Liu Yuemin's tone and expression changed as she spoke, revealing how truly infuriated she was by that woman.
"I got into a fight with that bitch, and Xingmin, without a word, slapped me. Mom, Third Sister-in-law, do you think he's a good husband acting like this?"
In the past, when she was upset, Liu Yuemin would always threaten divorce when they argued. But in the last six months, after their frequent quarrels, Gu Xingmin's attitude towards her had changed significantly. Liu Yuemin no longer dared to mention divorce so easily.
However, her sadness was even greater than before.
"That scoundrel, the second one, where is he now? I told them before that couples should talk things through, not resort to violence!" Li Xiulan was also furious upon learning of her son's actions.
Elders wished for their children's lives to be peaceful and harmonious. Yet, their second son, ever since coming to the city, had become more brazen, learning to dabble in all sorts of nonsense like city folk.
Although Liu Yuemin, the daughter-in-law, had her faults, being petty and喜欢拔尖 (a colloquialism suggesting ambition or a desire to be superior), she was generally acceptable. She had borne two children for the second son, and more importantly, she was genuinely devoted to a simple life.
And this scoundrel…
He even resorted to hitting her. Didn't he know that a woman's heart was chipped away little by little?
Seeing her mother-in-law speaking up for her, Liu Yuemin started crying again, feeling wronged.
Her maiden home was far away. When something like this happened, she didn't even have anyone to talk to or comfort her, so she could only come to Li Xiulan to pour out her woes.
Chen Lishu was also very angry about Gu Xingmin's behavior.
How dare he hit his own wife? Regardless of whether there was anything between him and that woman, the mere act of hitting his wife was enough to warrant everyone's condemnation and contempt.
"Regardless, my second brother hitting someone is wrong. Moreover, this isn't the first time. There's plenty of space here, Second Sister-in-law, why don't you stay here tonight?"
Liu Yuemin hesitated upon being invited to stay, "But, there are still three children at home. If I don't go back, who will cook for them?"
Chen Lishu replied, "Linlin and the others are not that young anymore. Besides, there's my second brother. As a father, can he really watch his children go hungry? If my second brother comes, we can ask him what exactly he's thinking."
If their marital issue wasn't resolved soon, with Liu Yuemin coming here every few days, not only Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong but even their mother-in-law, Li Xiulan, would be worried and stressed.
Li Xiulan nodded in agreement with Chen Lishu's words, "He should be taught a lesson. He has a good life but messes around with all sorts of things. Second Sister-in-law, you stay here tonight."
...
When Gu Xingmin returned home from the market, he expected Liu Yuemin to be there. To his surprise, upon entering, he only saw the three children. He asked curiously, "Where is your mom?"
The three children were doing their homework. Hearing his question, the eldest, Gu Lin, replied, "Dad, didn't Mom come back with you?"
Gu Feng looked up, "Mom didn't pick me up from school. My brother and I came back together."
Liu Yuemin had no relatives in the city, so the most likely place she would go was to her mother's to complain.
Although he was very displeased with his wife's tendency to run off and complain, he thought that after the fuss, things would settle down. Besides, there were three children at home, and she would probably come back soon to cook.
However, he waited and waited, but Liu Yuemin didn't return. Instead, all three children started clamoring that they were hungry. Helpless, Gu Xingmin had to get up and cook for them.
"Dad, why is there only plain noodles? There's no sauce either," Gu Ming picked up a chopstickful of noodles and immediately frowned in disgust.
Gu Xingmin said, "Dad forgot to buy vegetables on the way back. Just eat it with some soy sauce for now. If your mom comes back later, she can make it for you again."
Gu Feng pushed her bowl of rice aside, "These noodles are too awful. Dad, why isn't Mom back yet? I want to find Mom."
Already hungry, and being young, Gu Feng couldn't help but start crying.
"I don't want to eat either, I want to find Mom too," Gu Lin and Gu Ming also pushed their bowls away and started shouting.
Gu Xingmin's head began to ache.
Although Liu Yuemin was being unreasonable, and this wasn't the first or second time, Gu Xingmin hesitated for some reason.
Seeing the three children still throwing a tantrum, Gu Xingmin finally relented. Raising his hands, he said, "Alright, alright, you three stay here. I'll go to your Third Uncle's house to pick her up."
After speaking to the children, Gu Xingmin went out, pushed the bicycle standing by the window, and headed towards Gu Xingdong's house.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Lishu was helping Liu Yuemin strategize.
"Second Sister-in-law, if, I mean if my second brother really has a relationship with that woman, would you still be able to forgive him?"
This was something Chen Lishu needed to clarify first, so she could proceed with the next course of action.
"Or, is it that you absolutely cannot accept it, and if solid proof is found, you will divorce him without hesitation?"
Liu Yuemin panicked. She kept shaking her head, "I don't know. If my second brother has really done something to betray me, I certainly won't be happy. But there are three children at home, and I'm already this age. If I divorce your second brother, I don't even know what I would do."
Listening to her conflicted words, Chen Lishu had basically confirmed her thoughts.
So, she said, "Second Sister-in-law, don't worry. Based on what you said earlier, I don't think there's a big problem between my second brother and that woman. Or rather, that woman has made her intentions clear, but my second brother's attitude is still undecided."
Liu Yuemin nodded and mumbled, "Yes, yes, my second brother and I are together almost every day, but…"
Thinking of something, Liu Yuemin became uncertain again, "But, I saw him secretly giving that woman money. If there's nothing going on, why would he give that woman money?"
Chen Lishu asked, "Did you ask my second brother?"
Liu Yuemin nodded, "I asked. Your second brother said he borrowed some money from Zhou Yu, that woman's man, when they were playing cards. He was afraid I would find out and get angry, so he secretly returned it to that woman. Honestly, I do believe your second brother on this. He does like to gamble a bit."
When faced with such a situation, Liu Yuemin would now rather have Gu Xingmin lose money gambling than have him involved with that woman.
"Third Sister-in-law, I really have no idea what to do now. You don't know how that seductive woman is always lingering around right under my nose. I'm even thinking of quitting the business and moving to another place with your second brother. If I can't deal with her, can't I just avoid her?"
Chen Lishu quickly stopped her idea, "She's the shameless one who wants to seduce another woman's husband. Second Sister-in-law, how can you think of backing down? Such a woman needs to be taught a serious lesson."
Upon hearing her words, Liu Yuemin felt like she had found a lifeline, "Third Sister-in-law, among the sisters-in-law, you are the most capable. You must have a way to deal with her, right?"