Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 130: The Mighty Old Lady

Everyone’s face changed as they looked at Liu Li, who was caught with her wrist held, still clutching a bag of oysters.

"Let go! You old hag, let go of me!" Liu Li angrily cursed, showing no embarrassment at being caught, but rather being very arrogant.

The seafood vendors were all furious, criticizing her one after another.

"What the hell! Stealing things and being so blatant about it! I’ve lived my whole life and it’s the first time I’ve seen this!"

"Exactly! A woman more brazen than a local ruffian, it’s unbelievable!"

"Boss lady, we’ve got her with the stolen goods, call the police!"

"Yeah! Call the police right away!"

...

Among the uproar, there were those who were soft-hearted, thinking Liu Li might have some hidden reasons for stealing, and felt it shouldn’t escalate to the police station.

But before they could think further, Liu Li spat at the most vocal vendors, her eyes sinister and vicious, "Mind your own business, stay out of it! Watch out!"

"Hey! A thief who dares to be this aggressive! Beat her to death!"

Lin Qin saw they were angered and finally spoke up to calm them, "Everyone, take it easy, hitting someone is illegal. Let the police handle it. But we still have business to do, I have to trouble a few of you to drag the thief outside and wait for the police to take evidence."

The few vendors exchanged glances, immediately understanding the deeper meaning in Lin Qin’s words, and roughly dragged Liu Li outside, hitting her several times along the way.

Liu Li screamed in pain, cursing even more nastily.

Lin Qin quickly handed five yuan to an elderly woman and instructed, "Thank you for your hard work today, grandma. You should go home to avoid being resented by that crazy woman."

The elderly woman, righteous and stern, scolded Liu Li several times, angrily shouting, "What am I afraid of? My house is right here, and I have seven sons! If she dares to trouble me, my sons can deal with her!"

Her words were intentionally said for Liu Li to hear.

Indeed, Liu Li who had been glaring at the elderly woman, no longer dared look at her.

However, the elderly woman didn’t plan on letting Liu Li off just yet, deliberately walked over to her side, pointed at her forehead and continued scolding, "You’re so young, why not do something decent? You insist on being a thief! Let me tell you! This area is under my domain, I watch over this shop! Anyone who dares to steal from here has to get past me first!"

All the fish vendors gave the elderly woman a thumbs up.

"Grandma, you’re amazing!"

The elderly woman became even prouder, folding her arms and arrogantly pointing at the men and women chatting around, "These people are all related to my family. My son has a steady job; our family is well-connected and we don’t start trouble, but we’re not afraid of it!"

The elderly woman waited until the police from the station arrived, emotionally recounting how Liu Li stole things, how she caught the thief, and Liu Li’s arrogance to the officers.

The officers were clearly familiar with Liu Li, looking at her with obvious disdain and disgust, "You’re causing trouble again? You were just released a few days ago, and now you want to go back in? Maybe this time we should just lock you up for ten days or half a month!"

The last time Liu Li was caught was because she was stealing with a group of young hooligans, due to the severity of the crime and being a repeat offender, she was detained for five days.

Ma Cuihua forced Liu Yongguo to find a way, and it was Liu Yongming, far away in the countryside, who used his connections to get Liu Li released.

No one expected that she wouldn’t change her ways and actually committed the crime alone.

Liu Li finally showed a hint of panic but stubbornly shouted, "I didn’t steal! Lin Qin owes me; if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have a scar on my face. Taking her stuff is only right!"

Lin Qin rolled her eyes, "Crazy woman! If you dare touch my things, next time it won’t just be a scar on your face. I can destroy your face and break your hand!"

It was the first time everyone saw the usually friendly Lin Qin speaking so harshly, all eyes were on them, wondering the depth of hatred between them.

The officer angrily cuffed Liu Li, seeing her resist, he applied more force, "Behave yourself!"

And so, Liu Li was taken away.

The vendors returned to their business, and those who came to watch gradually dispersed.

The Liu family, however, was in chaos.

"What did you say? Your sister is at the police station again? Her suitor is supposed to come today, and your brother worked hard to find this rich man for her. This arrangement can’t fall through! What do we do?" Ma Cuihua was distraught, focusing on the matchmaking event rather than the trouble Liu Li caused, showing that such issues were nothing new to the Liu family.

Liu Yongguo glowered, holding back his anger, "How should I know? I tell her to behave, does she listen? I have to go out to work later; I can’t manage this!"

"Eldest son! You can’t just ignore this! Besides, if your sister marries well, you can also benefit from it, right?" Ma Cuihua looked displeased.

Xu Manzhi emerged from the house, sarcastically remarking, "Mom, whether we can benefit from sister’s luck remains uncertain, I only know she has made the headlines in our area again today.

Now everyone is discussing Liu Li\’s arrest; when her suitor arrives and hears about it, do you think they’ll be scared off?"

Ma Cuihua glared fiercely at Xu Manzhi, "Nothing good ever comes from you! Go away! You’re just annoying!"

During Lin Qin’s time in the family, she had a cordial relationship with her mother-in-law, Ma Cuihua. However, after Lin Qin’s divorce and Liu Yongming’s career troubles, Ma Cuihua felt uneasy—Xu Manzhi, realizing the Liu family held no promise, no longer supported Ma Cuihua and Liu Li, often provoked them.

The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law gradually deteriorated.

"Mom, taking out your anger on me won’t change the fact that Liu Li is like mud that can’t stick to the wall. It’s better not to pin hopes on a rich suitor anymore; with her character, even if she marries, she’d be returned!" Xu Manzhi grew more spirited as she spoke.

Ma Cuihua was already furious, throwing things.

Liu Yongguo got a headache, hurriedly led Xu Manzhi back into the house, "Could you say less? Can’t you see Mom is about to explode?"

Xu Manzhi shook off Liu Yongguo’s hand, with a stern face and hatred, "It’d be better if she does! We agreed that this house, including the second wing, belongs to us!"

With no promising future in sight, she focused on securing visible and tangible things in front of her.

Liu Yongguo immediately put on a stern face, "Xu Manzhi, she’s my mom, speak respectfully! I already said, don’t worry about the family matters, what more do you want?"

Xu Manzhi sneered and sat down, watching with interest, "Alright! Let’s see how you stop me from worrying!"

Liu Yongguo said nothing and walked out of the courtyard, first on the street he called Liu Yongming, then went to the police station to understand the situation.

Upon seeing Liu Li, before he could start scolding, Liu Li yelled furiously, "Brother, it’s all Lin Qin the bitch’s fault, you have to avenge me!"