Chapter 83: Third Sister-in-law Rises

When the three arrived, Old Hu’s house was already surrounded by a crowd of curious onlookers. Sister Sun and Sister-in-law Hu, shielding Tang Banxia, fought their way through, securing the best vantage point for the spectacle.

Inside, Sister-in-law Hu San was brandishing a stick, smashing everything in sight like a madwoman. Through the open door, the chaos inside was evident—a scene of utter devastation.

“Comrade Tang,” someone called.

Tang Banxia turned to see Old Lady Song leading Song Yu toward her.

“Aunt Song,” she replied.

They exchanged a glance, understanding each other without further words. Old Lady Song handed Tang Banxia a handful of roasted soybeans, to which she thanked her, nibbling on them while listening to the crowd’s explanations.

It turned out that last night, all of Old Hu’s children had been discharged from the hospital and returned home for a peaceful night’s rest. But come morning, Sister-in-law Hu San showed up wielding a stick, not for any other reason except that her family was on the brink of starvation.

They could have gotten by, but after the hospital stay, the entire family’s medical expenses had been paid by her household. She wasn’t exactly a fool, but no one else had contributed a single cent. Each of them had been quick to disappear, leaving Hu Huasheng unable to save face, so he covered the costs himself.

By the time Sister-in-law Hu San realized what had happened, their money was nearly gone. She had to borrow from the brigade for the remaining medical fees. How could this be acceptable? Not to mention what they’d eat until the summer harvest, she wanted to give the children something extra after their ordeal, but without money, how could she do that? And she still had to repay the brigade.

So she stormed in with her stick.

“You heartless lot, if you won’t let us live, then none of you will!” she shouted, smashing everything in her path.

The water jar cracked, the chicken coop was dismantled, and Old Lady Hu’s treasured hens fled in a panic.

“Eldest, second, what are you standing around for? Take the stick from her!” Old Lady Hu cried in distress.

Eldest Hu, obedient but hesitant, moved to step forward, only to be yanked back by his wife. “Are you stupid? Getting hit with that stick hurts. There are plenty of people here—why should you stick your neck out?”

Eldest Hu glanced at his motionless second brother and his youngest brother cowering inside, pressed his lips together, and stayed put.

Seeing her sons unmoved, Old Lady Hu was beside herself. “Where’s your third brother? Dead somewhere? Just letting his wife act out like this?”

Sister-in-law Hu San was deaf to it all, intent on her rampage.

“You heartless fiends, you want to drive us to death? Come on, let’s see who dies first!” she shouted, determined to see it through.

Years of resentment had built up inside her. From the day she married in, that old witch had tormented her. Even after finally splitting off, the old witch would show up every few days, scrounging whatever she could.

When they separated, her family had left with almost nothing, incurring massive debts for their house and belongings. Just this year, they’d finally paid it off, only to be hit with this disaster.

The old witch saw them as easy targets, taking advantage again and again!

Just as Sister-in-law Hu San charged toward the kitchen, the Hu family could no longer sit idly by—their food stores were kept there.

Second Hu stopped pretending, Fourth Hu stopped cowering, and Eldest Hu was released by his wife. The three brothers united, blocking the kitchen door.

Unable to break through, Sister-in-law Hu San dashed into the room where the old couple lived, smashing and searching for money.

She finally found a loose brick above the kang, pulled it out, and discovered a locked box.

With a cold laugh, she grabbed scissors from the kang, stabbing at the box with all her might.

“Stop!” Old Lady Hu was on the verge of collapse. “Stop her, stop her!”

Seeing her desperation, the Hu family understood at once and rushed forward.

But Sister-in-law Hu San was determined; anyone who approached got a threat with the scissors. “Come on, if you’re not afraid to die!”

The Hu family was truly intimidated.

She sneered at them and kept stabbing.

Youngest Hu, seeing this wouldn’t do, crept up and grabbed the other side of the box.

She nearly lost it, but quickly swung the scissors, cutting a deep gash into his arm.

He cried out, immediately letting go. Old Lady Hu exploded with rage, unleashing a torrent of curses that circled back to Sister-in-law Hu San’s ancestors.

Tang Banxia, watching from outside, perked up at the scene and stepped forward with authority. “That wound needs to be stopped from bleeding.”

Sister-in-law Sun and Sister-in-law Hu immediately caught on. “We’ll help you.”

The three entered confidently. Facing the Hu family’s glare, Tang Banxia maintained a righteous air, pointing to Youngest Hu. “If his wound isn’t treated soon, it could be dangerous.”

Old Lady Hu responded instantly. “Thank you, Comrade Tang.”

“It’s my duty,” Tang Banxia replied graciously, tending to Youngest Hu’s wound slowly.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Hu, wounded to the core, shouted, “There’s the family’s money in that box!”

With those words, Eldest and Second Hu’s families could no longer stand by. They’d thought it was just their mother’s burial money, but now realized it was the family’s savings—unacceptable!

The sisters-in-law exchanged a glance, seeing the same intention in each other’s eyes.

“Mother, what did you say? There’s money in there?”

“Yes, you said we didn’t have a single cent left.”

At this crucial moment, the sisters-in-law worked in perfect harmony, subtly restraining their husbands, hoping their third sister-in-law would deliver.

And she did. Sister-in-law Hu San seized the moment, stabbing at the box until she broke it open. Not foolish, she noticed the sisters-in-law’s actions and grabbed a handful of money, tossing it into the air.

“If I can’t have it, then no one can!”

The Hu family was stunned.

That was their hard-earned money!

Everyone scrambled to the ground, picking up bills.

The sisters-in-law were even quicker, stuffing several notes into their waistbands while no one noticed.

Sister-in-law Hu San used the chaos to slip away, scissors still in hand. The crowd parted for her, letting her pass without interference.

Meanwhile, Tang Banxia finished treating Youngest Hu’s wound and took her leave. The family quarrel came to an end.

By evening, when Old Hu and Hu Huasheng returned, everything was settled.

Sister-in-law Hu San had already taken the children back to her family, leaving the devastated Old Hu household, their cries echoing through the air.

No sooner had Hu Huasheng entered than his mother clawed at his face. “Get the money back for me, or you’re no son of mine!”

Hu Huasheng cried out in confusion, “Mother—”

“Mother, my foot!” Old Lady Hu shoved him. “Go, before that cursed wife gives the money to her parents!”

“Tell her if she doesn’t return the money, she’ll be divorced!”

“And my arm needs compensation,” Youngest Hu added.

Old Lady Hu was invigorated. “Right, she has to pay for that too.”

“Look at what she’s done to this family! If she won’t pay, divorce her!”

“Two hundred!” Old Lady Hu demanded, roaring, “Go now,” pushing Hu Huasheng out the door.

Hu Huasheng, furious himself, stormed off to demand the money...