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

Grandma Xia: "Thank you for your hard work."

The steward said, "Serving the people is never hard work."

Grandma Xia dragged the dumbfounded Old Chen along the way home.

"What place is that?" Old Chen recalled the scene he had just seen. Although it was a dilapidated compound, everyone inside was working enthusiastically. Except for a few people who seemed to have mental problems, everyone was full of energy and their enthusiasm for work was no less than that of their workshop.

Old Chen even considered going in and working with them.

They all seemed to be living fulfilling lives.

Grandma Xia: "It's a good place. The neighborhood committee set up a small collective workshop where they take on jobs from outside, making it a place for those families in difficulty to be self-sufficient."

Old Chen nodded: "It is indeed a good place. Why didn't you tell me sooner? Widow Huang should have gone there a long time ago. People, the more alone they are, the lazier they become."

Grandma Xia: "No, actually, it's quite comfortable to stay at home all day and have money to spend without doing anything. Otherwise, why would everyone prefer to be a rich wife rather than a poor wife?"

Old Chen complained, "How can your thinking be so outdated? What kind of thinking is this? If someone heard you, they'd arrest you and send you to be educated! If everyone were like you, how could our country progress?"

Grandma Xia glared at him sideways, "I think you're the one who's dragging our country down, aren't you?"

Old Chen retorted, "How could that be? I'm a certified advanced worker at my workplace, and a model man recognized by everyone in the compound. How could I possibly hold the country back?"

Old Mrs. Xia didn't want to argue with him for the time being that his reputation as a good man was imposed on her. She only said, "Your act of sponsoring Widow Huang is a drag on the country's efforts. There are so many people in our compound and the neighboring compounds who need help. Why do you only sponsor Widow Huang, a woman who is able-bodied and literate?"

This question stunned Old Chen. Yes, why did he only help Widow Huang? There were many people who were worse off than her, and Widow Huang's standard of living was clearly better than his own.

Grandma Xia gave a mocking smile: "I think you're just lustful. You softened as soon as that widow Huang cried a few times. Forget about paying attention to other families in need of help. Even if I fainted in front of you, you wouldn't see me, would you?"

Old Chen: "Nonsense, I'm not that kind of person. We've been together for so many years, don't you know me? I have no such intentions at all."

Grandma Xia: "Tsk, yes, I know your thoughts best. You like to push me out to be the first to stick my neck out, while you play the good guy behind the scenes."

Old Chen: "Why are you talking so rudely today?"

Grandma Xia: "Because I was right, that's why you said such hurtful things. Because you did such a bad thing and don't want to admit it, you don't want me to say it either. As soon as I do, you say I'm being mean."

As expected, he got slapped again, but Old Chen wasn't angry at all; he was used to it.

Grandma Xia walked into the courtyard, greeted the neighbors, and went into her home on her own.

Old Chen began to question his life. He was shocked by what Old Lady Xia said. She was absolutely right. He seemed to be the kind of irresponsible and useless man who would push women away.

Old Chen was heartbroken. He had always considered himself a good man. He gave half of his salary to his wife, never beat her, and never spoke ill of her in front of outsiders. He was also dedicated to his work, which was the best in the entire compound. He even thought of himself as a responsible man who loved his wife.

But when the facts were laid bare and his illusions were shattered, he realized that in Old Lady Xia's eyes, he was not only bad, but rotten and stinking.

He was momentarily stunned, standing at the gate of the compound, unable to come to his senses for a long time.