She clearly deserved a good beating.

You rely on your frailty, thinking that Fang Dihua, being a strong woman, won’t dare to strike you, right?

Well, fine. I’m also delicate. Let’s consider it even; we’re evenly matched.

Xu Mother is most afraid of others not acknowledging her suffering and hardship. She fears that her trials and tribulations might be denied.

So, Lin Shu decided to deny her suffering and claim that she was just making trouble for herself.

She would criticize Xu Mother’s son for being unfilial, and not only refuse to praise Xu Mother’s greatness but also question both her and her son’s true worth.

Let’s see how she reacts.

With this in mind, Lin Shu immediately put on a smile and warmly linked her arm with Xu Mu’s, speaking loudly:

“Aunt, my mother-in-law always says that you are such a kind and virtuous person, that I wouldn’t be bringing up children in vain.”

“I used to doubt it, thinking that your Xu family wanted to take advantage of me. Not only did you not give my little sister a dowry, but Xu Shihua also took away my little sister’s job. Look at him—he’s so inconsiderate!”

Lin Shu emphasized Xu Shihua’s name, making sure everyone heard clearly, spreading the word about Xu Shihua’s reputation.

Xu Mu’s face changed color in anger, trembling all over, and she opened her mouth to retort, “You… you’re talking nonsense. My son…”

Lin Shu quickly interjected with a bright tone, “Aunt, don’t be upset. Xu Shihua is inconsiderate, but it’s not your fault. You didn’t provoke him. You see, he’s a big man who doesn’t come home right away after work, leaving his wife to grind flour and fetch water, his mother to feed the pigs, and his sister-in-law to look after the hai children. Oh, I misunderstood. I apologize to you, Aunt. You’re not stingy; it’s Xu Shihua who’s unreasonable.”

Lin Shu’s voice was sweet and melodious, despite being loud.

It was pleasing to hear, almost like a performance, and left people wanting to hear more.

Jin Ping’er and several other women joined in.

The old man was there, praising Mother Xu all around. “She’s such a kind-hearted person; we should give Shaotang’s wife five yuan for her hard work.”

The 93-year-old great-uncle said, “Instead of money, give the young wife a couple of yards of floral fabric so she can make new clothes to wear when her husband comes back.”

A nearby old woman smacked his knee and told him to be quiet.

Lin Shu grabbed the basket of vegetables from Mother Xu, placed it on the ground, and said loudly, “Auntie, you’re too kind. You’re even asking my family to fetch two ladles of fine flour?

What?

You say Xu Shihua issued food coupons to buy fine flour for Xiaoyou? That’s wonderful. He’s a father who loves his child; I was wrong about him. Oh, and you want to give her a few eggs? Sure, I’ll go get them right now.”

Without waiting for a response, Lin Shu supported Mother Xu and headed towards the north, reminding Jin Ping’er and the others to help watch the children.

Jin Ping’er said, “Go ahead. Your auntie is a kind person; we all heard it!”

Mother Xu, trying to appear pitiful and weak, was already hungry and deliberately ate even less today, causing her low blood sugar and pressure to make her feel dizzy.

Lin Shu, though smaller in strength compared to others, was more than capable of supporting Mother Xu.

Lin Shu hurriedly took Mother Xu to the Xu family’s residence in the back village.

Lu Hehuan had gone to work, and Xu Shihua was at home.

He was sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought with a handwritten poetry collection in his hand, while his son played with a paper windmill on the ground.

When Xu Shihua saw Lin Shu approaching suddenly, his previously dull eyes lit up.

He stood up quickly to greet her and then noticed his mother, whom Lin Shu was supporting.

He was startled and asked, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Lin Shu said, “Move aside. Auntie is fine. She said Xiaoyou is staying with me, and I’ve been working hard, so she wants to give me five yuan for my trouble. She also said Xiaoyou shouldn’t get our food for free, so she asked me to fetch two ladles of flour. Where’s the flour?”

Xu Shihua was a slender man, about 175 cm tall, wearing black-rimmed glasses, with very fair skin and a constant look of worry.

He wasn’t a very energetic or assertive person; when faced with aggressive individuals, his first reaction was to avoid conflict.

At Lin Shu’s question, he instinctively pointed towards the main room.

Lin Shu entered the room and saw a white flour sack on the table, containing about five pounds of flour.

She went up and lifted it.

Mother Xu said, “N-No, that’s not necessary.”

Lin Shu responded loudly, “Auntie, you’re too kind. You’re even offering eggs!”

She noticed a gourd with two onions on the table, knocked it over, and then went to find the eggs.

The Xu house was empty…

The place was a mess, with barely any household items.

The only thing around was a basket for eggs tucked under the table.

When Lin Shu saw this, she began filling the basket with eggs, not caring if they were chicken or duck eggs.

Xu Mother rushed over, desperately grabbing Lin Shu’s hand, pleading, “In-laws, you can’t take them. I don’t need them, but your brother-in-law, your sister-in-law, and my good grandson need to eat.”

Lin Shu smiled and said, “Aunt, what are you talking about? I haven’t taken all of them; there are still some left. Besides, aren’t the chickens still laying eggs?”

Xu Mother snatched the flour bag, gritting her teeth and crying, “In-law, you can’t take them. Doesn’t your sister-in-law need to eat too?”

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow and said with a low, amused tone, “Aunt, do you really think my sister-in-law can get a decent meal? Would she even dare to eat it?

Do you think you would let her eat? Look at how thin she’s become after marrying into your family.

She used to be so plump, but now she looks like a starving refugee.

And now she’s not even pregnant yet; what if she does get pregnant and doesn’t have enough to eat while doing heavy labor? That would be your Xu family’s grandchild she loses.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, “Are you planning to let your daughter-in-law die in childbirth so you can continue raising the children?”

Xu Mother’s face paled in shock. “I haven’t denied her food. She’s in charge here; how could she not have enough to eat?”

Lin Shu easily pulled her hand away from Xu Mu’s thin, frail wrist.

This old hypocrite is trying to make herself look pitiful and hardworking, truly starving and unwilling to share food.

But she also begrudges giving food to her daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

Isn’t that why Xu Xiaoyou’s mother died in childbirth? Because she was starved and couldn’t get enough to eat?

And now, Xu Mothet is still treating Lu Hehuan poorly even though she’s earning her own money.

So, what? Is your family a place where daughters-in-law are doomed to die?

You’re playing tricks on me, aren’t you?

You’re being passive-aggressive with me, aren’t you?

If you dare to send me off, I dare to take more.

Those who set up gambling schemes are obviously deceivers.

Why don’t they directly steal your money but instead trick you into gambling and then come to collect cars and houses?

It’s all about establishing a legal connection with you.

You can’t get something for nothing, but if you owe someone, that’s another story.

Your granddaughter is staying at my house, and you’ve given me such a good excuse to take more. How can I not take advantage of this opportunity?

If I don’t do this, how can I justify not making the most of your cunning schemes?

Not in your script, huh?

That’s right.

Xu Mother weakly shouted, “Huazi, stop her. Don’t let her take it.”

What kind of person is Xu Shihua?

He’s a poet, someone who isn’t vulgar. How could he possibly care about a bit of flour?

What about the Argument?

He could debate whether Confucius or Socrates was greater, or argue whether Water Margin or Les Misérables better reflects reality.

He could discuss whether ancient or modern poetry is more practical, but he couldn’t argue over a measure of rice.

Especially with a beautiful woman whose appearance seemed to illuminate the dreary sky around her, full of vitality.

He felt a vigorous life force from her, something he desired.

“Lin…”

Before he could finish, Lin Shu immediately interrupted him sharply, “Call me ‘sister-in-law’! I’m taking care of your child. Your mother says she wants to give me five yuan, flour, and eggs. I’m taking them back now.”

Xu Shihua said, “Let’s talk properly.”

Lin Shu retorted, “You’re not a decent person. Stay away from me; I won’t talk to you.”

Xu Shihua’s face turned pale. “Why is my sister-in-law insulting me like this?”

Lin Shu sneered, “You’re pretentious, writing poems. What classic works have you written? Have they been published in any newspapers or magazines?”

Xu Shihua’s face grew even paler as he defended himself, “In today’s world, there’s no opportunity for literati. It’s not that I’m incapable. My works…”

“Pah!” Lin Shu mocked, “Even our leader writes poetry, and you do too. Do you think you’re impressive, with your literary talent?”

She spoke as if to say he should look at his own worth. “You can’t even take care of your wife and child, and yet you write poetry. I think you must be a vampire in your past life.”

With that, she pushed past Xu Mother, took the sack of flour and eggs, and strode out.

The five yuan could be discussed later.

---

Xu Mother chased after her but fell to the ground in the yard, her weakened body unable to keep up.

She urged Xu Shihua, “Hua Zi, hurry up and catch up. Leave the sack of flour. That’s for you and Yao Yao.”

Xu Shihua wasn’t the type to argue in public, and he was ashamed to be criticized by Lin Shu for not taking care of his wife and child, leaving them to her.

He felt deeply embarrassed.

He said, “Mother, why did you send Xiaoyou to trouble our relatives?”

Xu Mother sat on the ground, “It wasn’t me. Wasn’t it your wife being lazy?

She didn’t want to take care of the child and just dumped her on me. Look at me, cooking, feeding pigs, and taking care of Yao Yao all day.

How could I have any time to deal with anything else? I’m about to die from exhaustion.”

Xu Shihua stopped arguing.

He was afraid of his mother’s nagging, so he quickly chased after Lin Shu.

Lin Shu, carrying the sack of flour, saw Xu Shihua chasing after her and said, “Auntie, don’t be so polite with 5 yuan. I’ll come back to get it after we’ve eaten. No need for you to deliver it.”

She turned and walked away, thinking to herself, I’ll make sure you don’t get away with this.