Chapter 217: The Two Widows of the Jia Family Scheme Against Each Other (Seeking Subscriptions)

The tiger-head-snake-tail donation drama, urging an end in a rather childish way, resulted in Liu Haizhong losing twenty yuan, while the neighbors gave not a single cent to the Jia family.

He originally intended to use the opportunity to highlight his difference from Yi Zhonghai.

The effect was the opposite of what was intended.

It made Liu Haizhong's heart.

A chilling sensation spread.

It became a laughingstock.

The neighbors' disdainful expressions clearly illustrate the problem.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu also had fire in their eyes.

In the past.

They ate an egg at home, and still had to separately pay a sum of money.

Liu Haizhong gave twenty yuan to the Jia family without blinking.

Twenty yuan.

How many eggs could that buy?

Could it be that he has taken a liking to Qin Huairu?

The unfilial Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, their minds wildly speculating about Liu Haizhong's motive for donating, just as Yi Zhonghai had originally helped Qin Huairu in this way.

The two brothers thought about how to get those twenty yuan back; since nobody in the siheyuan donated, why should their Liu family have to fork out twenty yuan to give to Jia Zhangshi?

Jia Zhangshi refused to give.

So they went after Bangeng.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu exchanged a glance; in a flash, they had already worked out how to split the amount, ten yuan each.

Bangeng is the Jia family's sole incense heir, the apple of Jia Zhangshi's eye.

Using Bangeng to threaten Jia Zhangshi, they weren't afraid she wouldn't comply.

Unaware that the Liu family's pair of birds were scheming over her precious grandson, Jia Zhangshi, according to the crowd's reaction, decisively changed her strategy.

Originally, Jia Zhangshi planned to use Huaihua as a pretext, trying to get money from the eldest aunt.

Taking the situation on site into account.

She moved the later steps forward.

She reversed the order.

"His second uncle, his third uncle, the neighbors are all here; this old woman, in front of the neighbors, says sorry to my ill-fated daughter-in-law Qin Huairu."

Upon hearing these words.

The neighbors all turned into senseless wooden figures, eyes wide, mouths agape, faces filled with shock that reached to their bones.

Jia Zhangshi said sorry to Qin Huairu.

How could that be?

What's the situation with the Jia family?

Everyone in the courtyard knows full well.

From the day Qin Huairu met Jia Dongxu for a blind date, Jia Zhangshi took a dislike to Qin Huairu, looking down on her in a hundred ways, believing that a country girl like Qin Huairu was unworthy to enter the Jia family's gate, unworthy of their own son Jia Dongxu.

The day after the wedding, Qin Huairu, under Jia Zhangshi's cold mockery, began doing chores like tidying the house, cooking, and mending.

In the freezing weather, washing clothes in the courtyard, her hands turned bright red; this Jia family daughter-in-law's status was worth nothing.

Worried that Qin Huairu would give the Jia family a green hat, Jia Zhangshi kept a close watch on Qin Huairu, even following her to the toilet.

A ridiculous matter.

Even though Qin Huairu was under Jia Zhangshi's day-and-night surveillance, she still gave Jia Dongxu a green hat; the Huaihua she bore had Yi Zhonghai as her biological father.

The Jia family's daily routine was either Jia Zhangshi angrily scolding Qin Huairu for not observing womanly virtues, or sneering at Qin Huairu for basking in the Jia family's glory, scolding her by day and by night.

The neighbors had grown accustomed to it.

At this very moment.

Jia Zhangshi gave them a bombshell.

In front of them, she apologized to Qin Huairu.

What the heck kind of show is this?

The crowd stared at each other, you looking at me, me looking at you.

Most striking was Qin Huairu, her expression a mix of five flavors, looking as if she had eaten dog feces.

She probably never imagined Jia Zhangshi would pull off such an apology act.

Once this drama began.

Whether genuine feelings or feigned intentions.

None of these were the outcome Qin Huairu wanted to see.

Once the persona is established, Qin Huairu can forget about shaking off Jia Zhangshi and remarrying.

Even if she remarried, she'd have to bring along Jia Zhangshi, that lazy, gluttonous evil mother-in-law.

Others marrying you, Qin Huairu, you bringing your child already gives you face; but if you also bring the mother-in-law, the key is that her reputation isn't great, making people dislike her and dogs annoyed.

Invisibly.

It cut off Qin Huairu's path to remarriage.

Qin Huairu, having seen through Jia Zhangshi's tricks, felt a hint of helpless sigh, and then fully cooperated with Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, I don't blame you; truly, I have never resented you. You are my mother-in-law, I am your daughter-in-law—how could a daughter-in-law resent her own mother-in-law?"

Qin Huairu began her performance with tears glistening; Jia Zhangshi wanted to project the image of a kind mother-in-law, and she likewise wished to display the image of a filial daughter-in-law.

It's all an act for outsiders to see.

"Being able to marry into the Jia family, to continue the Jia family's incense, is my Qin Huairu's blessing. You are the elder, I am the junior; you hit me, it's for my own good; you scold me, it's to make me succeed."

The scene of the Dayuan assembly.

It turned into the stage where the Jia family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law wildly show off their acting skills.

Each side, after you finish singing, I step onto the stage.

Quite lively.

Each trying to outdo the other in putting on airs.

"Huairu, stop talking already; the more you say, the more this old face of mine has nowhere to hide. Everyone in the neighborhood knows that since the day you married into the Jia family, I've constantly looked down on you, giving you dirty looks by day and making you suffer by night—this pettiness is my fault as a mother-in-law. All these years, I've made you suffer. Today, in front of the neighbors, I say sorry: all mistakes are mine. After Dongxu's death, the Jia family has relied on you to hold things together, yet I still didn't understand you, I scolded you, I scolded you for bringing shame on the Jia family, I scolded you for making Dongxu wear a green hat, I resent myself."

Acting out the whole show.

Jia Zhangshi strides up to Qin Huairu.

She makes a move as if to perform a deep ninety-degree bow.

As a daughter-in-law, if Qin Huairu were to accept this bow from Jia Zhangshi in front of the neighbors, the consequences would be far from trivial.

She hurriedly gets up to stop it.

Qin Huairu, having struck the pillar and injured her head, feeling weak and unable to rise, collapses onto the stool a second time, then quickly opens her sharp tongue to provoke Jia Zhangshi.

"Mom, don't do this; you're my mother-in-law, I'm your daughter-in-law—I can't bear it."

Jia Zhangshi never really intended to bow to Qin Huairu.

Just putting on an act.

She might as well seize the opportunity to back down.

She steers the conversation onto the topic of Qin Huairu remarrying.

On one hand, she's striking while the iron's hot to continue showing her good mother-in-law side.

This also includes Jia Zhangshi's awareness that she cannot stop Qin Huairu from remarrying.

A heroic mother who bears many children.

You damn well, if you don't allow a widow daughter-in-law to remarry, you're just turning history backwards.

On the other hand, she's using the chance to raise conditions.

Remarrying is acceptable.

But you must bring my old woman, Bangeng, and Xiao Dang along when you remarry; Bangeng and Xiao Dang still cannot change their surnames.

She didn't say it outright.

Her meaning came across clearly.

"Huairu, you married into our Jia family at eighteen; Dongxu has been gone over a year now. These days we stress new people, new things, new looks. Mother can't keep holding you back from remarrying. In front of the neighbors, Mother will state her stance: if you meet a suitable person who doesn't despise you for being a widow, treats Bangeng and Xiao Dang well, and regards them as her own children, then go ahead and marry. You've already contributed enough to our Jia family."

Jia Zhangshi's tears.

Welled up from her eye sockets.

Because of her age, her crying cannot truly be compared to Qin Huairu's.

The watching neighbors furrowed their brows.

The shrewd, unreasonable Jia Zhangshi they've seen too many times; the tearful, feeble Jia Zhangshi putting on a pitiful act is truly the first time they've seen.

Strange.

Could it be that Qin Huairu's bump against the pillar frightened Jia Zhangshi?

Shazhu doesn't think so; in his eyes, Jia Zhangshi's tears are crocodile tears, meant to better manipulate Qin Huairu.

He hadn't heard Jia Zhangshi say that Qin Huairu must bring the two children when remarrying.

Supplies are expensive and scarce.

Suddenly there are three more mouths to feed.

Using a saying to describe it, even a wealthy family would have no surplus grain.

Moreover, Bangeng has a bad reputation; the under-ten Bangeng has made a name for himself as a 'thief saint' in the Siheyuan. You little thief, stealing here and there—could anyone take Bangeng back as an adopted son?

Even if taken back,

he would still need to be disciplined with sticks.

By then Jia Zhangshi will surely kick up a fuss, so her so-called urging Qin Huairu to remarry is actually aimed at preventing Qin Huairu from remarrying.

No wonder in her previous life she clung tightly to Qin Huairu.

Jia Zhangshi's tactics, one after another, now she starts bringing up Yi Zhonghai.

"If it weren't for Yi Zhonghai's mistake, Mother wouldn't know how much you've done for our Jia family. That damn Yi Zhonghai, he used Dongxu to threaten you, forcing you to agree. You have bitterness in your heart, yet Mother still doesn't understand you, scolding you every day."

The stone weighing on Qin Huairu's heart finally fell to the ground; the pillar‑bumping incident she plotted and carried out herself can now be closed.

Jia Zhangshi's few simple words perfectly whitewashed the fact that Qin Huairu was involved with Yi Zhonghai.

"Mom, stop; it's my fault—I've lost face for the Jia family, I gave Dongxu a green hat. Blame me, blame me; let me die. How could you bring me back to life?"

"Huairu."

"Mom."

The two widows of the Jia family embraced, each bursting into tears.

Taking the opportunity, Qin Huairu repeated verbatim the half‑true, half‑false Hubei‑style nonsense she had made up to the two comrades in the hospital.

Why was she occupied by Yi Zhonghai?

Why, after being occupied by Yi Zhonghai, did she not tell the Jia family, Dongxu, or the neighborhood office the truth?

She needs to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"That day the courtyard lost power; I went to look for candles. The elder said his candles were in the vegetable cellar… He brought up Dongxu, saying he was a Level‑8 Technician at the factory, that the leaders gave him some face, so they could have the Yagangchang fire Dongxu. He said the courtyard was under the Head Steward, who could rally the neighbors to evict our Jia family from the Siheyuan. I, a woman from the countryside, know nothing, I dare not gamble, I am afraid, I…"

This is Qin Huairu's cleverness.

Not admitting to colluding with Yi Zhonghai.

Saying Yi Zhonghai used Jia Dongxu and the Jia family to threaten her, forcing her to comply.

Although the factual content hasn't changed, it's still the fact that the two were fooling around, but the nature differs: one is disgrace and ruin, the other is sacrificing oneself for the Jia family—utterly a world of difference.

Level 8 Technician, Head Steward of the Siheyuan.

These two titles are exactly the two reasons the neighbors fear Yi Zhonghai.

A few words.

It stirred the neighbors' resentment toward Yi Zhonghai and aroused infinite sympathy for Qin Huairu; these big men were all easily manipulated by Yi Zhonghai, let alone this country girl Qin Huairu.

The logic now makes sense.

Also, a few shrewd people watched the performance of the Jia family's two widows with a spectator's mindset.

Yan Fugui.

Shazhu.

Eldest Aunt.

Yi Zhonghai forcing Qin Huairu—this matter the eldest aunt does not believe.

In the world, no one knows Yi Zhonghai better than her.

Not helping Yi Zhonghai extricate himself is to resent his betrayal; they had agreed to die childless together, yet Yi Zhonghai had Qin Huairu bear him a daughter.

He might even add insult to injury.

"Yi Zhonghai, you've done evil—Qin Huairu is the wife of your disciple Jia Dongxu, a generation apart, yet you could lay hands on her; you're lacking in virtue—how did I marry such a scoundrel? You don't deserve a good death; you'd even do this—Heaven, why don't you strike Yi Zhonghai dead with lightning?"

Jia Zhangshi chimed in with her agreement.

The old widow had just one idea.

This cemented the label of Yi Zhonghai forcing Qin Huairu.

Keep the Jia family's jobs.

Keep the Jia family's right to remain in the city.

"Yi Zhonghai, I foolishly thought you were a good person, but you're actually a beast—how could you do this? You deserve to die childless."

Qin Huairu stepped forward again.

She clung to Jia Zhangshi, wailing and crying out "Mother!"

That cry of "Mother."

That call was absolutely splendid.

"Huairu, we Jia family owe you an apology; Mother still says the same: if you meet someone suitable who doesn't despise you, you may remarry—Bengeng and Xiao Dang, if you want to take them with you, you may; if not, I, the old woman, will support them both, so nothing will drag you down—you've done enough for the Jia family, Huairu."

"Mother, I'm leaving—won't the Jia family just fall apart? How could I abandon you and not care? Dong Xu is gone; as his wife, I ought to care for you."

"Huairu, Mother doesn't know what to say; Mother can finally stop being afraid. Facing the neighbors, Mother will say something she doesn't fear they'll laugh at: the Jia family truly cannot do without you; if you remarry, the Jia family will scatter. Mother has always worried about your remarriage—no, Mother, don't worry about Bengeng and Xiao Dang either. With these words, Mother is relieved. Once Yi Zhonghai's matter is settled, Mother will go to the street office to find work, even cleaning toilets without fear. Mother and I will work together to raise Bengeng and Xiao Dang, get them married and have children."

Jia Zhangshi's these few words.

Thoroughly binding Qin Huairu to the Jia family's leaky boat.

This amounts to cutting off Qin Huairu's path to remarriage.

Unless she abandons her own persona and remarries regardless of consequences.

Qin Huairu's facial expression was quite comical, like someone who accidentally swallowed a dead fly—utterly miserable and vexed.

She had thought Jia Zhangshi would at least continue exchanging pleasantries with her.

The allusion of three requests and three refusals.

Need to let the neighbors look on favorably.

Miscalculated.

Jia Zhangshi, taking the opportunity, spoke the truth publicly, dealing Qin Huairu a blow.

Coupled with Qin Huairu's earlier statement.

Immediately placing Qin Huairu on a lofty, unattainable height.

The Jia family's tragic drama also unfolded into a climactic, twisting episode.

Facing Jia Zhangshi's frankness.

How should Qin Huairu choose?

To submit.

Or to submit.

Qin Huairu simply has no room to choose.

Shazhu saw clearly; a flicker of faint unwillingness flashed in Qin Huairu's eyes, and he suddenly wanted to say something to her.

Lifting a stone to drop on one's own foot.

Deserved.

It's all your own doing.