He Hua shrank back timidly, looking aggrieved as she said, "Guangzong, how can you say that? When we went to the state-run restaurant, you were so attentive to me that even the waitresses kept glancing at us. They must still remember me—I can go and confront them anytime."
At the time, Jiang Guangzong had been trying to get information about Su Yun from He Hua, so he had indeed treated her very attentively.
"And those roast chickens and braised meats you gave me—everyone in the courtyard knows they were from my boyfriend. Now you want to deny it? No way!"
At this moment, Jiang Guangzong finally understood—He Hua had made up her mind to cling to him.
And indeed, that was exactly her plan.
She was about to be sent to the countryside, and she had been worrying about how to escape it. Now that such a perfect opportunity had landed in her lap, she would be a fool not to seize it. If she didn't latch onto Jiang Guangzong, she would end up farming in the countryside.
How could she accept that?
If Su Yun could stay in the city and become a worker, what made her any worse?
She was determined to marry into a good family, live a life of luxury, and make Su Yun jealous!
Just then, the children who had been playing outside came running back. Leading them was Su Baoguo, holding his toy airplane.
He dashed straight to Su Yun's side. Clearly having already heard what was going on, he tilted his little head and said to Jiang Guangzong:
"So you're the one who gave He Hua's family all that roast chicken and braised meat? Wow, you two really suit each other—you look just like a married couple! When are you getting married? Will you invite everyone in the courtyard to the wedding feast?"
At the mention of a feast, all the children started drooling.
Gao Tianshi said enviously, "I hope there's roast chicken at the feast! That night, the chicken at He Hua's house smelled amazing!"
Wang Tongshuo swallowed his saliva. "I think the braised meat smelled even better. I couldn't stop thinking about it for three days—I even dreamed about getting a bite!"
Among the children, the oldest, Wang Jinsuo, looked at Widow He and asked loudly, "Aunt He, will you treat us to a feast when He Hua gets married?"
Widow He, already in high spirits, immediately boasted, "Of course! Once my He Hua marries into the Jiang family, I'll treat everyone in the courtyard! Roast chicken and braised meat—eat as much as you want!"
The children erupted into cheers.
Su Baoguo immediately began spreading exaggerated claims: "Oh! He Hua is marrying into the Jiang family! He Hua is getting married to Vice Factory Director Jiang's son!"
Gao Tianshi followed his lead: "Oh! Vice Factory Director Jiang is going to treat the whole courtyard to roast chicken and braised meat!"
Jiang's mother was so enraged by the children that she nearly stomped her feet. Jiang Yaozu glared fiercely at Su Baoguo, itching to hit him, but seeing the crowd around him, he didn't dare act.
Jiang's mother suddenly shouted, "Shut up! All of you, shut up! You wretched little brats—no upbringing at all! If you keep yelling nonsense, I'll throw every one of you into the moat and drown you!"
Her words instantly provoked public outrage.
The children's parents were all present. How could they tolerate someone cursing their kids like that?
Aunt Gao spoke up immediately, snorting coldly, "Hey, you woman, watch your mouth! Just because you're the wife of a vice factory director doesn't mean we have to tolerate you. Let me tell you—if you push us too far, you won't be leaving this courtyard!"
Aunt Wang rolled up her sleeves at once. "Why waste words with her? You people from the steel factory might not dare to act, but my husband works at a shoe factory—has nothing to do with you. I'll deal with her myself!"
Chen Xiue pretended to be anxious and hurried over to Aunt Wang. "Sister Wang, don't be impulsive. We should at least give Vice Factory Director Jiang some face…"
Even as she said that, she seized the opportunity to push Jiang Yaozu aside and fiercely pinched Jiang's mother's waist.
"Ow!"
Jiang's mother cried out in pain.
Her previous waist injury hadn't fully healed, and Chen Xiue had hit the exact sore spot.
Before Jiang's mother could react, Aunt Wang lunged at her, and the two immediately began grappling. Around them, Chen Xiue, Aunt Gao, and others joined in, clearly taking sides.
In an instant, the scene spiraled out of control!
Jiang's mother was surrounded and beaten by the courtyard aunties!
Even Doctor Jiang took the opportunity to sneak in a couple of kicks.
Su Yun, of course, didn't hold back either. She used Gouzi's signature move, pinching Jiang's mother so hard that her screams turned hoarse!
Seeing this, the mama's boy Jiang Yaozu's eyes turned red. He tried to charge forward headfirst to rescue his mother.
But the children of the courtyard were no pushovers either!
Su Baoguo immediately rallied Gao Tianshi and the others. Seven or eight children swarmed Jiang Yaozu, beating him from all sides in chaotic fashion!
Seeing Jiang's mother getting beaten, Widow He was secretly delighted. Yet she deliberately put on a worried expression and rushed over, pulling at Aunt Gao while shouting:
"Let's talk things out—don't fight! Don't hit my in-law! If you must hit someone, hit me instead!"
Though she said that, she showed no mercy as she grabbed Jiang's mother's hair and yanked hard!
Jiang Guangzong, frantic, shouted, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
"Mom, are you alright?"
"You barbarians, stop it! Don't hit my mother!"
Vice Factory Director Jiang felt utterly exhausted.
Before coming, he had repeatedly instructed Jiang's mother to behave properly, to resolve things quickly, and secure the marriage between Su Yun and Guangzong.
Yet things had still gone wrong.
If not for the fact that she had borne him two sons, he would have divorced this troublesome woman long ago!
His eyes sharpened as he remembered someone's instructions. No matter how much he resented her, he had no choice but to step forward and mediate.
"Everyone, please listen to me. Calm down first—let me say a few words…"
Since Vice Factory Director Jiang had spoken, Aunt Gao and the others gave him some respect.
Aunt Wang threw a few more punches at Jiang's mother before snorting and stepping aside, crossing her arms and glaring at her.
Chen Xiue, still unsatisfied, reluctantly withdrew and straightened her clothes, avoiding Jiang's gaze.
Widow He was the most cunning. She brushed hair off her hands, then quickly moved to shield Jiang's mother, shouting exaggeratedly:
"In-law, don't be afraid—I'll protect you!"
Jiang's mother looked utterly disheveled. Her face was bruised, her neat clothes torn, her hair in a mess, and several clear footprints marked her backside.
Furious, she shoved Widow He away and shrieked, "Get lost! Who the hell is your in-law?!"
Vice Factory Director Jiang shot her a sharp look, and she immediately fell silent.
He then turned to the crowd with an apologetic smile. "Everyone, I sincerely apologize. My wife has a habit of causing trouble—she can't help but speak out even when she's wrong. On her behalf, I offer my deepest apologies."
With that, he bowed deeply to everyone.
Utterly sincere.
Elder men like Uncle Gao and Uncle Wang immediately felt embarrassed and said, "It's alright, it's just the women arguing. It has nothing to do with you, Vice Factory Director Jiang…"
He replied with a look of guilt, "I'm ashamed. It's my fault for not teaching her well. When we get home, I'll make sure to discipline her properly."
Hearing this, Jiang's mother's expression changed. She quickly stepped back, clutching the equally bruised Jiang Yaozu, her body trembling.