Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Stabbing a Knife into the Heart

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Stabbing a Knife into the Heart

Translator: 549690339

“I was also unaware of this,” Zhuang Sifu said. “It was Uncle Yonghe who urgently sought me out, mentioning that there were certain matters involving the tofu mill so he asked me to hurry to town and bring you back. Seeing the panic in Uncle Yonghe, I guessed the matter was not small and hurried to fetch you.”

Something happened at the tofu mill?

If it were not a small matter, it wouldn’t have put Zhuang Yonghe into such a rush.

Zhuang Qingning’s face darkened, she quickly informed Zhang Qiuying and Mrs. Cao, and hurried home with Zhuang Qingsui accompanied by Zhuang Sifu.

The tofu mill was Zhuang Qingning’s backbone, and it was also where Zhuang Sifu made his silver. Therefore, he did not dare to delay. He swiftly drove the bullock cart towards the village, with the whip cracking loudly against the bulls.

When they arrived at the entrance of the village, they saw that Zhuang Yonghe was already waiting.

“Uncle He, what’s happened?” Zhuang Qingning jumped down from the bullock cart: “What happened at the tofu mill?”

“I heard from Mingliang.”

Zhuang Yonghe wiped a layer of forehead sweat caused by the heat and anxiety, saying,

“It seems that near noon, Aunt Wen’s household suddenly became bustling, it appeared that her two sons had returned home. At first, everyone didn’t care much. It was normal for a son to return and see his mother. But then the noises became louder as if they were arguing, this made everyone worried. However, as Aunt Wen’s relationship with her children was not good, and it was a private family matter, everyone thought it best not to interfere.”

“As the argument escalated, Aunt Wen’s two sons suddenly showed up at the tofu mill, and announced that they would not be renting the tofu mill anymore. They told the people working in the tofu mill to finish today’s work and pack up to go home.”

“After the two men had spoken, Aunt Wen appeared. She told everyone not to listen to her sons, and that they just needed to listen to her, and the tofu mill would operate as usual. This led to another fight. In the end, Aunt Wen’s two sons did not argue anymore at the tofu mill, instead, they went to the entrance of your house, mentioning that they would wait for you to return so they could properly discuss the matter of the tofu mill.”

“When Mingliang saw that the matter was not right, he immediately went back and told me about it. So, I quickly sent Sifu to the town to fetch you, so we could see what was going on.”

“Let’s go, let’s see what’s happening,” Zhuang Qingning said with furrowed brows, walking ahead with Zhuang Yonghe, not even thinking about getting into the bullock cart.

Behind them, Zhuang Sifu hurriedly drove the bullock cart carrying Zhuang Qingsui and followed.

When they arrived at the gate, they indeed saw Aunt Wen’s two sons, Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng, waiting at the entrance of the courtyard.

When they saw Zhuang Qingning approaching, they walked towards her: “You must be Ning, right?”

“Uncle Yutian, Uncle Yuchcng,” Zhuang Qingning replied.

“We haven’t been in the village for quite some time, many people have changed. You’ve grown so big now, Ning” Zhuang Yutian said.

He was just exchanging pleasantries, but his tone was lukewarm, making one feel uncomfortable.

Apparently angry, but unable to vent at the moment, he could only hold back his temper and talk to Zhuang Qingning.

Zhuang Yucheng was much more direct, he snorted coldly, “Not only has she grown physically, but also mentally. She turned into something big from a good child. I really don’t understand how her parents educated her”

It was well known in the village that Zhuang Qingning’s parents had died at a young age. Although Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng did not live in the village, they had returned a few times a year and knew about this.

Since they know, they shouldn’t have spoken about parenting, it was clearly pointing a knife at Zhuang Qingning’s heart.

At this, Zhuang Qingning’s frown deepened.

Zhuang Yonghe couldn’t stand it, his face filled with rage: “What are you saying?”

“Speaking appropiately for the occasion. There’s a saying that you can’t get ivory from a dog’s mouth, and that’s the point.”

Zhuang Qingning was calm and slow in response: “Uncle Yucheng critisized how my parents educated me and I cannot comment on that. However, I would like to know who educated an elder to speak in such a way to a younger generation?”

“Uncle Yucheng left home early and was not educated by Aunt Wen. I think it must have been influenced by others, which reflects the saying ‘you are who you associate with’.”

Zhuang Yucheng’s face suddenly changed.

Unlike his elder brother Zhuang Yutian, who had purchased a house in the county town and started a business, Zhuang Yuchcng had settled in the town where his wife’s family resided. He relied heavily on his in-laws; even though his children took his family name, he spent all his time with his in-laws, serving the elders and helping his brother-in-law. Zhuang Yucheng lived a life no different from being a son-in-law who moved into his wife’s household.

Being an in-law was highly looked down upon, and Zhuang Yucheng disdained others mentioning his similar life. However, Zhuang Qingning now pointed out this out right in the open, leaving him unable to save face.

“You girl, you really don’t know your place!” Zhuang Yuchcng shouted.

“I concede defeat,” Zhuang Qingning responded with a smile.

One was furious to the point that the veins on his forehead were bulging, while the other was composed as if nothing happened. It was clear to see who had the upper hand and who lost face.

“You…” Zhuang Yucheng’s voice was almost hoarse.

“Little brother.” Zhuang Yutian stopped him. “Don’t let others see our joke.”

Then, he turned towards Zhuang Qingning. “Your Uncle Yucheng has no filter. Please don’t take his words to heart. We came here specifically to discuss something. Our family’s tofu mill will no longer be rented out to you. So, pack your belongings and take your people out of there.”

“I understand that this could be inconvenient for you since you’ve added many things to the tofu mill. Suddenly having to remove all your things…I didn’t want to…”

“If you didn’t want to, then you didn’t have to,” Zhuang Qingning interrupted Zhuang Yutian.

Speak your mind clearly, don’t dance around the subject. We’re not naive, there’s no need to pretend to be reluctant.”

Zhuang Qingning really couldn’t stand this kind of hedging behavior.

Zhuang Yutian suddenly choked on his words, nearly biting his tongue.. After looking carefully at Zhuang Qingning again, he coughed lightly and said, “Uncle understands that you’re upset because this is sudden, but as for this matter…”