Chapter 19: Mind Your Daughter-in-law

Zhou Yun was momentarily speechless, her lips were trembling as she struggles to find words.

Who wouldn’t love something as delicious as meat?

The reason she didn’t bring any was simply because she couldn’t get hold of it; it had nothing to do with disliking it.

Old Lady Cai, thick-skinned, retorted sharply, “Do you think everyone can just get meat? You’re really sitting there without a care!”

“You know it’s hard to get meat, don’t you?” Jiang Yuman said, her smile carrying a hint of sarcasm. “I thought you didn’t know. Since you do, then why didn’t you stop your child from rushing in to steal our meat?”

She had been tolerating this mother and son pair since the train ride.

Now that they were off the train, they had set their sights on her family’s food.

Since the relationship was bound to turn confrontational, there was no need to maintain a facade of politeness.

“The child just doesn’t understand!” Zhou Yun insisted stubbornly.

Jiang Yuman laughed, looking around as she spoke, “Everyone can see how indulgently this mother treats her child. It’s unthinkable for him to charge into someone else’s house to steal.”

“In the future, if anyone has something good to eat, you better keep your doors shut tight, always on guard against this family’s little thief!”

Positioning her family as the victims did not incite outrage among the crowd.

Since Zhou Yun and her mother-in-law had lost their shame, Jiang Yuman saw no reason to spare them any face.

Hearing this, others exchanged glances. Food was scarce in the countryside, especially for those educated youths who had been sent down. Most of them didn’t have family support for money or resources.

Food was life!

After winter, the team would slaughter pigs and distribute meat, and these educated youths would get some too.

If Yang Tianci could throw a tantrum at their doorstep today to snatch Fu family meat, there was a chance he might come for theirs next!

One by one, they took two steps back, clearly taking her words to heart.

Seeing this, Zhou Yun’s eyes flashed with panic and anger. “You vixen! How dare you call my family thieves! I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

She could see the change in the expressions of those around her; anger and embarrassment filled her. She loosened her grip and tried to stand up.

The Fu family wore expressions of cold disdain. Did they really think they could bully Jiang Yuman in front of them and treat their family as if they were nothing?

The situation was about to become chaotic.

At that moment, a voice rang out: “What are you all doing shouting and making noise here at this late hour? Why aren’t you resting in your houses?”

Yao Anguo approached with a frown.

Not only that, but the others from the Yao family followed him.

The onlooking educated youths saw the team leader had arrived and quickly made way, creating a circle around them.

“Team Leader!”

Seeing Yao Anguo arrive felt like seeing a savior to Zhou Yun, and she immediately accused them first: “This daughter-in-law of the Fu family slandered my child, calling him a thief! You must stand up for us!”

Hearing this, Yao Anguo furrowed his brows. Behind him, Yao Simeng widened her eyes, unable to help but glance at the Fu family.

Her gaze landed on Jiang Yuman, who sat beside Fu Jingchen.

Even in the dim light, it was evident that she was very beautiful, and she was pregnant.

Yao Simeng was somewhat shocked; how was it different from her previous life? Why was the Fu family’s daughter-in-law sent down here?

“Team Leader, please don’t listen to her nonsense!”

Fu Haitang, unwilling to back down, jumped in, “Their child rushed into our house, trying to steal our meat. My brother brought him out, and he just cried and made a fuss.”

“This family is relentless, clinging to our family. The eyes of the crowd are like snow; it’s obvious who is in the wrong!”

“I said the child was being unreasonable. Did you all have the right to slander my Tianci as a thief?”

Zhou Yun was furious and ashamed.

Jiang Yuman laughed, “Rushing into someone else’s house to take their things—isn’t that a thief?”

“You’re simply…”

“Quiet down, all of you!”

Seeing that the two sides were about to start arguing again, Yao Anguo, having briefly grasped the situation, couldn’t help but shout.

The team leader’s authority was not to be trifled with. Zhou Yun and her family immediately fell silent.

Even Yang Tianci, scared, shrank into his mother’s arms, no longer daring to cry.

“You all live in the same courtyard, seeing each other all the time. What’s the point of all this shouting?”

“Especially you!” Yao Anguo said, his gaze fixed on Zhou Yun’s husband.

Yang Anfu jumped, quickly asking, “What’s wrong, Team Leader?”

“What do you think is wrong!” Yao Anguo said angrily, “You’re a man, you should control your wife, your mother, and your son. You can’t just take other people’s things!”

With these words, everyone understood.

The team leader’s mind was as clear as a mirror. Hearing these words, he knew who was right and who was wrong.

“Yes, yes, I understand, Team Leader.” Yang Anfu quickly agreed.

His wife, mother, and son were making such a fuss, he was so ashamed he couldn’t even look up.

Zhou Yun saw her husband agree so readily, and she was furious. She wanted to say something, but before she could open her mouth, Yang Anfu, sensing her intention, looked at her angrily and said, “Shut up!”

Although Zhou Yun was usually quite brazen, she didn’t dare to contradict her husband.

She could only close her mouth.

Old Lady Cai also listened to her son and stopped talking.

Yao Anguo then looked at Fu Jingchen, remembering the gifts the Fu family had sent him, and his tone softened slightly, “And you too, manage your wife. Even if there’s something wrong, you’re neighbors. There’s no need to be so harsh with your words.”

People were simple back then. With their meager material conditions, they all cared deeply about reputation.

No one liked to be called a thief.

Fu Jingchen didn’t speak. Instead, he looked at Jiang Yuman first.

Jiang Yuman, touching her belly, said, “Team Leader, that’s not right. If someone were to come to your house and try to steal your food and then twist the story around, accusing you, wouldn’t you be allowed to say something harsh?”

She knew this: they would be living in this courtyard for two whole years!

If they didn’t make their stand clear this time, similar incidents would happen countless times in the future!

So, she wouldn’t back down.

“I…” Yao Anguo hesitated, speechless in the face of her retort.

Seeing this, the other educated youths widened their eyes. The Fu family’s daughter-in-law was incredible, she could even make the team leader speechless!

But in their hearts, they agreed with Jiang Yuman’s words.

And this was still the Fu family’s mild temperament!

If it were someone with a less gentle disposition, they might have even given Yang Tianci a beating.

Jiang Yuman surveyed the crowd, noticing everyone’s reactions.

Finally, she came to a conclusion, “This kind of bad behavior should never be encouraged!”

Among the onlookers, someone shouted, “Right! This kind of bad behavior should not be encouraged!”

Then, a few more voices joined in agreement:

“Yes, the Fu family didn’t do anything wrong either. Their door was closed, and someone forced their way in.”

“If you did something wrong, you should admit it…”

Yao Anguo hadn’t expected his words to cause such a stir, he was momentarily dumbfounded.

It was the sound of his daughter-in-law’s laughter that pulled his attention back.

Thinking about how his authority as team leader had been completely undermined, he glared at Fu Jingchen, “You still aren’t going to control your wife?”