My Bizarre Relatives 014

Fang Ruoruo felt somewhat uncomfortable, especially with the smell of cigarette smoke from her uncle’s hand.

“This place is so big, and you’re living here all alone. It feels so empty... Ah, your dad—after working so hard all these years, just gone like that...” The words struck a chord deep in Fang Ruoruo’s heart.

Her eyes reddened.

Though her father had always been busy, his care for her had been ever-present.

Just as she was about to speak, the door was knocked again.

Opening it, she saw Li Mei standing at the doorstep.

“Mom...” Fang Ruoruo looked at Li Mei, who hadn’t been doing well these years—her hair had grown whiter.

“Ah, I came to check on you. Oh, elder sister!” Li Mei’s eyes lit up when she saw her aunt, who immediately stood up like the lady of the house. “You’re here? Come in, come in, have a seat.”

As they chatted about their families, Fang Ruoruo’s head felt heavy. She hadn’t been resting well these past few days. She wanted to ask them to leave, but they had come to see her.

“I’m a bit tired,” Fang Ruoruo said.

Li Mei quickly stood up. “Then go rest. Your aunt and I will be here. If you need anything, just say the word.”

Fang Ruoruo glanced at Li Mei and nodded.

When she woke up, she felt much better. Suddenly remembering her aunt’s family, she hurried out—only to freeze at the sight of the living room cluttered with bags and luggage.

“What’s this...?”

Li Mei, who was helping unpack, turned at the sound of her voice. “Ruoruo, you’re awake? I made some porridge for you. Go have some while I help your aunt settle in.”

“Settle in?” Fang Ruoruo was confused.

“Yes. Your aunt told me your cousin is getting married, but the bride’s family insists on a proper house. Since you have this big place, I took the liberty of agreeing for you.”

“What?”

Li Mei pulled her aside. “Don’t be stingy. They’re just borrowing it for the wedding. They’ll return it afterward.”

Fang Ruoruo stared at her mother, the warmth between them fading again.

“We’re all family.”

Her aunt walked out, shaking out a bedsheet—she had already picked a room and was making the bed!

“You stayed at my place when you were little. So much time has passed. Ruoruo, you wouldn’t forget that kindness, would you?”

As Fang Ruoruo watched her unpack, her heart pounded faster.

“Back then, your mom needed money urgently, and your dad didn’t have any. I was the one who helped her out,” her aunt began recounting old debts.

“Dad paid that back long ago,” Fang Ruoruo said firmly.

“Oh? Paid back? That’s it? That was life-saving money for your mom! That’s called a debt of gratitude, understand?” Her aunt glared sideways.

Li Mei chimed in, “Yes, don’t calculate things so clearly among family. It ruins the bond.”

“Get out.”

“What?” Li Mei didn’t catch it.

“I said, all of you—get out!” Fang Ruoruo suddenly roared, startling even Xu Jiayuan, who had been playing with his phone.

“How dare you speak like that? We came here out of goodwill to keep you company, and you’re kicking us out over lending a house?” Her aunt was the first to react. “Ungrateful child! You ate and lived under my roof as a child, and now you won’t even help?”

Li Mei’s face turned cold. “Ruoruo, apologize!”

Fang Ruoruo tried to steady her breathing.

“Now that you’re well-off, you look down on poor relatives? Just like your dad. He’s the one who spoiled you,” her aunt continued, while Xu Jiaqing eyed her with hostility.

Li Mei added, “Ruoruo, if you still acknowledge me as your mother, apologize to your aunt’s family!”

“No!” Fang Ruoruo turned and left, her mind in chaos.

She ran all the way to the hospital. Fang Yu, lying in bed with a frown, brightened upon seeing her. “Quick, Ruoruo, get me a lighter. I’ve searched everywhere—no fire. I’m dying here.”

Seeing her aunt like this eased some of Fang Ruoruo’s gloom.

“Aunt, no smoking in the hospital.”

“If I don’t smoke, I’ll smoke you!” Fang Yu retorted bluntly. “I told them I didn’t need hospitalization, but they forced me here for IVs. What’s wrong with you?” She noticed Fang Ruoruo’s distress.

“I...” Fang Ruoruo took a deep breath and explained what had happened at home. “I just needed to cool off. Don’t worry, Aunt, I’ll handle it. They won’t take advantage of me!” She even clenched her fist.

To her surprise, Fang Yu looked enlightened and pulled out a notebook. “That deadbeat dad of yours had some tricks up his sleeve.”

Confused, Fang Ruoruo took it and opened it.

“He gave this to me before he passed, saying if you ever had trouble related to the house, I should show it to you.”

Fang Ruoruo stared blankly at the words on the page.

“Wait for the right moment, strike decisively.” A key was tucked beside it, with an address written underneath.

Fang Yu leaned in with effort. “‘Wait for the right moment’? What kind of riddle is this at a time like this? Wait for the right moment... Does he mean after your aunt’s family moves in, I should burn the place down?”

“Aunt, that’s way too extreme.” Fang Ruoruo’s dark mood lifted at her aunt’s words.

Then she remembered an incident from her high school days.

“Wait for the right moment...”

She flipped further and found neatly folded documents. Unfolding them, she was stunned.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi, hovering invisibly in the air, grew tense. Success or failure hinged on this girl. Though she could act herself, it wouldn’t be as effective as her own plan.

“Aunt, let’s go to the new home,” Fang Ruoruo said, picking up the key.

Fang Yu was puzzled.

“Not arson? Then... poison?”

Li Xue was delighted. After Fang Ruoruo stormed off, she never returned, and Li Mei, speaking on her behalf, assured her she could stay without worry. The gesture brought the two sisters closer.

“That child was corrupted by her father and aunt.”

“She was so sweet as a kid—hardworking and sensible.”

“Look at her now. Ah, but she’s younger, so of course I won’t hold it against her.”

Li Mei smiled obsequiously as she mopped the floor. “Jiayuan, lift your feet. Let me clean here.”

In another neighborhood, when the door opened, Fang Yu, sitting in her wheelchair, gaped. “That Fang Zhiyi actually bought another house behind our backs?”

Fang Ruoruo was equally shocked. Seeing a photo of herself and her aunt on the entryway cabinet, her heart ached.

Fang Yu sighed. “My brother was a fool in his early years, but later... it’s like he woke up.” She paused. “Ruoruo, settle in first. Once I recover, I’ll help you take them on!”