Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 725: Chapter 728: The Fierce Mother

As June began, the oppressive humidity of the Huangmei rainy season quietly arrived. There's a saying that goes, "When rain falls on the Huangmei, there won't be a clear sky for forty-five days." Although the scenery in Huinan is beautiful, the endless drizzle can make those used to drier climates feel uncomfortable for days. Fortunately, the rain was light, falling like fine silver threads, bringing a refreshing coolness that was far more pleasant than the stifling heat before the rain.

On the outskirts of Zhonghai, a commercial street lined with small eateries emitted the smells of oil and cooking. Neon signs in red and green glowed above the establishments. As evening fell, with people hurrying home from work, a young man in a checkered short-sleeved shirt and white straight-cut capri pants walked down the street, searching through the small restaurants. He finally stopped outside a Sichuan restaurant and, after a moment, went inside.

This was, of course, Yang Chen, coming to talk to Ma Guifang about Mo Qianni.

Some time had passed, and Yang Chen figured that Ma Guifang's anger should have subsided by now. He believed that if he appealed to her emotions and reasoned with her, he could persuade his mother-in-law to compromise.

As he entered, the slightly chubbier Sister Xiang was at the counter, busy with a calculator, seemingly doing some bookkeeping. Seeing Yang Chen walk in, her eyes lit up. "Oh, Yang Chen, you're here. Are you looking for Guifang?"

Yang Chen greeted her with a smile. "Yes, Sister Xiang. Where's my mother-in-law?" He didn't see Ma Guifang in the shop.

"She's in the kitchen helping out. I'll go call her for you," Sister Xiang said, putting down the calculator and starting toward the kitchen.

Yang Chen quickly stopped her. "No need, I'll go find her myself. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

Sister Xiang understood, giving him an approving look, and stepped aside.

Yang Chen, feeling a bit anxious, but keeping a smile on his face, walked into the kitchen. The smell of vegetables and fish hit him, but having been used to the marketplace before, he didn't mind it. His eyes found Ma Guifang at the back, busy chopping vegetables and arranging dishes. He called out, "Mom."

Ma Guifang paused, the knife in her hand freezing mid-cut. She turned around, her expression complex. "What are you doing here?"

"Heh, nothing much. The weather's been damp lately, and I was worried you might not be feeling well, so I came by after work to check on you," Yang Chen said, trying to sound endearing.

"I'm fine. You should leave..." Ma Guifang turned back to her chopping.

Yang Chen wasn't about to leave. He licked his lips and said, "I wanted to talk to you about Qianni."

"There's nothing to talk about. I've already said everything I needed to. I've even apologized to President Lin. This matter should be over," Ma Guifang said bluntly.

Yang Chen smiled bitterly. "How can it be over? No matter what, I'm not going to give up on Qianni. If I were to abandon her now because you oppose us, how could I live with myself after she chose me? I just want to explain things clearly. Once you hear me out, you'll believe that I'll never let Qianni down."

Ma Guifang snorted coldly. "Never let her down? You're already married. Are you planning to marry her again? Let me tell you, Yang Chen, unless you divorce President Lin and marry my daughter properly, I won't let this go. If you just want to keep her as a mistress, no matter how well you treat her, even if you give her mountains of gold, I won't let her stay with you!"

Yang Chen was stunned by Ma Guifang's resolute stance. He scratched the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "Mom, isn't this too harsh? It would hurt both Qianni and me too much. Can't we just observe how things go for a while instead of deciding everything right now?"

"Let me tell you, Yang Chen, don't call me 'Mom' anymore! I don't have such a capable son-in-law!" Ma Guifang glared at him. "I'm telling you to break it off now for your own good! I don't care what you think or what you've done with other women, but I can control my daughter! Qianni is absolutely not allowed to continue this! Now leave!"

"Alright, let's not talk about that right now," Yang Chen said, his thick skin helping him ignore her harsh words. He walked behind Ma Guifang with a smile. "Mom, are your shoulders sore? Let me massage them for you."

"Get away from me!"

Ma Guifang shouted, turning around with the vegetable knife pointed directly at Yang Chen's face.

"Yang Chen! I'm warning you! Don't think that sweet words will soften me up. This matter is non-negotiable! Unless I'm dead, as long as I'm breathing, I won't let my daughter become someone's mistress! If you keep pestering me about this, I'll find a beggar on the street to marry her off to!"

Yang Chen's face darkened. Facing Ma Guifang's fierce resolve, he suddenly realized that despite his strength, he was powerless.

This was the mother of the woman he loved, and everything she did was to ensure her daughter had a legitimate, happy life.

No matter how harsh or aggressive she was, Yang Chen felt that he was in the wrong and couldn't act out.

Ma Guifang wasn't An Zaihuan or Ning Guangyao; she was just a simple woman from a small village who could barely read. But it was this seemingly insignificant woman that Yang Chen dared not anger too much, let alone disrespect.

Elders are elders not just because they are older or more knowledgeable, but because they can selflessly sacrifice everything for the next generation.

To Yang Chen, Ma Guifang was far more deserving of respect than someone like Ning Guangyao, the prime minister.

Yang Chen felt a knot in his chest, but he didn't dare show the slightest impatience. However, giving up wasn't an option either. He stepped back a couple of steps and said earnestly, "I'm not giving up. Since you're still angry today, I'll come back another day. I hope you can calm down. After all, your daughter isn't someone who makes decisions lightly, right?"

Yang Chen's plan was simple: if Ma Guifang was angry, let her be angry. He would come every day—surely she couldn't stay angry forever. Even brake pads wear out eventually; how could a person's temper be more durable than brakes?

Ma Guifang's eyes reddened slightly, but she remained silent.

Just then, a loud, shrill voice echoed from the restaurant's main hall outside the kitchen, yelling, "Ma Guifang! Get out here!"

Yang Chen was about to leave the kitchen when he heard the shout. He was momentarily taken aback—who had such a loud, domineering voice?

Ma Guifang's face turned pale, and her hands trembled as she put the kitchen knife back on the cutting board. After wiping her hands on her apron and hesitating for a moment, she quietly walked out.

Yang Chen followed closely behind, sensing that the situation might be unfavorable for his mother-in-law. It seemed like someone was there to cause trouble, and he thought this might be a chance to step in and earn some favor.

As they entered the dining area, they saw a large, stout woman with three chins standing there, hands on her hips, glaring furiously as if she were ready to burst into flames.

Sister Xiang stood nearby, looking anxious but somewhat fearful of the woman, her mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Beside the fierce woman was a balding, middle-aged man who was relatively thin. He was trying to calm his wife down, clearly worried. "Honey, what are you doing? Let's go home. Don't make trouble in Ah Xiang's shop. What will the neighbors think?"

The woman snorted coldly, glaring at her husband before stepping forward as Ma Guifang approached. "Ma Guifang, you've got some nerve!"

Ma Guifang forced a gentle smile and asked, "Aunt Zhou, what do you mean by that?"

"Hah! You've got the nerve to ask what I mean?!" Aunt Zhou suddenly burst into laughter, then, without warning, she raised her hand and slapped Ma Guifang across the face.

Smack!

The sound echoed through the room as a red mark appeared on Ma Guifang's face. She clutched her cheek, stunned and dazed by the blow. The sudden turn of events made Sister Xiang gasp in shock!

Yang Chen hadn't expected the woman to get physical. He was still trying to figure out what was going on, which is why he hadn't reacted in time to stop it. Seeing Ma Guifang slapped, a flame of anger suddenly ignited in his eyes.

How could his mother-in-law be slapped by a shrew right in front of him? If Mo Qianni heard about this, she would hate him for not stepping in!

Had this not been a public place, and considering there was probably more to the story, Yang Chen might not have cared that it was a woman—he would have slapped her back twice as hard. But he restrained his anger, stepping forward to shield Ma Guifang, his eyes burning with fury. "You better have a good reason for hitting my mother-in-law, or I'll smash your face!"

Yang Chen's intervention made the fierce woman hesitate for a moment before she realized who he was. She sneered, "Oh, so Ma Guifang's son-in-law is here too? What, you want to stand up for your shameless mother-in-law? Go ahead, hit me! Hit me if you dare!"

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8