Chapter 19 Get Out of Here!
She was wearing a faded cotton loungewear.
A few strands of white hair fell down beside her ears.
Her index finger pointed straight at the door, her eyes burning with anger.
"Mom, what exactly do you want? If you kick us out today, don't expect us to come back again!"
Zhou Lijuan was wearing a brightly colored outfit.
Her heavily made-up face was filled with resentment.
She was used to her mother giving her some pocket money every month.
In the last two months, they haven't received a single penny.
"Go wherever you want! I'd rather have some peace and quiet if you didn't come. Get out of here, all of you!"
This time, Zhou Shufen wasn't just bluffing.
She swung her arm and walked towards the group of people without any hesitation.
The bamboo broom had long since turned yellow.
But she showed no mercy.
With a single sweep, the people standing outside the door were forced back into the house.
She stood on the edge of the threshold, stomping her foot and shouting, "Get out! Don't stand here blocking my door! Get out of here!"
Only Zhou Haiwei remained in the room.
He gave an awkward laugh, his eyes darting to his mother's face.
He wanted to stay and say a few words of advice.
However, Zhou Shufen didn't even glance at him.
She merely glanced at him indifferently.
She turned and went back into the house, slamming the door shut behind her.
At night, the dim yellow light illuminates the entire simple old house.
Zhou Liya and her husband Zhou Haiqing sat down to eat with their mother.
There were several plates of simple home-style dishes and half a bowl of soup on the table.
No one said a word of criticism against the mother.
They all felt sorry for this aging mother.
Moreover, her younger brother Zhou Dajun was behaving terribly outside, drinking, gambling, and causing trouble, which made Zhou Shufen sleep poorly almost every day and eventually fall ill from depression.
After the meal, Zhou Shufen sat at the table, took out a thick stack of banknotes, counted them one by one, and divided them into several small piles.
"I've made up my mind."
Her voice was not loud.
"I'm taking out some of the money I have on hand and giving a little to each of you as a final act of help."
She pushed the portion belonging to Zhou Liya and Zhou Haiqing onto the table.
"This is for...both of you."
Zhou Liya immediately stood up and waved her hand.
"Mom! No, no, we're all grown up now, and we have stable jobs. How could we possibly take your money? You should keep it for your own retirement."
"Yes, Mom, we can earn money. It's more important to keep this money for yourself to buy medicine and improve your health."
Zhou Haiqing nodded in agreement.
Zhou Shufen frowned and gave them a stern look.
"Stop talking nonsense, you have to listen to what I say. You can't miss out on anything you're entitled to! Anyone who refuses is being unfilial!"
The other children were also notified to come, and each of them received their own share.
However, at the very end, Zhou Shufen said something with particular emphasis.
"This is the last time I'll distribute this money. From now on, you'll have to make your own way and survive on your own."
The next day, before dawn.
As soon as the rooster crowed, Zhou Haiqing got up.
He packed his things at home and began contacting his relatives one by one to collect the share of money that his mother had personally divided.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shufen picked up another stack of banknotes that had already been prepared.
She slowly walked to the door and handed the package to her other son, Zhou Hairong, saying softly, "It's yours. Don't ask any questions, just take it."
A gentle morning breeze caressed the small flowerbed in front of the house, where the dew had not yet dried.
Zhou Hairong's eyes lit up when he first saw the money.
Their gaze was fixed on the banknotes, almost shining.
But when he took the money into his hand...
After looking at it over and over, the smile on his face vanished instantly.
He then showed a look of disgust.
He frowned and said, "What's this little bit of money? I need to go to university, this isn't enough at all. Have you even considered my future? This isn't supporting me, it's like giving a beggar a handout!"
Zhou Liya, who was standing to the side, couldn't listen to it anymore.
She said with dissatisfaction, "You still have the nerve to complain? How old are you and you're still not independent? You still rely on your mother to support you. We've already agreed to give you some money, which is the biggest help the family can give you. What more do you want?"
"What do you know!"
Zhou Hairong retorted confidently.
He held his head high and continued, "If I really get into a good university, my whole family will benefit. Even if we don't become rich and powerful, at least we'll have someone to rely on, right? How come you can only see this little bit of money right in front of you?"
Hearing her son's words, Zhou Shufen couldn't help but snort coldly.
She asked coldly, "Is it too little? Then you don't have to take it. Everyone else is already self-reliant, and it's time for you to go out and live on your own. Mom has thought everything through for you. Pack your bags and leave right now, don't linger here."
He saw that his mother was blaming him for helping his older sister.
A surge of anger rose within Zhou Hairong, and he was furious.
These women really lack foresight.
"Then get out of here, your stuff is right here."
After Zhou Shufen finished speaking coldly, she slammed her bag heavily to the ground without any hesitation.
There was not a trace of pity in her eyes as she urged, "Hurry up, grab it and leave."
Zhou Hairong's face flushed red and then turned pale, feeling extremely embarrassed.
He gritted his teeth and picked up the package.
"Fine! Even if you beg me to come back on your knees, I won't step into this house!" With that, he turned and rushed out without looking back.
Finally, Zhou Shufen stood there and let out a long sigh of relief.
Over the years, I've watched him loung around at home every day, saying he's read a lot of books, but no real results have ever materialized.
She had had enough of all this.
Seeing the weariness in her mother's expression, Zhou Liya couldn't help but approach her with concern and softly comforted her, "Mom, please don't be sad. Hai Rong... he must have his own thoughts too."
Zhou Shufen smiled gently and shook her head.
"Mom's fine, I know how to handle this. Besides, Haiqing will be back soon; he's someone who truly knows how to share the burden."
As she spoke, she patted Zhou Liya's hand.
Two sensible children are enough!
Just then, the door opened, breaking the silence in the room.
Zhou Haiqing slowly pushed open the door and walked in.
He walks with a limp.
He kept his head down when he entered, as if deliberately avoiding other people's gaze.
What's wrong with you?
His mother, Zhou Shufen, immediately noticed something was wrong. Her brows furrowed, and she quickly stepped forward to ask him.
"I'm fine."
Zhou Haiqing lowered his head and replied, his tone sounding relatively calm, but he couldn't hide a hint of panic.
Zhou Shufen was not fooled by those words.
She moved to his other side, and Zhou Haiqing, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head, his face showing panic.
But he had no time to hide anything anymore.
Several red and swollen marks were clearly visible on his face, and one side of his cheek was bluish-purple.
Zhou Shufen's face immediately darkened, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.
She pressed on sternly, "What exactly happened? Don't lie to me and say you fell. This kind of injury definitely doesn't happen by falling!"
Zhou Haiqing tried to force a smile, attempting to offer a reassuring one.
But it aggravated the wound on his face, causing him to gasp in pain.
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