Chapter 489: I Can’t Indulge You
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mrs. Wang spoke with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “Ah, dear mother-in-law, we are all family here. Since you’re working now, let’s just say this money is on your tab. It can be deducted from your salary. Consider it as you treating me and Yuan Yuan to breakfast.”
The next paragraph began with a playful tone, “Son, from now on, we’ll be dining at grandma’s. She has money now and can afford to treat us. Finally, she’s not just a parasite who can’t earn a thing. Mother, I’m just joking with the child. Look, I’ve given this family a son, and now that you’re capable of earning money, you wouldn’t refuse to pay for this little breakfast, would you?”
As she spoke, Gu Zi watched her with a cold, piercing gaze, like a knife steeped in poison, which made Mrs. Wang somewhat wary.
Mrs. Wang had heard of Gu Zi’s victories. During Gu Zi’s time in the village, she had been undefeated in all disputes, even sending someone to jail.
However, Mrs. Wang was accustomed to taking advantage of others in the village and the town. She had never encountered anyone more wicked than herself, and she wouldn’t lose face to Gu Zi. So, she said what she wanted to say, she wasn’t freeloading, and having the mother-in-law pay had nothing to do with Gu Zi.
Moreover, Mrs. Wang thought that in the past, the mother-in-law relied on Yang Tao’s earnings for meals. She had to work, do housework, and serve herself. Now that she had a job, if she could hand over her salary, Mrs. Wang wouldn’t say anything or bother her. But it seemed that the old woman wasn’t going to give up her salary easily, so she couldn’t blame Mrs. Wang for scheming.
Anyway, she would continue this way for now, coming to town every day to eat, saving a lot of money, and it was convenient for her to play mahjong. It wasn’t a bad idea to put it on the old woman’s tab. When Yang Tao returned, he could directly ask Aunt Yang for the salary, which was only reasonable.
She didn’t believe that Yang Tao wouldn’t be able to pay this salary.
As soon as Mrs. Wang spoke these words, the others understood her intentions, their tongues clicking in disapproval. Aunt Yang was the first to respond, “You may have this meal today, and I will pay for it, but I won’t pay for you in the future. Let me make it clear, you and Yang Tao are now family. You should live well together. I won’t need you to take care of me in my old age.”
After a pause, she continued, “From now on, we go our separate ways. You don’t need to call me mother-in-law anymore, and Yang Tao should stop calling me mother. After all, in your heart, you’ve never considered me as your mother-in-law. As for Yang Tao, since you entered our lives, I consider my son as good as dead.”
Aunt Yang didn’t just refuse their heartless offer of care in her old age, she also felt she couldn’t rely on them. With that realization, she no longer feared anything. She decided to live her life as if she had never given birth to a son like Yang Tao.
Mrs. Wang was momentarily speechless. She hadn’t expected this stubborn old woman to be thinking of going it alone. She spoke sweetly now, saying she didn’t want their support in her old age, but Mrs. Wang suspected that might change when she got older. She didn’t believe such words for a second.
“Hehehe, mother-in-law, you’re really funny, so humorous. I won’t keep you any longer, I have things to do. Yuan Yuan, you stay with grandma, didn’t you say you missed her? Stay here with her, Mommy will come to pick you up later.”
Mrs. Wang didn’t listen to Aunt Yang’s words at all. She wanted to leave Yuan Yuan with Aunt Yang, just like last time when she claimed to be unwell. Aunt Yang had taken care of the child for five days, even borrowing bedding from Mother Lin out of concern for the child’s warmth.
This time, Mrs. Wang was even more audacious, not bothering to find an excuse. She simply wanted to leave the child here while she went off to play mahjong.
Gu Zi, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up to stop her, his cold voice slowly saying, “I don’t care who invites whom among you mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. I have no interest in such matters. However, I am indeed a partner in this restaurant. Seeing your attitude today, first criticizing our food, then refusing to pay, and finally wanting to charge it to one of my employees by deducting it from her salary.
“Your actions not only cause trouble for our accounting, but it’s clear you’re trying to dine and dash. I can’t indulge you in this. If I do, it’s like giving permission for other hooligans in town to cause trouble, criticizing the food and then refusing to pay. That would create chaos. So, please pay for this meal before you leave.”
Her tone wasn’t particularly loud, and it didn’t even sound threatening, but it carried an undeniable authority that demanded attention and defied rebuttal. Anyone who witnessed such a stance couldn’t help but feel a sense of submission.
Mrs. Wang felt exactly that at this moment. She could have simply turned and left, but now she hesitated, remaining rooted to the spot.