Chapter 258 You Didn’t Even Give Them a Piece of Meat

Chapter 258 You Didn't Even Give Them a Piece of Meat

Fu Xianghong watched Jiang Yu wolfing down dumplings, thinking to herself that she didn’t seem to care about overeating.

She clenched her teeth and, with a hint of desperation, nudged her children forward.

"Jiang Yu, my two children haven't had meat for a long time, you see..."

Jiang Yu abruptly set down her bowl and chopsticks and stormed out.

"Jiang Ting, is this how you treat your sister-in-law? Your sister-in-law finally came over, and you didn’t even give her a piece of meat?"

Jiang Ting was confused and walked out wiping her hands.

"We just had meat for lunch today. How could you say we didn’t?"

Lin Hongxia also went to Jiang Yu to buy beef, and they ate a pound during the New Year's Eve dinner. Jiang Ting had even complained it wasn’t enough at the time.

Later, they found out that Lin Hongxia was thinking of Fu Xianghong and her two grandsons, saving the meat for them.

At noon today, the beef was all for Liu Zhi and his brother, and Jiang Ting only had one piece.

Jiang Yu scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm: "Who are you trying to fool? If your family had eaten meat, would Sister Xianghong bring her two children to beg for meat?"

Jiang Ting’s face fell. "What are you talking about? My sister brought her two children to beg for meat?"

He Feiyan emerged from the room, looking uneasy.

"Sister-in-law, why not let Sister Xianghong have a bit? She said her two children haven't had meat for a long time. I thought she’d eat better at her parents’ place, but I didn’t expect Aunt Lin to be so tightfisted—not even a proper meal with meat."

Fu Xianghong’s face flushed with shame, hot enough to burn.

Jiang Yu and He Feiyan ran too fast, and she didn't have time to stop them before they spoke.

Coming to beg for meat during the New Year—even beggars wouldn’t stoop that low.

Xu Lihua’s piercing stare felt like it could strip the skin off Fu Xianghong’s face.

Liu Zhi, prideful as ever, couldn’t bear the look. He shoved Fu Xianghong aside and snapped, "I never said I wanted any—this was all your idea!"

Fu Xianghong watched him storm out, wanting to follow, but the younger child held her back.

Lin Hongxia, mortified, called Fu Xianghong inside.

"Gather your things and head home now."

Fu Xianghong stared at her in shock—this was her own mother. How could she send her away?

"Mom! I just arrived, and I haven’t even had dinner. How can you kick me out?"

Lin Hongxia snorted, "You dare say that? I’ve treated you and your kids well enough, but what have you been saying behind my back? No matter how much meat we set aside for you, it’s never enough."

Anyone hearing this would feel a chill in their heart.

Fu Xianghong, heartbroken, wiped away her tears.

"It’s just that the kids are craving it. Jiang Yu’s family has plenty of meat—what’s the harm in giving us a few pieces?"

Jiang Ting said with a cold face, "Big sister, you’re still saying that? Every time you visit, you eat and take. Mom’s been more than generous with you. Wanting meat is one thing, but you can’t go around tarnishing our family’s name, making it seem like we’re mistreating you."

She had truly had enough.

In her previous life, Fu Xianghong was destined to pass away from illness in two years, and her two children would be adopted by Fu Xiangyang.

Jiang Ting, anxious and resentful, started avoiding Fu Xianghong's family.

Given Liu Zhi’s nature, he’d never be grateful. She refused to raise someone else’s kids—she wanted her own.

But after countless remedies, her mouth was bitter, and she still hadn’t gotten pregnant.

Lin Hongxia waved her off, unwilling to elaborate.

“Take your kids and go back home.”

Fu Xianghong, bitter and resentful, felt unwelcome at her parents’ home and left with her kids.

On her way out, she snatched the meat from the stove, making Jiang Ting clench her fists in anger.

Just then, Hu Zi and Tong Yuan, holding hands, wandered back into the south room to watch TV.

Though they’d also bought a TV, Jiang Yu’s place was never crowded, leaving Jiang Ting green with envy.

Her own TV had been broken for ages, but Lin Hongxia refused to fix it, leaving it to gather dust in a corner.

“Mom, why don’t we get the TV fixed?”

Lin Hongxia shot her a look, suddenly remembering Jiang Ye.

“Isn’t your brother at the repair shop? Call him over to fix it.”

It was a clever plan—she might even save on the repair costs.

Jiang Ting hesitated, nervously twisting her fingers.

“We’re not on good terms; he won’t do me any favors.”

Lin Hongxia said irritably, “No favors needed. I’ll take the TV to Jiang Yu’s place when he comes. He’ll fix it for me.”

Jiang Ting brushed it off: “You talk to him yourself.”

Maybe Jiang Yu would actually agree.

“Oh, Mom, I need to go back to my parents’ place tomorrow. Can I...”

Lin Hongxia’s face fell, but she knew the rules, so she handed over five yuan.

“You’re all just a bunch of freeloaders! Don’t overdo it. Jiang Yu’s got plenty—let her bring more.”

Jiang Ting took the money and nodded.

On New Year’s Day, as Jiang Yu was leaving for work, Jiang Ting stopped her.

“You’re not going back to your parents’ place today?”

Jiang Yu said, “I’ve got work. How can I go?”

Jiang Ting had originally wanted to hitch a ride on her bicycle to the station.

“It’s New Year’s Day. How can you skip going back to your parents’ place?”

Jiang Yu retorted, "You didn’t send any New Year gifts back either, and now you’re giving me a hard time. You’re not working, so you can come and go as you please. I’d have to take time off to go, and my parents will understand."

Jiang Ting: "...At least bring something, and I’ll take it back for you."

Jiang Yu rolled her eyes at her, "Don’t trouble yourself. If I want to send something, I’ll do it myself. It’s not your concern."

"You!"

Jiang Ting wanted to say more, but she saw Jiang Yu get on her bicycle and quickly ride away.

Furious, she stomped her foot in frustration.

When Jiang Yu got to the second factory, she saw He Qianqian waiting for her again.

As soon as she saw Jiang Yu, she pulled her aside.

Jiang Yu chuckled, "Why are you acting so shady?"

He Qianqian whispered, "Jiang Yu, I’m not lying. What I’m about to tell you, I saw it myself. Believe me!"

Her face was tense, looking dead serious.

Jiang Yu was curious, "What is it that’s so mysterious?"

"Zhou Xue got in trouble at the factory, didn’t she?"

Jiang Yu nodded; it wasn’t a secret, everyone knew.

He Qianqian frowned tightly and bit her lip.

"I spotted her yesterday."

Not only did she see Zhou Xue, but she also saw Shao Jiakang.

She’d heard the workshop workers gossiping, so she naturally knew that Shao Jiakang was her godfather.

But then she saw Zhou Xue holding Shao Jiakang’s arm and kissing his cheek.

He Qianqian’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, feeling like her worldview had been turned upside down.

"Jiang Yu, do you think their behavior is normal?"

Jiang Yu narrowed her eyes; of course, it wasn’t normal.

"Qianqian, where did you see them?"

"In Dongmin Alley, just a short distance from here. I saw them go into a house and didn’t stick around. Back then, everyone thought she’d moved into Director Shao’s place, but now I’m guessing she moved to Dongmin Alley."

Jiang Yu suddenly had a guess. If that courtyard was Zhou Xue’s place, it was probably bought with Zhang Chunhua’s money, not rented!