“Outsiders? Aren’t you talking about your son? Besides, over the years, no one but you has been able to bully me.”

Seeing that all the men of the Shi family had arrived, Shi Shumei decided to skip the pretense of a harmonious family act and instead gave a sarcastic look to her resentful eyes.

She had known all along that these people were eyeing her family's wealth. She hadn't wanted things to escalate too much because of blood ties. But they didn't care about that at all; not only did they not offer a helping hand in her time of need, they also cursed her family every day.

“Shi Shumei, you need to provide evidence for your words. With your shrewish appearance, who can bully you? Besides, my father is your uncle, an elder. Aren’t you afraid of biting your tongue for saying such disrespectful things?”

With someone backing him up, Shi Tian puffed out his chest and swaggered up to the woman, keeping a half-meter distance out of fear of being beaten.

"Alright, now that we understand what my niece means, let's take this opportunity to have a good talk. The sesame oil shop in town, although it has always been run by your parents, was originally opened with money we lent them."

Now that they're gone, and there's no man in the family to support them, how can you, a young woman, be out in public every day? It's hardly proper!"

Shi Dajin's expression changed drastically; his previously kind demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by arrogance and unreasonableness. Since they outnumbered him, he figured he wouldn't lose out if things escalated into a fight.

“When did you borrow money from my family? My father told me everything. When you got married and divided the family property, you took all the good houses and land. In order to make a living, he had no choice but to leave his hometown and go out to work.”

"Now you know how to take credit? Where were you before?"

Over the years, these families had little contact. It was only because the parents were getting old and didn't want to dwell on the past that the relationship improved somewhat. But this one wrong decision allowed these shameless people to take advantage of the situation and shamelessly demand more.

Seeing that his lie had been exposed, Shi Dajin paused for a second, then said:

"Who told you all this? Your mother, right? We could tell long ago that she was up to no good, and it's no wonder we were suspicious; it really is true."

He deliberately spoke to the people in the courtyard, and in front of the woman, he began to shamelessly berate her mother.

"You bunch of elders and older brothers, bullying a woman, aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Or does everyone around here know your character, so you've all let loose? Are you ready to act like animals?"

Jiang Yu lifted the curtain and walked out of the room, followed by Shen Ying, who looked cold and unapproachable.

"What did I tell you? Don't come out, go inside right away."

Shi Shumei lowered her voice and gestured for the two to go back.

“Sister-in-law, since someone is here to cause trouble and wants to argue, we have to play along, right? Otherwise, people will say we’re neglecting our guests and we’ll be laughed at.”

Jiang Yu crossed her arms, feeling touched by her protective attitude. She was determined to handle this matter.

"Who are you?"

Shi Fu was momentarily tempted by the woman's beauty. His tone was unusually kind compared to the others.

"Who, who could it be? Didn't you see that the man behind him looks eight or nine parts like Shen Ci? And he even calls Shi Shumei 'sister-in-law'. You don't need to guess to know that he must be their brother's wife."

Shi Tian was quick-witted, and after some analysis, the Shi family learned about her identity.

"What, a son-in-law who married into the family brings his wife's family to back him up? Does he really think he's some kind of little wife? Hiding behind two women, what kind of skill is that?"

Shi Tian turned his attention to Shen Ci. In his view, a large part of the reason why Shi Shumei was so persistent in clinging to the oil shop was because of the man's influence over her.

Shen Ci remained unmoved by his sarcasm. He seemed to have grown accustomed to being spoken to like that, and simply ignored it.

"Why don't you say it again?"

Shen Ying walked down the steps from the doorway step by step, exuding an imposing aura. Shi Tian took two steps back and swallowed hard.

He knew this man was incredibly strong and not to be trifled with. Suddenly, he recalled the news that had reached the town years ago. A major had become a household name in the army, deeply favored by his superiors, even attracting the attention of the mayor.

What was that person's name again? Shen Ying, Shen Ying? From Shenjiazhuang, Shen Ci's younger brother?

Shi Tian felt like he was going to faint from lack of oxygen. If he had known that Shen Ci had such a powerful backer, he should have taken advantage of him first before humiliating him.

"What are you saying? Are you saying your wife is unfaithful and cheats on you?"

Back when he was living in the city, he had the misfortune of hearing someone mention that although this major was very capable, he had a dilapidated family. It was because his wife was having an affair with a sent-down youth that they had never been able to apply for a family compound so that his wife could live in the countryside.

Is this woman in front of me remarried?

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll break your legs."

Although Shi Shumei's suspicions had not yet dissipated, these two were now on her side and had come all the way from afar. She couldn't let her sister-in-law and brother-in-law suffer such foul language.

"Whether they're lying or not, they know it in their own hearts."

Shi Tian dismissed it with disdain and turned his attention back to Shi Shumei.

“If you don’t hand over the shop, we’ll go back tonight and have a meeting to discuss how to destroy your father’s grave and throw it aside. And from now on, your family will be forbidden from entering the ancestral graveyard.”

As soon as he said it, the others agreed, thinking it was a good idea. Amidst their praise, Shen Ying couldn't stand it anymore. He stepped forward, punched the man, and blood splattered.

When Shi Dajin saw his son being beaten, he shouted that he wanted to go forward and take revenge, but he was also beaten to the ground, clutching his buttocks and groaning in pain.

Compared to the unsightly way they ate, Shi Erjin's family seemed much more welcoming. They were there to share the spoils, not to provoke this family and get beaten up.

Furthermore, they know what kind of person the eldest son's family is. Don't be fooled by their sweet talk about splitting the third son's family's assets equally. In reality, if they can get even the slightest benefit from it, they'll consider it a win.

"Shi Erjin, what are you doing? It's one thing not to help, but to watch us father and son get beaten up and remain indifferent, do you want to see us fight with Lao San's family so you can get the benefits?"

Shi Dajin was very dissatisfied with their actions, but he was currently isolated and helpless, so he had no way to completely break off relations.

Upon hearing this, Shi Erjin pretended to be concerned and went over to help him up.

Seeing that he couldn't get anything out of the man, Shi Dajin started cursing at Shi Shumei:

"You shameless little bastard, ganging up with outsiders to bully your own people. You idiot, you'll die out there just like your son sooner or later."

The words had barely left his mouth when Zhao Meiyun, who happened to be there, overheard them.