How Am I Not Filial?

Who says I'm not filial? I'm very good to my mother! Just look at the new house I built for her—it's spacious and grand, and she's thrilled. All the furniture at home was made by the best carpenters in town. The quilts on her bed are satin, smooth as water to the touch, and so comfortable to sleep under! And soon, I'm heading to town to hire a few maids and cooks to wait on her hand and foot. She'll live a life of luxury, dressed in silk and jewelry, eating gourmet food every day. Tell me—how am I not being filial?

Grandma Evans, Helen Parker, and May Parker could only stare in envy. Satin quilts, gold and jewels, feasts and servants—wasn't this the kind of wealthy life they'd always dreamed of?

Grandma Evans puffed up with anger. "You'd rather waste your money than give it to the family! You ungrateful child!"

Helen Parker glared jealously at Margaret Evans. "Margaret, you were born to serve others! Who do you think you are, getting people to wait on you? Hah! As if!"

Lily Evans sneered. "Who’s born to serve whom is still up for debate! Our family is just the three of us—me, my mother, and my husband Lucky. All I care about is being good to my mom. The rest of you? I don’t recognize you, and I don’t care! I’m going to make sure my mom lives better than any rich lady in town! If you’re jealous, go earn your own money, build your own house, and hire your own servants!

"You—you! You're going to be the death of me!" Grandma Evans trembled with rage, staggered back a few steps, and shot a vicious glare at Old Fourth Evans, barking, "Useless!"

Old Fourth Evans hung his head at Grandma Evans's scolding. He’d given so much money to fix up the house, buy furniture, and help out, even handed over plenty of silver to his parents, yet this was the thanks he got. His heart chilled at the thought.

With Lily Evans standing her ground, Grandma Evans had no choice but to turn her attention to Margaret Evans.

Margaret Evans was soft-hearted and, in the past, had always been terrified of her wicked mother-in-law, Grandma Evans.

Grandma Evans arched her brows. "Second daughter-in-law, you need to teach your girl some manners! Just look at Lily Evans—she’s gotten so arrogant she doesn’t even respect her elders! Who talks to their elders like that? All three of you, pack up and move back to the old Evans house. Leave the new house for your father and me!"

Margaret Evans shivered. After a decade of being bullied by her mother-in-law, the fear of Grandma Evans was practically etched into her bones.

Lily Evans gently took Margaret Evans’s hand in support. Margaret’s face was pale, but with her daughter by her side and Lucky standing behind her, she suddenly felt that Grandma Evans wasn’t so frightening after all.

"Mom, Lily is married now. I live with her and Lucky, and we’ve long since cut ties with the Evans family. This house was built with Lily and Lucky’s hard-earned money. Whatever they say goes. I don’t worry about a thing—just enjoying life with my daughter and son-in-law." Margaret Evans tried her best to stand tall.

"What! Second daughter-in-law, are you trying to rebel? You won’t even listen to your mother-in-law now!" Grandma Evans lunged at Margaret Evans, but Lily Evans blocked her with one hand.

Lily Evans shielded Margaret Evans and coldly addressed the Evans family: "If you’re here for the banquet, you’re welcome—I’ll set up a special table just for you, and you’ll eat and drink well. But if you’re here for the house, scheming for our property... then don’t blame me for being rude!"

Lucky stepped forward, rolled up his sleeves, and stood next to Lily Evans, radiating fierce determination.

Howard Liu quietly walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Lucky, backing up Lily Evans’s family.

Helen Parker had been beaten by Lucky before. The moment she saw him get serious, her legs went weak and she nearly stumbled, grabbing May Parker’s arm for support.

May Parker stared dreamily at Lucky, unable to look away. For the first time, she got a good look at Lily Evans’s husband—not the bow-legged, hunched fool she’d imagined, but a handsome, strong man, even more dashing than Howard Liu. She couldn’t help but be smitten...