They used to hurl all sorts of offensive insults at her, and Li Jumei still blushes when she recalls what the villagers said.
She had no idea what terrible things she had done to raise such an inhuman creature!
"I guess they're just too full to eat properly."
Song Lan knew without a doubt that Song Jiaojiao was just stirring up trouble. In her opinion, it wasn't that serious; it was just a banquet.
The educated youth had to give gifts to both Chen Dongze and his wife, as well as Zhao Yuzhou and his wife. Since they were all educated youth, it would be inappropriate to go to one family and not the other, so there had to be a proper order.
Otherwise, it would be a huge loss for the educated youth to give money to both families but only have one banquet!
Besides, life is hard for everyone in the village, so when such a good thing as a banquet comes along, why would they want to suffer? Moreover, after giving a gift, it's only natural to go to the banquet.
As a result, some people suggested to Zhao Yuzhou that the time for the banquet be staggered from Chen Dongze's.
In addition, the educated youth had lived together for quite some time and were bound to know some of each other's backgrounds. They knew that Chen Dongze was not short of money and tickets, and similarly, Zhao Yuzhou's family background was also good. How could the educated youth not take that seriously?
When two wealthy people get married, the wedding banquet is definitely not lavish.
—Only a fool would miss the chance to eat at a banquet if he could eat meat for two meals.
Zhao Yuzhou is a gay man, and he cares a bit about his reputation. Some educated youth specifically suggested that he hold his wedding banquet at a different time than Chen Dongze. If he refused regardless of social etiquette, his wedding might be in stark contrast to Chen Dongze's.
Just imagine, Chen Dongze's wedding banquet was organized by his elders, and every aspect was taken care of; Zhao Yuzhou's banquet could only be arranged by himself. Once the banquet was set up, it was obvious which family the educated youth would choose to go to at the same time.
That being said, Song Lan's guess was pretty accurate.
Indeed, some educated youth suggested to Zhao Yuzhou that they hold their banquets on the same day as Chen Dongze.
Out of spite, Song Jiaojiao first refused to let Zhao Yuzhou postpone the banquet, and then she refused to hold her banquet at the same time as Chen Dongze, showing no consideration for Zhao Yuzhou's feelings.
Having no other choice, Zhao Yuzhou had to be assertive and set the banquet before sunset.
Thus, Song Jiaojiao put on a sullen face and made a scene at Zhao Yuzhou when the banquet was about to end.
As Song Jiaojiao's former foster mother, Li Jumei felt that the villagers' gossip about Song Jiaojiao disrespecting her husband, cursing Zhao Yuzhou like a shrew, and wondering how she grew up was a reflection of her, implying that she hadn't raised Song Jiaojiao well.
To avoid giving Song Jiaojiao any wrong impression, Li Jumei refrained from confronting the gossiping woman, keeping her anger to herself.
"Perhaps it was because your father, your older brother, and I spoiled her too much when she was little!"
Li Jumei sighed, "When I was pregnant with you, your father and I hoped you would be our little darling. We were so happy to have you, but who knew you were switched at birth in the hospital... We always thought our daughter was our own."
We were so focused on spoiling her. Your older brothers, including your younger brother, were all constantly told by your father and me to be good to their younger sister and older sister since they were little. As a result, she became a bit spoiled. But to be honest, I didn't expect her to be so bad..."
Song Lan reassured Li Jumei: "Mom, some people have problems at their root. I think I've said that to you before."
"Forget it, let's not talk about her anymore. Anyway, she has nothing to do with our family anymore. With her personality, she'll get tired of Zhao Zhiqing sooner or later, and then she'll have a hard time."
Li Jumei shook her head, then asked Song Lan, "You wouldn't have let your dad, your older brother, and I spoil her before, would you?"
"Mom, I'm not that petty."
Song Lan smiled broadly: "Besides, you all spoiled her all those years without knowing she wasn't your child."
Li Jumei's eyes were full of relief: "I'm so glad you think this way, but in the end, it was your father and I who didn't take good care of you in the hospital, which led to you being left out in the world. We, on the other hand, have been spoiling other people's children like treasures for many years."
"Mom, didn't we tell you that you don't need to blame yourself for being switched at birth? Now you're bringing it up again, have you forgotten what I said?"
Seeing Song Lan frowning and speaking unhappily, Li Jumei quickly said, "Alright, alright, Mom won't say anymore. Don't frown and affect my dear grandson's mood."
"They're not as fragile as you make them out to be, Mom."
Song Lan: Cloudy then clearing up.
"You think you're so capable? You know everything."
Li Jumei rolled her eyes at Song Lan.
"Your precious grandson isn't even born yet, and I, as his mother, am already being disliked by his maternal grandmother. It's so pitiful!"
Song Lan felt wronged.
Li Jumei: "Stop pretending. If you're bored sitting here, go back to your room and lie down for a while."
"I'm not pretending! You're favoring your unborn grandson, I'm so pitiful!"
Song Lan denied it.
"You learned that from your second brother, didn't you? You're shameless. You can get back at anyone for every one thing I say. You're a constant source of worry."
Upon hearing what Li Jumei said, Song Lan was immediately at a loss for words: "Mom, how am I shameless? Besides, my second brother has clearly not done anything bad, so why is he causing you so much trouble?"
Li Jumei: "You're just taking your second brother's side. My mouth is dry, and I don't want to talk to you."
Song Lan: "I'll get you a glass of water."
"Sit still and don't move."
Seeing Song Lan make a move to get up, Li Jumei couldn't help but glare at her.
While Song Lan and Li Jumei were chatting about Chen Dongze's marriage, back in Beijing, Zhang Hua received a call from Chen Dongze saying he was getting married in Shisong Village. Upon hearing this, Zhang Hua felt dizzy almost instantly.
Thinking she might be hallucinating, she couldn't help but confirm over the phone. Chen Dongze told her there was no turning back. At that moment, Zhang Hua didn't hesitate and directly objected.
Chen Dongze sensed from the receiver that Zhang Hua, the mother, was extremely agitated, and hung up after a few brief words.
Little did he know that his mother, Zhang Hua, suffered a stroke, and as he hung up the phone, her vision went black and she fainted on the sofa.
It was Wen Mei, Fu Jinheng's mother, who came to visit the Chen family and found Zhang Hua unconscious on the sofa. She immediately called an ambulance and sent him to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Zhang Hua was not seriously injured. He stayed in the hospital for two or three days and returned to the compound this afternoon.
"How did you end up fainting on the living room sofa that day?"
When Wen Mei learned that Zhang Hua had been discharged from the hospital, she made a special trip to the Chen family to visit him. Perhaps out of concern, or perhaps out of curiosity, she asked Zhang Hua why he had fainted.
"Your words have made me so angry that my heart aches again."
Zhang Hua gritted his teeth and said, "When Xiao Ze went to the countryside, I told him that he absolutely could not get married there, and I specifically told him to stay away from those educated youth and village girls. Who knew... who knew he would suddenly call me..."
He wanted to get married locally, but I objected. He said there was no turning back and even hung up on me. I couldn't catch my breath; everything went black, and then I lost consciousness.
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