Fang Pingying finished hitting Xu He and, dusting off her hands, pointed at Xu He and cursed unabashedly, "Xu He, do you think everyone is like you, utterly ignorant of the words ’decency and shame’?" When there were many people around, Xu He’s favorite act was to play the innocent white lotus. She didn’t fight back; instead, she covered her face, looking aggrievedly at the people in the yard, hoping someone would speak up for her. Luo Dashan in the yard had never liked Xu He and naturally wouldn’t argue with Fang Pingying on Xu He’s behalf. In the past few months living with Xu He, Zhou Yunmei had not spent a single good day with her. Moreover, because Xu He was sneaky, some people outside who were unaware of their family’s circumstances even thought Zhou Yunmei was too domineering. After all, how Zhou Yunmei treated Fang Xiu and Fang Pingying, her two daughters-in-law in the past, was well-witnessed by others, and she was publicly acknowledged as a formidable mother-in-law. Zhou Yunmei, in Xu He’s clutches, could say she was almost suffocated. So, the moment she saw Fang Pingying hitting Xu He, she felt a chill in her heart, confident that someone in the house would take her side. As for Luo Zhiming, he wanted to step forward but hesitated, fearing Fang Pingying and thus, dared not approach. Seeing that she couldn’t get help, Xu He continued with the pitiful white lotus act, looking at Fang Pingying, "What do you mean by this?" Fang Pingying snorted coldly and spoke to her indifferently, "What, do you want me to enumerate all your misdeeds one by one?" Xu He knew Fang Pingying was aware of her background and had nothing to say, so she could only push Luo Zhiming forward while cursing, "Luo Zhiming, are you dead or what? What’s the use of marrying you if others can hit me right in front of you, and you don’t even dare to make a peep?" Luo Zhiming, with no way out, braced himself and stepped forward to rebuke Fang Pingying, "Big sister-in-law, what happened that you resorted to hitting someone?" Fang Pingying looked at Luo Zhiming disdainfully; she had previously thought Luo Zhiming was okay when with Fang Xiu, although he also heeded Fang Xiu’s words, he still had some character of his own. At least, in the past when Fang Xiu slandered Luo Cuilan or Zhou Yunmei, Luo Zhiming knew to defend them. But now, Luo Zhiming in Xu He’s presence had no trace of a man’s pride, just like a little eunuch, revolving around Xu He, taking her word as law. Fang Pingying shook her head in disappointment and frowned in response to Luo Zhiming’s question, "Didn’t you hear her just now? The implication of her words just now was that I was cheating on Luo Zhiyong behind his back. Such insults, and I can’t hit her? Then tell me, when is it okay to hit?" "Don’t talk nonsense, when did I say that you..." Seeing Xu He trying to argue again, Fang Pingying cut her off directly, "Xu He, don’t play those tricks with me. Let me tell you, I’ve seen through what kind of person you are a long time ago. If you want to live a good life in the Luo Family, it’s better for you to tuck your tail between your legs and behave properly; otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do." Having said that, Fang Pingying stared at Xu He and issued a stern warning, "If you dare to provoke me, I’ll make sure you have no good days ahead." When it really came to being ruthless, Xu He naturally couldn’t outdo Fang Pingying. Fang Pingying had never relied on her in-laws even for a penny, and she had even given much to her husband’s family, from which Xu He herself had benefited. But Xu He, in her heart, was contemplating how to skim things from the house to pad her own little stash, which meant skimming from Zhou Yunmei. In reality, it was equivalent to taking from Fang Pingying. Therefore, to some extent, she couldn’t afford to offend Fang Pingying. Additionally, Xu He was not good at making a scene. She preferred underhanded tactics, so naturally, once Fang Pingying gave her a piece of her mind, Xu He didn’t utter a peep; she just started to stand aside and cry to look pitiable. Seeing this, Luo Zhiming felt sympathy and went to comfort her. Once the conflict between those two ended, Zhou Yunmei made her entrance. Actually, she was quite happy to see Xu He in such a state, but she pretended to chastise Fang Pingying on the surface. "Zhiyong’s wife, what are you doing? It’s the New Year, and as soon as you’re back, you’re hitting and threatening people. How has this family ever wronged you?" "Do you want me to list every single grievance?" Towards Zhou Yunmei, Fang Pingying showed no pleasant expression either. Zhou Yunmei’s tone turned sour as she too became aggravated and retorted, "If you’re so unhappy about coming back, then why did you? Where is Zhiyong?" Fang Pingying replied coldly, "Zhiyong has duties at his unit. He sent me back to deal with Hong Lan’s situation." Zhou Yunmei frowned and then said, "Hong Lan is fine; she doesn’t need your interference." Fang Pingying glanced at the houses in the courtyard and indeed saw that Luo Honglan’s door was locked. She pointed towards Luo Honglan’s door and said, "Don’t keep her door locked. Let Hong Lan come out." Zhou Yunmei clutched the keys in her pocket tightly and yelled at Fang Pingying, "No, Hong Lan is my daughter. I can’t manage your affairs, but I sure can manage my daughter’s." "If you don’t let her out, I’ll have someone break the door," Fang Pingying retorted. After all, Luo Zhiyong had said that as long as she took Luo Honglan back with her, he would handle any consequences. Ever since they got married, Luo Zhiyong had never spoken such assertive words to Fang Pingying about family matters, so now Fang Pingying was curious to see how he would follow through. Zhou Yunmei didn’t believe Fang Pingying would really break down the door. She pursed her lips, glared at Fang Pingying, and taunted, "You want to try?" Fang Pingying didn’t have the strength, but she wasn’t alone either. She gestured to Chen Jie who was behind her and instructed, "Chen Jie, that room, the one with the locked door, that’s where Hong Lan is staying. She’s inside. Go and kick the door in. It doesn’t matter if you break the door or the lock, any damage will be covered by Camp Chief Luo." Chen Jie nodded after hearing the instruction and promptly ran towards Luo Honglan’s room. The houses in the countryside had wooden doors. A man like Chen Jie, who frequently worked out in the army, kicked a hole through the door on his first try. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel fire.net Luo Honglan had heard the voices outside from within the room and had already called out a few times, but no one heard her over the commotion. Now, hearing the sound of someone kicking the door, she immediately ran to it, excitedly calling out, "Big brother, sister-in-law, is it you? Have you come back?" Hearing Hong Lan’s voice, Chen Jie finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly responded, "Hong Lan, it’s me." Luo Honglan, unsure if she could believe that Chen Jie was there, fell silent for a moment before tentatively calling out, "Chen Jie?" Chen Jie crouched down and peered through the hole in the door, just as Luo Honglan also knelt down with her hand on the edge of the door. He reached his hand in, gently tugging Luo Honglan’s hand, and said with a light chuckle, "Yeah, it’s me. Don’t be afraid. I’ve come with your sister-in-law. We’ll take you back to the provincial city tomorrow."