After finding out what had happened, Ke Wenpei slumped to the ground. He finally understood why everyone had told him to take it easy and keep a low profile back then.
He initially thought they were envious of his good fortune and jealous of his abilities.
But to my surprise, they meant well from beginning to end.
As a result, his business grew so large that it attracted envy.
Otherwise, how come only his house was burglarized, while other people's houses, whose security doors are not as good as his, were safe and sound?
He collapsed to the ground, tears of regret streaming down his face. It was all his fault, all his fault. If he hadn't been so greedy and hadn't known when to stop, things wouldn't have turned out this way.
Moreover, at that time, he was blinded by greed, thinking he was incredibly capable. He would sell dried fruit and braised food to everyone he met, as if afraid people wouldn't know how big his business was.
His wife is the same; she's always bragging to people about how much grain they have at home. It's no wonder people hate her for being so outspoken.
Before they knew it, they had offended quite a few people.
Even though his dismissal later eased many people's resentment, his previous high profile made him a target, which was no surprise.
My thoughts were racing, and my emotions, which had finally calmed down a little, were once again thrown into rage by my wife's wailing.
He roared angrily, "Can you shut the hell up? What's the use of crying? If you hadn't left the room without permission, would our house have been burglarized?"
Ke Wenpei's wife, Bian Haifang, was startled, then cursed, "During the earthquake, instead of hiding outside, were I supposed to wait to be crushed to death at home? You heartless bastard, is it my fault that we lost our food? You don't blame those damned bastards, but you're taking your anger out on me. Did I owe you anything?"
Ke Wenpei could never win an argument with this shrew. He trembled as he pointed his finger and said, "You, you shrew, you know we have a lot of grain at home, yet you don't come home to check on it every now and then. You just leave it at home. If our family doesn't get robbed, whose family will?"
Don't you know how much grain you have at home? It's just a tiny bit! You don't even care about so much? Do you have any conscience?
Don't talk about valuing your life. You're safe now, but what about food? You're going to starve to death without food, so what's the point of valuing your life?
Bian Haifang rarely saw him so assertive. Furious, she wiped away her tears and snot, got up and rushed towards Ke Wenpei, scratching the parts of his clothes that weren't covered.
"Let's see you yell at me, let's see you yell at me! If you're so capable, why don't you stay in the HR department? If you were still here, would our grain be stolen every day when we get home from get off work?"
It's all because you're incompetent that you've made our lives miserable. You were even sent to some godforsaken place like the labor camp, where you can only come home a few times a month, and you still have the nerve to say I'm brainless.
You have some, but I haven't seen you manage to keep your food or your job. I was blind to have married such a good-for-nothing.
Ke Wenpei couldn't dodge in time and was scratched several times on his face and arms. One of the scratches almost hit his eye, coming within just five millimeters of the corner of his eye.
Blood gushed out, but the two men seemed oblivious, continuing their fight. The two children in the corner, as if used to it all, showed no emotion whatsoever.
It was only because the commotion was so loud that it startled passersby that they stepped in to break up the fight.
The two who separated were both dissatisfied and kept hurling insults at each other, refusing to accept reconciliation.
Fortunately, they only talked and didn't fight. The medical staff who were passing by heard the gist of the conversation, and then left.
They have always been helpless in such family matters. What's more, it involves the theft of grain.
The old lady was woken up by their shouting, and only then did they stop.
The old woman lay on the hospital bed, tears streaming down her face, sobbing and murmuring, "How are we going to live? There are still several months until the summer harvest, and we don't have any food at all. How are we going to survive?"
Ke Wenpei sighed, got up to wipe away the old lady's tears, and comforted her, "Mom, don't worry, we haven't used up our food rations for the past few months. I'll go to the supermarket to buy rice and flour in a bit. If we save a little, we can get through this."
Bian Haifang rolled her eyes dismissively. "That small amount isn't even enough to fill a tooth gap. I'm not going to eat chaff and drink thin porridge."
“If you’re not willing, then go buy the grain yourself. If you’re so capable, then you can handle it,” Ke Wenpei cursed.
"Hey, you bastard, you actually dared to argue with me. How dare you! Don't you know how many people are eating in your family?"
"A few bites? It's just a few bites! If you dare to include your family members, don't blame me for kicking you out!"
"Oh, so you've been soft your whole life and now you're finally going to be tough? Do you think I'm easily scared?!" Bian Haifang spat. "I've been married to you for over ten years, raised your children and toiled for you half my life. You think you can get rid of me? You're dreaming!"
"Then what do you want to do? Tell me, tell me!" Ke Wenpei roared.
He was helpless in the face of such an extreme person. He had considered divorce, but the woman's family was powerful. Although they wouldn't do anything threatening or intimidating, their disgusting acts, such as throwing paint and dumping excrement, which were not illegal, were really bothering him.
Moreover, every time the other party made a mistake, Bian Haifang would make a big fuss and even take the blame herself, leaving him with no way to deal with it.
Over time, he gave in. He realized that as long as he went along with the other party, they generally wouldn't cause trouble.
Those few relatives from his wife's side would come over from time to time to beg for money, asking for things like a cell phone or a color TV, making his life a struggle even though he had a decent income.
Ko Wen-pei often lamented that he was blind to have chosen such a wife.
Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that the family was indeed capable before marriage, concealing their true nature and pretending to be well-educated and reasonable.
But who knew that once the red certificate was issued, the true colors would be revealed.
He's arrogant and domineering in public, but violent and tyrannical in private. Despite being a college graduate, he refuses to work and stays home all day waiting to be supported. Even his underwear has to be washed by his mother.
Sigh, poor eyesight ruins a life, poor eyesight brings a lifetime of regret!
My thoughts returned to the present.
Seeing Bian Haifang speechless, Ke Wenpei made a decision directly, "Alright, from now on, the family will eat thin porridge and pickled vegetables every day. If you don't want that, then figure it out yourself. This is the best I can do."
Bian Haifang pouted, "You're all enjoying the good life in the labor camp while we, the mother and children, are left out to eat chaff and wild vegetables. How can you be so shameless? Besides, you were so capable of exchanging grain back then, can't you find a way to exchange it again now?"
Do you think I haven't suffered enough losses or been ripped off enough?
Ke Wenpei pointed at her nose and angrily cursed, "Don't you think about it? At least I'm a laborer, so I can at least have three meals a day and not be a burden on my family. If I lose this job, how are we supposed to support another person in our family?"
Besides, it's an earthquake! Who the hell would be sick enough to trade their life-saving food for something that doesn't even fill them up?
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