A hundred flavors of life

Chapter 1421 Yes, yes, you're absolutely right! (Please subscribe!)

Zhuang Chaoying was favored by her superiors and was promoted to director of teaching this year. Yesterday, she accompanied the principal to visit and exchange ideas with a school in Hangzhou to learn from their experience. She just returned to Suzhou this morning and went straight to work at the school.

When he received the call, he was in his office organizing materials for the upcoming visit and exchange.

"What? Dad's in the hospital? The machine factory hospital? Okay, I'm coming right away!"

He hurriedly asked for leave and rode his bicycle to the hospital.

Upon entering the ward, I saw my father leaning against the bed, looking unwell. My mother sat by the bed sighing. My younger brother had gauze on his face and a plaster on his nose, looking pitiful yet comical.

His beautiful wife was standing beside him, but she didn't give him a friendly look either.

"Dad, how are you? Are you alright?" Zhuang Chaoying rushed forward and asked Grandpa Zhuang about his condition.

Grandpa Zhuang snorted: "I don't have a son like you. I've been in the hospital and you're only just coming over now. Do you even consider me your father?"

Zhuang Chaoying quickly explained that she had just returned from a business trip.

Grandma Zhuang then took her eldest son's hand, as if she had found her pillar of support, and began to complain:
"Chaoying, you've finally arrived! We were terrified last night! Your nephew is absolutely lawless! He beat up Zhendong and Zhenbei, and even beat Ganmei up like this!"

Zhuang Ganmei also came over and pointed to the injury on her face:

"Brother, look! Look what Pengfei did to me! He even aimed for my nose! Is he still a child? How could he hit me so hard!"

The beautiful wife chimed in from the side:
"That's right, brother. Pengfei needs to be kept in line. If we don't, what will become of him in the future?"

Zhuang Chaoying confused them, and they looked completely bewildered:
"Who said Pengfei beat up Ganmei? That can't be right. Pengfei is taller and stronger than other kids his age, but he's only just started junior high."

Before he finished speaking, the meaning was clear: how could a first-year junior high school student possibly beat Zhuang Ganmei, a machine factory worker in his prime?

Grandma Zhuang said from the side:
"How could this be fake? I just asked Tu Nan to buy your dad some blood pressure medication, and Peng Fei rushed into the house and started punching and kicking Zhen Dong and Zhen Bei right in front of me!"

"This isn't just a slap in the face to Zhendong and Zhenbei, it's a slap in the face to me and your father! Your father was so angry he fainted on the spot!"

"When I arrived at the hospital and learned what had happened, I just wanted to teach him a lesson, but I never expected that he would even hit his own uncle!"

Hearing her mother's words, and seeing the injuries on Zhuang Ganmei's face, Zhuang Chaoying, though still finding it unbelievable, believed it. Her face turned ashen, and she said with disapproval:

"How could this child do this!"

Grandpa Zhuang said coldly:
"Hua Lin's son is a terrible scoundrel. He can even lay a hand on Gan Mei, who is his own second uncle. What will he do to you, his eldest uncle, in the future?"

“I think you shouldn’t let him stay at your house anymore. Send him back to Guizhou. If you let him stay any longer, I think he’ll corrupt Tu Nan.”

Zhuang Chaoying grew angrier as he listened, his fists clenching involuntarily. He hadn't expected that such a big incident would occur at home while he was away on a business trip for only one day.

He spent the entire afternoon in the hospital room, pouring water for his father, peeling fruit, and talking to him, which helped calm the old man down a bit.

In the afternoon, the doctor came to check on Grandpa Zhuang's condition, took his blood pressure, and said that he would receive another IV drip of Danshen injection to nourish his cardiovascular system, and he could be discharged that evening.

When it was time for her father to be discharged from the hospital that evening, Zhuang Chaoying busied herself with the paperwork and preparing to take him home.

But when Grandpa Zhuang walked out of the hospital, he changed his mind:

"I'm not going home. You're my eldest son. I'll go to your house to recover and have my eldest daughter-in-law take care of me!"

The old man was holding back a lot of anger; he was planning to cause trouble.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Ganmei and his wife's eyes lit up, and Ganmei's wife quickly said:

"Yes, Dad has had high blood pressure these past few days, and my husband and I have been taking care of him. Now that Ganmei, Zhendong, and Zhenbei are both injured, Mom and I are too busy to manage. It's time for Dad to stay at my older brother's house for a few days so that my sister-in-law can take care of him!"

Zhuang Chaoying was somewhat embarrassed:
“It’s my duty to take care of Dad, but the house is too small. There’s really no place for me, Huang Ling, and the three children to live!”

"How about Dad stays at home? Huang Ling and I will take turns going to your house to take care of you!"

Grandpa Zhuang shouted angrily, "You're not my son, so I'll just pretend I raised you for nothing! Get out, get out right now!"

The hospital entrance was bustling with people, and Grandpa Zhuang's shout immediately made this area the focus of attention.

Zhuang Chaoying's face burned with embarrassment, and she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"Dad, please don't get agitated. The doctor said not to upset you. I'll take you to my home to recuperate right now!"

He thought to himself, "Why don't I talk to Lin Wufeng and Song Ying first and let Pengfei stay with Dongzhe for the time being?"

Grandpa Zhuang, having achieved his goal, snorted coldly and said nothing more.

Grandma Zhuang said with satisfaction, "This is my filial eldest son!"

It was the same tricycle as yesterday, with Zhuang Ganmei riding in front, carrying Grandpa Zhuang, Grandma Zhuang, and his wife, heading straight for Textile Lane 3.

By this time, it was already dark. Zhuang Chaoying followed behind on her bicycle, her anger burning ever brighter.

He felt it was his responsibility not to discipline his nephew properly, and that he had let down his sister and brother-in-law's trust and expectations. Therefore, Zhuang Chaoying decided that he had to teach Pengfei and Tunan a good lesson today.

On the other hand, Hua Shier went home from school in the evening and took the bus home with Wu Shanshan. The two chatted and laughed on the way, and they were already very good friends.

Back in Textile Lane 3, the two said goodbye to each other. After watching Wu Shanshan walk back to the Wu family across the street, Hua Shier entered the courtyard and pushed open the door to his uncle's house on the right.

Huang Ling was rolling out noodles in the kitchen when Zhuang Tunan and Zhuang Xiaoting returned. One was doing her homework, and the other was helping to peel garlic.

"Pengfei is back!" Zhuang Xiaoting was the first to see him.

Huang Ling poked her head out of the kitchen with a smile on her face: "Hurry up and wash your hands, dinner is almost ready!"

Hua Shier put down his schoolbag and looked around the room: "Has Uncle not come back yet?"

"Your uncle said he would be gone for a day or two when he left, so he probably won't be back until tomorrow."

As Huang Ling spoke, she shook out the rolled-out noodles and sprinkled a layer of flour on them.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside, and then it sounded like several people had entered the courtyard.

Just as Huang Ling was about to show Hua Shier what was going on, she heard someone shout from outside:
"Sister-in-law, Dad's been discharged from the hospital. Aren't you going to come out and pick him up?"

Huang Ling recognized Zhuang Ganmei's voice, her heart skipped a beat, and she grabbed Hua Shier, who was about to leave, and whispered:
"Listen to your aunt, don't cause trouble!"

After saying that, he wiped his hands and quickly opened the door to greet them.

Hua Shier, Zhuang Tunan, and Zhuang Xiaoting followed Huang Ling out of the house, determined not to let his aunt suffer any loss.

As soon as I came out, I found Zhuang Chaoying there. Judging from her expression, she had probably been brainwashed by the Zhuang family beforehand!
"dad!"

"Father, Grandma"

Zhuang Tunan and Zhuang Xiaoting quickly greeted each other.

Hua Shier then called out, "Big Uncle!"
Huang Ling called out, "Dad, Mom, come inside quickly. I'll put the noodles in the pot right away, they'll be ready soon."

Zhuang Chaoying was about to speak with a gloomy face when Grandpa Zhuang spoke first:

"Huang Ling, don't rush in. Let's make things clear first. I want to come to your house to recuperate. Do you agree?"

Zhuang Ganmei shouted quite loudly just now, and now many neighbors are peering out of their windows.

The Lin family, who lived in the same courtyard as Huang Ling, opened their gate. Song Ying stood at the door observing the situation inside. Sensing that Ling's in-laws were up to no good, she chimed in:
"Oh, you must be Teacher Zhuang's father. The apartment our work unit allocated is small. It's already quite cramped with Sister Ling, Teacher Zhuang, and their three children living together. Where will you stay?"

Seeing others chiming in, Zhuang Ganmei's wife rebuked them:
"Who are you? Our family matters are none of your business. Mind your own business!"

Who is Song Ying?

She was a troublesome character that even the head of the cotton mill found difficult to deal with. Back then, in order to get the house she had now, she simply left Lin Dongzhe at the secretary's house and turned around and left. She wouldn't pick up her child unless she got a house, which made the leaders have a headache whenever they saw her.

Having been insulted, how could he not retaliate? He immediately put his hands on his hips and shouted:
"Oh dear, relatives? Don't you know what it means to be a close neighbor rather than a distant relative? Who knows if you're some unwelcome guests? I can't stand by and watch Sister Ling get bullied!"

After she finished speaking, she asked Huang Ling, "Sister Ling, are you alright?"

Huang Ling was grateful, but only gave a wry smile: "Thanks, Song Ying, it's nothing!"

After she finished speaking, she turned to her parents-in-law and said, "Mom and Dad, let's go inside and talk about it. With so many people watching, it'll make us a laughingstock!"

Grandma Zhuang said with a stern face, "We've been bullied so badly, what are you afraid of being laughed at for?"

Hua Shier, too lazy to watch this family's performance, simply shouted loudly:

"Uncles and aunties from the cotton mill, come out and see! Someone's bullying us!"

You guys are making a scene, aren't you? Then let everyone see what kind of people you really are.

These days, in single-story houses, everyone can hear clearly if someone is spanking a child. Hearing Hua Shier shout like that, the neighbors stopped peeking out their windows and came out to watch the spectacle up close. Grandpa Zhuang was trembling with anger and said to Zhuang Chaoying:
"See that? What is that?"

Zhuang Chaoying, his face dark, clenched his fists and silently scanned the yard. Finally, his gaze fell on the broom leaning against the wall. He walked over, grabbed the broom, and turned to glare fiercely at Hua Shier.

Hua Shier understood most of the situation as soon as he saw it.

Before Zhuang Chaoying could lash out, he darted forward and, with a clever move, snatched the broom from Zhuang Chaoying's hand. The action was so fast that no one could react.

Zhuang Chaoying was stunned. Her nephew dared to lay a hand on her. He was really going astray. She was about to scold him.
"Uncle!"

Hua Shier spoke before Zhuang Chaoying could:

"I know you're angry and want to fight your second uncle, but please listen to me first!"

Zhuang Chaoying was stunned. Why would I risk my life for Gan Mei? I'm going to beat you up!
The others were also a bit confused!
Hua Shier didn't wait for his reaction and continued:

"Although Grandma bullied Tu Nan, although Tu Nan fell and scraped his knee, although Second Uncle hit Auntie and almost made her stumble and fall, and almost hit her head on the wall, although Second Uncle wanted to hit me, I have already stood up for Auntie and Tu Nan! You don't need to go after Second Uncle anymore. If you kill him, you'll go to jail too. It's really not worth it!"

This string of words came out like a machine gun, and the sound was loud, leaving Zhuang Chaoying stunned. The neighbors around also heard it clearly.

Zhuang Chaoying opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that his mind was a little confused. His nephew's words were different from the version he had heard.
Hua Shier, seizing the opportunity, gave Zhuang Tunan a wink:
"Tu Nan, quickly let your eldest uncle check your knee. It's just a scrape and a little bruised, nothing serious. Don't let him risk his life against your second uncle to stand up for you."

Zhuang Tunan wasn't stupid; he realized that his father had probably been instigated by his father and second uncle's family.

Hearing Hua Shier's preemptive words, he mentally gave Pengfei a thumbs up and quickly pulled up his trouser leg, revealing the bruise on his knee from yesterday!

The neighbors were all peering over the wall, and Song Ying exclaimed, "Oh dear!"
"Tu Nan, how did you get hurt like this!"

Huang Ling looked at the Zhuang family members coldly and said:
"I originally thought that we shouldn't air our dirty laundry in public, but since you parents don't care, let's make things clear in front of the neighbors!"

“Last night, Mom called and said that Dad’s high blood pressure had flared up. She asked Tu Nan to buy medicine, which costs 33 cents a day. She wouldn’t let Tu Nan go to the First Hospital nearby to get the medicine. She insisted that he ride his bike for 40 minutes round trip to the Machinery Factory Hospital in the dead of winter, saying that it would be reimbursed.”

"It's so late at night, and the ground is still icy. Look how badly the child fell!"

“Tu Nan hadn’t come back for over an hour, and I was a little worried, so I asked Pengfei to go find Tu Nan. The two kids met up and went to their parents’ house to deliver medicine. When the kids came back, they told me that as soon as they entered the house, they saw my brother-in-law’s two sons, Zhendong and Zhenbei, both of them at home, watching TV and laughing.”

“Pengfei felt that Tu Nan was being bullied. Why was it that in the dead of winter, his two own grandsons were not being used, but Tu Nan was being tormented? Pengfei couldn’t hold back his temper, so he beat up Zhen Dong and Zhen Bei, and then took my father-in-law to the hospital!”

"As a result, my brother-in-law came to the hospital and tried to beat Pengfei up. When I stopped him, he even hit me. This incident even alarmed the hospital's security department, and they all said it was Pengfei's fault for chasing after the US."

"What's this? Didn't get the better of you, so you've come here to bully us?"

Huang Ling pointed at Zhuang Chaoying with a cold face:

"Zhuang Chaoying, if you dare to be unreasonable today, or lay a finger on Pengfei, I'll divorce you!"

People with mild tempers are even more terrifying when they get angry. Everyone could feel that what Huang Ling said was true. If Teacher Zhuang really hit Hua Shier today, she would definitely divorce Teacher Zhuang.

After Huang Ling said that, everyone understood what had happened and started discussing it. Judging from her tone, they all felt that the Zhuang family had gone too far.

Grandpa Zhuang was so angry that he pointed at Huang Ling and said, "Our Zhuang family doesn't have a daughter-in-law like you!"

Grandma Zhuang retorted, "Tu Nan is Zhen Dong and Zhen Bei's older brother. It's only natural for an older brother to take care of his younger brother. What's wrong with him making a trip? He's my eldest grandson, can't I even order him around!"

Song Ying, hands on her hips, retorted sarcastically:
"Teacher Zhuang, were you adopted? It's one thing for your family to favor your younger brother, after all, he's the youngest son and the eldest grandson, but how come he's being bullied by Tu Nan? They don't even use their own grandson, but they call Tu Nan and make him run back and forth for forty minutes in the dead of winter, and they still have the nerve to complain!"

Looking at the injury on his son's knee, listening to his wife's words, and recalling the things his parents and younger brother had said in the hospital room, Zhuang Chaoying was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Song Ying shouted to those around her, "Men of the cotton mill, are you just going to stand by and watch Sister Ling get bullied like this?!"

Wu Shanshan's father, Wu Jianguo, said, "No way! We're all watching, we definitely can't let Huang Ling suffer!"

Wang Yong from the next courtyard chimed in, "Old Wu, you're right. In our factory's residential area, if you get bullied, you'll never be able to face anyone again!"

Many people joined in the shouting, and the Zhuang family members, realizing they had incurred the wrath of the crowd, looked embarrassed.

Grandpa Zhuang felt embarrassed, knowing that with Hua Shier's interference, they couldn't explain themselves even if they were in the right. So he simply turned to Zhuang Ganmei and said:
"walk home!"

Zhuang Ganmei came here hoping Zhuang Chaoying would avenge him, but his goal hadn't been achieved yet, so he asked in surprise, "Go home?"

"Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? Go home right now!"

Zhuang Ganmei looked at the workers from the surrounding cotton mill, all of whom were staring at him menacingly, and he felt a little intimidated.
"Let's go home!"

They quickly helped Grandpa Zhuang back onto the tricycle, called to their wife and mother, and the family hurriedly left.

Hua Shierchao expressed his gratitude from all sides:
"Thank you so much for your kind help, uncles and aunties! I'll treat you to candy later!"

The neighbors burst into laughter. The little kid was offering candy to the adults. He really knew how to talk!
Zhuang Chaoying walked into her house without saying a word. Huang Ling thanked the people around her and called the children home for dinner.

During the meal, no one in the family spoke. Zhuang Chaoying seemed preoccupied and only ate half a bowl of noodles before stopping.

Huang Ling didn't try to persuade him, since she hadn't made many noodles anyway.

Hua Shier knew that Zhuang Chaoying needed some time to think and accept reality, so he didn't disturb her. He followed Zhuang Tunan to finish his homework and then went to bed.

At this moment, Zhuang Chaoying said from the outer room:
"Pengfei, come here, your uncle has something to tell you!"

Huang Ling looked at Zhuang Chaoying with a cold gaze, and the latter awkwardly explained:
“I’m not blaming Pengfei. It’s good that he was able to protect you and stand up for Tu Nan. I’m very gratified.”

Huang Ling's gaze softened.

Hua Shier walked to the outer room and sat opposite Zhuang Chaoying: "Uncle, please tell me what's on your mind!"

Zhuang Chaoying hesitated for a moment, then said to the inside, "Tu Nan, come and listen with us!"

Zhuang Tunan also came out and sat down next to Hua Shier.

Zhuang Chaoying then said:

"I hope you won't hold any grudges against your father, grandmother, or maternal grandparents because of this. It was just a misunderstanding; they didn't mean any harm!"

Zhuang Tunan kept his head down and remained silent, but Hua Shier echoed him repeatedly:
"Yes, yes, Uncle, you're right!"

There's nothing wrong with what he said, but Zhuang Chaoying just felt so uncomfortable listening to it.

Hua Shier: It must have been painful. Back in college, I was arguing with someone online because we had different opinions, and they used this sentence to annoy me for days.

Zhuang Chaoying organized her thoughts:

"Your father and grandmother would never have any ill intentions towards you."

Before he could finish speaking, Hua Shier said, "You're absolutely right!"

Huang Ling smiled, and Zhuang Tunan couldn't help but smile too.

Zhuang Chaoying felt a tightness in his chest and wanted to say something critical, but Hua Shier agreed with everything he said, leaving him with nowhere to vent his anger.

"Can't you let me finish what I have to say?"

Hua Shier said in a serious tone, "My uncle has advanced ideas and can distinguish right from wrong. He's right even without me saying it!"

Zhuang Chaoying grabbed the teacup on the table, took two big gulps, caught her breath, and then said:
"Even if I'm right, at least let me finish what I'm saying, otherwise I'll feel uncomfortable!"

Huang Ling burst out laughing, and Zhuang Tunan's shoulders shrugged as well.

Hua Shier nodded: "Alright, then please tell me, Uncle!"

Zhuang Chaoying then said:
“Your maternal grandparents had a tough time. They endured such hardship back then, yet they still managed to support your mother, your second uncle, and me through our studies. When I was in vocational school, during holidays when I came home, your maternal grandmother would take me around, humbly begging for rice and grain, just so we could have food for the next month.”

Hua Shier smiled and said, "Uncle, you're right. I've heard my mom tell me about this too."

This time, Hua Shier said he was right, and Zhuang Chaoying no longer felt that stifling feeling; she was very happy.

"Look, Pengfei, tell me what your mother said. Let Tu Nan hear how hard your grandparents' life was when we were little!"

Hua Twelve said:
“My mom said that Grandma doesn’t usually go to borrow grain; she’s waiting for my eldest uncle to come home for vacation so she can take you with her to borrow it. That way, he’ll know that you owe the family something, and once you graduate from vocational school and get a job, he can ask you for your salary!”

"My grandmother didn't take my mother to borrow the money because my mother was a daughter. A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup; taking her along would be useless, as she wouldn't be able to make decisions for her husband's family after marriage!"

“My mom also said that after you got married, my grandma talked to my aunt about these things and wanted my aunt’s salary. She said that if your family ate less, my second uncle could eat more. My grandma was saving money for my second uncle to spend!”

Huang Ling couldn't take it anymore and burst into laughter, slapping the bed: "Hahahaha!"

Zhuang Chaoying felt like a boiled crab; the room was too hot to stay in for even a second. Her face flushed, she stood up and said, "I'm going to the bathroom!" She opened the door and left!

Thanks to 08a, Little Tiger of the Demon Realm, and MICL for their generous donations, and to all the brothers who voted with monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. Thank you so much!