Chapter 1178: The Criticism Assembly
Wei Shufen's heart sank; this Ding Min is just brainless.
An Cheng just doesn't like Ding Min anymore.
"Uncle, you don't need to kick me out. I know you don't like me, but today I'm here to demand justice!
Your family lives happily, but have you considered that my parents are still in prison?
Who caused our family to end up like this?
You don't know? Really don't know? Or pretending not to know?
It's your An Zhiyuan and Bai Xiao, thinking I don't know. I've been investigating these years. There are so many doubts about what happened back then. How come it was such a coincidence that our house got robbed just at that time when I had conflicts with An Zhiyuan and Bai Xiao.
An Second Brother, how can you be so heartless?
After all, we grew up together, and my parents were always good to you, treating you with the best food and drink every time. Wasn't that good enough for you?
Is the fact that I ended up like this unrelated to you?
Why do you live comfortably while our family has to endure prison life?
I'm here today on purpose, to make sure you're uncomfortable. Go ahead, sue me if you can!"
Wei Shufen gave her a slap right away.
"Xiaomin, shut up! Who taught you all this nonsense? How could Ayuan be that kind of person? You know the consequences of saying such things?
Do you want Ayuan to end up in jail?
Or do you mean Ayuan is a bastard who can't distinguish right from wrong and only protects his wife?
Your words have the power to destroy the An Family!"
An Cheng's face turned even darker.
He wasn't sure about what happened in the past; he only thought it was a family matter and didn't want to go too far, so he let An Zhiyuan go.
But he thought what happened later was the Ding Family's own doing and didn't consider it on these terms.
Now that he thinks about it, it's true, didn't Ayuan and Bai Xiao have trouble shortly before those events happened on the other side?
Could it really have been An Zhiyuan's doing?
This son of his is indeed someone who seeks revenge for the slightest grievance, but he let him endure it back then, and he really did endure it.
"Ayuan, what's going on?"
Bai Xiao pressed An Zhiyuan down and stood up, "Dad, you don't need to ask Zhouyuan about this matter. You are his father! Don't you know what kind of person he is? He is upright and meticulous, and he would never bend the law for anyone.
Besides, the troubles of the Ding Family back then were their own doing. Was it Ayuan who let them accept bribes? Or was it Ayuan who made them deceive superiors and subordinates? No, none of that!
They brought it upon themselves.
Ayuan was injured at that time, you know that he couldn't have done such a thing.
You are the closest to him! You should trust him, but instead, you doubt him because of unknown people's words.
Doesn't that mean those close to you suffer while your enemies rejoice!
If that's the case, and Father doesn't like the sight of us, then we can leave."
An Cheng's behavior over the years had long made Bai Xiao dissatisfied.
Having a stepmother is like having a stepfather; that's for sure.
An Cheng always sided with Wei Shufen, which was very irritating.
"Ayuan, your wife talks to your father like this! Are you just going to watch?"
An Cheng was furious! Ignited by Bai Xiao's words.
But he still didn't lash out at Bai Xiao.
She's the daughter-in-law, and it's improper for a father-in-law to argue with the daughter-in-law.
An Zhiyuan stood up, "Dad, my wife is right, and I think you need to reflect on it."
"What? Is this how you talk to your father? You're insolent!"
An Cheng wanted to slam the table! But there was no table to slam.
"Dad, this is the one time over these years I've been insolent; you really should consider whether what you've done is right. We are your blood! Yet, every time a problem arises, we have to concede for your dignity.
Have you ever considered our feelings?"
"How have I not considered your feelings? I'm your father! Would I harm you? Without me, how would you be doing so well!"
An Cheng didn't expect even the always filial An Zhiyuan to start revolting.
"We didn't get to where we are today because of you! We worked to achieve this ourselves."
An Zhigao stepped beside his brother.
"What do you want? Trying to hold a public trial against your father?"
An Cheng was trembling with anger, what was supposed to be a good family reunion dinner turned into a public denouncement of himself.
Especially because it was his sons who were doing the denouncing.
This was something An Cheng couldn't accept.
Wei Shufen quickly stood by An Cheng's side, soothing him while advising, "Ayuan, can't you be considerate? Your dad is not young anymore, and you might upset him greatly with this.
We're all family! Why say such heartless things that hurt your dad's feelings?"
"Don't bother! These little brats want to rebel; they've clearly had enough of me and just held it in until today. Let them speak!"
An Cheng sat on the chair, ignoring the food stains on him.
Ding Min, with arms crossed, watched the spectacle.
The An Family getting into a quarrel was the best outcome.
"Dad, we have nothing more to say, you and Aunt are one family! Not with us, never have been! Our mom passed away early, but if she were here, she'd be the one most worried about us, and you've just provided us with some blood, nothing more in terms of responsibility."
An Zhigao was unafraid! Over the years he had clashed the most with the family, so he had nothing left unsaid.
"Is that what you all mean?"
An Cheng couldn't even muster his anger anymore.
"Dad, you were never satisfied with me marrying Bai Xiao. Now you help Aunt with sarcastic remarks towards us. If you don't like us, why have us at all?" An Zhiyuan couldn't understand.
He and Bai Xiao hadn't done anything that would provoke public outrage, initially An Cheng treated Bai Xiao well! But these past years have been filled with criticism about Bai Xiao's shortcomings. If it wasn't for Wei Shufen stirring things up, An Zhiyuan wouldn't believe it.
Wei Shufen was one thing,
but she wasn't their biological mother.
But his own father couldn't bother to think it over!
Making things difficult for his own son, what benefit does that bring?
"I wasn't dissatisfied with you! I'm just too satisfied! That's why I said those things. Don't you understand why I complained about Bai Xiao? You've been married for years and she hasn't even had one child; what use is a successful career in that case?
I only wanted what's best for you."
"Deciding not to have children was my decision, don't blame it on Bai Xiao, it's got nothing to do with her, both of us with our careers, what are we having children for? Just to neglect them like before?
I won't let my children endure the kind of life I had."
"Nonsense, nonsense! Don't cover up for her! Do you think I don't know how much you love kids? Every time you see your brother's Xiaoqi, you treat him like treasure. Who are you trying to fool!"
An Cheng glared at Bai Xiao, thinking that while she's a decent daughter-in-law, her inability to have children, and the way she distanced his son from the family, made it difficult for him to like her.
Especially since Bai Xiao's background was too complex.