The Ultra-Alpha School Hunk Has Transmigrated into a Cannon Fodder Omega! - Chapter 8

Ji Cenzhou followed Mother Ji to a high-end residential complex. When Mother Ji reached the building entrance, she hesitated. Carrying only a single fruit basket, she looked remarkably impoverished. That basket had already cost them three days’ worth of food money. Mother Ji sighed and entered the elevator without saying a word.

From behind, Ji Cenzhou saw his mother’s expression clearly. Whenever he thought of Mother Ji’s side of the family, he felt a surge of anger.

Mother Ji’s maiden name was Yang, and her given name was Yang Qingyi. The Yang family originally came from the countryside. The Yang grandparents were sharp, mean-spirited people who favored sons over daughters. After having two daughters, they finally gave birth to their precious son, Yang Qingtao.

Once Yang Qingtao was born, the parents showered him with all their love. Life had already been difficult for the two daughters, but it became even harder after their brother arrived. When the son needed to go to school, the daughters had to drop out and work to pay his tuition. When the son got into trouble, they forced the eldest daughter to take the blame. This led to her spending a year in a reform center.

The second daughter, Yang Qingyi, fared no better at home. In the summer, she labored in the fields under the scorching sun while her brother ate watermelon in the shade. In the bitter winter, she sold roasted sweet potatoes outside. Even when her hands were covered in chilblains, she was not allowed to rest while her brother remained tucked away in bed, fast asleep. When the brother demanded a computer, the money Yang Qingyi had painstakingly saved was snatched away. She had cried and pleaded that the money was meant for a quilt for her elder sister, warning that her sister might freeze to death that winter without it.

The Yang parents only cursed at her. They were utterly indifferent to their eldest daughter’s life. To them, daughters were simply “losing goods.”

A year later, the eldest daughter was released from prison. She had been abused during her sentence. Although she was a Beta without a scent gland, her nape was covered in bite marks, and her mental state was shattered. The Yang parents refused to pay for her treatment. Only a month after her release, they married her off to a chronic alcoholic and thug at the edge of the village. They claimed it was for her own good, asking who else would marry a mentally unstable, defiled female Beta. They insisted she marry while young, or she would be stuck forever.

The thug was not only an alcoholic but also violent. He beat Yang Qingyi’s sister every time he got drunk. Sometimes, when Yang Qingyi tried to protect her sister, she was beaten as well. Soon, the sister became pregnant. It is rare for Betas to conceive, so the thug was temporarily overjoyed and treated her better. However, his nature did not change. During one drunken episode, he kicked and punched her again. The sister suffered a miscarriage and died as a result.

Terrified that the Yang family would sue him, the thug scraped together 50,000 yuan to apologize to the Yang parents. Upon seeing the money, the parents beamed with joy. They treated the thug with great hospitality and repeatedly assured him that, since they had accepted the money, they would never pursue legal action.

It was then that Yang Qingyi saw the truth. In her parents’ eyes, their daughters were merely commodities for sale; there was no parental love to be found.

Finally, Yang Qingyi stood her ground. She left home without looking back to make a life in the big city. She was lucky enough to meet Father Ji. He was a Beta who was hardworking, gentle, and kind. After he pursued her, they became a couple. When Father Ji went to propose, Yang Qingyi saw her parents’ eyes light up the moment they heard his monthly salary. It was a look she knew all too well. It was exactly the same look they had when the thug brought money to the door. It was as if a “product” had finally been sold and they could finally profit.

The Yang parents demanded a house paid in full, yet they insisted that the title be in their names. Though Father Ji had savings, he could not afford a house in full. However, he loved Mother Ji so much that he wanted her to have her parents’ blessing without any regrets. He took out a loan to help them buy the house and successfully married her.

The Yang parents took the opportunity to move to the city, but they were lazy and could not adapt, making it hard for them to earn money. Whenever they lacked funds, they bothered Mother Ji. Not wanting her parents to disturb Father Ji, she gave them her own salary.

Years passed until Father Ji was involved in a car accident. Mother Ji spent all their savings on his treatment. When she tried to ask her parents for the money she had lent them over the years, they suddenly refused to acknowledge the debt. Furthermore, they unilaterally severed ties with her. After Father Ji passed away, the Yang parents acted as if they could not see how miserable their daughter’s life had become. They never helped her once.

Thinking of this, they arrived at the door. Mother Ji knocked.

“Who is it?”

The door opened to reveal an old woman dressed ostentatiously, wearing gold and silver like a nouveau riche. When Mother Yang saw her second daughter, her face fell instantly.

“Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you not to come looking for us unless it was important? If people see that Qingtao has such a destitute sister, the Lin family will look down on him!” Mother Yang snapped.

Yang Qingtao had somehow struck luck and differentiated into an Alpha. He was good at maintaining a public image. A few years ago, he married a wealthy lady who already had a child. The Yang parents’ status rose accordingly. They moved out of the house Father Ji bought them and into this high-end community.

Seeing that Mother Yang had no intention of letting them in, Ji Cenzhou interjected, “If you don’t let us in, I am going to start shouting. I will let all your neighbors come out and see. I am not afraid, and if you aren’t either, I don’t mind letting everyone see your true colors.”

Mother Yang was stunned. She had not expected her timid, cowardly grandson to be so sharp-tongued. Father Yang chimed in from inside, “Let them in quickly! The Yang family cannot afford to lose face like this.”

As soon as they entered, Mother Yang said snidely, “Qingyi, how did you raise this child? To speak to his elders like that proves he has no upbringing at all!”

Mother Ji, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. “Cenzhou is very good. He is a good child.” Since Father Ji’s death, Ji Cenzhou had become the one person she would always protect.

Mother Yang was shocked at being talked back to by her daughter. Father Yang added, “A good child? I think he cannot even compare to Tianxing. Tianxing is lively, smart, and quick-witted. Look at your son. He has failing grades, a dull personality, and is essentially a piece of useless mud. Now, he does not even have basic manners.”

“Dad!” Mother Ji was shocked. “Cenzhou is your biological grandson. Tianxing is not related to you by blood at all. How can you side with an outsider?”

Mother Ji spoke without thinking, but the words hit a nerve. When Yang Qingtao married into the Lin family, he signed an agreement stating they could only have one child, Lin Tianxing, and he would be the sole heir. The Yang parents had complained privately, believing that having no more children meant the Yang family line would end. However, the Lin family’s terms were too lucrative to refuse. As time passed, they regretted it more and often urged Qingtao to leave a successor for the Yang family.

Mother Ji’s unintentional comment was like a knife to their hearts.

“What do you mean by that? Are you cursing our family line to end? You looked so obedient as a child, but you are so wicked deep down!” Father Yang shouted, his face red with rage.

“Dad, I didn’t mean it that way,” Mother Ji explained. “And besides, Cenzhou is a child of the Yang family too!”

“Child of the Yang family? Nonsense! His surname is Ji, not Yang!” Father Yang roared.

Mother Ji’s face turned deathly pale. She stumbled back, nearly collapsing, but Ji Cenzhou caught her. She looked at her parents with tearful eyes. The question of whether she was even considered a child of the Yang family was on the tip of her tongue, but she did not say it. Her life experiences had already provided the answer.

Ji Cenzhou helped her onto the sofa and patted her shoulder, signaling that he would handle the situation.

Ji Cenzhou said, “That house back then was paid for in full by my father. You had nowhere to live, so we didn’t say anything. But now you clearly have a better place. That house is sitting empty. Why can’t you return it to us?”

Mother Yang put her hands on her hips and cursed, “Get this straight. My name is on the title of that house. Go ask anyone on the street. Who would give you a house that is legally theirs?”

“Then let me ask you a question first,” Ji Cenzhou said without missing a beat. “Go ask anyone on the street which stranger would buy you a house in full and put your name on the title.”

“What kind of logic is that?” Mother Yang scowled.

“It is indeed flawed logic. Is it not the same logic you used when you told me to ask strangers for the house? The premise of us sitting here is that we are family, yet you tell me to ask strangers. If the logic is poor, you are the one who started it.” Ji Cenzhou wore a bright smile, but his words were biting.

Mother Yang choked on her rage, nearly fainting. When did this stuttering, silent grandson become so articulate? Ji Cenzhou realized that the Yang parents had stopped viewing them as family long ago. However, out of respect for his mother, he did not want to push too hard yet.

“If we were not in trouble, we would not have come. Since you don’t want to give it back, could you rent it to us at a discount?” he asked, trying a different angle.

Mother Yang had lost her cool completely. She blurted out, “Impossible! I have already transferred that house to Qingtao, and besides, someone is already living inside.”

“Shut up!” Father Yang bellowed, cutting her off. He glared at Mother Yang, who realized she had said too much and looked sheepish.

Ji Cenzhou sensed something suspicious. “Who is living there?”

“Why are you meddling in adult business?” Mother Yang snapped, clearly wanting to end the conversation.

“Why did you give the house to Yang Qingtao?” Mother Ji suddenly asked.

Father Yang scolded her. “How can you talk like that? That is your brother!”

“Brother?” Mother Ji laughed bitterly. “I treat him as a brother, but does he treat me as a sister? Did he ever treat our eldest sister as a sister?”

“Your sister has been dead for years. Why bring her up? It is bad luck,” Mother Yang said with disgust.

“Bad luck?” Mother Ji’s face turned even paler.

Her poor sister had taken the fall for her brother and suffered in prison. She was sold like a commodity and finally died alongside her unborn child without ever seeing justice because she was worth less than 50,000 yuan.

Mother Ji looked at her parents’ mean faces. They say wicked people grow kind with age, but her parents remained sickening. She finally understood. She had known all along, but she had been clinging to the hope of family. Her parents only had one child: Yang Qingtao.

Mother Ji stood up, her voice calm. “From now on, I have nothing to do with you. You take your path, and I will take mine. Let us never contact each other again.”

“How can you say that? Are you abandoning us?” Mother Yang looked displeased, but not sad. When she broke her leg years ago, Mother Ji had nursed her. Mother Ji was meticulous and gentle. She was better than a paid nurse and, more importantly, she was free.

Mother Ji smiled, though it looked more like a sob. “I am already in this much trouble, and you still think you can get something out of me?”

Caught in her thoughts, Mother Yang stiffened. “What are you saying? Are your father and I that kind of people?”

“Aren’t you? Right after my husband died, you tried to set me up with another marriage. Don’t think I don’t know that the family promised you 30,000 yuan. I looked into it. The man you wanted me to marry had a criminal record and a history of violence. They live deep in the mountains. If I married him, what hope would I have left? Stop acting like my parents. I have never felt a shred of love from you. You only remember me when I am useful. Is my only value to be used to pave the way for Yang Qingtao?”

These words essentially accused them of being failures as parents. The Yangs, being vain people, were furious. The hot-tempered Father Yang pointed at the door and roared, “Get out! From now on, the Yang family has no daughter like you!”

Mother Ji grabbed Ji Cenzhou’s hand and left without looking back. She had acted strong inside, but once they were out, her tears would not stop. Ji Cenzhou felt a pang in his heart. The original owner’s body was instinctively grieving for his mother.

“Mom, don’t cry. You still have me,” he whispered, patting her shoulder.

Mother Ji wiped her tears and smiled weakly. “I have been cowardly for over forty years. I saw their true faces long ago but kept lying to myself. When I was little, I was afraid they would throw me in a ditch to die. After your father died, I was afraid they would disown me and I would have no family left to rely on.”

Ji Cenzhou understood now. She was not delusional; she was just suffering too much. After her husband died, she lost her pillar. Her son was still too young to be her support, so she had to pretend to be strong. She needed to believe there was a place to retreat to, even if that place was an illusion. That place was her parents.

The original Ji Cenzhou must have sensed this, which is why the timid boy found the courage to dance. Ji Cenzhou felt he should do something for the original owner. He hugged Mother Ji gently and said, “Mom, I have grown up. I will protect you from now on.”

Mother Ji froze. For a moment, she saw the shadow of her late husband. He was the first man who had ever truly loved her. She leaned into her son’s arms and wept loudly.

Ji Cenzhou gently stroked her back, but his eyes were cold. He would not let the Yang family off. Mother Yang’s slip of the tongue suggested a secret that could be their undoing. He would wait for the day Yang Qingtao was ruined and the Yang family was desperate, crawling back to beg for forgiveness.

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