Chapter 69: Useless Lin Cheng
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Stepmother and Lele are back!” Before Su Bing could gather his thoughts, a woman’s voice reached his ears.
Their stepmother had arrived, carrying their sister into the house, and their loyal dog, Big Yellow, followed behind, eagerly wagging its tail as if to say, “You’re finally back. I want some braised pork too!”
For a moment, Su Bing couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between the longing expression on Big Yellow’s face and Su Li’s earlier plea for braised pork!
Gu Zi placed a bag of pumpkin seeds on the low table and playfully teased their sister. “What does our Lele want to eat today?”
Su Le’s eyes sparkled, and she responded with a series of ‘Yi Yi Ya Ya” sounds. Gu Zi continued, “Oh, you want to eat braised pork!”
It was clear that their stepmother had overheard their previous conversation, and Su Li blushed with embarrassment.
However, their stepmother didn’t seem to be upset with them. She placed Su Le on the sofa and instructed her, “Lele, play with your brothers for now. I’m going to cook.”
This time, it was Su Bing’s turn to be a little puzzled. He felt that he was the target of something, but it was a strange feeling that he wasn’t entirely opposed to.
As Gu Zi entered the kitchen, Su Li raised his head and asked Su Bing, “So, is stepmother angry or not?”
Su Bing questioned, “Did you say something bad about her earlier?”
Su Li shook his head, then suddenly realized something. “She’s not angry, but she sounded weird.”
Su Bing understood that he meant their stepmother sounded eccentric. He looked at the bag of pumpkin seeds and pondered.
At the same time, over at Little Lin Village, Lin Cheng saw through Li Hua’s thoughts.
She missed her mother at home and wanted to visit.
However, he also knew what worried Li Hua – her father had always looked down on their family and criticized him for being worthless. She didn’t want to listen to his harsh words.
After finishing his work, Lin Cheng brought Li Hua to her family’s home. As a man with limited skills, he was willing to endure her father’s criticism and lectures so that his wife could see her mother.
Li Hua was reluctant to enter. “Ah-Cheng, I don’t want to go in. Let’s go back and cook.”
Their arrival didn’t go unnoticed, and a mocking voice taunted them, “Oh, you’re back?”
Li Hua knew her father’s nature all too well. If they came back, he would scold Lin Cheng for being useless, and if they didn’t come back, he would criticize her for being unfilial.
Regardless, she hadn’t married Lin Hun from next door as her father had wished, so everything they did was wrong.
They followed Mr. Li to the entrance of the Li family’s house, but Li Hua went inside to find her mother, while her father-in-law showed no intention of letting Lin Cheng in.
“I won’t lend you any money,” Mr. Li said sternly.
Lin Cheng lowered his head and responded, “Dad, I’m not here to borrow money. I’ll wait for her here.”
“Uncle Li, why is your useless son-in-law here again? Is he here to beg for money? Hahahaha.” The taunting voice belonged to Lin Hun, the village overlord of Little Lin Village. He was accompanied by a group of ruffians. Mr. Li dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “I won’t lend him a single cent.”
Lin Cheng kept his head down and allowed them to continue their conversation.
Seeing his docile behavior, Lin Hun grew more excited. He said, ‘Your family is in debt to Big Boss Su now. It’s no surprise you’re seeking help from anyone and everyone.”
With that, he and his ruffian companions burst into laughter once more.
He stepped on a rock and smacked his thigh. “If you want to borrow money, just call me grandpa, and I’ll lend you ten yuan.”
At that moment, Li Hua stepped out to defend Lin Cheng. “Lin Hun, don’t be so mean!”
Li Hua’s father shook his head in disbelief. What had Lin Cheng done to make
his usually timid daughter defend him so vehemently?
Lin Hun was fuming when he saw the woman he wanted to marry defending a good-for-nothing like Lin Cheng.
Since she didn’t have any affection for him, and had chosen Lin Cheng instead, he didn’t want her to live an easy life!
“If you had chosen to be with me back then, you wouldn’t be hiding under this mountain. I don’t understand what you see in him,” Lin Hun retorted.
“Lin Hun, show some respect to Xiao Hua!” Lin Cheng stepped forward to protect Li Hua, positioning himself between her and Lin Hun. They could say anything they wanted about him, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone disrespecting Li Hua.
Lin Hun was taken aback at first, then he looked at the ruffians standing behind him, who burst into laughter.
“The poorest man in our Little Lin Village has now become the poorest wife-slave. Hahaha…
Li Hua said to Lin Cheng, “Ignore them. Let’s go home. Mom, take care.” Her mother stood by the door, nodding with a bitter smile.
As they were about to leave, they were blocked by Lin Hun and a few of his men.
“Lin Cheng, are you going to borrow money from me today? You’ll have to call me grandpa before you can leave,” Lin Hun taunted.
The gangsters behind him joined in, mocking, “Call him grandpa! Call him grandpa!”