Song Yan was never one to waste things. But at this moment, she couldn't show any sign of heartache. Sometimes, it was a matter of who could be more assertive.

Song Yan couldn't get back the money and belongings in the old lady's hands. Similarly, they couldn't do anything to Song Yan even if he caused minor trouble at home.

A married woman should not be hit lightly; would her husband's family allow it?

The Wei family was from the countryside, so Grandma Song wasn't afraid at all. But Wei Aiguo was in the army, and Song Yan was a military dependent. If she made a scene at the Women's Federation or the Military Support Office after being beaten, they would take care of it.

Grandma Song cried, and this time she was really crying.

The kitchen floor was covered in egg drop soup, and the house floor was covered in rice.

Everyone was heartbroken. So much food was wasted this morning, and with the food left over from tonight, there definitely wouldn't be enough to last the month.

Men have big appetites. With a child at home and Song Ma eating at the canteen, there's always some food left over; otherwise, the family simply doesn't have enough. Even now, food supplies aren't plentiful.

When Song Yan entered the main room again, the man was standing, the old lady was crying, and the eldest sister-in-law was picking up the steamed buns and cornbread on the ground, which could still be eaten after peeling off the skin.

"What are you doing here again? Get out!" Old Mrs. Song said through gritted teeth.

"I'll get some rice to make porridge for my mom." Song Yan quickly scooped a bowl of rice into a bowl and picked up the only clay pot in the house with his other hand.

The old lady tried to snatch it again, and Song Yan dropped the rice and bowl from his hands.

Rice was spilled on the egg drop soup, and the bowl broke.

"Are you still going to try and take this casserole?" Song Yan seemed ready to smash it if anyone tried to take it.

"Song Yan, you talked nonsense this morning and got away with it. Now what? Let Aunt Yang see for herself, what do you have to say for yourself then?" the aunt roared. Every plate and bowl on the table was smashed. She was heartbroken!

"Okay! Let Grandma Yang come and see you. She'd rather waste the food than give it to my mom."

"Grandma, do you think this is the old society?! Not giving my mother food, and then treating your daughter-in-law like this? You're all accomplices, even worse than those landlords!" Song Yan refused to believe that Old Madam Song would dare tell anyone outside about her mistreatment of her daughter-in-law.

"Who saw me mistreat my daughter-in-law?" Old Mrs. Song said through gritted teeth.

"Then who saw me wasting things? You, you, and you, would it be enough to testify?" Song Yan pointed at each person in the room with his finger, his indifferent attitude making everyone's hearts ache.

"How did you become like this?" Uncle Song and everyone else had the same thought: Song Yan used to be timid and obedient, but now he's a complete scoundrel.

Song Yan filled another bowl with rice and walked out the door in front of everyone.

"Dad, bring me a bucket of water." Before closing the door, Song Yan thought for a moment and decided to take his father away.

She does need water.

Mr. Song silently fetched water for his daughter. Mrs. Song was furious, but she couldn't just tell her daughter not to even use water!

Song Yan went to the main room several more times, needing bowls and chopsticks. No one in the main room stopped her. The medicine was already brewed. Song Yan took the medicine pot down and put the rinsed rice on top.

A washed egg was placed in the rice. According to Song Yan's usual practice, the egg should be boiled in water first, then the rice porridge should be cooked. But if Song Yan did that, her parents would find it strange.

It's best not to make drastic changes to your lifestyle. I washed the eggs several times before putting them in the porridge to cook.

Two lunchboxes were placed next to the stove. By the time the porridge was ready, the lunchboxes were also warm.

After drinking some hot water, Song Yan felt completely comfortable.

There was a large bed and a small bed in the side room. Song Yan rested on the small bed for a while. Song's parents remained silent.

Mr. Song was a little frightened by Song Yan and didn't know what to say. Mrs. Song felt exhausted and uncomfortable all over.

As the water in the clay pot on the stove bubbled and boiled, the aroma of porridge filled the room.

"Mom, get up and eat something!" There was no table in the room, so Song Yan took a curtain from the main room and spread it on the bed.

On the bamboo mat were three bowls of porridge, five peeled eggs, and two lunchboxes filled with plump, white steamed buns.

He gave one to Song Ma and then handed one to Song Ba, saying, "Eat up!"

"It smells so good!" It's all meat filling. Song Ma felt a pang of regret. "You child, don't buy such expensive meat-filled buns next time."

Song Yan didn't reply, burying his head in his food. His third uncle would cause trouble again when he got back; that was a real troublemaker.

Everyone was almost full when Song Yan finally spoke.

"Mom, I took an advance of six months' salary from you and Dad this afternoon. Don't worry! It'll be enough to buy medicine or food." Song Yan said calmly, as if she had only taken six cents.

Song Ma was so surprised she almost dropped the bun in her hand. "Your grandma, your grandma..." She wanted to ask if your grandma knew, but there was no need to ask. If she knew, wouldn't she make a fuss?

"Tomorrow is payday at the factory, my grandma will know then." As usual, Grandma Song would ask her parents for their wages on payday. Song Yan turned to look at her father, "Just tell the truth! What else can they do to you? Isn't this the worst situation already?"

Mr. Song was speechless after what had happened from morning till night. It couldn't get any worse. At worst, his mother would beat him. But his mother was old; how much strength could she possibly have? He'd just have to endure it! If he were to hit Song Yan, he'd just give him a couple of blows; his daughter was married now. "I understand."

Song Yan seemed to read his father's mind, as if he knew exactly what he was thinking. "Grandma will definitely let you beat me, right? Now that I'm married, I won't let anyone in the family lay a finger on me. And my mom, if anyone touches her, I'll make them squat in the jail." Song Yan said these words fiercely and coldly, completely different from how he had remained calm and collected despite all the commotion he'd caused today.

The fence refers to a prison.

Song Ma's eyes reddened, "Xiao Yan..."