Chapter 24: He could just pack his bags and go marry into his father-in-law’s family!

Zhong Chengyi also poked his head toward the kitchen. "That’s right, Mom, I’m starving."

Zhang Chunxue stepped out of the kitchen with a measured pace, wiping her hands, her expression unreadable.

"Oh, that life-saving bowl of fish soup for Mingli? Your eldest brother, his wife, and his son drank every last drop. I was thinking she’s ill and shouldn't go without nourishment, so I stewed another pot. Naturally, it took some time."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Chengren’s face darkened instantly.

It wasn’t that he felt particularly sorry for that sickly Zhou Mingli, but his eldest brother, Zhong Chengfa, had behaved in a truly shameless manner!

Even if the fish soup was meant for Zhou Mingli, it was still family property. What right did he have to sneak it away? And to drag the whole family into hunger because of it!

"Eldest brother is truly despicable! How could he do such a thing?" Zhong Chengren grumbled, feeling as though his own reputation had been tarnished along with the family's.

The corners of Zhang Chunxue’s mouth curled up almost imperceptibly as she said coolly, "Perhaps... your eldest brother doesn't hold you in much regard as his younger brother at all."

The words struck like a needle, piercing straight into Zhong Chengren’s heart.

A sudden feeling of suffocating indignation rose within him; it was clear his eldest brother had no respect for him!

Zhong Chengyi, listening from the side, felt the tone of the conversation was off and quickly tugged at Zhang Chunxue’s sleeve. "Mom, why say that? If Big Brother and Second Brother hear you, won't there be bad blood between them from now on?"

Zhang Chunxue glanced at him and feigned surprise. "Oh? Really? That would be a shame."

Though she said this, she was blooming with joy inside.

She wished nothing more than for these troublesome sons to start fighting; ideally, they would turn into bitter enemies. None of them were good birds, anyway!

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.

Zhong Chengfa returned carrying a bamboo basket. His trouser legs were splattered with mud and beads of sweat clung to his face, making him look utterly disheveled.

In the basket, two palm-sized crucian carp were still flopping about.

The moment Zhong Chengren saw his pathetic appearance, he rolled his eyes and turned his head away, though he didn't lash out on the spot.

Zhang Chunxue took the fish and placed them in a basin of water, intending to cook them for Zhou Mingli the next day.

Before long, the meal was served, and everyone was called to the table.

Zhang Chunxue scooped a large bowl filled with fish meat and rich broth, setting it carefully in front of Zhou Mingli.

"Mingli, this bowl is all for you. Drink it while it's hot and build up your strength."

Zhou Mingli, leaning weakly against the bedding, looked at the large bowl of soup, feeling both flattered and uneasy.

"Mom... this is too much. Why don't... why don't I share some with everyone else?" she whispered, glancing timidly at the others at the table.

Zhang Chunxue’s face stiffened as she cut her off directly. "Share what? This was made specifically for you! They are all strong and sturdy; they don't need this!"

Zhong Chengren watched from the side. The white, thick fish soup gave off an intoxicating aroma, making his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, his mouth nearly watering.

His eyes darted around, and he chimed in with a sycophantic smile. "Mom, look, there’s so much soup. Mingli is weak and probably can't finish it all by herself. Why don't... why don't I help her out?"

Zhang Chunxue’s gaze swept over him like a blade. "Oh? You want some too? Why, do you want to be like your eldest brother and crouch on the freezing riverbank all night to catch fish for Mingli?"

At these words, Zhong Chengren’s neck shrank back. The greedy expression on his face froze instantly, and he shook his head like a rattle-drum. "No, no! Mom, that’s not what I meant! This soup should be drunk by Mingli alone to help her recover! I don't covet a single drop!"

Only then did Zhang Chunxue move her gaze away from him toward Zhou Mingli on the kang, her voice softening in a rare display of tenderness. "Mingli, don't listen to them. This soup was brewed for you alone. You must drink every drop. Only when you’ve recovered your health will you have the strength; Yuanyuan is still waiting for you to nurse her."

Hearing this, and looking at the bowl of fragrant soup before her, Zhou Mingli felt a sudden sting in her nose and her eyes grew hot.

Mother-in-law... she truly cares about her and Yuanyuan.

She choked back a sob, nodded, and picked up her spoon to take small sips. The warm fish soup slid down her throat, warming her stomach and her heart.

The room fell quiet, save for the soft sound of Zhou Mingli drinking.

Zhong Chengyi took a few bites of rice before realizing someone was missing. He looked up and asked curiously, "Mom, where are Sister-in-law and Hongqing? Why haven't they come out to eat?"

Zhang Chunxue picked up some greens, chewing slowly as if discussing a trivial matter. "Oh, Li Hongjuan."

Without even lifting her eyelids, she said coolly, "She was greedy and finished off your sister-in-law’s bowl of restorative fish soup with Zhong Hongqing. She was an eyesore, so I chased her out. Tomorrow, I’ll have Chengfa take her to town to file the divorce papers."

"Clatter!" The chopsticks in Zhong Chengren’s hand dropped onto the table.

Zhong Chengyi’s mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg.

Zhou Mingli was so startled she stopped mid-sip, staring at Zhang Chunxue in disbelief.

Di-divorce?!

Just because of... a bowl of fish soup?

A deathly silence filled the room; one could hear a pin drop.

Zhong Chengren and Zhong Chengyi exchanged glances, both seeing deep shock and confusion in the other's eyes.

Wasn't this reaction a bit too extreme?

It took a long time for Zhong Chengyi to find his voice, and he spoke tentatively, his tone cautious.

"Mom... no, isn't that a bit much?"

"This... to divorce over a bowl of fish soup? That's too... *cough cough*!"

"It was so hard for you to find a wife for Big Brother back then. If they divorce, won't the bride price paid to the Li family just go to waste? If you need to find another one for Big Brother later, won't that cost a huge sum of money all over again?"

Zhang Chunxue’s face remained cold. She put down her chopsticks and swept her gaze over Zhong Chengyi. "The Zhong family really can't afford to keep someone like Li Hongjuan! Knowing her sister-in-law was so ill and still devouring the whole pot of soup—why keep such a selfish, self-serving person? To let her keep bringing disaster upon our home?"

Zhong Chengyi shrank his neck and muttered, "But... if they divorce, won't Big Brother have no wife..."

Zhang Chunxue snorted, raising an eyebrow. "If he’s really that reluctant to part with his wife, I won't stop him. He can pack his bags and go be a live-in son-in-law at her family’s house! I’d actually prefer that!"

The moment she finished speaking, no one dared to utter another word.

Even Zhong Chengren, usually the most argumentative, only dared to keep his head down and shovel rice, not daring to say a single syllable more.

After all, everyone knew that when their mother said she would do something, she truly meant it. Which man in the village hadn't been scolded to tears by her in the past?