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

"Mom, do you know what I've been doing these past few days?" Chen Xianghong asked.

Grandma Xia: "How would I know? You're all grown up now and have your own things to do."

Chen Xianghong: "A few days ago, Xiangbei came to me and said that an aunt he knew had an internal recruitment opportunity at her factory, and he recommended me to her. He said he didn't want me to be looked down upon by my in-laws because of my job. He said that I'm marrying into a wealthy family now, and I'll rely on Brother Yu for everything. In the future, I won't have any say at home. If we argue, he can shut me down with a sentence like, 'I even found you a job, what are you capable of?'"

These past few days I've been preparing for this interview. Xiang Bei even handed me the opportunity, I can't let him down. He said, "Mom, these are the most important days for you, you absolutely can't let us kids hold you back and cause people to criticize you."

Every time he talks about you, he's so proud. He told me that when you were studying hard and helping people solve problems, you were practically glowing. Whenever he's out chatting with people, and they mention you, he'll proudly say, "Yes, Comrade Xia Yue'e is my mother. She's incredibly capable, and she'll say that as your son, I'll be just as capable as you."

Grandma Xia blushed at what she was being said. Luckily, it got dark, otherwise her daughter would have noticed. She said somewhat awkwardly, "Xiang Bei, why is he talking nonsense everywhere?"

Chen Xianghong's lips curled up. "He also warned me not to embarrass Mom, and not to be the one with low status in the family who serves everyone after marrying Brother Yu. Because Mom, you're already fighting, and as your daughter, I can't hold you back. I have a job and I'm capable. My job and abilities don't depend on my husband, so as long as I'm not bound by old ideas, I won't live too badly."

"Mom, Xiang Bei is right, he's not talking nonsense. Aren't the women in your factory who followed you in getting divorced doing worse afterward?"

Grandma Xia: "How could that be? I heard that Director Wang, who used to have a bad temper, has been speaking very kindly lately, and Supervisor Sun, who was abused at home, is also coming to work with a smile every day. In any case, they are in much better condition than before. When I left work today, I ran into the two of them, and they said they would definitely vote for me."

Chen Xianghong: "Yes, Mom, you don't need to be afraid of anything. Even if you become the women's director, you won't be working alone. There are already many people standing behind you. If you're afraid of making mistakes or saying the wrong thing, just discuss it with others and ask for their opinions each time."

Mom, you're a female worker who fought your way up from the countryside, and you dared to be the first woman in our area to get a divorce. You're such a courageous person. And the people you're helping are precisely those who lack that kind of courage. Your becoming the women's director is itself a great example.

"Mom, if you're really going to be a fool, then show all those who lack courage that even a woman like Mom can forge her own path and live a good life without relying on a man. That includes me. Xiangbei and I only started to realize this after seeing Mom's retreating figure."

Grandma Xia felt as if something was blocking her throat, and she felt like crying, "Xiang Hong~"

“Mom, the way you are now is very attractive. It attracts people to you and want to do the same things as you. They don’t push you to get closer to the goal, but follow you to get closer to the goal. That goal may not just be yours, it could very well be theirs too. People in your factory, my third aunt, me, and many people who have come into contact with you must feel the same way I do.”

After being persuaded to go back by Chen Xianghong, Old Mrs. Xia felt energized. People really shouldn't get stuck in their own thoughts; sometimes it's better to talk to others. Old Mrs. Xia had always been afraid that others wouldn't support her as the women's director. She felt that with her children's education in such a poor state and her marriage a complete mess, she couldn't believe she was trying to guide others—wasn't that just asking to be laughed at?

But when the announcement was posted on the bulletin board, many people came to encourage her and express their support. Some even said that Grandma Xia should be in this position. Grandma Xia was touched.

Just now, her daughter specifically told her that she was starting to change, and her youngest son, who used to treat her like a servant with no respect, had started saying he was proud of her. Suddenly, Grandma Xia felt a surge of confidence. If what she was doing could bring positive meaning to so many people, then it meant that what she had been doing lately was not wrong.

As Grandma Xia stepped into her courtyard, Yu Yan greeted her, shouting, "Comrade Xia is back!"

Then, Grandma Xia saw many people come out of her house: Director Yuan, Director Wang, Supervisor Sun, Qiao Yi, her parents and brother, and so on. Even Jiang Wenhua poked his head out of his window.

Yu Yan: "Comrade Xia Yue'e, although my mother and I are not textile factory workers, we both support you very much."

Touched, Grandma Xia took out a bottle of soda from her pocket and gave it to her.

Chen Xianghong: ...How many bottles of soda did her mother buy?

Grandma Xia was surrounded by everyone, who were worried and anxious. She was even hit several times by her own sister, who said she was too scary.

Grandma Xia sincerely apologized, realizing that her behavior today had been incredibly childish. She had actually hidden herself out of fear; she was almost fifty years old, and yet she still did something like that. Seeing so many people worried about her warmed Grandma Xia's heart.

As the crowd dispersed, Chen Xianghong carried a basket containing several empty bottles. She had been instructed by Old Lady Xia to return the bottles. One, two, three, four, five—five bottles in total. Her mother's coat could actually hold five bottles of soda; it had to be said, that coat was truly impressive.

"Sister, do you know, Xiang Bei actually said I'm a very capable person, and Xiang Hong also said she's watching me change." Only Grandma Xia and her sister were left in the room, and Grandma Xia began to talk about this.

If there's one thing that Grandma Xia can't let go of, it's her children. She's always felt that she didn't raise them well, that she didn't set a good example for them from a young age, and that now that they're grown up, they won't listen to her anymore. This is the biggest reason why Grandma Xia is afraid; she truly lacks confidence.

But now... she knows that because of what she has done, the children have also begun to change. Although only the youngest child and her daughter Xiang Hong are changing for now, it has given Grandma Xia a lot of confidence.

As long as she continues to do the right and meaningful things, everyone will be influenced by her.