Processing temporary-leave paperwork wasn’t difficult. Since both applicants were present, the procedures should have gone quickly.
However, the person in charge happened to have close ties with the Qiao family.
And in this era, wages from the textile factory were the main source of a family’s livelihood. Taking temporary leave meant losing more than half one’s salary—an extremely serious matter. So the supervisor quietly signaled someone to notify the Qiao family.
The news reached Old Madam Qiao and Old Man Qiao almost immediately.
“What? Have they lost their minds? What are they trying to do?”
This time, Old Man Qiao exploded before his wife could.
Old Madam Qiao slapped her thigh dramatically.
“Aiyo, this is killing me! What kind of daughter-in-law did we marry? Our life still needs to go on! Her job is something we arranged for her, and now she’s coaxing my son to stop working?”
The messenger looked embarrassed and urged,
“Uncle, Auntie, they won’t be able to stall the paperwork much longer. Maybe you should hurry over?”
Old Man Qiao stiffened and nodded grimly.
The factory wasn’t far. Worried and frantic, the elder couple hurried out.
Qiao Wengang noticed how the supervisor kept stalling, glancing toward the door. He understood immediately—
They must have gone to fetch my parents.
He leaned close to Shen Yunchu and whispered.
Yunchu tightened her grip on little Lihua’s hand.
Over the years, she had little fear of her father-in-law, who rarely involved himself in family matters.
But her mother-in-law…
That woman caused trouble for the sake of causing trouble. If she was coming, she would no doubt arrive raging.
Seeing the worry in his wife’s pale face, Qiao Wengang held her hand and whispered reassuringly:
“What are you afraid of? I’m here to deal with my parents. And behind you—there’s Mother-in-law.”
Sure enough, the Qiao couple stormed into the office, faces like thunder.
The moment she stepped inside, Old Madam Qiao lunged at Shen Yunchu, raising her hand to slap her.
“You have no father or mother to teach you? Then I’ll teach you! Are you trying to ruin our family?!”
In the past, Yunchu never dared dodge—she could only endure the slap.
But now…
After these past days, seeing her mother again, the fear she once felt had vanished. She only found the old woman blustering and weak.
And before the slap could land, Qiao Wengang stepped in front of his wife.
“Mom, what are you doing? I told you—no one touches my wife or daughter. Not even you!”
Old Madam Qiao froze. She would never strike her own son. She lowered her hand stiffly.
“I—I’m just angry! I’ve always treated them well, ask anyone! But what is she doing now? She wants to make you stop working? How will you survive? What will you eat—northwest wind?!”
Old Man Qiao also glared at his son.
“Your mother is right. I refuse to allow you two to take leave.”
Knowing his father was the more reasonable one, Wengang pulled him aside and said quietly:
“Dad, Yunchu and I want to take this year’s college entrance exam.”
Old Man Qiao froze—then smacked his son on the shoulder.
“I beat you, scolded you, begged you to study back then, and you refused. Now you think it through?”
Following his son’s gaze, he looked toward Yunchu and was taken aback.
“Explain clearly. Otherwise, I still won’t allow it.”
Wengang briefly explained the situation.
Old Man Qiao nodded slowly, his expression subtly changing. When he looked at Yunchu again, there was… a trace of approval.
He had never truly disliked this daughter-in-law, but he never liked her either.
She was always timid, head down, seemingly without backbone or thought.
But now…
If she inspired his son to strive for something better—
Then she was a good daughter-in-law in his eyes.
With the reason clarified, Old Man Qiao calmed down. He not only stopped objecting—he even took out money.
“Here, take this. Use it for expenses so you won’t be tight.”
Old Madam Qiao panicked.
“Old man, what’s wrong with you? Are you confused too?”
Old Man Qiao snorted.
“You’re the one confused.”
He turned to the supervisor.
“Sister Wang, please finish the paperwork for these two kids.”
Once he made the decision, Old Madam Qiao could only grit her teeth and watch.
After the procedures were completed, the couple prepared to leave. When Lihua saw her grandmother, she instantly hid behind her mother.
Old Madam Qiao glared daggers at Shen Yunchu.
Yunchu only smiled lightly.
Go on—keep hating me. I enjoy watching you choke on it.
Holding her daughter’s hand, she said gently:
“Dad, Mom, you know I’ve been separated from my biological mother for many years. Now that we’ve reunited, I want to stay with her and fulfill my filial duties. So… we won’t be returning home for now.”
With his son backing her, Old Man Qiao waved easily.
“You young people can arrange your own lives.”
But Old Madam Qiao exploded.
“No! I disagree! Both of you have taken leave from work now! And what kind of married woman still lives at her mother’s home?! You need to move back! Since you’re not working, there are tons of chores waiting at home!”
In the past, she dumped all the housework on Yunchu.
But recently, with Yunchu gone and her son rarely home, the old woman had to cook and wash by herself—and she hated it.
Yunchu looked at Wengang.
He spoke firmly, “Mom, Dad has already agreed. Whether you agree or not doesn’t matter. Ask him yourself.”
Old Man Qiao nodded.
“These kids are doing something proper. Of course I support them. And what chores? It’s just the two of us at home.”
Old Madam Qiao nearly choked on her rage.
Yunchu smiled gently at her, making the older woman feel mocked—challenged.
Old Madam Qiao snapped,
“Fine! If you have the guts, then never come back!”
Before Yunchu could answer—
Old Man Qiao shouted,
“Shut your mouth!”
He only had one son.
And he could see clearly now who his son listened to—his wife.
If the old woman forbade the daughter-in-law from returning, would the son return alone?
Stupid. Utterly stupid.
He smiled at Shen Yunchu.
“It’s wonderful that you reunited with your mother. When convenient, we’d like to visit her and pay our respects.”
(End of chapter)