Before leaving, Lin Shu pulled Lin Yue aside and began her dramatic performance again, “Little brother, don’t blame me. It hasn’t been easy for me these years.”

Her eyes reddened as she started to shed tears.

Switching from a dramatic display to feigned misery, she certainly left Lin Yue feeling bewildered and helpless.

Lin Yue, being soft-hearted, hurried to wipe her tears. “Sister, sister, don’t cry. If you have any difficulties, just tell your younger brother.”

Lin Shu gave him a look of disdain, thinking, “You and your father are both full of bluster. What good is it to talk to you? You’re just saying things.”

Lin Yue asked, “Is it your mother-in-law making things difficult for you? Or is it the sisters-in-law bullying you?”

Lin Shu retorted, “Can you help me fight them or scold them?”

Lin Yue replied, “My mother-in-law certainly isn’t that kind of person.”

He didn’t dare to say more.

Tiantian and Panpan, already tired of explaining, added, “Grandma treats our mother very well!”

Lin Shu took out two coins and generously handed them to Lin Yue. “You take these to pay the men who carry the sewing machine back. My mother-in-law will be even happier. Little brother, it hurts me to see you hurt, so use this money to buy some candy. Sweeten your mouth.”

Although Lin Yue wanted the money, he felt his heart swell with emotion, seeing his sister struggling without a husband and caring for two children. “Sister, if you’re in such difficulty, how can I take your money?”

Lin Shu, hearing this, took back the two coins and added a dime to the one Lin Mother gave him. “Then buy a box of Fengshou cigarettes to share with everyone.”

Lin Yue was speechless.

He felt that his sister was truly not normal and had become a completely different person.

He thought she might be losing her mind.

He genuinely felt for her.

He didn’t take the twenty cents and said, “Sister, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to return it to you and ensure that your mother-in-law doesn’t use this as an excuse against you.”

Lin Shu wiped her tears and smiled through them. “Little brother, I always knew you were a real man! Go on.”

Lin Yue left with a sense of mission, as if he had a high-energy background soundtrack, striding with determination to save his sister from her plight, feeling much more heroic in his own eyes.

Despite being 22, Lin Yue was still much like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, growing older but not wiser—a gullible fool.

Lin Shu gave the two coins to Lin Mother.

Since her two older sisters regularly sent money for Lin Mother’s support, she naturally contributed as the third daughter.

She deliberately gave a bit less compared to her two sisters—if they sent five yuan, she gave two yuan.

Lin Father said, “We don’t need your money. You should keep it for yourself. You’re already taking care of two children, which is not easy.”

Lin Shu deliberately replied, “It’s fine. This is what a daughter should do—showing respect and filial piety to her parents.”

“We can’t just talk about retirement; it needs to be put into action. In the future, don’t just look at what people say, but see what they actually do.”

Well, this was directed at Sun Xiaohong, who talked sweetly to people but didn’t offer any benefits.

She manipulated her in-laws and husband, squeezing and shaping them to her will.

If Lin Shu didn’t create some trouble for Sun Xiaohong, she would be failing her mission in this new life.

She felt like she was helping her parents suppress Sun Xiaohong, so they wouldn’t live their lives in a corner, feeling helpless.

After all, her parents would be quite miserable under Sun Xiaohong’s rule in their old age.

Hearing this, Lin’s father began to wipe his tears.

Pan Pan and Tian Tian, one on each side, wiped his tears and said, “Grandpa, don’t cry. My grandfather was a barefoot doctor and very skilled, earning a… six or seven cents a day. You only earn about three cents a day working, right?”

Lin’s father, who had been crying a moment ago, was now inspired with a competitive spirit. “Kids, Grandpa is very skilled too. I can do carpentry work, and being a barefoot doctor is also easy. Your grandfather was great, but not that extraordinary. He…”

Lin’s mother suddenly interjected, “He wasn’t so amazing. At least he had his wife bear him three daughter.”

Pan Pan and Tian Tian’s eyes widened in shock.

Lin’s father’s face turned red. “You, you old woman, why are you saying such things in front of the children?”

Lin’s mother felt aggrieved, “If we had three sons, who would dare bully us? It’s just that we have fewer sons. There’s one in the big house, one in our house, and the two daughters are married so far away. With no men around, we can’t stand up for ourselves.”

Does she want to be submissive?

Isn’t it because they couldn’t win in conflicts or fights?

Seeing this, Lin Shu started stirring the pot, “Who says you need men to back you up? If you women fight and argue, let it be. If men get involved, it becomes a brawl, and the police or militia will come.

The key is to become strong yourself.

Look at the Lu family. My father-in-law is kind and honest, and my elder and second brothers-in-law are also honest, yet no one dares to bully them, right?

Isn’t it because my mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law are tough? No one dares to bully them. When the old Chang family spoke ill of me, my mother-in-law slapped their faces, and Song Chunfang was beaten down. Did the police get involved?”

Women’s fights are handled by the women’s committee.

Men’s fights are handled by the police.

It’s a different matter.

Lin Shu continued with her brainwashing, “From now on, if anyone speaks ill of you, just go up and slap their face, claw at them to death. The strong fear the tough, and the tough fear those who are fearless. If you’re fearless, they won’t dare to provoke you.”

Lin’s mother glared at her.

Lin Shu commented, “If I can’t even handle you, who can I handle?”

It’s truly remarkable—this daughter must have had her soul swapped by the old Lu family.

Lin Shu continued, “You should confront your daughter-in-law. It’s usually the mother-in-law who deals with the daughter-in-law, but why is it that you’re being controlled by the daughter-in-law?”

Lin Mother worriedly replied, “What if the old Sun family comes to cause trouble…”

Panpan quickly reassured, “Don’t worry, Grandma. If the Sun family dares to come over, I’ll get my… my grandmother and my eldest aunt to help you. My grandma can handle ten of them with no problem.”

Everyone was speechless.

Just then, Lin Shu’s Aunt from next door peeked her head over the wall.

She knew Lin Shu’s return might bring some trouble.

How could you come back to your natal home before your husband’s hundred-day mourning period is over?

Doesn’t this disrupt the family’s luck?

What kind of unthinking family allows their daughter-in-law to return to her natal home during her mourning period?

The scene she saw with Lin Shu causing chaos in her natal home was unsettling.

If she stayed, it would definitely cause a disaster for the family.

When Lin Shu saw Lin’s Aunt peeking, she was about to greet her and offer some peaches, but she quickly withdrew her head.

Lin Shu thought, “It’s like trying to hit a gopher.”

Although Lin Shu had caused a scene before, she became a well-behaved and dutiful daughter once she got the sewing machine.

She gave money, helped sew quilts, and the atmosphere settled down.

Whether it’s parents or children, no matter how intense the arguments, they will eventually reconcile.

It was much easier now compared to when Sun Xiaohong was at home.

Sun Xiaohong was always picky, and when she was unhappy, she would throw tantrums and create trouble.

Lin Mother, while often scolding, had no real temper when it came to her daughter-in-law.

She had always been submissive.

That afternoon, Lin Shu helped with sewing quilts and simultaneously tried to brainwash her parents.

She went from discussing history to the Lu family to the neighbors’ affairs, emphasizing that if someone bullied them, they should go mad and be reckless—making everyone afraid.

Tiantian and Panpan chimed in to support Lin Shu.

Tiantian said, “That’s what the little books say too. We need to use our wits and courage to deal with the enemies.”

Panpan added, “Grandma, you need to use your brains. If you can’t beat her yourself, can’t you get others to help? If she scolds you, let others help you scold her. If she hits you, just lie on the ground and let others help you fight. When people on the street bully me, I just get Huahua and Honghong to beat them up. Who dares to hit me? My grandma will beat them too!”

He turned to Lin Father and asked, “Why don’t you and Grandma hit those who bully my mother?”

Lin Father was momentarily stunned.

This was completely different from his usual understanding.

He had been taught from a young age that being simple and honest is the way of life.

Don’t cause trouble; when faced with problems, be patient and avoid confrontation.

Enduring hardship can be a blessing. If someone scolds you, avoid them; if someone hits you, avoid them.

If you provoke them, the situation will only worsen, and you’ll end up suffering.

Also, if someone is just talking, it doesn’t hurt you—people have their own mouths, and you can’t control them.

Pan Pan: “Grandpa, people always say bad things about us, which affects our reputation. Reputation is a valuable asset. My mother is now being praised by the county police and commune leaders. My mother’s reputation is like this!”

He gave a thumbs up.

Tian Tian also nodded: “Grandpa, Grandma, you should also do something to get the leaders’ praise so that no one dares to bully you. Bullying you is like bullying the leaders. That’s what my grandfather said!”