Her Second brother nicknamed Jiang Er-ge was quite friendly with her and Cheng Rushan, chatting with them about countryside matters.

Jiang Lin noticed that although he was tall, Jiang Er-ge seemed frail, like a gust of wind could knock him over.

His once handsome face was now sunken and his eyes unusually large, his nose high.

He became like this because of illness. He started working hard in Xinjiang when he was in junior high, a time when his ideals were just forming.

Filled with youthful enthusiasm, he volunteered for the Xinjiang Construction Corps.

Young and reckless, he threw himself into it without regard for his health.

Whether injured or sick, his body couldn’t handle the extreme climate, and within a few years, he was seriously ill.

What was once a robust young man grew thinner and weaker.

The year Jiang Lin went to the countryside, the family pulled all their strings to bring him back.

But with his poor health and the difficulty of finding a job through connections, he spent two years unemployed and often went hungry.

In 1973, they finally managed to secure enough food for him.

Jiang Da-ge(Eldest Brother) helped him get temporary work at the radio factory—low pay, unstable, no job security.

But it guaranteed him enough to eat, so he stayed as a temporary worker at the radio factory till now.

Because of his health and lack of a stable job, he still hasn’t found a partner.

He wanted to talk more with Jiang Lin, but speaking too much made him wheeze, so he quickly fell silent to avoid embarrassment.

Watching Jiang Da-ge and Jiang Er-ge, Jiang Lin felt uneasy.

Such a young man, yet already weathered by life.

She understood why her parents didn’t want Jiang Xinglei to go to the countryside—they only had this one healthy son.

Thinking this way, most of her anger towards Jiang Xinglei dissipated.

Considering the poor conditions at home, the cramped living space, Jiang Er-ge’s poor health and lack of a partner, and yet they still managed to scrape together money to send to the countryside, it was quite difficult.

Meng Yiyi constantly instigated Jiang Lin about going to the countryside, despite her parents arranging for Jiang Er-ge to return to the city and insisting Jiang Lin go to the countryside.

It made her feel like her parents were biased, favoring sons over daughters, and not valuing her as much as their three sons.

After dinner, Song Lijuan cleaned up the table and said to Jiang Xinglei, “Xiaolei, quickly take out the letter and show it to Mom and Dad, stop being naughty.”

Cheng Rushan took it out and handed it to Xu Aimei, “He forgot to give it to you, just gave it to me.”

Jiang Dongjian glared at Jiang Xinglei, “You little rascal, why are you hiding your sister’s letter?”

He turned around and grabbed a broom to hit his son.

Xu Aimei frowned, “Alright, don’t make a fuss in front of your son-in-law.” She’d wait until they left to continue.

In the end, Jiang Dongjian took his son to the bedroom and gave him a beating on the butt, making Jiang Xinglei cry out in pain, “Sister, help me, I won’t dare again.”

Hearing his pitiful cries, Jiang Lin couldn’t stand it, “Dad, that’s enough, let him learn his lesson.”

Finally, Jiang Dongjian let Jiang Xinglei go, came out, and resumed the conversation.

Jiang Xinglei’s mind raced as he sat beside Cheng Rushan, holding his sore bottom, feeling both fearful and hopeful.

He didn’t understand why he was eagerly anticipating something he feared so much, enduring the pain in silence.

Previously, the biggest concern for Jiang’s parents was their daughter possibly eloping with someone else, making them hesitant to write letters and afraid of causing trouble that could jeopardize their jobs.

Now, with their son-in-law visiting, everything was understood without needing to be said, so they weren’t worried anymore.

Upon learning about Meng Yiyi’s deception of their daughter, Xu Aimei’s initial reaction was to want to scold her daughter for being so foolish.

However, out of respect for Cheng Rushan’s dignity, she held back and only criticized Meng Yiyi, “I always knew Meng Yiyi was cunning. Turns out I was right.”

“Every time the letters come back, Huang Meini and Meng Kaiping start gossiping here.

They say how pitiful their daughter is in the countryside.

As parents, we should love our sons and daughters equally; they’re flesh of our flesh, after all.

As parents, we must tighten our belts and support them.

Ai Mei, let’s pool some money to send to Yi Yi. Why don’t you send any to your Linlin?

Look, Linlin has cut off ties with you, refusing to write even a letter.

Yi Yi can’t bear it and writes to us all the time. Xu Aimei received the letter Meng Yi Yi wrote. With her parents still pressing her like this, could she not send some money too?”

“So, it’s not entirely Xu Aimei’s willingness to send money. Half of it is actually pressured by Meng Yiyi’s parents.”

“I never expected it to be like this.”

Jiang Dongjian: “I’ll go talk to the couple and sort this out.”

Xu Aimei angrily said, “What’s there to talk about? I’m going to settle this with them right now! I’ve never seen such deception. Do they think we’re fools? They cheat people shamelessly, and we’re wrong to demand an explanation?”

Jiang Lin interjected, “Mom, I’ve already had Meng Yiyi repay the money.” She placed the money on the table. “It’s all here.”

Jiang Dongjian added, “Take what was sent to you.”

Song Lijuan was anxious; they were tight on money at home.

Jiang Erge needed medicine due to poor health, and Jiang Xinglei wasn’t working properly in the countryside, often coming home for meals.

This money could solve a big problem.

Xu Aimei hesitated for a moment, then pushed the money towards Jiang Lin. “Take it back; the whole family needs money.”

However, Jiang Lin didn’t want to take the money.

It was hard-earned by the Jiang family, and she felt obligated to return it.

Xu Aimei continued to hesitate until Cheng Rushan spoke up, “Mom, you should keep it. Our expenses are lower in the countryside.”

Xu Aimei sighed in relief and said to Jiang Dongjian, “Then… we’ll keep it for now. We can support the children more when we’re more financially secure.” She put away the money.

“The rumor-mongering definitely can’t escape her. It all started when their family received the letter two months ago. I’ll take her to see Director Fan and sort this out.” Xu Aimei stood up. “Lao Jiang, let’s go!”

Song Lijuan immediately rushed to open the door, only to see Huang Meini( Mother of Meng Yiyi ) rushing in from outside.

…

As soon as she entered, she burst into tears, wiping her eyes. “Linlin, we’ve been good to you, why are you so harsh? You came back and had Director Fan take our Yi Yi away!”

Her voice was loud, audible to neighbors in the courtyard, who peeked out to see what was going on.

Jiang Dongjian suddenly felt uncomfortable all over, urging her to speak calmly and not cry so loudly, which made them the subject of gossip.

Huang Meini had gauged their temperament precisely.

They were thin-skinned and cared about their reputation, afraid of being gossiped about.

Seeing Jiang Dongjian’s wavering, she cried even harder. “Jiang Big Brother, Aimei, we’ve been good neighbors for years. Please don’t cut us off completely. Yi Yi is about to return to work at the factory. Are you intentionally ruining her job? This could ruin her life!”

Xu Aimei had already intended to confront her about the matter.

Now, she was being accused first, and anger coursed through her veins.

Yiyi taken away by Director Fan? Good for her!

Initially concerned about gossip, Xu Aimei was now consumed with anger, thinking about how this family had conspired against her daughter, deceived them for money, and spread rumors that Yiyi had eloped.

With a swift stride, Xu Aimei stepped forward and slapped Huang Meini out of the door.

Despite her anger, her voice remained surprisingly steady. “Let’s clear things up in front of the neighbors. You’ve really shown your true colors to Linlin—coaxing her into foolish acts for your benefit. You fooled us into sending money for our daughter, but not a penny went to our child. Instead, you sent it back to subsidize yourselves! After all these years as good neighbors, is this how you repay us?”

Huang Meini, holding her face, cried as she defended herself, “Even if the child is wrong, we could have handled it privately. Why go public? A fly doesn’t bite an unsealed egg; it takes two to tango. If this gets out, who will save face?”

Xu Aimei was furious. “We may be naive, but not enough to deserve being treated like bloodsuckers! You accuse us of sabotaging your work and spreading rumors about our daughter. Aren’t you trying to destroy her? How dare you commit such disgusting acts and then try to play the victim? You’re infuriating!”

Enraged, Xu Aimei aimed another slap at Huang Meini, almost beside herself.

Huang Meini sought sympathy and support from the neighbors, “Children fight and play; must we involve the authorities? Isn’t this ruining her reputation? Yiyi still has to live her life. Let’s all discuss this, shall we?”

Jiang Lin spoke coldly, “Your daughter’s misdeeds have been exposed, and now you’re trying to use pity to pressure us.

Where was this concern before her deeds were revealed?

When she sent money back to you, where was your objection then?

Your hypocrisy is shameless!

Someone with her vile character shouldn’t have the privilege to work alongside everyone else in the factory.

It would lower everyone’s standards, making people think our auto parts factory is filled with such manipulative people!”

Jiang Lin’s words immediately made the neighbors feel they couldn’t associate with bad people and began expressing their disapproval.

Huang Meini didn’t expect to be targeted by Jiang Dongjian’s family, so she felt embarrassed by Jiang Lin and Xu Aimei.

The neighbors also criticized Meng Yiyi.

“Ah—Are you trying to drive us to our deaths? We all live in the same courtyard, how can you be so unforgiving!”

Cheng Rushan interrupted her emotional outburst calmly, “Ma’am, was it your family that spread the rumor about my wife eloping with someone else’s son?”

Huang Meini was startled and quickly denied, “Of course not! Are we such gossipmongers? Yi Yi was worried about Linlin, she spent money for Linlin, didn’t she? The child was hungry, so we needed to fill her stomach! Can you easily spread such harmful rumors? Absolutely not!”

Cheng Rushan didn’t press further, just smiled, “If you say no, I’ll believe you for now. But if I find out otherwise, I won’t be happy.”

Huang Meini sensed his straightforward demeanor and became anxious.

Of course, the rumor originated from her.

When Yiyi wrote back, saying Jiang Lin planned to elope with someone else’s son, she warned them not to spread it.

But how could she resist?

She kept quiet at first, but couldn’t hold it in after dinner and told someone in the courtyard, cautioning them not to spread it.

Eventually, she didn’t know who leaked it, and the whole factory was gossiping.

Besides the elopement story, other rumors, like Jiang Lin having affairs throughout the village, also surfaced.

She didn’t mean to.

Xu Aimei interjected, “It started right after you received the letter from the countryside two months ago.”

Huang Meini refused to admit it, knowing there was no evidence.

She argued her case confidently, claiming innocence even if it was far-fetched.

“We admit to the money issue, but don’t try to blame our Yiyi for something she didn’t do! Show us the evidence!”

She was confident the Jiang family couldn’t produce evidence because no one would admit to spreading her gossip further, which would implicate them in spreading rumors.

Huang Meini was unnerved by Cheng Rushan’s piercing gaze and quickly fled.

Xu Aimei wanted to chase after her, but Cheng Rushan said, “Mom, don’t chase her. Let’s wait until we have evidence of her spreading rumors.”

Xu Aimei was still furious and couldn’t calm down. “What kind of person is she? After so many years as neighbors, she would deceive us like this.”

Even neighbors who previously had strained relationships with Xu Aimei came over to express sympathy and condemn Huang Meini’s family.

Song Lijuan passionately elaborated on how Meng Yiyi had schemed to harm Jiang Lin, embellishing the story for the neighbors.

Neighbors from all around, not just their courtyard, came to inquire upon hearing the commotion.

After listening, they expressed shock and disbelief, lamenting that appearances could be deceiving.

“She used to say such nice things, and we were all fooled by her.”

“Yeah, she always praised how kind Yi Yi was to everyone. Who knew there was this side to her?”

“I actually suspected Yi Yi’s malicious intentions years ago. Even as kids, I could tell. When we played together, she was always tricking others into sharing their food or wearing their new shoes. I told my kids not to play with her. Only your Linlin continued to be friends with her.”

“You never really know someone’s true nature! From now on, we’ll keep our distance from their family.”

“Let’s go, let’s go over to their courtyard and have a word with them.” They immediately teamed up and headed to Meng’s residence to continue their discussion.

With their gossip spreading, soon everyone in the area knew what had happened, and Meng’s family reputation was thoroughly tarnished.