Volume One, Chapter Four: The Widowed Mother Abandoned by Her Sons in the Years of Famine, Part 4 [Expressions]

In the main room, Chen Qiang and Chen Zhuang were sitting around a large table eating breakfast. Chen Qiang held his two-year-old son in his arms, and both brothers had bowls filled with thick, hearty porridge. On the table sat a dish of pickled vegetables and another of pickled radish chunks—both prepared by the original owner when she was still well, with the help of her second daughter-in-law.

In contrast, Wang Fang sat with a bowl of thinner porridge, while Wang Wei sat at a side table with her daughter and Da Hua, eating from bowls of watery gruel where the grains were barely visible, accompanied only by a small saucer of pickles.

Hearing shouts from outside, everyone turned their heads in unison. Wang Fang came running in, her face pale with terror, screaming, "She’s come back from the dead! She’s come back from the dead!" She then scrambled into a corner to hide.

Chen Qiang frowned and barked, "What is all this fussing about? What is going on?"

Before he could finish, Mo Mo and Chen Cai appeared at the doorway. The two brothers were so shocked they jumped to their feet, stuttering in disbelief, "Mother? You... you didn't die?" "Mother, how are you still alive?"

Mo Mo squinted at her two "cheap" sons. The eldest had an honest, plain appearance, and the second was sturdy; both had inherited the original owner’s good looks. Yet, behind these refined features lay such venomous and wretched hearts. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Grabbing a wooden club, she charged at the two ingrates, raining blows down upon their heads and shoulders. Her enhanced body was brimming with strength, and every strike landed squarely on flesh.

"Ah! Mother, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?!" The two sons scurried about, shielding their heads. Fearing his precious son would be hurt, Chen Qiang quickly shoved the boy into his wife’s arms. Wang Fang grabbed the child and retreated back into the corner. "She’s mad! Mother-in-law has lost her mind! She’s gone crazy after coming back from the dead!"

Amidst the chaos, bowls and chopsticks clattered to the floor, the sound of breaking pottery mixing with the brothers' pained cries.

"What? Are you disappointed that I didn't die? Huh? You heartless animals! I raised you with my own blood and sweat! I found you wives! And now that you're grown, I'm still helping you raise your children! And what do you do? I just caught a cold, and you threw me out to die! Your father has only been gone thirteen years—how did you turn into such inhuman filth? Why did I get sick? It was from worrying about you, slaving away for this household day and night. Do you have any conscience at all?!"

Mo Mo scolded as she beat them, her fury fueling each strike. With a sharp crack, the wooden club snapped in two. Chen Cai scanned the courtyard, sprinted to the kitchen, grabbed a broom leaning by the door, and ran back to hand it to her. "Mother! Here!" He then retreated to the side, cheering her on, his young face flushed with excitement. *My mother is truly amazing!*

Mo Mo took the broom with a nod of approval. *Good lad, you're on the right track.* She turned back to the two ingrates with a fierce glare. Chen Qiang and Chen Zhuang, still reeling from the first round of beating, were terrified to see her coming for them again. Soon, their pleas and screams filled the room once more.

"Ah! Stop, Mother! We were wrong, we were truly wrong!"
"Mother! We aren't human! We’re worse than pigs or dogs, please, stop hitting us!"

Outside, a crowd of villagers had gathered. Hearing the commotion, they were stunned. "I never would have guessed. These two brothers, usually acting all decent, could do something so heartless."

"It's true. Auntie Zhuzi has always worked herself to the bone for this family, and yet these beasts could treat their widowed mother this way."

"If we had known this would happen, we should have drowned these two little bastards at birth!"

"They aren't even as good as dogs; at least a dog knows how to guard the house and stay loyal to its master. Tsk, tsk, I'm going to feed my dog extra tonight."

In a society where filial piety was paramount, the villagers were incensed, pointing fingers and scolding the brothers. They didn't forget to glare at their own children, fearing they might pick up such habits. The local boys stood by, feeling wronged and speechless.

A burly man in his thirties spoke up gruffly, "Hmph! If you ask me, she should have remarried long ago. If Zhuzi’s wife hadn't stayed for these rotten brats, she would have lived a much easier life!"

A roar of laughter erupted from the crowd. "Haha, Chen Dadan, you're still pining for her, aren't you? With your hunting skills, you could have any girl you wanted."

"She didn't remarry during the hardest years of her widowhood; she's a grandmother now, so it's even less likely. Don't tell me you really want to be a bachelor for life?"

Chen Dadan crossed his arms and looked away. "What's it to you? It's my business."

At that moment, Village Chief Chen Qingxiang arrived with two village elders, leaning on their canes. The crowd made way for them. Mo Mo, feeling tired, sat on a chair to rest. Chen Cai stood behind her, gently kneading her shoulders. "Mother, the Village Chief is here," he whispered.

Mo Mo immediately took some chili water from her space, dabbed it into the corners of her eyes, and burst into tears. When the Village Chief entered and saw the scene, his own eyes reddened. "Qiang’s mother, you have truly suffered. We know everything now, and we will see justice done for you! The village has seen your hardships all these years."

The two elders nodded, expressing their sympathy. Chen Cai wiped his eyes with his sleeve, while Wang Wei, holding her daughter, looked at Mo Mo with heartbreak. Wang Fang huddled in the corner, clutching her son and holding her breath, trying to remain invisible. The Village Chief was still unaware that she had left her mother-in-law to starve for an entire day while she was ill.

Looking at the two groaning brothers on the floor, Chen Qingxiang grew furious and pounded his cane on the ground. "You unfilial beasts! Your mother is a frail woman—how could she have enough strength to do this? Look at the state you two grown men are in! Get over here and kowtow to your mother to beg for forgiveness!"

Chen Qiang and Chen Zhuang had no defense; their mother’s blows had felt like iron bars. Not daring to talk back—especially since their actions were too shameful to speak of—they scrambled to their knees before Mo Mo, kowtowing and begging for mercy.

*Internal thought:* "Little Treasure, scan them. Are they truly sorry?"

"Hmph! Not at all. If you get sick again, they'd do the exact same thing," the voice replied, then added, "Mo, you should kick these two out. A drought is coming in a few months. There won't be a drop of rain for the next two years; keeping two wolves in the house isn't safe."

"What? Are you going to make me go through a famine and migration again?"

"How could I let you suffer? We're here to enjoy a peaceful retirement," the cat-like spirit replied proudly. "I've scanned a hidden cave deep in the back mountain. There is an abundant underground water source inside—enough to help the whole village survive the next two years."