Bai Taotao returned home.

She was forced to.

In truth, she had wanted to continue following Song Zhi and absorbing spiritual energy, but the enraged Bai Lili and Bai Xingxing dragged her back home.

Bai Taotao was angry as she sat on the kang bed with puffed-up cheeks.

Bai Lili and Bai Xingxing were even angrier. They recounted the events of the afternoon to Tang Liren and Tan Fenghui, one word at a time.

Tang Liren’s face darkened. She squinted at her husband, Bai Zhengqian with fierce eyes.

Bai Zhengqian chuckled nervously and quickly changed the subject. “…I wonder how Nansheng has been doing lately, haha.”

Seeing that the situation was not good, Tan Fenghui hurriedly ushered her sisters-in-law and the children out of the room.

As soon as her daughters-in-law, daughters, and grandchildren left, Tang Liren planted her hands on her hips and stood up. She grabbed Bai Zhengqian’s ear, twisted it hard, and scolded him furiously, “Taozi was bullied right under your nose, and you let her take this lying down?”

Bai Zhengqian, who had a bad back, couldn’t dodge. He endured the pain and tried to smile. “Our Taotao wasn’t wronged. Everyone knows she’s well-behaved. It’s Yan Naqian stirring up trouble…”

Tang Liren shouted angrily, “Nonsense! They say to have a stepmother is to have a stepfather. I’m not even dead yet, and you want to act like one? Let me tell you, anyone who dares bully my Taozi will have to step over my dead body! And even if I’m dead, if anyone dares lay a finger on her, I’ll crawl out of my grave and drag them down before I rest again!”

Bai Taoji was deeply moved. She threw herself into Tang Liren’s arms. “Mom! Dad’s hurt!”

Tang Liren hugged her soft and fragrant daughter. Though her tone softened, her attitude remained firm. “What’s there to feel sorry for? He’s a father who can’t even protect his child. He doesn’t deserve sympathy!”

“Dad’s back hurts!” Bai Taotao said. “…And Taotao’s hurt too!”

Tang Liren grew nervous immediately. “Oh no, Taozi, where does it hurt?” She ignored the first half of her daughter’s words.

Bai Taotao looked at her mother with teary peach blossom eyes. “Taozi’s heart aches!”

Bai Zhengqian was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

Tang Liren, however, felt jealous. “He didn’t even taken care of you, and you’re still worried about him!”

“Taozi’s heart aches because Dad’s back hurts, and Mom is upset!” Bai Taotao said.

Tang Liren’s eyes reddened. She glared at Bai Zhengqian. “Look! Such a good daughter, and you don’t care for her!”

“I do care for her!” Bai Zhengqian felt terrible.

Tang Liren said, “Then why did you let Yan Naqian bully my Taozi? I don’t care—I’m going to get justice for her! You stay home and watch over Taotao. I’m leaving now!”

Bai Zhengqian didn’t dare respond. He watched helplessly as Tang Liren stormed out of the house.

After some thought, he called out to her, “Hey! She’s got fifty yuan, along with cloth and pastry tickets!”

“Got it!” Tang Liren yelled back from outside before disappearing.

The Educated Youth Station wasn’t peaceful either.

Jiang Hongzhi and Song Zhi stood face to face, their expressions hostile and their eyes cold, like two fighting cocks.

Song Zhi frowned. “What do you mean the dormitory is full?”

Jiang Hongzhi said, “Exactly what it sounds like!”

Song Zhi replied, “Then can I assume you’re targeting me? After all, I’m familiar with the basic situation in Ruyi Village. I’ve been inside the male dormitory at the Educated Youth Station, and there are clearly still vacant beds.”

Jiang Hongzhi: …

“Song Zhi, do you realize you’re attacking me personally?” Jiang Hongzhi was so angry he trembled.

At this moment, Tang Liren arrived in a hurry. From a distance, she saw the two of them facing off like roosters. As she got closer and overheard their conversation, she had a rough idea of what was going on. She patted Song Zhi on the shoulder and said, “Xiao Song, if you have any trouble, just let your Uncle Zhengqian know!”

Then she walked to the Educated Youth Station’s entrance, planted her hands on her hips, and bellowed—

“Yan Naqian, get out here!”

The entire Educated Youth Station, as well as everyone within five hundred meters, fell silent.

Jiang Hongzhi abandoned Song Zhi and rushed over. “Aunt Tang, w-what are you…?”

Tang Liren shot him a sideways glance. “Hongzhi, aunt knows you’ve always favored Yan Naqian… but let me give you some advice: this matter has nothing to do with you. You’d best stay out of it to save face later. You know I’m straightforward and never beat around the bush.”

Jiang Hongzhi wasn’t stupid. He knew Tang Liren had come to defend her daughter, Bai Taotao.

Everyone in Ruyi Village knew how much Tang Liren cherished Bai Taotao. Even Yan Naqian knew. Yet, she still thought she could use Bai Taotao as a scapegoat?

Remembering Tang Liren’s fighting power, Jiang Hongzhi couldn’t stay any longer. Stammering, he said, “Aunt, it’s really unfortunate, but I—I need to visit the production team. I… I’ll go now.”

Before he could finish, Tang Liren waved him off. He bolted before she could say another word.

By then, everyone inside the Educated Youth Station had heard Tang Liren’s voice. No one dared stay inside and quickly filed out.

Tang Liren marched in like a general. “Yan Naqian! Don’t play dead…”

Jia Xiaohong greeted her enthusiastically. “Taotao’s mom, you’re here to see Sister Naqian? I’ll take you to her!”

She then led Tang Liren to Yan Naqian’s bed.

And there Yan Naqian was, lying on the bed, pretending to be dead.

This was her own fault. In a moment of impulsiveness, she had thought Bai Taotao was a gullible fool and easy to deceive. She had forgotten about the terrifying fighting power of the fool’s mother, Tang Liren.

What should she do now?

Yan Naqian figured her only option was to appear pitiful, though she now hated Jia Xiaohong to the core for adding fuel to the fire.

When Tang Liren saw Yan Naqian lying still on the bed, she sneered coldly. “Oh my, Naqian, are you feeling unwell? Could it be… you’re pregnant? How many months? Is it with Bai Shikeng’s child? Oh dear, why didn’t that old rascal say so! Don’t worry, Naqian. I’ll go tell everyone right now. We’ll make sure your wedding is settled quickly so your baby has a proper name!”

With that, Tang Liren turned to leave!

Yan Naqian bolted upright in shock and fury. “I’m not! Don’t spread lies!”

Tang Liren kept walking, laughing as she said, “Naqian, you really have great taste! Bai Shikeng has seniority. If you marry him, you’ll be my aunt! Who in this village wouldn’t have to call you ‘Grandma’? And his family background is excellent—not just three generations of poor peasants but seventeen or eighteen generations! This is such a good match…”

Yan Naqian jumped out of bed, caught up to Tang Liren, and clung to her, crying, “Auntie, are you trying to drive me to my death?”

Tang Liren stopped, looked down at Yan Naqian, and suddenly raised her hand. With a resounding slap, she struck Yan Naqian across the face!

Yan Naqian was stunned by the slap.

Tang Liren gritted her teeth and asked, “Then when you bullied my Taotao, weren’t you also driving her to her death?!”

Yan Naqian covered her face, speechless.

Tang Liren continued, “You went to great lengths, carefully scheming to use our Taotao as your scapegoat. Didn’t you pick her because she’s honest and wouldn’t speak up even if she suffered? Oh, so I can’t wrong you, but you can wrong my daughter?”

Yan Naqian: …

She looked around, hoping to find someone to help her. Ideally, Jiang Hongzhi would be here… but as she scanned the room, all she saw were people like Jia Xiaohong, who were just here to watch her make a fool of herself.

Yan Naqian bit her lip and slowly sank to the floor. “Auntie, I—I’m not feeling well…”

Feigning illness was her only option!

Tang Liren smiled and raised her voice. “Comrade Jia Xiaohong, could you please go to the village committee and borrow an ox cart? I’ll take Educated Youth Yan Naqian to the town health center right away! And then I’ll make sure to properly explain Educated Youth Yan Naqian’s pregnancy situation…”

Jia Xiaohong responded loudly, “Got it!”

Yan Naqian quickly stood up. “I—I’m fine!”

Tang Liren immediately called out to Jia Xiaohong again, “Comrade Xiaohong, please wait a moment. Since Comrade Yan Naqian is feeling fine, let’s continue discussing the matter first.”

Jia Xiaohong stopped in her tracks.

Yan Naqian looked distressed. “Auntie, I’ve already apologized to Taotao in front of the whole village. Uncle was there too…”

Tang Liren laughed. “Just an apology, and everything’s settled?” Then her smile vanished. “Does that mean Bai Shikeng just needs to apologize to you, and the production team won’t have to pay you fifty yuan and cloth and pastry tickets anymore?”

Yan Naqian suddenly understood—Tang Liren was after money and coupons?

She looked at Tang Liren differently. “Auntie, Uncle Zhengqian was the one who told me to apologize to Taotao, and I did as he said… How about you go talk to Uncle Zhengqian again?”

Tang Liren smiled. “Sure! I’ll go.”

Then she turned and walked off!

Yan Naqian was dumbfounded—was Tang Liren really that easy to fool?

But just as Tang Liren was leaving, she began speaking loudly to Jia Xiaohong. “Yan Naqian is so strange. Even our great leader said women can hold up half the sky! Yet she’s a so-called intellectual still clinging to outdated ideas about men being the breadwinners and women staying at home? In my house, I call the shots, and even your Uncle listens to me. Since Yan Naqian thinks only men’s opinions matter, I guess I’ll have to go talk to her man instead…”

Jia Xiaohong played along, “Who’s her man?”

Tang Liren replied, “Bai Shikeng, of course! Yan Naqian’s already pregnant—why is she still pretending?”

Yan Naqian exploded. “I’m not pregnant! Tang Liren, stop making things up! I’ll sue you for slander!”

Tang Liren stopped and turned around, smirking. “Go ahead and sue! Worst-case scenario, I’ll apologize to you in front of the whole village. Isn’t that enough? Didn’t you ruin my daughter’s reputation and make her give false testimony? Wasn’t an apology enough for that?”

Then she narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Yan Naqian, let me make this clear. If you don’t give my Taotao an explanation, I can apologize to you in front of the whole village every single day! Or even multiple times a day!”

Yan Naqian bit her lip.

—This Tang Liren! She was blatantly threatening her! But Yan Naqian knew she was in the wrong. How could she have been so foolish to provoke Bai Taotao in the first place?

But no matter what, she couldn’t let her own reputation be ruined!

Yan Naqian had no choice but to give in. “Auntie, here’s the thing… After I came back, I also felt bad for Taotao. How about this—I’ll compensate Taotao with ten yuan. Is that okay?”

Tang Liren sneered. “Eighty yuan, plus cloths and pastry tickets.”

Yan Naqian’s eyes widened. “Are you a robber?!”

Tang Liren said, “You don’t have to give it! Honestly, I’d rather apologize to you in front of the whole village every single day!” Then she turned to leave.

Yan Naqian panicked. “Auntie! Wait—”

But Tang Liren ignored her and strode out of the Educated Youth Station.

The villagers had heard that Tang Liren had come to confront Yan Naqian, and a few curious women had gathered outside to watch the drama unfold. However, no one dared to go inside because of Tang Liren’s formidable reputation.

When they saw Tang Liren step out, someone quickly approached her. “Taotao’s mom, what happened to Yan Naqian?”

Tang Liren beamed and grabbed the woman’s hand. “Seventh Sister-in-law, I have great news. From now on, our clan won’t have to donate five pounds of rice each year to support Bai Sikang anymore!”

The woman’s face lit up. “Why’s that?”

Tang Liren grinned. “Because he’s about to get married…”

Yan Naqian rushed out of the station, panting. When she overheard Tang Liren’s words, she was terrified. She stepped forward and hugged Tang Liren and eagerly said, “Auntie, I agree! I agree!”

“What are you agreeing to?” Tang Liren said. “Honestly, whether Taotao was wronged isn’t even important anymore. What matters is that you, Educated Youth Yan, helped our village solve a big problem… You’re such a good person!”

“I’ll give Taotao eighty yuan, plus the cloth and pastry tickets!” Yan Naqian shouted.

Tang Liren smiled. “Are you giving it to me now?”

“I’ll give it to you right away!” Yan Naqian took the fifty yuan, cloth tickets and pastry tickets she had just received from her pocket and handed them over, looking like she was about to cry. “Auntie, this is all I have…”

Tang Liren pushed the money and tickets back into her hands. “Educated Youth Yan, keep it. I’ll wait until your wedding…”

Yan Naqian almost burst into tears and hurriedly shoved the money and tickets back at Tang Liren. Then she dug out a folded handkerchief from her pocket, the counted thirty yuan from it and handed it over too.

Tang Liren sighed. “Educated Youth Yan, I really don’t want to take your money… It must be so hard for you!”

“It’s very easy for me…”

Yan Naqian began to reply bitterly, then caught herself and quickly changed her words. “None of us have it easy, but Taotao mustn’t be wronged! Auntie, I beg you, please don’t let Taotao feel wronged…”

—Not only did she fail to keep any of the money or tickets, but she also ended up losing thirty yuan. If Bai Taotao still felt wronged, what would she do?

Tang Liren smiled. “Since you’re so sincere, I’ll talk to Taotao and make sure she lets this go!”

Yan Naqian tearfully nodded. “Thank you so much!”

Tang Liren walked away content, leaving behind a crowd of stunned villagers.

“What just happened? Why did Yan Naqian give Taozi’s mom so much money?”
“Was it because of what she did to Taotao today?”
“She handed over the money while crying, and Taozis mom didn’t even want to take it at first!”
“Why did Yan Naqian ask Taozi’s mom to take the money? Does she had any weaknesses that Taozi’s mom took advantage of?”
“Yan Naqian got fifty from the team but ended up losing eighty, hahaha…”
“Taozi’s mom is amazing!”

Yan Naqian had already planned how to spend the fifty yuan and tickets she received. But in the end—

—She didn’t get to keep a single cent, got slapped, and even lost thirty more yuan?

Yan Naqian burst into tears.

Taotao’s mom is my spirit animal 🤭