou Zheng, I'm your uncle! How dare you lay a hand on me!

Oh my goodness!

Zhou Zheng didn't hear it.

The Zhou family's belongings were almost completely destroyed, and a large crowd of villagers had gathered at the door to watch the spectacle.

"Who is this? The woman Zhou Zheng brought back, could she be his lover?"

"Don't talk nonsense. Zhou Zheng has a wife. This girl is so young... Could she be his daughter with someone else?"

"Shh, stop talking, Zhou Zheng's wife is here!"

A woman carrying a bamboo pole charged over aggressively.

"Aaaaaaah! Zhou Zheng, I'll fight you to the death! You dare to have a child with another woman!!!"

Shen Ci quickly pulled Zhou Huai aside to hide. Even after so long, Zhou Huai did not break free from her hand. However, she could feel that Zhou Huai's body was trembling slightly and his eyes were turning red.

"Wife? What brings you here!"

Zhou Zheng was brought back to his senses and quickly stopped what he was doing, looking at his wife with surprise and delight.

"Who is this? Tell me, who is this!"

You heartless bastard! How dare you get involved with another woman?!

She glanced at Shen Ci and cried even harder.

"You don't even know if you're good enough for her. You're as black as a pile of cow dung, while she's as white as soybean paste. You're shameless!"

Distracted like that, Zhou Zheng quickly covered her mouth, "Don't talk nonsense, this is my boss!"

He leaned close to his wife's ear and said, "Five yuan a day for being a bodyguard!"

More and more people gathered, almost half the village had come over, staring at them without any politeness. Only then did Shen Ci walk to the middle of the courtyard.

Today, she wants to clear Zhou Huai's name.

"I am Zhou Huai's biological mother, and I'm back."

My Zhou Huai is not some child without a mother. If I ever hear anyone say that again, I'll tear your mouth apart and smear cow dung inside!

"If I find out who bullied my child, hmph!"

She was tall, wearing heeled leather shoes, and with a flick of her trench coat, she looked extremely imposing. Her glamorous appearance made people afraid to even look at her.

The murmurs subsided. Shen Ci's aura was too imposing. His demeanor and attire clearly indicated that of a nouveau riche! He had made a name for himself outside!

After so many years away, someone suddenly returns, and in triumph no less. Who would dare to provoke such bad luck?

"In addition, I heard that someone has been spreading rumors that I ran away with someone?"

Are you saying I abandoned my child?

I'm saying this for the last time today: I'm not running away. It was Zhou Dayou who beat me up. I went back to the city for treatment, and for all these years, it's been the Zhou family who's prevented me from seeing my child!

She spoke very seriously, but only the parties involved know the truth. Who knows if it's half true and half false? Zhou Dayou is indeed a domestic abuser, otherwise Zhou Huai's biological mother wouldn't have run away.

If she were to stay and endure the beatings for the sake of her child, all that awaited her would be the fate of being beaten to death.

"Oh my! It's Zhou Huai's mother!"

It's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple; people from the same family don't recognize each other, even though they're all family!

Don't worry, if anyone dares to say those things, I'll be the first to punish them!

Zhou Zheng's wife slapped her hand hard, her eyes shining! This wasn't some bad woman; she was their family's lucky charm!

The rumors about Zhou Huai's mother have been circulating in the village for years. Everyone thought that Shen Ci couldn't stand the loneliness, was materialistic and had run off with a street hustler after giving birth to her child.

Unexpectedly, after so many years, the person in question actually appeared in the village again and spoke out personally!