After making her harsh remarks, Xu Xiaofen went to find Xu Zifan, frowning as she said, "I've told them everything you said, but do you really think it will work? Mom has always been the most vocal, and if it causes a huge uproar, it will definitely have a bad impact. You've been doing so well, what if someone uses something against you?"
Xu Zifan said casually, "Deal with what? At most, they'll just accuse me of being unfilial. There are so many people whose interests are tied to mine, this little bit of influence is nothing."
Xu Xiaofen shook her head and said, "Just thinking about their commotion gives me a headache. I don't know when they'll finally calm down and we can live a peaceful life."
"Soon." Xu Zifan made a phone call, and all the Xu family members left.
Seeing this, Xu's parents immediately took Xu Zilong and "ran away." After walking until they were exhausted, they realized they didn't know how to deal with Xu Zifan. If they went to the factory or the county government to cause trouble, they would definitely be arrested immediately, and they didn't want to be locked up and tortured again. Xu Zifan was a big boss here, and the county magistrate was his father-in-law; they didn't know who to turn to for help. Finally, after much deliberation, they simply took the matter to the police station.
Even if the county magistrate is a high-ranking official, if someone makes a scene in front of the police station in full view of everyone, they can't just ignore it, can they?
Xu Zilong suggested that the three of them, not far from the police station, have Xu's mother start crying and making a scene, shouting that her children were unfilial and she wanted to die. Sure enough, a crowd quickly gathered, and some kind-hearted people asked what had happened. Xu's mother blurted out, "My son and daughter have made money here, and we rushed over to rely on them, but they actually think we two old people and one young person are a burden! They make so much money, but they won't even give us a bite to eat, and they even said they'd make us beg for food when we're old!"
"Who's so unfilial? What are your son and daughter's names? Where are they?"
"Yes, yes, our Donghe County is the most united place, and something like this has never happened before. They must be from out of town, right? Where do they work?"
"Sister, just tell us, and we'll all stand up for you. There's the police here; just arrest them and question them, and they'll behave."
Seeing more than a dozen people joining her in cursing, Xu's mother became smug and shouted, "My son is Xu Zifan, and my daughter is Xu Xiaofen. These two unfilial children have no conscience. You're right, I'm going to call the police to arrest them and see if they'll take care of us in our old age."
A sudden silence fell as everyone stepped back, creating a safe distance. Then, an old woman spat and yelled, "Who are you people? You're trying to sabotage Director Xu because he's doing well, aren't you? You look like a shrewish old woman. Someone like you can be Director Xu's mother? You're dreaming!"
Xu's mother's eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing? Why don't you believe me?"
"If you really are Director Xu's mother, then you deserve to beg for food. Look at you, even trying to get the police to arrest Director Xu. You're the one who should be arrested! Director Xu is a great benefactor to our whole village. He's as kind as Guanyin Bodhisattva reincarnated. He's helped us so much, and he even gives subsidies to people over sixty. You're accusing him of being unfilial? Bah! If he really is unfilial, then you've done something to make him feel ashamed. You deserve it!"
"Yes! We all received subsidies from Director Xu. What's it called? It's called a charity fund, which Director Xu set up personally, specifically to subsidize us elderly people. He takes such good care of even strangers, how could he not be filial to his parents? There's a reason why you're not filial, you should be arrested by the police!"
While they were arguing, an old man actually ran in and called the police. He said the Xu family of three were swindlers. After Xu's father produced a letter of introduction to prove his identity, everyone crowded around the police station, saying that the Xu family of three must have done something bad, otherwise Director Xu wouldn't have ignored them.
And then there's Xu Xiaofen, a college graduate. Every time she sees them, she greets them kindly and politely. How could she be unfilial? It must be their fault as parents. And that younger brother, Xu Zilong, he's obviously good-for-nothing, like a hoodlum. He's definitely not a good person. Otherwise, why would Xu Zifan and Xu Xiaofen help each other and have such a good relationship, but not with him?
The three members of the Xu family were truly terrified. Why was no one helping them at the police station? They hadn't even said a few words before being surrounded and verbally abused by a group of people? Did Xu Zifan have such a high reputation in Donghe County?!
They felt that continuing to take care of them might get them locked up, so they quickly made an excuse that they wouldn't file a complaint and hurriedly left. This time, they were truly homeless. When they got hungry, they found a restaurant to eat, and seeing how much money they spent broke Xu's mother's heart. They didn't have much money, and if they couldn't rely on their children, they had to go back home quickly, otherwise, once they ran out of money, wouldn't they be penniless? Most importantly, Xu's father had already resigned from his job, leaving them with no way out.
The news that the Xu family had come to Donghe County to sue Xu Zifan for filial impiety spread quickly, and everyone's reaction was similar: they immediately assumed the Xu family was at fault. Given Xu Zifan's generosity towards them, no one would believe he was stingy and neglectful of his parents. Xu Zifan's character was beyond reproach; if he had a conflict with his parents, it must be their fault.
Even if Xu Zifan becomes a big boss or the richest man many years from now, he won't have so many supporters. He might even be resented and criticized. But this era has its own unique characteristics. People easily admire someone, especially if that person has changed their lives, brought them countless benefits, and allowed them to truly live a good life. They then wholeheartedly believe in that person and think they are absolutely good.
When Wu Zhigang returned home, he mentioned it briefly. Su Qing was somewhat taken aback, never expecting that Xu Zifan, who always kept his head down and remained silent in front of his parents in his past life, would so coldly abandon them in this life. Upon learning this news, she...
She couldn't sit still any longer. She made up an excuse to go to the store, but in reality, she rode her bicycle through the streets and alleys for three hours before finally finding the Xu family.
She pretended to be a kind person and stepped forward to ask, "Grandpa, Grandma, what happened? You look like you've been beaten. Do you need me to call the police for you?"
Xu's mother waved her hand, angrily patting the dirt off her clothes, "No need, you police from Donghe County, humph."
Su Qing asked, feigning confusion, "What's wrong with our police? I have relatives who work for the government. What grievance do you have? Why don't you tell me?"
Xu Zilong said impatiently, "What good would it do to tell you? Who do you think you are? Isn't it Xu Zifan who can control everything?"
"Xu Zifan?" Su Qing asked, puzzled. "Isn't Xu Zifan just the county magistrate's son-in-law? What's so great about marrying into the family and having absolute power? He's famous, but he's just a figurehead. He relies entirely on his father-in-law. It's not a big deal, is it?"
Mr. Xu frowned and asked, "A son-in-law marrying into the wife's family? When did he become a son-in-law marrying into the wife's family?"
Su Qing shook her head. "I don't know about that. I just heard that he's very obedient to his wife, picking her up from school every day. She's very well-behaved. His wife is the envy of all the girls in our county. She has a good father and a husband who listens to her so much. If there's anything she's not happy about, it's probably that she can't have children. Otherwise, her life is just too perfect."
Su Qing glanced at her watch and said with a smile, "I have things to do. You really don't need any help? I'll be going now."
"Oh? Miss, I had something else to ask you, Miss?" Xu's mother tried to stop Su Qing, but Su Qing had already ridden away on her bicycle. She waved to them and said that she had something urgent to attend to and would talk to them next time.
The three members of the Xu family stood there looking at each other. Xu's mother said, "We haven't even met Yang Wanyun yet. Zifan listens to his wife. If we can get his wife under control, won't he be obedient? She can't have children yet. What family wouldn't divorce a woman who can't have children? She definitely wouldn't dare to go against us. Besides, women care most about their reputation and face. She's still at school. If we go to the school to find her, she'll definitely have to listen to us."
Xu Zilong said excitedly, "Mom, you're right. She's a writer, isn't she? Big writers care about their reputation. If we spread the word about her being unfilial, who will buy her books? She'll definitely have to make things right for us. Let's talk about it at school this time. If we can't reach an agreement, we'll make a scene in front of the teachers and students. There are so many people there, I don't believe they'll all be on Xu Zifan's side!"
Xu's father didn't express his opinion; he was furious. If things hadn't been so unsettled, he would have already lost his temper.
The group went to the school to find Yang Wanyun, but Xu Zifan had already spoken to the gatekeeper, who not only refused them entry but also called Xu Zifan to report it. Xu Zifan, now the school's principal, directly ordered the security team to expel them. Just then, Yang Wanyun, who was leaving the school to run errands, bumped into them.
Yang Wanyun's photo was printed on the first page of her book. The Xu family recognized her first and pointed at her, shouting, "Yang Wanyun! Yang Wanyun, tell them to let go! We are your husband's family. Why can't they let us find you? Did you tell them to do this? How can you be so wicked!"
Yang Wanyun frowned slightly, stepped forward, and said politely, "Dad, Mom, is there something you need?"
Xu's mother said angrily, "You still know how to call us Mom and Dad? What kind of thing did Xu Zifan do? He actually locked us up for so many days and said he wouldn't take care of us in our old age. Did you know all this? Did you instigate him to do it? You married into the Xu family, so we are your elders. If you dare not take care of us in our old age, we'll drown you in our spit!"
Yang Wanyun looked at the security guards and asked, "Did Zifan tell you to stop people?"
"Yes."
"Then do as Zifan says." After giving the instructions, Yang Wanyun nodded to Xu's parents and said calmly, "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry, I don't know much about your family's affairs, so I can only respect Zifan's decision. If you have any complaints, go talk to Zifan."
Xu's mother had planned to give her daughter-in-law a hard time, then assert her authority as a mother-in-law and make demands step by step. But to her surprise, Yang Wanyun ignored her! Seeing that Yang Wanyun was about to leave, Xu's mother, unable to break free from the security guard, could only anxiously say, "Aren't you afraid we'll spread rumors about your filial impiety?"
Yang Wanyun paused, then said coldly, "Unkind parents, unfilial children. Do whatever you want; I believe people will have their own judgment. Also, I finally understand why Zifan and my eldest sister don't want to go home."
"What did you say! Say it again?! You barren hen, how dare you put on airs in front of me? I'd have divorced you by now!"
Yang Wanyun turned around and said coldly, "You can be a prostitute if you want, but don't think everyone is like you. I was originally thinking of asking Zifan to take you back to stay for a few days, but now it seems that you are more suited to living in the old house."
Mr. Xu's heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Mrs. Xu and shouted, "Shut up! Are you done yet?! Do you want to be locked up again?"
Xu's mother struggled in a panic, and when she realized the security guard wouldn't let go of her arm this time, she became frightened. "What are you doing? What are you doing? Let go of me, I'll scream for help!"
A security guard stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth and dragged her forward. Xu's mother screamed in terror. Xu's father and Xu Zilong were also grabbed and said frantically, "Let go, let's go, we're not looking for anyone anymore."
The security guard said, "It's too late. Didn't you hear the vice principal say that you're more suited to living in the old houses? Go over there now."
"No, no, no, it's not necessary, we're not going..."
Xu Zilong was gagged before he could finish speaking, and his father was also gagged. The three of them were locked back in the old house, guarded tightly outside, and their food was no longer as good as before. Xu's father finally couldn't contain his anger and slapped Xu's mother to the ground!