Chapter 323 Internal Strife

Even if she treats her daughter-in-law badly, the daughter-in-law still has to be filial to her.

Otherwise, she'll give her son a different one who is filial to her!

There's only one mother, but you can have as many daughters-in-law as you want!

Erniu's mother figured it out, and with zero frames, she slapped him across the face.

"Smack!"

If the old lady dared to hit her daughter-in-law, then she, as the mother-in-law, could naturally hit her daughter-in-law as well!

Sister-in-law Fang couldn't believe it. She covered the side of her face that had been hit, opened her eyes wide, glanced at Erniu's mother, and then looked at Brother Fang. Her eyes were red with grievance.

Brother Fang's eyes darkened slightly, and his thin lips were almost pressed into a line.

"Mom, what are you doing!" he whispered to stop her.

Erniu's mother spat at Fang's sister-in-law, "She definitely pocketed the money. She probably used it to support her family."

After saying that, she raised her hand as if to hit someone.

Brother Fang took two steps over, grabbed her hand, and said in a low voice, with a hint of gritted teeth, "Alright, Mom, stop hitting her. So many people are watching. Don't you want to be embarrassed enough?"

Fang Xiaodi also came over, looking at her with a 'Mom, are you crazy?' expression.

She whispered, "Mom, just because you're supporting your own family doesn't mean everyone else is. Can you please stop causing trouble for my brother? Can't you tell this was all orchestrated by the eldest son's family? Fang Jianguo and Fang Jiangang are hiding behind those people, who knows what other tricks they have up their sleeves. My brother is already busy enough..."

Where?

Erniu's mother looked up and gazed into the crowd. Fang Xiaodi was so angry he wanted to drag his mother back into the house. "Mom!"

Brother Fang glanced at Sister-in-law Fang and shook his head slightly. Sister-in-law Fang pursed her lips, looked at Erniu's mother with dissatisfaction, and took the two children who had been beaten and were crying aside.

"...Definitely!"

The widow suddenly slapped her thigh and called out, "Erniu's mother! I saw her the other day passing money back and forth with a man who looked about five or six points like her. She must have given me my money!"

"See, see, I told you I didn't wrong her..."

Erniu's mother grabbed Brother Fang's arm and said excitedly.

Brother Fang frowned and looked at Sister-in-law Fang, who angrily retorted, "They're talking nonsense! I didn't! My brother and his family haven't been to our village at all recently!"

"You're secretly supporting your own family behind your in-laws' backs, and you'll never admit it! Fang Jianhua, your wife is stealing money behind your back; if she steals money today, she could steal someone else tomorrow. You..."

The widow shouted loudly, but halfway through, she met Brother Fang's sinister gaze, and jumped in fright, stammering, "You...you have to pay me back my money right now, or I'll report you to the authorities for accepting bribes..."

"You old hag, I already said it was for Erniu's dowry, not a bribe! Don't think I don't know who sent you to cause trouble..."

As Erniu's mother spoke, her gaze slowly shifted from the widow to Uncle Fang and his wife.

Aunt Fang spat, "I think you just don't want to pay back the money. If you want to keep other people's hard-earned money, just say so. Don't beat around the bush like you're putting on a show. Aren't you ashamed?"

Erniu's mother pointed at her angrily, her facial features contorted, and opened her mouth as if to say something.

Aunt Fang didn't give her a chance. She glanced at Brother Fang with a mocking smile and accused him, "Nephew, look at the chaos in your family. You can't even manage your own household, yet you're delusional about leading everyone to progress?"

She pursed her lips, turned to comfort the widow, and sighed, "Sister, it's a misfortune for our family. These are all people who are obsessed with money. But they can't be two different people. Jianhua is young and doesn't know any better. Our family will pay for it for him."

As she spoke, she winked at her eldest son.

Fang Jianguo stepped out of the crowd, took out eight yuan and handed it to the widow, apologizing profusely. "Take this money, and whatever you do, don't report this to higher authorities. If you do, Jianhua's term as village secretary will be over. Jianhua, come over and apologize to your auntie..."

Brother Fang remained expressionless, his eyes filled with mockery as he watched the eldest son and his family members as if they were watching a grand show.

His gaze slid down to the widow, and he called out to Fang Xiaodi, "Go get eight yuan for your aunt. Auntie, you know best whether you've given our family any money or not..."

The widow glanced awkwardly at Aunt Fang, then forced herself to say, "It's for your child."

"...Auntie, why are you in such a hurry? Even if our family didn't receive this money, you can ask me for it if you need it. I'm giving it to you voluntarily. It's a way for village officials to sacrifice their own families for the greater good. If I call the police on you, you'll be going to jail. You should understand this, Auntie. I've told everyone this before."

Brother Fang's voice was calm and unhurried, yet it caused both the eldest son and the widow to change their expressions.

"Eight yuan, Auntie, count it." Fang Xiaodi took out the money, squatted down, handed it to the widow, waved it, and gestured for her to count it.

The widow didn't dare to accept it.

Brother Fang didn't look at her again. He raised his eyes to the dark mass of people and said loudly, "Everyone, as the village secretary, it's my dereliction of duty that I haven't been able to lead you to a better life. Tomorrow... I'll go to the city to discuss the grocery store with Su Laosan. Erniu and Su Laosan had some misunderstandings because of the wedding arrangements. The young couple were just saying a few harsh words because they were both upset. What young couple doesn't say a few hurtful things when they quarrel? Their wedding room is all decorated, and the furniture is all made. If they meet and talk things out, the misunderstanding will be resolved. Why do you believe everything my uncle and aunt say?"

The villagers looked at each other, and someone slapped their thigh, saying, "Hey, isn't that right? Couples sometimes fight, some even resort to physical violence. It's not uncommon for disputes to escalate to major conflicts over a few dollars less than agreed upon at the wedding. We can always discuss it later..."

"Exactly, I knew it was impossible for the wedding to fall through. The way the two of them were so lovey-dovey was unbearable to watch."

"Erniu talks about having a baby all the time, and the two of them are shameless in their conversations. It's no wonder things are falling apart."

"Right? Hey, why don't you guys think the Party Secretary's uncle wants things to go well for him?"

"Didn't you hear? His uncle also wants his son to be the village party secretary..."

"Oh dear, is this a family feud?"

Uncle Fang's face was grim. He glanced at his youngest son in the crowd. The youngest son was clearly flustered and opened his mouth to say something, but his voice was drowned out by his older brother's.

"...Even if the wedding doesn't go through, it doesn't mean we won't continue our cooperation. Let's call it a day, everyone go home, that's all..."

The villagers chuckled and said, "Yes, we're sure to get together. So many people know about our good news. If Erniu gets dumped, they'll definitely be unhappy with the Su family."

Some people, emboldened by the youngest son of the Fang family's eldest son, mocked, "What nonsense are you spouting! Even if they broke up, your marriage is over. Why would any strangers help you? Fang Jianhua, who are you trying to fool? Do you think we're three-year-olds?"

Brother Fang glanced over and locked onto the target.

He stared straight at the man and said, "Fooling me? All the things I did for you guys, all the injuries I suffered, all the hardships I endured, were all just fooling you?"

The man choked.