She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

Chen Xiangnan stood at the entrance of the state-run restaurant, his face full of worry.

He only had a little money in his pocket and not a single food coupon. How could he go in to eat?

It's all his mother's fault, she went so far as to do something so cruel. It was his sister-in-law who provoked her, not him, so why did she condemn them all?

He's such a filial son.

And then there's my sister-in-law, that troublemaker. She can't live a peaceful life without causing trouble. What business is it of hers who her mother gets a job? Now look what's happened, her mother has thrown a tantrum, and nobody gets any benefit from it.

Chen Xiangnan cursed Zhu Wenying hundreds of times in his heart, growing angrier the more he thought about it. Clutching his rumbling stomach, he began to recall the noodles his mother had made at home.

That noodle dish must taste delicious, glistening with oil, its aroma filling his nostrils. If he could eat it, he would be overjoyed; he could already see the meat on it.

It smells so good, even better than the ones sold in state-run stores.

Most importantly, it doesn't cost any money.

"Comrade Xiangnan, what are you doing here?" Tang Jiao had just bought some cloth from the supply and marketing cooperative after receiving her salary today, intending to make a new dress, when she noticed Chen Xiangnan loitering by the roadside.

“Comrade Tang… Jiaojiao.” Chen Xiangnan’s eyes lit up; his meal ticket had arrived.

Tang Jiao felt a little shy. Chen Xiangnan always called her in such an informal way. Her name was Tang Jiao, but he always called her Tang Jiaojiao. They hadn't even officially started dating yet. Wasn't this too intimate?

She blushed and looked at Chen Xiangnan. Sure enough, he smiled at her with a bright and sunny smile. Every time he saw her, he smiled so beautifully, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

She wondered when he would confess his feelings to her. Thinking of this, Tang Jiao blushed even more.

Seeing the woman's blushing face, Chen Xiangnan felt smug. They were all so innocent; a simple smile from him would make them blush.

He feigned ignorance and asked, "Are you tired from running? Why is your face so red?"

Tang Jiao stammered, "I...it's just too hot."

Chen Xiangnan casually took out his notebook from his pocket and fanned her with it on the ground, saying, "It's really hot this summer."

His stomach rumbled at just the right moment. Facing Tang Jiao's surprised gaze, he remained calm and composed. "It's too hot. I didn't have an appetite for dinner, so I didn't eat. I won't bother you any longer. I'll be going now."

Tang Jiao was a little reluctant to leave. When she looked up, she saw the state-run restaurant nearby. She had a sudden idea and pointed to the restaurant, saying, "Comrade Chen Xiangnan, how about I treat you to a meal?"

Chen Xiangnan's eyes widened. "This... isn't that a bit inappropriate? State-run restaurants are very expensive. How can I let you treat me for no reason?"

Tang Jiao carefully tugged at the corner of his clothes, somewhat secretly pleased, "You've helped me a lot too, I should treat you to a meal."

Chen Xiangnan couldn't remember what he had done to help her, but since she had said so, he must have helped her. Good deeds are indeed rewarded.

He declined a few more times, then pretended to be unwilling as Tang Jiao pulled him to the state-run restaurant.

We went in a bit late today, and many of the ingredients were already sold out.

Tang Jiao didn't want her sweetheart to think she was stingy, so she generously ordered two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a bowl of soup.

Chen Xiangnan had been starving for a long time, and with such a sumptuous meal, he ate very quickly, but he still tried his best to restrain himself so as not to make the other party think that his eating manners were bad.

Finally, after Tang Jiao's persuasion, he successfully ate until he was stuffed.

It's so delicious, no wonder it's a state-run restaurant.

After finishing his meal, Chen Xiangnan strolled out, politely said goodbye to Tang Jiao, and then walked home contentedly.

We still need to find a way to get his mother to support him. He doesn't have a pot, and he might get kicked out by his mother if he cooks for himself. Eating at state-run restaurants every day won't be enough for his salary. That meal just now cost Tang Jiao five yuan, not to mention his food coupons. His food coupons are just enough for him alone; what about his wife and children?

Although Chen Xiangnan is a womanizer, he still knows that as a man, he has to support his wife and children.

Huh? He suddenly realized that he hadn't seen Dong Chunmiao and her daughter all day.

Nothing will happen, right?

He ran back home, where several elderly women were with his mother, trying to comfort her. The living room was mostly occupied by these women; everyone else had probably gone inside.

Seeing that they weren't going to leave anytime soon, Chen Xiangnan didn't care about anything else. "Mom, Chunmiao and Lingling haven't been home all day. Where did they go?"

Old Mrs. Yin said with a dark face, "Oh, the filial son, good husband, and good father has finally remembered his wife, children, and his own mother."

Although Chen Xiangnan was somewhat displeased by what he was being said, he still asked, "Aunt Yin, do you know where they went?"

Grandma Yin rolled her eyes. "She went to her parents' house early this morning. Your in-laws probably have some work to do; they came over a few days ago to call people over."

Now, Chen Xiangnan's face truly darkened. "She brought Lingling along too?"

Grandma Yin: "Yes, I tried to persuade her, saying that her family has so much work to do, it's tiring and dirty, why would she take the child there? But nobody listened to me."

Chen Xiangnan angrily kicked the stool next to his feet.

He genuinely looked down on his wife's family. Not only were they sexist, but they truly didn't treat their daughter like human beings. She worked from childhood until adulthood, received exorbitant dowries, and received absolutely no dowry.

It's like raising a donkey from a foal to adulthood, then selling it when it's grown up, only to bring it back to work when the family is busy, but never giving it a single treat.

It's not hard to imagine how much suffering they'll endure there, and she even brought Lingling along. It's one thing to help her own family alone, but does she also want to turn Lingling into their new lackey?

His Lingling is destined to marry into a wealthy family. If she develops a personality like hers, who would respect her?

"I'll go and bring her back."

"Stop!" This time, Old Mrs. Xia was no longer silent. Although she was heartbroken because of what happened in her past life, she still couldn't change her nature of loving children.

"I'll go with you."

Chen Xiangnan felt a warmth in his heart; his mother still cared for him.

Seeing that his mother was in trouble, the other aunts wisely left.

Just as the two were pushing their bicycles out, they saw Dong Chunmiao returning carrying the limp Chen Lingling.

"Lingling." Chen Xiangnan stepped forward, wanting to take the child, but was stopped.

Dong Chunmiao guiltily avoided his hand, "Lingling...Lingling is asleep, let's not wake her up, I'll just put her on the bed."

Chen Xiangnan had no doubts at first, but then he heard Old Lady Xia exclaim in surprise.

"Why...why are my hands so cold?"

Chen Xiangnan immediately snatched the child away. Despite the commotion, Chen Lingling did not wake up; not only her hands but her entire body was ice-cold.

He trembled as he checked her breath; thankfully, she was still breathing.

"Dong Chunmiao, what exactly happened?" Chen Xiangnan roared.

Dong Chunmiao lowered her head and said timidly, "She probably got tired from playing in the countryside and... fell asleep."

"You're telling me she's asleep?" Chen Xiangnan gently patted Chen Lingling's face, but she didn't react at all.

Chen Xiangnan wanted to question her further, but Old Mrs. Xia interrupted him directly, "I think Lingling looks like she's unconscious. Let's take her to the hospital quickly. Your wife never tells the truth. Do you really want to see Lingling die?"

Chen Xiangnan then realized what was happening and hurriedly took the child to the hospital.

Grandma Xia knew he had no money in his pocket, so she took some money from the house and followed him.

Fortunately, the compound was centrally located and not far from the hospital, so Chen Lingling received treatment quickly.

Her head was wrapped in gauze. The doctor said she had been hit by a sharp object and was unconscious. She had lost a lot of blood, and her hair was matted.

Her face had been carefully cleaned, and her clothes were a dark color, so it wasn't noticeable at first glance.

Chen Xiangnan's aura was extremely low, as if he was about to rush over and hit someone.

Dong Chunmiao was terrified. She wasn't worried about her biological daughter in the hospital bed, but rather about whether Chen Xiangnan would go to her parents' house and beat her younger brother.

Speaking of this, she blamed Chen Lingling again. Her relatives came to visit and gave each child two candies. Her little nephew finished his candy early and then set his sights on the one in Lingling's hand. But Lingling had worked all day and was still a child herself, so she was hungry and didn't want to give it to him.

Her nephew is a boy, and the family always gives him the best food. When he saw that Chen Lingling wouldn't give him any, he immediately burst into tears.

When she heard the noise, the two children were already fighting.

She tried to pull Lingling aside and ask her to let her brother have his way, but just as she did, her nephew rushed over with a stone and hit her on the head.

Lingling fainted on the spot and bled a lot.

Her parents begged her not to make a big deal out of it, otherwise her nephew, at such a young age, would be labeled a murderer, and how would he ever face anyone again?

Besides, Chen Lingling didn't die, did she?

Girls aren't as precious as boys; you just need to wipe the blood clean.

Her parents also felt sorry for their child, and for the first time, they stuffed two big apples into her pocket. This was the first time her mother had given her such a nice thing when she went back to her parents' home to help out.

Dong Chunmiao thought her mother was right; the girl could be raised casually, and the dowry could be exchanged when she grew up. So, she took Chen Lingling home with her.