Chapter 76 Rescue

Chapter 76: Defusing the Situation

After their daughter’s full moon banquet, Gu Yu accompanied Xie Xinyi to the factory.

This time, Cui Mama hadn’t arranged for her to be part of the backdrop, nor did she need to lip-sync. On the day of the New Year's party, she only needed to collect her certificate and prize.

Xie Xinyi placed the candies and sunflower seeds she brought for her workshop colleagues on the table, joking that she had gotten a great deal while inviting everyone to share in the joy.

As the year-end approached, the Yuanxiao Team (preparing for Lantern Festival celebrations) was busy again, but when they saw Xie Xinyi, Sister Guo and the other elder female colleagues still put down their work to congratulate her.

"...A daughter is wonderful—daughters are their mothers' little *mian'ao* (warm coats, a term of endearment)."

"I think so too, but even after having two, I still haven’t been blessed with one."

Several of the aunties close to Xie Xinyi gathered around her, chattering about the blessings of having sons versus daughters before turning their attention to her figure.

"Look at you—even after a month of confinement, you haven’t gained weight. You’ve kept your figure so well."

"Even better than before," Sister Guo whispered in Xie Xinyi’s ear with a light laugh. "Curves in all the right places."

After saying this, Sister Guo gave Xie Xinyi a meaningful once-over from head to toe, causing the middle-aged women to cover their mouths and chuckle.

"Xie Xinyi’s figure is so well-proportioned."

Amid laughter and snacking on candies and sunflower seeds, everyone soon remembered they still had tasks to finish in their work teams. They urged Xie Xinyi to visit more often when she had time, grabbed handfuls of candies and seeds, and returned to work.

Xie Xinyi had come mainly to check whether she needed to be part of the backdrop and to ask about the date of the New Year's party.

"Early February," she was told.

This year, the Chinese Lunar New Year fell in mid-February, so the party was usually held about half a month in advance. Afterward, each team would tie up loose ends before the holiday.

"Rest easy at home. I’ll let you know when the time comes."

Big Chen took the candies and sunflower seeds Xie Xinyi handed him and put them in his pocket, explaining why he hadn’t attended the full moon banquet.

"My youngest daughter caught a cold. I was afraid she might spread it to the baby, so I didn’t come. My three girls were upset with me for days because I didn’t bring them along."

Before Xie Xinyi was even discharged from the hospital after giving birth, Big Chen had asked Ms. Liu to buy a bunch of presents and visit her.

As a male colleague, it was inconvenient for him to go to the hospital or to Xie Xinyi’s home. Even though she had specifically invited him, Big Chen, burdened with three children and mindful of propriety, made an excuse to avoid intruding.

In these times of scarcity, even though Xie Xinyi’s husband was in the military and had access to special provisions, it wouldn’t do to have a man with many mouths to feed showing up to eat.

Big Chen had always been considerate, something Xie Xinyi understood well. So when he said his child was sick and he couldn’t come, she didn’t challenge his excuse. Instead, she kept handing him candies until all his pockets were stuffed full.

After leaving the factory, she and Gu Yu went to a local market.

Xiao Jiang had just given birth around the time of the full moon banquet and hadn’t been able to attend. Xie Xinyi bought two hens and a hundred eggs, along with several bags of brown sugar and malted milk powder, and went to Xiao Jiang’s home to visit her and the baby.

Xiao Jiang was spending her confinement period at her mother-in-law’s house. Along the way, Xie Xinyi kept telling Gu Yu how wonderful Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law was and how well she treated Xiao Jiang. But as they turned a corner, a stumbling figure crashed right into her.

"You’ve got some gall, coming to my house to speak ill of my daughter-in-law!"

Steadying herself with Gu Yu’s help, Xie Xinyi looked up and saw a woman standing in the doorway, holding a broom. One hand was on her hip, the other planted the broom firmly on the ground.

Xie Xinyi, who had just been praising Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law: [Speechless!]

She’s this feisty?

This wasn’t Xie Xinyi’s first time meeting Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law. They had chatted briefly at Xiao Jiang’s wedding and when she brought food to the workshop for Xiao Jiang.

In Xie Xinyi’s memory, Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law was straightforward, warm-hearted, and beneath her sturdy frame lay a meticulous nature. Since Xiao Jiang married into the family, she had taken charge of her diet, transforming the once skinny Xiao Jiang into a plump, healthy woman.

Xiao Jiang had repeatedly praised her mother-in-law to Xie Xinyi, even saying Aunt Hu treated her better than her own mother did.

Xie Xinyi had always categorized Aunt Hu as a gentle woman, never expecting to see such a fierce side to her.

Standing in the doorway, her robust body blocking most of the entrance, the large broom in her hand seemed as formidable as the Monkey King's staff, stunning everyone into silence—especially the person who had just stumbled out.

Xie Xinyi took a closer look: thin face, puffy, swollen eyes, thin, cruel lips, and dowdy clothing.

Who else could it be but Shang Fushun’s mother?

She hadn’t expected to see her here, let alone witness her being chased out with a broom by Xiao Jiang’s mother-in-law.

After stumbling back outside, Shang Fushun’s mother stood with an air of arrogance, pointing at Aunt Hu and yelling, "Did I say anything wrong? She couldn’t get pregnant for years in my house, but as soon as she’s with your son, she’s expecting. Isn’t it obvious she used another man's seed?" (The term "borrowed seed" is a grave insult, implying infidelity and questioning paternity.)

Hands on her hips, she delivered the accusation with such bravado that soon neighbors gathered to watch and gossip.

"Who is that? Is she talking about Aunt Hu’s daughter-in-law?"

"Borrowed seed? What does that mean? Could it be…"

"Could it be what? Can’t you see Aunt Hu’s holding a broom? Her broom never strikes good people. This woman is clearly no good."

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

As more people gathered, Shang Fushun’s mother ignored the threatening broom and continued her tirade. "...My son didn’t want her, but your family treats her like a treasure. How many times has your son been cuckolded?" (Wearing a "green hat" in Chinese culture symbolizes cuckoldry.)

Her words grew increasingly vulgar, but before she could finish, Aunt Hu swung the broom straight at her face.

Shang’s mother had no time to react. As she tried to dodge left, the broom whacked her hard across the cheek.

Xiao Jiang was still in her confinement period, and Aunt Hu kept chickens at home. The broom had been used to sweep chicken manure that morning, and now a mix of dirt and feces clung to Shang’s mother’s face.

The stench of chicken manure was overwhelming. The onlookers covered their noses and stepped back while Aunt Hu pointed at Shang’s mother and scolded, "Who are you to talk about my daughter-in-law? Your son’s the one who can’t have children—he’s the worthless one! My daughter-in-law dumped him, and you have the nerve to come here and make a scene, you despicable woman! Say one more word, and I’ll tear your nasty mouth open!"

She didn’t say "tear"—she said "rip."

With chicken droppings smeared across her face, Shang’s mother tried to speak again, but Aunt Hu set down the broom and rolled up her sleeves, scaring her into fleeing down the street.

"Just you wait!" Shang Fushun’s mother stood at the corner, wiping filth from her face and stamping her feet. "You treat her like a treasure now, but your precious daughter-in-law will bring you nothing but tears!" (This idiom means crying so hard tears run down to the thighs.)

"I’ll mess up your mouth today!" Aunt Hu rolled up her sleeves and lunged forward. "Not even chicken shit can shut your filthy mouth!"

As Aunt Hu made to chase her, Shang’s mother scampered down the alley.

"Who are you to gossip about my daughter-in-law? Your son can’t have children, and you want to smear my daughter-in-law? You’re just jealous she gave us a big, fat grandson. The moment my back was turned, you came to bully her. I’ve given you more than enough face!"

Aunt Hu stood at the doorway, cursing out Shang’s mother loudly and sharing the Shang family’s dirty laundry with the neighbors. After her outburst, she explained why she had reacted so fiercely.

"She’s been asking around for my address and came to bully my daughter-in-law when my son and I weren’t home. My daughter-in-law is still in her confinement period—what evil intentions does she have?" (The postpartum period is culturally significant in China, and women in confinement are considered vulnerable and should avoid stress.)

Women during their confinement period are especially susceptible to anger, especially pent-up anger.

Aunt Hu had only stepped out briefly to buy some candy, leaving the door unlocked, when Shang's mother swaggered into the house and said all those things.

After learning what happened, the neighbors all stood up for Xiao Jiang.

"What kind of person does that? Your son's wife must have had a tough time before, to be stuck with a mother-in-law like that."

"Even though her own son didn't have a child with her, she still comes to her former daughter-in-law’s in-laws' house to cause trouble—how thick-skinned can you get?"

"Those few swats with the broom were too light—you should’ve hit her a few more times so she'll remember her lesson and doesn’t dare come back."

"She wouldn’t dare!" Aunt Hu put away the broom. "From now on, I’ll stick close to our daughter-in-law. If she dares show up, I’ll knock her teeth out."

Aunt Hu kept saying "my daughter-in-law," not just in words but also through her protective actions.

"What’s wrong with me doting on my daughter-in-law? People should mind their own business. If anyone dares badmouth her again, I’ll tear their mouth apart."

She glanced at the onlookers at the door, making it clear who she meant.

Xiao Jiang had remarried into this family, was much younger than Aunt Hu’s son, and had no children of her own. Many jealous neighbors had gossiped behind her back. Aunt Hu’s words served as a warning—who would dare provoke the tiger now?

Aunt Hu snorted coldly, then noticed Xie Xinyi and her husband in the crowd. She paused for a moment before breaking into a smile and greeting them, "Xie Xinyi, you’re here!"

She tossed the broom aside, wiped her hands, took the gifts they were carrying, and urged them to come inside.

Gu Yu stayed outside the confinement room, while Xie Xinyi went in. She found Xiao Jiang wiping tears from her eyes.

"Oh, my dear, why are you crying? You mustn’t cry during the postpartum period, you really mustn’t."

Seeing Xiao Jiang’s red, swollen eyes, Aunt Hu chewed out Shang Fushun’s mother again.

"From now on, I’ll stay home every day to watch over you. Let’s see who dares gossip in front of you again."

Xie Xinyi also stepped forward to comfort her, "Don’t take it to heart. Getting upset only plays into the Shang family’s hands."

Xiao Jiang wiped her tears and nodded. "I’ve married and moved so far away, yet they still won’t leave me alone. I just don’t understand."

Shang’s mother had already caused trouble once when Xiao Jiang was first pregnant. Now, hearing she had given birth to a healthy boy, she became even more resentful and had come to insult her again.

Xiao Jiang felt she was stuck with the Shang family like a persistent nuisance. "Wherever I go, his mother follows. When will this ever end?"

She never imagined that even after remarrying, the Shang family would still haunt her. Xiao Jiang was frustrated, and Aunt Hu was fuming with anger.

Perhaps sensing the adults’ tension, the baby who had been chewing on his hand suddenly burst into loud cries.

Xie Xinyi picked up the child, soothing him while comforting Xiao Jiang, "There are plenty of ways to deal with people like her. Don’t just bottle up your anger."

Hearing that Xie Xinyi had a solution, Xiao Jiang looked up immediately. "What way?"

She knew Xie Xinyi was always full of ideas—whether it was handling tough situations at the factory or helping her out when she first joined the team.

Xiao Jiang trusted her, so she asked for the method without hesitation.

"It’s simple. You can’t confront her directly. Instead, you need to handle her subtly."

Aunt Hu listened intently, but she was better at fighting and scolding. Handling her subtly?

She was puzzled. "How do we handle her subtly?"

"Easy. Set a trap so she won’t dare come back."

A trap?

Xiao Jiang and her mother-in-law exchanged confused glances.

"Didn’t Shang Fushun’s mother come when you weren’t home today?" Xie Xinyi explained slyly, "You’ve just had a baby, and a stranger showed up. What was she doing here? So that you'd have to chase her out with a broom?"

Aunt Hu thought for a moment. "To steal my grandson?!"

Xie Xinyi smiled. "And you’ve just realized some things are missing. You didn’t notice at first, but your son discovered it when he returned."

"Right! I’ll say the clock I bought for fifty yuan and the watch my son gave my daughter-in-law are both gone."

Aunt Hu clapped her hands, fully grasping Xie Xinyi’s plan.

The two shared a knowing smile, leaving Xiao Jiang wide-eyed and bewildered.

"Leave this to your husband and your mother. Just focus on resting during your postpartum recovery."

Xie Xinyi advised her not to worry too much—the priority was to recover well.

As for other people and matters, Aunt Hu would handle them for her.

Xie Xinyi chatted with Xiao Jiang a while longer about factory matters until Xiao Jiang’s husband returned from work. Only then did Xie Xinyi and Gu Yu take their leave.

Perhaps Aunt Hu had said something to Xiao Jiang’s husband, because as he walked them out, he thanked them sincerely and said that if they ever needed a hand with anything, they should not hesitate to ask—he would do his utmost.

Xie Xinyi accepted his gratitude but didn't really pay it any mind.

She didn’t think much of it at the time, but Gu Yu quietly noted Xiao Jiang’s husband’s words.