My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Chapter 44

Old Man Lan moved houses.

Although it was called moving, not much was actually moved. Old Man Lan came from Jinling with only his clothes. Now that the factory has allocated housing, he tidied up and bought some furniture, tables, chairs, stools, pots, bowls, and pans.

Lan Ling, Ming Mei's mother, came over to organize everything. Ming Mei followed behind her mother to help.

Today was her day off. This is the difference between a large factory and a small unit. Like Zhuang Zhixi's machinery factory, which is a ten-thousand-person factory, everyone follows a fixed schedule for rest. If you have something to do, you can only take leave, but then you lose the full attendance bonus, which is only two yuan but still a significant amount for most people. So, everyone tries not to take leave.

Ming Mei's passenger transport station is different. With around two hundred people, and as a station offspring, she took over her mother's job. Most of the older people she's known since childhood, and many younger ones are also familiar. Many took jobs to avoid going to the countryside.

Because everyone is familiar, their passenger transport station schedules rest days more humanely. If someone has something to do, they just need to inform in advance, and they can take turns resting. If something urgent comes up, someone can take over the shift, and the next time they can return the favor.

So, Ming Mei's rest days are quite flexible. She followed her mother early in the morning to tidy up. The room wasn't big, so they finished quickly. Upon entering, there was a small open kitchen on the left, a square table in the center, a row of cabinets against the wall, and a double bed in a partitioned area on the right, with a wardrobe and bedside table.

The room had been freshly painted and looked clean, even the windows had new, shiny glass. Lan Ling organized her father's clothes, laying them on the partition surface, filling a jar with hot water, and pressing it firmly over the clothes inch by inch.

Zhao Guihua curiously asked, "What are you doing?"

Since the in-laws were visiting, she naturally stayed to entertain. Although they weren't at her house, they were all family, living in the same courtyard, so she had to be there. However, Zhao Guihua didn't understand Lan Ling's actions.

Lan Ling replied, "I'm ironing the clothes to remove wrinkles."

Zhao Guihua: "..."

Learned something new!

This method was used by some meticulous households, but Zhao Guihua's family were workers and not so particular, so they hadn't used it. Zhao Guihua sighed, "It's quite troublesome."

Lan Ling: "It's not too bad."

Indeed, Lan Ling's movements were swift. Although Old Man Lan had quite a few clothes, Lan Ling worked efficiently. Today was Old Man Lan's moving day, and according to their custom, they were "warming the pot." So early in the morning, Ming Xiangdong, Ming Mei's father, went out to buy groceries.

As a truck driver, he had more connections and was in charge of buying precious items. Ming Mei's brother and sister-in-law didn't come. Ming Mei's brother was busy at the train station, following a train to the south, leaving yesterday morning. Ming Mei's sister-in-law's mother was nearing her end, so she had to visit every day and couldn't attend.

But Old Man Lan didn't mind. He didn't demand his children be by his side, let alone a granddaughter-in-law. He was chatting with Zhuang Zhixi in the courtyard. Zhuang Zhixi had actually taken leave today, but the factory approved it quickly, knowing he was helping Old Man Lan move.

Old Man Lan glanced at the neighboring house, leaning against the doorframe, and asked, "Are they still in the hospital?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Yes, they'll probably stay a few more days."

Although the Zhou and Bai families had their doors kicked in, the Bai family had already fixed theirs. Bai Fendou was still in the hospital, but Old Man Bai had returned, as he only had some scratches and wasn't serious.

Zhuang Zhixi sat on a small stool and said, "Jiang Lu came back to pack things for Zhou Qun's hospital stay. She didn't have time to fix the door. Auntie Wang propped it up."

The Zhou family didn't have time to fix the door, but Aunt Wang, as the courtyard's manager, couldn't ignore it. She was afraid of another theft, especially since this incident was caused by a theft. So, Aunt Wang made sure the courtyard was locked every night.

She also talked to each household, emphasizing fire prevention, theft prevention, and especially, theft prevention.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled, "It's not easy being the courtyard manager here."

Old Man Lan nodded, "I can see that. Such a harmonious and peaceful courtyard is rare."

He asked again, "So, these two families aren't in a hurry to leave the hospital?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Bai Fendou can't leave. He got hit on the head with a brick, passed out, and bled a lot. The doctor insists he stays a few days. Even if he doesn't want to, he can't. As for Zhou Qun, he twisted his waist from the hit. Usually, the doctor would say he can recover at home, but Jiang Lu insists on hospitalization, fearing something might happen. I guess Zhou Qun will stay until Bai Fendou leaves."

He had visited the hospital last night to see the commotion.

Old Man Lan curiously asked, "So, how's his waist?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Who knows? I heard him howling in the ward last night. Funny enough, Bai Fendou and Zhou Qun are in the same ward as my little nephew."

Old Man Lan: "That's a resilient waist."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Indeed, very resilient!"

Zhao Guihua came out to fetch water and overheard their conversation. She was speechless.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Mom, let me do it."

Zhuang Zhixi was quick to take the water bucket from his mother, saying, "Grandpa Lan should buy a water tank for convenience."

"Right, I'll get one tomorrow."

Zhuang Zhixi smiled, "Why wait? Let's do it today. I know where to buy one."

Old Man Lan: "Sure."

Zhuang Zhixi brought the water into the house and then left with Old Man Lan. Aunt Wang saw them and commented, "Your third son is quite enthusiastic and a good filial child."

Zhao Guihua: "That's true."

She asked, "How's the matchmaking going?"

Aunt Wang was shocked. It had only been a few days, and she was already being asked about it.

Hearing the words "matchmaking," Lan Ling and Ming Mei also came out of the house, looking at Aunt Wang. Lan Ling gently smiled and said, "Aunt Wang, do you remember me? I'm Ming Mei's mother. Now that my daughter is married and my father has moved in, we'll be living in the same courtyard. We'll likely cause some trouble, so please bear with us."

Aunt Wang: "Oh, don't worry about that. We're all neighbors in the same courtyard, nothing to worry about."

Lan Ling softly laughed, "That's a relief. When my father first moved, we wanted him to live with us, but he didn't want to. As children, we had no choice but to let him be. He's over seventy now, and all we want is for him to be happy. It's a bit worrying, but luckily, our in-laws live in the same courtyard, so they can inform us if anything happens. Our old man is from Jinling, and his habits are different from here. There might be some small frictions, so please be understanding."

Aunt Wang: "I understand, I understand."

She could see the old man was quite independent, and this gentle approach wouldn't sway him.

Aunt Wang was from the northeast and naturally had a tall stature and a loud voice, with a straightforward and bold personality. She came to the city of Beijing at the age of ten or so, where the local girls also had a certain straightforwardness, so she adapted well. It was Ming Mei's mother who spoke softly and gently, with a voice so soft that even as a woman, Aunt Wang felt reluctant to speak loudly to her.

"Ming Mei's mom, don't worry, I'll help take care of the elderly for you," she assured, patting her chest.

Lan Ling: "Thank you, by the way, I heard you talking about finding a partner, is it for my father?"

Aunt Wang nodded: "Yes, it is."

She observed Lan Ling, trying to gauge her feelings about her father finding another partner.

Lan Ling smiled faintly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you even more. Don't worry, we won't let you do this for nothing. We'll definitely prepare a generous matchmaker's fee for you."

Aunt Wang was a bit surprised, but then she thought, the old man has already been married several times, this is his fourth marriage. As a daughter, even if she has objections, she should be used to it by now. So she really didn't need to think too much.

She said, "I'm looking into it recently, I've already inquired about a few, I'll see what I can find out about their intentions."

Lan Ling smiled: "Thank you."

At that moment, someone from the opposite house also came out, Aunt Su carrying clothes to wash. Usually, it was Wang Xiangxiu who did the laundry after work, so it was rare to see her doing it. She greeted everyone with a smile and started working earnestly, but of course, her ears were perked up.

Zhao Guihua raised an eyebrow.

Lan Ling also raised an eyebrow.

Aunt Wang seemed to be deep in thought.

Ming Mei eagerly approached and asked curiously, "Mom, what kind of person does Grandpa want to find?"

She scratched her head, feeling a bit out of the loop. Was her grandfather really looking for another partner?

Lan Ling: "Your grandpa likes someone who is good at cooking."

As a daughter, she had some understanding of her father. When she said this, Aunt Wang and Zhao Guihua nodded. Aunt Wang glanced at Aunt Su and said with a hint, "Sometimes, when looking for a partner, it's not always about sticking to certain criteria. Sometimes, if you hit it off, all the requirements don't matter."

Lan Ling lowered her eyes and softly laughed, saying, "People's preferences are not easily changed. Although I don't live with my father, I do know him a bit. He prefers someone straightforward and generous, healthy. Someone weak and unable to take care of themselves won't do. If they start crying at the first sign of trouble, my father would be exasperated. Besides, we don't want to trouble him, nor do we want him to support someone else's family."

She seemed to inadvertently glance towards the sink.

Even Aunt Wang, who was usually straightforward, understood in that moment.

She realized that Lan Ling had seen through her intentions.

And she understood what Lan Ling was trying to say. In fact, when Old Man Lan mentioned looking for a partner, she had thought of Aunt Su for a moment. Aunt Su was weak but very strong-willed. It wasn't surprising that Aunt Wang thought of her, as she didn't see through Aunt Su's true nature like Zhao Guihua. If it weren't for Aunt Su always protecting her thieving grandson, Aunt Wang would have thought even better of her.

But everyone has flaws, so Aunt Wang thought Aunt Su was not bad.

This was also due to Aunt Su's management of her reputation in the courtyard. In this regard, others couldn't compare. Like Zhou Qun, who was known for being mean. Or Zhao Guihua, who had a fierce reputation.

Aunt Wang was even more so.

Only Aunt Su was shrewd and good at managing her image. This made Aunt Wang feel some sympathy for her. This time, she thought it would be suitable for Aunt Su.

However, since Old Man Lan mentioned wanting someone healthy, she didn't want to match them up. But she did think that if they lived together in the courtyard and got to know each other, they might hit it off.

She didn't care about the matchmaker's fee, she just hoped that her long-time neighbor could find a suitable partner. As for Old Man Bai, Aunt Wang hadn't considered him from the start. She thought she saw clearly that Old Man Bai was one-sided. If Aunt Su really wanted to be with Old Man Bai, wouldn't she have done so by now?

In a short time, Aunt Wang thought a lot. She quickly realized that Lan Ling probably saw through her intentions and was subtly hinting at her. Aunt Wang wasn't a bad person. Seeing that both the father and the daughter didn't want it, she immediately said, "You're right, I understand."

Lan Ling smiled and said, "Today we're having a housewarming for my father, Sister, you should come and eat with us. Look, we've already been a bother to you before even moving in. You can't refuse."

Aunt Wang: "Hey, what's the trouble? I promised, so I'll look for the right person for you."

She had thought too much before, now that she had the right mindset, she should act quickly. After all, there were two other widows in the courtyard, it was better to find someone sooner. Aunt Wang was such a person, once she realized her original idea wouldn't work, she didn't dwell on it and adjusted quickly.

Lan Ling: "Then you must come and eat."

Aunt Wang hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll help out in the kitchen."

"We'll help in the kitchen later, my father's place is all set up," Lan Ling said.

Aunt Wang: "Alright!"

The older women immediately started chatting. Lan Ling was only two years younger than Zhao Guihua, but she was much better maintained, looking almost ten years younger. Compared to Aunt Wang's robust build, the difference in youth was even more pronounced.

No matter when, women always have such topics.

Zhao Guihua: "Sister-in-law, look, we're only a little apart in age, but I look so much older than you. You have to tell me your secrets."

Lan Ling smiled: "I've always valued myself, like to dress up, used to use clam oil since I was young, and later saved some money to buy snow cream. Now I use Sparrow Brand. On this, you can't be stingy. We're not starving, why save all the money? Our family has workers, the days are not bad, why not treat ourselves well? Life is short, we should make ourselves happy."

Zhao Guihua silently sighed, her sister-in-law's thoughts were really ahead of their time.

Aunt Wang: "Well, that's true, but it's hard to part with the money. The kids are still small, can't we save some for them? They'll grow up and get married."

Lan Ling: "How much is enough? Children will have their own fortunes."

Aunt Wang didn't quite agree with this view, they didn't save much, it's hard to save money now.

She muttered, "If beauty costs money, then I'd rather be ugly."

Ming Mei: "Pfft!"

Zhao Guihua also laughed, saying, "Old Wang, you really... But if you ask me to buy Sparrow Brand, I'd be heartbroken. But if it's for food, I'm willing. Eating well and nutritious food is good for the body."

Lan Ling nodded: "That's right. It depends on the individual, everyone has different wants."

Ming Mei pouted: "What if I want good food, good clothes, and good things to use?"

Lan Ling glanced at Zhao Guihua and flicked her daughter's forehead, saying, "You love to talk, what does it have to do with you when we adults are talking? Go on."

Ming Mei: "I want to listen and learn."

She was sitting to the left of her mother and to the right of her mother-in-law, both very experienced people.

But before Ming Mei could learn anything, her father came back.

"Xiao Ling, I'm back!" a loud voice rang out, and Ming Mei quickly got up: "Dad."

Ming Xiangdong strode in, with a chicken in one hand, a duck in the other, and a large pumpkin on his back.

He said, "Come, see if we need to prepare anything else."

Lan Ling: "It's enough, it's enough."

Aunt Su's eyes immediately stuck to the chickens and ducks. She swallowed her saliva silently, growing even more resentful of this family. What's the point of showing off like this? Are they just showing off how well they eat? With both chicken and duck, if her grandson could eat them, it would be excellent, enough for at least two or three days.

She swallowed her saliva, thinking that since Auntie Wang could mooch off meals, she should be able to as well.

She threw her hand and walked over weakly, saying, "I'll help too. We're all neighbors, and I'm home alone, so I might as well come over and lend a hand. If the old man ever needs any clothes washed, just give them to me. One or two, it's all the same to me."

Lan Ling: "That's not necessary. My dad is quite particular..."

"Oh, oh, oh, look at my filial daughter, taking advantage of my absence to spread good words about me outside," Old Man Lan also returned, with Zhuang Zhixi and a stranger carrying a vat, both sweating.

The young man followed the old man's instructions and placed the vat in the kitchen. Old Man Lan took out a dime and handed it to the young man, "Alright, thank you."

The young man happily accepted it, saying, "Uncle, if you have any work in the future, call me."

Zhuang Zhixi wiped his sweat and said, "When I first left, I didn't think the vat was heavy at all. But the further we walked, the heavier it got. Look at my sweat."

He pulled his wife to play the victim, and Ming Mei took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, "You're stupid, couldn't you have spent another dime to hire someone?"

She muttered softly.

Despite the tight policies now, some old trades can still find work, though it's not done openly. Don't ask, just say it's free help for the people.

As for the money?

Oh, that's just a dime owed from earlier.

Such things, even if caught red-handed, are useless.

So Ming Mei thought Zhuang Zhixi was a fool for getting so hot.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Actually, it's not tiring, just hot. I didn't feel hot at all at first, but this noon is getting warmer day by day."

The young couple was being affectionate, but on this occasion, they were completely out of place. Old Man Lan: "My filial daughter, have you tidied up everything for me?"

Lan Ling: "Yes, I have. Don't be sarcastic with me."

Old Man Lan nodded: "You're still useful. Go cook. Make the duck into saltwater duck."

Lan Ling: "Okay, okay, okay."

Old Man Lan turned his head to look at Aunt Su: "Why haven't you left yet? What are you doing? Want to mooch off a meal?! Oh, oh, oh, this is a lady who is not at all greedy, really not greedy at all."

Aunt Su: "..."

Damn it!

Old bastard!

Old Man Lan: "Oh, oh, oh, where's your little thief?"

He looked around: "That kid has some tricks, what does he look like?"

Aunt Su immediately broke down. She could endure other things, how else could she maintain a good reputation and take advantage? But there was one thing she couldn't bear, her three grandsons, they were her life, the roots of the old Su family.

She couldn't help but pull a long face and said, "Old Man Lan, how can you say that? My children are good children. You're bullying us because we're widows, aren't you? You can't just come and bully us widows with children. My children, they're good children."

She reddened her eyes, looking wronged.

Just now she was calling him "old brother," now it's "Old Man Lan"!

Old Man Lan felt even more wronged: "Your little thief has caused quite a stir around here, can't I even ask about it? Look, we're neighbors, right? I just wanted to recognize him so I don't beat him to death next time. I'm just trying to leave him some breathing room. Look, you're not even grateful. Okay, okay, your child is a good child. Oh, this child is really too good, this child never steals, this child never causes trouble, this child never starts fights in the courtyard. This child is really a rare good child in the world. Hard to find, too hard to find. How can there be such a good child, really excellent!"

Aunt Su was so angry her chest heaved, almost fainting.

This old bastard!

Old bastard!!!

What was he saying!

Old Man Lan's words, more than the term "little thief," hit Aunt Su's sore spot even harder. Damn it!

These "good child" and "excellent" remarks were simply unbearable. How could someone be so sarcastic!

Aunt Wang saw Aunt Su was about to explode in anger and faint, so she quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "I'm going to the toilet, old Su, don't you want to go too? Let's go together."

She didn't want to find a better excuse, but it was too sudden, too unexpected, and she wasn't that good at smoothing things over. This was her limit. It might be awkward, but at least it would get Aunt Su out of there, or else if she got so angry she took out a knife and started cutting people, it would be over.

Aunt Wang felt sorry for herself, their courtyard had too many troubles, so much that she now suspected the fragile Aunt Su could cut people. After all, even Jiang Lu, who had always been in the background and oppressed by her mother-in-law, could hit Bai Fendou's head with a brick and open a hole.

What couldn't happen?

So awkwardness didn't matter, she pulled Aunt Su out together, saying, "Let's go to the toilet together."

It was truly elementary school behavior.

The two old ladies walked out of the courtyard together, Aunt Su was still very resentful, saying, "Old Wang, you know, it's not that I'm petty, but how can they talk about children like that? My grandson is a top-notch good child, what do they make him out to be?"

Aunt Wang couldn't agree with this. She also had grandchildren, but she didn't raise them like the Su family. She thought for a while and said earnestly, "Aunt Su, I know some words are unpleasant, but I have to tell you. You should discipline Jinlai, Yinlai, and Tonglai. If you don't discipline them now, when will you? Jinlai is already ten years old, do you really want to let him go like this? Look at how everyone sees these children, do you still want them to support you in your old age? Do you want to see them in jail?"

Aunt Su's face darkened at these words, she said coldly, "What do you mean by that? My children are so good, what are you implying? Are you cursing me? You've watched them grow up."

Aunt Wang: "I don't mean any harm, but if he keeps acting out, it will only get worse each time. You should discipline them. Now you can still manage, what about later?"

Aunt Su wanted to kill Aunt Wang in her heart, thinking this old woman was really something, just jealous that her family had three grandsons, saying such things. So malicious, no wonder her family had to adopt grandsons, so lacking in virtue.

Heartless.

She hated it in her heart, but she couldn't say it on the surface, she still had some reason left. She tried to calm down and put on a worried face, saying, "My children are not bad children, they are really good children with feelings. But our family's life is hard, the children can't eat enough, so they have to think of ways. What else can they do? Little children, how much do they understand? Besides, look, my children don't steal from others? They steal from the Zhou family because the Zhou family always bullies us, the children know that too! They just want to give us a breath of relief. My Jinlai is really a good child."

Aunt Wang saw that Aunt Su was stubbornly convinced her children were good, and she sighed slightly, saying, "You..."

She didn't know what to say for a moment, she looked at Aunt Su, suddenly seeing Aunt Su's full of hatred eyes, she was startled and took two steps back. Aunt Su also noticed she had revealed herself and quickly adjusted, putting on a concerned look: "Are you alright?"

Aunt Wang looked at her normal face again, a little suspicious if she had just seen wrong, but she still felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart, she said, "I'm going to the toilet."

She didn't try to persuade Aunt Su further and shook off Aunt Su's hand, hurrying into the women's restroom. Aunt Su stood still, not moving. She didn't really need to use the restroom; she had just been pulled out by someone. Hesitating for a moment, she turned to go back, but as she did, she saw a stray dog panting and trotting past.

Aunt Su's anger flared up at the sight.

She immediately thought of the incident where Jinling had been bitten on the buttocks by a stray dog, a black one just like this. Seeing no one around, she decided not to reveal her true nature. She quickly picked up a stone and threw it, muttering under her breath, "How dare you bully my grandson! I'll beat you to death, you stray dog!"

The stone hit the dog with a splat, and the dog yelped, tail between its legs, and ran off.

Seeing the dog's cowardly behavior, Aunt Su felt her mood improve significantly. She quickly threw another stone and began looking for more. Anyone who dared to bully her grandson had to face her retribution!

This person didn't consider that, although it was a stray dog, it didn't usually attack people. But their family had instigated the conflict twice, which was a bit underhanded!

She threw several more stones, each hitting the dog and making it yelp. Aunt Su triumphantly put her hands on her hips.

However, she was much smarter than her grandson. Jinling had beaten the dog and ended up unable to resolve the situation, getting bitten on the buttocks and having to get a rabies shot. She, on the other hand, kept a safe distance, ready to throw the two stones in her hand if the dog chased her, giving her time to get into the courtyard.

"Awoo, woooo~" The dog bared its teeth at Aunt Su.

Aunt Su wasn't afraid; she threw another stone: "You dog, how dare you be fierce with me? How dare you bully my grandson? I'll beat you to death and make dog meat soup today!" Aunt Su felt very satisfied; she could only do this when no one was around.

She threw stone after stone, when suddenly, Aunt Su felt a disturbance. She turned her head and saw a large yellow dog running from behind, leaping up and biting her on the buttocks.

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

Aunt Su screamed in agony.

She threw a stone directly at the dog's head. The yellow dog, hit, quickly ran off with its tail between its legs. Aunt Su clutched her buttocks and screamed. Zhao Guihua and the others in the courtyard heard the commotion, their faces changing as they rushed out. Auntie Wang also hurried out, pulling up her pants: "What's going on? What's happening?"

Everyone came out to see a black and a yellow stray dog both baring their teeth at Aunt Su. It was clear that the black dog was injured, blood dripping.

Aunt Su: "Help me!"

Aunt Su, in pain, turned to run, but the black dog, bleeding, bared its teeth and charged at Aunt Su. Before anyone could react, it bit Aunt Su on the other buttock.

Aunt Su fell flat on the ground, and the black dog bit her thigh.

"Ahhhh!!!"

The heart-wrenching scream made Auntie Wang hesitate. Last time, Zhou Qun had been caught in the crossfire and fell into the toilet, getting a hand full of feces. Now, she was also near the toilet; she dared not act rashly.

Better not get involved!

The Ming family watched in stunned silence. They had never seen such a thing before, truly a first!

To be honest, while stray dogs eating feces were common, stray dogs attacking people were rare!

They had always heard that there were many incidents in this courtyard, and now they had witnessed it for themselves.

It was Ming Xiangdong who reacted first, picking up a broom by the gate and waving it: "Go away, go away!"

The two dogs, seeing the crowd, quickly ran off together, disappearing in a flash.

Aunt Su groaned in pain, but Ming Xiangdong didn't step forward to help. He didn't know this person, so there was no need to do a good deed. Besides, Ming Xiangdong was a truck driver, quite different from his son, Ming Cheng, a train conductor. He had seen all kinds of highway robbers over the years.

One of them was the weak person lying on the ground asking for help.

So Ming Xiangdong was instinctively wary of such people. He didn't say Aunt Su was that kind of person, but his habit of being cautious had been formed. He wouldn't get close, let alone help.

Auntie Wang: "Old Su!"

She ran over at this moment, asking, "Are you alright? Do you need help?"

"Stray... stray dogs bit me, these beasts, they want to eat people! They should all be killed!"

By this time, other people from their courtyard and nearby courtyards had come out. Such a commotion, who wouldn't come out to see?

"My goodness, what happened?"

"Can't you see? She got bitten by a dog."

"Oh my, they both bit her on the butt!" Although it was late March, Aunt Su was still wearing cotton-padded pants, and the cotton was exposed where she was bitten, clearly showing where it happened.

"Hey, isn't that the big black dog that bit her grandson last time?"

"Oh my, what a coincidence!"

"Uh... can this be called a coincidence?"

The man who mentioned coincidence wasn't polite, saying confidently, "Why not a coincidence? It's the same dog as last time, and it bit the same place. I think it's fate. Maybe the big black dog has an old grudge with their family, so it came to seek revenge..."

"Ah, this..."

Everyone started discussing.

Old Man Lan, with his sharp eyes, immediately saw: "That black dog was hit by a stone and injured."

Following his lead, everyone saw the obvious stones scattered on the street, several of which were stained with blood. If the dog had attacked first and then thrown the stones, Aunt Su's reaction was too fast.

It should be... Aunt Su hit the dog first. Everyone's mouths twitched; they really didn't understand this family.

Why did they always provoke stray dogs?

What kind of hobby was that!

"Oh heavens, my life is hard, how miserable I am! It's so difficult! Waaaah, help me..." Aunt Su cried pitifully. Auntie Wang: "Quick, someone come, help us get her to the hospital. She's been bitten several times."

Besides, at their age, falling like this, they didn't know if any bones were broken. What to do!

"Hurry up!"

Old Man Lan: "I can't go, today is the first day of my move-in, a warm-up day. If we go to the hospital, it'll be inauspicious. There are so many people, we don't need to go!"

The Ming family definitely couldn't go; they weren't from this courtyard anyway.

Ming Xiangdong was the one who chased the dogs away.

Zhao Guihua narrowed her eyes, seeing Auntie Wang sweating in panic, and said, "I'll go with you." She decided to do a good deed and also see the fun.

A few more neighbors from the courtyard came out, and they quickly found a handcart, helping Aunt Su onto it. She couldn't sit, so she had to lie on the handcart, which was used to transport coal by a neighbor from another courtyard. Aunt Su was covered in black as soon as she lay down, but at this moment, no one cared about that. She covered her face and cried.

Zhao Guihua: "You all eat, don't wait for me. I'll go see my grandson."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Okay."

Zhao Guihua, along with Auntie Wang and a few others, pushed the handcart towards the hospital. Auntie Wang remembered hearing the stray dog yelping in pain in the restroom, clearly "under attack." She was truly helpless.

She said, "Aunt Su, what were you doing! Your grandson Jinling provoked the stray dog because he's a child and doesn't understand. How could you do the same thing! Look, you're suffering so much from the injuries."

Zhao Guihua muttered, "The old one does it, the young one does it too. Your family really has a genetic tendency to bully dogs. I wonder if the old one learned it from the young one, or the young one from the old one."

Although the dog bit someone, the root cause of the incident really couldn't be blamed on the dog.

The dog was quite wronged, always encountering crazy people.

She said, "Can't you provoke a cat next time?"

A young man who came to help said earnestly, "Aunt Zhao, that won't do. It's like the saying goes, 'attracting cats and teasing dogs.'"

"Pfft!"

Zhao Guihua couldn't hold back and burst out laughing, then said, "It's almost time."

Aunt Su wailed so loudly that she couldn't hear anything anyone said at this point. She just felt miserable all over, especially her bottom.

Zhao Guihua: "Just around the next corner, and oh yes, you need money to go to the hospital."

Aunt Wang slapped her head: "Does anyone have any? Can someone lend some for now?"

Everyone shook their heads. At this moment, even if they had money, they wouldn't admit it. Who knows when they'd get it back? Her family is notoriously poor. Seeing everyone shake their heads, Aunt Wang was suddenly in a bind.

Zhao Guihua: "Quick, go to the factory and find her daughter-in-law, Wang Xiangxiu, and tell her to prepare the money. We're all neighbors, why would we lend her money? Besides, who has money to spare?"

"Right, right, right!"

Aunt Wang: "Who can go to the machinery factory..."

Second Aunt Cui from the back courtyard: "I'll go!"

"Okay, but make sure Wang Xiangxiu hurries."

Second Aunt Cui: "I know, I know."

She was terrified of having to spend even a single cent, so she decisively turned around and dashed towards the machinery factory. By the time she arrived, it was already the noon break, and the lunch break bell had just rung. Workers were streaming towards the cafeteria.

Second Aunt Cui rushed to the gatekeeper: "Uncle, I'm looking for a female worker named Wang Xiangxiu. Her mother-in-law was bitten by a dog and might not make it!"

...

Wang Xiangxiu was carrying her lunchbox, heading towards the cafeteria, her eyes scanning for someone to buy her lunch, hoping to save a bit of money. Usually, she could rely on Bai Fendou if no one else was available, but Bai Fendou had been hospitalized the night before, leaving her in a bind.

As she looked around, she saw an older sister running towards her: "Wang Xiangxiu, hurry to the gate, it's said your mother-in-law might not make it."

Wang Xiangxiu: "!!!!!!"

She stared in shock, then let out a wail and dashed out.

"What happened? Isn't her mother-in-law quite young?"

"Who knows? Her mother-in-law's health has always been weak, maybe she really won't make it?"

"Oh dear, if she passes away, their family will be even worse off."

"That's for sure..."

"Their family always has so many troubles..."

Wang Xiangxiu couldn't bear to listen and ran towards the gate, tears streaming down her face. How could something like this happen all of a sudden? She ran as fast as she could, and just as she was about to reach the gate, she saw a figure dash past her even faster. It was none other than Old Man Bai.

Old Man Bai was even more anxious than Wang Xiangxiu.

Standing at the gate, Second Aunt Cui saw Old Man Bai already shedding tears, and thought to herself: "..."

Was it really that serious?

"What happened to my sister?"

"How is my mother-in-law?"

They arrived and spoke almost simultaneously.

Second Aunt Cui: "..."

"Tell us! What happened? Why are you just standing there? Where's Aunt Su?"

Second Aunt Cui quickly snapped back to reality: "She was bitten by a dog and fell. I don't know what state she's in now. Wang Xiangxiu, you need to hurry over. Also, you need to prepare the medical fees."

Upon hearing about the medical fees, Wang Xiangxiu cried even louder. But even louder than her was Old Man Bai: "I have the medical fees!! No matter what, even if we have to sell pots and pans or the house, we have to treat her!"

Second Aunt Cui was stunned!!!

She couldn't understand, but she was deeply shocked!

Could this be true love?