P.S.: My darlings, there's been an update in the previous chapter, you can read it again~~~
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Some neighbors couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up for Chen Zhou:
“The girl is usually very nice. You parents have never looked for her. Chen Zhou spends holidays alone and has to work while taking the college entrance exam. I have never seen you parents come looking for her.”
Chen Qing, a middle-aged man who had gained weight, immediately became angry upon hearing this question and raised his voice:
"We've looked for her! We go out to look for her every day, but we just don't know where that brat is hiding! She's our own daughter, would we really hurt her?!"
Mi Xiuhua also said angrily, "We love our own daughter! We've been good enough to her, but what about her? She's out there eating and drinking well without ever thinking about her family. How did we end up with such a girl..."
Aunt Wang muttered, "Could it be that you came here specifically to ask for money because you saw Chen Zhou working? The young girl still needs to study, have you parents ever shown any concern? You just say Chen Zhou has wronged you the moment you open your mouth, have you no shame at your age!"
Old Sun scoffed, "That's right, Chen Zhou has lived here for two or three years, we all know what kind of person he is, you parents are just talking nonsense!"
Several neighbors pointed at Mi Xiuhua and her husband with disdain in their eyes.
Chen Zhou was deeply moved. Her right elbow was nudged, and when she looked up, Song Jianmin gestured with his chin forward, "Should I chase them all away?"
Chen Zhou gritted his teeth, "I'll do it!"
Chen Zhou stepped forward and came to Mi Xiuhua and Chen Qing.
Over the course of two years, the signs of aging have become more apparent on both of their faces.
Chen Zhou, who was only a teenager, might have been soft-hearted and forced to bear accusations that were not his own under their malicious slander and curses, but Chen Zhou is not afraid now.
“I’ve made myself perfectly clear. If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police. I’ve never owed you anything. I’ve already paid back all the money you’ve spent on me over the years!”
Mi Xiuhua blurted out, "That little bit of money isn't enough!!"
Aunt Wang and the others frowned.
“I started working during winter and summer vacations and after school when I was fifteen, and all the money I earned went to you. All the scholarships I received from elementary school to high school also went to you. Don’t forget, I had my tuition waived, and you used all that money on Chen Jiamu. So, I don’t owe you anything!”
Chen Qing raised his hand to hit Chen Zhou, but Song Jianmin grabbed it.
"If you keep making noise, we'll call the police!"
Mi Xiuhua stared at Song Jianmin, then suddenly realized, "How did you get here? You're not Chen Zhou's boss at all! You...you're Chen Zhou's girlfriend?"
Chen Zhou's face flushed red instantly, and she raised her voice: "Stop talking nonsense! He lives right in front!"
Song Jianmin moved his lips, glanced at Chen Zhou, and began to angrily confront Mi Xiuhua: "How can you talk like that! Wasn't it enough that you caused a scene in the store before, you have to come here and spout nonsense. You can't stand to see your daughter doing well, can you? How can there be parents like you in the world? I've really opened my eyes."
Mi Xiuhua angrily rebuked, "Chen Zhou, are you just going to let this person insult us and not even care?"
Chen Zhou sneered, "You came to my house to cause trouble, did you even think about me? You don't need to say any more, just leave."
At this moment, Xu Guiying and Song Xinfu returned from get off work and were surprised to see this scene.
Song Jianmin called out, "Mom and Dad."
When Chen Zhou saw the two elders, he first lowered his head.
Xu Guiying sized up the group, and after her gaze fell on Mi Xiuhua and Chen Qing, she quickly understood what was going on.
Song Xinfu spoke first: "Oh, it's so lively here, what's going on?"
Old Sun clicked his tongue twice. "Chen Zhou's parents came looking for him. They said that the young girl doesn't come home. They're so old, how shameless! They come to ask the girl for money when they don't have any. They've been spouting nonsense and haven't shown any concern for her at all."
Chen Qing: "You old geezer, what do you know! None of you know our family situation. We've raised Chen Zhou for over ten years, we know her better than anyone else!"
Xu Guiying smiled and said, "Chen Zhou has been living here for so long, and we're not lying. Who doesn't think this girl is good? If you don't leave, we'll call the police."
Chen Zhou's eyes were slightly red as he angrily shouted at Chen Qing and his wife, "Get out of here! You're not welcome here!"
Grandma Song and Qian Yu'an, the third son, also came out when they heard the commotion.
Seeing that the situation was not good and that they couldn't win the argument, Mi Xiuhua and her companion had no choice but to slip away. Before leaving, they made a threatening statement, saying, "Don't think this is the end of it!"
The people surrounding Chen Zhou's house gradually dispersed.
Aunt Wang told Chen Zhou not to be afraid, "Our neighbors are all here, the police station is nearby, and you're an adult, they can't threaten you."
Uncle Sun also said, "That's right, you've already been admitted to university, you don't need to rely on them at all, so go ahead and cause trouble!"
Xu Guiying invited Chen Zhou to dinner at the Song family's house that evening, as the Song family had many members and a lively meal would be enjoyable. Chen Zhou's brow furrowed slightly. "Aunt Xu, perhaps I shouldn't disturb you—"
Grandma Song held Chen Zhou's hand and said, "What's there to be afraid of? Let's go, let's go."
Chen Zhou was taken away directly by Grandma Song.
The fifth son looked at Xu Guiying with a grin and said, "Mom, I also want to go home for dinner."
Xu Guiying laughed too, "It's not even dark yet, if you want to dream, go back to sleep."
Fifth Brother: "..."
Song Anmin: "Fifth brother, hurry up, I've already prepared the meal, and you haven't come back for ages."
The fifth brother glared at Song Anmin.
Song Anmin: "Hurry up, if you glare at me again, Mom and Dad won't let you come home for dinner."
Song Jianmin scoffed, "Maybe if I plead with her a little longer, Mom will agree."
Song Xinfu and Xu Guiying, who were walking ahead, exchanged a glance, smiled, shook their heads, and said nothing.
Kicking the children out of the house was the best thing to do.
Tonight, the Song family is having braised pork ribs with vermicelli, stewed pork with cowpeas, braised pig's trotters soup, and stir-fried shredded potatoes...
Grandma Song told Chen Zhou not to be shy and to eat without worry.
Chen Zhou gripped his chopsticks, his eyes instantly turning red.
Qian Yu'an quickly handed her a piece of paper.
"It's alright, it's alright, let's eat first."
Xu Guiying sighed inwardly and said, "Zhouzhou, go back and check the doors and windows of your house. If necessary, just put on another lock. Or, Lao Song, go to Zhouzhou's house later and reinforce the windows."
Song Xinfu nodded, "No problem. If they come during the day, everyone in the alley will see them."
Chen Zhou: "I don't know how they found us."
Xu Guiying pursed her lips: "...They're so eager to take you back, there's probably something going on at home."
Grandpa Song, who had been silent all along, spoke up at this moment, "I guess the family urgently needs money, it's possible that something happened to your brother."
Chen Zhou finally realized what was going on.
"It must be Chen Jiamu causing trouble again and insisting on settling things with money. I won't give him any money!"
If Chen Jiamu had an accident or fell ill, her parents would probably have already used their emotional appeal to get money from her.
Chen Zhou gritted his teeth, "I will not compromise!"
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