"I suggest we appoint Tian Jing as our production team's women's director. Do the members agree or not?"
Captain Ou couldn't hold back anymore; he wanted to give it a try.
"Agree."
"Agree."
"Agree."
...
Almost everyone agreed.
However, "I disagree."
Tian Jing stepped forward herself to object. "I have too much hatred accumulated on me already. Being the women's director will only attract more animosity and restrict my words and actions."
"I like it the way it is now, where I can retort to anyone I want, and no one dares to accuse me of abusing my authority. Captain, I'm not cut out for leadership."
Tian Jing waved her hand at Captain Ou, then cupped her hands in front of everyone.
"Fellow members, I apologize for your kind intentions. I'm someone who often stirs up trouble, and people often shift the blame onto me."
"But one thing I admit is that I like to use grand principles to bully people. So, don't let me be an official. If I were an official, hehe, your words, your mistakes, would be criticized by me so much that you'd wish you could hide for three days and three nights."
"Just like Uncle Li and Auntie Li, why didn't they stop you? Why didn't they defend themselves? Because I used my overwhelming pressure to suppress them."
"Doesn't that feel awful, stifling, and terrifying? So, spare yourselves and let me off the hook too."
Hahahaha.
The members laughed again.
It was the first time they saw someone refuse an official position.
It was the first time they sincerely supported an official, only to be rejected.
It was the first time the words of the person refusing the position were so uniquely unconventional. Su Dan Novel Network.
Captain Ou exchanged a helpless glance with Secretary Yang. He was unwilling to speak before, but now that he had, he was resigned. This definitely couldn't happen a second time.
Tian Jing had already released the pressure she was exerting on the four members of Uncle Li's family.
These four people were not only shocked but also felt wronged.
They felt wronged that they couldn't resist the suppression of the 'evil forces,' and yet the 'evil forces' gained widespread support by stepping on their shoulders.
"Bring out the household registration book. You still disagree with splitting the household and leaving with nothing? That behavior is too reprehensible."
Tian Jing's words immediately found support.
"Exactly, exactly! You're just like an old-fashioned, malicious mother-in-law from the old society."
Tian Jing turned to the speaker and gave a thumbs-up. "Yes, Auntie, you've said it perfectly. We should use correct discourse to express our thoughts and not bow down to evil forces."
Auntie Li glared fiercely at Tian Jing. "There's no one more evil than you."
"Is that so?" Tian Jing retorted sarcastically. "Aren't I learning from you? You're the mother-in-law, the mother, and you have the final say in this family."
"I'm the daughter-in-law, the wife, I represent justice and righteousness in the in-laws' family. Hehehe... You can't do anything to me."
Tian Jing made a face at Auntie Li, almost making Auntie Li faint from anger.
This made the members burst into laughter.
Li Zhengguo looked dotingly at the person beside him. His Tian Tian was just so adorable.
Seeing that Auntie Li was still not moving, Tian Jing asked Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, do you agree to Li Rongguo splitting the household?"
"I agree."
Uncle Li was very straightforward. He didn't want to drag this out any further; he was tired.
"Then, the team will issue a certificate, and the household head, Uncle Li, will take Comrade Li Rongguo to the police station to report the household registration book lost. During the reporting, you will directly split the household. Your family will have a new household registration book, and the old one will be useless."
"Good," Uncle Li agreed.
Auntie Li still disagreed. "No, I don't agree. You are colluding together, trying to break up our originally happy family."
"Alright, tomorrow we'll go to the commune together. We'll take you with us. You can file a complaint, accuse us of colluding to break up your family, and let the police comrades understand the situation."
"Tian Jing, don't go too far. It's not your place to interfere in our family matters," Auntie Li glared at the unrelenting Tian Jing.
"This is me seeing injustice and drawing my sword to help. Eldest cousin, let's go. Don't ever kneel to such a heartless woman again. She's not worthy."
Li Rongguo kowtowed three times to Auntie Li. "Mother, I'm sorry. No matter what happens tomorrow, I must split the household."
"Undutiful son, you'd have been better off drowned in the piss bucket when you were born."
Auntie Li's gritted teeth look sent shivers down the spines of the members. Was this still their mother?
Li Rongguo, as if accustomed to his mother's attitude, stood up and walked to his cousin's side. "Let's go."
Li Zhengguo pulled Tian Jing and walked away.
As Tian Jing turned, her peripheral vision caught the bone-chilling hatred in Auntie Li's eyes.
Was this still her mother? Even a stepmother wouldn't be like this.
Upon returning to the Li family's house, they saw Damai and Xiaomai chatting with Mother Li. The grandmother and grandchildren were all smiling heartily.
This picture of harmonious family life made Li Zhengguo think of his own children. If his and Tian Tian's child were born, would his mother also dote on and care for them so joyfully?
Li Rongguo's face showed a mix of excitement, guilt, happiness, and relief. He could finally live properly for his own family.
"Dad."
"Dad."
Damai and Xiaomai called out "Dad" in unison, their voices high and clear.
"Eh," Li Rongguo responded loudly.
The father and daughters looked at each other and grinned foolishly.
Mother Li also smiled. "Rongguo, Minmin has boiled water for you. Go take a bath quickly, dinner will be soon."
"Okay, thank you, Third Aunt."
"We're family, no need to be polite."
Li Zhengguo opened the alley door next to the east side room and hung the horse lantern he was holding on a wooden nail on the wall, illuminating the bathing area.
The walls and floor were pure cement. On a triangular cabinet in the corner, soap and shampoo were placed.
Li Rongguo was envious. "Zhengguo, this is a kind of luxury for you, isn't it?"
"Shush!" Li Zhengguo gestured for him to be quiet. "That's why it's usually locked."
Li Rongguo chuckled heartily. "I won't say anything."
Li Zhengguo nodded noncommittally. He still trusted his eldest cousin's character. In a couple of years, when the attention died down and more people started to enjoy such conveniences, what would his simple bathing room be?
Actually, it wasn't a big deal even now; he was just worried about overly critical people blowing things out of proportion.
Tian Jing took the opportunity to slip out for a while. When Li Zhengguo returned to the room and didn't see her, he noticed the door was open and knew she had gone out.
Even though Tian Tian was very strong, he still worried. As long as she wasn't under his watchful eye, he worried.
Dinner was served, and after waiting for a while, Tian Jing returned, her expression somewhat somber.
Li Zhengguo didn't ask; they should eat first.
Dinner was the same as lunch, rice with vegetable dishes.
This was the third meal where they had fine grains. Li Rongguo was no longer apprehensive. He knew his cousin wasn't making fine grains solely for his family.
Chewing on the rice, he mused, "The fine grains I remember were from when Grandma was alive. The feeling back then was completely different from how I feel now."
"What kind of person was Grandma?" Tian Jing asked.
Mother Li said, "Your mother-in-law was a shrew."
Li Rongguo said, "Grandma was a kind person."
Li Zhengguo said, "I have no impression of Grandma."
Li Min said, "I never met Grandma."
"Who is Yao Guo?" Tian Jing asked, seemingly casually.
*Crack.*
The chopsticks in Mother Li's hand fell onto the table. The color drained from her face, leaving it deathly pale.
"Mother?" Li Min exclaimed.
"Mother?" Li Zhengguo nervously stood up, standing behind his mother, worried she might collapse.
"Mother-in-law?" Tian Jing repeated the question. "Who is Yao Guo?"
"Yao, Yao Guo~"
Mother Li burst into tears. "Yao Guo~"
"Who is Yao Guo?" Tian Jing pressed again.