In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 170, Page 169: Mother-in-law's oppression. Returning to her parents' home, feeling wronged, she publicly challenges her mother-in-law.
It's another Sunday.

Yang Guangming has held the title of deputy director of the factory affairs office for more than a week now.

With nothing much to do in the morning, he walked into the courtyard of the Shikumen (stone gate) at nine o'clock in the morning.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. Everyone had already eaten breakfast, and people gathered there, some busy with their work, others sitting together chatting.

When Yang Guangming went home this time, he only brought two things in his bag: two pounds of biscuits for Zhuangzhuang and two bottles of clear peanut oil.

After taking the things back to the front building and putting them down, Yang Guangming turned around and went down to the courtyard.

Father Yang Yongkang was sitting in his old bamboo chair, leaning against the wall, squinting, holding a palm-leaf fan in his hand, idly waving it.

The bamboo chair, worn smooth by years of use, gleamed with a dark reddish sheen. Yang Yongkang wore a white undershirt, the collar slightly loose, revealing his tanned skin. Hearing footsteps, he slightly opened his eyes, as if to greet them.

Yang Guangming dragged over a small stool and sat down next to his father. The stool was a little wobbly, so he adjusted his posture. The father and son didn't have any serious topics to discuss, just chatting idly.

Today is Sunday. Although not all workers are off today—those working in three shifts or needing to work overtime to meet production targets still have to go out—there are clearly more people resting at home today than usual.

The small courtyard was packed with about ten people, making it feel crowded and exuding a relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere.

Most of the men were wearing t-shirts and shorts; the women were wearing simple cotton shirts, some with aprons, clearly having just finished their housework.

The sound of running water was constant from the tap.

The faucet is for public use, and there's a cement pool underneath where people wash vegetables and clothes.

Chen Le'an's wife rolled up her sleeves and vigorously scrubbed a basin of clothes, her arms covered in soap suds. She was using the cheapest Labor brand soap, which had a pungent smell but was very effective at removing dirt.

He Caiyun squatted down beside her, carefully picking at a bunch of greens. The leaves were fresh and vibrant green, the result of queuing up at the market early that morning. There were also a few cucumbers and tomatoes in the basket, a rare treat for summer.

Teacher Feng sat on a small stool with an old radio in front of him. He was holding a screwdriver and a test pen, engrossed in repairing it, his brow furrowed, occasionally picking up a part to examine it against the light.

The radio was a Red Lantern brand, used for more than ten years. The casing had turned yellow and it often malfunctioned, but Teacher Feng was always reluctant to replace it with a new one.

A group of men who weren't at work gathered together, smoking cheap cigarettes, the smoke curling up as they chatted about the factory's recent production targets, or what in-demand items someone had acquired, their voices rising and falling.

The conversation occasionally veers to the international situation, but it quickly returns to the mundane details of daily life.

The women's conversations revolved around rationed goods, their children's education, or newly heard anecdotes. The allocation and use of cloth coupons, grain coupons, and meat coupons were perennial topics of discussion.

Laughter echoed in the courtyard, hitting the mottled walls and bouncing back, mingling with the sounds of running water, repairs, and coughs, creating a lively and vibrant background soundscape.

Life in a Shikumen is like this: privacy and public life are separated by only one wall, and the stories of every household are intertwined in this small courtyard.

The topics Yang Yongkang and Yang Guangming discussed were nothing more than the factory's recent production situation, the sweltering weather, or Yang Yongkang's father's chronic back and leg ailments.

Yang Yongkang didn't talk much; he mostly listened, occasionally nodding or offering a brief comment or two.

Yang Guangming was used to this way of getting along and didn't find it boring. He knew what his father was concerned about, so he specifically mentioned the changes in his work after becoming the factory director's secretary.

As they were talking, the light at the entrance to the courtyard dimmed slightly, and a figure walked in.

Everyone looked up subconsciously.

The visitor was Xianglan.

She was carrying a bulging bundle wrapped in an old bed sheet, which looked heavy and made her back bend slightly.

She held Amao tightly in her arms. The child seemed to be asleep, his little head resting on his mother's shoulder, his cheeks flushed, whether from the heat or from crying, she couldn't tell.

Honghong clung tightly to her mother's clothes, following her step by step. Her little face was covered in dust, and her eyes timidly peered at the people in the courtyard. When she saw so many eyes on her, she immediately buried her face in the folds of her mother's clothes.

The mother and her two daughters looked travel-worn, with Xianglan's face shrouded in an overwhelming sense of sorrow and exhaustion. Her hair was disheveled, with a few strands sticking to her forehead with sweat.

She was still wearing that old blue and white polka-dot short-sleeved shirt, the collar of which was frayed and the back was soaked, clinging tightly to her body.

His miserable appearance stood out starkly against the backdrop of a leisurely summer day, making him look like someone fleeing famine, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

The laughter and chatter in the courtyard seemed to be cut off, suddenly falling silent, leaving only the clear sound of running water from the tap.

Aunt Chen's hand, which had been scrubbing clothes, froze in mid-air, soap bubbles sliding down her arm. He Caiyun, holding a piece of green vegetable, forgot to put it in the basket. Teacher Feng looked up, the screwdriver in her hand hovering above the radio. The men smoking also stopped talking, smoke escaping from their mouths and rising slowly.

Zhang Xiuying was carrying a basin of clothes to be washed out of the house when she saw her eldest daughter's appearance and her heart sank.

She immediately put down the basin and hurried forward, her voice filled with undisguised anxiety and concern.

"Xianglan? What happened to you? Why did you come back like this? What happened? Did you get mistreated at your in-laws' house?"

As she asked, she reached out to take Amao from Xianglan's arms, and also to help her unload that heavy burden.

The clothes in the basin were scattered on the ground, but she didn't care.

Xianglan, who is usually strong and even a bit feisty, trembled twice before she even opened her mouth, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Two lines of tears rolled down her pale cheeks without warning, dripping onto her clothes and spreading into dark spots.

Her crying was silent, yet more heart-wrenching than any loud wail. Her shoulders trembled slightly, causing the bundle on her back to sway.

The courtyard fell completely silent.

Aunt Chen, who was washing clothes, stopped scrubbing; He Caiyun, who was picking vegetables, looked up; and Teacher Feng, who was repairing a radio, put down his screwdriver. All eyes were on Xianglan, filled with surprise, doubt, and, most of all, sympathy. Even the sparrows in the trees seemed to sense something was wrong and fluttered away.

Zhang Xiuying's heart clenched. Holding her daughter's arm, she repeatedly asked, "What happened? Say something! Don't just cry! Did Wang upset you?"

Her voice unconsciously rose eight octaves, sounding particularly sharp in the quiet courtyard.

Yang Yongkang had stood up at some point, and he had stopped fanning himself with his palm-leaf fan. His face was calm, but his eyes were deep as he looked at his daughter.

Yang Guangming also stood up, silently walked to his mother and sister's side, glanced at the huge bundle, his brows furrowed slightly, and took it from them.

Yang Guanghui, who had been playing with Zhuangzhuang inside, heard the commotion outside and came out with her child in her arms. She froze when she saw her younger sister's appearance. Zhuangzhuang seemed to sense the tense atmosphere, her lips trembled, and she was about to cry.

Amidst the barrage of questions and concerned gazes from the crowd, Xianglan sobbed and haltingly recounted the reason. Her voice was hoarse, thick with nasal tones, and frequently interrupted by sobs.

It turns out that a little over a month ago, after she returned to her husband's family home with her child, things were fine for the first two weeks.

Having experienced the pain of losing her son, her mother-in-law, Wang, was quite considerate towards her, showing concern and warmth, and even taking the initiative to do housework. There was even a sense of closeness between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, as if they depended on each other for survival.

She was secretly relieved at the time, thinking that although she had lost her husband, at least her mother-in-law was reasonable and they could still get by.

She even thought that after a while, when she calmed down, she would have a good talk with her mother-in-law about how to live their lives in the future, and how to use the money from those two savings certificates for the children.

But the peaceful days only lasted for half a month.

The next day, Wang held Xianglan's hand and sat in the main room, speaking to her earnestly.

First, he said that it was not easy for Xianglan to be a widow at such a young age, and it was even harder to raise two children. Then he said that he was old and could not help much, and he felt guilty.

As they talked, the topic shifted.

She had two purposes for this heart-to-heart talk.

The first objective was to get Xianglan to hand over the two fixed deposit certificates she had so that she could keep them safe.

Wang's reasoning was that Xianglan was too young and inexperienced, and she was worried about leaving such a large sum of money in her hands. If it were lost or she were cheated, it was money Jianjun had risked his life for, and it was A Mao's future support.

She was experienced and had been through it all; it was the safest place to put money with her. As she spoke, Wang's eyes flickered, and she dared not look directly at Xianglan.

The second purpose was to hope that Xianglan would hand over all her monthly salary to her.

Wang felt that she was the head of the family. When Jianjun was alive, his monthly salary was handed over to her, and she was in charge of managing household expenses. This was the rule of the Wang family.

Now that Jianjun is gone, Xianglan has taken over his job, and the salary he earned should naturally be handled according to the old rules, and handed over to her for safekeeping and distribution.

She said this in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were a matter of course.

Upon hearing this, Xianglan felt a chill run down her spine.

She could not accept either of these demands.

She could almost immediately guess that it must be her two older sisters-in-law, Wang Jinhuan and Wang Yinhuan, who had been talking about something to their mother-in-law.

They must have been envious of the money, and since they felt that their married daughters couldn't rightfully get their hands on it, they urged the old lady to step in.

Unfortunately, Wang was easily influenced and lacked her own opinions. After being nagged by her daughters for a long time, she began to have inappropriate thoughts.

Those two large deposit certificates were both agreed upon by both sides' close relatives in the last meeting, and she was to keep them. How could she go back on her word?

As for her salary, she works hard for a whole month, sweating and toiling away. Why should she hand it over to her mother-in-law? She's not the kind of person who doesn't know how to manage money or wastes it.

When Jianjun was alive, she disagreed with him handing over all his salary, feeling that the young couple should keep some money on hand to deal with unexpected needs or to buy Honghong some snacks and trinkets.

But the old lady absolutely refused, and she and Jianjun even had a falling out over it.

In the end, Jianjun couldn't fight city hall, and he handed over all his wages.

As a result, after Jianjun passed away, she searched the entire house and found that she only had about ten yuan left, which was all she had saved from occasional odd jobs in the past.

The old lady held onto the money she had handed over tightly in her hand, her grip too firm, and she was reluctant to take it out easily.

Whenever she asked for money, even for legitimate reasons like buying grain or vegetables, the old lady would interrogate her for a long time and then scold her, saying that she didn't know the value of money when she wasn't in charge of the household and all she knew was how to ask for money.

She didn't want to live that kind of life again, having to be at the mercy of others, begging for money, and having to watch her face.

Now that I finally have a job and can earn a salary, how could I possibly give it away again?

She was always filial to her parents-in-law. After Jianjun passed away, she was willing to fulfill her filial duties in his place, caring for them in their old age and seeing them off in their final days. However, she had her own bottom line and wouldn't blindly follow everything.

Xianglan explicitly refused both requests.

She said the savings certificate was something everyone agreed she would keep and she wouldn't hand it over. Her salary was earned through her own labor and she would manage it herself, but she would also be responsible for household expenses and provide for her mother-in-law's retirement.

She spoke as calmly as possible, but her fingers were trembling slightly.

Wang was clearly taken aback by her daughter-in-law's strong stance, and her expression immediately darkened. She muttered that Xianglan didn't trust her and that she had grown up and no longer listened to her elders.

Although there wasn't a big argument, resentment and estrangement had already been sown. That night, Wang barely ate any food and locked her bedroom door early.

From that day on, Wang's attitude changed. She stopped showing concern and instead began to find fault with everything.

When Xianglan came home from get off work and cooked, she complained that it was too salty or too bland, either saying there was too much soy sauce or too little salt.

She complained that the clothes weren't clean enough and that it was a waste of soap, pointing to stains on the collar and cuffs that were practically invisible.

When asked to raise her voice to soothe the child, she said the noise was giving her a headache and slammed the door as she left.

She no longer cherishes her child as much as before. Occasionally, she will hug Amao, but quickly hand him back to Xianglan, muttering, "I'm exhausted" and "I'm too old to be of any use."

The goal was simple: to put pressure on Xianglan, make her submit, and obediently hand over her money and wages.

Xianglan is strong-willed and not afraid of hard work, but she cannot stand this kind of unwarranted harassment and constant mental torment.

She gritted her teeth and persevered for half a month, but the resentment and anger in her heart only grew stronger. Lying in bed at night, looking at her sleeping child beside her, tears streamed down her face. She thought of Jianjun; if he were here, he would never have let her suffer such injustice.

This Sunday, she had a rare day off at home and wanted to do some housework and cleaning.

Wang, however, became even more brazen.

Not only did they continue to nitpick, they even started making veiled attacks.

First, he scolded Honghong for crying and demanding repayment of debts, saying, "What are you crying for? You're just like your good-for-nothing mother, all you know how to do is wail."

Later, they even went so far as to say that Xianglan was destined to be unlucky and bring misfortune to her husband.

She even said that there were rumors outside that Jianjun was killed by Yang Xianglan, otherwise how could a perfectly healthy person just suddenly die? — She said this while eating breakfast, Wang tapping the edge of her bowl and glancing sideways at Xianglan.

These words were like a sharp knife, stabbing Xianglan in the most painful and vulnerable part of her heart.

She could endure hardship and difficulties, but she could never tolerate such malicious slander and rubbing salt into her wounds.

The anger and grievances that had been building up for more than half a month suddenly exploded.

She threw down her rice bowl and had her first big argument with her mother-in-law.

She questioned her mother-in-law about why she said that. Jianjun was gone, and she was the one who was most heartbroken. She wished she could go with him. How could she be considered a jinx?
She tearfully recounted her hardships and grievances over the past few days, wondering why her mother-in-law was pressuring her like this, as if she wanted to drive her to her death!

Wang probably didn't expect her usually docile daughter-in-law to erupt like this. She was stunned at first, and then she became agitated, slamming her fist on the table and crying out that her son was dead and no one was standing up for her. She said her daughter-in-law was rebelling and bullying her, an old woman!

She said she had raised her son for nothing, only to have him die young, and even her daughter-in-law dared to talk back to her!

The arguing disturbed the neighbors and frightened Honghong and Amao to tears. Honghong clung to her mother's leg and wailed, while Amao cried incessantly in his cradle.

Looking at her crying child, at her mother-in-law's unfamiliar and harsh face, and at the faint whispers of her neighbors, Xianglan felt a chill run down her spine and a sense of despair.

She was completely disheartened.

Without saying another word, tears streaming down her face, she silently began packing her and her two children's belongings. A few changes of clothes, diapers, and some toiletries were haphazardly stuffed into an old bed sheet.

She didn't want to stay in that suffocating house for another minute!

Wang probably regretted speaking too harshly. Watching Xianglan pack her things, she moved her lips as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to ask her to stay. She just turned her head away, sighed heavily, and muttered, "Go, go, they're all gone."

Xianglan hastily packed a large bundle, carrying Amao and holding Honghong's hand. Under her mother-in-law's complicated and silent gaze, she resolutely walked out of the Wang family's gate.

Some neighbors peeked out to watch, while others offered a few light words of advice, but no one stopped her.

Yang Xianglan and her two children boarded the bus and traveled all the way back to her parents' home. Sweat and tears mingled together, and her heart was filled with sorrow and confusion. After getting off the bus, her steps were as heavy as if they were made of lead, and every step felt like it was exhausting all her strength.

Honghong walks slowly and has to jog a few steps every now and then to keep up. Her little face is full of fear and helplessness.

After listening to Xianglan's intermittent, choked-up story, the courtyard fell silent.

The neighbors' faces showed expressions of sympathy and indignation.

Aunt Chen wiped her hands with her apron, shaking her head repeatedly. He Caiyun put her shopping basket aside, her brows furrowed. Teacher Feng put down the radio parts and sighed heavily. The men who had been smoking also stubbed out their cigarettes, their faces grave.

Zhang Xiuying was already so angry that her face turned pale and her whole body was trembling.

She hugged her daughter tightly, tears streaming down her face: "My poor daughter! You've suffered so much! That old hag! How dare she treat my daughter like this! Jianjun has only been gone a few days! And she can't even tolerate you!"

Her voice trembled, filled with heartache and anger.

She suddenly raised her head, her eyes blazing with fury, and her voice rose sharply, carrying the fierceness of a mother protecting her cubs: "No! We can't just swallow this insult! Do you think the Yang family has no one left?!"

She turned to Yang Yongkang and his two sons, her voice trembling with emotion: "Old Yang! Guanghui! Mingming! Let's go! We're going to the Wang family right now! We'll settle accounts with that old hag! I want to ask her, what exactly did Xianglan do to offend the Wang family? Why is she treating people like this? She has to give us an explanation today!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, grabbing Xianglan and trying to pull her outside, as if she were about to fight her to the death; the veins on her wrists bulged out.

Li Guihua chimed in, her face full of righteous indignation: "That's right! This is too much! Mom, I'll go with you! How can this be? This is forcing Xianglan to her death!" She wiped her hands on her apron, looking ready to follow immediately.

Yang Guanghui held Zhuangzhuang in his arms, his face ashen, his fists clenched tightly. He was clearly furious; at his father's command, Zhuangzhuang would immediately go to the Wang family. Zhuangzhuang was frightened by his father's tense emotions and began to sob softly.

The surrounding neighbors also chimed in, condemning Wang for her unethical and excessive actions.

"Yeah, that's a really mean thing to say!"

How could you treat your wife like that!

"The old woman did this because she's certain Xianglan won't remarry!"

The crowd in the courtyard was instantly filled with indignation.

Yang Yongkang listened in silence, his wrinkles seeming to deepen even further.

He looked at his wife, who was so excited she wanted to fight on the spot, and then at his daughter, who was crying so hard she was almost exhausted and leaning on her mother's arms. His eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Just as Zhang Xiuying was about to rush out, he spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable calm power: "Xiuying, calm down first."

Zhang Xiuying suddenly stopped and turned to look at him, her eyes red-rimmed: "Calm down? How can I calm down! My daughter has been bullied like this! And you're telling me to calm down! Yang Yongkang! Are you even Xianglan's father?!" Her voice cracked with emotion.

Yang Yongkang ignored his wife's accusations, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Xianglan.

He said slowly, "Going to someone's door to argue and fight, what can you gain besides making your neighbors laugh? Will it make Xianglan's life any better in the future?" His tone was calm, as if he were stating a simple fact.

His words were like a bucket of cold water, calming the agitated Zhang Xiuying down a little, but she was still unconvinced: "So, are we just going to let it go like this? Just let my daughter suffer this injustice for nothing?" Her chest heaved violently.

“Who said we should just let it go?” Yang Yongkang’s tone was calm, but it carried a hint of coldness. “Quite the opposite. This is an opportunity.”

He paused, his gaze becoming serious: "Isn't it that Wang Shi can't tolerate Xianglan and makes her suffer? Fine, then let's go with the flow. Xianglan shouldn't leave this time. She can stay at her parents' home."

He looked at Xianglan, his eyes filled with an undeniable determination: "You can stay here peacefully, and Honghong and Amao can stay too. Don't go anywhere."

Xianglan looked up at her father with tearful eyes, somewhat bewildered. She hadn't intended not to go back; she was just angry and wanted to go back to her parents' home to find some peace and quiet and vent her grievances.

Yang Yongkang continued, his voice steady and powerful: "When Wang Shi finally understands things, when she lowers her head and comes to pick us up in person, then we can have a face-to-face discussion with her and get to the bottom of things."

His eyes sharpened, like a razor-sharpened knife: "Before, I always thought that since we were in-laws, I couldn't say things too harshly for Jianjun's sake, for fear of hurting our relationship."

Now that she's been unkind first, she shouldn't blame us for being unjust. Let's use this as an excuse to set the rules.

He surveyed his family and neighbors in the courtyard, his voice clear and steady, as if he were not dealing with a family dispute, but rather playing a well-thought-out game of chess.

"Today, in front of all my old neighbors, I'd like to say this: we've been neighbors for decades, and you can all be my witnesses."

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly: "Everyone loves their own child. Xianglan is my daughter, Yang Yongkang's daughter. She became a widow at a young age and raised two children alone; it hasn't been easy for her."

As her parents, we can't just watch her waste the rest of her life in the Wang family, letting her life slip away like that.

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Xianglan's pale face.

"Our Yang family supports Xianglan in taking the next step and starting a family when she encounters a suitable opportunity in the future."

Upon hearing this, Xianglan abruptly raised her head, her face showing astonishment and resistance: "Dad! I won't..." Her voice was hurried and flustered, as if she had been stung by something.

Yang Yongkang raised his hand to interrupt her, his eyes brooking no argument: "Let me finish. This isn't forcing you to do anything right now."

I know you're not thinking about that right now; you still care about Jianjun and want to raise your two children. Dad won't force you!

One year, two years, or even longer, it's up to you. Dad was talking about the 'future,' about 'the opportunity.'"

He emphasized "future" and "opportunity" very much.

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming more forceful, like a hammer striking an anvil:
“If Xianglan’s in-laws continue to treat you like this, not giving you the respect you deserve, and making things difficult for you at every turn, then I, as her father, will never agree to it!”
I've made the decision; you're not allowed to go back!
We're not jumping into that fire pit that the Wang family is in!

If you don't want to remarry, then we won't remarry!

You're also a child in this family, so it's only natural for you to live here. Even if you live here for the rest of your life, your parents would be happy!

His voice, carrying the decisiveness of the head of the household, resonated powerfully in the courtyard.

The courtyard was silent; everyone listened with bated breath, stunned by the weight of Yang Yongkang's words.

Yang Yongkang continued, his tone as calm as if he were analyzing a calculation, yet it conveyed an undeniable decisiveness:
"Of course, our Yang family values ​​integrity and honesty in our conduct, and we never take advantage of others in the slightest."

What belongs to the Wang family, they will not be shortchanged.

The Wang family's one-time death benefit and the long-term death benefits for the two children were agreed upon last time, with each party keeping half.

This money will eventually be left to Honghong and Amao; it's just being held temporarily for now, so there's no question of anyone taking advantage of anyone else.

I'll say it again today: this will never change.

He glanced at his neighbors, as if seeking their approval. The neighbors nodded in agreement.

"As for the spot where Guihua will fill in for someone else."

His gaze swept over Li Guihua, who immediately stood up straighter and instinctively hugged Zhuangzhuang tighter. "That cost eight hundred yuan, real money, and there was a written agreement that says if Amao or Honghong needs it in the future, it has to be returned at the original price."

There's no question of gaining an advantage here.

He then turned his gaze to his neighbors, making sure everyone understood.

"Finally, there is the platoon that was established by the army at Xianglanding."

He looked at Xianglan, his eyes becoming deep and complex. "This spot was reserved by Jianjun. If, and I mean if, one day in the future, Xianglan, you think it through and decide to take a step forward."

He paused, observing his daughter's reaction. Xianglan bit her lip, her eyes filled with complex emotions—pain, resistance, and a hint of barely perceptible bewilderment—but she didn't immediately retort.

“Our Yang family will pay the same 800 yuan to buy this spot. Consider it as… a dowry for Xianglan.”

This suggestion surprised everyone, even Zhang Xiuying was stunned, clearly not expecting the old man to have considered things so far ahead and in such detail.

"And this eight hundred yuan."

Yang Yongkang had considered everything extremely thoroughly, plugging all possible loopholes that could be used against him, and continued to add:
"Let's stick to the old rules and divide it into two parts. The Wang family will keep four hundred yuan, and you, Xianglan, will keep the other four hundred yuan."

Ultimately, these two sums of money, like all the previous money, will be left to Honghong and Amao.

"Our Yang family won't take a single penny!"

His tone was firm.

His gaze swept across the entire room once more, finally settling on the void, as if he could see into the distant future.

“The two children are too young and will definitely have to go with Xianglan. However, I can guarantee on behalf of Xianglan that Amao will not change his surname. He will always be surnamed Wang, he is Wang Jianjun’s son, and he is the root of the Wang family.”

He spoke these words with particular emphasis, clearly intending them to address any potential gossip.

"From now on, we'll have weekends off. If the child wants to visit his/her grandparents, he/she can go anytime, and the Wang family can come and pick him/her up anytime."

When the two children grow up, they will take care of their elderly parents in their old age and see them off in their final days, without hesitation. They will fulfill their filial duties without fail.

These words were clear, well-reasoned, and demonstrated a firm stance in protecting their daughter, as well as an upright attitude of not taking advantage of others. They even considered the issues that the Wang family cared about most: continuing the family line and providing for their old age.

These words almost completely shut down any potential loopholes that could be used to criticize them.

The courtyard was completely silent.

The neighbors were stunned by Yang Yongkang's love for his daughter and his far-sighted words, and they looked at him with more respect.

This is not just about venting anger; it's about laying bare all the potential conflicts and entanglements that could occur over the next decade or so, and establishing rules in advance.

Chen Le'an's wife murmured, "Brother Yongkang is thinking long-term..."

He Caiyun chimed in softly, "Yes, that's good. Everything is clear now, and there will be less wrangling later. It's just that the Wang family is getting too much of an advantage!"

Yang Guangming looked at his father and understood.

Father had already thought all this through, but because his brother-in-law Jianjun had just passed away and the Wang family was still in grief, and his eldest sister Xianglan herself was extremely resistant, he didn't want to bring it up with the Wang family.

Wang's outburst today has given my father an opportunity to say these things in public.

On the one hand, it was to tell the neighbors, occupy the high ground in public opinion, and show that the Yang family was benevolent and reasonable in their actions.

On the other hand, it was also meant for Xianglan to hear.

The father understood Xianglan's temperament and knew that even after suffering such a great injustice, she probably still had no intention of remarrying, and might even oppose his suggestion of "remarrying in the future".

But he first laid out his stance, frankly pointing out the biggest obstacles—job quotas, property, and the custody of the children.

Then reveal his solution to the public!

In this way, even if Xianglan changes her mind one day, the Wang family will have no reason to stop her, and the neighbors will all know that the Wang family was the one who was unkind first, and the Yang family was the one who was kind and righteous afterwards.

Even if Xianglan remains stubborn and refuses to remarry, after her father's public pronouncements today, the Wang family will likely not dare to make things difficult for her as recklessly as they did today.

After all, the Yang family's attitude is clear and firm, and they don't covet anything from the Wang family. Even if they are certain that Xianglan won't remarry, the Yang family can still let their daughter stay and not go back.

With the support of her maternal family, Xianglan's life was always a little easier.

Sure enough, after hearing her father's words, Xianglan's lips moved, her eyes filled with struggle and pain, but in the end she said nothing, only lowered her head, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.

Her shoulders shrugged slightly.

Right now, she's in a state of turmoil. She's grateful to her father for supporting her and making plans for her, but she can't accept the option of "remarrying," and she feels lost about the future. Having always lived with her parents, she's never considered, and will never do, such a thing.

Her father's words were like pushing open a door she had never imagined before, behind which lay an unfamiliar path, leaving her feeling flustered and confused.

Zhang Xiuying now fully understood her husband's intentions. Her anger subsided considerably, leaving her with only heartache for her daughter and resentment towards the Wang family.

She hugged her daughter tightly and spat in the direction of the Wang family: "Did you hear that! We won't take advantage of the Wang family! But they can't bully my daughter anymore! The old man is right! We'll stay here! We won't go anywhere! We'll wait for that old hag to come begging! If she continues to be so confused and so scoundrel, we won't leave!"

Her tone was still indignant, but the urge to fight to the death she had just felt was gone.

Li Guihua quickly chimed in, taking Xianglan's hand: "Xianglan, just relax and stay here! It's a bit cramped at home, but it's definitely better than being mistreated over there! We can help take care of Honghong and Amao!"

She meant it sincerely. Although the house wasn't spacious, adding a couple more pairs of chopsticks was always an option. After all, she had her current job and still wanted to remember Xianglan's kindness.

The neighbors also spoke up to comfort Xianglan, condemning Wang's actions as inhumane and supporting Yang Yongkang's handling of the situation.

"Brother Yongkang has considered everything very carefully!"

"That's how it should be! Let's make things clear first!"

"Xianglan, don't be afraid, your parents and brothers are here!"

"What kind of mother-in-law is this? It's heartbreaking!"

The small courtyard was instantly filled with an atmosphere of shared hatred and indignation.

Looking at his crying sister, his emotional mother, his silent but firm father, and the neighbors offering their support, Yang Guangming knew that today's events were just the beginning.

Next, we'll see how the Wang family responds.

Father has already set up the game, and these words will surely reach the Wang family and the Dongfang Machinery Factory. They are just waiting for the other side to make their move.

With such a big incident, not to mention He Caiyun, who loves gossip, Zhao Tiemin in the security department and Chen Le'an from the Chen family will surely spread these words to their coworkers.

Yang Yongkang's words spread throughout the Dongfang Machinery Factory and naturally reached the ears of the Wang family.

And Xianglan's seemingly doomed future was subtly given a glimmer of hope in this public declaration.

Although she herself may not be aware of it at this moment, she is only immersed in the grief of being bullied by her mother-in-law and her reluctance to part with her deceased husband.

The air in the courtyard was still stifling, and cicadas had started chirping at some point, one after another, their calls drawn out.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting flickering light on Xianglan's tear-stained face.

(End of this chapter)