The piercing words drained the color from Mrs. Xie’s face. Cruel, bloody memories, long hidden in the depths of her mind, were instantly reawakened. Mrs. Xie slowly closed her eyes, silently enduring the onslaught.
The ghastly images, the helpless sobs, and the words Zhang Hongyan had spoken to her on her deathbed after their narrow escape from death.
It was as if a dense net had ensnared her, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Mom," Qin Mei said, hugging Mrs. Xie, her eyes brimming with concern.
’At that moment, Qin Mei had a sudden realization. If Jie Jingwei were to exploit the life-debt her mother-in-law owed Zhang Hongyan and ask for the north house, she would agree without a moment’s hesitation.’
’It’s easy to repay money, but hard to repay a favor—let alone a life-debt.’
Sensing Qin Mei’s concern, Mrs. Xie opened her eyes. Her gaze was ashen and empty.
"Mom," Qin Mei called out again, holding her tight, trying to pull her from the abyss of her pain.
Those dark experiences were unforgettable, branded so deeply into her soul that even after more than twenty years, she still couldn’t break free.
Seeing the worry on Qin Mei’s face, hearing her voice, the fear in Mrs. Xie’s heart began to dissipate. A warm current flowed through her, bringing a hint of relief.
Mrs. Xie took a deep breath and collected herself. Though her expression was still tinged with sorrow and melancholy, she gently stroked Qin Mei’s cheek. "Xiao Mei, I’m sorry for worrying you."
’Qin Mei’s heart ached for her. She wanted to help her talk through it, but she also knew that would only force her to relive the past. Her mother-in-law’s reaction was proof enough that the memories were too dark. You could heal a wound by cutting away the rot, but the process itself was agonizingly cruel.’
"Mom, if Zhang Hongyan is watching from heaven, she would absolutely never regret saving you," Qin Mei said, taking Mrs. Xie’s hand and speaking with firm conviction.
"Xiao Mei." Mrs. Xie’s eyes faltered, and a wave of bitterness washed over her. "You never met her. How could you know she wouldn’t regret saving me? If Zhang Hongyan hadn’t saved me, I would have been the one to die. Jie Jianguo wouldn’t have lost his wife, and Jing Ling and her siblings wouldn’t have lost their mother. No matter how well I treat them, I can never replace their longing for their birth mother."
"A mother’s love is a powerful thing, that’s undeniable," Qin Mei said. "But Zhang Hongyan’s love couldn’t have protected them."
Mrs. Xie opened her mouth to object but stopped. She disagreed with Qin Mei but found she had no rebuttal.
Qin Mei continued, "I never met Zhang Hongyan. But judging from the disgusted look on Granny’s face whenever she’s mentioned, it’s clear she has no respect for her, even in death. If she were still alive, Granny would have just tormented her to death."
The corners of Mrs. Xie’s red-rimmed eyes twitched. "Xiao Mei, that’s too harsh. As domineering and vicious as the old woman is, she wouldn’t have the guts to actually torment her daughter-in-law to death. At most, she would have made Zhang Hongyan’s life a living hell."
Qin Mei’s lip twitched. ’A living hell? She might as well have died and been free.’ Catching a figure in the corner of her eye, a cunning glint appeared on her face. "For a daughter-in-law to be bullied by her mother-in-law, it’s not just about her being timid. Her own family failing to be her unbreakable support system and her husband’s inaction are also major triggers."
Mrs. Xie fell silent, her gaze drifting toward the doorway. Clearly, she had seen the figure as well.
Qin Mei’s words made Mr. Xie so ashamed he wanted to crawl into a hole. In the past, he had treated his mother’s words as if they were imperial decrees, turning a blind eye to her deliberate bullying and torment of Hong Yan.
"If a mother can’t even stand up for herself," Qin Mei pressed, "how can she possibly protect her children?" The question left Mrs. Xie stunned and struck a nerve with Mr. Xie.
Mrs. Xie was left speechless. ’Back then, she had ignored her parents’ objections and insisted on marrying Jie Jianguo. Her parents had him investigated and even warned her that if she went through with it, she would become the next Zhang Hongyan.’
’In truth, her resolve back then hadn’t been for Jie Jianguo’s sake. It had been for Jing Ling and her siblings. Her plan had been clear: if Jie Jianguo changed his ways, they would build a good life together. If he didn’t, or if he got even worse, she would divorce him and leave with the children.’
’She had promised Zhang Hongyan that she would take good care of her children and help her family.’
"Dad," Jie Jingchen called out, standing at the kitchen doorway.
Mr. Xie jumped, startled. His face was a mask of embarrassment as he glared at Jie Jingchen. "What are you yelling for?"
"Dad, you’re the director of the machinery factory. If word gets out that you’re eavesdropping on your wife and daughter-in-law, what will happen to your reputation?" Jie Jingchen’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Faced with his son’s condemnation, Mr. Xie was utterly mortified.
"Dad," Qin Mei said, coming out of the room.
Mr. Xie gave an awkward nod, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked into the room, feigning composure.