Ma Mingyue was cooking in the kitchen. She brought out the freshly cooked fish and saw Xiaoting coming back from outside. She smiled, wiped her hands on her apron, and wanted to go over and pull her to the bathroom to wash her hands.
"You little slovenly cat, look at the mess you've made!"
Xiaoting was angry with her father when her hand was grabbed and she instinctively shook it off, saying, "Don't touch me!"
Ma Mingyue's smile froze, looking somewhat embarrassed and sad. She looked awkward and didn't know what to say, so she just lowered her head.
"I……"
He Zhangcheng followed Xiaoting back and, seeing the situation, instinctively called out to her.
"Xiaoting, you can't do this, Aunt..."
Xiaoting stood there stubbornly, her fists clenched, staring at the two of them. He Zhangcheng reached out and pressed his brow. This child had always had a problem with Mingyue for so many years, but today Mingyue hadn't done anything, and had even cooked for the family. She just wanted Xiaoting to wash her hands, but Xiaoting was so rude.
This is wrong.
No matter what, Mingyue is an elder, and even strangers should be treated with respect.
"Cousin, I'm fine. Xiaoting's dislike for me isn't new, it's okay..."
Liu He, feeling bored downstairs, followed them upstairs. Standing at the door, she heard Ma Mingyue's words, and her face immediately darkened.
"You have no manners! How did your mother raise you? Mingyue is your aunt and an elder, and she doesn't even teach you to respect her. You always have such a sullen face. I don't know who you learned this from at such a young age."
Ye Man came out of the room when she heard the noise, and Liu He rolled her eyes when she saw her.
"We've come all this way to cook for you and serve you. Anyone who didn't know better would think we'd married a rich young mistress. And you expect us to take care of Zhang Cheng like this?"
Ye Man used to have a bad temper, otherwise she wouldn't have given birth to a seemingly quiet but actually very stubborn child. It was only after marriage that her temper calmed down a bit.
He pulled Xiaoting behind him and said, “Whether my daughter is well-mannered or not is none of anyone else’s business. Even well-mannered people wouldn’t say that about a four-year-old child!”
Xiaoting doesn't like meeting strangers, and she's not used to having two strangers suddenly in her home!
She rolled her eyes as she spoke, explaining how miserable her daughter had been these past few days. Every morning, she would rush out as soon as she finished breakfast, not wanting to see them at home. She even ate lunch at Sister Song's house. After dinner, she would hide in her room and not come out. What more could she want after all this?
And Ma Mingyue, before they came, she only cooked for the mother and daughter. Does she have to serve them now that they've come?
Besides, she took over the kitchen as soon as she arrived and cleaned the house spotlessly, almost making it reflect light. Ye Man was giving her a chance to shine, and besides, she was getting the better deal.
“You you you!”
Liu He was shocked that Ye Man dared to talk back so directly. She was so angry that her face turned red. These past two days, no matter what she said, Ye Man acted as if she didn't hear her, just like back in her hometown. It was like punching cotton. Now that she suddenly rebelled, Liu He realized that Ye Man was like this when she first married into the family. She spoke nicely but said things that could make people furious. Stranger! She was her own grandmother! And she called her a stranger.
"What do you mean? Are you trying to kick us out because we're in your way? I'm your own mother-in-law!"
“I didn’t say that there are only two rooms in this house, and that you two can come and stay here.”
"Are you implying something? There are only two rooms in the house, you just think we're in your way! Don't forget this is my son's house, I can come and go as I please!"
If anyone should leave, it should be her. I told you long ago I shouldn't have married her; I ended up with a domineering young mistress for the family.
"What do you mean 'his house'? If it weren't for my daughter and me here, would the military have allocated him a house? This room is our share, so why should we leave? Only irrelevant people should leave!"
"You've gone too far! Son, you shouldn't have spoiled her like this. Look what you've done to her! Women need to be taught a lesson!"
Ye Man burst out laughing, took two steps forward and pushed open the door. The argument in the house had spread, and many neighbors came over under the pretense of passing by to watch the commotion. They were all peeking out from the corridor.
"You still want to teach me a lesson? If you dare lay a hand on your mother, I'll go find the comrades from the Women's Federation. Fine, so you want to harm your son, huh? I'll just take all the burdens off him and send him home to take care of you in your old age!"
Liu He's expression stiffened. Seeing how confidently she spoke, she immediately hesitated. Could it be that she couldn't even discipline her own wife here? Was she just trying to scare her?
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