Pampered By My Fake Boyfriend's Brother-Chapter 493: Every Family Has Its Own Hardship

Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Every Family Has Its Own Hardship

Shi Qing’s mother feigned unease and lowered her head, "You came out of my belly, so naturally, I’ll be in charge of your marriage."

Shi Qing’s mother’s words were ambiguous.

Seeing her mother’s reaction, Shi Qing just felt her suspicions confirmed, a chill running down her spine. She never imagined her mother would resort to the same old tricks. Indeed, money was still the most important thing in her mother’s heart. Although Shi Qing had always known this fact, her mother’s repeated actions made the little warmth she had painstakingly gathered vanish completely.

"I won’t ever listen to you about the marriage," Shi Qing said firmly.

Behind her black-rimmed glasses, her eyes widened, glaring fiercely at her mother as if the person before her was not her mother, but an enemy.

Shi Qing’s mother initially just wanted to brush aside her daughter, but seeing the aggressive appearance of her daughter, a surge of anger arose instantly in her heart. She pointed at Shi Qing with a stern look, "Unruly girl, all you’ve ever done is oppose me. If it weren’t for..."

At this point, Shi Qing’s mother managed to stop herself, her eyes flashing a hint of panic, then she changed the subject, "Get back to school, don’t stand here and upset my eyes."

Shi Qing stood rigidly, still caught in what her mother didn’t finish saying. She knew what her mother wanted to say.

In the quiet living room, neither spoke.

Whenever the two of them were alone, the atmosphere was always inexplicably tense.

Just then, the sound of the door opening came from the entrance.

Shi Qing and her mother both looked towards the door, only to see a man wearing a gaudy polo shirt walk in, whistling with a relaxed gait, carrying a boxed meal with steam wafting out of the bag.

Obviously, the man didn’t notice another person was in the living room, casually remarking, "Lunch has arrived."

The man’s tone was familiar, clearly indicating a close relationship with Shi Qing’s mother.

Shi Qing watched the stranger in front of her without expression. It seemed that during her time away from home, her mother had changed boyfriends again; she was no longer surprised.

"Ahem..." Shi Qing’s mother raised her hand to her mouth, feigning a cough to remind the man.

"Caught a cold, huh? It’s all because you had the air conditioner on last night..." Before finishing his sentence, the man lifted his head and saw a slim figure. Startled for a moment, he quickly recovered, looking at the young girl in front of him with a playful smile, "You must be little Qing, right?"

After speaking, the man naturally placed the meal on the dining table.

As the man approached, Shi Qing moved aside slightly, her disdain evident.

The man’s smile froze immediately, but to ease the situation, he forced himself to maintain a smile, "You haven’t eaten, have you? I bought an extra portion."

Not much taller than Shi Qing, their eyes met, and she looked at the man’s ingratiating manner, responding coldly, "No, thank you."

Seeing the young girl reject him, the man wasn’t angry but helplessly looked at Shi Qing’s mother.

Shi Qing’s mother, witnessing the man flatter to a cold reception, felt even more displeased with her daughter.

"She won’t eat," Shi Qing’s mother said coldly, then tore open the bag, taking out the food boxes one by one. Upon seeing it was all bland dishes, she frowned, "Why is there no meat?"

Shi Qing’s mother completely ignored her daughter.

The man gave Shi Qing an awkward glance, then coaxingly said, "It’s a bit tight, you know." Whispering the last few words in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Shi Qing’s mother glared at him, "Useless."

The man chuckled a few times, not daring to argue back, "Then, can I, later..."

"Do I owe you something?" Shi Qing’s mother picked up a piece of vegetable with her chopsticks, but feeling annoyed, she tossed the chopsticks onto the table, "Go buy another one."

With that, Shi Qing’s mother took her purse, pulling out a few hundred-yuan bills and slapping them onto the table.

"Alright," the man cheerfully took the money. Realizing a young girl was standing nearby, he toned down his smile, "I’ll go buy it right away, you wait."

"Clean up the food on the table and throw it away," Shi Qing’s mother arrogantly instructed.

The man stopped his departure, obediently tidied up the table, and left carrying the food.

Watching the uneaten food being treated as garbage, Shi Qing couldn’t help but feel a touch of irony, recalling the days when their family was poor, struggling to have enough to eat.

The mother now flaunted the demeanor of a nouveau riche.

Before leaving, Shi Qing felt compelled to make things clear with her mother, "No matter how much money you’ve taken from them, I refuse to marry over there. Just give up."

"Get lost, as far as you can."

Finally managing to lead a smooth life, seeing her daughter’s indifferent face, Shi Qing’s mother tried hard to control her emotions. Given her current wealth, why bother pleasing her daughter?

Recalling every time she asked her daughter for money, facing her daughter’s terrible attitude, Shi Qing’s mother felt a fire smoldering inside.

Luckily, now she was well-off, no longer needing to watch her daughter’s mood, Shi Qing’s mother felt a surge of pride, even her speech grew more spirited.

Shi Qing took a deep breath, seeing her mother’s shrewd face, her eyes lowered, her heart calm and unruffled.

Too lazy to say any parting words, she turned and headed towards the door, kindly closing it behind her.

After walking out of the house, Shi Qing’s back slightly curved, her demeanor listless.

At an age meant for innocence and romance, she bore burdens she shouldn’t have been burdened with: the pain of losing her father, the departure of her cherished sister, and her only remaining mother treating her as a money-making tool.

Her life was truly pitiful!

Stepping onto the street, she watched the passing crowd, each with different expressions on their faces. Everyone said every family had its troubles, but her family’s troubles must be full of suffering!

Walking past noisy shop entrances, her sharp ears caught a familiar voice.

"Yes, that pork hock, I want an extra serving."

"And I’ll take some beef, and let’s add some stir-fried bacon with radishes..."

Standing under the big tree, Shi Qing saw the same man ordering inside a restaurant. His voice was loud and full of vigor, his garish outfit contributing to his oily demeanor.

After placing his order, the man went to the cash register, "I’ll go next door for a pack of cigarettes and then come back to pick up the food."

The cashier nodded.

The man turned and exited the restaurant, spotting the young girl looking at him. He hesitated for a brief moment then quickly pulled out a smile, running towards her.

"Little Qing, what brings you here?" As he spoke, his yellow teeth were fully exposed, looking quite disgusting.

Shi Qing couldn’t understand what attracted her mother to the man, or if her mother’s looks only landed her someone like him. She didn’t want to ponder the answer to that question. She stood there purely to gather some information.