Chapter 497: Turning the Tables – Daily Gossip in the Courtyard of the Sickly Young Lady

Chapter 497 Turning the Tables—The Sickly Young Aunt’s Drama-Filled Days in the Compound

Mother Lin shook her head. "Compared to cleaning toilets for a week, Zhang Mengyun probably really didn’t want to pay the compensation!"

Clearly, Zhang Mengyun would rather clean toilets than pay the 50 yuan Mother Su demanded.

Saying "clean toilets" sounds polite—it actually meant shoveling shit!

This was truly unexpected!

Zhang Mengyun would rather shovel shit than pay up!

"But why did Mother Su agree to that?" Lin Qing was most confused about this part.

Mother Lin chuckled.

Cen Xi, however, quickly pieced it together. "This matter didn’t require Mother Su’s agreement at all."

Mother Lin nodded. "Exactly!"

Lin Qing suddenly understood. "So Mother Su got the short end of the stick?"

"Yep. She’s been burning up inside ever since! She wasn’t tough enough to fight back, got her ass kicked for nothing, and didn’t get any compensation. She’s still holed up in there now!"

Lin Qing nodded. So, Zhang Mengyun’s triumphant look was because she’d won the battle?

But… didn’t she still have to shovel shit for a week?

That job was disgusting as hell—wasn’t she afraid?

Lin Qing couldn’t comprehend it.

Right after dinner, loud arguing erupted next door. Without even exchanging glances, Lin Qing and Mother Lin scooped up the stools they were sitting on and dashed outside.

They thought snooping through the neighbors’ window might be improper, so they decided to sit right beneath the window of the house next to the Zhous’—it was closer.

From this angle, unless the people inside came out, they could only hear the commotion and not see much, but that was enough!

The mother and daughter pricked up their ears. Huh? The one yelling angrily was actually Wang Qiaomei?

Weird as hell. Shouldn’t she be lying low right now?

Why was she suddenly puffing herself up?

"You worthless old hag, what’s the big deal about doing some housework? Out of the four people in this family, you’re the only one who doesn’t earn money. What, after two years of living the high life, you think you’re some high-and-mighty madam now?" Wang Qiaomei rattled off viciously.

The Zhou father and son had just finished dinner and were slouched in their respective recliners, couldn’t care less about the scene. After all, it made no difference to them who did the chores.

Auntie Zhou was so furious she could barely breathe. "You—you—you—"

"Me what? Am I wrong? You’re the only leech in this house, and you’re always trying to funnel money to your daughter. Do you have that money? It’s all from our Zhou family!" Wang Qiaomei’s words hit the nail on the head with the Zhou men—wasn’t that the truth?

Seeing Eldest Master Zhou’s nod of agreement, Auntie Zhou went white but had no rebuttal. She could only double down, "My stash was given to me by my daughter!"

"Hmph! Who knows?" Wang Qiaomei shot her a knowing look.

Auntie Zhou got crushed in this battle.

Lin Qing and Mother Lin tilted their heads together, faking a conversation while side-eyeing Auntie Zhou as she emerged, carrying a tub of dishes to wash.

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance—the results were in!

After eavesdropping on the drama, the two quickly carried their stools back inside.

Wang Qiaomei remained oblivious to the scene outside.

Originally, she had just returned today, and after everything that had happened, she was seeing red already. Auntie Zhou kept picking fights, making her blood boil. After all, this was just a washed-up old crone who'd never outrank her. She had kissed up to her for two damn years, and now the woman really thought she was some kind of saint?

The reactions of the Zhou father and son were also within her expectations—she had long figured out what kind of men they were. If she hadn’t been trying to conceive earlier, she wouldn’t have had to lower her head. Otherwise, Auntie Zhou would’ve been put in her place long ago!

But it wasn’t too late now. Suddenly, she didn’t want to endure it anymore. Even though she still hadn’t gotten pregnant, she was confident good news would come soon.

Wang Qiaomei was inexplicably self-assured about this.

Lin Qing had always kept her distance from Wang Qiaomei. This woman was too good at pretending, too good at enduring—like a backstabbing viper. If you got too close, who knew when she might strike from behind?

"Mom, is she about to take charge now?"

"Sooner or later!" Mother Lin saw it clearly. Auntie Zhou had always been the Zhou family's punching bag. As long as she couldn’t bear Eldest Master Zhou’s child, she would remain there.

At least Wang Qiaomei had her own job. Auntie Zhou had nothing. For the past two years, although no one knew why Wang Qiaomei had acted so submissive, that didn’t change the facts!

Lin Qing nodded.

Mother Lin warned her again, "Don’t get too involved in their family affairs. From what I see, there’s a whole mess of drama there—don’t let it stick to you!"

"Mm-hmm."

...

News traveled fast in the gossip mill, no matter the era!

The news that Zhang Mengyun would sooner clean shit than cough up cash quickly spread through the alleyways!

The next day, the aunties and grannies who held grudges against Zhang Mengyun made a damn field trip out of it. Yes, that’s right—they really had nothing better to do!

"Why? Isn’t it just this one? Why do I have to go to other streets too?" Zhang Mengyun threw a tantrum right there in the yard.

Mother Li replied expressionlessly, "Who told you you only had to clean one toilet?"

Zhang Mengyun snapped back at Mother Li, "Then why didn’t you make it clear?"

Already irritated, Mother Li found her even more annoying and snapped bluntly, "So, are you doing it or not? If not, fork it over!"

"..." Zhang Mengyun fell silent.

She was backed into a corner—she simply didn’t have the money!

Jin Jianhua’s monthly wages went toward supporting his elderly parents, covering living expenses, and giving him pocket money. There was next to nothing to spare.

During the New Year, she had spent down to her last copper preparing the reunion dinner. She was completely broke—how could she possibly pay?

"Shit or get off the pot!" Mother Li didn’t waste words on her.

Zhang Mengyun spat through clenched teeth. "Fine, I’ll do it!"

"Good. Go to the residents' committee to get your tools. You’re responsible for Old Huang’s area—the toilets in our section of the street. Someone from the office will walk you through it later." Mother Li turned to leave but paused after two steps, glancing back. "And don’t you dare half-ass this. If you don’t do it, we’ll report it to the factory and have them garnish your man's paycheck!"

Zhang Mengyun saw red. Damn old bitches, every last one of them!

Zhang Mengyun went to the neighborhood office fuming. The young girl who handed her the tools kept sneaking glances at her, as if trying to figure out why she was willing to clean toilets.

After all, when Mother Li came by yesterday and told them about Zhang Mengyun being punished with toilet cleaning, they couldn’t believe it!

Today, they finally got to see her in person!

Zhang Mengyun left with her tools, her face stormy.

Before long, the same young girl ran after her, shouting, "Hey, wait, wait! We haven’t told you the assigned areas yet!"

Zhang Mengyun had no choice but to stop, her face still twisted in annoyance.