Song Fang simply took pleasure in Lin Zhilan's misery.
Cai Laifeng's thoughts went much deeper.
First, she couldn't stand seeing Lin Zhilan living a better life than before.
Second...
Su Lang was a regiment commander and had previously been her son's political instructor.
Cai Laifeng simply disliked anyone who was more successful than her son.
Besides, if a regiment commander died, wouldn't his position become vacant?
Cai Laifeng was entirely using village logic to speculate about the military district, having already mentally arranged a promotion for Zhou Jianjun.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had surprisingly bonded over gossiping about Lin Zhilan.
Today, while taking the child out to get some sun, they happened to run into Xu Yueyun, who was visiting the family compound.
Song Fang pouted her lips toward Xu Yueyun's direction. Look, that's her. Lin Zhilan's husband's mother.
Xu Yueyun had an elegant temperament and dressed decently. At first glance, it was obvious she was a city woman.
Cai Laifeng looked down at the dusty cloth shoes on her own feet, then glanced at the solid, well-made sandals on Xu Yueyun's feet, feeling a twinge of sour jealousy.
Cai Laifeng chased after her, following her all the way to her door. Only when there was no one else around did she smile and greet Xu Yueyun, Sister, are you heading home?
Yes. Xu Yueyun didn't recognize her but responded politely, And you are?
Cai Laifeng patted the wrinkles on her lapel and smiled, Speaking of which, we are relatives. I am Zhilan's aunt.
Aunt? Xu Yueyun frowned slightly, a flash of confusion in her eyes. I don't think I've heard Zhilan mention you.
Of course she wouldn't tell you, Cai Laifeng raised her voice. I'm not her blood aunt. I'm the aunt of her former husband.
Oh. Xu Yueyun's expression paused, and she nodded somewhat awkwardly.
Not wanting to say anything more to her, she lifted her foot to go inside.
But Cai Laifeng pestered her, following closely behind and saying, Sister, don't be too sad. I heard you have two other sons?
Xu Yueyun stopped in her tracks, furrowing her brows as she looked at her. What do you mean by that?
You don't know yet? Su Lang was injured, and I heard they couldn't save him.
Hearing this, the color drained completely from Xu Yueyun's face in an instant.
Her heart seized violently, and a severe, agonizing pain spread from her chest to her back.
She swayed, her eyes losing focus. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the side. With a loud thud, the back of her head struck the ground directly.
Cai Laifeng took two steps back, her expression changing slightly. What's going on? I didn't touch her. This has nothing to do with me.
Song Fang quickly tugged at Cai Laifeng's sleeve. Mother, let's go, stop looking!
Cai Laifeng nodded, glanced around, and hurried away in a panic.
Wang Rou was next door painting when she heard the muffled thud outside.
She listened carefully, but there was no further sound.
Could it be that her sister had returned?
Wang Rou stood up, pushed the door open, and walked out.
She happened to see Cai Laifeng and Song Fang hurrying away with the child in their arms.
Turning her head, she saw Xu Yueyun lying on the ground.
Auntie! Wang Rou was startled and rushed to help her up.
But no matter how she called, Xu Yueyun wouldn't wake up.
Fortunately, Lin Zhilan had mentioned to her that Xu Yueyun had a heart condition.
Wang Rou quickly searched Xu Yueyun's clothes and felt a small medicine bottle in her pocket.
Frantically, she unscrewed the cap and hastily fed the medicine to Xu Yueyun.
Only after doing this did she shout loudly for help.
Aunt Hehua was upstairs drying vegetables. Hearing the commotion, she came down immediately.
Just as she ran outside to call for people, she ran into Lin Zhilan coming back.
After hearing what happened, Lin Zhilan's eyes practically shot fire.
Little Rou, Lin Zhilan said while rolling up her sleeves, you help look after my mother. I'm going to settle the score with them.
Sister...
Wang Rou wanted to follow her, but thinking of Xu Yueyun inside the house, she stomped her foot and stopped in her tracks.
Thankfully, Su Bingcheng heard his wife had suffered an attack and rushed over.
Uncle Su, please look after Auntie. If she wakes up, tell her Commander Su is fine,
Wang Rou spoke rapidly, then hurriedly chased after Lin Zhilan.
Su Bingcheng was completely confused and didn't really understand what was going on; he only knew to rush into the room to watch over Xu Yueyun.
Seeing his wife lying safely in the room, Su Bingcheng's legs gave way, and he slumped into a chair.
Lin Zhilan headed straight for the small white building in the family residential area.
Just as she reached the third floor, Lin Zhilan heard Song Fang and Cai Laifeng talking inside.
Mother, you don't think Lin Zhilan's mother-in-law really had an accident, do you?
Even if something happened, they can't blame us. Cai Laifeng's voice carried from the room, sounding self-righteous. I didn't touch her at all. She collapsed on her own. It has nothing to do with me.
Hearing this, Lin Zhilan kicked the door open with a loud bang.
The cup in Cai Laifeng's hand nearly slipped, and the child in Song Fang's arms was startled and burst into loud wails.
Lin... Lin Zhilan, what are you doing? This isn't your house!
Lin Zhilan couldn't even be bothered to argue with her. She scanned the room and spotted a thermos under the table near the door.
She picked it up and smashed it onto the floor.
The outer shell cracked, the glass liner shattered all over the floor, and the warm water inside splashed everywhere.
You're crazy! Cai Laifeng pointed at her nose and cursed.
Lin Zhilan's expression was cold and fierce as she looked around the house for anything valuable.
A radio, pots and pans—she smashed whatever she saw.
Cai Laifeng initially just pointed and cursed, but seeing that Lin Zhilan completely ignored her, she screamed and lunged forward, baring her claws to scratch at Lin Zhilan's face.
Lin Zhilan dodged to the side, avoiding her nails, and slapped her backhand across the face.
How dare you hit someone! Song Fang, holding the wailing child, was stunned by Lin Zhilan, who was acting like a madwoman.
So what if I hit you? Lin Zhilan grabbed Cai Laifeng's hand, a mocking look between her brows. Today I'm just using my hands. Next time you dare to intentionally harm someone, it won't be as simple as a slap!
You...! Song Fang was frightened by her demeanor.
Why are you still talking to her?! Cai Laifeng, who was still being restrained by Lin Zhilan, cursed. Hurry up and help me!
Song Fang put the child on the bed and stepped up, trying to grab Lin Zhilan's hair.
Lin Zhilan pushed Cai Laifeng away and delivered another slap to Song Fang.
Song Fang instantly went crazy and lunged at her.
Fighting one against two, although Lin Zhilan had the upper hand, her neck and arms were scratched with several red marks from their fingernails.
Her arms were pinched black and blue by Cai Laifeng, numb with pain.
At that moment, Wang Rou rushed over.
As soon as she saw Lin Zhilan with disheveled hair and blood on the corner of her mouth, her eyes instantly turned red.
Without a word, Wang Rou charged forward and grabbed a handful of Song Fang's hair.
A sudden sharp pain shot through Song Fang's scalp, and she was yanked backward by Wang Rou.
Wang Rou usually looked like a quiet, gentle girl, but when she got ruthless, she didn't hold back at all. Using all her strength, she pressed Song Fang's head downward.
Song Fang fought back through the pain, and Lin Zhilan hurried over to help.
The room descended into utter chaos.
