Chapter 1418: Chapter 1418: Coming to Demand an Explanation from the Wang Family

After listening to the righteously indignant complaints of the neighbors for quite some time, Luo Qiao checked the time. It was time to prepare lunch. She greeted the neighbors and returned to the courtyard.

Elder Rong and Rong Daniang came from the back yard carrying vegetables, just in time to see Luo Qiao closing the gate as she returned home.

Rong Daniang spoke up: “Qiaoqiao, what’s going on outside?”

Luo Qiao took the vegetables from her hands and walked into the kitchen, explaining what she had overheard back there.

Rong Daniang prepared a basin for picking the vegetables: “That Zhou Jiwen is truly a character. When he was capable and able, he spent his efforts raising someone else’s kids. Now he’s half-dead, yet he wants his own children to care for him. Really shameless.

And those adopted sons and daughters who brought him back—what thick faces they have! If they had switched roles, would they ever agree to it? They probably wouldn’t even entertain the thought! How dare they have the gall to pull such a stunt?”

Luo Qiao chuckled: “When someone is completely shameless, they are unstoppable.”

Rong Daniang shook her head and said: “True, that saying couldn’t be more accurate.”

After dinner that evening, Lu Yichen and Luo Qiao took their children out for a walk to aid their digestion. That’s when they heard from others that the matter had been resolved that afternoon.

Zhou Lin and Zhou Sen, the two brothers, stated their position clearly: since their father refused to acknowledge the agreement he’d signed back then, there was nothing they could do. But for the sake of their mother, they absolutely wouldn’t allow him into their home.

As the law mandated they had the obligation to support him, the two brothers wouldn’t shirk their duty. They decided to treat it as repayment for the life he had given them. However, since he had spent all these years raising someone else’s children, those children also bore the obligation to take care of him.

In the end, Zhou Jiwen was unable to stay. The three siblings agreed each would give fifteen yuan per month as elderly support. Beyond that, they had nothing more to do with him—after all, he still had four adopted children on the other side.

Everyone said the Zhou brothers handled this matter brightly and decisively. They didn’t back down from their obligations but also refused to concede anything extra. They did what they had to while firmly protecting their mother.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qiao also felt the Zhou siblings had acted rightly.

******

The Ning Family hadn’t been idle during this period. After tailing Wang Hailan several times, they finally caught her meeting that man by chance. They then followed the clues to investigate him further.

Once they had sufficient evidence in hand, the Ning Family showed up at the Wang Family’s doorstep.

Mother Wang looked at the Ning Family members standing at the gate, and for some reason, had a bad feeling creeping up in her gut.

After all, other than the previous visit for discussing an engagement, the Ning Family had never come with so many people at once. Mother Wang felt flustered and uneasy: “In-laws, what brings you all here today? Please, come in.”

Old Lady Ning’s face was dark: “Of course we wouldn’t visit without a reason—today, we’re here to demand an explanation from the Wang Family.”

Mother Wang forced an awkward smile: “In-laws, what do you mean by that?”

As the Ning Family stepped into the Wang Family’s courtyard, quite a few neighbors poked their heads out to eavesdrop on the commotion.

Old Lady Ning didn’t bother beating around the bush: “Surely you’re aware of the things your Wang Hailan did before she got married, aren’t you?”

Mother Wang felt her heart sink, but she maintained her smile: “In-laws, what things did Hai Lan do before marriage? I don’t seem to understand.”

Old Lady Ning sneered: “Do you think we would come demanding an explanation without evidence? Stop trying to fool us with your excuses. Your daughter’s improper behavior before marriage set up my son to take the blame. This matter is far from settled.

If not for her, my son wouldn’t have been forced into divorce or had to agree to let his ex-wife have custody of their child as compensation. To this day, that child still resents us Ning Family members and refuses to acknowledge us.”

Mother Wang was already frantic inside, but she made every effort to appear calm: “In-laws, you can’t make such accusations lightly. What you’re saying will ruin Hai Lan! She’s now your Ning Family’s daughter-in-law. If her reputation gets destroyed, wouldn’t Ziping’s be affected as well?”

Old Lady Ning let out a cold laugh: “A daughter-in-law like her? We wouldn’t dare to keep someone like that. She’s rotten to the core, malicious beyond imagination, willing to cruelly abort her pregnancy just to secure her future without worries. Your Wang Family’s daughter is truly something else.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Wang realized the Ning Family had likely uncovered evidence of what had happened in the past. Hardening her resolve, she decided to deny everything outright.

Her strategy was simple: delay, delay, delay everything until she could discuss it with her daughter.

But she hadn’t anticipated that Old Lady Ning’s next words would completely throw her off balance and leave her in panic.