Chapter 272: The ’Ill-fated’ Third Sister-in-law

Later, Liu Guanfu got pregnant and claimed the child was Wang Dali’s.

Wang Dali knew Liu Guanfu was involved with more than just him, but for that sliver of hope—or rather, for the baby in her belly—he ignored the possibility that the child might belong to someone else.

All he wanted was a child.

Liu Hong seized the opportunity to blackmail him. She demanded a complete home for the child, telling Wang Dali to divorce his wife, or she would take the baby and marry someone else.

Wang Dali agreed and went home to start a fight with his wife.

Naturally, Father Wang and Mrs. Wang disapproved, and his wife refused.

The fighting went on for a long time, until finally, Wang Dali’s wife tried to hang herself.

But the obsessed Wang Dali didn’t stop there. He knelt before his wife, begging her to grant him his wish.

When his wife saw this prideful man actually kneeling before her for Liu Hong’s sake, her heart died completely.

She said her goodbyes to Father Wang and Mrs. Wang, then packed her things and left that very night.

Back then, people didn’t have the notion of going to the Civil Affairs Bureau for a marriage certificate, so they were never officially registered. When she left, there was no need for a divorce certificate either.

And just like that, Wang Dali’s ex-wife was gone.

Wang Dali felt guilty for only a short time before he begged Father Wang and Mrs. Wang to let him marry Liu Hong.

Compared to Wang Dali’s ex-wife, Liu Hong was a typical "brother-spoiler"—spiteful, sharp-tongued, gluttonous, and lazy. Before Wang Mei got married, she frequently clashed with her.

Wang Mei wiped her eyes. "It’s karma. Such a good person like Sister-in-law Lan Hua was tormented and bullied by those two, and now..."

Now that karma was coming for her eldest brother.

Even though he was her own brother, she couldn’t help but think, ’He deserves it!’

’He abandoned his wife for that shameless bitch Liu Hong, and what’s the result? Not only did he raise another man’s child for nothing, but he’s also worked himself to the bone like an old ox. He brought it all on himself!’

"Jiaojiao, give me the camera. I’m going to get the photos developed."

’This is the proof. My parents have suffered so much because of Liu Hong. Now that I know this secret, I have to find a way to kick that woman out for good.’

Father Wang sighed. "And about your motorcycle. You need to tell your husband and his brother to be careful so it doesn’t actually get stolen."

"Send Jiaojiao and the others back tomorrow. It’s not safe."

Wang Mei asked worriedly, "Then what about you two, Mom and Dad? I’m afraid that psycho Liu Hong will try to harm you."

Yun Jiao had a good memory and had recounted the entire conversation between Liu Hong and the man.

Wang Mei had a nagging feeling that Liu Hong would go after the two elders for property, the house, and whatnot.

Father Wang sneered, "In broad daylight? Don’t tell me they’re planning to murder the two of us."

Yun Jiao said, "I’m not going back. I’m staying to protect you and Grandpa."

Mrs. Wang was touched, but she was more worried about Yun Jiao and urged her to go back.

Wang Mei gritted her teeth. "Let’s not worry about it for now. They won’t come looking for trouble right away. We’ll wait for Lin He to get here tomorrow and figure out what to do."

It was the only way.

That night, Father Wang and Mrs. Wang tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep because of the explosive news Yun Jiao and the others had brought.

Yun Jiao and her brothers were young and didn’t overthink it, so they slept soundly.

「The next day」

Father Wang and Mrs. Wang emerged with dark circles under their eyes, clearly having slept poorly.

Still, they got up on time. After all, there was so much work to be done around the house.

Seeing them like that, Wang Mei was incredibly worried.

"Mom, Dad, you two go back and rest. I’ll go boil the pig feed."

Yun Jiao was sitting on a small stool while Yun Xiaojiu braided her hair.

Even though Yun Xiaojiu was the youngest of her brothers, he was the best at doing Yun Jiao’s hair, aside from her eldest and fourth brothers.

"Little Aunt, Jiaojiao will help with the fire too."

The other children ran over as well, grabbing a broom to sweep the floor and helping carry the pig feed.

Although these boys were usually mischievous, they came from a humble background and didn’t hesitate when it was time to help with chores.

Seeing this, Father Wang and Mrs. Wang’s heavy hearts finally lightened a bit.

But before long, another visitor arrived.

As soon as they saw who it was, Father Wang’s and Mrs. Wang’s faces fell.

Wang Mei rolled her eyes.

The newcomer was Wang Mei’s third sister-in-law.

There was no second brother or second sister-in-law; her second brother was the one who had passed away earlier.

The woman wore a miserable expression.

"Father, Mother."

The sight of her calling out to them so sorrowfully with a pained look on her face successfully made both elders’ expressions darken.

"What are you doing here?"

They weren’t fond of this third daughter-in-law at all.

She cried at the drop of a hat, acting as if everyone was bullying her or as if there’d been a death in the family and she couldn’t go on.

Who would want to face such a gloomy person every single day?

She also loved to complain, grabbing anyone she could to pour out her woes.

"I heard my sister-in-law was back, and Sanli told me to come see."

She looked at Wang Mei. "Meizi, you’re back. Your third brother misses you. You should come visit when you have time."

Wang Mei just said, "Oh. You’re here early, Third Sister-in-law. Have you eaten?"

It was just a simple greeting, but the next second, the woman’s eyes reddened, and she started to cry.

Wang Mei was left speechless.

’Damn this mouth of mine, why couldn’t I just keep it shut?’

But she also knew that even if she hadn’t asked, her third sister-in-law would have found a reason to cry anyway.

Yun Jiao peeked out from behind her Little Aunt.

’Wow... she’s crying already. This woman is amazing.’

’If she were one of the Merfolk, how many pearls would she be crying?’

"The kids at home have to go to school, so I have to get up early to cook for them, and I have to feed the pigs, the chickens, the ducks... Your third brother just drinks all day and won’t even pick up a broom if it falls over.

I even have to tend to all the land by the crooked-neck tree by myself. My life is just so bitter. It’s not like yours, Meizi. Your family built a new house and even bought a motorcycle.

I’m so envious of you, Sister-in-law. Your son and nephews are all so well-behaved. Chen Nan’s college entrance exams are coming up, and with his good grades, he’s sure to get into a great university.

My two kids, sigh... their grades are terrible. The teacher even called me in for a lecture a couple of days ago. Tell me, why is my life so hard? Back at my parents’ house, I was never liked, and my siblings all bullied me..."

Wang Mei’s head was starting to throb. ’Here it comes, here it comes again.’

As she boiled the pig feed, listening to her third sister-in-law pour out her troubles, her expression became one of utter despair, her eyes gradually growing numb.

Yun Jiao was also speechless.

’Seriously, this woman can really talk.’

Wang Mei turned away and rolled her eyes again.

’Who do you have to blame for your bitter life? Didn’t you bring it all on yourself?’

Her third sister-in-law was hardworking, alright—a little too hardworking.

And incredibly bizarre.

Her third brother hadn’t always been so lazy. At most, he just had a bit of a drinking problem.

But after his wife married into the family, Wang Mei truly witnessed the full spectrum of human personality.

She insisted on doing everything herself, even the work meant for men.

Whenever her third brother tried to do something, she would rush over, take the task from him, and say her man was tired and needed to rest.

Over time, she successfully spoiled her husband into a lazy bum. His drinking got worse and worse, and that was her doing, too.

And yet, after doing all this, she would turn around and complain to anyone who would listen about how miserable her life was.