Chapter 1021 I'm Just Free
Zheng Yiqian felt wronged. Listening to her mother's endless accusations, she couldn't help but retort.
"It's true. Many big bosses want to buy it. Before, one copy could sell for 100,000 yuan. If it weren't for the recent events, and the fact that I'm a fan of Xiaoyezi, then..."
Despite the disapproving looks from the others, Zheng Yiqian's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.
When Zheng's mother heard her daughter talk back, she became even angrier: "What do you mean 100,000 yuan? A broken talisman sells for 100,000 yuan. Do those big bosses get their money from thin air? I told you long ago to stop following those frivolous young people and chasing after celebrities. But you wouldn't listen. You keep chasing after celebrities, spending huge sums of money on a bunch of useless things, and you're holding your phone and laughing like an idiot."
"You're just bored. With so much money, you might as well give it to me and your dad. You might not even treat your own parents this well, but you're always concerned about those insignificant celebrities. I don't know what you're thinking!"
Zheng Yiqian almost burst into tears after being scolded by her mother. She never expected that her mother would think of her this way.
She has been working for two years since graduation, and has only ever brought money home, never asking her family for a single penny.
Although she's a fan of celebrities, Ye Wanxi doesn't hold concerts or birthday parties, has almost no offline activities, and doesn't have many endorsements, mostly for high-end luxury brands that she can't afford.
Occasionally, Zheng Yiqian would spend money only when she saw her girlfriends in the group mentioning it, buying one or two inexpensive items that were the same style as those worn by celebrities. She always felt that she was spending her own money, and that it was just a small hobby of hers, nothing serious.
Unexpectedly, in the eyes of her family, she was so heinous that her mind went blank and her body went cold for a moment after hearing what Zheng's mother said.
Seeing his daughter's expression, Mr. Zheng knew that his wife had spoken rashly in anger and had gone too far with her words. He quickly tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, stop talking. It's just a few hundred yuan. You usually donate more than that when you go to temples and monasteries to pray. The child is just being filial and thinking of us. How hurt she is by what you said?"
After being persuaded by her husband, Zheng's mother's expression froze. When she looked up and saw her daughter's expression, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
But she couldn't bring herself to admit it, and stubbornly muttered, "How can that be the same? I went to a legitimate temple, while she's clearly just faking it. Besides, you know our family's situation right now; a thousand yuan should last us for several days."
Actually, Zheng's mother wasn't really against Zheng Yiqian chasing after celebrities; it's just that the mutated plants and animals have been causing a lot of trouble lately, making people panic.
With many people staying home and not going out, the prices of food items such as vegetables, fruits, rice, and flour have soared, and some businesses have also been impacted, leading to wage cuts and layoffs.
With rising living costs and declining take-home pay, life is getting harder and harder.
It would have been fine before, since although their family had a large number of members, many of them were also making money.
Just a few days ago, her son's company suddenly issued a notice of salary reduction. Unfortunately, Mr. Zheng injured his hand while working at the factory. He not only spent a lot of money in the hospital, but also could not continue to work because of his hand injury, and was likely to face the risk of being laid off.
With two pillars of the family suddenly gone, Zheng's mother was anxious and upset. Coupled with Zheng Yiqian's situation, she couldn't help but have some complaints.
Knowing his wife's pressure, Mr. Zheng felt a pang of guilt, but still smiled and comforted her, "Xiaoqian meant well. Just consider it money we're spending to put our minds at ease. As long as the family is safe and sound, there will be plenty of opportunities to earn money in the future."
Since the head of the household had said so, no one could say anything more.
After all that commotion, Zheng Yiqian's initial joy at receiving the package had completely vanished. Although she eventually distributed the amulet to her family, she no longer had the same expectations for its effects.
"Auntie, Auntie..."
Zheng Yiqian was sitting on the sofa, lost in thought, when she suddenly felt her sleeve being tugged. Turning her head, she saw two little kids standing beside the sofa, looking at her.
These two children are her older brother and sister-in-law's children, a boy and a girl, who are five years old this year. They are very cute and have delicate features.
"What's wrong?"
"Does Auntie still have this little card? It looks so pretty, I want to take it to give to Mianmian and Yangyang."
The two children, Mianmian and Yangyang, are their good friends at kindergarten. Due to the emergence of mutated plants and animals, many schools and parents are worried about the safety of their children and have already suspended classes and switched to online classes.
The two children are only in kindergarten. After the school closure, they don't need to take online classes, but they will video chat with several good friends.
To ensure the talismans are not damaged during transport, each talisman is wrapped in a thin shell with simple patterns printed on it, making it look like a small card.
The two children didn't understand what it was, but they thought the little card was pretty, so they wanted to ask their aunt for a few more to give to their friends.
Zheng Yiqian was taken aback when she heard them say that. After realizing what they meant, she chuckled and said, "These aren't little cards, they're amulets. Like the longevity locks that your grandparents gave you before, they're for your safety. Your aunt doesn't have any more. Why don't you talk to your parents or grandparents and ask them to give you theirs to your friends?"
Zheng Yiqian tentatively offered a reasonably plausible suggestion: since her family didn't believe the thing was useful anyway, giving it away as a gift wouldn't hurt.
Upon hearing her words, the two children indeed turned around and ran to ask their parents for the "cards".
Zheng Yiqian received questioning glances from her brother and sister-in-law, took a deep breath, and got up to go back to her room when she suddenly heard a loud crash outside.
"Wha...what's going on?"
Everyone inside was startled and ran out of the kitchen and their respective rooms.
Mr. Zheng walked quickly to the door and looked outside through the peephole.
At first, they didn't see anything and were just about to relax when suddenly a dark shadow slammed into their security door.
Mr. Zheng was startled and couldn't help but gasp.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
Mr. Zheng quickly made a shushing gesture: "Mutant plant."
"What?" The adults' expressions changed simultaneously.
"How could there be mutated plants here? Weren't all the trees and flowers planted in the community pulled up?"
"Who knows where it came from? Keep quiet, don't let it know there are people in our house."
Mr. Zheng then said to his daughter-in-law, "Take the child back inside and hide."
Sister-in-law Zheng knew that her father-in-law was worried that the child would be frightened and cry if left outside, which would attract the attention of the mutated plant. She nodded and hurriedly took the child back to her room.
(End of this chapter)
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