Chapter 1613 - 1665: I Don’t Owe You Anything
If you don’t understand English, then use it less. Chu Xiaoyao really wanted to say this to Zhang Tao’s girlfriend, because HIV is AIDS. Chu Xiaoyao laughed, looked at Zhang Tao’s wife, and asked, "Do you know what disease HIV is?"
Zhang Tao’s girlfriend pointed to herself and said, "It’s a terminal illness, very hard to treat. So, sister, you really need to help Zhang Tao and his parents, or this family won’t be able to continue. That disease costs a lot of money."
Zhang Tao wanted to give his girlfriend a thumbs up, praise her; she sure knew how to talk, bringing out a foreign disease to fool Chu Xiaoyao. Next, it’s time to play pitiful. So Zhang Tao sniffed, looked at Chu Xiaoyao with a face full of pain, covered his face with a big hand, making whining sounds from his mouth, as if he was really crying. And soon, tears did flow, but it was his girlfriend pinching the flesh on his waist, Zhang Tao hurt so much, how could he not cry.
Wang Jing was also sobbing, Wang Jing’s husband lowered his head. He seemed to feel something was off with this disease; it felt familiar and not a good disease. Just as he was doubting, Chu Xiaoyao spoke, "HIV, also known as human immunodeficiency disease."
"Yes, yes, that’s it, no human immunity," Zhang Tao’s girlfriend said.
"It’s also called AIDS, indeed a terminal illness," Chu Xiaoyao said blandly.
Bang, Zhang Tao’s hand hit the tea table in front of him, ignoring the pain, he propped up his body, opened his eyes wide and froze for a while.
The others were also stunned. It’s excusable not to know HIV, but no one hasn’t heard of AIDS; it’s more than just a disease in Huaxia. It’s often linked to morality, because it’s generally believed that proper men and women don’t get this disease. It’s usually those doing drugs, having affairs, and leading chaotic private lives who get it. And Zhang Tao’s girlfriend randomly attributed a disease, directly giving Wang Jing’s husband AIDS.
Even Wang Jing instinctively moved away from her husband, shifting her seat. Only then did she realize something was wrong; this was a completely concocted disease, her husband didn’t have it.
Zhang Tao turned back to curse, "Screw you, only your dad has AIDS, don’t speak if you can’t!"
Zhang Tao’s girlfriend originally felt a bit embarrassed for mixing up the disease. But when Zhang Tao cursed her, she immediately exploded, straightened her waist, and retorted, "Screw you, Zhang Tao, you think you’re brave now, dare to curse me? If it wasn’t to cover up the lie for you, would I have mentioned it?"
The two suddenly started cursing, leaving Wang Jing and her husband even more lost.
Chu Xiaoyao coldly smiled, her face tightened. Zhang Tao’s girlfriend’s last sentence directly revealed the truth. Indeed, uncle-in-law wasn’t sick, let alone having a terminal illness. So everything said before was a trick to deceive her, including crying and acting pitiful. So at that moment, Chu Xiaoyao’s heart was cold.
Even during those rebellious years, after arguing with her parents, Chu Xiaoyao felt no familial affection and felt cold-hearted. But only after losing her parents did she realize, apart from her parents and Li Yifei, there was no one in the world she could be so wanton with. And even including Li Yifei, she couldn’t act completely willful.
Cold heartedness differs, with her parents it’s forgotten after a while. But with these relatives, Chu Xiaoyao feels she’ll never come again, even if they speak as wonderfully as flowers.
"Stop arguing!" Listening to his son and girlfriend directly questioning each other’s parents, Wang Jing’s husband finally couldn’t hold back, or rather, he was furious with embarrassment. The ungrateful daughter-in-law pinned such a disgusting disease on him, almost driving him mad. Meanwhile, the lie being exposed made him feel like a layer of skin was peeled off his face. He finally couldn’t hold back, slapped the table, and glared angrily around.
Zhang Tao and his girlfriend stopped simultaneously, turning to look at the old man.
Wang Jing’s husband, after slapping the table, spoke to his wife, "Xiaoyao is your niece, you should say something."
Wang Jing raised her hand to press down, saying, "Don’t argue, what’s there to argue about?" After saying that, Wang Jing turned to look at Chu Xiaoyao and said, "Xiaoyao, don’t blame your aunt for deceiving you, okay? At this point, I won’t hide it from you anymore."
"You’ve seen the condition of this house; this apartment was bought over ten years ago, but the mortgage is still not paid off..."
"And then you deceive me into thinking he has a terminal illness, trying to get money from me?" Chu Xiaoyao said coldly.
Wang Jing said, "Well... it’s actually because of something else, that’s why..."
"I’ll say it," Wang Jing’s husband, thinking she was speaking too slowly, said, "You’ve seen your brother and your soon-to-be sister-in-law. They’ve been dating for several years now, both nearing thirty. This year, we’d like to settle things between them."
Chu Xiaoyao kept a neutral expression and replied, "But what does that have to do with me? You can inform me when they get married, and I’ll give the appropriate wedding gift."
Wang Jing’s husband was momentarily at a loss for words, but since it was already said, Wang Jing wasn’t afraid. She continued, "In this family, we don’t have money for your brother’s wedding unless we sell the house. But then, where would we live? And you’re doing so well now, so I thought, could you help your brother? You see, he’s getting old, and it’s not good to remain unmarried."
"So, you just plan to scam fifty thousand from me to fund their wedding?"
"Well... you’re doing well, aren’t we family? Your parents are gone, so I’m your closest elder now. So, Xiaoyao, you’re doing so well now, just help your brother out. It’s not much, fifty thousand will do. Buy a house, have a wedding, receive some gifts, and you can even buy a car later. Your brother is working now, and after your sister-in-law marries and works, they’ll have enough to live on. Then your uncle and I won’t have to worry so much; otherwise, we can’t sleep soundly at night."
After hearing this, Chu Xiaoyao was shaking with anger. She had never imagined that family could be so shameless. They spoke as if they were justified, but it was all irrational and even nonsensical.
She spat on the ground, stood up abruptly, and glared at the group. She said, "I’ve seen shameless people before, but never as shameless as you. In the future, don’t consider me family. I don’t have shameless relatives like you!"
Chu Xiaoyao was genuinely disgusted. She had never thought someone could be so shameless, nor had she thought family ties could be so... nauseating!
Her body was trembling with anger, her fingers clenching white. The fact that she didn’t slap Wang Jing and the others was already a show of restraint.
Your son getting married is your business. If you can’t manage it, then don’t marry. Or, if you truly lack money and seek help, show some sincerity. Chu Xiaoyao didn’t see herself as a stingy person. If they had honestly discussed their lack of money for the wedding and their need to borrow some from her, she wouldn’t have hesitated to give it, even as a loan which she ultimately wouldn’t ask to be repaid.
But instead, they directly demanded money from her. What makes them feel so entitled? What gives them the confidence? And what makes these relatives disregard family bonds and shamelessly utter such words?
Chu Xiaoyao felt she was truly infuriated, her body trembling violently, and she felt she might faint any moment. After calming herself a bit, Chu Xiaoyao came to her senses and looked at these people with cold indifference. At that moment, she felt they were not family, but rather a pack of hungry wolves, with eyes blazing red.
Almost gritting her teeth, she squeezed out a sentence, "I, Chu Xiaoyao, have lived for over twenty years and owe you, or anyone, nothing. I am not your parents. I have no obligation or responsibility to do anything for you, let alone give you money. Whether you get married, or not, whether you have a house, or a car, has nothing to do with me, so please don’t speak to me in that tone."
As she spoke, the other five didn’t interrupt, but they all felt the chill. Chu Xiaoyao had endured for so long and finally couldn’t bear it, tearing off the facade.
Let them say what they want. Whether it’s among their friends and relatives, or spreading rumors that she changed after getting money or neglected family ties, or even more slanders, Chu Xiaoyao didn’t care anymore. Facing such relatives, she didn’t need that family bond.
Perhaps what they said had heart, but the listeners were ready to explode. Wang Jing’s face turned pale instantly, shocked at Chu Xiaoyao’s harsh words. She seemed like a cat with its tail stepped on, or rather a mouse, letting out a shriek, pointing at Chu Xiaoyao and shouting, "What did you say? Say it again!"
Chu Xiaoyao pushed away the pointing finger, saying, "Even if I say it again, it’s the same. Wang Jing, your family is truly disgusting. You’ve nauseated me, so don’t bother me anymore. Whether you fall terminally ill or remain single for life, it’s none of my business. With my parents gone, consider this family tie broken."
The words were harsh and hurtful, but Chu Xiaoyao was the one hurt. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would never believe such relatives and elders existed in the world. Her words couldn’t fully describe these people; it wasn’t just shamelessness, not just being scum.
The others seemed to feel insulted as well. Zhang Tao clenched his fist and shouted at Chu Xiaoyao, "Chu Xiaoyao, you bitch, say that again?"
"What? Getting angry from shame? Trying to resort to violence after failing to swindle money?" Chu Xiaoyao calmly glanced at him, and Zhang Tao couldn’t hold back and wanted to strike her, but his father stopped his fist. The old man was also furious, but knowing they were in the wrong, he couldn’t say anything.
Wang Jing couldn’t hold it anymore. She let out a shriek, pounced at Chu Xiaoyao, shouting, "You little bitch, will you give the money today or not? If not, I’ll scratch up your face!"
Meanwhile, Zhang Tao also took action, reaching out his big hand towards Chu Xiaoyao, seemingly wanting to pin her down and let Wang Jing beat her.