CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: THE LITTLE AUNT WITH LOVE BRAIN

160 Love-struck Aunt

Under Sun Lan’s threat of death, Zhao Guifen eventually gave in to her demands, but this also broke Zhao Guifen’s heart.

After Sun Lan married into the Wang Family, she seldom came back. In the first few years, she would still visit her family during festivals and holidays.

Later on, even during those festive occasions, she didn’t return. This chilled Zhao Guifen’s heart even further; to others, it was as if Sun Lan had ceased to be her daughter.

This was also why Zhao Zhitong had little impression of her younger aunt.

For today’s Housewarming Banquet, Zhao Dong had only informed them out of politeness. Even though he didn’t have much contact with this sister-in-law, she was still a relative, and he hadn’t actually expected her to show up. Thus, Sun Mei was very surprised to see her arrive.

Just then, a man leisurely walked over. He first looked at their new house and then said to Zhao Dong, "Yo, brother-in-law, you’re doing pretty well for yourself now, building this new house!"

The man was none other than Sun Lan’s husband, Wang Fugui.

Zhao Dong chuckled and waved his hands. "Not at all, not at all. I can’t compare to you, brother-in-law."

Zhao Dong was quite surprised by this unexpected visit from his brother-in-law. His impression of him wasn’t deep. The only memory he had was Wang Fugui looking down on him with disdain.

Although Zhao Dong disliked this arrogant brother-in-law who looked down on people, he still wore a polite smile.

Zhao Zhitong looked towards him upon hearing his voice. She saw a man of medium build who appeared outwardly decent, but the naked contempt in his eyes as he looked at them made her very uncomfortable.

She didn’t like this uncle, so she just stood there and didn’t greet him sweetly as she had with the other guests earlier!

Noticing Zhao Zhitong’s gaze, Wang Fugui looked at her, a hint of ridicule appearing on his face. "TSK TSK, brother-in-law, is this your little daughter? She looks so rustic and foolish. Just look at her, she doesn’t even know how to greet people. She’s really not bright. Don’t tell me she’s a fool, HAHAHA."

After saying that, he let out a cruel, mocking laugh.

Zhao Zhitong’s cheeks puffed up in anger. She was the smartest person ever! But Grandpa Bai said not to argue with fools because they won’t understand.

So, she just snorted coldly and ignored him.

Zhao Dong’s expression darkened. He could tolerate insults directed at himself, but not at his daughter. He immediately said with a cold face, "Brother-in-law, what are you saying? My daughter is highly praised by her Teacher; she’s exceptionally smart!"

Seeing Zhao Dong so protective of a mere young girl, Wang Fugui snorted. Just as expected from people from poor places—no manners or sense. He really didn’t want to associate with these country bumpkins from the poor mountains, afraid of catching their stench of poverty!

But, remembering his father’s instructions before he came, he suppressed the urge to turn and leave, saying impatiently, "Oh, come on, I was just teasing the child. It’s a joke, why take it so seriously?"

Zhao Dong still looked very displeased. If it weren’t for the Housewarming Banquet today, he would have kicked Wang Fugui out.

Sun Mei, noticing the awkward atmosphere, quickly interjected with a smile, "Alright, alright, since you’re here, don’t just stand at the gate. Quickly, come into the courtyard."

With that, she led them into the courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, Wang Fugui’s eyes began to dart around. "Wow, look at how grand this courtyard is! Brother-in-law, you must have made a fortune, huh?"

His tone was rather unpleasant. As Sun Mei would put it, it sounded sarcastic no matter how one heard it.

Sun Mei and Zhao Dong didn’t want any unpleasantness on such a joyous day, so they decided to ignore him.

Sun Lan, walking beside Wang Fugui, kept her head down and remained silent.

Sun Mei arranged for them to sit at a separate table, not with Zhao Guifen and the others, though it wasn’t far away.

When Sun Lan entered, Zhao Guifen had noticed her. Looking at the daughter who had chilled her heart, she sighed helplessly.

After settling Sun Lan and Wang Fugui, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong hurried off to greet other guests.

As soon as Sun Mei and Zhao Dong left, the contempt in Wang Fugui’s eyes was no longer concealed. "Tch, just made a bit of stinky money and they’re already showing off in front of me!"

Sun Lan sat with her head bowed, utterly silent.

Wang Fugui grumbled for a while. Seeing Sun Lan still not uttering a word, he flared up. "Still the same! Can’t even squeeze out a fart after all this time, just like a block of wood, no charm at all!"

After railing at her, he looked at the woman before him, his face full of disgust. How could he have been so bewitched as to become fond of her back then! It was Chun Ke in his courtyard who was so considerate, always knowing what he needed, and so full of charm. And this woman in front of him? Just a block of wood! Sigh! If his father hadn’t insisted he accompany Sun Lan to this blasted Housewarming Banquet, he wouldn’t have bothered coming to this godforsaken poor corner!

Hearing her husband’s disdain, Sun Lan lowered her head, her eyes red.

Her life was terrible, just as her mother had said: Wang Fugui was not a good husband. She truly regretted it. But she didn’t dare ask her family for help. She had broken her mother’s heart; this was all her own doing, she deserved it. Even now, with her mother sitting at the table across from her, she didn’t have the courage to glance her way. Mother must hate her to death now, surely she wouldn’t want to see her. She’d best not go and upset Mother further.

Wang Fugui shot Sun Lan a contemptuous look. "I’m warning you, don’t you dare embarrass me out here. If you cry, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you when we get home!"

After his tirade, he kicked Sun Lan’s leg and said irritably, "Later, go find your sister and properly inquire about what way your brother-in-law found to make money. Got it?"

Sun Lan lowered her head, weakly blinking back tears, and nodded obediently.

Only then did Wang Fugui look towards the appetizers on the table with satisfaction, but then his brow furrowed in disdain. "How shabby!"

「 」

By this time, most of the guests had arrived, except for a few important ones.

The tables for the villagers were set up outside the courtyard, while relatives’ tables were inside. There was also a table in the main hall for Wang Fuhai and Boss Feng.

Wang Fuhai had informed Boss Feng about the Housewarming Banquet at Zhao Dong’s Residence, and Boss Feng had immediately said he would definitely attend.

All the guests who had arrived were now seated. Since they all knew each other, they chatted amongst themselves before the banquet began, creating a lively atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Zheng showed up uninvited; she truly was thick-skinned.

Xiao Wang, intending to try and trick Zhao Zhitong out of her land deed, had naturally come as well. The two of them were now sitting at the same table.

At a nearby table sat Tian Cuihua, the Village Chief’s eldest daughter-in-law, along with Shi Tou’s wife and several other women they were on good terms with.

They exchanged glances while looking at Mrs. Zheng and Xiao Wang at the other table. Then, Tian Cuihua got up and moved to sit at their table.

She had barely sat down when she heard Mrs. Zheng’s sharp words.

Mrs. Zheng said, "My goodness, what kind of dishes are these? Zhao Dong’s family is really too shabby! To think they built such a big courtyard, yet they’re so stingy when it comes to feasting their friends!"