Chapter 560 All Because She’s Still Not Dead

Chapter 560: It's All Because She Won't Die

"Mom~ What’s for dinner today? Is there any meat? I haven’t had meat in ages."

Su Lei walked in from outside and asked Ji Qingqing.

Ji Qingqing raised her eyelids, "Eat, eat, eat—what do you have to eat? All you think about is food all day long."

"Your father just lies around at home, and that ungrateful Jiaojiao hasn’t even bothered to contact us. You’re always running around or eating. Do I owe you something?"

A flash of anger crossed Su Lei’s eyes, "What does it have to do with me? I haven’t done anything wrong. Why are you so worried about her? If she hadn’t taken the money from home, would Dad hit you? Would I have gone so long without meat? The teacher asked for school uniform and textbook fees, but you always drag your feet. I’ve been called out several times. I hate her so much, I wish she’d die and never come back!!"

Seeing the hatred in Su Lei’s eyes, which was far beyond his age, Ji Qingqing was startled. She reached out, grabbed his arm, and lightly slapped his back.

"You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? She’s your own sister. She used to be so good to you at home. How can you say such things? You ungrateful child!"

Su Lei raised his arm, "I’m not lying. She’s no good at all. If she hadn’t stolen the money from home, would Dad be hitting and yelling at people every day?"

"Would I be mocked by my classmates and called out by the teacher? You don’t even buy me meat anymore. Are you telling me to thank her?"

At ten years old, Su Lei was taller and stronger than most kids his age. Since birth, Ji Qingqing and Su Jianjun had never neglected his nutrition.

Even during the toughest times, Su Lei’s eggs were never cut off.

But now, that face, still retaining some childish innocence, was filled with malice.

Ji Qingqing and Su Jianjun had been living in chaos for years, but they had never neglected their son’s diet and clothing. However, they had completely ignored Su Lei’s mental health.

The constant fighting and cursing between his parents had severely affected Su Lei’s psychology, making him increasingly cold-blooded, selfish, and irritable.

Ji Qingqing's eyes flickered as she explained to Su Lei, "Lei'er, you're still young and don't understand the matters of adults."

"The argument between your father and me wasn't about your sister. We were arguing because your Uncle Two's family came to demand money. Your mother has been working hard at the market stall every day, earning money. How could we not even afford meat? We are so tight on money because we need to support your grandmother."

"Didn't you see the other day when your Uncle Two brought officials from the neighborhood committee to our house? They criticized and educated both your father and me, demanding that we pay. If we didn't, your Uncle Two and Aunt Two would cause trouble at my stall. There was nothing we could do but comply with them."

Su Lei looked doubtful, "Really?"

Ji Qingqing sighed, "I'm your mother; would I lie to you?"

"There were several incidents at the canning factory before. The factory has always kept a close eye on our family, especially regarding the care for your grandmother after her stroke. When we were still living in the factory housing, they intervened multiple times.

That old hag, Lin Zhaodi, as you've seen, always deliberately caused trouble here. She is biased and favors your Uncle Two, preferring to stay at his place. So she intentionally made things difficult for us to force us to financially support your Uncle Two's family."

"That old hag has been dragging this on for years and won't die. She's really going to drive us to our graves. I wonder if Su Jianguo and Liu Huilan have shit in their heads. Even in this state, they still send her to the hospital from time to time. It must be burning a hole in their pockets!"

"They all work at the canning factory, and because of Lin Zhaodi, they've earned a reputation for being filial. I heard that your cousin Wan has even been promoted to a managerial position. We, on the other hand, have suffered greatly. They want to take care of her, but why should they come to us for money? What a shameless bunch, taking all the credit and benefits while expecting us to share the financial burden."

Su Lei's face was filled with anger, "Then don't give them the money! If she likes Uncle Two's family, let her stay there. Why should we pay?"

Ji Qingqing's eyes flickered again, "Lei'er, you're still young and don't understand the complexity. Even if she doesn't like your father, she is still his mother. Our neighbors and the leaders are watching. If I really don't give them the money, how will I continue my business? If it gets reported to your father's workplace, will he still be able to keep his job? Without income, what will we eat and drink?"

"Sigh, when will this life end? If Lin Zhaodi lives another ten or twenty years, our whole family will be doomed, working like oxen and horses to support your Uncle Two's family!"

"That old hag, always a burden, I wonder when she'll finally die."

"But looking at it, your Uncle Two's family doesn't want her to die either. After all, the medical expenses are shared among us, and they get all the credit and benefits..."

Ji Qingqing stood up, still muttering, "Alright, I'm going to cook dinner. You go read for a bit. Later, we'll go to the hospital together. I need to check how much we've spent on medical bills. The neighborhood committee leader said the other day that even if we don't have the money, we have to write an IOU for your Aunt Two. If we don't keep Liu Huilan in check, they'll come and cause trouble at my stall again, and I won't be able to run it anymore."

Su Lei watched his mother’s retreating figure entering the kitchen, a flash of malice in his eyes.

He detested his grandmother, who had always favored Su Bai and Su Wan since they were young, showing no affection for him or Su Jiao, let alone Su An and Su Ping, the two country bumpkins.

Over the years, listening to Ji Qingqing and Su Jianjun’s complaints, Su Lei’s hatred for Lin Zhaodi had reached its peak.

Now, hearing Ji Qingqing’s implication that all the family’s troubles were her fault, even the inability to afford meat or pay school fees being blamed on Lin Zhaodi, his hatred intensified to an extreme. Why hasn’t she died yet!

Su Jianjun was nowhere to be found after work, but he arrived just as Ji Qingqing finished preparing the meal.

In an unknown rage, he kicked over a small chair by the door as soon as he entered.

Su Lei involuntarily shuddered.

Ji Qingqing suppressed her anger, forcing a fake smile onto her face, “Jianjun, you’re back. Go wash your hands; it’s time to eat.”

The smile didn’t reach her eyes, and it even carried a hint of impatience.

Useless, a coward, only good for bullying at home.

Despite her inner frustration, Ji Qingqing still asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Su Jianjun’s face darkened, “Who else? Ever since Su Jianguo and his wife came with the neighborhood committee the day before yesterday, every time I go out, I’m pointed at and gossiped about by the neighbors.”

“Those gossipy women, spreading rumors worse than ever!”

Ji Qingqing’s eyes flickered, “Was it Aunt Ge talking to you again about all sorts of nonsense?”

“Never mind, don’t get angry. I’ve been used to it for years. Anyway, from childhood to now, all the good things have gone to Su Jianguo, while all the bad things have been yours. You know how it is; Mother’s heart has always been biased, favoring him. She always said we couldn’t rely on you, but look how it turned out...”