The pristine carpet was now covered in dirt, and Chen Qingxiu's parents both wore displeased expressions.
Chen Qingxiu herself flew into a rage.
She tossed Wang Kai a rag:
"Wang Kai, clean it up."
Wang Kai immediately took the rag and crouched down to clean the carpet, but Liu Dabing pulled him up by the arm:
"Wang Kai, what are you doing?"
Wang Kai forced a smile:
"Uncle, this carpet is hard to wash, I'll just wipe it clean.
"You and Mom should both change your shoes. See, we change ours at home too."
He then placed two pairs of slippers in front of Liu Dabing and Liu Chunlan.
Liu Dabing was still reluctant, but Liu Chunlan nudged the shoes toward him:
"Change them, brother. City folks are very particular, you know."
After saying this with a sarcastic tone, she shot a glare at Wang Kai.
Liu Dabing changed his shoes unwillingly and sat on the sofa:
"Wang Kai, Qingxiu, you didn't even come to wish your uncle a happy New Year. I really missed you.
"If you won't come back, then I'll come see you.
"Well? Where's the tea?"
Wang Kai poured each of them a glass of plain water. Liu Dabing was dissatisfied:
"Plain water? Wang Kai, your uncle and your mother are here, and you don't even have a cup of tea? What kind of hospitality is this?"
Just as Wang Kai was about to explain, Chen Qingxiu spoke up:
"How were we supposed to know you were coming? You didn't even call ahead. We never have tea in this house anyway."
Liu Chunlan was unhappy: "Since when do I need an appointment to visit my own son's house? What a joke.
"You don't go home to see your parents during the New Year, and when your parents come to you, this is the attitude you give?
"Is this how you behave as a daughter-in-law?"
Su Ling, Chen Qingxiu's mother, who had been sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up and moved to her daughter's side.
Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, she said with a smile:
"You've misunderstood, in-laws. We really don't drink tea normally in our home."
After speaking, she called to Wang Kai:
"Wang Kai, get a bottle of soda or something."
As Wang Kai turned to go, Liu Dabing stopped him again:
"Hold it."
He looked Wang Kai up and down:
"Wang Kai, I get the feeling you're like a servant in this house. Why is it always you doing everything?
"Are you even a man? Do you have any dignity as the head of this household?
"Do you?"
The Chen family was embarrassed.
Chen Qingxiu's father, Chen Yuanguo, quickly spoke up:
"Brother-in-law, please don't be so angry. It's just because Wang Kai is more familiar with you, so we let him attend to you.
"There's really no other meaning."
"Hmph!"
Liu Dabing was displeased:
"Let me tell you, in-laws. Ever since Wang Kai and Qingxiu got married, all these years, you've never visited my sister's home.
"And I, I haven't had the chance to have a proper chat with you all.
"Today, taking this opportunity, I have some things I just can't hold back anymore. If I offend anyone, please bear with me."
Liu Dabing cleared his throat, ready to continue, but Wang Kai interrupted him:
"Uncle, whatever you have to say, you can say it to me. It's the same as telling them."
"Telling you is useless!"
Liu Dabing glared at him, then turned to Chen's parents:
"In-laws, as the saying goes, 'the mother's brother is the greatest.' Today, I represent my sister to speak a few heartfelt words.
"Your Qingxiu is a good child, but she's only a good daughter in your home. She is not a good daughter-in-law in her husband's family.
"It's been over ten years since they married. She shows no concern for her mother-in-law, doesn't visit during holidays, doesn't give money, doesn't send gifts.
"Does that sound like what a daughter-in-law should do?
"On the contrary, our Wang Kai is treated like a servant in your house, ordered around all the time.
"Which parent wouldn't find that hard to watch? Tell me, in-laws, am I right or not? Isn't that the truth?"
As Liu Dabing spoke, Liu Chunlan's tears fell:
"In-laws, I am truly heartbroken and sad. Look at your house during the New Year, so lively, with your grandson gathered around you.
"But me? I can't even see my own grandson's face."
At this point, she turned to grab Chen Zhehao:
"My precious grandson, do you miss your grandma? Grandma misses you so much.
"Grandma came specially today to take you home. Come on, let's go with Grandma right now.
"Let me tell you, you're surnamed Wang. Your name was originally Wang Zhehao, you..."
Chen Zhehao struggled desperately to break free from her grip. Chen Qingxiu directly snatched the child back:
"What are you trying to do? Old woman, I'm asking you what you're trying to do?
"Wasn't it clear enough when we talked last time we went back?
"Me, Wang Kai, Chen Zhehao—none of us have anything to do with you anymore. We've severed ties with you.
"Please, if you plan to visit in the future, notify us in advance. Don't just show up suddenly like this. You are not welcome here."
Liu Chunlan stood with her mouth agape, speechless:
"You... you!"
Liu Dabing stood up from the sofa:
"Chen Qingxiu, don't be so arrogant. No matter what, she is still your mother-in-law. How can you have this attitude?"
"This is exactly my attitude, so what are you going to do about it?"
Chen Qingxiu had never shown a friendly face to the Wang family. She never humiliated herself to please them.
Because the Wang family had never offered her any help, not a single bit.
Liu Dabing raised his hand, about to slap Chen Qingxiu:
"Chen Qingxiu, today, right in front of your parents, I'll teach you a proper lesson. A child's faults reflect on the father.
"If they didn't teach you what filial piety means, I will!"
His hand never landed on Chen Qingxiu.
Chen Yuanguo and Wang Kai both blocked him at the same time.
Chen Yuanguo spoke first:
"Brother-in-law, a guest from afar is a guest. I've been treating you as one, which is why I've kept quiet until now.
"But if you think you can hit my daughter, that's impossible.
"This is the Chen family home. You are not welcome here. Get out, now!"
Having been rebuffed twice in one day, Liu Dabing was fuming.
He turned and slapped Wang Kai across the face:
"Fine, I won't hit Chen Qingxiu. I'll hit Wang Kai instead, alright?
"I can hit my own nephew, can't I?"
Liu Chunlan swatted at him:
"Big brother, why are you hitting my son? It's the Chen family who doesn't welcome you, what does that have to do with my son?
"Why hit him?"
Wang Kai took the slap without flinching:
"Uncle, you've scolded and you've hit. Can you leave now?"
"Of course not."
Liu Dabing leaned back on the sofa again:
"Your uncle plans to stay in the city for a few more days. Your mom says she's staying right here at your place.
"Get a room ready for me."
"No way!"
Chen Qingxiu was the first to object. "There are no extra rooms in my house. We can't accommodate someone as important as you.
"Leave. Get out now!"
Furious, Liu Dabing kicked the coffee table:
"Are you really this fucking stubborn? I..."
This time, Wang Kai directly grabbed him by the collar:
"Uncle, I'll call you 'uncle' for the last time. Don't force me to use my hands."
Liu Dabing lit a cigarette:
"Heh, I've never in my life seen a nephew raise a hand against his elder uncle.
"Today, I'm standing right here. Go ahead, try and move me. Let's see how you..."
Bang!
Before Liu Dabing could even finish his sentence, Wang Kai's fist smashed into his nose.
