Chapter 17: Come On, Let’s Acupuncture

Chapter 17: Come On, Let's Do Acupuncture

Lu Danian informed Mother Lu about Lin Mu's harassment, explaining it was instigated by his eldest sister-in-law. Both were quite shocked. Just then, Grandma Lu's curses echoed from outside once more.

They rushed out. Lu Danian asked, "Mom, what are you doing here?"

This question instantly infuriated Grandma Lu: "What kind of talk is that? It's only natural for a mother to visit her son!" Remembering how Lu Danian had knelt and kowtowed loudly that day, making her, his mother, the subject of criticism, her anger flared anew.

Grandma Lu spat, "Look at this unfilial wretch you've raised—she even called me a dog just now. No wonder you couldn’t bear a son with such a heartless daughter!"

Lu Danian's lips trembled with rage at his own mother's curses.

Lu Xiang, observing Grandma Lu's haughty demeanor, remarked, "Dad, were you adopted?" It seemed Grandma Lu never truly regarded their family as human.

Mother Lu, accustomed to a lifetime of submission, still had her limits. Witnessing Grandma Lu curse both her granddaughter and her son, Mother Lu finally spoke, "All these years, have you never felt any affection for Danian?"

Grandma Lu sneered, "Why is it that his older brother lives so well while he struggles? That's his own problem." She conveniently omitted how, after her husband's death, she had practically driven Lu Danian's family away, giving everything to the eldest son. Instead, she blamed the younger son for his perceived incompetence.

After her tirade, Grandma Lu finally recalled her purpose: "Where's the three hundred yuan?"

Lu Danian asked, "What three hundred yuan?"

Grandma Lu declared, "The betrothal money from the Fu family. The Fu family took it back from me—it was my money that ended up with you. Why didn’t you bring it to me?"

Lu Xiang was both angered and amused by her self-righteous attitude: "We don't have the money." Even if they did, she wouldn't give it to her.

Lu Xiang’s family didn’t even have a bowl of rice left, yet Grandma Lu never offered assistance. Every time grain or money was distributed, she appeared to exploit them.

Grandma Lu shrieked, "Fine! You took my money and won’t return it? Are you trying to drive me to my death?!" With that, she sat on the ground, slapping her thighs and cursing loudly.

Fu Qinhui had seen Grandma Lu a few times before and considered her an ordinary old lady. Now, she seemed utterly unreasonable.

Lu Xiang had long spent the money on grain. Only forty yuan remained with Mother Lu. How could a family manage without any savings? That money was for daily living.

Lu Xiang retorted, "This money was for the Fu family to marry a bride. Why should it go to you? It's not like you're the one getting married! Besides, we’ve already separated."

Snickers rippled through the crowd.

Lu Xiang noticed many people had been drawn by Grandma Lu’s theatrics. They had just heard Lu Xiang’s retort, "It's not like you're the one getting married!" and found it hilarious.

Someone in the crowd addressed Grandma Lu, "Aunt Lu, why are you always picking on Lu Xiang and her family?" Out of respect for her age, people spoke to her quite politely.

Grandma Lu complained, "The Fu family gave them three hundred yuan, and they embezzled it. That money was taken from me by the Fu family—it's my money! They took my three hundred yuan, and I’m not allowed to speak up? What kind of logic is that?"

Lu Xiang said quietly, "Originally, the Fu family was going to give it to you, but you cleverly swapped Lu Zhaodi out. So the money had to be recalculated. In the end, it’s your own doing—how can you blame my parents?"

Grandma Lu was livid: "You’re the one who’s shameless, throwing yourself at the Fu family!"

Lu Danian raised his voice sharply: "Mom! Lu Xiang is the granddaughter you watched grow up. She’s always been honest and dutiful."

Lu Danian was deeply disappointed in his mother. She knew perfectly well that Lu Xiang was with Fu Qinhui, yet she deliberately said such things—all because she hadn’t gotten the money and wanted to cause trouble.

But Lu Xiang was her own granddaughter! Because of Grandma Lu’s terrible idea, Lu Xiang had become the target of gossip, and now she was trying to smear her reputation?

Making white black—this was going to ruin their family of three!

Lu Xiang’s expression hardened: "The police already cleared things up that day. They said if anyone made mistakes again, they’d be arrested and jailed. Grandma, you can eat whatever you want, but you shouldn't speak recklessly."

Grandma Lu was a bully at home but a coward outside. The mention of the police made her nervous and fearful, but she quickly retorted, "You’d even sue your own grandmother? You unfilial beast!"

The onlookers gathered, whispering among themselves. Though Lu Danian couldn’t hear what they were saying, their expressions made him feel as if ants were crawling under his skin!

Lu Danian finally couldn’t take it anymore: "When our oldest daughter got married, you said the other family was respectable. We only found out what kind of family they really were on the wedding day. Then Second Daughter—you made the decisions again. Do you only care about money?"

Grandma Lu had grown accustomed to Lu Danian’s submissive attitude over the years. Now, seeing him defy her, she jumped up in anger: "How dare you blame me? I raised you, and this is the thanks I get? A beast like you should’ve been smothered at birth."

Grandma Lu had thought it would be easy to get money from Lu Danian, but she hadn’t gotten a cent. Humiliated and enraged, and seeing so many people watching, she felt she had lost face. Clutching her chest, she declared, "Fine! You want to anger me to death!" Then she stiffened her neck and pretended to be unconscious.

Everyone crowded around. Someone in the crowd said, "No matter what, you shouldn’t make an old woman so angry!"

Grandma Lu, feigning unconsciousness, was feeling quite pleased with herself. If she couldn’t control others, could she not control you?

Lu Danian panicked instantly, but Lu Xiang said calmly, "Mom, go get your embroidery needle. I’ve seen others use acupuncture before. For someone who’s fainted, pricking their fingers will wake them up."

Mother Lu, lacking any better idea, saw how composed Lu Xiang was and immediately felt reassured. She hurried off to find a quilting needle!

Grandma Lu began to feel uneasy. Then she heard Lu Xiang say to Fu Qinhui, "Hold my grandma’s hand steady. If I miss, I’ll have to prick her again."

Fu Qinhui obeyed his wife. Grandma Lu felt her hand being held firmly, unable to move, and her unease grew.

Since the bride-swapping incident, Lu Xiang had become exceptionally formidable.

Grandma Lu didn’t open her eyes, but she tensed up nervously.

Just as Lu Xiang brought out the needle to scare her, Grandma Lu came to with a soft moan.

Lu Xiang said, "Grandma, you’re awake?" Her voice sounded pleasantly surprised.

The onlookers praised her: "Lu Xiang is so magnanimous. Aunt Lu, you have a good granddaughter here—stop being so hard on her."

Grandma Lu knew she wouldn’t get the money back. Lu Xiang was like a slippery eel—every time Grandma Lu thought she had her, Lu Xiang found a way out. Realizing further arguing was useless, she gave Lu Xiang a resentful glare.

She scrambled to her feet.

Three hundred yuan—enough for a rural family to live on for a year—had gone to Lu Xiang for nothing. The thought made her ache all over. What worried her even more was that her once-obedient son was now defying her. This was not a good sign.

Grandma Lu was full of regret! Just as Lu Xiang had said, why did I have to mess with the marriage arrangements? She must have lost her mind back then. As a result, Lu Zhaodi didn’t get married, but Lu Xiang ended up with a good match. She had tried to cheat but only lost more—the thought made her heart ache.

All the voices around her seemed to be mocking her.