Chapter 27: Apology!

Su Taotao pulled Fu Yuanhang behind her, shielding him.

“Quite the authority you have, Brigade Leader, bringing your power trip to our home, huh? Hard work and simplicity have become begging because of your words?”

Su Taotao pinched her small chin and slowly circled around Fu Dabo.

“Indeed, you’re the biggest official in our team, so it’s only natural for you to wear good clothes and shoes. But when we wear something nice or eat well, it becomes illegal? You’re accusing me of speculation without any evidence. What about you? With your monthly subsidy as a brigade leader, can you afford your clothes or even a few packs of Double Happiness cigarettes? Did you obtain them through embezzlement and bribery?”

Anyone can throw accusations without proof.

Fu Dabo’s face turned redder than the door god Guan Yu on the gate. He slammed his hand on the armrest:

“Bold! It’s our misfortune for eight lifetimes that the Fu family married a daughter-in-law like you. You dare to be defiant after making mistakes, insulting elders, and falsely accusing others. Do you think I can’t take you to the police station right now?”

As soon as Fu Dabo finished speaking, a little ball of flesh rushed out from behind Su Taotao and kicked him hard in the leg with all her strength, raising her little face and hitting him with her small fists: “Bad person! Don’t scold mommy! Go away!”

Before Su Taotao could react, Fu Yuanhang quickly picked up Chenchen and stepped back, both the older and younger children glaring angrily at Fu Dabo.

Su Taotao, who was ready to fight with her arms akimbo, suddenly wasn’t angry anymore. She chuckled and pinched the little one’s face, saying softly: “Chenchen is right. Some people are truly bad. When we were struggling, the mighty brigade leader never visited, afraid we would ask for help. Now that we’re doing a bit better, they’re jealous, wishing us bad luck. When you grow up, Chenchen, don’t become such a bad person, okay?”

As Su Taotao finished speaking, Zhou Linglan returned from work. Not knowing how much she had heard, she saw her younger son with red eyes and even Chenchen looking angry, making her expression even more unpleasant: “If there’s no important matter, why would Uncle Dabo visit today?”

Ever since becoming the brigade leader, no one had ever dared to be disrespectful to Fu Dabo. Being scolded in such a manner was unheard of, not even by elders. Today, not only was he ridiculed and mocked by Su Taotao, but he was also hit by a descendant who could barely walk. Losing all his dignity, he naturally vented his anger on his incompetent sister-in-law:

“Look at yourself. You’re weak and useless. Your good-for-nothing son and grandson dare to defy elders. If we don’t deal with this now, they’ll dare to do worse things in the future, maybe even cuckold Zhengtu. I advise you to send this daughter-in-law back to her family before she brings shame to our ancestors!”

Su Taotao was amused by his words. Pulling Zhou Linglan behind her, she said:

“I’ve seen shameless people, but you’re in a league of your own. You come here to bully us, a widow and orphans, and then blame us for being weak? You’ve already shamed the Fu family’s ancestors. What else is there to lose?

You accuse me of speculation, but where’s your evidence? You claim I cuckolded Fu Zhengtu, but where’s your proof? I’m reporting you for embezzlement and bribery right now. Let’s go to the commune and let the secretary and the police decide. I’m putting my words out there. If you can’t provide evidence today, I’ll make sure your role as brigade leader ends!”

Naturally, Fu Dabo had no evidence, only hearsay and his own speculations. Faced with Su Taotao’s confident attitude and baseless accusations, he felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him, bringing him to his senses.

He took out an accusation letter and slammed it on the table: “This is the report. You go to the county town every market day and return with large packages and stewed meat. The neighbors can testify to this. Isn’t that right?

Only Zhengtu’s mother goes to work in your family. How many labor credits does she earn? Where did the clothes and shoes you’re wearing come from? People naturally suspect you of speculation undermining socialism. Otherwise, where would the money and tickets come from? It’s not that I’m targeting you without reason; someone reported it, and I have to investigate. Why are you being so defiant?”

Having been a brigade leader for many years, he knew how to adapt. Seeing Su Taotao’s counterattack, he switched back to an official tone, showing his experience.

Su Taotao couldn’t be bothered to waste words with such an old fox. She went to her room and brought out an employment contract:

“I earn my money with my own abilities. Do I need to report to the brigade leader if I want to eat or dress better? Open your eyes and take a good look. I go to work in the county town every market day. I not only get paid but also receive grain and fabric tickets. What’s wrong with buying meat and clothes? Do I need to report to you in advance?”

Fu Dabo was astonished. How could this be? Su Taotao was known in the commune as a lazy woman. How could such a good-for-nothing leech get a job? No unit would hire her, right?

After reading the contract in disbelief, he remained silent for a while before saying: “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Su Taotao sneered: “With the brigade leader being so mighty, did you give me a chance to speak when you barged in and started scolding?”

Fu Dabo clenched his back teeth. He had no idea this niece-in-law was so articulate. In an argument, even ten of him couldn’t match her.

He left with a final word: “Watch your step in the future, or people will have something to talk about.”

And with that, he turned to leave.

Su Taotao called out to stop him, “Wait, Village Captain, did you forget something?”

Uncle Fu secretly clenched his fists. “I came to understand the situation based on reports from the masses. Other than giving the masses an explanation, what else could be the matter?”

“An apology!” Su Taotao moved in front of him, blocking his way. “Do you have a habit of storming into people’s homes, exerting your authority, and then leaving? My family won’t stand by and let anyone insult us without cause.”

Uncle Fu stared at his niece-in-law. In the past, he had thought the second brother’s family was useless. It didn’t matter that the second brother had been good at studying and had a good job; he died early. His wife was too weak to be of any help to the family. As for his eldest nephew, despite being capable, he was never home and had married an educated youth who was of no use to the family. None of them were of any help to the clan at all.

To be honest, ever since the second brother died, he had never thought much of this family. If they didn’t become a burden, that was enough for him.

And now, he was being forced to bow his head to this useless person he had never taken seriously.

“Let bygones be bygones. I’m still your uncle, after all. It’s not necessary to make a big deal out of me scolding you on behalf of my deceased brother.”

Su Taotao wasn’t buying it. “Then I’ll thank you on behalf of my father-in-law. But we don’t need an uncle who calls my brother a beggar. Even if we were beggars, we wouldn’t be begging at your doorstep. My mother-in-law may be weak and easy to bully, but that doesn’t mean you can bully her. As for you scolding me for being disrespectful to my elders, I admit it. I don’t respect you. I can let it slide that you accused me of speculation and adultery, since I’ve already scolded you back and didn’t lose out.

But you must apologize to Yuanhang and my mother-in-law for their sake. They didn’t say a word in response to you. If you don’t, I’ll say it again: see you at the commune. If you don’t want others to find out, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place. You, the mighty captain, know what you’ve done. Heaven knows, you know, and I know. We’ve never crossed paths before, and I’ve never done anything to harm others for no benefit. But you’ve pushed too far today, and I don’t mind making an exception.”

Uncle Fu could hear the threat in Su Taotao’s words. In her eyes, he was nothing but a madwoman. He knew very well that if he didn’t apologize, she would really go to the commune to report him.

Uncle Fu had been the captain for many years and had managed to stay in power for a reason. Many people couldn’t match his ability to adapt and bend when necessary.

“Ah Hang, I was just angry earlier. Don’t take those words to heart. The same goes for Second Brother’s wife. Your family has married a good wife. She truly brings honor to the family.”

With that half-serious, half-sarcastic remark, Uncle Fu headed straight for the door.

Su Taotao didn’t continue to hold him back but watched his back and said, “If someone falsely accuses me again, Captain, make sure to investigate thoroughly before visiting. Once you’re inside our gate, it won’t be so easy to leave.”

Uncle Fu didn’t stop for a moment and continued walking toward the main gate.

This Uncle Fu was quite something. If Su Taotao hadn’t known about his past misdeeds, she wouldn’t have dared to challenge him like this. But compared to the grievances that Zhou Linglan and Fu Yuanhang had endured over the years, this little “bending” was really nothing.

There was no benefit in offending him, but people lived for their dignity. She couldn’t bear to see her family being pushed around any longer. If she kept enduring it, she would lose her spirit and dignity. Even little Chenchen, at such a young age, knew how to protect her. How could she, as a mother, stay silent?

Ever since her husband passed away, Zhou Linglan had been suppressed by Uncle Fu’s family. They had never offered any help. Even in the production team, Zhou Linglan was assigned the farthest, most labor-intensive work with the fewest labor credits. According to Uncle Fu, as the captain, he had to set an example and couldn’t show favoritism by securing benefits for his own family.

Zhou Linglan had really had the misfortune of having such a “family member.”

Zhou Linglan knew very well that Aunt Fu and her daughters-in-law were assigned the easiest jobs with the highest work credits. If she could, she wouldn’t want this captain of a brother-in-law at all, but what could she do? She didn’t dare to speak out against him.

Today, this high and mighty captain actually apologized to her and even apologized to Yuanhang. It was truly a day that brought honor to the family.

Zhou Linglan felt deeply ashamed. “I’m just useless.”

“Mom, I’ll say it again. An upright person has nothing to hide. You and Yuanhang should really learn from Chenchen—stand tall and be proud. If you can’t stand up for yourself, no one can hold you up forever.”

Su Taotao knew that many people from her time who had traveled back in time tried to make quick money through the black market, but she didn’t want to do that. For one, she knew she had Fu Zhengtu as a backer. For another, she didn’t want to give anyone a reason to catch her out. Anyway, it wouldn’t be long before the reform and opening up. When that time came, she could do whatever she wanted. She was determined to live with integrity and dignity, no matter what others said. She would hold her head high and live a clean life. If people said she was unforgiving, she would admit it.

Su Taotao picked up Chenchen and kissed his chubby little face. “Chenchen was great today. You knew how to protect Mom. I’ll make you something delicious, my love.”

Watching his sister-in-law’s strong and proud back, Fu Yuanhang unconsciously straightened his back. He vowed to become a man of strength and honor, protecting his family so that his sister-in-law wouldn’t always have to bear the brunt of everything.