Chapter 81 - 81: Forget It
“Wait a minute!” Seeing Tong Tiehu about to get on the donkey cart, Sun Junyan, whose face was alternating between green and white, spoke up, “Second brother, are you going to just stand by and watch Uncle Tong take mother away? She is your birth mother, who brought you up with toil and suffering. Is this how you repay her?”
Despite being publicly ridiculed by Tong Tiehu, he was not too embarrassed to stop thinking quickly.
This was not the time to quibble over details – Sun family and Qiao Meipan absolutely could not be taken to the County Government Office.
Absolutely not.
He turned his fiery gaze to Qiao Changshun, “Second brother, mother was momentarily confused, there’s no need to be so ruthless.”
Although Qiao Changshun still kept his head down, his expression seemed to soften.
While he was angry with the Sun family, he had never thought about sending them to jail for punishment.
He rubbed his hands together, raised his awkward looking face towards Tong Tiehu, but avoided meeting his gaze. “Uncle Tong, let’s just… let it go, shall we?”
Just a fright, to make the Sun family think twice next time. That would be enough…
Seeing this, Qiao Xiaomai let out a silent sigh in her heart. She knew Qiao Changshun would give in.
Tong Tiehu, who was about to mount the donkey cart, paused. He pointed towards the Qiao family’s messy courtyard. “Just let it go? Aren’t you afraid of a repeat?”
“She is, after all, my mother…” Tong Tiehu’s voice carried no hint of joy or anger. Qiao Changshun, dared not gauge his reaction, and lower his head again.
Qiao Dami had invited Tong Tiehu over, but now, when Tong Tiehu was ready to carry out justice, Qiao Dami was having second thoughts.
He felt embarrassed, but he really couldn’t bear to watch members of the Sun family being taken away.
“Uncle Tong, let’s just let it go. We have already caused you much trouble today.”
Tong Tiehu said nothing and turned towards Qiao Xiaomai, whose face was similarly emotionless. “Xiaomai girl, what do you think?”
Qiao Xiaomai sighed inwardly again. With a troubled look on her face, she replied, “Uncle Tong, although my grandmother would happily sell me to a brothel and take over my house, and even presently ransacked my home looking for money, she is, after all, my grandmother.”
“Because she is my elder, she can do as she pleases, but my father and I can’t stoop to her level. Our family cares about our reputation and we are always grateful for her bringing us up.”
“As long as she promises not to steal from our home and our tofu business in the future, then… let’s just let it go.”
In ancient times, people had to restrain themselves. To retaliate more harshly, unless done behind closed doors, it wouldn’t be fitting for such a situation. She couldn’t afford to sever relations.
However, after she stated her condition, a smile passed through the eyes of Tong Sanlang, who was holding the donkey.
He clearly observed her unwillingness and reluctance in her own eyes. Recounting her long list of grievances so clearly, she really was a smart girl.
Sun family never restrained from spreading rumors about Zhuang Luhe. If her words were retold enough to spread throughout the village, then this small act of revenge would be achieved.
That was exactly what Qiao Xiaomai had in mind.
Values of filial piety could hold people down. She had to swallow this humiliation for now.
But in the future, she would definitely claim it back.
“Thank you, Grandpa Tong and Tong San for coming to stand up for my family’s rights. However, 1 think my grandmother and aunt have realized their mistakes now. Please, let them go…”
“This is your family matter. Since you and your father have spoken so, let’s draw a line under this matter.” Saying this, Tong Tiehu took a few steps back..