Shen Meng was holding Ming Kai, gasping heavily, and during the break caught the sounds of Wu Xianglan’s ingratiating voice.
"Ouch, Jinghao, look, you’re still angry. Even though we haven’t officially split the family, even if we did separate our kitchens, everything at elder sister-in-law’s is still considered Lu Family’s belongings. Elder sister-in-law has left you so much noodle soup, what’s wrong with Yong Qiang and Yong Li having a little? This is also Lu Family’s food. Jiahe and I work hard to earn work points, what’s wrong with us eating a meal?"
"You, do you even make sense talking like that? Bringing your two kids to the elder sister-in-law’s place, you either lift the pot lid or open someone else’s cupboard. How is that any different from robbery?"
Wu Xianglan’s face changed, and seeing Xie Jinghao made her uncomfortable. Thinking about how long Xie Jinghao had been bringing Xiao Gang here, as if to monopolize the food. Regarding sewing, she is also capable, not even asking for fabric. She would be happy just to have such a noodle soup meal every now and then!
Surely, Xie Jinghao must have badmouthed her and Jiaojiao; otherwise, how could she end up being the victim of such accusations?
"Xie Jinghao, don’t you spout nonsense! When have I ever stolen from elder sister-in-law, hmph, you bring your son over every day to take advantage, elder sister-in-law is too kind to say anything to you. You’re utterly shameless, coming here to reap benefits every day. If you dare do this, then you have no place to accuse me. Let me tell you, Lu Mingyang is the legitimate firstborn son of the main branch; he doesn’t drive me away, what right do you have to speak?"
Xie Jinghao, infuriated by her words, felt the child in her stomach kick vigorously several times. Lu Mingyang, seeing Auntie Three uncomfortable, quickly came over and fiercely said: "You leave, don’t come to our house, Auntie Three comes because my mother allows it, why should you come and eat our food? My mother has already discussed splitting the family with the village, grandmother knows too, after the New Year when my father returns, we’ll definitely split. In my father’s absence, as the firstborn son, my word carries weight. Now go, if you don’t leave, I will call for help. The village chief will have to uphold justice for me."
Wu Xianglan, scolded by a child, became flushed with embarrassment, while everyone in the Lu Family mentioned that Lu Mingyang is Lu Zhenping’s firstborn, but internally none accept it because Lu Mingkai is Lu Zhenping’s legitimate son.
Not only did Liu Sanjin doubt this, but others within the Lu Family also pondered whether the outsiders adopted by Lu Zhenping could inherit his estate, and if the legitimate nieces and nephews of the Lu Family could also receive a part. After all, they are the legitimate bloodline of the Lu Family, much closer than the adopted children.
Shen Meng was cunning too; she couldn’t simply watch her son’s inheritance fall into the hands of outsiders. Wasn’t it why she used to scold her children daily, hoping to drive away these non-biological children so that everything would belong to her own son?
Now considering this, Wu Xianglan grew bolder, her mouth unrestrained,
"As the eldest son, but you are still an outsider, Mingyang, you are a smart kid, don’t mind my directness, after all in this household, only Ming Kai is..."
"Shut your mouth, I was wondering why the yard smelled so foul, turns out someone’s been not brushing their teeth for months, it stinks!"
Shen Meng, panting heavily, kicked open the door with Ming Kai, her big toes throbbing in pain. Her gaze turned fiercely towards Lu Mingyang, whose face had started to change the moment Wu Xianglan mentioned him being an outsider; his little body trembling angrily.
Shen Meng put Ming Kai down and was ready to confront Wu Xianglan outright, but in a blink, a small figure dashed forward, headbutting Wu Xianglan, followed by her pig-like screams of agony.
Everyone was startled, Xie Jinghao was in pain and couldn’t stand, sitting on the ground with heavy breaths.
"Jinghao, Jinghao, are you okay?"
"Elder sister-in-law, I’m fine, quickly get Mingyang up, or there’ll be trouble." She covered her stomach with one hand and shakily pointed at Lu Mingyang with the other.
Shen Meng turned her head and quickly pulled Lu Mingyang, and in the dim view, she saw the fierce look in Lu Mingyang’s eyes, suddenly reminding her of the time when she first arrived in this world and made eye contact.
Lu Mingyang has never changed, the hurt he suffered deep in his heart was not healed, he only hid it, it was Shen Meng improving over time that made him hide his true nature.
He dreamed of such a loving mother and a father who consistently thought of them while serving in the army, and the cheerful laughter of his younger brothers and sisters, even though he and his mother weren’t that close, such a family was what he dreamed of, the family he yearned for.
Now in front of his younger siblings and mother, this woman insisted on lifting that layer of cloth, claiming he was not a child of the Lu Family, that he was an outsider. Why, why did she do that?
Lu Mingyang bit down hard on Wu Xianglan’s arm until a bloody taste filled his mouth.
Pain shot through Wu Xianglan’s arm, and she vigorously slapped Lu Mingyang’s body. Scared silly, Yong Qiang and Yong Li saw their mother being bitten and also rushed to hit Lu Mingyang.
Seeing their brother being bullied, Lu Mingliang and Lu Mingfang joined in the fray.
Shen Meng was distraught. She grabbed a kid by the collar and pulled him behind her, then ferociously smacked Lu Mingyang’s face, trying to wake him.
"Mingyang, don’t be afraid, Mom is here, no one can bully you. Lu Mingyang, quickly let go, if you hurt your Aunt badly, our family will have to pay compensation."
"Good boy Mingyang, Mom is here. You are your dad’s eldest son, no one has the right to say otherwise. Quickly let go, Lu Mingyang, if you don’t let go now, Mom will disown you."
After repeated calls and smacks, Lu Mingyang finally let go. His mouth was full of blood, and he stared blankly at Shen Meng.
"Mom, will you really disown me?"
Seeing this broke Shen Meng’s heart. She had spent this last month caring for the children with all her might, trying to make them forget their past pains and hurts. Time is not the cure-all; forgetting is.
She had been accumulating good deeds daily in hopes of making the children forget their pain. But Wu Xianglan’s harsh words made the children recall it all again.
She didn’t even glance at Wu Xianglan, who was rolling on the ground and crying out in pain.
She knelt on one knee, looked straight at Lu Mingyang, held his arms with both hands, and softly said, "Mingyang, Mom will never disown you. You are Mom’s child, Mom’s son. I can assure you that from now on, if anyone dares to say you’re not the son of Lu Zhenping and me, Shen Meng, Mom will fight them. It doesn’t matter if it’s your dad, your grandmother, your uncles or aunts, nobody can say that. Mom recognizes only you, son, don’t be afraid, Mom is here!"
Shen Meng spoke gently and slowly embraced Lu Mingyang in her arms tightly, trying to calm his emotions.
Wrapped in the warm embrace, Lu Mingyang suddenly shivered, tears starting to stream down his face as he pressed his cheek against the woman’s.
"Mom, oh Mom, wuu wuu wuu..."