Once the seeds of doubt are planted, they will slowly take root and sprout.
Zhou Zhixin's actions today in front of Qiao Aiguo betrayed his long-held beliefs. For Wu Jinfeng's sake, Zhou Zhixin forced himself to curry favor with Qiao Aiguo, even disregarding Zhao Yunxiang's feelings and pleading for Wu Jinfeng. The result? Despite all his efforts, he didn't even receive a single word of "goodwill" from Zhou Chunping.
Zhou Zhixin felt very uncomfortable.
Growing up, Zhou Zhixin did the most work at home, yet ate the worst. As he grew older, he was more filial and caring than his two brothers, yet he rarely received a smile from Zhou Chunping and his wife.
Zhou Zhixin remembers Wu Jinfeng always sternly admonishing him not to lose his conscience once he'd become successful. And Zhou Chunping? It was much the same. After Zhou Zhixin was promoted in the army, every time he came home, Zhou Chunping would tell him, "Brothers are family. No matter how successful you are now, don't forget to support your brothers and sisters back home."
Had his parents forgotten? Aside from his younger sister, Zhou Zhimei, he was the youngest. In rural areas, elders usually asked the eldest son to look after his siblings, and it was unheard of for the youngest brother to look after his older brothers. Even if his parents said nothing, Zhou Zhixin wasn't a heartless person. If his family was doing well, wouldn't he lend a hand to his brothers?
Zhou Zhixin considered himself a family man, otherwise he wouldn't have left Zhao Yunxiang and her son at home despite Wu Jinfeng's objections. Zhao Yunxiang and her son could have moved their household registration to City N if they followed Zhou Zhixin into the army. Once they moved their household registration to City N, Zhou Zhixin's family would have become city dwellers, eating commercial grain.
At that time, a city resident’s household registration represented not only a life of food and clothing, but also a golden identity!
Zhou Zhixin couldn't help but feel his own tolerance wasn't worth it. Over the years, his parents hadn't appreciated all the efforts he and Yunxiang had made for the family. No wonder Yunxiang had been so silent about the unfair treatment she'd received at home. If Yuanyuan hadn't gotten into trouble, perhaps she would have continued to endure it.
"Dad, let my third brother get some rest! It's been a long way, and he's tired. I'll go to town and check on him." Zhou Zhigang, feeling a bit upset, spoke up for Zhou Zhixin. Before he knew Zhou Zhixin was his biological brother, Zhou Zhigang felt that whatever Zhou Zhixin sacrificed for the family was his due. After learning Zhou Zhixin's true identity, Zhou Zhigang felt sorry for him.
Zhou Chunping and Wu Jinfeng's daily behavior reveals a lot of pretensions. The good things all go to the second and third brothers and sisters, while the ones who work the hardest at home are the third brother and his wife, and the ones who receive the least care from the elders.
Since the third brother wasn't part of this family, shouldn't his parents use family ties to bind him? Zhou Zhigang was filled with doubts.
Zhou Chunping waved his hand, agreeing to Zhou Zhigang's proposal. After Wu Jinfeng was taken away by the police, Zhou Chunping felt a mess in his heart. Sometimes he thought of the discussions of the villagers outside the gate, and sometimes he thought of the noble man who came to see him that day.
After all, the third child wasn't his biological son. It was different if they weren't blood. His mother had been in such a state, yet the third child hadn't shown any sympathy. It seemed he should quickly complete the task entrusted to him by the noble.
Zhou Chunping had made up his mind, but the smile on his face became even warmer.
"Third Brother! Come sit down with me and tell me about your performance in the army over the past year or so," Zhou Chunping invited with a smile. In reality, Zhou Chunping wanted to find out if Zhou Zhixin had any powerful backers in the army. After all, if he wanted to plot against Zhou Zhixin, he needed to know if anyone would stand up for him if he got into trouble.
"Okay." Zhou Zhixin nodded and followed Zhou Chunping. Although Zhou Zhixin was so tired that he wanted to have a good sleep, such a big thing had just happened at home, and as a son, he should accompany his father to talk and comfort him.
In the backyard, Zhao Yunxiang and Aunt Qiuju were busy making fish balls. After the unpleasantness of the morning, Zhao Yunxiang did not chat and laugh with Aunt Qiuju as usual, but just kept her head down and worked quickly.
Zhao Yunxiang didn't know what happened at the door, but she believed Zhou Zhixin and believed that he would seek justice for her.
Aunt Qiuju looked at Zhao Yunxiang several times, and finally couldn't help but say, "Yunxiang! Don't be sad. Your mother-in-law is being rude, and your Zhixin has seen it all!"
"Well, I'm not sad." Zhao Yunxiang raised her head and gave Aunt Qiuju a faint smile. She said, "Aunt, after so many years, I've finally let it go. In the Zhou family, I'll always be an outsider. I've suffered so much over the years, but nothing good has happened in return. Yuanyuan's grandmother is determined to destroy us!"
"Yunxiang, if you're not available, I'll run to town for you! You can't let yourself be bullied for nothing." Aunt Qiuju was a little worried. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that Wu Jinfeng had brought today's events upon herself, but the Zhou family was full of eccentricities, so there was no guarantee someone wouldn't jump out and blame Zhao Yunxiang. Going to town to find Zhao Guohui to support Yunxiang was the right choice.
"Aunt, it's okay. I'll tell my brother when I go to deliver the goods." Zhao Yunxiang felt her cold heart warm a little. No matter how hard-hearted the Zhou family was, she still had many people around her like Aunt Qiuju who were sincere to her.
Zhao Yunxiang refused Aunt Qiuju's request to go to town to report the news, as she didn't want to cause Aunt Qiuju to be resented by the Zhou family. The last time Yuanyuan fell into the water, it was all thanks to Aunt Qiuju who found her brother. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had such a good time these days.
Let her handle this matter herself! At worst, she can cause chaos with the Zhou family! Zhao Yunxiang was secretly making plans.
"Mom, I miss grandpa." Zhou Yuanyuan interrupted at the right time.
Right! Why not take this opportunity to go back to Zhaojiagou? Zhao Yunxiang's eyes lit up. This time, the truth was on her side. Letting her father, Zhao Qingshan, step in would also help to intimidate these evildoers in the Zhou family.
Seeing Zhao Yunxiang thoughtful, Zhou Yuanyuan added, "Mom, I want to live with my grandpa. It's not good here. My grandparents don't like me."
Zhao Yunxiang made up her mind and said to Aunt Qiuju, "Aunt, I want to go back to my parents' home for a while. Can you take over the fish balls and ask Qianqian's mother to help me make them? I'll give you an extra dollar a day in addition to my wages."
"Oh~ This, this, how can this be? Yunxiang, you have already paid me wages and taught me this skill. You don't need to pay more. Just go back to your parents' home. I will make fish balls for you every day." Aunt Qiuju was overjoyed.
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