Chapter 47

Chapter 47

"Gao Mingzhu!"

"Gao Mingzhu!"

When the mood in the bedroom was peaking, a high-pitched shout came from outside.

Gao Mingzhu gave a start, her whole body trembling, unable to speak for a long time. She wrapped her arms tightly around Huo Huaichuan's neck, her face deeply buried in the crook of his neck.

"It's okay, the door is locked. She can't get in." The man looked at her embarrassment, as if she wanted to disappear into the ground, and chuckled quietly, his voice equally hoarse and low.

Gao Mingzhu barely waited for the afterglow to pass before she recoiled as if scalded, abruptly pushing away the man's hand, flustered and annoyed as she turned to lie face down on the bed, her voice soft and tinged with embarrassment after what just happened: "Go out and see Mother quickly."

Her voice was so coquettish it was practically dripping with honey. Huo Huaichuan's eyes darkened a little, but he knew this wasn't the time, so he said, "Take a moment to compose yourself. I'll go out and see Mother."

Gao Mingzhu heard the sound of his wheelchair rolling and quickly whispered, "You... wash your hands first!"

"Mm." Huo Huaichuan went to the bathroom to wash his hands before going out, considerately closing the bedroom door behind him.

Gao Mingzhu's face grew even hotter. She lay on the bed for a while longer, letting the flush on her face die down a little.

Then she hurriedly got up, went to the bathroom to straighten herself up, making sure she didn't look too much of a mess, and only then forced a calm expression as she went out.

Mother Huo was talking with Huo Huaichuan.

"Mother, I'm out here." Gao Mingzhu walked over and immediately saw a large bowl of scrambled eggs with pickled veggies on the table. Surprised, she said, "Mother, we've already had dinner."

"Oh, you've eaten? Then save it for tomorrow, or give it to Tiewei for a treat!" Mother Huo quickly waved her hand and said.

Give it to Tiewei?

Gao Mingzhu was even more astonished.

Although Mother Huo was all for them having a dog, she had always been frugal. Even for luxury items like eggs, she couldn't even bring herself to eat them. Now she was saying to feed them to the dog? That was a bit suspicious!

She was about to press further, but caught sight of Huo Huaichuan beside her and swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

She took Mother Huo's hand. "Mother, come outside with me. I have something I want to ask you."

"Oh, alright." Mother Huo kept saying.

Seeing them about to leave, Huo Huaichuan frowned. "What can't be said here?"

"Oh, it's women's private business. You men shouldn't pry!" Gao Mingzhu shot back proudly and pulled Mother Huo out the door.

Huo Huaichuan: "..."

Regardless of what Huo Huaichuan thought, Gao Mingzhu pulled Mother Huo outside the yard. Once she was sure he was out of earshot, she asked in a hushed voice, "Mother, did something happen again at the old house?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Mother Huo's face.

Gao Mingzhu stared at her, her expression turning serious. "What exactly happened? Did they bully you again?"

Seeing she couldn't hide it from her, Mother Huo sighed and decided to come clean. "There was a scene just now. The Lin family has their eye on your job. Lin Meilan wanted me to pressure you into giving the accounting position to her brother! I refused, and she threatened divorce!"

"What?" Gao Mingzhu's brows furrowed, and she let out a cold laugh. "They really have no shame!"

She had long expected that the Lin family wouldn't let her get the accounting job easily, but she didn't expect Lin Meilan to use divorce to threaten Mother Huo.

It seemed the Lin family was determined, and they had probably even told Lin Meilan the whole truth!

"Mingzhu, don't pay any attention to what they say!" Mother Huo, afraid that Gao Mingzhu might misunderstand her intentions to persuade, quickly made her stance clear: "I will never let them take your job! And you must never give in! I've already laid down the law—if they dare to push you, I'll divorce too! Hmph, I even took away the cooked meal and fed it to the dogs rather than give it to them! A bunch of thankless ingrates!"

At the end, she rolled her eyes in a somewhat childish manner.

"Pfft!" Gao Mingzhu was amused by Mother Huo's "petty" way of getting back at them.

She looked at Mother Huo, and a pang of sorrow rose in her heart.

Her mother-in-law had endured so much mistreatment in the past that even taking away her own cooked meal to deny it to the ungrateful felt like a huge relief!

But that was in the past; from now on, she would become tougher and better!

She smiled and praised, "Mother, you did great this time! That's the way to do it!"

"Of course!" Mother Huo puffed out her chest with a hint of pride. "I'm never going to be a doormat again! Whoever bullies me, I'll fight back! Let's see who dares to push me around!"

After these past few days, she had realized how foolish she had been, always thinking that if she just endured, things would blow over.

But her patience had not earned them respect or gratitude; instead, they had taken advantage of her and bullied her even more!

So why should she keep tolerating it? Even a worm will turn!

She wasn't without support. Mingzhu's support was her greatest source of confidence!

"Haha!" Gao Mingzhu laughed even more happily. This was a great start. "You must remember what you said today! From now on, if anyone bullies you, fight back hard! If you can't fight them or feel awkward, come to me and Huaichuan! We'll figure it out together! We may be few, but we have reason and the law on our side! Besides, don't forget, Uncle Du Shan—even though he's your cousin—is still your family. He cares about you so much; he'll definitely help you!"

"Right!" Mother Huo nodded repeatedly. Yes, besides Mingzhu and Huaichuan, her own family was also in the village.

Although Du Shan was only her cousin, he treated her like a sister!

"Then, Mother, why don't you stay here tonight?" Gao Mingzhu suggested. "I'll make your bed."

"No, I'd better go back!" Mother Huo said immediately.

Gao Mingzhu thought she was just being polite and said helplessly, "Why are you being so formal with me? You've threatened to divorce—shouldn't you show you mean business? Let them know you're not joking!"

"It's not about being polite!" Mother Huo leaned close to Gao Mingzhu, lowering her voice, her eyes gleaming with cunning. "Didn't you say that old fool has someone outside? I argued so fiercely with him today. Maybe, with all that pent-up anger, he'll go to his mistress to blow off steam tonight. I need to go back and keep an eye on him!"

Regarding what Gao Mingzhu had said earlier about the old man having an affair, she was ninety percent convinced, but she was determined to catch him red-handed!

Gao Mingzhu was taken aback.

She looked at Mother Huo in surprise. "Mother, you... you've learned so fast!"

She had thought Mother Huo would need to see Old Man Huo actually go to his mistress before she would give up, but here she was, already thinking about how to catch him in the act!

Mother Huo felt a little embarrassed. "It's mainly because of your influence. You do so much for me and for Huaichuan. I can't be a burden to you!"

When she said this, her words were full of gratitude!

Gao Mingzhu smiled. What a quick learner! She didn't insist on keeping her. "Alright, then you go back. But remember, don't keep any grievances bottled up. Make sure to tell me!"

"Mm-hmm, don't worry!" Mother Huo felt warm inside. After a few more words, she turned and headed back to the old house.

Gao Mingzhu suddenly thought of something and quickly called after her, "Mother! You just brought us all the food. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Why don't you eat here before going back?"

"No need, no need! They'll definitely have to cook again over there. I'll go back and eat the freshly made stuff!" Mother Huo waved her hand without turning back, her steps light, looking like she was heading off to battle full of spirit.

Gao Mingzhu watched her mother-in-law's back, a question mark forming in her mind.

"Are you sure they'll cook a portion for you?"

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