Although Lu Mingyang thought all these things, he kept his mouth shut. After all, his grandparents still treated him and his siblings kindly, and he knew this wasn’t the time to cause trouble.

Shen Meng’s emotional speech had the two youngest children in tears. Suddenly, hearing noises outside, she sat up abruptly, grabbing the family’s land deed, ration tickets, and what little money they had from under her pillow.

“Mingyang, Mingliang, come here,” she called. “Mingyang, I’ve let you down, and I’ve let your father down too. Here—this is the land deed, the ration tickets, and the last fifteen yuan we have. Take these and keep them safe. When I’m gone, you must take care of your younger siblings. I don’t want to leave this burden to you, but look at your grandma, your uncles, and aunts—they’re all eyeing everything that belongs to you. If you can’t make it in the Lu family after I’m gone, go to the Shen family. If they don’t take you in, then beg on the streets if you must, but don’t stay here. Jiaxuan, Jiaojiao, please, I beg you, after I’m gone, give these kids a way to survive… our home was taken over by you—have a little mercy.”

She pressed the stack of items into Lu Mingyang’s hands. He watched in shock as the woman, who moments ago seemed at death’s door, now sat up, even staggering off the bed. She looked like she was about to kneel before his grandmother and uncles at the door. Startled, Mingyang quickly tugged at Mingliang, moving aside to let her pass. They were just kids and didn’t dare accept her bow; after all, a mother bowing to her sons was something that could bring them bad luck.

“Xiaomeng, what are you doing? Get up! No matter what happens, I’m here to support you!” Shen Fugui said, stepping forward. “Let’s see who dares to bully my grandchildren. The Lu family claimed they’d treat my daughter like one of their own, but look at them—snatching the big brick house just so their youngest son can live there! Even favoritism needs limits; don’t be so heartless.”

Liu Sanjin, nearly fainted with rage and started cursing, pointing at Shen Meng.

“Shen Meng, you little troublemaker, what nonsense are you spouting? When did Jiaxuan and Jiaojiao ‘snatch’ your house? Wasn’t it agreed they’d just live there temporarily after the wedding to make it more lively? If you weren’t okay with it, you should’ve said something sooner! Why are you putting on a show, making it look like the entire Lu family is bullying you? Ask anyone in the village—who would dare lay a finger on you?Mingyang, Mingliang, Mingkai, grandma’s dear grandchildren, look at your mother’s behavior. You have to help grandma speak up!”

“Yes, yes, sister-in-law,” Lu Jiaxuan added, annoyed. “This wasn’t supposed to be a permanent arrangement. We just stayed in the house for the wedding, and Mother’s been paying rent every month. Two yuan a month! Even in the provincial capital, that’s close to the rent for an apartment. And now you’re accusing us of taking over? This is completely unreasonable!”

Lu Jiaxuan was a little angry, he was so busy making noises that he didn’t notice the guilty expressions of Liu Sanjin and Zhou Jiaojiao.

“But, Jiaxuan, my Zhenping gives three yuan a month for our parents’ retirement. We haven’t treated our parents unfairly. Moreover, more than half a year has passed, and I haven’t seen a penny! Jiaxuan, who did you give the money to?”

Lu Jiaxuan paused, speechless.

“Xiaomeng, my girl, how are you feeling? Don’t worry, the village head and the party secretary are here; they’ll get to the bottom of this for you. Goodness…why are you even out of bed? Old man, can’t you see our girl’s seriously injured?”

She looked so weak, barely able to stand with her bloody head wound, pale face, and rumpled clothes—a far cry from when they’d first brought her home.

Now that Lu Changzhu was not at home, Liu Sanjin was the boss, when they and several members of the commune sent Shen Meng home, Liu Sanjin said she was fine and there was no need to call a doctor, but now she looked like she was dying.

Whatever her character, Shen Meng was still Lu Zhenping’s wife and a legitimate military dependent. Lu Zhenping was serving the country, and if his wife dies for no apparent reason, they will be held accountable by their superiors.

“Auntie, what’s going on here?” Party Secretary Zhang asked, his expression dark. “When we left, Zhenping’s wife seemed fine. How did things come to this?”

Liu Sanjin was always well behaved in front of outsiders, but now being questioned by a junior, her old face turned red and she didn’t know what to say.

Zhou Jiaojiao quickly stepped in. “Brother Debang, I swear, my sister-in-law was perfectly fine before. When her parents came in to speak with her, I don’t know what happened, but she suddenly became gravely ill. She wouldn’t even touch the meal Jiaxuan brought her. We rushed in as soon as we heard, only to find her saying she was going to die. Honestly, it’s quite the sight.”

“Yes, Debang, Hongfa,” Liu Sanjin chimed in, adjusting her tone to a pitiful one. “It’s true she was upset with Jiaojiao and even scolded her when she got back. I understand her parents’ concern, but I’ve always been good to Xiaomeng and the kids. Look, if I’ve done anything wrong, I’m sorry. Xiaomeng, enough with the fuss. Get back into bed and tell me whatever you need; I’ll make it for you.”

Backed by Zhou Jiaojiao, Liu Sanjin had regained her composure. She addressed the village officials in a tone dripping with faux kindness. Seeing this display, both the village head and party secretary’s expressions darkened; Shen Meng looked unreasonable to them now.

Shen Meng’s eyes narrowed. So this old hag not only wants to shift all the blame to my parents but also make it look like I’m the ungrateful one? She thought coldly. Fine. If that’s how you want to play it, I’ll show you just how ruthless I can be.

“Village Chief, Party Secretary, thank you for coming. I know it’s late, and I appreciate it. Yes, I was almost killed by the production team’s bull. I have a gaping wound on my forehead, and neither the team nor my in-laws thought it necessary to call a doctor, nor has anyone bothered to check if I even got a sip of water, let alone food. My children have been left to fend for themselves, starving so badly they’re catching sparrows. And my elderly parents…well, they’ve been verbally abused. But no complaints here—I’m still breathing, after all.”

Her words landed like hammer blows, leaving the room in stunned silence. Faces turned red, chests heaved, and the tension was palpable.