Chapter 326 Siblings (1)

As mealtime arrived, Zhang Tieshan closed the door of the small tavern. He discovered that the kitchen was deserted, with no one cooking.

He walked to the entrance of the main house, intending to confront them. However, after a long hesitation, the words remained unspoken. In the end, he could only buy some food from the small restaurant diagonally opposite.

Only then did Zhang Tiehua and Wu Caiwei leisurely come out to eat. Watching Wu Caiwei eat heartily, Zhang Tieshan said with some dissatisfaction, "Looking at how you're eating, you don't seem to have done anything. Why didn't you cook?"

Wu Caiwei looked at him in confusion. "I have to take care of the tavern's business every day, and then come back to do your laundry and cooking. I'd like to ask what my sister does at home?"

Zhang Tiehua hadn't expected to be dragged into this. She said somewhat awkwardly, "Why has the fire of war spread to me? Haven't things been like this for the past ten years? How could I, an outsider, help with the chores? Making guests feel comfortable in their own home, isn't that basic common sense?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Caiwei sneered, "I've never seen a guest who has stayed in someone else's home for ten years. Moreover, a woman of my sister's age would have long been married. How can she be like this, rejecting every suitor? It seems she plans to stay indefinitely. If everyone like you is considered a guest, then everyone in the world would be a guest?"

Hearing this, Zhang Tieshan slammed his chopsticks on the table. "Gao Feixue, what do you mean? Are you trying to drive my sister away? Do you not have any regard for me?"

Wu Caiwei looked at his angry expression and felt a bit speechless. These siblings only bullied the original owner's kindness, but she wouldn't tolerate their behavior. "What? Does it hit a nerve? I can't even speak the truth? This house, this shop, it's all mine. I have to go out to earn money to support the family, and also be a maid, cleaning, doing laundry and cooking. Even then, you two complain about this and that every day. If I could, I'd really like to kick you both out."

Zhang Tieshan immediately looked up, as if he didn't recognize her. Was this still the Gao Feixue who valued him above all else? "Why have you suddenly changed? Anyone who didn't know would think you've been replaced."

"Why have I changed? Isn't it because you forced me to? After so many years of marriage, all the chores have been mine. And my sister? She rests openly at home, not to mention that her fingers don't even touch the cooking oil, as if she were a young lady from a wealthy family." Wu Caiwei voiced all the grievances of the original owner. The original owner, because she loved Zhang Tieshan and thought of them as family, tried her best to pretend she didn't mind. But in her heart, she wasn't without her thoughts.

Zhang Tieshan had been a young master since childhood. In the past, Gao Feixue had indulged him, but now she was saying such things. His temper flared, and he said without restraint, "Fine, alright. I see you clearly now. If you want to drive us away, just say it. Why use this method? I still have some matters to attend to. Three days from now, I will take my sister and leave. I won't be an eyesore to you."

"Whoever leaves is a coward. Words spoken are like water spilled; they cannot be taken back. You must keep your word," Wu Caiwei looked at him deeply, not believing the siblings would leave so easily.

Zhang Tieshan looked at her challenging gaze, rose angrily, and dragged his sister away in a huff.

Only Wu Caiwei remained at the dining table. She contentedly continued to eat. It had been a long time since she had eaten out, and Madam Zhou's cooking had improved.

The siblings walked to the gate of the Gao family and stopped. Night had already fallen, and there were no pedestrians on the street. For a moment, they didn't know where to go. They tragically realized that without the Gao family, they were truly nothing.

Zhang Tiehua said with some worry, "Why did her personality suddenly change? Did she find out about our relationship?"

"Don't talk nonsense. If she had found out, would she still be so calm arguing with us? Would she not expose us?" Although Zhang Tieshan had this concern, he still tried to comfort his sister.

"What do you think we should do next? My heart is in turmoil. Are we really going to move out in three days?"

Seeing her flustered expression, Zhang Tieshan patted her shoulder to comfort her. He hadn't seen her like this in many years. The last time she was this panicked was ten years ago. Suddenly, Zhang Tieshan felt extremely guilty, thinking he shouldn't have opposed Gao Feixue.

Finally, Zhang Tieshan took out the only copper coins he had and took his sister to the town's inn, where they booked two rooms.

Having lived in the town for so many years, everyone knew each other. The proprietress looked at them with a gossipy gaze, very curious as to what had happened between the couple that they had driven out the siblings. However, business was business, and she couldn't pry too much. If they turned and left, there would be nowhere for them to cry.

Zhang Tieshan did notice her gossipy expression. He figured that by tomorrow morning, their family affairs would be known to everyone. But there was nothing they could do; they couldn't possibly sleep on the streets.

The next morning, as soon as the small tavern door opened, two expected people appeared. Zhang Tieshan stood aside, his face expressionless and silent. Gao Tiehua, however, stepped forward with a smile, took Gao Feixue's hand, and said fawningly, "My brother spoke a bit harshly yesterday. Sister-in-law, please don't hold it against him. I apologize to you on his behalf. What overnight feud could there be between a couple? I will only be at ease if you two are well."

Wu Caiwei looked at Zhang Tiehua meaningfully. She hadn't expected her maneuvering skills to improve overnight. After making her feel guilty and lower her head, she then looked at Zhang Tieshan, who stood aside with a cold expression, and provocatively asked, "What do you say?"

When Zhang Tieshan saw his sister's uneasy hands, he felt a pang of heartache. However, he had no more copper coins on him and couldn't be willful anymore. When Wu Caiwei looked at him, he clenched his fists, underwent some mental preparation, and then said with humiliation, "I was reckless yesterday. Please, don't hold it against me."

"Where did you go wrong? Tell me."

"I was wrong for not being considerate of you and for losing my temper."

Seeing him admit his mistake without hesitation, Wu Caiwei felt it was rather uninteresting. She knew that no matter how much she made things difficult for them today, these two would not leave. After all, there was still plenty of time, and no need to rush.

To Wu Caiwei's surprise, the siblings who returned were like different people. Zhang Tiehua actually started cooking. Although what she cooked was mushy and she ended up covered in dirt, seeing Zhang Tieshan's pained expression, she probably felt it was all worth it.

Wu Caiwei didn't fall for their act. She directly went to the small restaurant diagonally opposite and ordered a dish and a bowl of rice.

When the siblings searched every corner of the house and couldn't find a single copper coin, they followed her to the small restaurant and were stunned at the portion size in front of her.