Chapter 2314

Zhu Yanyi trusted this. Besides, no matter the reason, her younger sister’s actions would never cause any problems. The outcome was always satisfactory.

"Alright, Aidi. Since the matter is resolved, rest well and eat something good. Things will work out," Xie Xinyan said seriously.

Zhu Aidi finally had an appetite. These days, the financial burden at home had exhausted her. Fortunately, it was finally over.

After lunch, Zhu Shunyang, Xie Xinlian, Zhu Yanyi, and Yan Aohan went to the Zhu family. Zhu Yanyi was there to help Zhu Aidi pack. Xie Xinlian intended to lecture Zhu Micheng. Zhu Shunyang and Yan Aohan acted as escorts.

Upon arriving, Zhu Micheng scolded Zhu Aidi as soon as he saw her. "You were gone all morning. Where did you run off to? No wonder Acheng fell for that little girl. With you ignoring the house, which man would want you?"

"Better unwanted than ruined by a man," Xie Xinlian spoke up immediately. She was furious at her words. "Zhu Micheng, you are quite bold. Scolding my goddaughter in front of me? Do you think you are a landlord? Even old landlords weren’t this arrogant. You are just a dismissed supply and marketing cooperative member. Why are you so proud?"

Xie Xinlian’s temper had improved over the years due to a smooth life. She rarely got angry. But now, she was furious. "Look at you. Do you look like a father? Scolding your daughter in front of everyone. Do you think we don’t know Aidi is your daughter?"

Realizing the children were present, she softened her tone. "Aidi, go pack your things. Ani, you and Xiao Yan go help."

"Okay." Zhu Yanyi agreed and led Zhu Aidi to her room. Yan Aohan held Zhu Aidi’s daughter, Xiaoguai, and walked in the courtyard. He did not enter another woman’s room, so he helped with the child.

Once the children left, Xie Xinlian looked at Zhu Micheng. "Zhu Micheng, look at you. Do you look like a father? People feel sorry for Aidi’s situation, yet you make her endure it. Is this right?"

"Who told Aidi she couldn’t have a son? She deserves to be despised," Zhu Micheng said bluntly.

"Pah! What does 'deserves to be despised' mean? What does 'can’t have a son' mean? What is wrong with daughters? One daughter in my family is worth a hundred sons," Xie Xinlian sneered.

"You went to school, even if only for a few years. You are better educated than me. Even I, an illiterate, understand that daughters and sons are equal. Why do you think daughters are inferior?"

Zhu Micheng snorted. "If she were a son, she wouldn’t have attracted trash like Acheng."

"Pah! You have the face to say that? I should settle accounts with you for that," Xie Xinlian laughed coldly.

"Do you think I don’t know? You chose Acheng. The matchmaker said Shui Liacheng from Shuijia Village was honest and capable. Because he had many brothers, he planned to marry in. You were tempted.

Didn’t you ask anyone to check? Use your brain.

The Shui family had many sons, but the eldest wouldn’t normally marry in. Why did they send the eldest to your family? You didn’t investigate. You agreed because they looked good on the surface. Now that things went wrong, it is Aidi’s fault. Are you still her father?"

Xie Xinlian looked at Zhu Micheng coldly. "I tell you, Zhu Micheng, Jin Feng entrusted Aidi to me before she died because she worried about you. It was my fault. I was in the capital then and didn’t investigate. If I had known earlier, I would have sent someone. How could I let Aidi suffer? Meeting you as a father is her bad luck for eight lifetimes."

Zhu Micheng was angry but did not argue with Xie Xinlian, especially with Zhu Shunyang nearby.

Xie Xinlian continued, "I tell you, Zhu Micheng, Aidi and Shui Liacheng’s marriage is over. I decide this. If you dare oppose it, Aidi might not speak up, but I will. I will go to the court. I will say you, as a father, force your daughter to suffer with old feudal thoughts. This is a new society. If this spreads, how will you, Zhu Micheng, survive in Sicheng Town?"

"You~" Zhu Micheng wanted to retort, but Xie Xinlian was a woman. He couldn’t win an argument or hit her. He was stifled with anger.

"When Aidi and Acheng married, I gave five thousand yuan. If they divorce, let Acheng return the five thousand," Zhu Micheng said finally.

"So, you tormented your own daughter for five thousand yuan? Are you even human?" Xie Xinlian was full of anger. "She is your biological daughter. How can you treat her so badly?"

Zhu Micheng tilted his head. "What five thousand yuan? That was money I earned with hard work."

"Enough. The money will be returned later. Don’t make a fuss. It is only five thousand yuan," Zhu Shunyang spoke up. "When Aidi and Shui Liacheng divorce, even if Shui Liacheng doesn’t pay, I will give it to you. But one thing: you must stop being confused."

Zhu Shunyang intervened directly. "Micheng, you are not young. You have a granddaughter. Why are you so confused? Aidi is your biological daughter. Xiaoguai is your Zhu family’s flesh and blood. Why did you ask Aidi to take a husband in? Was it not for the family line? If you treat your daughter poorly now, do you think Xiaoguai will respect you when she grows up? Then you will truly cut off your lineage. Besides, daughters are not bad."

Zhu Shunyang spoke from a man’s perspective. "I have two daughters. Before Doumiao was born, I thought I would only have two daughters. I didn’t think much of it. I was even called a man without an heir.

But I loved my daughters equally. Even after having Doumiao, I loved my daughters more than my son. Doumiao says his status at home is the lowest. That is true.

I always put my two sisters ahead of her. Why? Because my two daughters are too capable. They surpass any son born to others. Not to mention Ani’s abilities. Just look at Anan. Among the three siblings, she had the least talent. But now she is a nationally famous performer. People pay money to ask her to perform, and they must wait for Anan’s willingness."

Zhu Shunyang patted Zhu Micheng’s shoulder. "Micheng, don’t think about other things. A good daughter is better than any son. If you treat your daughter this way, have you thought about when you are old? If your daughter ignores you, what will you do? Respecting the elderly and loving the young is a traditional virtue. But if you don’t love the young, how can your descendants respect you?"

Zhu Micheng knew his actions were wrong, but he didn’t know how to stop. He lowered his head. "I know this is wrong, but I really don’t know what to do."

Zhu Micheng was confused. Since his wife Wu Jinfeng died, his life had become incomprehensible.

"If you know it is wrong, why do you still do it? Are you retaliating against Jinfeng?" Zhu Shunyang looked at him familiarly. Seeing Zhu Micheng like this, he realized this might be retaliation.

"No, I never thought of retaliation," Zhu Micheng denied firmly, shaking his head.

"If it is not retaliation, why are you so confused?" Zhu Shunyang looked at him. "Do you hate Aidi?"

"No, I just feel… why isn’t she a son?" Zhu Micheng’s prejudice against women was the root cause.

Zhu Shunyang sighed. "Think carefully. Some things you must understand yourself. We are outsiders. No matter how much we say, if you don’t understand it, it is useless."

Zhu Shunyang looked at Zhu Micheng. For the first time, he felt glad he never had the idea of valuing sons over daughters. Otherwise, Zhu Micheng would be his mirror image.

Zhu Micheng looked at Zhu Shunyang. "You say so much, but you cannot deny you have a son."

"Even if I didn’t have a son, my love for my daughters would exceed yours," Zhu Shunyang said.

"We have known each other for years. I have never denied my love for daughters. Moreover, I love my daughters more than my son. You will never understand this."

"People with sons will never understand the pain of those without sons," Zhu Micheng remained stubborn.

"Shunyang, why talk so much? Beat him up. Make him清醒 (clear-headed)," Xie Xinlian was angry.

"I think Jinfeng was blind to marry you. What do you have to compare with Jinfeng? Jinfeng was smart, open-minded, and saw things clearly. What do you have? Just your poor class background? Hehe, it is no longer the era of looking at class.

It is the era of ability. The great man said, whether a cat is white or black, if it catches mice, it is a good cat. Facts are the same. Whether man or woman, if they can build the country and contribute, they are useful talents. People like you are absolutely useless eaters. Beating you might not even make you clear-headed."

Zhu Micheng was almost dizzy from Xie Xinlian’s words. He glared at her, trying to express his anger, but Xie Xinlian ignored him.

Xie Xinlian said calmly, "I don’t care about you. Aidi is my goddaughter. I will take her away. I support her divorce. If you have the ability, go to court and sue me."