The homeowner asked, “Is she really your mother? Which family are you from? We haven’t heard of any family nearby having a lunatic.”
“I’m the Lin family’s girl from the steel factory. This is my mother, Wang Aihua. My mom isn’t clear-headed. She’s caused you all trouble—my apologies, truly, I’m sorry.”
A few people in the crowd recognized Wang Aihua.
“Wang Aihua from the steel factory? I remember she wasn’t crazy. How did she end up like this?”
“Mom, even if Dad, uh… isn’t, isn’t, isn’t capable… you still can’t go hugging dogs…”
Li Jiyue’s voice was so agitated it was on the verge of tears.
The onlookers were stunned, having just gotten a huge piece of gossip. Explosive! Some stood with mouths agape, wide enough to stuff a duck egg inside; others’ eyes bulged like bronze bells. So it really was that her own man couldn’t perform, and she’d run out onto the street in heat.
Once the homeowner heard she was mentally impaired, he didn’t pursue it. After all, no real loss had been caused. Compensation for medical expenses was out of the question; he hadn’t even demanded compensation for his dog, let alone emotional damages.
“Hurry and take her back and keep a close eye on her. Don’t let her run around causing trouble.”
Her eyes were clear and earnest as she promised repeatedly, “Absolutely, absolutely. From now on I won’t leave her side for a single step. Wherever she goes, I’ll go.”
Everyone nodded.
“You’re a very filial girl.”
A kindhearted person reminded her, “You’re at the age to be talking marriage yourself. Don’t spend all day just looking after this crazy mother. You should think about your own future, too. Let your other siblings take turns caring for her. Don’t foolishly shoulder everything alone—otherwise you’ll end up unable to get married.”
“Exactly. A gentle horse gets ridden; a kind person gets bullied. Girl, be a bit more shrewd.”
Li Jiyue lowered her head and wiped away the tears she’d squeezed out from holding back laughter, then sighed deeply. “Sigh… it’s hard to explain.”
After resting for a bit, Wang Aihua grew agitated again. Heat surged through her, and she tried to get up to stir trouble, making low moaning sounds.
“Hey—!”
Everyone jumped in fright and quickly scattered, shuddering.
“Scared me to death. If that crazy woman hugged me, I’d have to wash these clothes ten times over and scrub my skin raw.”
The pain brought Wang Aihua a bit of clarity. When she saw Li Jiyue, she cursed instinctively, “You little slut, you cheap wench—why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be… where was it again? Why am I here? You must’ve framed me. I’ll kill you…”
Not fully sane yet, she chased after Li Jiyue, reaching out with both hands to strangle her.
Li Jiyue shrank her neck back, clearly terrified, as if long accustomed to being beaten and scolded. She dodged while explaining, “Mom, I—I didn’t. I didn’t hurt you. How could I hurt you? You’re my mom! I’m the one who takes care of you every day.”
She hid behind a plump middle-aged woman, who was strong and shoved Wang Aihua hard, sending her sprawling flat on her back.
The plump woman scolded angrily, “Is that any way to be a mother? Having such a good daughter is your blessing, and you don’t even know how to cherish it. You’re utterly ungrateful.”
Others joined in criticizing Wang Aihua.
“Long illness wears down filial piety, yet this girl hasn’t left you—she’s filial enough.”
“Exactly. Don’t think just because you’re her mother you can beat and scold her every day.”
“Hearts are made of flesh. Treat her well and she’ll treat you well. Treat her badly, and don’t expect to have good days ahead.”
The homeowner kindly suggested, “Girl, take the dog’s leash. Tie her hand and pull her back home.”
Li Jiyue widened her watery eyes in feigned shock, stammering and waving her hands in distress. “Th-this… is that okay? If I tie my mom up and take her back, I’m afraid people will say I abuse my elderly mother. That would bring heavenly retribution. I’m scared, I’m scared I wouldn’t be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River. My dad and my brother and sister would beat me to death, boohoo…”
“But I’m also afraid she’ll run off. I can’t hold her down. What should I do?”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, tears blurring her vision, stirring everyone’s sympathy.
“You’re this filial—who would dare say you’re unfilial? People really do talk without back pain.”
“I’m off work today and have nothing to do. I’ll go back to the compound with you to testify for you.”
Half the people had nothing better to do and were willing to go along as witnesses. It was only a few streets away—just a short walk.
Surrounded by the crowd, Li Jiyue led Wang Aihua back to the family compound.
At the Lin family’s door, a large crowd had already gathered. It was lunchtime, when workers returned home to eat. They hadn’t even warmed their seats before hearing rhythmic slapping sounds. Everyone was experienced—what was there not to understand? Following the sounds, they gathered outside the Lin house.
“Oh my heavens, someone really is going at it—broad daylight, yelling so loud, afraid others won’t hear.”
“Who is it? So shameless. How can children listen to this? Polluting their ears.”
“Unbelievable. Who does this without hiding it? Shameless people like that should have their clothes stripped and be paraded through the streets for criticism.”
Upstairs and downstairs, everyone who heard the noise crowded over. The Lin family corridor was packed.
Those already peeking through the door and window cracks whispered, “Who else could it be? It’s this household.”
“Then the people inside are… Fugui and his wife?”
None of the Lin family’s three children were married, so it could only be the couple. If it were an affair, how could they dare make such a racket—were they suicidal?
A neighbor next door quietly revealed, “Old Lin couldn’t last that long—at most a minute.”
The compound had poor soundproofing. Whatever a household did, the neighbors could hear it all—timing, intensity, duration—everything was crystal clear. Lin Fugui couldn’t possibly make that much noise unless he’d taken some kind of breeding drug.
“Listen carefully—doesn’t it sound like Director Liao’s voice?”