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

Ganmei pointed at Zhuang Chaoying, her words tinged with a hint of reproach: "Brother, aren't we family now? Why have you become so petty?"

Zhuang Chaoying's calm expression instantly turned cold. She raised an eyebrow, then reached out and tightly grasped Gan Mei's fingers, her voice low and deep: "Don't point at me. I hate it when people point at me."

Gan Mei felt as if his fingers were being clamped by iron clamps, the pain making his fingers swell and turn red. He struggled and shouted, "Big brother, let go, let go!"

Ganmei's wife, watching anxiously from the side, rushed over and tightly grasped their hands: "Brother, let go. Ganmei still needs to earn a living with his hands. He's just a rough man, and he doesn't know how to speak properly. Please don't take it to heart."

Zhuang Chaoying did not immediately let go. He slightly raised his chin, his gaze still fixed on Ganmei: "You should think more carefully in the future. They say that an elder brother is like a father. I don't mind disciplining you properly for the old man!"

The moment she let go, Ganmei pulled her hand away.

At this moment, Huang Ling finished serving the children some food and walked over unhurriedly with her bowl in hand. "Ganmei, Ganmei, your daughter-in-law, Chaoying has done so much for your family over the years. It's not our Chaoying who's being petty. Don't be so smug!" Hearing this, Zhuang Chaoying nodded, gave Sister Ling a thumbs up, and had a hint of pride in her eyes.

Mrs. Zhuang kept her head down and ate her meal silently. She knew that her eldest son was so domineering now, and she dared not provoke him.

After hesitating for a moment, she still mustered up the courage to speak: "Chaoying, you haven't handed in your salary for this month yet!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Chaoying felt as if she had heard a huge joke. She stared wide-eyed at her mother and said, "You wish! Not to mention what you gave me before, I've been giving you fourteen yuan every month since I got married, for eleven years now."

Not counting the extra allowances during holidays, this already amounts to 1,840 yuan. It's only because Ah Ling is kind-hearted; if it were anyone else, they would have made you give it back!

Upon hearing his words, Zhuang's mother's face turned pale and then red. She waved her hand awkwardly and said, "I'm done eating. Ganmei, Ganmei, let's go!"

The two children, Zhendong and Zhenbei, were also a little scared when they saw this scene.

Zhendong held Zhenbei's hand: "Dad, Mom, Grandma, let's go home quickly. Uncle is mentally ill, let's go home quickly."

Tu Nan, who had been sitting quietly to the side, jumped up upon hearing this, her face flushed with anger: "You can't talk about my dad like that! My dad isn't mentally ill! You all need to leave my house right now!"

Seeing this, the beautiful wife quickly shielded the two children behind her, saying, "Brother, the children are talking nonsense. We'll leave right away!"

Seeing this, Huang Ling was about to get up to see him off, but Zhuang Chaoying stopped her.

Zhuang Chaoying gently patted her hand: "You stay home and take care of the child, I'll go and see them off!"

Huang Ling was still a little worried, and tugged at Chao Ying's clothes: "Chao Ying, don't upset Grandma. If you get sick, we'll have Gan Mei bring her here again~~"

"Don't worry, she'll be furious. She's tough!"

Zhuang Chaoying followed behind her mother, watching her mother's somewhat hunched back, and the grievances and resentments from the original owner's memories surged into her heart again.

He quickened his pace, leaned close to Zhuang's mother's ear, and whispered, "I couldn't possibly be your child with someone else, could I? Otherwise, why do you and the old man dislike our family so much and favor the US?"

You and your husband are both people who care about face. Now that I've lost all face, do you think you and your husband will be able to go out in public if I spread this around the factory?

Upon hearing Zhuang Chaoying's words, Zhuang's mother became extremely anxious. Her body trembled slightly, and her steps faltered.

Her eyes widened: "Chaoying, what nonsense are you talking about? You are my and your father's biological son! You...you...you can't think like that!"

As she spoke, Mrs. Zhuang clutched her chest, her breathing becoming rapid and labored. "So beautiful, so beautiful!"

Zhuang's mother called out Ganmei's name with difficulty.

When Ganmei saw his mother clutching her chest, he rushed over. "Mom, what's wrong! Brother, did you upset Mom again?"

Gan Mei pointed angrily at Zhuang Chaoying.

Zhuang Chaoying frowned: "I already told you not to point at me."

Gan Mei then realized what was happening and quickly withdrew her hand.

He knew perfectly well that he had come here to take advantage of the situation.

He definitely couldn't let go of Zhuang's parents; their monthly retirement pensions were enough to feed the family.

He and his wife were able to save money, which would allow them to live a more comfortable life in the future.

Ganmei, being very filial, held Zhuangmu's chest and gently helped her catch her breath.

Zhendong and Zhenbei came over too. "Grandma, what's wrong? Let's not come anymore, let's go home!"

It took Mrs. Zhuang a while to catch her breath. "My dear, my dear, let's go home!"

She looked at Ganmei. "Ganmei, you're so filial. Let's go home!"

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang in Zhuang Chaoying's mind.

[Ding, the task of managing the landlords is 70% complete]

It seems we need to annoy them more.

Huang Ling did not go out; she sat beside her two children.

She looked at Tu Nan: "Tu Nan, do you see? Your father has fallen out with your grandparents, uncles, and aunts over your rations and to make sure you have enough to eat."

Aunt Song Ying is right, we must fight for our own interests!

We're family now, Tu Nan, you did the right thing today.

Tu Nan nodded and patted his younger sister's braids. "Mom, let me help you wash the dishes."

Huang Ling smiled gently. "No need, Tu Nan, you and your sister read your books."

When Zhuang Chaoying returned, she saw Huang Ling picking up the bowls and chopsticks.

He quickly took off his cotton-padded coat, rolled up his shirt, and carried the remaining bowl into the kitchen. "Ah Ling, you can leave it here. Go inside."

Zhuang Chaoying simply pushed the person out. "From now on, the person who cooks won't have to wash the dishes. We can't let one person do all the work; I have to help too!"

Huang Ling nodded with a bright smile. Their family's life was getting better and better. The man was thinking of them, and the children were obedient. They happily returned to their room, swinging their two braids.

He watched Huang Ling leave, humming a little tune, and started washing the dishes.

This water is a bit cold. I need to tell Sister Ling to use less cold water and to boil some hot water to add it in.

When your period comes, you're bound to have stomach cramps.

He doesn't have to have his period anymore, which is a relief. From now on, whenever he's home, he'll do the dishes and laundry.

Bowls without oil or grease are easy to wash; they're all washed in no time.

Zhuang Chaoying put the washed dishes and chopsticks in the cupboard, wiped her hands, sat back down in her chair, and began to write.

It wasn't until after 7 p.m. that Tu Nan came over with a basin of water for washing feet. "Dad, stop writing and soak your feet in the hot water."

Zhuang Chaoying closed the manuscript and put it in the drawer.

Looking at Tu Nan, he's really becoming more and more sensible, and he's also become a bit bolder.

I was quite shocked to hear him defend himself today. Normally, he wouldn't dare utter a single word. He really showed some backbone today. "Thank you, Dad's good son!"

Xiaoting handed over a towel as well. "Dad, I'm here for you too!"

"Of course we can't forget our Xiaoting, Daddy's good daughter!"

Zhuang Chaoying took off her socks and tentatively put her foot inside. "Ouch! It's so hot!"

I stepped on the edge of the basin, and after a while it finally cooled down. I put my feet in, and my scalp felt tingly and numb. It felt so good!