Chapter 1017: Chapter 1017 - 1018: Mother and Son Quarrel

Qi Taiguo, upon receiving another call from his mother, assumed she was again urging him to find Weixia, and he had prepared a response to calm her down. Yet, he didn’t expect her to mention something else.

"...It’s unavoidable that you can’t find Weixia, and Mom knows and understands, as does your aunt. But now, your aunt has had a stroke from the anger caused by those two unfilial sons. Their family is in dire straits; surely you can’t stand by while your aunt has no one to lean on in the hospital?" Mother Qi said.

Qi Taiguo felt something was amiss and asked, "Mom, what are you trying to say?"

"I’m getting old and just after helping take care of your aunt for a couple of days, my back is sore and in terrible pain. So, you see, should your wife come back to help at home for a few days?" Mother Qi finally said.

Qi Taiguo’s face darkened, "Mom, are you asking Cheng Su to help take care of Aunt?"

"Not exactly...I can go, but we can’t just leave the house unattended, right? Ever since your wife married into this family, she hasn’t done a single day of housework. The house is a mess right now, and your older sister’s two kids need tending to. I really can’t manage. Just let her help for a few days!"

Qi Taiguo interrupted without thinking, "Mom! If you’re feeling unwell and hospitalized, Cheng Su can go take care of you because you’re my mom. She loves me, and caring for you is only natural. But you want her to care for Aunt, how is that reasonable? She’s the daughter-in-law of the Qi family, my wife, not part of the Deng family."

Mother Qi was momentarily embarrassed and said, "I’m not asking her to take care of your aunt, just to help at home for a few days. I truly can’t manage it!"

"Mom, why put yourself in this messy situation? It’s not like Aunt has no children. Even if Weixia isn’t around, isn’t there still Weiqiu? He’s grown enough to care for his mother, isn’t he?" Qi Taiguo’s tone was stern, "Don’t spoil her like Aunt does. In the countryside, where do you see kids being pampered like this?"

Mother Qi was infuriated and said, "How can you be so cold and heartless? That’s your own aunt, and now that she’s in trouble, as her nephew, can’t you offer some help? Asking your wife to help at home for a few days isn’t asking for her life or flesh."

Qi Taiguo was also angry, "There’re so many people at home, can’t they handle it? Cheng Su is busy with work and studies. Where would she find the time to go back?"

"She runs her own business, what is she busy with? Isn’t it just directing others to work under her? I see you’re just protecting her, cherishing her, not wanting her to come back." Mother Qi fumed.

"Mom, she’s my wife, of course I want to protect her and cherish her," Qi Taiguo said.

"So, you’re determined to stand against Mom? For your wife, you’re willing to be unfilial to your mother?"

Qi Taiguo took a deep breath and said, "Cheng Su doesn’t have the time to go back, Mom, stop thinking about it. As for Aunt, I will have Dad send her fifty yuan as a token of our filial piety. You taking care of Aunt is your choice, but Cheng Su certainly won’t! If you insist on being unreasonable, then don’t call us anymore unless necessary!"

"You, you, you unfilial son!" Mother Qi exclaimed, slamming down the phone.

Qi Taiguo felt a massive headache coming on. Looking up, he saw Cheng Su looking at him with a faint smile.

"Susu..." he said awkwardly, unable to find the words to describe his mother’s stubbornness and feeling embarrassed.

"I heard everything. Your mom wants me to go back and help with things at home?" Cheng Su had overheard the entire conversation.

Qi Taiguo nodded, "I’ve already refused."

Cheng Su smiled without saying a word, thinking that even if he refused, her mother-in-law would probably curse her as unfilial and unkind behind her back!