Chapter 153: Chapter 153: Who’s Right, Who’s Wrong?
Translator: 549690339
“Easier said than done.”
Mrs. Wen glanced at Zhuang Qingning impatiently: “Do you think I, an old woman, don’t understand this principle?”
“I’m already older than you, I’ve eaten more salt than all the rice you’ve ever had. How could I not see through such a thing, am I worse than a little girl like you?”
“But you need to know one thing, in this world, knowing is one thing, doing is another. It’s like everyone knows that ill-gotten wealth should not be kept, but they can’t control their own hands. It’s like some people know it’s wrong to steal, but when they see the goods, they can’t move on.”
“Now, it’s the same for me. All these years, I’ve been reminding myself that I have to do this to succeed. After twenty years of practice, it has become a habit. How could I change just because you tell me to now?”
“It’s like a rooster crowing at dawn, waking people up before sunrise. If one day you suddenly don’t let it crow, asking it to crow in the evening instead, it might not be able to do it. The rooster might even die of suffocation.”
“Just give up on this idea.”
Mrs. Wen said, her heart filled with waves of bitterness, followed by a deep sigh.
What kind of situation is this?
When Zhuang Shengxing passed away back then, the three children at home were very young, the youngest one just learning to walk. My in-laws offered no help, my older brothers and younger brothers were just waiting to see me fall, even outsiders saw me as a young widow, only thinking about taking advantage of me.
That kind of situation, like walking on a single-plank bridge with wolves in the front and tigers behind, a careless step could lead to eternal downfall, only leading to a life of darkness.
In order to bring up children in this world, I had to put away my gentle and good-hearted nature, and turn into a violent and shrewish widow, someone who people would shake their heads at, saying how ruthless and merciless I am.
Although the reputation was bad, life was getting better.
People knew not to mess with me, no longer dared to aim at me, my tofu shop was protected, people treated me respectfully, and no one dared to trick me over money. Other people’s children also didn’t dare to bully mine, calling them fatherless children.
Although life was better, I was somewhat upset. I had to act like a devil outside, and a loving mother inside. These two contradictory personalities often left me in a daze. With the daily labor of the tofu shop, Mrs. Wen eventually found it too hard, so she simply gave up on the ordeal.
She had a bad temper with the outside world and wasn’t much better with her own children. Over time, she developed a habit, and this temperament stayed. But eventually, because of her character, the children got farther and farther away from her.
She had once turned herself into this current state for the sake of these children, but after she turned into this state, her children began to hate her. In this matter, who was right, who was wrong?
Mrs. Wen didn’t know, and she didn’t want to know anymore.
She is old now, and it won’t be long before she will be lying in a coffin and buried underground to see her husband. So why bother about these things?
Mrs. Wen closed her slightly tart eyes. When she opened them again, they were even murkier and her throat was a bit tense and dry.
Mrs. Wen reached out for the teapot on the table, intending to pour herself a glass of water, but the teapot was empty, not a drop of water came out.
Mrs. Wen looked disappointed and put the teapot back on the table.
“I’ll do it.” Zhuang Qingning took the teapot, went into the tofu shop, boiled enough warm water, and poured a glass for Mrs. Wen.
“Of course, it’s tough to change, but it’s only you who think so. When you try it, you may find it quite simple.”
“At the very least, you can give it a try. You won’t smother and be upset by yourself.”
Clearly, Mrs. Wen was also upset about her temperament now, but she was too accustomed to it, unable to control her temper, regretting it afterwards, but next time, she was still somewhat fearful and upset.
This vicious cycle, if it could change slightly at the root, perhaps it would be good for Mrs. Wen.
This time, Mrs. Wen did not immediately rebut, but waved at Zhuang Qingning: “Let’s talk about it later.”
She didn’t outright reject it, implying that Mrs. Wen had taken Zhuang Qingning’s words to heart. The only thing stopping her from directly agreeing might be her temper.
Of course, changes won’t happen overnight: they require a slow, long process. But if Mrs. Wen can mentally accept this view, making slight attempts to moderate her behavior, conditions overall should be much better than they are now.
Zhuang Qingning did not make a fuss, but simply smiled: “I guess you’re not in the mood to make dinner tonight. I was thinking about making stir fry or making dumplings or buns out of the tender pumpkin I just picked. Do you want pancakes? I’ll make some pumpkin pancakes with cucumber and garlic sauce, and some sweet jujube soup. How does that sound?”
“Having someone to cook does save me some trouble…”
Mrs. Wen started to speak as before, probably thinking something was wrong, then paused and said: “Alright, do as you said.”
It’s clear she not only listened to the advice, but also planned to act on it.
Zhuang Qingning broke into a smile.
But Mrs. Wen frowned and said: “Why does it not sound like something that would come out of my mouth? It feels really awkward, I can’t do this. I can’t talk like this.”
“Listen, tonight’s pancake should have more flour and less pumpkin, it’s not good if it’s too sticky. Put more vinegar in the garlic cucumber, otherwise, if the pancake gets greasy, it won’t taste good without some vinegar to add flavor.”
“You just start like this. After you cook, try it first. If it doesn’t taste good, don’t serve it to me, so I won’t feel uncomfortable eating it…”
There we go, she’s back to her old self.
But changing one’s temperament is not something that can be done in a short time. It has to be taken slowly.
Seeing how Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng will be full of guilt towards Mrs. Wen due to this matter, they will probably be very accommodating to Mrs. Wen for quite some time to come.
Since force is mutual, emotions usually are too. Mrs. Wen will naturally notice Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng’s accommodation for her and might feel touched.
When the relationship between Mrs. Wen and her children is repaired, Mrs. Wen will probably be overjoyed..
