People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Zhuang Chaoying came out of the inner room and rubbed her still somewhat dizzy head.

Mrs. Zhuang and the others were already seated at the table, while Huang Ling was carrying steamed longevity cakes into the house, the cakes emitting a fragrant aroma.

Following behind was a little girl, her daughter Xiaoting. In her small, delicate hands, she held a small dish of prepared side dishes, her eyes sparkling as she stared intently at the food on the table, her little mouth slightly open, looking like a greedy cat.

Zhuang Chaoying spotted her mother at a glance. She could tell that the old woman was difficult to get along with, with a sharp and mean face. The years had etched not kindness on her face, but rather a series of rigid lines.

Mrs. Zhuang turned around and looked at her son who had come out. "Chaoying, you've been sleeping for more than an hour. Are you feeling better? Hurry up and sit down to eat."

Ganmei, chopsticks in hand, exclaimed, "Brother, is work too hard? If you ask me, your wife should cook you some good food to nourish your brain!"

Zhuang Chaoying's eyes swept over the people sitting at the table.

Zhuang's parents, along with Tu Nan, Zhen Dong, and Zhen Bei, sat steadily on the bench with their large bottoms.

Mrs. Zhuang said something against her will. "Ah Ling, you've been busy in the kitchen all afternoon. You've worked hard."

But his gaze didn't fall on Huang Ling; he kept serving food to his grandsons.

The beautiful wife came over with a chicken in her arms and a big smile on her face.

Ganmei took the chicken. "Here, put the chicken here with Mom and Dad. What are you waiting for, brother? Come and sit down."

Zhuang Chaoying sat in the chair, her brows furrowed.

Seeing Huang Ling still busy on the side, he simply waved his hand. "Huang Ling, Xiao Ting, come and sit down."

Huang Ling's hand, which was picking at the noodles, trembled slightly. She looked at Zhuang Chaoying with some surprise. She hadn't expected her husband to call her to the table at this moment. After a moment of stunned silence, she realized what was happening.

After regaining her senses, she was about to speak.

Xiaoting is very sensible. "Mom, Xiaoting will take it over for you."

Huang Ling watched her daughter's retreating figure, her eyes slightly reddening. "Okay!"

Tu Nan stood up at this moment, cleared his throat, and said: "Happy birthday, Grandma! May you have good health, all your wishes come true, and live to be a hundred years old."

The elderly couple laughed even more heartily upon hearing their eldest grandson's words. "Oh! My goodness! ~ Good, good!"

Father Zhuang smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits. He picked out the largest piece of chicken from the plate and handed it to Tu Nan. "Here, Tu Nan, eat more."

Zhuang Chaoying was furious just looking at this family. She was also angry at her son Tu Nan, who was in her body. "Damn it, your mother has been busy all afternoon, and the person who cooked hasn't eaten yet."

You've already started eating, while your own mother and sister are still serving noodles. We'll deal with you when we get home!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and his face grew increasingly gloomy.

Zhuang Chaoying picked up her chopsticks and slammed them on the table!

The lively scene suddenly turned cold, and everyone's eyes were on Zhuang Chaoying!

Mrs. Zhuang frowned. "What's wrong, Chaoying?"

Gan Mei chimed in from the side, "Yeah, brother, what's wrong? We're eating perfectly fine, what's gotten into you?"

Zhuang Chaoying. "Huang Ling, you've been busy all afternoon, and you're already eating without waiting for her? And you, Tu Nan, as the older brother, while Mom and your sister haven't had a meal, you're enjoying your chicken so much."

Tu Nan stopped chewing chicken and looked at his father with a puzzled expression, wondering what was wrong with the family's behavior.

There was still a little oil on his lips.

Children are all afraid of their fathers. Zhuang Chaoying's stern reprimand made Tu Nan dare not continue eating.

He quickly stood up: "Mom, sit here with me."

Zhuang's father waved his hand. "Tu Nan, please sit down!"

Zhuang's mother thought it was something serious. What was a woman doing eating at the table, especially with a good-for-nothing like her!

"Ah Ling, you and Xiao Ting go to the kitchen to eat, there's no room here."

Then she added more chicken for Zhendong and Zhenbei without a second thought. "Eat, there's still so much left, eat up!"

Huang Ling glanced at Zhuang Chaoying, and the last glimmer of hope in her eyes vanished instantly. She knew in her heart that her husband wouldn't protect her. She picked up the noodles and was about to walk towards the kitchen when Zhuang Chaoying suddenly stood up and strode over to her.

He grabbed Huang Ling's wrist. "No, we're eating here. I've never heard of anyone not letting the cook sit at the table, not letting Huang Ling and Xiao Ting sit at the table. What about the beautiful wife and the two kids, Zhen Dong and Zhen Bei? They're all eating in the kitchen!"

He gripped Huang Ling's wrist tightly.

Huang Ling's wrist ached a little from being gripped, but she didn't pull away. She looked up at Zhuang Chaoying, and at that moment, she felt a warmth she had never felt before.

Father Zhuang slammed his wine glass on the table. "Chaoying, what kind of talk is that! You're the eldest brother, and Huang Ling is the eldest daughter-in-law. What's wrong with her taking care of her younger brother and nephew?"

Huang Ling looked at Zhuang Chaoying, her lips trembling slightly, her eyes filled with shock. She was too shocked to speak.

This was the first time in eleven years of marriage that her husband had stood up for her and supported her.

Her mind flashed through the grievances and heartaches of the past eleven years like a slideshow, every moment she was looked down upon by her in-laws, and every tear she silently swallowed.

She looked closely at Chao Ying. His familiar eyebrows and features were no different from usual. He wasn't acting crazy; he was genuinely speaking up for himself.

Zhuang Chaoying stared intently at her father. "I've been working for so many years, giving you a third of my salary every month. Can't I even get a seat for my wife and daughter?!"

You all took my money and used it to subsidize and catch up with the US, helping Gu Zhendong and Zhenbei catch up with the US, but what about my wife?

When Huang Ling was in postpartum confinement, she didn't have anyone to take care of her. Where were you all?

Tu Nan and Xiao Ting were sent to daycare after only three months. How could you grandparents be so heartless?

I think your allies have completely sided with the US; you don't care about our family at all! All you know is how to take money from me to subsidize the American family!

The Zhuang family was so angry that their bodies trembled. The Zhuang father's face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

The father pointed at his eldest son, his fingers trembling slightly. "Chaoying, today is your mother's birthday. Can't you just have a proper meal? The table is only so big. Let Huang Ling and Xiaoting eat in the kitchen. What's the problem? It's always been like this! Have you lost your mind? How dare you talk to your parents like that!"

Zhuang's father couldn't understand why his usually obedient eldest son was acting this way today.

Gan Mei also fanned the flames. "Yeah, brother, how can you talk to Mom and Dad like that? It's Mom's birthday today. Sit down and have a proper meal. Don't throw a tantrum."

Ganmei's wife objected. "Brother, you're not around, so Ganmei and I have been taking care of Mom and Dad. Besides, it's their money; they can give it to whomever they want. No one can dictate what Mom and Dad do!"

Zhuang Chaoying has now completely immersed himself in the role. He wants to vent all the anger he's been holding in while watching TV before he's satisfied.

He whirled around, glaring at Ganmei with eyes like knives. "Ganmei, Ganmei's wife, what right do you have to talk to me like that! You sent your sister Hualin to the countryside so you could stay in the city, and Mom and Dad even subsidize you and help you take care of the kids. Shut up! All you know is how to enjoy yourself. When have you ever truly contributed to this family?"

Father Zhuang's hands trembled, and his body swayed slightly with anger. "You, you, you are the eldest brother, so you should take care of your younger brothers. Huang Ling is the eldest daughter-in-law. Family members should help each other. How did your mother and I teach you from childhood?"

Have you all forgotten that your mother and I borrowed money from door to door to pay for your schooling?

Zhuang Chaoying smiled, but there was no warmth in her smile. "I've worked for so many years, and the money I've given you is enough to send you to school several times over. Don't give me any useless advice. Just one question: are Huang Ling and Xiao Ting allowed to sit at the table? If not, my whole family is leaving right now!"

"By the way, I don't want the wages I gave you two before; consider it alimony. I've had enough; there has to be a resolution today."

Mrs. Zhuang pulled Mr. Zhuang aside. "Honey, don't be like this. Chaoying just wants A-Ling to eat at the table. Just let her come and eat, that's all."

She didn't want things to get too tense on this joyous occasion, since she would still need money from her eldest son in the future, and her precious Zhendong and Zhenbei would need this uncle to tutor them. These were all free things, so she might as well take advantage of them.

Zhuang's father flung his wife's hand away. "Fine, since you've said such things today, then I'll consider you dead. From now on, I only have Ganmei as my son! Your whole family, get out!"

Zhuang Chaoying walked over and immediately turned the longevity cake face down on the ground! She then picked up a bowl of chicken in one hand.

Huang Ling bought the chicken at the market, and the chicken she cooked shouldn't be eaten by you heartless bastards.

The birthday cake was smashed on the ground, scattering debris everywhere. The birthday cake, which originally symbolized good fortune, had now become a casualty of this family war.

Father Zhuang was so angry that he stomped his feet and roared, "You've gone too far! You've forgotten your parents after marrying a wife! How could I have given birth to such an unfilial son? Get out! Get out!"

Ganmei stood up and helped the swaying Zhuangfu. "Brother, what are you doing? What's the chicken for? Zhendong and Zhenbei still want some. Do you have to make things so tense? Did your wife say something to you?"

The beautiful wife immediately tried to snatch it. "Chicken! Our chicken!"

"Huang Ling is a kind woman. She bought chicken and ingredients for making cakes to celebrate her mother's birthday. I never expected that you would treat our family like this. You still want to eat chicken? What a dream!"

She was embarrassed to say it, "These were all my ideas, Zhuang Chaoying's ideas. It was all my fault before. I only cared about the Zhuang family and neglected my own. I couldn't even see how much you favored the Gan family. Fortunately, I've realized it, and I won't do it again from today. Huang Ling, let's go home!"

Without hesitation, Zhuang Chaoying picked up his daughter Xiaoting. Xiaoting was so frightened that she burst into tears, but he ignored her and just held her tightly.

Then he pushed Huang Ling, who was standing there in a daze. Huang Ling's eyes were still filled with tears, and her body was a little stiff.

Zhuang Chaoying shouted at her father, "Remember what you said! You only have one son, Ganmei!"

He strode out, then looked back. "Tu Nan, what are you waiting for? Come with me!"

When Tu Nan heard his father's words, he was stunned for a moment, then put down his bowl and chopsticks, ran to the bed, grabbed his bag, and chased after him. His eyes were filled with panic and fear.

The moment Zhuang Chaoying left, a message popped into her mind.

[Progress of getting the Zhuang parents done is 20% complete!] A slight smile played on his lips. Hmm, still need to keep working hard. I'll get you no questions asked, but I wonder what the reward will be!

His figure, along with his family, gradually disappeared into the distance under the dim streetlights, leaving behind only chaos and astonishment inside the house.

The voice of Zhuang's mother came over. "What a terrible thing! You are all unfilial! This whole family is unfilial, you've gone against heaven! My bowl!"