Upon learning that the visitors were Shen Lu's neighbor across the door, Fan Cuiying and the other person almost burst out laughing.
This person saw Shen Lu every day, so she knew better than anyone what the original Shen Lu was like.
No matter how Shen Lu tried to explain, it wouldn't be as convincing as a single word from Director Zhang's friend.
The two waited to watch the show.
Li Mei pondered for a moment, then looked up amidst their expectant gazes and said to Director Zhang.
“Little Shen, this child is alright. She’s a bit withdrawn and lazy, but otherwise, she doesn’t have any major flaws…”
Li Mei's words caused the smiles on Fan Cuiying and the other person's faces to freeze.
Shen Lu was also stunned.
The original owner's home was in constant chaos and filled with stench; any observant person could see that.
Why was Li Mei helping her?
Hearing her friend speak, Director Zhang's expression relaxed considerably.
She patted Shen Lu's shoulder.
“All young people make mistakes. As long as they are willing to correct them, there are no major issues. We should give young people more opportunities.”
Li Mei responded from the side.
“Don’t worry, I will definitely help you supervise and guide her. If there are any issues with improper conduct, I will report them to you immediately.”
“Good, with your word, I am relieved.”
The two spoke as they walked towards the door.
Fan Cuiying and the other person's scheme had failed, and their faces were grim.
Shen Lu curled her lips. Was this all they could take? She could make them look even worse.
“Director Zhang, please wait.”
Shen Lu interrupted Director Zhang's departure.
“Since you've made a rare visit, I have a small request.”
Fan Cuiying and the other person immediately became nervous. What new trouble was Shen Lu stirring up?
Meeting their confused gazes, Shen Lu spoke.
“My husband sent home expenses before, and my mother-in-law took most of it, saying she was saving it for us. Now I need the money, and I'd like you to witness this and have them return it.”
As Shen Lu said this, the faces of the two changed instantly, especially Mother Gu.
Although they had used that excuse to trick Shen Lu when they took the money, they hadn't expected to have to return it one day.
The family's only source of income was their eldest son, Gu Youcai, a worker whose salary of forty yuan a month was barely enough for the family to get by.
But ever since they received the sixty yuan from Shen Lu, their lives had been incredibly comfortable. Who among their neighbors didn't envy her for having a son who was a Regiment Commander?
No, they absolutely could not return the money. However, in front of the Director of the Women's Federation, Mother Gu couldn't directly refuse.
So, Mother Gu, with a stiff face, forced a smile and said.
“Young people don’t have a sense of saving money. It’s safer to keep it with me. I…”
“It’s like this, Director, you can see that the two children need many daily necessities. I also need to get them some study materials, and their nutrition is very important. Not to mention Gu Xiao's clothes and shoes in the military unit…”
Shen Lu pointed at the empty home and rattled off a long list, making Mother Gu's face grow darker and darker.
Logically speaking, this was Shen Lu's own family matter, and as the Director of the Women's Federation, she shouldn't interfere.
However, Director Zhang did not leave directly but chose to stay and support Shen Lu.
Facing Shen Lu, this mother-in-law's family was clearly too arrogant. The actual situation was likely different from what Fan Cuiying had described.
Mother Gu looked at the silent Director of the Women's Federation beside her and gritted her teeth.
“Alright, I'll go home and get the money for you later.”
Upon hearing this outcome, Shen Lu smiled sweetly. “How can I let your old bones make a trip? I’ll go with you. It's seven hundred and twenty in total, don't count it wrong.”
The number seven hundred and twenty struck Mother Gu like a blow, making her heart ache.
She had already spent most of the money and didn't have seven hundred yuan on hand.
But even though she was furious, Mother Gu couldn't say anything in front of the Director of the Women's Federation.
In any case, she absolutely would not give the money to this little vixen Shen Lu. Did she really think she was easy to bully?
Seeing that they had reached a compromise, the Director of the Women's Federation, who had a lot of work to do, bid them farewell.
The three escorted the Director downstairs.
As soon as the Director was out of sight, Mother Gu's expression immediately soured. She had intended to threaten Shen Lu, but then she thought that Shen Lu, this soft persimmon, should be coaxed with kind words.
So, Mother Gu put on a hypocritical smile again.
“Little Lu, keep that money with me for now. Mother is doing this for your own good. Gu Xiao has a hard time outside; you need to learn to manage the household frugally.”
Shen Lu rolled her eyes. The original owner's current predicament was inseparable from their manipulation.
She was not the original owner and would not be morally blackmailed by their few words.
Shen Lu couldn't be bothered to play along with her here. She had already thought of a countermeasure during her memories yesterday.
“Mother-in-law, what do you think if I go to Gu Youcai's workplace every morning before work and after work to cause a scene?”
Face was not important to her at all.
After all, no one here knew her, but many workers knew the supervisor, Gu Youcai.
Yes, because Gu Xiao had once saved the factory director, Gu Youcai held the position of supervisor in the factory.
“You don’t want your son’s job to be lost, do you?”
Mother Gu's face turned green upon hearing Shen Lu's words.
She naturally understood the gravity of the situation. If it were in the past, she was sure the timid Shen Lu wouldn't dare to do it.
But now, she wasn't so sure.
This woman Shen Lu seemed to have hit her head when she was hit by the car, acting like a mad dog biting anyone in sight.
Shen Lu had more important things to do now, so she said.
“If I don’t see the money before tonight, I’ll go to Gu Youcai's workplace tomorrow during the day to make a scene. You don’t want Gu Youcai to be in a difficult position, do you?”
After speaking, Shen Lu left directly and headed towards the Military Region Hospital.
Realizing that Mother Gu was targeting the children, Shen Lu couldn't sit still for a moment and wanted to bring the children to her side as soon as possible.
✦✦✦
Upon arriving at the hospital, as soon as Shen Lu pushed open the hospital room door, the two little ones looked at her warily.
“Xiao Yu, Xiao Ze, Mom is here to take you home.”
Gu Xingyu shielded his older brother behind him.
“Bad woman, go away. I don’t want to go back to that messy place.”
Shen Lu knew how much the original owner had wronged them and felt a little guilty.
However, thinking of her home, which she had cleaned until it sparkled, her guilt eased considerably.
She crouched down, meeting the two little ones' eyes, and spoke to them earnestly.
“The house has been cleaned by me. Before, my mind was muddled, and I made mistakes. I swear I realized my errors and will correct them.”
“So, can you please give Mom another chance?”
Shen Lu did not intend to force or deceive them just because they were young.
Gu Xingyu looked at the familiar yet strange Shen Lu, unsure of how to react, and looked to Gu Xingze for help.
Although he was usually boisterous and arrogant, he was very dependent on his older brother and almost blindly followed his brother's decisions.
Under Shen Lu's and Gu Xingyu's gazes, Gu Xingze hesitated for a long time, then slowly nodded.
This… was the same self returning home.
It was as if fireworks had exploded in Shen Lu's mind. She had never been this happy, not even when she had earned billions before.
✦✦✦