Wang Jianguo struggled desperately.
Even though he was gravely ill, he didn't want to die.
Everyone has an instinct for survival.
He clawed with his hands and kicked his feet, trying hard to push away Liu Chunlan's hands.
Wang Hao couldn't stand watching anymore. He wanted to step in and stop it.
But Wang Kai held him back:
"If you stop her, he'll be your responsibility from now on.
"Hao Hao, think carefully."
Wang Meijuan also shook her head at Wang Hao:
"Leave it alone. He doesn't have many days left to live anyway.
"That disease is incurable. Hao Hao, just let him go.
"Otherwise, he'll suffer and waste money, or are you going to quit your job to wait on him every day?"
Smothered by the pillow, Wang Jianguo heard their conversation.
He was filled with anger and sorrow.
He wanted to curse at them loudly, but he couldn't open his mouth or even breathe.
He could only let out muffled whimpers.
The more he struggled, the tighter Liu Chunlan pressed down.
As she smothered him, she cursed:
"Go to hell, Wang Jianguo! You should have died a long time ago.
"Being with you my whole life has been a complete loss.
"I haven't enjoyed a single blessing; instead, I've suffered my entire life.
"The moment you had a little money, you went and kept a widow.
"You deserve to die, you should have died long ago!"
Wang Jianguo gradually stopped moving.
His struggles grew weaker and weaker.
Seeing that he was about to stop breathing, Wang Hao couldn't take it anymore.
He forcefully pulled Liu Chunlan away:
"That's enough, Mom. Let go."
Liu Chunlan was upset. She yelled at Wang Hao:
"Why are you helping him? He took all the money you made over the years to keep a widow!
"He never considered this family at all. Why are you still speaking up for him?
"Wang Hao, you really disappoint me. I'm so disappointed.
"I never imagined that in the end, you'd still take his side, just because you're both men?"
Watching Wang Jianguo gasping for air, Wang Hao frustratedly ran a hand through his hair:
"I'm not taking anyone's side. Honestly, neither of you is any good.
"One gave all the money to that scumbag Liu Dabing, and the other used the money to keep a widow.
"Neither of you is any good. You never had us children in your hearts.
"But Mom, killing Dad like this is illegal. I can't just stand by and watch you commit a crime.
"Do you understand?"
"Get lost!"
Liu Chunlan roared at him:
"What crime?
"It's just the few of us in this house. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who will know how he died?
"Wang Hao, you break my heart. You are not my son."
Wang Hao backed up several steps with a bitter smile:
"Mom, I really wish I wasn't your son."
Wang Meijuan stepped forward to scold Wang Hao:
"Are you an idiot? If a scumbag like him dies, he dies.
"Why do you care?
"Let me get this straight, I'm a married-out daughter. I'm not taking care of my maiden family's business.
"Since you couldn't bear to let him die, you can provide for him in his old age and arrange his funeral."
Wang Kai also glared at Wang Hao:
"Idiot. Blindly filial.
"Juan is right, you take care of him until he dies.
"I married into my wife's family, so I'm not getting involved either."
Wang Hao found it laughable.
These so-called siblings couldn't wait to throw him under the bus.
Even his parents had never considered his well-being.
The more he thought about it, the worse he felt, and the more he missed the good old days when Lin Wanyi and Wang Keke were around.
He desperately wanted to fly to Lin Wanyi's side right now and resume his comfortable life.
Even though they were divorced, the fact remained that they had been married for eight years.
And they had a bond that could never be severed.
That was Wang Keke.
A burning voice in his heart told him:
"Leave this place. Go find Lin Wanyi and live your lives as a family of three.
"Forget about Liu Chunlan, forget about Wang Jianguo.
"Leave here. Leave."
He went upstairs to pack his things.
He was going to leave Wangjia Village, this filthy mountain village.
He was going to the city where Lin Wanyi lived.
Even if they weren't husband and wife, they could be friends.
Taking a step back, he could even court Lin Wanyi all over again.
With Wang Keke there, he had a much better chance than anyone else.
Besides, the biggest reason their eight-year marriage failed was Liu Chunlan.
It was because of her meddling, because she overstepped her bounds.
Now, he was leaving Liu Chunlan.
As long as Liu Chunlan wasn't around, he and Lin Wanyi could definitely be happy together again.
Thinking of this, he didn't pause for a single moment.
He quickly went upstairs and simply packed a suitcase.
But as soon as he came down the stairs, Wang Meijuan stopped him:
"Where are you going?
"Hao Hao, Dad's health is so bad right now, he needs someone around the clock.
"Since you couldn't bear to let him die, you stay home and take care of him.
"Where are you going with that suitcase?"
Wang Hao didn't explain. He just pushed her aside:
"Get out of my way."
Wang Meijuan refused to move. She even called out to Wang Kai:
"Big brother, hurry up and stop him too! Otherwise, if he runs away, it'll be your turn to take care of Dad."
Wang Kai didn't come to stop Wang Hao.
He simply got into his car first, stepped on the gas, and left.
Before leaving, he yelled out:
"Don't come to me for any of the Wang family's business from now on! I'm part of the Chen family now."
Wang Jianguo coughed violently.
Liu Chunlan clutched her chest, almost unable to stand up straight.
She pointed at Wang Kai's departing car and hurled abuse:
"Trash! How did I give birth to such a useless son!"
After Wang Kai fled, Wang Hao also pushed past Wang Meijuan and got into his car.
Liu Chunlan was smarter this time. She blocked the front of Wang Hao's car:
"Where are you going now? Where are you going with that suitcase?"
Wang Hao wasn't stupid. He said:
"Don't I need to go to work and make money?
"Mom, all the money in the family has been squandered by you. If I don't earn it back, are we all just going to wait to die together?
"If you don't let me go, I'll just sit at home with you and eat away our resources. Let's see how long your thirty thousand yuan will last."
Liu Chunlan finally stepped aside.
When Wang Hao mentioned money, she felt guilty.
Hundreds of thousands of yuan!
Back when she gave it to Liu Dabing, she had been incredibly anxious.
But Liu Dabing had sworn up and down that he would pay her back, that he absolutely would.
And now?
She hadn't seen a single cent, and couldn't even find the man himself.
Thinking of this, Liu Chunlan hated Lin Wanyi to death.
It was all her fault for meddling and getting Liu Dabing sent to prison.
It was all her fault.
Otherwise, with Liu Dabing's skills, he could have sold a few more women and the money would have come back.
How would things have ended up like this?
Yet, she also missed Lin Wanyi very much, especially when she was hungry like she was now.
In the past, Lin Wanyi would always have meals ready early, doing everything short of spoon-feeding her.
But now?
If she didn't lift a finger, she could only wait and go hungry.
Her stomach growled. She glanced at Wang Meijuan:
"Juan, Mom is hungry. Make Mom some food."
Wang Meijuan looked at her and scoffed:
"You're hungry?"
"Yes."
Liu Chunlan answered immediately:
"I'm really hungry. Just boiling a bowl of noodles for Mom is fine."
Wang Meijuan turned and went into the kitchen. Just as Liu Chunlan was waiting to eat,
Wang Meijuan came out with two plates and smashed them directly in front of Liu Chunlan with a loud crash:
"You ruined hundreds of thousands of yuan, and you still want to eat?
"Mom, how is your skin so thick? How do you have the nerve to ask me to cook for you?
"If it were me, I wouldn't even have the face to keep living, yet you actually make demands?
"Heh, you really have some nerve."
Liu Chunlan never expected that just asking Wang Meijuan to boil a bowl of noodles would result in such ruthless mockery.
Furious, she raised her hand, ready to slap Wang Meijuan:
"Wang Meijuan, no matter how many mistakes I have made, I am still your mother.
"I will always be your mother, and you cannot abuse me like this.
"Believe it or not, I will take you to court!"
