Chapter 116: The Vicious Mother-in-Law’s Affection – 7

Zhang Ruiran cried her heart out. When she called Tang Ruihang that evening, she blurted out, “If you don’t show your mother proper filial piety¹, you’re worse than a beast!”

Tang Ruihang was bewildered. “???” Where was this coming from? Was his mother trying out some new persona again?

It wasn’t until Zhang Ruiran recounted everything Ren Xin had said, followed by endless sighs of emotion, that he understood. “Your mother has had such a hard life. We absolutely have to take good care of her from now on.”

Tang Ruihang fell silent. He didn’t even realize when the call ended; he just sat there, stiff and upright, feeling like he had been a total failure as a son all these years.

He never doubted his mother’s love, but he had occasionally resisted it. When he brought his girlfriend home, he had already decided that if his mother’s attitude was poor or if she did anything extreme, he would take his girlfriend and stay far away.

He had never truly considered things from his mother’s perspective. He had never stood firmly by her side to protect her the way his father had.

“Hello? Mom…”

“Pong! Two Bamboo! What’s up? I’m at the hot springs playing mahjong. If it’s nothing important, I’m hanging up, okay?”

Tang Ruihang: “…” All that overflowing emotion vanished in an instant.

Ren Xin remained dedicated to her grand mission of hoarding supplies. Her obsession had reached such a frantic level that even Book Spirit Number One felt the need to intervene.

“Host, I am certain that hot pot base is not something you need to measure by the ton. Are you planning to open a hot pot city? And those ingredients—you’ve bought up an entire factory’s monthly output. That’s just cruel. As for the seafood and tropical fruits, are you trying to develop your own private ocean?”

Ms. Ren Xin had her own ideas and had no interest in anyone else meddling in her business.

“The most ridiculous part is that you’re actually hoarding tissues. I mean, that’s fine, but isn’t the quantity a bit terrifying? Just how many backsides do you have?”

“I’m saving them to gag you later. You’re so annoying! I just like buying things, so shut up!” She would never admit that she had simply gotten carried away.

Book Spirit Number One continued to nag. “You’ve already cleared out the stock of several entire villages. Tell me, how are you any different from a locust?”

Ren Xin countered unhappily, “Locusts bring disaster; I bring wealth. How is that the same? Besides, I’m using my own money. Bystanders, back off!”

Book Spirit Number One was forced to go silent, but a new question arose. “Host, exactly how big is your space?”

Ren Xin thought for a moment. “Very big!”

Book Spirit Number One: “…” In this vast world, meeting her must be some kind of karmic retribution.

Don’t even go there.

The engagement ceremony was a grand affair. Aside from throwing money at the event, Ren Xin didn’t bother with any of the details. Tang Ruihang had wanted to have a heart-to-heart with her beforehand.

However, Ren Xin rejected him on the grounds that it was too sappy. “I still love you, son. You believe me, right?”

Tang Ruihang: “…” It was precisely because he didn’t quite believe it that he wanted to talk.

He watched the master of ceremonies onstage, lost in his own world as he delivered a flowery speech, praising the couple’s love as something rarely seen in this world.

Ren Xin had something to say about that. “I’m going to find that MC later and have him write some speeches and essays for me. They might come in handy later! He speaks so well; look at how many people are moved to tears.”

Book Spirit Number One voiced its support. “Well, since you don’t have an ounce of literary talent in you anyway, it’s only natural you’d have that idea.”

Ren Xin: “…” That’s slander!

If she ever decided to start cursing people out, she could be exceptionally talented at that.

Translator’s Notes

• Pong! Two Bamboo!: ‘Pong’ is a move in Mahjong where a player claims a discarded tile to complete a set of three identical tiles. ‘Two Bamboo’ refers to a specific tile in the Bamboo suit.