Although Yue Hongmei was harsh and domineering in front of her daughters-in-law, she still felt a deep-seated fear when facing Wu Jianjun.
Especially when he brought up yesterday’s incident, Yue Hongmei didn’t dare utter a word…
It was only when Chu Yu saw her silence and secretly kicked her under the table that Yue Hongmei finally spoke up.
After glancing at Chu Yu, she stammered out the excuse they had prepared in advance.
“It was all because of Zhang the Midwife. She originally agreed to deliver the baby for just two yuan, but when she arrived and saw the situation, she demanded more money. I was so angry that I said a few words to her…”
“A few words? You practically cursed her ancestors back to life from the grave. Is that what you call ‘a few words’?”
If Wu Jianjun hadn’t already visited Zhang the Midwife first, he might have actually believed Yue Hongmei’s story!
Hearing his words, Yue Hongmei shrank back, her courage failing her.
At the time, she had been too anxious. After all, He Tingyue’s pregnancy seemed risky, and without help, it could have easily ended in tragedy—both mother and child losing their lives!
But Zhang the Midwife had over thirty years of experience as a midwife and was highly skilled. Unwilling to let her assist, Yue Hongmei had resorted to such a desperate measure.
Even so, hadn’t He Tingyue and that little bastard survived just fine?
The thought made Yue Hongmei feel a surge of resentment.
“Even without Zhang the Midwife, didn’t Gou Sheng’s wife manage to give birth? For you to come here over this—it’s unnecessary. As a mother-in-law who hasn’t separated from the family, can’t I even make decisions for my daughter-in-law?”
The more Yue Hongmei spoke, the more confident she became, and by the end, she was practically indignant!
Seeing her stubborn and unreasonable attitude, Wu Jianjun finally understood why Lin Feizhou had asked him to make this special trip!
This Yue Hongmei was simply being unreasonable!
“Alright, alright, we’ll talk about your matter later. I came here today to see Comrade Chu!
Comrade Chu, were all the cloth coupons and industrial coupons Feizhou sent back taken by you? From what I’ve seen of your behavior in the Lin Family, I suspect you’ve taken more than just those, haven’t you?”
Wu Jianjun had led the Fengmu Brigade through the famine over a decade ago. Although everyone had been able to eat their fill in recent years, he still vividly remembered the hardships and pain of those famine years.
Today, Chu Yu’s wastefulness with food was something he simply couldn’t forgive!
Moreover, Chu Yu had taken what Lin Feizhou had sent for his wife!
Lin Feizhou had just been promoted, and the entire town took pride in him. The Broadcast Station reported his heroic deeds daily.
Yet, the Lin Family remained oblivious, failing to cherish such a fine son and daughter-in-law while doting on an unrelated educated youth.
Just thinking about it made Wu Jianjun want to sigh.
It was at this moment that He Tingyue emerged from the room…
She wore faded long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, with only a simple coarse cloth scarf wrapped around her forehead. Her entire frame was so thin and frail that she seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her over.
Yet, despite this, her back remained straight and proud. However, her extreme frailty only made others feel an instinctive urge to protect her.
He Tingyue coughed lightly twice before speaking, "Brigade leader, please don't blame Chu Yu. It was my mother-in-law who said that since I've married Fei Zhou, I must accept my fate. A woman marrying into the Lin Family is destined for hardship. As for the good things Fei Zhou sent back, even if they were thrown away, they wouldn't end up with me…"
With each sentence she spoke, Lin Feizhou and Wu Jianjun's faces darkened further, and Chu Yu's expression grew even more contorted.
Finally, Lin Feizhou couldn't hold back his anger any longer and pushed open Chu Yu's room door!
Wu Jianjun couldn't help but gasp several times at the sight of the furnishings inside!
Chu Yu's room was filled entirely with Rosewood Furniture, and that wasn't all. The bottles and jars piled up in two rows by her bedside, not to mention the washbasin and thermos—all were highly sought-after items!
Wu Jianjun prided himself on having seen the world, but he had never encountered anyone whose room was as extravagant as Chu Yu's!
When Lin Feizhou saw those things, he felt his blood boiling with rage!
If He Tingyue hadn't been holding him back tightly, he would have kicked Chu Yu straight into the manure pit at the entrance!
"Chu Yu, can you explain to me why my wife's dowry, prepared by her parents, and the daily necessities I bought for her are all in your room?"
Even the cotton quilt Chu Yu was using had been sent by Lin Feizhou from the army!
He had repeatedly emphasized in his letters that these were for his wife and daughter, so how had they all ended up benefiting Chu Yu?!
Lin Feizhou clenched his fists until they made a "creaking" sound, as if he were ready to rush out and beat Chu Yu to death at any moment!
Chu Yu panicked and immediately hid behind Yue Hongmei!
To be honest, Yue Hongmei was also seeing Lin Feizhou's fierce side for the first time.
But as soon as she thought about how he dared to lose his temper at Chu Yu for the sake of that wretched woman He Tingyue, Yue Hongmei couldn't help but feel furious!
"Explain what? I told Chu Yu to use these things. Since that little wretch He Tingyue married into our Lin Family, she must follow our Lin Family's rules! Even I, as the mother-in-law, don't have Rosewood Furniture, so why should she get to use such fine things?!"
Such good things should only be used by her own daughter!
Listening to Yue Hongmei's words, Wu Jianjun finally understood why Lin Feizhou had come looking for him early in the morning…
This wife of Lin Laogen was utterly unreasonable!
"Laogen, don't you have anything to say?"
Lin Laogen looked at Wu Jianjun's clearly displeased expression and felt a tightness in his heart.
Although he put on the airs of a patriarch in front of his son and daughter-in-law, when facing village cadres like Wu Jianjun and Feng Kai, he couldn't help but feel inferior.
Especially since they were clearly in the wrong this time. It was just that He Tingyue hadn't spoken out before, so no one knew. But now…
Lin Laogen's gaze fell on Lin Feizhou, and he guessed that it was he who had gone to find Wu Jianjun.
At this point, a head-on confrontation was clearly unwise. It seemed they would have to pay a heavy price today!
"Brigade leader, my wife was mistaken in this matter. It was originally just a family affair, but since you're here now, handle it as you see fit. Don't worry about my face, Laogen!"
Wu Jianjun, upon hearing his words, curled his lips in speechless disdain. After all, if it weren’t for the recommendation quota in Lin Feizhou’s hands, he wouldn’t have wanted to get involved in the Lin Family’s messy affairs at all!
And as for giving Lin Laogen face?
What face did that coward even have?
But he couldn’t say that outright, since Lin Laogen was, after all, Lin Feizhou’s biological father.
If things got too ugly, he was afraid that once the family reconciled later, he’d be the one left with a bad reputation.
“Fei Zhou, what do you think about this…”
Lin Feizhou didn’t respond, just quietly watched He Tingyue.
Seeing this, He Tingyue took a deep breath, realizing this was the perfect moment to reclaim some interest. After a moment’s thought, she lowered her head and walked into the room, then quickly came back out.