Shen Meng cast a pitiful gaze around the room, hiding a smirk. She knew that the ultimate way to win an argument wasn’t to shout and curse, but to use a sarcastic tone and point out the truth so sharply that it left the other side speechless and seething.

Everything she’d just said might sound harsh, but it was undeniably the truth.

Shen Fugui and Wang Guizhi gently helped her settle onto the kang bed, feeling proud of their daughter. Now wasn’t the time to act tough, just as when they had first come to the Lu family’s home and tried to argue their way through, only to be made to look like they were the ones causing trouble.

Once Shen Meng was settled, the two elders silently pulled the children behind them.

Village Head Li Debang and Party Secretary Zhang Hongfa felt increasingly uncomfortable at Shen Meng’s words. It wasn’t as if accidents involving production team livestock hadn’t happened before; they’d seen bulls go wild and injure people, even fatally. Shen Meng was struck by the team’s bull, and the only person around was Zhou Jiaojiao.

When the villagers had brought Shen Meng back, she’d cursed Zhou Jiaojiao to her face, accusing her of plotting against her and saying she was rotten to the core, destined to ruin her husband and children. Zhou Jiaojiao, however, had been married into Lu Family Village for over half a year. She was known to be soft-spoken, always greeted everyone, and often lent a helping hand. Shen Meng, on the other hand, was infamous for dodging work and constantly beating her kids. Naturally, people had sided with Zhou Jiaojiao.

But… regardless of Shen Meng’s temper, it was a fact that she had been injured by the team’s bull. Even if they wouldn’t go so far as to offer her compensation, the team should have at least ensured she got some care, let alone not a single visit.

Li Debang pursed his lips, frowning at Shen Meng with his weight as the village head behind him.

“Mrs. Zhenping, let’s discuss things calmly. There’s no need to sound so… accusatory. When we left, we made sure to check with the Lu family, and they said you were fine. Let’s not twist the facts.”

“Really? Well, I suppose my head was spinning so badly I can’t remember anything,” Shen Meng replied, feigning confusion. “Was it my mother-in-law who said it, or Jiaojiao? I’ve lived here for years and never realized they had medical training. I’m clearly at fault here. If it weren’t for, Brother Hong, using up all those supplies to clean my wound, who knows if my head would’ve gotten infected? It’s a miracle I still have half a life left. Nothing serious, really.”

Li Debang was silent.

This was why he hated dealing with unreasonable women. He didn’t want to come, but Hongfa insisted, and now he was stuck with this nonsense. Hmph!

Meanwhile, Liu Sanjin and Zhou Jiaojiao looked extremely uncomfortable. They had no medical training, of course, and only put spider webs and some soot from the stove on Shen Meng’s wound, as the older folks had always done.

Liu Sanjin shot Shen Meng a glare. She was just putting on airs.

“Fine, fine, let’s just be grateful my parents are here, and I can at least see my children,” Shen Meng sighed weakly. “Let me repeat myself, then, with the village head and party secretary as witnesses. Our three-room brick house was only loaned out temporarily for one year with a two-yuan rent each month, none of which I ever received. That house was built by Zhenping for our children, so they’d have space as they grew up. But then Mother said Jiaxuan and Jiaojiao were getting married and wanted our family to appear generous. As the eldest sister-in-law, I agreed for the sake of harmony, and moved the children and me into this drafty old house. I thought nothing of it, willing to make sacrifices for the family.”

She turned her gaze to Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao, adding, “But I don’t have long left. I gave the land deed and everything to Mingyang. Jiaxuan, Jiaojiao, I’ve done more than enough as the eldest sister-in-law. Please, move out. That house belongs to Mingyang and his siblings. But don’t misunderstand me—I’m not accusing you of trying to take over our home. Really, that’s not what I mean.”

Liu Sanjin: “…”

Lu Jiaxuan: “…”

Zhou Jiaojiao: “…”

Nonsense. For “harmony”? She just wanted those two yuan. Now she was acting all noble?

The three of them were furious, but Village Head Li Debang and Party Secretary Zhang Hongfa didn’t see anything wrong with what she was saying. That brick house was one of the best around. Who would let someone else live in it, even a brother?

When Shen Meng had first agreed to live in the old house, she’d told everyone it was to help Jiaxuan get married with dignity—so the Lu family wouldn’t look like a laughingstock, with the brother of a soldier living in a shabby house.

Many villagers had said she was foolish, while others praised her for being a selfless military spouse, a model to look up to. Little did they know it was all over two yuan rent, which she never received.

“Eldest Sister-in-Law, that can’t be true! Didn’t Mother give you the money each month? You can’t just make things up,” Lu Jiaxuan protested, his face red with anger.

“Jiaxuan, look at me,” Shen Meng replied, her tone calm. “I’m barely clinging to life; what good would lying do me now? People say that a person’s last words should be honest, isn’t that right, Secretary Zhang? I don’t need the rent from you now. But Mother taking Zhenping’s allowance to pay your rent… won’t that make Jiahe, Xianglan, and Jinghao resentful, thinking she’s playing favorites? I’ll give up on the money. Just let the kids and me go back home. I want to spend my last days in my own house.”

Liu Sanjin: “…”

Lu Jiaxuan: “…”

Zhou Jiaojiao: “…”

Even on her deathbed, this woman was sowing discord. She didn’t look like she was dying any time soon.

If the Lu family didn’t show some goodwill now, word would spread that they’d driven their soldier’s wife to her death just to give her house to the youngest son. Soon, rumors would start flying about a heartless mother-in-law taking advantage of a her son’s family while her son served the country.

Liu Sanjin could already imagine how those gossiping old ladies at the village gate would spin this tale.

“Xiaomeng, if you want to go back, then go,” Liu Sanjin finally managed to say, tone full of forced concern. “And I’ll give you the rent, twelve yuan for the six months. After all, you’re my dear daughter-in-law, my precious one. You’re worth more to me than twelve yuan, more than any house.”

Even as she spoke, her heart was aching. Twelve yuan! That was no small amount—she’d have to pinch pennies for ages to make it back. She would definitely write to her eldest son about this ungrateful girl and set things straight.

Shen Meng’s lips curved into a small smile. The old woman’s words were practically dripping with bitterness.

“Thank you, Mother. I always knew you cared for me,” Shen Meng said with a hint of mock warmth. “I’ll take the kids back tonight, then. Jiaojiao, Jiaxuan, please go tidy up. And Mother, although I shouldn’t take this money, I’ll accept it for the kids’ sake. Thank you, Mother.”

Liu Sanjin: “…”

Shameless woman. She’d wanted that money from the start!