Returning home, Lu Xing didn't hide anything from his family and roughly explained what happened with Lu Hao.
There was no way to keep such a matter a secret. His sister had escaped from that family, and it wouldn't be long before that man came looking for them again. It was better to let his family make preparations early.
Upon hearing this, Xu shi was shocked. Her face contorted as she viciously cursed, "This damned girl causes trouble everywhere and just runs back like this. The Wang family will definitely come looking for her. If we can't produce her, won't they demand the ten taels of silver back?!"
Lu Xing expressed his displeasure, "Does Mother mean that even if Sister and her niece were beaten to death by that family, they shouldn't come back? Then it's better for her to have no parents than to have parents like you! No one from her maternal family, no wonder she was bullied worse than pigs and dogs in the Wang family!"
"You ungrateful child! What nonsense are you spouting? Once a woman is married, she must follow her husband, whether he's a chicken or a dog. Even if she's beaten to death by her husband's family, that's her fate!" Xu shi was furious.
Lu Xing gave a cold, helpless laugh. "Mother, you've truly disappointed me completely. Rest assured, from now on, you don't need to worry about Sister's affairs. If that person surnamed Wang comes looking for her, I'll handle it."
"Me too! Second Brother, I'll help you!" Lu Xiaosi, for the first time, voiced her support.
"You darned girl, what are you interfering for?!" Xu shi raised her hand to hit Xiaosi, but Lu Xing stopped her. He said coldly, "Sister said that from now on, she has no relationship with you and Father. So please don't interfere in her life anymore. If the Wang family comes looking for her, you don't need to be responsible."
Lu Dahai sat on his chair, his head deeply bowed, his brow furrowed, remaining silent.
Selling his daughter to the Wang family in this life was his biggest regret. To this day, he remembered the eyes filled with hatred when his sister left home.
He didn't dare to face her.
Lu Yang nodded, "This is acceptable. If her man comes, I won't stand idly by either."
Xu shi's eyes widened, "You're just letting it go like this? That damned girl was bought by Lu Ye's wife to be a servant, a lowly servant! This... where will our family's reputation go from now on? Moreover, doesn't this mean the second branch will always be above us?"
Lu Xing snorted, "Even if Sister is a servant in Little Ye Ge's family, she'll be treated better than she was in the Wang family and here, eating better, wearing better, living better, and most importantly, being treated as a person!
My cousin-in-law gave Sister a very good job and even let my niece go to school to learn to read. What servant gets such treatment?
Mother, can't you see it yet? The second branch has long surpassed our family. If Mother is still not convinced, she should be as capable as my cousin-in-law and give birth to a son like Little Ye Ge."
"You... ungrateful child!" Xu shi trembled with anger and slapped Lu Xing across the face.
Lu Xing didn't dodge. He looked straight at her with a mocking expression. "After so many years, Mother still hasn't had enough trouble. You have a good life but you're always looking for something to do, always trying to cause trouble for Little Ye Ge's family.
You're clearly inferior to others but refuse to admit it, constantly belittling others verbally to feel a sense of presence. Is that interesting?
If you continue like this, I'll take Xiaosi and we'll split the household. Anyway, I plan to send Xiaosi to school, and you won't agree."
"What? Xiaosi is going to school?" Xu shi exclaimed, "A mere girl, a money-losing burden, she'll be someone else's wife sooner or later. Spending so much money on her education is like a meat bun thrown to a dog, never to return! Lu Xing! Are you so rich that you have money to spare? Why haven't I seen you show filial piety to your old mother?"
Lu Xing ignored Xu shi. His expression was stubborn, and his lips curved in a sneer.
Lu Yang also said, "Little Xing, what's the use of Xiaosi studying? Even if a woman can read, she won't achieve much. Marriage and childbirth are the right path."
"Who says women can't achieve anything? Didn't my cousin-in-law build a great career?" Lu Xing retorted.
Lu Yang chuckled, "She just made a little money, it can't be considered a great career, can it?"
"Even we men can't earn that much money!" Lu Xing said, exasperated and amused.
Lu Yang was stumped, his expression sheepish, and he fell silent.
Xiaosi's eyes welled up with tears. She bit her lip and said, "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, I must learn to read. I won't spend your money. Second Brother and Eldest Sister will help me with tuition. When I grow up, I will repay them."
"You ungrateful wretch, you money-losing burden! Calling out to Second Brother and Eldest Sister, haven't you realized it's your Mother who gave birth to you and raised you!" Xu shi raised her hand to hit Lu Xiaosi.
Xiaosi didn't dodge. After being slapped a few times, she suddenly cried out hoarsely, "I never asked you to give birth to me! I've been working since I was two years old, doing all sorts of chores. I haven't eaten or lived here for free. I'm not a money-losing burden! I've supported myself!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Was this still the honest and simple Xiaosi?
"I should have known you wretched girl is a thankless creature. I should have strangled you at birth! You cold-blooded, heartless, cheap thing!" Xu shi shrieked.
Lu Xing felt a profound sadness and gave a helpless smile. "In Mother's eyes, money is always the most important thing. Family, kinship are truly worthless.
You always look down on my cousin-in-law, but my cousin-in-law treats Eldest Sister like her own sister. You are the one who is truly cold-blooded, heartless, selfish, and self-serving.
I'm too lazy to say anything else. You are absolutely forbidden from interfering in Sister's affairs. Xiaosi will go to school tomorrow. Do the household chores if you have time, and if not, don't.
If anyone disagrees, tomorrow I will take Xiaosi and find Little Ye Ge to write a contract, and we will separate our family and break ties!"
"You—Fine! Lu Xing, your wings have grown strong, haven't they? I raised you all these years, and this is how you treat your mother?
Oh, God! Open your eyes and see! What kind of people are in the Lu family? They are all wolf cubs, ungrateful, and heartless..." Xu shi sat down on the ground, slapped her thighs, and began to cry loudly.
Lu Yang stood by, annoyed to death.
Lu Dahai suddenly stood up, grabbed a chair, and smashed it violently onto the ground, roaring, "Damn woman! Are you tired of living? Then I, Lu Dahai, will divorce you!"
Xu shi's wailing abruptly stopped. Her mouth hung open in shock. She had never seen Lu Dahai get so angry.
After regaining her senses, she suddenly stood up, shouted, "You good-for-nothing Lu Dahai!" and lunged at him.
Before Lu Dahai could react, five bloody fingerprints appeared on his face.
Xu shi raised her hand to grab his hair again, shouting, "Lu Dahai! You want to divorce me? I've tolerated you for so long, given you some face, and you really think you've become successful?"
Lu Yang and Lu Xing immediately stepped forward and pulled Xu shi away.
"You shrew! You unreasonable shrew!" Lu Dahai trembled with anger. He took a swift step forward, forcibly pulled Xu shi, and dragged her outside, "Let's go! Right now, you're coming with me to the village head's house to write the divorce decree! I'm divorcing you!"