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

Seeing that he remained silent, Old Mrs. Xia raised her head and went into the kitchen.

Now that she'd decided to buy a job, Grandma Xia needed to be careful with her money. She'd originally planned to treat Xiang Hong to something nice today to calm her nerves, but decided against it and would just steam some egg custard for her and the two children separately.

Grandma Xia busied herself with great enthusiasm, and then casually glanced around and noticed that Old Chen had picked up a cigarette and was about to go to the door to smoke.

"You're really bored," Old Mrs. Xia complained. "Old Chen, come in and give me a hand."

Old Chen was not happy about it. He felt like Old Mrs. Xia was riding on his neck. How could a man go into the kitchen? "I'm not going. You do the chores yourself..."

He dared not continue, because Old Mrs. Xia was standing outside the kitchen glaring at him angrily, her hand gesturing as if to strike.

"I'm here." He resignedly put down his old pipe, washed his hands, and went inside to pick vegetables.

In the kitchen, all is peaceful and serene.

"Is anyone home?" A woman's voice came from outside the door. Old Mrs. Xia frowned; she didn't recognize the voice.

She wiped her hands on her apron and went out to open the door.

"Huang Li? What are you doing at my house?" Old Mrs. Xia asked suspiciously.

Their family has never associated with Widow Huang. Why is she suddenly visiting out of the blue?

Widow Huang smiled. "Sister Xia, you're home? I'm looking for Brother Chen."

Grandma Xia: "Looking for him? Why do you want to look for him?"

Widow Huang avoided the topic, saying, "Isn't he home? Then I'll come another day."

Grandma Xia shouted into the room, "Old Chen, come out, someone is looking for you."

Old Chen came out inexplicably, carrying a bowl. It was mealtime, who would be so inconsiderate as to wander around? Especially someone looking for him.

When Widow Huang saw Old Chen come out, she delicately twirled her hair, her face filled with worry, and her voice carried a soft, languid tone, "Brother Chen, you...you this month..."

Old Chen didn't react at first, but when he saw Widow Huang nervously fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, he suddenly remembered that he had given all his wages to Old Lady Xia this month, and he hadn't given any to Widow Huang.

He had only helped them out of kindness, so how could he come knocking on their door demanding money after a month of not receiving it? He didn't owe them anything.

Old Chen felt a cold sweat break out as he watched Old Lady Xia's increasingly dangerous gaze.

Grandma Xia's slap was really painful.

"What do you want?" Old Chen was nervous, and his tone inevitably carried a hint of impatience.

When Widow Huang heard this, she was startled. Was she going to lose her long-term meal ticket?

That won't do. Old Chen gives their family a lot of money every month. If he suddenly stops giving it to them, how will they survive this month? She just took a fancy to a bolt of new cloth from the supply and marketing cooperative.

He used to be punctual, but looking at him now, I doubt he'll get the money from his wife, who's always been haggard.

Let's wait until he's alone in the next few days before talking to him.

"Brother Chen, I'm sorry, I just wanted to ask if your factory has any temporary jobs. I'm a widow, and life is already hard enough. Just making matchboxes isn't enough to live on. I wish I had a job." Widow Huang made up a convenient excuse.

"No, jobs are in high demand right now." Old Chen felt a sharp pain in his lower back. That old hag was too ruthless. He hadn't given her any money this month. He hadn't done anything wrong.

The widow Huang came to him, not the other way around.

That's really unreasonable.

Widow Huang nodded pitifully, "That's true, I was too optimistic. There's no way I could possibly get those jobs. Well then, I won't bother you any longer, I'll be going now."

Old Chen nodded. He was finally leaving, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

But then, Old Mrs. Xia spoke up, "I work in the factory too, why don't you ask me? My eldest son works in the factory, my eldest son works in the factory, they're all different factories, don't you ask me? You just want a temporary job at the machine factory?"

This woman has a face that looks like she's been bullied, and she acts like she's in a melodramatic soap opera every day. She even asked about work. Old Mrs. Xia felt that she had ulterior motives.