Wu Meixiang callously kicked the two children away. "Don't blame your mother; I can't let your two uncles remain unmarried."
"Mom, why bother with them? Didn't you always say they were dull and stupid and couldn't support you? Our brothers will support you in the future; won't you stay?"
Wu Father and Wu Mother's faces immediately darkened, and they looked at Wu Meixiang with displeasure. They had originally planned to use Wu Meixiang's bride price to exchange a wife for their two sons, but everyone around knew their family's situation.
How could people be willing to part with that little money? In the end, they could only use the money to treat their two sons' illnesses. Not a penny was left, yet their two foolish sons showed no improvement.
"Meixiang is a person, not an object. She has agreed to remarry; she can sue for divorce in court. Your entanglement is useless; we must take her away today."
Zhao Father considered for a while. It was known that the Wu family had come here. It was possible that people from their side would call the police, which would be a significant loss for him.
So he said, "How much bride price did the other side promise your family?"
"Thirty thousand. After all, she's a second-hand marriage; she's not as valuable as before."
"Then, how about this? Your family gives my family thirty thousand, and I'll marry my daughter to your son. Our two families will be more closely related."
Wu Mother's mind couldn't catch up, but the first reaction when thinking about spending money was that it wasn't worth it.
"How can it be so expensive?"
Zhao Mother retorted unhappily, "Your daughter needs thirty thousand for her second marriage, but mine doesn't. My daughter is cultured and beautiful, streets ahead of your Wu Meixiang."
Zhao Qingqing struggled incessantly, but her mouth was gagged, and she couldn't utter a word. She was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead.
"Then your son is disabled. We're not at a disadvantage. My son is able-bodied. I don't think you should collect the bride price."
Zhao Father snorted, "Can your family marry a wife for your son with that thirty thousand yuan?"
Wu Father and Wu Mother both fell silent simultaneously. After thinking for a moment, they made up their minds. They took Zhao Qingqing away that night, told Wu Meixiang to take good care of Zhao Honghong, and promised to send the money the next day.
Wu Meixiang was completely desperate. Without external help, she couldn't escape this village. Before she could react, Zhao Mother's fists and bamboo cane came down upon her.
Zhao Father just watched. She dared not fight back; otherwise, the combined assault would be even more unbearable. The two children also spat at her, imitating their grandmother and constantly cursing.
Zhao Honghong's vital signs had stabilized. The Zhao family didn't have much money to waste, so they took him home to recuperate. The same was true for the other families.
Hearing Wu Meixiang's heart-wrenching words, he felt his heart breaking. Listening to his mother's curses and beatings, he hated that he couldn't get up to care for and comfort her.
Zhao Xianming watched the farce for free and kept calculating in his mind. The main source of income for this family was Zhao Qingqing, and now she had been sold by his elder brother.
His elder brother would surely hoard that little bit of money, and he wouldn't get a cent. Here, he would at least have food and shelter, but curing his illness remained a huge problem.
He tossed and turned sleeplessly all night. The next day, he packed his belongings and hurried to Chen Family Village. From the village entrance, he kowtowed every step of the way, crying out continuously.
"All the mistakes are mine. Nannan, please, please cure Daddy."
"Brother Chen, I'm sorry to you. Thank you for raising my daughter for so many years. But Nannan is my own flesh and blood; please return him to me."
"I will repay you in the future. My daughter is my only relative in this world. Brother Chen, please help me; I'm dying."
...
"Damn it, there are all sorts of scum. Getting sick is retribution for such people. And they dare to cause trouble in our Chen Family Village."
"Get out! Go back to your village! Let your niece and nephew support you. You never raised them for a single day, so why should they support you?"
"I know I was wrong, but so many years have passed; can't you forgive me? The child also grew up safe and sound. We should look forward."
"Damn it, don't force me to hit you! What kind of scum can say such things? If it weren't for the elder Chen couple, the child would have turned into ashes."
In the heavy snow, people shivered with cold, but there were many onlookers. They all spat at him and threw rotten vegetables. Zhao Xianming wished he could be more miserable. Young girls' hearts were soft.
Just then, with a thunderous roar, a bolt of lightning struck Zhao Xianming. Instantly, flames ignited. The feeling of pain was crystal clear.
The people around were stunned. It took a while before someone called the police, but no one dared to step forward. Zhao Xianming's life ebbed away little by little.
The bone-deep pain made him wish he didn't have to experience it for another second, but he couldn't die. He lived for a full hour before his life ended.
When the police arrived, they could only contact his family. With so many witnesses around, they could only say it was his bad luck. People should do fewer things that weigh on their conscience.
Zhao Father, finding it inauspicious, found a random pit and buried him. The moment his soul left his body, it was captured by Jun Jiuli and then placed on the pigs raised by the Zhao family...
On the way to the Wu family, Jun Jiuli had already given Zhao Qingqing an infertility drug. She couldn't bring an innocent child into the world, or it would be her sin.
Zhao Qingqing fiercely resisted when she arrived at the Wu family, but she was ultimately no match for their strength. The Wu family confiscated all communication devices and resolutely prevented Zhao Qingqing from leaving the house.
Zhao Qingqing's ex-husband never found another wife in this life; he was destined to die without descendants. He lived a mediocre life for the rest of his days, often being ridiculed.
None of the crippled members of the Zhao family could leave offspring. The physical and psychological pain tormented them incessantly.
The original host's soul had always stayed by the Chen couple's side. Jun Jiuli returned it to her body and then left this plane.
"Nannan, why are you standing there foolishly? Come and help Mom. I can't manage this New Year's Eve dinner by myself."
"Yes, coming."
She wiped the moisture from her eyes, trying hard to hold back her tears. She walked briskly into the kitchen. She had never imagined such a moment would come.
She was determined to study hard and live up to her parents' cultivation over the years, giving them a comfortable old age. Chen Father and Chen Mother were in good health and both lived past ninety.
After graduation, Chen Nannan found a good job in the city with excellent grades. After a few years of hard work, she brought the elderly couple to the city to live with her.
Wherever Chen Nannan was, that was the home for the elderly couple. The family was warm and happy. Chen Nannan also found her own happiness, and Chen Father and Chen Mother were both happy for her.