“You’re lying! That’s slander! I went to check on you out of kindness, and you threw a basin of dirty water at me the moment I arrived. What family lets an elder wash clothes for a younger generation member? Boo-hoo! This was clearly Qin Nian’s fault. I just accidentally let something slip. I even tried to explain things on her behalf, but nobody believed me!”
Covering her face, Yi Mengling looked utterly wronged.
Having been caught red-handed, and beaten up on top of that, she naturally wanted to strike back. In fact, she wanted nothing more than to tear both Qin Nian and her mother-in-law apart.
But she couldn’t.
That wasn’t the image she had carefully built for herself. She still intended to remain at the research institute.
“Hah! Crying already? You think just because you squeeze out a few tears everyone will feel sorry for you? Do you think all the men here are your admirers?”
Yang Yufen snorted.
“I’ve seen plenty of women like you. I’ve lived long enough to become a mother-in-law myself.
“The country spent resources educating you, yet instead of focusing your efforts on helping build the nation, you spend your time stirring up internal conflicts.
“I seriously suspect you did this on purpose!
“My daughter-in-law’s work is incredibly important.
“Even an illiterate country woman like me knows enough to support those doing important work behind the scenes. Yet here you are creating trouble.
“Everyone here has eyes. They were only temporarily fooled by your usual sweet words and innocent act!”
The women who had been preparing to speak up for Yi Mengling quietly took a few steps back.
Many elderly residents were also present.
They had lived through difficult times and had only recently begun enjoying a stable life. They understood better than anyone that the stronger the country became, the better life would be for ordinary people.
After hearing Yang Yufen’s words, the way they looked at Yi Mengling changed.
Many began recalling her usual behavior.
The empty space around Yi Mengling grew wider and wider.
Panic began to creep into her heart.
“Y-you… you beat me up like this and now you’re twisting the facts! I’m going to report you!”
Gathering her courage, she spat out the threat before turning to leave.
Yang Yufen lunged forward and grabbed her arm.
“Trying to run?
“You don’t need to report me. I’m the one who’s going to report you!
“Come on! I’m an old woman with nothing to lose. Let’s go see the leaders right now!”
With sheer force, Yang Yufen dragged her along, looking as though nobody could stop her as she hauled Yi Mengling toward the research institute.
Finally, someone stepped forward.
“Comrade Qin’s mother-in-law, I’m Zhao Lian, the director of women’s affairs for our family compound. You’ll definitely get justice in this matter, so please calm down first.
“Let Comrade Yi go. She isn’t going anywhere. Let’s sit down and discuss this properly.”
Having been summoned earlier, Zhao Lian had already heard most of the story.
She first soothed Yang Yufen with a gentle tone before shooting Yi Mengling a displeased look.
Biting her lip, Yi Mengling could only stop struggling and stand still.
Seeing that someone was finally taking charge, Yang Yufen released her grip.
Zhao Lian’s husband was the head of the research institute’s logistics department.
If problems in the family compound weren’t handled properly, it could easily affect his position as well.
“I’ve heard what happened,” Zhao Lian said.
“Comrade Yi, hurry and apologize to Comrade Qin’s mother-in-law.
“And, by the way, how should I address you?”
Turning to Yang Yufen, she smiled.
“Since you’re now part of the family compound too, we’re all one big family. We should get to know one another.”
“My name is Yang Yufen.
“She spread rumors and slandered my daughter-in-law.
“I don’t want her apology.
“I suspect she’s a bad element.”
The moment those words left her mouth, Zhao Lian felt her temples throb.
Things weren’t like they used to be, but calling someone a “bad element” was still a very serious accusation.
To make matters worse, Yi Mengling was distantly connected to her husband.
“That’s impossible,” Zhao Lian said hurriedly.
“Big Sister Yang is simply angry.
“Comrade Yi, apologize immediately. Then go apologize to Comrade Qin in person and sincerely make amends.”
At the words “bad element,” Yi Mengling visibly trembled.
No matter how unwilling she was, she had no choice but to lower her head.
“She certainly owes my daughter-in-law an apology.”
Yang Yufen nodded.
“Today, for Director Zhao’s sake, and because we all live in the same compound, I won’t ask for too much.
“But because of her, my daughter-in-law was suspended from work. The rumors have spread all over the research institute.
“I demand that she write an apology letter.
“Not only must it be publicly posted, but she must also use the loudspeaker system to personally clear my daughter-in-law’s name and explain the truth to everyone!”
Seeing that Yang Yufen was willing to compromise, Zhao Lian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good, good. That’s only reasonable.”
A moment ago, Yang Yufen had looked like the sort of person who would never back down.
This outcome was much better than Zhao Lian had feared.
Yi Mengling opened her mouth as if to object.
One warning glance from Zhao Lian shut her up immediately.
She could only nod in agreement.
Yet Yang Yufen remained where she stood, still staring at her.
Zhao Lian instantly understood.
“Comrade Yi should apologize to Comrade Qin, of course.
“But she should also apologize to Comrade Yang Yufen for damaging the relationship between her and her daughter-in-law.”
Yi Mengling’s eyes widened.
She had already been beaten black and blue.
And now she had to apologize to this old woman as well?
Then what about all those slaps?
What about the hair that had been ripped out?
But when she saw the warning in Zhao Lian’s eyes, she lowered her head once more.
“I’m sorry.”
“What was that?”
Yang Yufen tilted her head.
“I’m old. My hearing isn’t very good.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Yi Mengling shouted twice.
This time, her tears were genuine.
She could no longer hold them back.
“Good enough.”
Yang Yufen waved her hand.
“But if I hear any more rumors, I’ll come looking for you again.
“Now I need to go home and comfort my daughter-in-law.
“And don’t forget—tomorrow, use the loudspeaker to clear my daughter-in-law’s name.
“If you don’t, I’ll be taking this to the leadership.”
With that, Yang Yufen left.
Behind her, the apartment building courtyard erupted into noisy discussion.
After days of relentless tension and nonstop mental exertion, Qin Nian returned home, set the lunch container on the table, and went to her room.
She had only intended to sit quietly for a while.
Instead, she fell asleep.
When Yang Yufen returned and saw her sleeping, she quietly caught one of the hens.
Pinching its beak shut, she swiftly twisted its neck to avoid any noise that might wake her daughter-in-law.
Then she cleaned the chicken and set it to stew.
Remembering how much Qin Nian had enjoyed the grapes last time, she picked up a newly woven bamboo basket and headed to Aunt Wang’s house.
“Sister Wang, last time you mentioned that your basket was broken. Look, I wove a new one for you.”
“Oh, Sister Qin, come sit down!”
Aunt Wang admired the basket happily.
“You actually know how to do this? It’s beautifully made.”
The basket was smooth and carefully finished, without a single splinter.
“I won’t sit down today.
“My daughter-in-law rarely gets half a day off.
“I noticed she liked your grapes last time, so I came to see if I could get a couple of bunches.”
Yang Yufen got straight to the point.
“I’ll get you some pruning shears,” Aunt Wang said cheerfully.
“You’re tall enough to reach them. Why don’t you help me cut down all the ripe bunches? Otherwise the birds will eat them first.”
“Sure. That’s easy enough.”
Yang Yufen arrived carrying an empty basket.
She left with it filled to the brim.
Despite the weight, she didn’t complain.
After carefully arranging the grapes at home, she even returned the basket.
Meanwhile, Yang Yufen’s reputation spread throughout the apartment buildings.
Now everyone in the family compound knew that Qin Nian had a wonderful mother-in-law.
Yes, she was fierce.
Yes, she was tall, strong, and not afraid to throw a punch.
But she genuinely loved and protected her daughter-in-law.
For a time, countless wives in the family compound found themselves green with envy.