Chapter 222

How else can it be said that marrying an unvirtuous wife ruins three generations?

Originally, Jia Fangfang and her ex-husband had married for love, and their relationship was excellent. Without spending a single cent on a Bride Price, the family had gained a daughter-in-law willing to endure hardships and live a simple life with their son. If the mother-in-law had been even slightly rational, she would have cherished her daughter-in-law like her own child and waited to enjoy a comfortable life in her later years.

But Jia Fangfang’s former mother-in-law was not like that.

To this day, when Jia Fangfang recalled the various actions of that woman, she still couldn’t quite understand the logic behind her thought process.

Initially, the young couple was doing well. Jia Fangfang was hardworking and resilient, capable of handling chores both in the house and the fields. Although the man had no education, he worked hard to earn money.

However, this mother-in-law would show up every few days to “offer concern.” She couldn’t bear to see her son work in a factory, nor could she stand him being a security guard. No matter what job the son found, in the mother-in-law’s mouth, it was always a life of suffering and misery.

The problem was that this former mother-in-law’s “concern” always remained strictly confined to her silver tongue.

If you said she felt bad for her son suffering outside, no one ever saw her bring a single chicken or even an egg to nourish his body.

If you said she couldn’t bear to see her son hauling bricks at a construction site, no one ever saw her take out a penny to subsidize the son’s struggling little family.

Later, Jia Fangfang figured it out: the old hag’s words weren’t meant for the ex-husband’s ears; they were meant for her, the daughter-in-law!

Pitying the son for working too hard was subtext for wanting the daughter-in-law to go out and work so her son wouldn’t be tired.

Pitying the son for losing weight while mentioning that the daughter-in-law’s family raised dozens of ducks was subtext for wanting the mother-in-law to send a few ducks over to nourish the son-in-law.

Pah!!!

Initially, Jia Fangfang thought that if the mother-in-law was unreliable, she would simply stop relying on her, believing they could make a good life for themselves. But who knew that when the mother-in-law saw she wasn’t taking the bait, she actually egged her son on to quit his job? He just stayed at home, waiting to see if she would go to work!

At that time, Jia Fangfang was already four months pregnant.

Making a four-month pregnant daughter-in-law go to a construction site to haul bricks? Only that old woman could come up with such a thing!

Did you think Jia Fangfang would just submit like that?

Then you’ve vastly underestimated this fiery-tempered lady.

Her husband quit his job and stayed home rotting away, and the house was so poor they had run out of rice. She told her husband to find a solution, but the man, perhaps brainwashed by his mother, actually shouted shamelessly-

“You’re the one who wanted to have a child, it’s not like I begged you to get pregnant. If you want money, go back to your own family and ask for it. I don’t have any anyway!”

So he wouldn’t support his own wife and child?

Jia Fangfang gave a cold laugh. The next day, she really did return to her parents’ home.

When the ex-husband and former mother-in-law saw her finally bowing her head and returning home to ask for money, they thought they had succeeded. They waited at home for the daughter-in-law to bring money back from her family to supplement the household.

But they didn’t expect that while Jia Fangfang did go home to borrow money, it wasn’t to help her husband’s family. It was to go to the county town for an abortion.

Originally, she had planned to divorce the man and make a clean break. To her surprise, after finishing her recovery period at her parents’ home, Jia Fangfang went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to inquire. Only then did she learn that since they had never even registered for a marriage certificate, they weren’t considered married even if they had held a wedding banquet^[1] in the village.

In other words, the two were not a married couple at all; at most, it was cohabitation. There was no need for the man to be present to process any divorce papers.

There was actually such a stroke of good luck?

Jia Fangfang was overjoyed. After walking out of the Civil Affairs Bureau hall, she first made a phone call home and then found herself a job in the county town.

It was laughable. Her former mother-in-law, seeing the daughter-in-law stay at her parents’ home for half a month, assumed the girl’s family was losing face. She was still waiting to put on her mother-in-law airs, forbidding her son from going to pick up his wife. She insisted that Jia Fangfang had to bring money back from her family and kneel down to beg her before she could return.

Never in her wildest dreams did she expect that the grandson was gone and the daughter-in-law had run away!

A full month passed, and she still hadn’t seen Jia Fangfang return to kowtow and admit her mistakes. Only then could the former mother-in-law no longer hold out, and she told her son to go to his in-laws’ house to check the situation.

Even then, the old woman was still playing mind games, instructing her son: “Don’t pick her up yet! If their family doesn’t want their daughter giving birth at home with a big belly, tell them her parents need to provide some subsidy for the baby’s formula!”

Who knew that when the man arrived at the village, he was chased out by his father-in-law wielding a broom before he could even step through the door.

The ones being turned into a laughingstock were now them.

The wife had actually aborted the child and vanished to who-knows-where. It was a bolt from the blue!

The mother-in-law’s words were also very clear: the two had never registered their marriage, and the man’s family hadn’t given a single cent of Bride Price. If they couldn’t make it work, they would just part ways.

You mother and son teamed up to bully my daughter, forcing a four-month pregnant wife to go to work to support the family, and kicking her back to her parents’ house when she didn’t comply. Is there any mother-in-law or husband in this world with such a black heart?

Now, that sweet-talking but bitter-hearted evil mother-in-law was dumbfounded.

She only wanted to take the opportunity to control her daughter-in-law, and she had heard that the in-laws had made money raising ducks and wanted to get a piece of the pie. She never intended for her son and daughter-in-law to separate.

But whenever Jia Fangfang’s family saw their former son-in-law, they would beat and curse him. They didn’t dare go to the village to look for her. Back then, few people in the countryside had mobile phones. The factory Jia Fangfang had entered provided room and board with closed-off management. She usually didn’t come out at all. The man went to the county town twice to look for her but couldn’t find so much as a strand of her hair.

They had lost a beautiful and capable wife for nothing, and the four-month-old child was gone. The mother and son’s series of foolish maneuvers could be described as “the chicken flown and the egg broken^[2].”

When this was discussed during the livestream, Jia Fangfang’s tone was incredibly gloating.

She was never some saint who repaid grievances with kindness; she loved seeing every person who bullied her meet a miserable end!

To that end, she had specifically treated two sisters from her former mother-in-law’s village to a hotpot meal, just so she could hear them talk about how miserable her ex-husband’s family was now.

This vengeful streak was exactly what her fans adored about her.

Word had it that since Jia Fangfang aborted the child and fled, her ex-husband and former mother-in-law fought every day. A few times, the man had even raised his hand against his own mother! The mother and son, who used to be in cahoots, had now practically become enemies.

Even worse, the story of how that family forced their four-month-pregnant daughter-in-law to go out and earn money to support the child spread somehow until everyone for miles around knew about it.

Now, it wasn’t just a matter of being unable to afford a Bride Price. Even if they could produce a massive sum, no family with a shred of conscience would be willing to marry their daughter into such a household.

The man, who should have had a lovely wife and a young child in his arms, was now over forty years old. Word was he remained a lonely old bachelor.

In contrast, after Jia Fangfang left that “home,” her life grew more and more prosperous by the day!

She had originally been a packaging worker at the factory, but after hearing that the master craftsmen earned much more, she had the audacity to seek out a master for herself.

That old master had originally refused to take on female apprentices, but as luck would have it, Jia Fangfang’s timing was perfect.

The old master’s greatest pride in life was that his wife had given him two sons.

But who could have known? He had worked himself to the bone as a blacksmith and bladesmith, earning money to build houses and buy wives for his two sons, only to find that in the end, neither son was willing to show him any filial piety.

Two years ago, his wife fell seriously ill and couldn’t get back up, leaving her paralyzed in bed. He had thought that with two sons and two daughters-in-law, even if they just took turns, they could surely take good care of the old woman.

He never expected those two little animals! They grew resentful after only a few days of care. One moment they claimed they couldn’t leave because of the children at home, and the next they were telling him to retire early so he could come back and take care of his wife himself. Bah! If he really resigned from the factory and lost his income, where would the money for his wife’s medical treatment come from? Who would look after the old couple’s basic needs?

It was at this moment that Jia Fangfang fell to her knees before the old master with a heavy thud.

She was willing to move into the master’s home to care for her master’s wife and provide for the couple in their old age. She didn’t want a single cent of the old master’s estate; she only asked to follow him and learn a trade to earn her living.

And so, Jia Fangfang became the old master’s final disciple, and the only female disciple of his entire life.

Who said a woman couldn’t forge iron and make blades?

Jia Fangfang used her exquisite craftsmanship to deliver a stinging slap to the faces of all the peers who had doubted her.

What made people both laugh and cry was that the old master’s two sons had originally thought that even if they didn’t care for their mother, wasn’t their father still there? They never expected a final disciple to appear out of nowhere!

When they heard that shameless woman had moved into their parents’ house and was calling them “Godfather” and “Godmother” every day, they were certain this Jia Fangfang was plotting to steal the old couple’s house and money.

Suddenly, the two sons and their wives didn’t dare ignore the old parents anymore. Every weekend, they brought the children back to offer warm greetings. The two daughters-in-law even competed to take the old lady to live at their houses, or said that if she didn’t want to move, they could take turns living there to serve her.

It was a blatant attempt to kick Jia Fangfang, the outsider, out of the house.

The old master had already been burned once; how could he be fooled by his sons’ hypocritical words again? He accepted the gifts the sons and daughters-in-law bought, and he took the money they gave, but as for kicking his apprentice out? In their dreams!

He finally saw things clearly. Biological sons or not, nothing was closer to him than the house and the savings in his own hands. Weren’t they just obsessed with the little bit of money and this old house?

Fine, then let’s see how they performed first.

Jia Fangfang was truly a wonderful woman who could handle things both inside and outside the home. Since taking over the care of her master’s wife, she went to the market early every morning to buy groceries. After serving her master’s wife breakfast, she would change her diapers, turn on the TV, and place tea and snacks within reach before heading to the factory with her master.

Because they lived close by, she no longer ate at the cafeteria. She would pack lunch and go home to eat with her master, taking care of his wife at the same time. In the evening, while the master kept his wife company, she would cook and do housework, keeping herself busy and cheerful.

They say sincerity is met with sincerity. Gradually, the old couple truly began to see her as their own daughter. Sometimes, looking at Jia Fangfang, they couldn’t help but feel regret that they hadn’t had a daughter of their own. When they heard about Jia Fangfang’s experiences with her former mother-in-law, the old couple gnashed their teeth in rage, their hearts aching for their apprentice who was still all alone at her age.

If only their two sons weren’t married yet. If they had met a girl as good as Jia Fangfang earlier, what would they have to worry about? If either of their sons had married such a fine girl, why would they ever worry about who would care for them in their old age?

It was too late for such talk now. The old couple also thought about finding their apprentice a good man who would cherish her, but Jia Fangfang was unwilling to marry again.

The master’s wife urged her, “Find someone who knows how to care for you while you’re still young. Later, when you’re older, if you can’t move around, at least there will be someone by your bedside to bring you tea and water.”

Jia Fangfang replied that this wasn’t necessarily true. What if the other person collapsed before she did? Wouldn’t that mean she’d have to spend the rest of her life serving him?

The master urged her, “A woman should always have a child in this life, otherwise what will you do when you’re old?”

Jia Fangfang could hardly believe these words were coming from her master! You, old sir, had two sons, both with healthy arms and legs, and in the end, don’t you still have to rely on me, your apprentice, to care for you?

Of course, she didn’t dare say this out loud, fearing she might provoke her master into a health crisis.

As for the master’s two unfilial sons? The formidable Jia Fangfang maintained the mindset that with no inheritance in her heart, her “sword” was naturally divine^[3].

She had a clear conscience. She wasn’t caring for the master’s wife out of greed for the couple’s estate, so why should she feel guilty? As long as the master and his wife still acknowledged her, she would follow their original agreement and care for them in their twilight years. Whenever they no longer needed her, she was single anyway; she could just roll up her bundle and move back into the factory dormitory.

As it turned out, those who were obsessively plotting for the old couple’s money hadn’t received a single cent yet, and had actually sunk quite a bit of their own into the situation.

In contrast, Jia Fangfang, who wanted nothing, was treated like a real daughter by the old master ever since she moved in to help care for his wife. Furthermore, as she was the only female apprentice he had ever taken, the old master poured out everything he knew, teaching this final disciple every bit of his skill.

It was a pity the old master’s two sons were so short-sighted. They thought their father’s accumulated wages and this old house were the most valuable things he owned. They had no idea that the connections the old master had built in the industry and the techniques in his hands were the truly priceless inheritance.

The old master knew he couldn’t leave his house or money to Jia Fangfang. It wasn’t that he was stingy, but rather that he feared it would bring her trouble. He knew the true character of his two unfilial sons better than anyone.

Therefore, he decided to gradually introduce Jia Fangfang to the craft that put food on his table, as well as the circle of old friends he had made through years of knife-making.

In this way, quietly and without fanfare, the young Jia Fangfang actually became an indispensable figure in the technical department of the knife factory.

Originally, the old master thought that even if Jia Fangfang never married, having this skill would ensure she never went hungry for the rest of her life.

But who could have guessed that Jia Fangfang’s luck would be so good? Just as she took over the old master’s network, she happened to cross paths with Wei Sheng, who wanted to invest in Nanjiang County’s cutlery industry and create a cultural IP centered on handcrafted cast-iron knife techniques.

Whether it was her skill, her image, or especially her personal aura, Jia Fangfang perfectly matched the characteristics of the personal IP that Wei Sheng and his team wanted to build.

Thus, while everyone else in the factory was celebrating that Wei Sheng was helping them sell knives and that factory profits were finally improving – providing an extra thousand yuan or so in overtime pay each month – Jia Fangfang and three other old masters officially signed with the Internet Technology Company under Wei Sheng’s name.

Upon hearing this news, not only did the old master’s two sons nearly go mad with jealousy, but even the screenwriter of their film crew started to lose it.

“Old Zhang! Brother Jun! Do I really have to get down on my knees and beg you?”

“Let’s change the script a little, shall we? If you don’t believe me, go look at the livestream room of Wei Sheng’s company yourself!”

“You don’t even need to look at the others, just look at Jia Fangfang’s livestream! You have no idea, she already has hundreds of thousands of followers! What’s even more terrifying is that every night, at least a hundred thousand people are online watching her forge iron!”

“Can you imagine it? She just sits there forging iron! She doesn’t need to sing or dance, and she doesn’t need to act cute or flirt with ‘Big Brothers’ or ‘Uncles.’ Just like this,” Liu Jun made a hammering motion, “just swinging a hammer and hitting a block of iron, and the netizens are watching it with pure delight.”

“Old Zhang, the times have really changed! It’s not that I don’t have confidence in you, but I’m afraid that if we really keep filming according to this current script, this final masterpiece of yours is going to become the ‘unfinished eyesore^[4]‘ of your directing career!”

Liu Jun pleaded earnestly, looking as if he were ready to kneel.

Hurry up, while we’re still filming, let’s seize the moment and change the script!

(End of chapter)