Chapter 16: Taking You Down With Them

Seeing that Shen Tingting was about to pick up the stick again to hit her, Shen Chutang didn’t hesitate; she snatched the stick away and struck at her opponent, sending the living room into chaos.

“Ah! Help! Somebody help!”

The servants rushed forward, but Shen Chutang raised the stick before them, threatening, “Get out of the way, or I’ll hit you too!”

None of the servants dared intervene; they hurried off to call Liu Shuhua and Shen Xuejun.

By the time Liu Shuhua and Shen Xuejun appeared, Shen Tingting was already in tears, her voice trembling, “Mom, this lunatic hit me just for the sake of that servant!”

Liu Shuhua, seeing her daughter’s reddened wrist, was immediately heartbroken. She pointed at Shen Chutang’s nose and began to scold furiously, “How could you treat your own sister like this?”

Shen Chutang held the stick in one hand, tapping it rhythmically against her other palm, unconcerned by the accusations. “I thought in this family, anyone could pick up a stick and teach others a lesson.”

“You’re outrageous! All this for a servant, and you dare treat your own sister like this? You’re nothing but an ingrate!” Liu Shuhua’s affection for Shen Tingting only made her hatred for Shen Chutang grow. “Give me that stick, I’ll teach you a lesson myself today!”

A glimmer of excitement flashed across Shen Tingting’s face. She turned to the servants, “What are you waiting for? Seize Shen Chutang!”

Just then, the woman on the floor stood up, pleading, “Madam, the young lady didn’t mean any harm. Please let her go. I’m willing to take her punishment.”

Shen Chutang swept her gaze over the crowd. “You don’t need to plead for me. I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on me or any of you today.”

Shen Xuejun stepped forward, eyes full of disdain as he looked at Shen Chutang. “Since you insist on standing up for that mother and son, let’s see if you’re capable of taking them away and caring for them.”

“I’ll take them, then.”

This family never forgave or forgot. Shen Chutang knew that the mother and son, who had shown her kindness, wouldn’t be spared so easily.

Shen Xuejun laughed angrily. “Fine, you stubborn girl. I’ll see how long you can protect them!”

Shen Chutang glanced at the mother and son. “You two, pack some things and come with me.”

The woman hesitated, but her son tugged her hand, urging, “Mom, let’s go!”

The people here were truly wicked. Yesterday, he’d overheard Liu Shuhua and Shen Tingting plotting, which was why he’d warned Shen Chutang not to drink the soup. Yet even so, they suffered retaliation.

Though the young lady had kindly rescued them, Shen Tingting had come looking for trouble again today.

If they didn’t leave with Shen Chutang, there would be no way to survive here in the future!

Qizi was more mature than most children. Hearing his words, Wang Shaofen agreed. At worst, she could find another household to work for.

They packed their clothes simply, everything fitting into a single travel bag.

Shen Tingting watched Shen Chutang lead them away, unwilling to accept defeat. “Mom, you’re just going to let her take them?”

“Ha, what’s there to be afraid of? A widow and her child—do you think they can stir up waves in the capital?”

Shen Tingting thought about it and agreed. “Mom, since that woman insists on meddling, let’s teach her a lesson!”

…

Shen Chutang hailed a car and took Wang Shaofen and her son home.

They lived in the Second Alley district of the capital, an undeveloped old area far from here, with messy surroundings. Many working-class families resided there.

Wang Shaofen’s place was pitifully small, with only one room where the living room, kitchen, and bedroom were all squeezed together. The bathroom was a public restroom outside.

Wang Shaofen, raising her child alone, could only afford a rental here. She worked as a housemaid, and because Qizi was young, the families often let her bring her child along.

Even the worst conditions elsewhere were a hundred times better than this place.

Shen Chutang, dressed in clean clothes, seemed out of place. Wang Shaofen smiled awkwardly, “Miss, I’m sorry there isn’t even a place to sit here. Sorry you have to suffer.”

“It’s fine. What will you do next?”

Wang Shaofen forced a bitter smile. “What else can I do? I’ll look for suitable work and earn money first.”

“Oh, Qizi’s mom, why are you back with your child? Were you fired?”

The speaker was Aunt Zhao, their neighbor next door, who loved gossip.

Wang Shaofen smiled awkwardly, not replying.

Aunt Zhao continued, “I told you, find a man to rely on. It’s too hard to raise a child alone. That Xiao Yang I introduced you to last time is really nice. His leg’s a bit lame, but he doesn’t mind you have a child.”

Qizi immediately stood protectively in front of Wang Shaofen. “My mom won’t marry him!”