RYEY -Chapter 471 This Woman Cannot Be Left Alone

Jiang Meili and the others were waiting outside for Jiang Hua. Seeing him pale, his white undershirt soaked in sweat, eyes wide with terror, they were alarmed.

“Dad, what’s wrong? Why is little brother crying so badly?”

Cheng Qiao took the child, massaged an acupoint under his chest, and gradually the crying stopped. Soon, the child fell asleep in Cheng Qiao’s arms.

“Meili, your dad, this wolf of a man, wants to divorce me. When I refused, he tried to kill me.”

Cheng Qiao widened her eyes. Could Yuan Qin really be insane—trying to kill her own husband in a police station? Hantong raised an eyebrow. This woman clearly couldn’t be left alive.

“Ah, Mom, is she really sick? I should go see her.”

“Don’t…”

“Let her go. Mother and daughter should talk it out.”

Hantong held Jiang Meili’s hand and walked into the interrogation room. Yuan Qin was already tied to a chair, her eyes full of ferocity.

“Mom, are you alright?”

“Meili, your father, this beast, wants to divorce me. Go tell him: unless I die, I will never agree.”

Jiang Meili looked at Yuan Qin—hair disheveled, face pale and waxy, exhausted yet intensely tense—and felt a pang of pity. She wanted to hug her mother but was held back by Hantong.

“Mom, don’t worry. I won’t let dad divorce you. Reform yourself well, and once you’re done, our family can be reunited.”

Yuan Qin’s eyes brightened. She thought of her son—so small, she couldn’t trust Jiang Hua to take care of him. Her gaze toward Jiang Meili grew more intense:

“Meili, my dear daughter, tell me, have I been good to you?”

Jiang Meili tensed. Whenever her mother asked this, she always had ulterior motives. She hesitated, then nodded: “For the past two years, yes, you were quite good to me.”

“Good is enough. My son is your brother. From now on, you’ll take care of him.”

“Mom, I can’t. I have no job, no money. How can I raise my brother?”

“Don’t you have a man? Li Bing isn’t dead.”

Jiang Meili stared in disbelief. Was this woman really her mother? Which mother would say such things to her daughter? She hated herself for feeling sorry for her just moments ago—her brain must have rusted.

“Heh, thanks to you, my man Li Bing was also kicked out of the army. Now he’s discharged.”

Yuan Qin looked at Meili in surprise. She knew her daughter too well and could see her disappointment and hatred reflected in her eyes.

“This…”

Yuan Qin suddenly felt surrounded. Even her most obedient daughter was rebelling. How disappointing. But no rush—once she got out, she could teach her daughter properly.

“Take her away.”

Hantong waved. Though not a police officer, her authority exceeded theirs; besides, it was her case.

Yuan Qin was taken away. She looked at Meili with hope, believing that once she returned, their family would reunite.

Meili, however, felt despair. She wished this woman never returned—if she stayed away, the Jiang and Li families would finally have peace.

Cheng Qiao handed the sleeping infant to the director and left with Hantong. Jiang Hua and Jiang Meili supported each other as they walked home.

“Dad, if you don’t go to work, you’ll get fired.”

“No. Commander Qin has informed my workplace. He said our family’s bad luck is heavy now; it’s better to stay home and wait until fortunes change before going back.”

“Really…”

Jiang Meili found it unbelievable. Though it was less tense now, one superstition could ruin a family? Exaggerated.

Jiang Hua, however, thought it normal. From a workplace perspective, no one wants someone unlucky around—they fear bad luck might spread.

“Dad, Li Bing is discharged. I might take Cheng Cheng and go back to Xiangyang Village with him. Be careful on your own.”

“Go ahead. You’ve worked hard. I hope you and Li Bing live well and raise Cheng Cheng properly. Look at Cheng Qiao’s children—each one is exceptional.”

“I will. This time I’m taking my mother-in-law too. She was hurt by my mom; it’s my duty to care for her.”

“Truly admirable. Your mother-in-law is a good person; be filial.”

“Dad, I worry about you.”

“There’s no need. I have work and salary. I can save, maybe find extra work if needed. No matter what, I’ll raise your brother properly.”

“Ah…”

Jiang Meili sighed deeply. She least wanted to hear that now.

By mid-August, Mother Li could move freely. She didn’t want to stay in the hospital—it was costly, pointless.

“Qiao, ask the doctor how long before I can leave.”

“Mom, they say it takes 100 days for bones and muscles to heal. Your injury isn’t just muscular—you’ve injured one of the most important organs, the heart. Don’t say 100 days—1,000 wouldn’t be too much.”

“So, I have to live in the hospital?”

“No need. Wait another month. Once internal wounds heal, we’ll see if you can walk.”

“But my eldest wants to return home, and the kids need school. I can’t not go back.”

Mother Li was anxious, mainly missing her Chun Cheng grocery store. She had no idea how business fared.

“Mom, don’t rush home. If eldest brother wants to go first, let him. I can run once to take you. You must wait until Lele’s little store opens.”

“Oh yes, Lele, how’s your store?”

Hearing her daughter had work lifted Mother Li’s spirits.

“Mom, I won’t tell you. Wait until you’re well, then see for yourself.”

“Since you’re in business with that Chen girl, keep accounts clear and discuss things. Otherwise, it’ll hurt your friendship.”

“I know, Mom. Xiaoniu comes to see you every day, but you always end up falling asleep. I don’t know when Xiaoniu will come today, so don’t fall asleep again, or she’ll think you’re deliberately ignoring her.”

“You child, when Xiaoniu comes, couldn’t you have woken me up?”

“Second Sister-in-law said that sleeping is the best medicine for healing, and we’re not allowed to disturb you.”

“Yes, your Second Sister-in-law is right.”

Mother Li nodded without hesitation. Her Li family ancestral grave was clearly blessed—having a daughter-in-law like Cheng Qiao brought so much honor.

Li Le deliberately put on a look of disbelief as she looked at her mother, eyes wide open, thinking: Am I even your real daughter? Everything is always about what Second Sister-in-law says, though she actually agreed with it herself.