Chapter 43 They're all brothers, let's talk things out.
Zhong Chengfa, with tears streaming down his face, spoke with such sincerity that he seemed to be the most wronged person in the world.
Zhang Chunxue was being held by his legs, and looking down at his pathetic state, her anger flared even more.
She sneered, "Oh? So you're determined to leave this burden behind, is that it?"
Zhong Chengfa secretly glanced at Zhang Chunxue's expression and cautiously replied, "Mom, it's not that I insist on keeping him, it's just... the Li family doesn't want this grandson either."
He lowered his voice even further, with a hint of ingratiation: "And...and they're all urging Hongjuan to come back quickly, saying that couples shouldn't hold grudges overnight..."
"Come back?" Zhang Chunxue exclaimed, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Go back to where? Didn't I already tell you to divorce that jinx?!"
Zhong Chengfa trembled at her shout and dared not utter another word.
Zhang Chunxue's gaze grew colder as she looked at his pathetic state.
"Fine!" she suddenly relented. "It's not impossible for you to keep Zhong Hongqing here!"
Zhong Chengfa's eyes lit up, thinking that things had taken a turn for the better.
“But!” Zhang Chunxue changed the subject, “You have to make Li Hongjuan write a statement severing her mother-son relationship with Zhong Hongqing, clearly stating in black and white that this child has absolutely no relation to her anymore!”
"Then, you two, go and get a divorce right now!"
"Put the divorce certificate and that statement severing ties in front of me!"
"At that time, I will agree to let you keep Zhong Hongqing; my Zhong family will take care of him!"
Zhong Chengfa was stunned, and all the color drained from his face.
Divorce... divorce? And Hongjuan has to sever ties with her son? This... this is worse than killing him!
He opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word for a long time; he was truly unwilling.
"What? You don't want to?" Zhang Chunxue narrowed her eyes, her tone chilling.
Zhong Chengfa shuddered and quickly replied evasively, "Mom...you see, I...I just went to the Li family yesterday and was kicked out by Dajiang, didn't I?"
"I...I also have my pride, I can't just swallow my pride and go again today, can I?"
"Please...please allow me a couple of days. I'll definitely go talk to Hongjuan about this in a couple of days, okay?"
Zhang Chunxue snorted. Could she not see through her eldest son's cunning scheme?
"A couple of days? How long do you plan to drag this out?"
Her eyes flashed with anger as she pointed to the door: "Then take your precious son and get out of here right now!"
"You can forget about stepping into this house until you get back the divorce certificate and that severance statement!"
Zhong Chengfa was completely dumbfounded. He never expected his mother to be so heartless, not even giving him a chance to maneuver!
He knelt down again with a thud, this time truly panicked: "Mom! Mom! You can't do this!"
He felt that his mother was too cruel and heartless!
He couldn't help but defend Li Hongjuan: "Mom, Hongjuan... she really just had a sweet tooth and couldn't resist drinking some of the fish soup that was made for her sister-in-law!"
"It's really unnecessary...it really didn't have to come to this. Are you going to force us to break up with our wives and children before you're satisfied?"
"Don't you feel any pity for Hongqing at all?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chunxue's feigned pity vanished instantly.
"Feel sorry for him?" She sneered. "I'd like to ask you, has Li Hongjuan ever felt sorry for this family?"
“She would come back to her parents’ house every few days to bring back things, even the smallest things! Why didn’t she think about this family back then?”
"Isn't she just trying to control this old woman because she gave birth to a child of the Zhong family?"
"Let me tell you, Zhong Chengfa, I really don't want this grandson anymore! I want to see how Li Hongjuan will control me without him!"
She stared at Zhong Chengfa, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Looks like your wife is quite skilled at managing her husband. But it doesn't matter. I can do without a grandson, and as for a son... well, I can certainly do without him too."
Zhong Chengfa's heart skipped a beat, and he was so frightened that his soul almost flew out of his body!
His mother's words clearly implied that she wanted to kick him out of the house as well!
"Mom! Mom, what are you saying!" His face turned pale, and he dared not provoke Zhang Chunxue any further.
He was terrified that if he stayed there even a second longer, Zhang Chunxue might actually kick him out.
He quickly bent down and picked up Zhong Hongqing, who was still sobbing, forcing out a smile that looked worse than crying: "Mom, calm down, I... I'll take Hongqing out for a walk first, okay? Let's go out and have some fun."
After saying that, without waiting for Zhang Chunxue to speak again, she practically fled with the child in her arms and walked out.
Zhang Chunxue watched his disheveled figure, then let out a heavy snort, turned her head away, and headed straight for the kitchen.
Zhong Chengfa carried Zhong Hongqing and ran all the way to the courtyard gate before daring to turn back.
He peeked into the house cautiously and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his mother go into the kitchen.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, but didn't stop walking. He carried the child and slipped into Zhong Chengyi's room.
"Chengyi! Chengyi! Open the door!" Zhong Chengfa lowered his voice and knocked on Zhong Chengyi's door.
A rustling sound came from inside the room. After a while, Zhong Chengyi sleepily opened the door a crack.
"Brother? What are you doing so early in the morning?" Zhong Chengyi yawned, looking impatient.
Zhong Chengfa hugged Zhong Hongqing and squeezed in sideways.
"Chengyi, hurry, lend me some money." Zhong Chengfa didn't stand on ceremony and got straight to the point.
Zhong Chengyi was taken aback by his appearance, then frowned: "Borrow money? Where would I get money?"
He looked Zhong Chengfa up and down, then glanced at Zhong Hongqing, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, in his arms, and asked irritably, "Where's your money? Where did all your own money go?"
Zhong Chengfa's money was naturally given to Li Hongjuan, or rather, it was entrusted to Li Hongjuan for safekeeping.
He was too embarrassed to say this to Zhong Chengyi, so he just mumbled, "Oh, don't ask so many questions, I need it urgently! Hurry up, lend me some of what you have!"
Zhong Chengyi spread his hands and sat down on the bed: "Really, no. I'm a bachelor who hasn't even gotten married yet. I barely have enough money for myself, where would I get extra money to lend you?"
Zhong Cheng was getting anxious. He was penniless, and if he couldn't get any money soon, he and his child would go hungry today.
He leaned close to Zhong Chengyi, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of threat, "Chengyi, don't think I don't know what you've done! Tell me, if I tell Mom about that... will she kick you out too?"
Zhong Chengyi's expression changed abruptly. His sleepiness and impatience vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of panic and anger.
He stared at Zhong Chengfa with a complicated expression.
After a few seconds, Zhong Chengyi managed a forced smile, his tone softening: "Brother, what are you saying? We're brothers, let's talk this out. There's no need to make things like this, is there?"
As he spoke, he reluctantly rummaged under his pillow for a while, pulled out a small stack of bills, slowly took out a few one- or two-yuan notes, and handed them to Zhong Chengfa: "Here, that's all. Take it for now."
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