Zhou Ping’s cheeks were twitching with indignation. She said angrily, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s all my fault. I’ve slaved for this family for years, but now I just reprimand that girl a little and you scold me so severely? I’ve worked so hard for so many years. I…”
Gu Yundong narrowed his eyes when he saw that she was growing unreasonable. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
“Zhou Ping, have I wronged you in any way in all these years? You’ve slaved for this family? What have I asked of you? The division of labor in this family has always been clear. All these years, I have gone out to work while you remained at home to do the chores and bring up the children.
“In the early years, when Jinlin and the others were small, we were still at our old home and the older folks helped with the children. When we moved to the city, did I stop caring for the children? Later on, when the two younger ones were born, Jinlin wasn’t working and he always helped with his younger brothers. He did everything, including the laundry, the cooking, and helped with the children.
“Otherwise, why would he be able to do all kinds of household chores now?
“Don’t bring in all these inconsequential matters. I’m now discussing Yao Yao with you. I can tell you that she’s a very good girl. She has not done anything to shame the family. She’s been here for a month and she has taken care of this household very well. Even the children have grown plump. We should be grateful to her. She…”
“That’s right! The children have grown plump thanks to her. In the past, I did not raise the children well, but do you see how much money she has spent? The electric fan at home is on all day and we eat fish and meat every day. She spends money like water. How much money have we spent over this period? What about your salaries? Is there anything left?”
“She’s so extravagant. Can our family support her?”
Zhou Ping was very agitated. In any case, she felt that Gu Qingyao was not as good as her husband and son claimed she was. She felt very uncomfortable with the way they protected the girl.
It was harvest time in the village. After coming here, Gu Qingyao’s skin had grown fair and soft. She felt that this was thanks to them. They lived in the city, which was why Gu Qingyao, as a village girl, had the opportunity to live in the city.
Gu Yundong’s expression grew even uglier. He had not expected his wife to be so critical of his niece.
Clearly, she could not see Yao Yao’s merits. She was only looking to find fault.
Heartless creature.
She was the apple of Fourth Brother’s eye. If he knew that she had come to the city to wait on a big family, and was treated like that, he would be heartbroken.
But before Gu Yundong could say anything, Zhou Ping said agitatedly, “She’s just a young girl. She’s been sponging off us. Is it too much to ask for her to do a few things? It was Yunshuang who was supposed to come, but in the end, she came. Frankly, she just did not want to stay home and farm, so she came to the city to enjoy life.
“Look how much money she spent in a month? In the past, our entire family’s expenditure was less than hers alone…”
Gu Yundong was really enraged. He slapped her in the face.
The resounding slap shocked Zhou Ping, who was still speaking!
“Father…” Gu Jinlin was frightened. Although he also felt that his mother had gone overboard, he did not expect his father to hit her. A fight would not end well. He was afraid that his father had become so angry he had lost his reason.
Gu Yundong did not look at him but just gestured. “Go away. I know what I’m doing.”
Gu Jinlin glanced at Zhou Ping and retreated.
Gu Yundong looked at Zhou Ping’s disbelieving face and said, “That’s right, I hit you. Zhou Ping, we’ve been married for more than twenty years and I have never struck you. But this time, you have gone too far.”
