The newcomer was none other than Jiang Ye’s mother, Yang Wenzhi, who also served as the current Neighborhood Committee Director.
She stood approximately 1.7 meters tall with a sturdy build, ear-length bobbed hair, and a rather stern appearance.
“Move aside, I have official business.” Jiang Mother spoke with disdain as she pushed Jiang Ye aside and entered.
She had just learned about what happened at the family temple.
If this matter wasn’t handled properly, it would inevitably cause serious negative consequences and make future work difficult for their Neighborhood Committee.
“Mom, what brings you here?” He Yingjie immediately stood up upon seeing his mother-in-law and instinctively offered her his seat.
Jiang Mother waved her hand. “No need for formalities. I’m here on official business, just handle it according to procedure.”
Having already heard the full story from workers at the cotton mill, she went straight to the point without further ado. “What’s the resolution?”
“The man agreed to call off the engagement, the woman had no objections, and they’ve already been beaten as punishment,” He Yingjie reported truthfully.
“That’s it?” Jiang Mother voiced the same doubt.
“Exactly! Just this! It’s hardly enough to convince the public!” Jiang Ye seized the opportunity to add sarcastically.
He Yingjie felt utterly frustrated! He hadn’t shown any favoritism!
He had no choice but to explain: “Su Jincheng and Ruan Tang weren’t married yet, so this doesn’t count as adultery and doesn’t meet the criteria for public shaming. As for Su Jincheng and Cai Xiaolan, they were in a consensual relationship, so we can’t legally charge them!”
“Their actions weren’t illegal, just morally corrupt. At most, we can educate them – anything beyond that isn’t our jurisdiction.”
Jiang Mother nodded, then looked sternly at the two bruised faces. “You both heard that. While it’s not illegal, it’s morally deficient – a question of ethics.”
“And moral corruption is even worse. It not only affects families and work, but also creates serious negative impacts on society. Therefore, severe punishment is necessary.”
“First, you must compensate the victim. Second, each of you will write a self-criticism and read it daily at the Neighborhood Committee’s broadcast station for half a month as a warning to others.”
Jiang Mother acted decisively, delivering the punishment directly.
The three of them felt like the sky had fallen upon hearing this.
Reading self-criticisms every day?
How was that any different from being roasted over a fire?
They had initially felt relieved that the matter was finally over, but before they could even catch their breath, this new complication emerged.
And it nearly destroyed them.
Wu Mengzhi, accustomed to being dominant, wouldn’t yield easily!
She angrily retorted, “The involved parties aren’t pursuing this, and you have no right to interfere.”
Jiang Mother looked at her calmly. “The fact that they’re not pursuing it shows that child is kind-hearted. As the Neighborhood Committee Director of this district, of course I must pursue it.”
“If we don’t punish such despicable behavior, we’re indirectly encouraging improper conduct. What if others follow their example?”
“Who will bear the consequences then?”
Though rebutted, Wu Mengzhi remained unconvinced. “You’re exaggerating and deliberately confusing the issue.”
Jiang Mother frowned. For a workshop director to say such things – didn’t she understand how one bad apple could spoil the whole barrel?
“Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Do you typically indulge your employees like this when they make mistakes, Director Wu?”
“Of course not!” Wu Mengzhi denied – she punished them severely!
“But this punishment is somewhat too harsh.”
As the Neighborhood Committee Director, Jiang Mother understood her maternal instinct to protect her son, but one matter should be dealt with separately—this issue had to be addressed.
When she spoke again, her tone softened slightly.
“How many people witnessed what happened today? How many at the cotton mill alone know about it? Within two hours, everyone at the cotton mill will know, and each person represents a family. By tomorrow, probably all of Sijiucheng will have heard.”
“If this isn’t punished, what if those with impure intentions secretly imitate it?”
“Do you realize how many hidden dangers this creates? Once something happens, it’ll either be taken to the police station or brought to the Neighborhood Committee. Isn’t that unnecessarily adding to the state’s burden?”
“Therefore, we must start from the source, punish severely without leniency, and prevent such incidents from happening again.”
Wu Mengzhi opened her mouth to refute but didn’t know what to say.
But… if she had to read a self-criticism every day, what about her dignity? What about her son’s dignity?
No, absolutely not.
So, Wu Mengzhi brought up Su Zhenghua again. “You’re just a Neighborhood Committee Director—don’t flatter yourself as if you’re handling state affairs. My husband is in the Ge Weihui; he deals with important matters. With just a flick of his finger, all of you would be in deep trouble.”
Jiang Mother frowned.
Was this a threat?
Unfortunately, she wasn’t buying it.
In an instant, Jiang Mother’s imposing manner returned.
“The leader said, ‘People are not divided into high or low status, only by different divisions of revolutionary work.'”
“Not in the position, not meddling in the affairs. I just want to do my job well.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Or are you questioning the leader’s words?”
With this heavy accusation, even if Su Zhenghua were more powerful, Wu Mengzhi wouldn’t dare respond.
“No, I’m not.” Wu Mengzhi panicked, quickly waving her hands in denial.
She broke out in a cold sweat; if she dared to question, it would be like throwing her life away.
Thus, Wu Mengzhi, who was accustomed to using power to pressure others, suffered a crushing defeat before Jiang Mother, who relied on reasoning.
Jiang Ye gave his mother a thumbs-up but received an eye-roll in return.
Ruan Tang’s eyes sparkled—her future mother-in-law was quite impressive.
As for compensation, Wu Mengzhi dragged her feet, unwilling to pay. But with Jiang Mother present, she couldn’t escape.
If you make a mistake, you have to pay the price, or you won’t learn. As for how much, Jiang Ye blurted out, “It should be at least a thousand or eight hundred!”
The aunties all turned to look at him—this kid doesn’t work, so he probably doesn’t know how much people earn per month.
A thousand or eight hundred? That’s almost two years’ wages for one person. This young man really dares to speak.
Jiang Mother also found it unrealistic and finally settled on five hundred. After all, the young girl’s reputation was damaged, and she still needs to marry in the future, so spiritual compensation was necessary.
Wu Mengzhi had no choice but to obediently go get the money. She was truly afraid of this old woman—her combat effectiveness was just too strong.
She took out the money, hesitating and reluctant to hand it over.
Seeing this, Ruan Mu snatched it away, counted it twice carefully—fifty ten-yuan bills—and after confirming not a cent was missing, she stuffed the money into her own pocket.
With the matter concluded, Wu Mengzhi quickly left with Su Jincheng. As for Cai Xiaolan, she didn’t even spare her a glance.
What trash, still dreaming of marrying her son? Keep dreaming.
Following behind them, Cai Xiaolan wore a delighted expression—her sweet dream was finally coming true.
So what if she had to read self-criticism reports every day? She wasn’t afraid. This way, she could bind herself to Su Jincheng. Even if Wu Mengzhi disagreed, she could no longer tear them apart.
After Granny Li and Jiang Mother finished exchanging pleasantries, Ruan Tang stepped forward to express her gratitude. “Auntie, thank you.”
Today, she had only hoped for a smooth cancellation of the engagement, never expecting Jiang Mother to help her claim compensation and severely punish the other party.
She was overjoyed, her gaze toward Jiang Mother filled with admiration.
“Yes, Director Yang, we owe today’s outcome to you. Thank you for your trouble,” Ruan Mu bowed as she expressed her thanks.
Jiang Mother didn’t mind. Since this incident occurred in the residential area under her jurisdiction, she would handle it impartially, regardless of who was involved.
“No need for thanks, it’s all part of my duty. The child has suffered injustice—sister, take her home quickly!”
After speaking, Jiang Mother left promptly, as she still had a pile of matters to attend to.
Before leaving, she couldn’t help but glance at Ruan Tang once more—such a delicate, sweet, and lovely girl, yet her engagement had been called off.
What a pity.
She hoped the girl wouldn’t be psychologically affected and would soon meet her destined partner.
Just after stepping out, Jiang Mother ran into Jiang Ye, who was rushing over. She said impatiently, “Let’s go, don’t cause more trouble here.”
Because Jiang Mother left in a hurry, she didn’t notice Jiang Ye slipping a note to Ruan Tang.