Chapter 66

Father Li’s face darkened instantly, the veins on his forehead throbbing as his powerful voice echoed through the courtyard: “Stop right now!”

Shen Yiyi, hearing Father Li’s voice, reluctantly withdrew her hand.

Jiang Ailing lost all her momentum. The moment she saw Li Sanhong return, she burst into tears with a loud wail.

Father Li stood in the middle of the courtyard, suppressing his anger as his imposing presence swept over everyone present. His gaze was sharp as he demanded: “What exactly is going on here?”

“Mother and Second Sister-in-law hit me and Tiezhu!” Jiang Ailing sobbed, seizing the chance to speak first.

Her hair was disheveled, her face swollen with bruises, her clothes wrinkled, and one of her shoes was missing. She looked utterly miserable.

Seeing his equally bedraggled son beside her, Li Sanhong’s face darkened. He turned to look at Mother Li and Shen Yiyi, clearly holding back his rage. His tone carried a hint of accusation as he asked: “Mother, Second Sister-in-law, what exactly happened here?”

Mother Li was so infuriated by Jiang Ailing’s blatant distortion of the truth that she nearly spat blood. She opened her mouth to curse, but Father Li shot her a glare.

Father Li then turned to Shen Yiyi. “Second daughter-in-law, I know you wouldn’t hit Third’s wife for no reason. You explain.”

“Father.” Shen Yiyi had no intention of shouldering the banner of justice. “I arrived in the middle of the commotion. I only stepped in when I saw Li Tiezhu trying to hit Mother. As for the exact cause, I don’t know. Perhaps you should ask someone else?”

As he spoke, Shen Yiyi glanced outside. Li Dabin was busy driving away the onlookers, while Wang Yan, who had been standing on a stool to watch the spectacle, was just about to leave reluctantly.

Shen Yiyi immediately called out: “Father, perhaps Sister-in-law Wang was here earlier. Maybe she can explain?”

“I’ve been here for a long time!” Wang Yan, who had been eavesdropping with her ears perked up, immediately shouted: “Uncle Li, I saw almost everything from start to finish! I can recount the whole thing for you, and I swear I won’t lie!”

Father Li: “…” Agreed.

Wang Yan immediately started chattering away.  

Although she hadn’t heard Jiang Ailing instigating conflict between Mother Li and Shen Yiyi, she had certainly heard Mother Li’s loud scolding of Jiang Ailing.  

Connecting Mother Li’s words with the incident earlier when Shen Yiyi went to buy grain, it wasn’t hard to deduce what Jiang Ailing had tried to stir up.  

One had to admit, gossiping women could be annoying at times, but they did have their merits—especially their storytelling skills. Wang Yan’s vivid and animated narration painted a scene so clearly that those listening could almost see it unfold before them.  

As Father Li’s expression darkened further, the anger that had been directed at Mother Li and Shen Yiyi in Li Sanhong’s eyes now shifted toward Jiang Ailing and Li Tiezhu.  

With so many people witnessing the event, there was no room for Jiang Ailing to argue her way out of it, no matter how much she wanted to.  

After hearing the whole story, Shen Yiyi was speechless.

Fortunately, she had the foresight to beat them up first—at least that part wasn’t a loss.  

Now that she had vented her anger, the matter of how to resolve this was up to the third household of the Li family and Father and Mother Li.

Shen Yiyi had no interest in staying to watch.  

Li Chen would be returning from town soon, and Three Baos still hadn’t had lunch.  

She had no intention of letting her husband and son go hungry over irrelevant people, so she said: “Father, since everything is clear now, I’ll head back first.”  

Before Father Li could respond, Mother Li immediately said: “Yiyi, I’ll go with you.”  

At that moment, Dahua, who had been in the kitchen all this time, finally emerged, speaking timidly: “Grandmother, the food is ready…”  

“If it’s ready, then leave it for our third daughter-in-law and eldest grandson to eat.” Mother Li said sharply, now emboldened by the truth coming to light. Her tone was dripping with sarcasm. “Otherwise, they might not take care of me in my old age.”  

Li Sanhong’s face turned pale. “Mother…”  

“Don’t call me Mother just yet.” Mother Li cut him off, her sharp gaze pinning him down. “You know exactly what your wife and son did today. One tried to turn me against your second sister-in-law, while the other threatened to drive me out and even tried to hit me with a brick. Now, tell me—how do you plan to handle this?”

“Mother, I—”  

Mother Li cut him off. “And what about you? Do you also not want to live with me anymore? Do you want to kick me out and let me die?”  

“Mother, what are you saying? How could I ever let you die? I’m more than happy to have you live with me!” Li Sanhong hurriedly reassured her.  

“Then tell me, did Li Tiezhu come up with those words himself because he’s naturally clever, or did someone teach him?” Mother Li snapped in anger.  

Li Sanhong froze, glancing at his wife. His head was pounding.  

“You just keep protecting her.” Mother Li trembled with fury. “Fine, Li Sanhong. In that case, I don’t dare to stay in this house anymore. Heaven forbid someone takes issue with me and decides to smash me to death while I’m not looking. You figure out how to resolve this, and when you do, I’ll come back. If you don’t want me back, that’s fine too. Just go next door and tell me, and I’ll jump into the river. Then I’ll climb back out at night and come find you!”  

Mother Li turned to Shen Yiyi and declared decisively: “Yiyi, we’re leaving!”  

Shen Yiyi: “…”  

By the time they got home, she still felt like she was in some surreal dream.

How did she end up bringing Mother Li back with her?  

At the doorway, Er Bao and Xiao Bao were waiting. Earlier, Shen Yiyi had told them not to follow, so they had obediently stayed home. Now, seeing their mother return, they let out a cheer.  

Then, they noticed Mother Li behind her—disheveled, covered in scratches on her face and hands.  

Er Bao’s eyes widened as he ran over. “Grandma, what happened? Who hit you? Was it Tiezhu? I’ll get revenge for you!”  

His small face was filled with rage, and his tiny fists clenched tightly.  

Xiao Bao, noticing the wound on his grandmother’s forehead, looked up at her with big, concerned eyes and said softly: “Pain, pain.”

Looking at her two well-behaved grandsons and then thinking about Li Tiezhu, Mother Li couldn’t hold back her emotions.

Tears welled up as she hugged Er Bao and Xiao Bao, her voice choked with emotion. “Good boys, Grandma doesn’t feel pain anymore. I’ve already taught him a lesson.”  

Shen Yiyi glanced at Mother Li, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and decided to leave some space for the three of them.

She silently stepped into the house.  

In the kitchen, Da Bao was tending the fire for steaming the rice. Hearing the commotion outside, he rushed out. “Mother, what happened?”  

“Nothing.” Shen Yiyi patted his head. “It’s already taken care of. Is the rice done?”  

“It’s ready.” Da Bao nodded.  

“Good boy.” Shen Yiyi praised him. “I’ll handle the dishes myself. Your grandmother is here, and she’s not in a good mood. You and Er Bao, Xiao Bao should stay with her, bring her some water, and help clean her up. There’s a bottle of antiseptic ointment in the cabinet—take it to her so she can treat her wounds.”  

“Grandma got hurt?” Da Bao’s expression became serious. “I understand, Mother.”  

He immediately ran outside to find his grandmother.  

Just as Shen Yiyi stepped into the kitchen, the noise from the old house, which had started to die down, suddenly flared up again.

Wretched cries, furious curses, and the unmistakable sound of a stick striking flesh rang out clearly.  

Shen Yiyi rubbed her ears and retreated into the kitchen to continue cooking.  

For lunch, she planned to make sour shredded potatoes and stir-fried dried green beans with pork.  

Just as she finished the sour shredded potatoes, Mother Li walked in. “Yiyi, is there anything I can help with?”  

“No need, I can handle it myself.” Shen Yiyi replied, focused on stirring the pork belly she had just added to the pan, not even turning her head.  

Mother Li hesitated before speaking again. “I can at least help you tend the fire.”  

Only then did Shen Yiyi glance back at her. Her face had been cleaned up, and she wore an awkward smile.  

Shen Yiyi immediately understood—Mother Li was probably feeling uneasy about deciding to stay here without asking first. She was likely afraid that Shen Yiyi would be unhappy about it.