CHAPTER 1342: CHAPTER 685: EVIL AGAINST EVIL

Hearing Lady Zhou accuse her of being too malicious, Lian Manman suppressed her laughter. When it comes to being malicious, in this room, no matter what, she doesn’t even rank; Lady Zhou definitely makes the list.

Lian Manman had pondered deeply why Lady Zhou could consistently manipulate Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. Just like in a crime investigation, when the perpetrator is unknown, one must first thoroughly understand the victim. From the victim’s characteristics and the manner of victimization, an effective profile of the perpetrator can be drawn.

Treating the relationship between Lian Shouxin, Lady Zhang, and Lady Zhou as a case to be analyzed, because it embodies a very local model without a precise scientific term to summarize it, Lian Manman defined it as Stockholm syndrome combined with family cold violence syndrome. The perpetrator is Lady Zhou, the victims are Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang.

First, let’s look at the characteristics of Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang’s personalities. This couple’s personality traits are very clear: both are soft-hearted, kind, value emotions, and deeply influenced by rural Confucian ideology, especially respect for the elderly and pride. This couple possesses these admirable qualities and has a profound psychological need for others’ approval.

Lady Zhou’s ways of manipulating this couple target these traits, each move striking precisely. Isn’t it true that Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang are filial and concerned with pride? Then Lady Zhou falsely accuses them of being unfilial, humiliates them. And because this couple is soft-hearted, kind, and values emotions, Lady Zhou’s method is self-harm, making them unable to bear it, develop compassion, so Lady Zhou wins.

Now, Lady Zhou has unleashed all her tactics, but Lian Manman remains unmoved, and even influences Lady Zhang. Lady Zhou is defeated and calls Lian Manman malicious. Lady Zhou seemingly never realizes that she herself is actually the most malicious person.

Needless to say, Lian Manman is sure about one thing: whether it’s herself, Lady Zhang, or Lian Zhizhi, if a pregnant woman collapses in front of them, regardless of acquaintance or animosity, they wouldn’t cold-bloodedly ignore her. But Lady Zhou can, and yet, Lady Zhang remains devotedly hardworking, even pregnant with Lady Zhou’s own grandson.

After Lady Zhang miscarried Xiao Yue, Lady Zhou had clearly stated that it wasn’t a big deal. Lady Zhou even cited her own example, saying she had also lost a child, one who had grown up for several years.

Lian Manman knows she doesn’t have Lady Zhou’s hardness of heart, nor her cold blood.

Lady Zhou is always angrily accusing her descendants of being heartless and malicious, but in reality, she is skilled only at dealing with the soft-hearted and kind. When faced with those who are truly ruthless, she has no tactic whatsoever. She doesn’t dare to curse such people, fearing she might provoke them and they would retaliate fiercely.

Perhaps, on the surface, Lady Zhou appears old and weak, while the family seems young and strong, but essentially, this family is like Little Red Riding Hood, and the seemingly old woman opposite is the wolf grandmother.

To such a cold-blooded, hard-hearted person who bullies the kind and fears the wicked, any kindness and goodwill are both sad and laughable. Facing Lady Zhou, Lian Manman has no choice but to wear a mask, the mask of a villain. Only then can Lady Zhou be suppressed, protecting herself and her family.

No matter how pitifully the wolf grandmother cries, claiming there’s a raging storm outside and she’s going to die, it’s only to coax Little Red Riding Hood into opening the door so she can come inside and devour her.

Is there anything more ridiculous than the wolf grandmother accusing Little Red Riding Hood of being malicious?

Watching Lady Zhou weaken, Lian Manman felt the moment was almost right, so she gave Lady Zhang a look.

"Old lady, today I’m going to ask you a few questions. Answer me with a clear conscience." Lady Zhang sat upright on the kang, looked at Lady Zhou, and asked, "In the decades I’ve been here, having children and raising them, did you ever say I wasn’t diligent in my work or disrespectful to you?"

Lady Zhou sat on the ground, eyes lowered, lips tightly pressed, and didn’t answer.

"I’ve poured my heart and soul out for you, yet you just can’t appreciate me. But you’re not bad to every daughter-in-law. You’re quite good to Lady Gu. Then I realized it, it’s because Zhizhi’s dad is honest and unambitious, so you look down on us, am I right?"

Lady Zhou still remained silent.

"You especially dislike me because I’ve offended you in two matters. First, I shouldn’t have been so sincere in nursing Xiuxiu, am I right?" Lady Zhang asked further.