The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 559 - 558: You Liang Family, have messed with the wrong person!

Chapter 559: Chapter 558: You Liang Family, have messed with the wrong person!

The police officer eyed Liang’s mother, "So, are you admitting to defaming and spreading rumors about someone’s reputation?"

Liang’s mother retorted defiantly, "I didn’t completely make it up, she truly is indecent, getting pregnant while still so young, and she’s had an abortion..."

The officer gave a firm but gentle tap on the table, sternly reprimanding, "Don’t say another word!"

"Do you realize this is someone’s privacy? Spreading someone’s private matters around is against the law!"

Liang’s mother was incredulous, "Telling the truth is against the law?"

"Do you know in ancient times there was a cruel punishment called ’tongue cutting’, specifically meant for gossipy women like you who stir up trouble and chatter behind people’s backs."

"Nowadays, it’s a society governed by the rule of law, and even though there is no punishment of tongue cutting, spreading rumors still requires one to be held legally responsible!"

Hearing the police officer’s explanation, Liang’s mother finally realized the trouble she had caused.

"So, what do I do now that I’ve said all this?"

"What to do? Proceed according to the law!"

"I—I didn’t know it was against the law. Officer, could you let me off just this once? I promise I’ll never speak recklessly again," she pleaded.

"It’s no use talking to me. The case has already been filed, and they’re going to sue you no matter what. You’d better find a good lawyer to defend yourselves."

After finishing, the police officer brought up the incident of the mother and daughter forcing their way into the restaurant and causing a commotion.

"You’ve severely impacted the restaurant’s business and even broke their property, all of which have to be compensated for at market value. If you don’t pay for the damages, the restaurant will also sue you."

The restaurant was going to sue them too?

The Liang family mother and daughter were stunned.

"How, how much do we have to compensate?"

"It wasn’t just us who broke the things; they’re also responsible," Liang Xiling said, indignant.

The officer took out a list of damages prepared by the restaurant, "You broke three plates, five glasses, and one vase, totaling eight hundred and eighty yuan. You’ll pay half, which is four hundred and forty yuan."

"That expensive!? Just for a few glasses and plates, are they scamming us?" Liang’s mother nearly jumped to her feet.

The officer responded, "Their plates are fine white porcelain custom-made from Jingdezhen, costing fifty each. The glasses and vases are imported crystal. The total came to eight hundred and eighty yuan, and not a penny more was charged. Here, take a look."

The officer placed the invoices and list in front of the mother and daughter.

Although Liang’s mother was illiterate, she could recognize Arabic numerals.

Seeing the number 880, her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted from the shock.

"Officer, could you please speak to the restaurant on our behalf? We really can’t afford to pay that much."

Liang Xiling’s plea seemed to give Liang’s mother a glimmer of hope.

"We didn’t mean to break anything, and it’s not that we don’t want to compensate. We’re just poor, we can barely afford food, we really can’t come up with the money."

The officer had dealt with many cases over the years and had seen all sorts of troublemakers and ruffians. He saw through the Liang family’s mother and daughter’s attempt to play the victim and avoid payment at a glance.

"Regardless of whether you borrow or not, this money has to be paid. If not, family members all have proper jobs, right? We can simply deduct from their wages each month until the debt is paid off."

Liang’s mother never imagined such a course of action was possible, and she was completely floored.

Having no alternative, she could only call family members to bring money over.

Compared to paying the money, the lawsuit Liang’s mother was facing was the bigger problem.

After discussing it, the mother and daughter decided to plead with Shen Hongmei.

After Shen Hongmei and Zhao Dafa finished their statements, they went to eat dinner at a small restaurant across from the police station.

When Liang Xiling found them, the dishes had just been served.

The small round table was laden with several dishes.

There were meat rolls, braised chubby fish heads, smoked chicken, flossed sweet potatoes, and wild vegetable omelettes.

The pairing of meat and vegetables, the full spectrum of color, aroma, and flavor, made Liang Xiling swallow her saliva greedily.

Seeing Liang Xiling heading over, Shen Hongmei said annoyedly, "What do you want?"

Liang Xiling had been so hungry her stomach was sticking to her back, and looking at the table full of dishes made her stomach ache as if it were being clawed at.

"Ordering so much, can you even finish it all?"

"Definitely not."

Liang Xiling was just about to say she could help them finish it when she heard Shen Hongmei say, "The leftovers can go to feed the dog."

How infuriating.

She’d rather feed the dog than give her a bite to eat.

Even with her thick skin, Liang Xiling couldn’t bring herself to mooch a meal, so she stated her purpose, "Shen Hongmei, you and my brother have known each other for a while, I’m here to apologize on behalf of my mother. Please, withdraw the lawsuit."

"Are you dreaming? Your Liang family keeps provoking me, spreading my private information, and slandering my reputation, and you think a light apology will settle everything?"

"How about this? You stab me with a knife, and I’ll apologize to you, would you accept that?"

"You!" Liang Xiling was infuriated by her attitude, "Don’t go too far, my mother is over sixty years old, what’s the big deal if a junior like you gives her some slack?"

"Why should I give her slack, because she has a big face, or because she has thick skin?"

Liang Xiling wanted to say more, but Shen Hongmei was tired of listening.

"Get lost quickly, you’d better spend your time looking for a lawyer for your mother instead of dawdling with me. I’m going to get justice!"

In the police station, seeing Liang Xiling return, Liang’s mother hurried over to ask, "What did she say?"

Liang Xiling shook her head in frustration, "She disagrees and even scolded me!"

Liang’s mother’s heart sank.

At this moment, she was filled with regret. Why did she have to provoke Shen Hongmei for no good reason? Not only did she gain nothing, but she also lost face and suffered a setback.

"Mom, I’m hungry. Give me a dollar, I’ll go outside and buy two pancakes."

At this moment, all Liang Xiling could think about was the table full of delicious food Shen Hongmei had ordered; she was nearly drooling with craving.

Liang’s mother was still fuming. Hearing her daughter asking for money, she slapped her without thinking.

"Eat, eat, eat, that’s all you know! You’re such a disappointment. We spent money on your education for so many years, and it’s all for nothing! You can’t even find a job. If it wasn’t for trying to help you find a job, I wouldn’t have gone out today!"

The more Liang’s mother spoke, the more she felt that today’s fiasco was her daughter’s fault, so she continued to hit Liang Xiling.

Liang Xiling shielded her head, dodging and wailing.

While the mother and daughter were causing a commotion, Shen Hongmei and Zhao Dafa were enjoying a pleasant and comfortable dinner.

"Come, have some fish lips, they say it contains collagen, it’s good for women, beautifying and nurturing."

Listening to Zhao Dafa’s explanation, Shen Hongmei couldn’t help but laugh, "Brother Zhao, you know about this too?"

"I heard it from the restaurant staff. Stuff like Hasma, fish maw, and bird’s nest, all good for beauty and nourishment. We used to have a lot at home. Xiaoyun and I didn’t like it, so we gave it all away. I’ll look for it tonight when we get back; if there’s any left, you can take it and make some stew when you have free time."

"No need, if you gave it to me I wouldn’t even know how to prepare it. I wouldn’t want to waste it."

"That’s easy, come over to my place and eat, I’ll let Aunt Deng make it for you."

Shen Hongmei was taken aback.

Zhao Dafa, amused by her startled look, joked, "What’s the matter, shy about meeting the in-laws?"

Shen Hongmei’s cheeks flushed red, and just as she was about to speak, someone at the door of the restaurant called out to her—