Chapter 10: The Past of the Yu Family

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It turned out that the visitors were Fan Xing’s grandmother Lin Xiu, her second uncle Yu Zhenhai, and second aunt Zhou He.

Fan Xing’s grandparents had two children: the eldest, Yu Zhenshan, who was Fan Xing’s father and married to Jiang Han, Fan Xing’s mother; and the second, Yu Zhenhai, married to Zhou He, with a son named Yu Dongchen.

Their grandfather Yu had passed away early, so the brothers were raised with great effort by their grandmother.

Later, after Fan Xing’s parents died, six-year-old Fan Xing was taken in by her grandmother. She lived with her grandmother until she went to university.

After Fan Xing became an adult and her grandmother grew old, her second uncle took the grandmother to live with them.

Upon seeing Fan Xing, second aunt Zhou He spoke with a sarcastic tone, “Ah Xing has grown capable now. It’s one thing not to visit us, but when elders come to see her, she locks us out.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Fan Xing is so busy, it’s normal for her to come home late,” second uncle first shot second aunt a reproachful glance, then smiled warmly at Fan Xing, “Ah Xing, don’t take it to heart. Your second aunt just speaks bluntly; she’s straightforward.”

Hearing this, Fan Xing paused as she was opening the door. “Second uncle says second aunt speaks bluntly, so does that mean second uncle agrees with her?”

“Ah?” Yu Zhenhai was taken aback and quickly waved his hands, “That’s not what I meant. Ah Xing, don’t misunderstand me.”

At this moment, grandmother chimed in, “Yes, Ah Xing, your second uncle truly cares about you.”

Fan Xing replied, “If he really cared, he knows it, I know it, and grandmother should know it too.”

Second aunt Zhou He, displeased by this, shouted loudly, “You brat! We came specially to see you and you’re finding fault? I’ll have all the neighbors see your true colors—unfilial and disrespectful! Let’s see how you’ll live in the future…”

Before she finished, Fan Xing shot her a cold glare. “Say one more word, and I’ll smash your mouth!”

Hearing this, Zhou He’s voice abruptly stopped. A flicker of terror crossed her face as memories from the past flooded back. She felt every bone in her body ache.

Indeed, Zhou He had been struck by Fan Xing before.

Not only Zhou He, but also Yu Zhenhai and Fan Xing’s cousin Yu Dongchen had been hit.

Fan Xing had never been one to take a loss; if she was bullied, she would return the blow.

After her parents died, they left some property, the apartment she now lived in, and compensation money from the perpetrator.

The court had ruled that the property and house left by Yu’s parents belonged to Fan Xing, while the compensation money went to her grandmother. The second uncle’s family had no share.

Later, living with her grandmother, the second uncle’s family would come around often, always flattering as if with a hidden agenda.

They thought Fan Xing was young and easily fooled, so they tried to coax her into handing over the property for them to manage.

Would Fan Xing agree? Of course not.

It wasn’t a fortune that required management!

When coaxing failed, the couple resorted to threats.

But Fan Xing did not put up with them. At around ten years old, whenever she caught the couple, she would give them a thorough beating, and they had no strength to fight back.

Back then, grandmother protected Fan Xing. The couple threatened to call the police and accuse Fan Xing of assault, but grandmother stopped them.

Grandmother said if they dared to call the police, she would disown them.

The couple, coveting grandmother’s property, dared not risk it, and the matter was dropped.

“Don’t get reckless. Assault is against the law,” Zhou He instinctively took a step back.

“Ah Xing…” Grandmother called softly.

Fan Xing turned to look at her grandmother, seeing that she looked even older than before. After a moment of silence, she said nothing further.

Once the gate opened, Fan Xing stepped inside and said to the three behind her, “Come in.”

Entering the courtyard, Zhou He greedily surveyed everything.

“This house is really nice, no wonder it’s in the city center…”

Once inside, Fan Xing said to them, “Sit down. I won’t be entertaining you.”

Zhou He casually plopped down on the sofa, muttering, “Really no manners. Elders come to visit, and not even a cup of tea is served.”

Yu Zhenhai shot Zhou He a sharp glare. “Shut up.”

Only then did Zhou He sheepishly restrain herself.

Fan Xing quietly watched their performance.

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness, Yu Zhenhai smiled and said, “Ah Xing, actually, second uncle came this time to discuss something with you.”

Fan Xing sneered, “Of course. No one would come without a reason.”

Yu Zhenhai looked embarrassed, “Ah Xing, you’ve been divorced for years now. Have you thought about remarrying?”

Fan Xing crossed her arms and leaned back on the sofa, calm and composed. “No, and I don’t plan to.”

“Come on!” Yu Zhenhai grew anxious. “There’s no woman who never remarries.”

Fan Xing said, “Who said I won’t? Haven’t I been married before?”

Yu Zhenhai explained, “But you’re divorced now. Ah Xing, second uncle knows a very wealthy big boss. If you’re willing to marry him, you’d immediately become a young madam, never worry about money again, and could even support the family…”

Fan Xing understood then. “So you’ve been waiting here for me? What, trying to sell your niece?”

Yu Zhenhai’s face darkened. “Second uncle only wants what’s best for you. How can you say such things? Marrying a rich man is good! After marrying him, you can quit work and enjoy life.”

“Enjoy life? Would you like that fortune yourself?” Fan Xing scoffed. “If it’s about enjoying life, why don’t you marry him? If not you, then second aunt and Dongchen can marry him!”

Hearing this, Zhou He exploded, standing up and pointing at Fan Xing with fury.

“You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Say that again if you dare, you little bastard with a mother but no upbringing…”

Before she could finish, Fan Xing slapped her.

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Smack!

With a sharp crack, Zhou He spun around 360 degrees and collapsed onto the sofa with a wail.

Fan Xing said, “Don’t act tough around me. Know your limits!”

Zhou He raised her head, her left cheek marked with a deep red handprint, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

She spat on the floor. A few teeth mixed with blood fell.

Fan Xing thought: Didn’t control the strength well.

Zhou He immediately began to wail, “My… my teeth…”

Fan Xing impatiently snapped, “Shut up!”

Having regained her memories, Fan Xing’s aura was far stronger than before. Zhou He was so frightened she forgot to breathe, and her cries stopped abruptly.

Fan Xing warned, “You better clean the filth off the floor or it won’t just be a few lost teeth.”

Zhou He was too scared to react, just staring blankly at Fan Xing.

Yu Zhenhai was also frightened. Seeing his wife frozen, he squatted down to wipe the blood with his clothes, stammering, “Ah Xing, don’t be angry, don’t be angry, uncle will wipe it, uncle will wipe it.”

“Ah Xing, how could you hit so hard? That’s your second aunt!” Grandmother shakily stood up, looking helpless, wavering between reaching out to Fan Xing and then the bloodied second uncle on the floor.

Fan Xing sneered, “Me, hit hard? I think I was too gentle. Otherwise, how would they dare to come whining in front of me?”

Then she looked at grandmother, “Grandma, how much of the compensation money from mom and dad is left?”

Grandmother stammered, “It’s… all still there…”

Fan Xing mocked, “All still there? All in second uncle’s pocket, right?”

Grandmother was always frugal and rarely spent money; with her retirement pension, she hardly touched the compensation money.

In earlier years when her health was better, she was cautious of second uncle and second aunt. But these last few years, her health declined, and she believed whatever second uncle told her; the little money she had was probably coaxed away by him.

Hearing Fan Xing ask about the compensation money, Yu Zhenhai looked guilty. “Ah Xing, second uncle wouldn’t take your grandmother’s money. It’s all there, all there.”

Fan Xing didn’t believe him. “You know well whether it’s there or not.”

Yu Zhenhai awkwardly got up, pocketing the teeth his wife lost.

Fan Xing’s sudden strike made Yu Zhenhai extremely uneasy. He knew well how formidable she was—never losing a fight since childhood, able to best several grown men alone.

The old wounds and past beatings still haunted him psychologically, now all awakened.

“Anything else? If not, leave quickly. I’m in a bad mood and might hit someone again,” Fan Xing started ushering them out.

“You… dare…” Zhou He, regaining her senses, tried to threaten, but Fan Xing’s glare made her immediately shrink back.

She then frantically signaled Yu Zhenhai.

Yu Zhenhai, who hadn’t wanted to speak after the slap, at his wife’s urging, reluctantly said, “Ah Xing, second uncle has one more awkward request.”

Fan Xing said, “If you know it’s awkward, then don’t say it.”

Yu Zhenhai was tongue-tied and dared not speak. He looked at grandmother instead.

Grandmother, caught between her son’s gaze, looked troubled. She opened her mouth, closed it, and after a long pause spoke tremblingly, “Ah Xing, Dongchen is at the age to marry. Your second uncle’s house is small; the new bride wouldn’t have space. Could it be… could it be…”

Fan Xing looked at grandmother and said, “Are you asking if I could give my house for their wedding?”

Grandmother was momentarily speechless.

“Did I get it right?” Fan Xing sneered, looking at second uncle and second aunt. “You really have the nerve to ask this. You don’t dare say it yourselves, so you make grandmother say it!”

Zhou He mumbled, “We’re family. Helping out is nothing. Dongchen is your younger brother. If you get bullied, he should back you up.”

“Hah!” Fan Xing laughed bitterly. “I want that good-for-nothing to back me up? Let him come, and we’ll see how many punches he can take from me.”

Zhou He was silent, afraid Fan Xing might really beat up Yu Dongchen.

Yu Dongchen had been the most frequently beaten family member by Fan Xing since childhood and now dared not face her.

“Ah Xing, you’re Dongchen’s sister. What harm is it to help him?” Yu Zhenhai pleaded.

Fan Xing mocked, “I’m just his cousin, not his mother!”

“You!” Yu Zhenhai’s face reddened with anger.

Fan Xing sneered, “You got grandmother’s money but can’t even buy your son a wedding house. Worthless!”

Fan Xing’s parents’ compensation was over two million yuan.

Zhou He weakly said, “The housing prices in Hongguang City are so high…”

Fan Xing exposed her, “Basically, you’re just unwilling to spend your own money and want to freeload.”

Grandmother began to cry, “Ah Xing, how about I give you the old house, and you give this house to your second uncle?”

Fan Xing feigned surprise, “Really? The old house still belongs to grandmother? Second uncle hasn’t taken it?”

When Fan Xing lived with grandmother, they stayed in the old Yu family house, left by grandfather.

But how could that house compare to Fan Xing’s place?

Fan Xing’s community, though an old residential area of Hongguang City and somewhat run down, was in the city center with standalone houses and yards—very valuable.

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Because it was so valuable, the old residential area hadn’t been redeveloped.

On one hand, few developers could afford the price; on the other, most residents were conservative elderly who opposed redevelopment.

Fan Xing’s parents had gotten their house by a stroke of luck.

The Yu family old house was in the suburbs, small and dilapidated. Otherwise, grandmother wouldn’t still have it. If it were a good house, Yu Zhenhai would have tried everything to coax it away long ago.

Sensing Fan Xing’s sarcasm, Yu Zhenhai righteously declared, “How could I want mother’s house? Ah Xing, you really know how to joke.”

Fan Xing said, “I doubt you dare. That house was left to grandmother by grandfather and partly to my father. Since my father is gone, I have his share. If you dare take it, see if I’ll sue you!”

“You!!!” Zhou He wanted to argue but was stopped by Yu Zhenhai.

Yu Zhenhai was smarter than Zhou He. He knew not to confront Fan Xing head-on, so he kept a soft attitude.

“Ah Xing, rest assured. The old house has your share. Second uncle won’t cheat you,” Yu Zhenhai said with a smile.

Zhou He angrily pinched Yu Zhenhai’s waist, causing him to grimace in pain.

“If there’s nothing else, second uncle and second aunt should leave!” Fan Xing said impatiently.

“Ah Xing, can’t we… discuss this more?” Yu Zhenhai pleaded meekly.

Fan Xing was tired of their nonsense. She grabbed both by their collars and lifted them up.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Zhou He kicked and struggled. “I’ll call the police!”

“Call the police? I haven’t called yet. Watch out, I might accuse you of extortion!”

“Ah Xing, let go of second uncle, let go!” Yu Zhenhai struggled too. “I’m your second uncle, your father’s brother.”

“Good thing you have that identity, or I’d have beaten you to death already!”

Fan Xing’s strength was more than enough to hold them. She carried them out of the courtyard and toward the gate.

“Ah Xing, let go of your second uncle and second aunt!” Grandmother anxiously trailed behind but couldn’t catch up due to her age and frailty.

Thud! Thud!

Yu Zhenhai and Zhou He were thrown out of the gate, landing hard on their behinds, wailing in pain.

“Yu Fan Xing, treating your elders like this, you’ll be struck by heaven’s thunder!” Zhou He cursed with a mouth full of holes.

“Such wickedness!” Grandmother wept behind them.

After all this, Fan Xing looked at grandmother. “Grandma, I told you, you can live with me. There’s no need to rely on second uncle and second aunt.”

Grandmother cried, wiping tears. “You’re just a girl… How could I depend on you… Besides, the court said when the compensation was awarded to me, I don’t need you to support my old age.”

Fan Xing questioned, “Then why are you siding with second uncle and second aunt now? After all these years, haven’t you seen what kind of people they are? What good can come from staying with them? They’ve coaxed your money away. Did they appreciate your kindness? Are you living better with them? So much money, even if lost, you should have heard the splash!”

Grandmother cried harder upon hearing this. “What can I do? I’m old now. When I can’t move, I’ll have to rely on them! He is my son…”

Fan Xing was exasperated.

“If that’s how you think, then I won’t care about you anymore. Don’t come to my door. I have no obligation to take care of you.”

“Ah Xing, grandma is sorry…”

At that moment, Yu Zhenhai outside cursed, “Mom, let’s go. What’s left to say to that ungrateful woman? You raised her all these years, and this is how she treats her own son…”

Fan Xing strode outside, picked up a brick from the corner of the wall, and hurled it.

The brick grazed Yu Zhenhai’s cheek, slicing his skin and causing blood to flow.

Yu Zhenhai screamed and collapsed.

“Oh no, he’s killed someone! Er Hai, are you okay?” Zhou He hurried over to help him up. The two staggered away, cursing as they went.

“Ah Xing…” Grandmother hesitated but said nothing, trembling as she followed after Yu Zhenhai and Zhou He.

Fan Xing watched her frail figure retreat, overwhelmed by mixed emotions.

Grandmother hadn’t been like this before. When had she changed?

She still remembered how, back then, grandmother would fiercely scold second uncle and second aunt to defend her.

Such bad luck!

Only after Yu Zhenhai and Zhou He disappeared from sight did Fan Xing turn back inside and lock the gate.

Meanwhile, in an abandoned power plant in Hongguang City, four men, bored, were playing poker around an oil drum.

“Play two of a kind!” one tossed down two cards.

“Bomb!” another threw down four jacks.

One opposite asked, “What’s wrong with Lin Zaize? Why isn’t he back yet?”

Another said, “Shouldn’t be anything. That guy is strong. Nothing should happen to him in the surface world.”

“True. Everyone the alliance sends to the surface world is just reconnaissance minions. None can match Lin Zaize,” the worried one chuckled softly.