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

It's at Old Wu's house across the street.

Wu Jianguo slumped into a chair, his hands tightly clutching his head.

Zhang Amei swung her fists at Wu Jianguo again and again. "Tell me, I've been married to you for so many years, and I've done my best in everything, from washing clothes to cooking. But listen to what people outside are saying about me! I've lost all face! How am I supposed to live like this?"

Shanshan hugged Xiaojun tightly, and the two siblings sat in the corner, tears streaming down their faces.

Zhang Amei was exhausted from hitting the ground; her arms hung limply at her sides, and her chest heaved violently.

She gasped for breath, pointing at the siblings in the corner: "Stop crying! I'm not dead yet! Are you two so heartless? Haven't I treated you well all this time? Huh?"

As she spoke, she seemed to be suddenly struck by something, her brows furrowed, and she sniffed hard, indeed smelling a faint, strange odor.

She slowly sat down in the chair, her thoughts drifting back to the daytime.

In the alley, her neighbors pointed and whispered about her, their eyes filled with strange looks.

She finally managed to grab Xiaomin and learn the reason for what happened from her.

As I thought about it, I felt incredibly wronged.

She opened her mouth, wanting to unleash all the grievances and anger in her heart, but it felt like something was choking her throat. The curses swirled around her lips, but she couldn't utter them.

She unconsciously tugged at her hair, just like Wu Jianguo, to bring out the pain in her heart.

Seeing that Zhang Amei had suddenly fallen silent, Wu Jianguo cautiously raised his eyes, his gaze drifting towards her, and tentatively asked in a soft voice, "Amei, Amei, why did you stop cursing?"

Seeing that Zhang Amei did not respond, he stood up and looked at the two children in front of him.

He knew the children were telling the truth, but he also felt they didn't understand his difficulties at all.

In his view, as a grown man raising two children, it was already a stroke of luck that a woman was willing to stay with him. "You two get back inside and stop crying. Shanshan, since things have come to this, Dad has thought about it and decided to let you go to high school."

While Wu Jianguo said this, he was secretly making his own plans.

He and Zhang Amei were two types of people who couldn't sleep in the same bed; they were both calculating and cunning.

In the past, whenever Zhang Amei gained a small advantage, he was always aware of it. Not only did he know, but he also silently supported her behind the scenes.

His so-called cowardice and honesty were nothing more than a mask he used to disguise himself.

Shanshan took Xiaojun's hand and silently returned to her room.

Xiao Jun lay obediently on the bed, wiped away his tears, and looked at his sister.

Shanshan leaned down and whispered in Xiaojun's ear, "Xiaojun, thank you. What happened today is a secret between the two of us. You absolutely mustn't tell anyone, okay?"

Xiao Jun nodded understandingly: "Sister, I know you want to go to high school, I won't tell you."

Shanshan straightened up, nodded, and then went back to her room.

Just then, Xiaomin, who was sleeping on the top bunk, heard the noise and poked her head out: "Sister, you can go to high school now, congratulations!"

Shanshan looked at Xiaomin: "Xiaomin, are you going to listen to your mother and go to the textile factory?"

Xiaomin sighed softly, "No, I want to go to nursing school. But..."

She didn't say anything more and lay back down on the bed.

She knew in her heart that she was different from Shanshan.

Shanshan could bravely rebel and fight for what she wanted, but she couldn't.

Her mother did all this to earn money for her, and she couldn't hurt Zhang Amei's feelings.

,,,,,,

Seeing that Zhang Amei was lying silently on the inside of the bed without saying a word, Wu Jianguo felt a little flustered. He reached out and gently nudged Zhang Amei's shoulder. "Amei, say something."

Zhang Amei replied irritably, "Go to sleep!"

Old Wu had worked a full day and was exhausted. He didn't care about anything else at the moment. As long as his sister stopped arguing with him and he could have some peace and quiet, that would be the best thing.

With a sigh of relief, I quickly lay down on the bed, and soon, soft snoring filled the room.

,,,,,,,,,

In the next room, Zhuang Chaoying had been eavesdropping on the sounds coming from this side. Only when she realized there was no sound did she close her eyes again.

It seems the system's reward of humiliation is quite effective; even Zhang Amei, who usually talks like a machine gun and is relentless in her arguments, has a moment when she has to back down.

He turned to his side, took the blanket, and covered his and Ah Ling's stomachs with it: "The neighbors aren't making noise anymore, go to sleep."

Huang Ling gave a soft "hmm".

The sky is bright.

Huang Ling slowly opened her eyes, looked at Zhuang Chaoying who was still fast asleep, and quietly stepped over his body.

She and Song Ying had made plans to go sell vegetables together today.

After quickly tidying up, she went outside and softly called out, "Song Ying!"

"Sister Ling is here!"

Song Ying also came out of the house soon after, and the two of them walked side by side on the street, carrying vegetable baskets.

"Sister Ling, did you hear that last night? Old Wu and Zhang Amei were arguing so fiercely."

Huang Ling nodded, her head unconsciously leaning towards Song Ying: "I heard it. In the middle of the night, Lao Wu came back from his shift and started making a racket. It was so loud! You know what? Luckily, Xiao Jun helped out, otherwise Shan Shan would really have to go to vocational school."

Song Ying, linking arms with Huang Ling, remarked with deep feeling, "Kids sometimes have more useful words than adults. Take my Lin Dongzhe, for example. Last time, when we didn't have enough room, he yelled out and actually managed to make room for us."

Huang Ling couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. "Your Dongzhe is really something, he's such a clever little devil."

Song Ying changed the subject. "Sister Ling, you haven't been to your in-laws' house lately, have you?"

Huang Ling shook her head helplessly. "He didn't go. The last time he went was during the New Year. Chao Ying doesn't like to go. Every time he goes back, he comes back with a belly full of anger. But I still have to persuade him to go back and see. Look at Lao Wu's family now. Everyone is talking about them behind their backs."

The two talked as they walked to the market.

Huang Ling bought a piece of tender tofu, a fish, two pounds of fatty pork, and some fresh vegetables.

When she came out of the store, she saw Zhang Amei standing not far away, carrying a vegetable basket, her eyes somewhat vacant.

Huang Ling wondered whether she should go up and say hello, but she was afraid of offending Zhang Amei, so she hesitated for a moment.

Zhang Amei seemed to sense that someone was watching her. She looked up and her eyes met Huang Ling's. Both of them showed an unnatural expression.

Zhang Amei didn't know what was wrong with her. Today, she felt sullen and didn't want to talk. Even when Lao Wu threw his underwear, which he had worn for three days, into the basin, she didn't get angry and silently washed it for him.

Huang Ling greeted Zhang Amei. "Amei, buying groceries?"

Zhang Amei glanced at them, managed a weak smile, and nodded slightly.

Song Ying and Huang Ling exchanged a glance.

Song Ying frowned slightly and said softly, "Sister Ling, don't you think my sister is acting a little strange? When have you ever seen her so quiet?"

Huang Ling pursed her lips gently: "Yes, there is a little bit. Her eyes look a bit strange. Maybe she didn't get enough rest after arguing last night. Don't overthink it. Go back and cook. The child will be up soon."