"You're talking nonsense! This is slander! I went to see you out of kindness, and you immediately threw a basin of dirty water at me. Which family would have an elder wash clothes for a junior? Wuwuwu... It’s clearly Qin Nian’s fault. I just accidentally let it slip, and I even tried to explain for her, but no one believed me."
Yi Mengling covered her face, putting on an expression of extreme grievance. Caught red-handed and beaten like this, of course she wanted to retaliate—even tear Qin Nian and her mother-in-law apart. But she couldn’t. It didn’t align with her usual image. She still needed to stay at the research institute.
"Oh, you teapot spirit! Wuwuwu... You’re the only one who knows how to cry, shedding a few crocodile tears. Do you think these people are the old masters at home who’d soften at the sight? This old woman has seen plenty of your kind—alluring and deceitful.
The country trained you, yet instead of focusing on building the nation, you stir up trouble within. I suspect you did it on purpose! My daughter-in-law’s work is of utmost importance!
Even an illiterate country woman like me knows to support from the sidelines, yet here you are causing chaos. Everyone here has eyes—they were just momentarily fooled by your usual sweet talk!"
Sister-in-law Li and a few others who had initially wanted to speak up silently took two steps back upon hearing this.
Many elderly folks were present—people who had lived through those hard times and were only now seeing the dawn of stable days. The stronger the country, the better their lives would be.
Their gazes toward Yi Mengling shifted, and many recalled her usual behavior.
The space around Yi Mengling grew wider, and panic began to set in.
"You—you—you! You beat me like this and now you’re turning the tables? I’m going to report you!"
Yi Mengling forced out these words, then turned to leave.
Yang Yufen lunged forward and grabbed her arm.
"Trying to run? No need for you to report anything—I’ll be the one reporting you! Come on, this old woman isn’t afraid of making a scene. We’re going straight to the leadership!"
With an iron grip, Yang Yufen dragged Yi Mengling toward the research institute, her stance unyielding.
Finally, someone spoke up.
"Auntie Qin, I’m Zhao Lian, the women’s director of our residential compound. Rest assured, we’ll handle this fairly. Don’t be hasty—let go of Comrade Yi first. She won’t run. Let’s talk this through properly."
Zhao Lian, having been called over, had already heard enough. She first gently persuaded Yang Yufen, then shot a disapproving glance at Yi Mengling.
Biting her lower lip, Yi Mengling stopped struggling and stood still.
Seeing that someone had finally stepped in to mediate, Yang Yufen released her grip.
Zhao Lian’s husband was the logistics director of the research institute. If things escalated here, it would reflect poorly on him.
"I’ve heard what happened. Comrade Yi, you should apologize to Qin Nian’s mother-in-law immediately. Auntie, I haven’t even asked your name yet. Since we’re all part of the same residential family, we should get to know each other better."
"I’m Yang Yufen. She spread malicious rumors about my daughter-in-law. I don’t want her apology—I suspect she’s a troublemaker."
The moment these words left Yang Yufen’s mouth, Zhao Lian’s temples visibly twitched. Though times weren’t as harsh as before, such an accusation was still serious.
And Yi Mengling happened to have some distant ties to Zhao Lian’s husband.
"That’s impossible! Auntie Yang, you’re just upset. Comrade Yi, hurry up and apologize. Later, you’ll also apologize to Qin Nian in person and make proper amends."
At the mention of "troublemaker," Yi Mengling shuddered. Reluctantly, she lowered her head.
"She absolutely owes my daughter-in-law an apology. Out of respect for Director Zhao and since we’re all part of the same compound, I won’t demand too much.
But because of her, my daughter-in-law’s work was suspended, and rumors spread like wildfire in the institute. I demand she writes a formal apology letter—not only posted publicly but also broadcasted over the loudspeaker to clear my daughter-in-law’s name and set the record straight!"
Yang Yufen knew when to ease up.
"Of course, that’s only fair."
Zhao Lian sighed in relief. Given Yang Yufen’s earlier ferocity, she’d worried the woman would be difficult to reason with.
Yi Mengling opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp look from Zhao Lian silenced her. She nodded in agreement.
Yang Yufen didn’t leave. Her gaze remained fixed on Yi Mengling.
Understanding the unspoken demand, Zhao Lian quickly added,
"Comrade Yi should also apologize to Yang Yufen for straining her relationship with her daughter-in-law."
Yi Mengling’s eyes widened. After everything, she now had to apologize to this old woman? What about the beating she endured? What about the hair she’d lost?
But under Zhao Lian’s threatening stare, she had no choice.
"Sorry."
"What? I’m old—my hearing isn’t what it used to be."
Yang Yufen cupped her ear.
"I’m sorry! I’m sorry!"
Yi Mengling shouted through gritted teeth, this time unable to hold back her tears.
"Fine. But if I hear any more rumors, I’ll be back. Now, I need to go comfort my daughter-in-law. Don’t forget—tomorrow, the loudspeaker. Or I’ll take this straight to the leadership."
With that, Yang Yufen left, leaving the residential building in an uproar.
Exhausted from days of tension and overthinking, Qin Nian placed her lunchbox on the table and retreated to her room, intending to rest. Instead, she fell asleep.
When Yang Yufen returned and saw her sleeping, she quietly wrung the neck of a clucking hen to keep it from waking her daughter-in-law.
After stewing the chicken, she remembered how much Qin Nian had enjoyed the grapes last time. Grabbing a newly woven bamboo basket, she headed to Aunt Wang’s place.
"Sister Wang, you mentioned your old basket was broken. Look—I made you a new one."
"Auntie Qin! Come in, come in. I didn’t know you had such skill—this is beautifully made!"
Aunt Wang admired the basket, its edges smoothly sanded.
"I won’t stay. My daughter-in-law rarely gets to rest, and I noticed she loved those grapes last time. Mind if I take a couple of bunches?"
Yang Yufen got straight to the point.
"Here’s the shears. You’re tall—perfect for cutting down the ripe ones before the birds eat them all!"
Aunt Wang cheerfully fetched the shears.
"Gladly. A small favor."
She arrived with an empty basket and left with a full one. Unfazed by the weight, Yang Yufen carefully arranged the grapes before returning the basket.
Word of Yang Yufen’s reputation spread quickly through the residential compound. Now, everyone knew Qin Nian had a formidable but fiercely devoted mother-in-law—tall, strong, and unafraid to throw a punch, yet utterly doting on her daughter-in-law.
For a time, countless wives in the compound couldn’t help but envy Qin Nian.
