"When my mother gave birth to my sisters and me, I was the eldest. My birth time was considered inauspicious by my parents, who were quite superstitious. After having our horoscopes read, the fortune teller said that only one of us sisters could remain at home. If both of us stayed, it would block the Wu family's fortunes."
"So, at just three days old, because of my ill-fated birth time, I was brought to this small town. This is where my maternal grandmother lived, and I was raised by her. We were deeply bonded, and I inherited this small courtyard from her."
"I lived like this for 20 years, and it wasn't all bad. I got used to living here. Since my parents didn't care for me, I worked hard on my own."
"When I was 21, I went to Jinshi to sightsee. I met your father in a department store there."
"We fell in love at first sight. Coincidentally, my sister and mother saw me with your father."
"At that time, my sister wanted to marry a famous wealthy man in Jinshi. This man was extremely cruel. He disliked children. Before the marriage, he made an unreasonable demand: he wanted my sister to have her uterus removed before he would marry her. My sister loved him to the point of being willing to die, let alone have her uterus removed. But a month later, she was abandoned. She was heartbroken, and my mother, fearing she might do something foolish, accompanied her shopping all day."
"It was around that time that your father and I had developed feelings for each other. My aunt encountered us on a date."
"I originally thought this was the beginning of a better life for me, but I never expected it to be the start of my nightmare. My grandmother, who was getting old, contracted an incurable disease. My mother threatened me to break up with your father. Later, it was Wu Yuan who dated your father. I was locked up. A few months later, she married your father. On their wedding night, I attempted suicide, but I was fortunately saved.
Then, a few months later, they forced me to bear children for the He family. Only then would my mother step in to save my grandmother. In my life, the best person to me was my grandmother. How could I stand by and watch her die?
And so, with my mother's financial support, my grandmother lived until the third year after Mingxin was born before she passed away."
"Without... my grandmother as a threat, you two brothers became Wu Yuan's leverage against me..."
Wu Yuan sobbed uncontrollably. Meng Yuan walked over and embraced her.
Recalling the past, Shen Bing couldn't bear to face the countless painful days when she wished she were dead.
But thinking of her two adorable sons, she held on and survived.
The Wu family, who gave birth to her, refused to raise her.
They ruined her life. How could she not feel the pain?
He Mingrun also wept profusely. These few words were enough to evoke profound sorrow and indignation.
At that time, Mother was alone, how could she stand against the Wu family?
Her two uncles were also not good people.
None of their sons were capable; they couldn't earn money, but they indulged in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. The Wu family had been living off the He family all these years.
After a long while, Shen Bing looked at He Mingrun and pleaded, "Mingrun, dear, your mother has no other wishes. I just hope you and Mingxin live happily. What's the use of having too much money? Don't just focus on making money; live your lives well. That way, I will be at peace."
"Mother, don't you want revenge?" He Mingrun asked angrily. "Are they even human? They are your own flesh and blood, and they treated you like this based on an outsider's words. You can't let them get away with this."
Shen Bing quickly shook her head. "Mother doesn't want revenge. Mother only wants you and Mingxin to be safe and healthy. I don't dare to ask for anything else."
She truly didn't dare to ask for more. Hearing Mingrun call her Mother was enough for her to die without regret.
She had endured all these years until now, pushing herself to the absolute limit.
"No, if you don't seek revenge, I will!" He Mingrun stood up excitedly, his face filled with hatred. Why did such terrible things happen in this world?
Even more horrifying was that his father couldn't even distinguish between his own lover.
"Mingrun," Shen Bing also stood up, looking at him with heartache. "Silly child, when will the cycle of revenge ever end? I held on until now not for revenge, but to see you two brothers grow up. Now that you have grown into men, I even thought that if Wu Yuan treated you as her own, I wouldn't interfere in your lives. The year you were admitted to university, I went to find you. Wu Yuan threatened me. She said if I dared to appear before you again, she would kill you and Mingxin. She is someone who keeps her word, truly vicious."
"I seem to recall that wealthy man later fell into ruin and died. Only Wu Yuan knows the details."
"Therefore, if we fall out completely, your aunt and uncles will surely target you."
Shen Bing's eyes were swollen from crying. What good was Wu Yuan being punished when what happened could never be undone?
"Mother."
"Alright, don't tell anyone about your visit here today, especially don't let your aunt know, or she will surely take action. Your younger brother is simple-minded, only playing games at home, unlike you. You are mature and steady, capable of strategizing."
"The grievances of our generation should not fall upon the next. Although I have hated throughout my life, seeing you and hearing you call me Mother is enough for me."
"You two hurry and leave. Wu Yuan has people watching me. If she sees you here, she will know very quickly."
He Mingrun clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could tear those people limb from limb.
"Knock knock..."
"Shen Bing, are you home?"
This voice belonged to Aunt Wang from next door.
Upon hearing this, Shen Bing's pupils contracted. She looked at Meng Yuan and He Mingrun, "She's here, quickly go inside."
Shen Bing quickly wiped away her tears and placed the tea and plum juice under the coffee table.
She led the two of them into the room.
Before closing the door, she forced a smile, "Don't make a sound."
He Mingrun felt immense heartache.
Shen Bing locked the door and then went to open it. The person who entered was a slightly plump woman with a fierce expression and a mean face.
"Shen Bing, what's going on? Why aren't you opening the door? Did someone come to your house?" Aunt Wang walked in without preamble.
"Oh! You miserable widow, you don't even offer me a bowl of plum juice when you make it."
Aunt Wang picked up a bowl and took a sip for herself.
Shen Bing's expression was grim.
"By the way, I saw a black luxury car parked at the entrance. Did someone visit you?"
Shen Bing replied, "Do you see anyone in my house?"
"Heh heh..." Aunt Wang chuckled and said, "Can I go upstairs to sit for a while? It's more comfortable upstairs."
"Go ahead," Shen Bing said with a very unpleasant expression.
She cried often, so Aunt Wang wouldn't find it strange to see her like this.
"Mmm! Don't hide at home crying either. If you keep crying, your eyes will go blind."
"Hmph! It's better if they go blind, so you don't seduce the men in town."
"Aunt Wang, watch what you say. Who have I seduced? I live my life honestly. I'd rather ask,
How much did the Wu family pay you to slander me like this?"